Happy New Year!

I sit here reflecting on what a great year 2012 was for me artistically.  I had some amazing shows and I think I produced my best pieces ever. I've been pushing myself artistically and finally seeing those results.  The proudest moment being my show December 1, when Jezebel took 1st in Workmanship, Grand in Workmanship, Reserve Grand workmanship resin, and Reserve Grandest of Grand.  That victory gave me the creative boost I really needed.

What will 2013 hold?  A lot, I am afraid.  I think I'll scale back the resin purchases although I will purchase a "Tiny" resin from Sara Rose.  Actually, maybe a couple of those. One to sell, one to keep.  I would LOVE to get a Bacchus but he is a little expensive right now and I am trying to save up for NAN.  I will definitely be purchasing more Breyers this year.  They have some great molds coming down the pike.

I suppose the biggest thing of 2013 will be NAN held in Harrisburg this year.  I have a decent amount of horses going.  I would like to get more qualified if I can.  It will be a tough show.  I would die if one of my pieces placed there! I know showing isn't all about winning, but winning is great.

I'll be traveling to NAN with a fellow hobbyist, so we will be there for each other for support. I am so glad I know exactly where NAN will be held, as I was there for a show in October.

Well, today being the first day of the new year and all, I think I'll get some stablemates prepped and ready for paint. 

Here's to a creative, exciting hobby year!

Profit!

I FINALLY sold a piece at a profit.  My silver dapple Haflinger sold for $86. Not a huge profit, but a profit nonetheless.  Here is a pic:





Silver Bay Haflinger



 

Been a while

Jeesh, November since my last rambling?  I guess with the holidays and everything, there hasn't been much to report. I sold my Sheeza and again made no money. I don't know if it is because I am an unknown with no NAN qualifications, people just aren't spending money, or if my stuff sucks. I thought the Sheeza would go for a decent price.  Tons of people watching the auction. I actually had an inquiry on whether or not she would be up for sale.

She ended up going for less than body price.

On the upside, that Rompadeux I sold is very much loved by his new owner and hopefully he'll get to a show or two.

 I think for now on I am just going to put stuff up on MH$P and try there first. If it doesn't go, THEN try Ebay. I really wish people would start showing my stuff. Maybe if I can proclaim my work NAN qualifying, people will be more apt to buy it.

I bought a piece from a fellow artist and my stuff is no worse than hers. The piece is very nice,  and this artist has NAN qualified stuff.  If her stuff can win, then surely mine can as well. I just wish there would be more shows around here. Maybe if I could show my stuff FIRST, get the NAN card, then sell it.  Maybe I should just say my stuff is LSQ. I hate doing that because people can be so nitpicking about that term, but maybe my stuff would move better. Marketing.  I don't know. Speaking of marketing, I know have business cards.  This make me having a studio more real. 

I have a lot of pieces in the works. I am hoping to finish up my Jezebel this weekend. She is a fleabitten grey and is actually turning out pretty nice. I have a sabino Clyde that needs refinement and will be put up for sale. This winter has been so mild, so I have actually be able to work on stuff, which is nice.

I bought a horse anatomy coloring book. I really don't plan on sculpting, but I figure knowing the ins and outs of the way a horse is built can only help me.

My confidence really took a hit when Sheeza tanked, but I can't let that get to me. I just can't. I loved working on her. I KNOW my stuff is nice, other people just need to realize it as well. If I can get just one win....

My goals for 2012 are to get some pieces NAN-qualified. It would be nice to get a black and purple ribbon. I want to get my name out there as a quality painter. I know the market is tough. I know I am getting into this at an older age (40).  Most, not all, but most artists are young, 20's, early 30's.  Whatever. I just really like doing this and plan to keep on doing it as long as I can.

I started paring down my collection so I can focus on what I really love. Trying to sell that Yankee II resin, but that doesn't seem to be a very popular mold.

That's it for now. I'll post some in progress pix of Jez later.  And I promise to post more often!

