Gallery Obituary

After as certain age, one begins to scan the daily obituaries to see if you know anyone.

This morning I got this newsletter today about a big name local/regional gallery closing. Times are tough for artists.  It takes consistant hardwork and patience – and since that does not pay the bills, it is a bit daunting.  It is hard to remain motivated when the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere in sight.

Gallery Obituary:
After 25 years Stellers Gallery San Marco will be closing its retail doors but will remain a benchmark gallery in Northeast Florida. For those of you who know Scott Riley, founder of Stellers Gallery, you probably know that his passion and dedication for selling art can’t just stop here. He is eager to continue representing his brother C. Ford Riley and marketing him as well as other artists regionally.

READ MORE

——————————————–

That being said:  It can be done: Another local gallery has a regional hospital project looking for hundreds of paintings/pieces of art.  And I have had a fairly good August.  Plus I am exploring venues I might have never touched 3 years ago.  And I will be the first one to tell you it is nice to have a few sales in times like these does wonders for the creative spirit.  I am so amazingly motivated right now!  Perhaps things are picking up? People are looking down new avenues and changing with the times.  Doing things they might never have done until they were forced to become more resourceful.  I read this article in the NY Times last week about a decorator I have worked with in Atlanta.  It is nice to see a forward thinking Southerner!  As you probably know the South is notorious for being very conservative and not embracing change – even so, they do not really have that choice anymore.  Artists have to be creative thinkers as well as visually creative.

Like we say in our house, “It is a Doggie Doggie World!”

Mush on!

Dragon Fruit

I saw this at the grocery store and was just in awe of its beauty.  So it came home with me to try.  It reminds of my friend Laura:  Bright pink and Green (preppy),  prickly, and crazy, unexpected, and very seedy on the inside.

What kind of fruit are you?

Diced up Dragon Fruit + Lemon Sorbet + a Fancy Ginger crisp = Yummy Goodness

Work in Progress

Work in progress. Two - 48x60's.

Detail (#2)

Detail (#1)

WANTED:

WANTED: An artist assistant. Must have a good eye for detail, be a self-starter, read my mind, and does not talk much. Pay is minimal to nothing – possibly in art or home cooked meals. Duties include (but are not limited to): Picking up art supplies, finishing off my work (painting sides black, putting hanging wire on, framing, etc), getting lunch, inventory, photographing my work, updating website, walking my dog (several times a day,) cleaning my closet,  rubbing my feet, delivering art, etc. Knowledgeable of reflexology or shiatsu is a plus.  Any takers?

Back to School

In the past two weeks I have had a few dreams dealing with, taking tests, missing school supplies, coloring outside the lines, and moving into a dorm room as an adult.  I wonder what on earth has been stirring up all these “back to school” dreams.  I don’t think I am stressed or under any deadlines.  But one thing I know for sure – I HATE tests and I am very glad those days are over.

Compliment

I have been fairly active this summer, had several openings, and in the past month or two I have received a lot of attention and many compliments about my work -  which, for the most part, is nice but there are a few people out there I question.  There are some people that feel the need to tell me how wonderful I am (or my work), but in the same breath they think they need to put down other artists in my vicinity, or community.   And complain to me about how bad another artist is, etc.  They tell me other people are jealous of me; compare me to others and tell me how much better I am than so-and-so.  I wonder if they really think that makes me feel good about myself?    Well, I will go ahead and tell you – it sort of makes me feel uncomfortable.  It it like comparing apples and onion rings.  It means absolutely nothing to me.  And it makes me not value or respect anything that comes out of their mouths.  I just don’t welcome that sort of negativity within my aura.

I try not to compare myself to others.  I am sort of a loner and just like to keep to myself and work away in peace.  Besides, I am my own worst critic.  I don’t need this kind of smack talk from other people.  I give myself enough grief.

I learned a few years ago that ALL art is subjective and I am not really in a position to criticize or critique ANYONE – EVER.  My ex-sister-in-law came for a visit once and we decided to go shopping and gallery hopping.  She picked out a painting in a shop that she wanted to buy for her mother as a gift. I am not exaggerating when I tell you it was the most hideous and amateur painting I had ever seen.  My husband suggested that I was jealous that she did not want to purchase something from me – but that was not it.  As sweet as she was, I was not only appalled that my new sister-in-law had such horrible taste in art, but that I was now related to her.   Goodness.  I tell you it looked like an old, faded painting from the 1970’s you found in your dead grandmothers attic that she had painted during her weekend art class in a nursing home craft class.  It was a girl dressed in Victorian clothing next to a gazebo in a summer garden.  You needed to dust it off before dropping it off at the local Goodwill just to get rid of it so you would not have nightmares – it was just that ugly.  But I was watching her (my sister-in-law) with such amazement as she went on and on about this painting and how it evoked something within her, and reminded her of her mother’s youth.   I could not get over how passionate she felt about this painting, and made quite the fuss:  It is what every artist hopes for when someone purchases their work.  It was one of those self-centered realization moments in life when it suddenly occurred to me that there are other people that actually exist in this world and they see things through completely different eyes.  From then on – I have completely kept my thoughts to myself, and attempt to  find the good/beauty in everything – even if it is small glimpse.  Thankfully, I don’t really feel the need to put another person down in order to feel good about myself and my work – like some do.

And even bad art has a place in the world to be appreciated and adored.  Amazing huh?

Small Works

I now have a bunch of smaller unframed bin pieces for sale directly from my studio.  I am not selling these in galleries in order to keep the prices low.  So if you ever wanted an original piece of art from me at a reasonable price (under $100) – now is your chance!

Without imagination you are nothing

I hate it when stupid people spout off the phrase: “Knowledge is Power.” To an extent, that statement is true – but I believe they are overcompensating for the fact that they are ignorant and uneducated in general – and being “in the know” about 1-2 things does not a smart person make.  Sorry Sir Francis.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
-Albert Einstein

Local Press

Local artist, Casey Matthews, has an art exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art…..

Read more HERE

Jacksonville Art Walk . Wednesday August 5th . 5-9PM

Jacksonville Art Walk  .  Wednesday August 5th  .  5-9PM

The Art of Casey Matthews & Trinity Baker

This Wednesday my work will be on view at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in conjunction with the First Wednesday Art Walk in downtown Jacksonville. If you missed my opening last week this is another FREE opportunity to check out my exhibit as well as the rest of the Museum.