January art workshops that POP!

What do all these happy people in the photos have in common?
They all came to our studio, and whether they were new to painting or experienced, two hours later, they all left with a completed painting!
And best of all, the class was just $30.00 with ALL supplies included! And better yet, if they participated (and almost everyone does) in the second class, it's just HALF PRICE! Convenient online sign up.

There will be hot coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade and tea for refreshment. Bring your lunch (or places nearby!) If it is nice weather (we can only hope) we can picnic outside......we hope you are animal lovers (5 dogs, 2 ponies, 2 goats)

So what classes are coming up at Art Student Academy?
This link takes you to a list for the next few months: http://www.portraitsnc.com/lessons/Getting-Started-Dates-and-Times.html

Saturday, Jan 15 from 10-12 we will learn all about colors, what to select, what to mix..this is a must have class for anyone who wants to learn and improve their painting skills! 

We have just a few openings left!
Same day from 1-3: Beautiful landscapes! This class is designed to take the skills you just learned and put them to work!

Sat Jan 29 from 10-12: Paint DOGS and CATS! Only 2 spots left for this popular class! . Popular class for a parent with a child.
Same day from 1-3: Paint Horses! Oh my, this class is full!

But we have another Dog and CAT class in Raleigh which is ALL DAY at the Jerry's store in Raleigh, NC http://www.jerrysartevents.com/dogandcatpo1.html

All of our contact information can be found on the website of http://www.ArtStudentAcademy.com
Sign up today!

Crazy artist week..wait, that's real life!

This promises to be one of those crazy weeks that . Steve and I have the evening seminars at the Art of the Carolinas  Nov 11, 12 and 13 and what possessed me to agree to demonstrate a brand of acrylic paints (all day) for 3 days is beyond me! Steve will be at the Duke  show with our art booth while I am at the Hilton in Raleigh.....whew...wonder where I can change my clothes?
Meanwhile I am trying to reschedule my teen art class  to avoid a conflict this week.....and heading to the Gallery that I partner with this morning to meet two clients, stopping at the bank, the post office .....oh yeah, the early Thanksgiving on Sunday for a son flying out Tuesday to Job Corp......wonder if they'll actually get the turkey into the oven?......LOL and I HAVE to start on that large family  oil painting, finish the smaller orders.......we even managed to get our custom Xmas cards printed and ready to mail out early this year (as in before Xmas)  but we need to hand address them all......did I mention getting out the newsletters to all of our clients and friends....oh, and I have to trim the hair off the Cockapoo...meet with the guys to finish the "we're in the middle" bathroom makeover of 3 months.......I think I started to say something about an overwhelming  week but in fact it's sort of typical (with the exception maybe of the workshops) of the real life that all artists cope with !

That's why so many of the art marketing sites on the Internet are so....unreal :-). From what we have seen, Very few, if any,  are written or presented by artists who are creating art as well as selling it....they fill their sites with tidbits from here and there, from many artists and so seem to have missed that essential element of real life as we all know it....living the day to day life that we all know and yet creating art within that same context. THAT is what the "real" artist's life is all about!
So regardless of where you are in your own world of art, stick with it! Embrace it and enjoy it. As overwhelming as some days or weeks may be, how you handle the challenges of real life as a working artist is what separates the artists who want to market their art from those who simply think about it!

LOVE the time change-I feel like I'm not starting in the middle of the night!

A Tribute to our Family Dog, Jesse

Our 16 year old, deaf, family dog, Jesse snuck out of the gate 3 weeks ago on that bitter Sunday and never came home. Despite out tireless efforts, we have not found her. I am so pleased that my artist husband, Steve created this little 4 x 6 oil portrait of her last year. She disappeared as we originally found her-wandering. It is SO sad!  It's a very fitting and lovely tribute to a little "Lassie dog" who was the ultimate family companion!