SOLD

Wooo hooo! I sold my grulla Rompadeux to a fellow hobbyist.  I am sooo excited, but nervous too. I hope she likes it as much in person as she does with the photographs.  I have him all packed up and ready to roll, so he'll ship out today.

I had Rompy up on ebay but he really didn't do that well. I had a reserve set on him so maybe that scared some folks off.  I had him listed a little high at $150. Hey, a girl can dream, right?  LOL.  I eventually sold him for $100, which is a very fair price for an unknown artist.

I haven't done too much work this week. The weather has been really wierd.  Rainy, windy, cold, then warm. I am hoping to finish up Sheza soon. I'd like to list her before it gets too close to Christmas. The dappling on her so far is going well. I really don't want to screw that up!

I'll post pix when she's further along.

Sheza

I started working on Sheza. She is going to be a really sooty buckskin.  She went through this absolutely hideous period where I seriously had doubts.  Then, I started blocking in some dapples.

Here she is so far:

Just starting to add dapples here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I am so terrified I am going to "ruin" her.  I am really going to take my time. I haven't sealed anything in, so I can totally "delete" the dapples. LOL!  It has been way to cold and windy here to do any sealing anyway.

I haven't started on Sadie yet. I am really nervous to start on her as some really experienced artists have been having trouble with her and how she is sculpted. Gulp!

I also listed another of my pieces for sale on Ebay.

Rompadeux

 

 

 

Lesson learned, I put a reserve of $150 on this guy. So far no bids. If he doesn't sell, so be it but at least I won't be "giving" him away like I did with Ben. At least Ben went to a good home, but still.

We'll see how it goes.

November

Here we are at November already. Where did this year go? Our tree will be up in a few weeks. I actually have a decent start on my Christmas shopping this year. I tend to avoid the craziness of shopping at a mall around the holidays.  I prefer ordering online and avoiding the craziness.   Some people enjoy the crowds and hustle and bustle of a mall around Christmas. Not me! 

I haven't been able to work on any horses at all. We had a suprise snowfall on Saturday. I woke up to find a blanket of white on our line. It was beautiful, but caused a lot of problems. Luckily we didn't lose our power. We had a Halloween party to get to and all I could think of was how funny it would be if a Halloween party was cancelled because of snow!

Here are some pictures of the horse I am referencing to paint Sadie:

This mare has such interesting facial markings.  She's just not a plain chestnut!

                                                                                                                         

I curse you weather!

Well, I got a GREAT start on Sadie. A few more light spritzes with some primer, a while top coat, and she would be read to rock. Unfortunately, the weather has decided to become decidedly uncooperative. High winds. Driving rains.  Saturday it was so windy it was knocking our metal porch swing around like it was nothing. All of the beautiful leaves have been knocked down by the hard winds and blown away by the gale-force winds. Definitely NOT a good leaf color year.  Anyway, I was really hoping to have a good start on Sadie by now, but she sits untouched. Which sucks.  I guess if things don't calm down I will finish up that overo drafter and that huge Gus medallion. He's juuuuuust about done. I also need to touch up Blue and try to get him listed (with a reserve this time!)

Speaking of sales, Ben has arrived safe and sound in his new digs in Maryland.  His new owner is thrilled with him. I am glad. He sold for a pathetically low sum. I guess I would rather he went cheap and is loved and displayed rather than languishing at my house in a drawer unseen. 

My Halloween swap partner also received her reiner and foal butterfly customs.  She loved the reiner and plans to show him. That's good news. I sure hope he shows well for her. I'd love to get some NAN-qualified pieces under my belt. I need to get my name out there and show I can turn out quality pieces.

I ordered some business cards from VistaPrint. Free but for shipping.  I figure I need to get in a serious mindset. I figure I will throw a card in when I sell a piece.  I'm not looking for Big Name Artist status but I'd like to have some recognition.

Here's to hoping the weather calms down and I can get started on Sadie!