Monday, June 22, 2015

Painting on Metal

first I drew in chalk
 I mentioned last week about going to the Blanco Market Day.

Well, I went, but first let me tell you something. If you're like me
you've never really considered what all those vendors at farmers markets, art markets, fairs..etc. what those folks go through even before the event!

To begin with they have all registered with the state, and then they paid cash money to be at the event, and they have to show even if the weather is bad... just so you know.
The day before, they spent getting everything together, and before the fair or market opens, they got there at least an hour before hand probably more and set everything up and then moved their vehicle so you could park close by....I have a lot of respect for these people after doing the market on Saturday.... So next time 
you know.
finished product... with chicken walking by

Ok, so my story... of course the weather forecast was 10% rain for the day, at least until the actual day when it was.. yes, raining, hard...  Juliette and I went anyway since we had to, and really why not? We had everything ready.. 

We didn't  wear rain coats, and I don't know why, except Juliette, when she saw some of the other vendors setting up in rain coats, said "they look terrible" and I guess that's why we didn't... 

So we got there, and I checked in, but I told the woman we were waiting til it stopped raining, we went and had coffee and watched the other vendors til it stopped raining and then we got to work. 
Honestly I don't know how a single person could set up one of those canopy tents alone, we have enough trouble together.. but we got it all done.. and then we sat and waited.. and waited...
We sold one item! and then it started raining and I didn't care what anyone said, I wasn't going to let my wood art get ruined so we left!

But I learned something here too! Several people told me to try another market.. and also they asked if 
my art could be hung out doors. I've had this question asked a few times before and I was thinking of just using old cedar, which I do like... but I have all this old sheet metal around. ( We have so much stuff that I always thought was junk, but know I'm glad we have it!) 

So I thought "What the heck, let's just see how this looks..." you know what? I like it! and it's light, and thin, much easier to move around.
 
This picture of the rooster on metal is 5ft 5inches tall by 26" wide, which means it's a standard metal piece..
Do you like it?



Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Little Tiny Art

 I love miniature paintings..

and.. what better way to exhibit tiny pieces of art
than as jewelry?

These are a few little chokers I made...
keep in mind they're the first and as  Juliette tells me .. " you'll get better".

Gotta love that girl.

Everything is being posted on etsy, little by little..
novellasfarm on etsy.

1" wood tiles ( made by jerry) on 14" cords.





Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Process


 Jerry, ( my husband) keeps his eyes open for useful wood for my art..

He came home from the lumber the yard  with two 6ft. long pine boards.. he found them
in the culling rack and thought I could use them..

I asked him to glue the boards  together to make a wider piece and then to cut it in two 3ft lengths.


Here's what I came up with...

 I wanted to paint a pig, and as it turned out after I had drawn the image I had a knot hole in just the
right spot for the eye...
I guess the pig was there all the time just waiting to be revealed..

Anyway, after I drew the image, I burned the pencil lines with my trusty wood burner... then I sanded,
and sanded and sanded....

For this piece I painted the pig with white milkpaint and then sanded over the white paint to expose the wood...

Here's the finished product...

I still can't understand why the wood was being culled..

If by any chance you are in the Blanco area on the 20th of  June, please try to come by the Market Day
Fair at the Courthouse..
I'll be there! selling art and other wonderful goods.. come say hello and look around!


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Whats Up with Art

 I've been busy... I feel sure you can relate.

 Life is so full of everyday obligations
doing little extras (like blogging) gets tossed by the wayside.

A few things have happened though...

I started making  little wearable pieces... these little wood tiles are about an inch in size, the cord fits close to the neck.


I painted a few. I think they're kind of cute, and of course  my first attempt, they will get better...  I thought they would be nice
to have when I sell at art fairs. Something small and fun.

The other thing that happened is kind of a bummer..

I went on and on about "Revival" the store in Bee Cave..
How I communicated with the owner, he saw my art, he loved it wanted to take it all on day one...

Remember all that?

Well to make a long story short,  I went in there about a week after I took my art  up to their store "officially".
And it was no where to be seen. Then a woman came out named
Christy, she took me to the back and told me that their last inventory manager had over ordered, and the owner, David, really didn't  have the authority to accept work from artists.

She said they had too much inventory  and had no room for my art... so I took it home. I'm glad I went up there because I don't know when they would have felt like letting me know
about the situation.

 I have a lot to learn.
 But, I am learning.. and I learned  from this experience, happily it only cost me some time and my pride.

I have an etsy store, Novellas Farm, that I'm adding to daily (Please visit!) and I will be going to art fairs and such for now..

 As they say..." it's all good"... for the time being.