Some Things About Online Auctions

Victorian Rose

The online auction scene has been great as a first step for me to get my work out and seen by as many eyes as possible. The images are small and starting prices have been set low for a couple reasons. One is to keep the art affordable as to entice a sale - so even folks on a small budget can buy an art piece; and also to see how the value is perceived by someone who buys because they really like and want the painting - not just because it is cheap.


However, I learned that getting them seen by people is a puzzle sometimes, and has a lot to do with how it is listed to fit the searches people do.


One of my buyers who is also my biggest fan right now taught me this lesson. She said originally she found me by 'accident' and then put me in her favorites, but shared with me how she did her searches. BIG HELP!!!!


I finally figured out that sometimes using the same words in the title/description as in the search labels and tags is a good way to be found.


If you my dear reader have any other helpful ideas that you'd like to share to get the work in front of more eyes, please let me know.

Two Blue Plums

I was going to start with red plums for a painting, but these 'black' ones looked so beautiful and yummy they seemed like a better painting subject for the season.

I used a few leaves that were beginning to wilt thinking it would be a good challenge and create more visual interest.

SOLD

Two Blue Plums 

6 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel

© 2012

The red ones will be forthcoming, but may be more suitable for Christmas time and I think about the colors red and green.

African Violets

I wanted to paint these for awhile now. I miss having a kitchen window over the sink to put these sweet blooms, so I thought painting some to hang on the wall might be fun. I use to have three little plants in a row so I am pretty sure I'll be painting another version in a horizontal format. These are to share with you.

SOLD

African Violets

6 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel

© 2012

White Vase with Posies and Grapes

This little painting was something I debated about for a couple of days. I wanted to paint it because of the vase, but couldn't decide what to add. So I just included the first things that came to mind. I mostly like the way the light filters through the flowers onto the right side of the vase. Red grapes are my favorite grape-they snap when they are just right for munching.

SOLD

Vase, Grapes and Posies

8 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel

©2012

Sunflowers - Free Spirits

I think almost all people like something about Sunflowers, myself included. So in my journey to develop my painting skills I decided to try to communicate what I like about Sunflowers. Mostly I they are beautiful. They don't smell so sweet, but love how they are strong and hardy and a bit irregular or playful. Simply a free spirited bloom.

 Free Spirited Sunflowers

6 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel

© 2012

I used some scrapping technique on this one to see if I liked the effect. I guess I do since I left some of it in the image. The colors are very vibrant under daylight bulbs. I think it will look nice with either an antique gold or wood tone frame.

"Countryside Studio"

I did some teaching for awhile several years back when I had a business called 'the Countryside Studio'. The photo below is the entry.

It was located in a space I rented for a full year and had great ambiance. Barn board siding and walls, large tall windows, a large fireplace in the middle of the front area, and plenty of room in the back room for easels, models and still life setup and of course students. It was really a dream come true... until the owner's family lost their mom and had to make some family decisions. This of course influenced my plans. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and a whole lot of fun to say the least. I painted everyday and taught about three times per week. This next photo is the fireplace.

After about a year, things were going well with the studio, but my personal life took a bit of a down-turn about the same time - it was like the perfect storm, but by the grace of God, I am still here.

Plein Air - First Day Results...

Here's a photo of the scene I chose from the first day of plein air painting this past week. It is a little overexposed, and of course the normal changes between sunshine and cloud cover was part of the experience so nothing new there... BTW, the bugs were out and wouldn't you know I forgot the repellent!

Deep Lake Dock Photo

The resulting field sketch here is a little loose and undefined... but a good reference for later. Found something pleasing to my eye...

Deep Lake Dock Field Sketch

6 x 8 on Canvas Panel

© 2012 (June)

And the finished study from the studio... I so enjoy doing these! You can purchase this at Daily Paintworks.

SOLD

Deep Lake Dock Final

6 x 8 on Canvas Panel

© 2012 (June)