Thursday, December 12, 2019

Vivaldi Concert at the Cathedral
watercolor painting by Jane McElvany Coonce
I am always entering shows . Last weekend, I entered a show at Hollin Hills.  I was thrilled to learn that I won the Frame Masters Award for my piece, "Vivaldi Concert at the Cathedral." 

I did this piece from photographs I took in Venice. In June of 2018, I took a group of students to Venice to paint for a week.  One night, we bought tickets to a concert held in a church close to our apartment.  It was such a spectacular setting for the musicians.  I knew I had to paint it.

Entering shows is a lot of work.  You have to decide first which paintings you are going to select.  You have to type up an inventory sheet and labels.  You have to schlepp the paintings there, and you have to assist in hanging the show. You have to work at the receptions and sometimes at the sales desk.  At the end of the show, you have to schlepp them home.  It takes  a lot of work from start to finish.  If you sell or win a prize, it makes it feel worthwhile. If you don't sell, you sometimes wonder why you bother to do all this.  But it's part of the business of being an artist. (Not the fun part either.)  Most artists just want to paint.  The business aspect is not the part most artists enjoy.  This time of year, there are many art shows to participate in and it can be exhausting!  At the Ft Smith show in December, I sold quite a few paintings.  I sold 7 paintings which is quite a lot for one show. It's been a busy season and it still isn't quite over.  Thanks for all of you for supporting me by coming to my shows and art receptions and just sending words of encouragement when you see a painting on my blog and letting me know you like it.  It means a lot to me. More than you'll ever know.  It's like winning a prize!  Thanks, everyone!
Rainy Day at the Flower Market

Night Lights on a Venice Canal