A Blue Eyed Pony

Wandering the hill country highways in my blue rider,


A blur of purple flashes by my window.


I suddenly stop and pull over to see a fierce and wild field


of purple and green, woven like a Guatemalan scarf,


as far as the eye can see. I can't help but laugh...


as a little miniature horse scratches her ass on the fence


and others roll and play in the freshness of spring's smile.


A shy blue eyed pony looks back at me,


and I think of Mom singing me to sleep:

"Hush-a-bye, don't you cry
Go to sleep, my little baby
When you waken, you shall find
All the pretty little ponies
Black and blue, sorrel, too
All the pretty little ponies"

Sweet are the memories of girlhood and sorrel ponies...and the strains of the heart.

Out With Outtakes!

I've taken "outtake" out of my vocabulary!

What is an outtake anyway? some kind of outcast image...the unwanted photos, the left behind sketches, the unapproved layouts, the extras, the unused but somehow not forgotten...and always desired as "free-bees".

You wouldn't sell unfinished paintings or give away your painting sketches without charging something for them! So why is it photographers always get asked for their outtakes? Are there really any unwanted photos? If they want 'em, charge for them!

If you wouldn't show them to the public, don't show them to your client.

Charge by the image, not by the hour.
The trick in any creative endeavor, is to value your time, which is ultimately money. But valuing your end product may be even more tricky. How can you really value how much or little time or inspiration you put into something. Time may be irrelevant compared to the life time of work you've put into learning a skill.

So in learning to bid on a project...ask them what their budget is. Show them what you can do for them with that budget. Then show them how much more you can offer with a slightly higher and a very much larger budget.

Do Over's

I've been thinking a lot about my own life, how quickly it goes by and how precious it really is.
I love this poem attributed to Erma Bombeck, one of the country's most popular newspaper columnists and a best-selling author.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

The Business of Art: Are you a risk taker?

An entrepreneur is one who is willing to take risks in order to make a profit. It is also one who is enterprising, ie. marked by imagination, initiative, and a readiness to undertake new projects. (source: The Free Dictionary by Farlex)

Are we risk takers with our creativity? Do we risk a bold stroke and miles of canvass, or do we tinker with a timid line and remain stingy with one piece of paper at a time? This could be a clue to how we are in the business of our art as well.

Jim Hart has an interesting article, What If...Artists Were Trained as Entrepreneurs?, posted on tcgcircle.org. The gist of his essay is that higher education doesn't prepare artists to make a living and that they should introduce more business courses in school. This isn't big news for most of us, nor does it help the majority of us already employed as artists. He also does not address the historically proven approach of learning under a mentor or in an atelier, which are all but extinct in this country. But whether or not you agree with the educational part, Hart does make some interesting points about artists taking an entrepreneurial approach to their careers:

Entrepreneurs look for potential gaps or opportunities within the market. If a market is over-saturated, it is probably not the best place to be to be setting up shop, as one will have to compete with sizable odds and obstacles. More competition, more risk and the less likelihood of success. However, if one chooses an alternate path to the typical (of New York and Los Angeles) and, instead, looks to markets where there are sizable cultural gaps or interests under represented (potential audience), artists have the opportunity to fill such a gap and create a niche, which can dramatically increase the artists’ chances of making a living.

What steps could you be taking --what risks could you assume-- to be more entrepreneurial in the marketing and business side of your art, as well as your creative processes? I'm not suggesting we "sell out" for a profit...but rather that we create a bold vision.

What opportunities might be found (or found missing) in your immediate communities or in neighboring cities, or even distant lands that may be a possible market for your work?

What moves might you have to take to be more entrepreneurial--a risk taker--in your business of art?

SOLD! - Art Auction Raises $30k for State Hospital

12x9" pastel, "Variations No. 2"

I donated the above pastel, Variations No. 2, to the ASH Insights Art Show & Sale, benefiting the Austin State Hospital. I was thrilled to learn that it was purchased by state employee and show organizer, Donna Brown. And, over $30,000 was raised to benefit the hospital through this benefit!

The following is an announcement from their program. To see it in its entirety online, click here:

Through ticket sales, the purchase of professional and patient art, and generous sponsors, over $30,000 was raised to enrich the lives of children and adults receiving treatment at the Austin State Hospital.

One of the most successful activities at the recent event was the community painting. Guests had the opportunity to contribute their artistic talents on a painting which was auctioned off at the end of event. View additional photos of event, including the live community paintings. Without the support of individuals, companies, and foundations, the Volunteer Services Council would not be able to provide funding for special programs and services.

Thanks again for partnering to find solutions towards wellness.

Special thanks to the oustanding artists who believed in our mission:

Piercarlo Abate, Milli Apelgren, Kerry Awn, Ethan Azarian, Gilbert Beall, Kim Bernson, Eric Beverly, Matt Bowman, Laura Caffrey, Carol Calvery, Jo Castillo, Paul Civiletto, Douglas Clark, Shawn Corbett, Andrea Crawford, Donna Crosby, Chuck Croslin, Anne Ducote, Mike Etie, Jane Fier, Graham Franciose, Suzanne Gandy, Ann Goldsmith, Chase Heard, Britta Herzog, J.M. Hicks, Steve Hopson, Robert Hurst, Megan Jaster, Rusty Jones, Barbara Kelly, Sue Kemp, Suzanne Kfoury, Rita Kirkman, Melissa Knight, Allyson Lipkin, Andrew Long, Michael Long, Denise Mahlke, Maggi Miller, Bunny Oliver, Eileen Pestorius, Libby Peters, Jeanne Philquist, Terry Pittsford, Gabrielle Stein, Robbin Robertson Polter, Molly Reid, S’zanne Reynolds, Darrell Keith Roberts, Priscilla Robinson, Andrew Rockenstein, Jeri Salter, Larry Staida, Terry Starnes, Julia Teachey, Eliza Thomas, Billy Tice, Robin Tripaldi, Virginia Vaughan, Phillip Wade, and Jerry Walters.

Photo Published

My photograph shown above was published in the Austin Business Journal.

In the Presence of Love

"Variation No. 2" 12x9" pastel

The above artwork was donated for the ASH Insights Art Show & Sale benefiting the Austin State Hospital January 26, 2012. 

"Celebrate the Presence of God within every cell of your being."

"Come, let us stand in the brilliance of Divine Love...let it wash over us and melt away our past...leaving a "new born me". Today is the first day of the rest of my life, may I see only goodness, may I forgive myself and know that the Presence of God dwells within every cell of my being."

~quote by Ann Rothan Three Hundred and Sixty Degree Press