A Bit of Studio Nostalgia

Inside my studio space, 170 B. Grand Ave., Pacific Grove, Ca

working on an abstract painting.

[Photo Credit: Lindsey Klinger, Klinger Photography, c.2009]

I've relocated to Tampa, FL now. But while I'm still stuck in hotels waiting to close on my new home, I can't help thinking about the great little studio space I had back in Pacific Grove, CA. I'm a little anxious about finding a new studio here in Tampa, FL.

The last days in my Pacific Grove, CA studio were very rough for me. Bittersweet. When I should have been packing, I suddenly got a burst of creative energy. I wanted to paint! For months after my solo show, "The White Space" at the PG Art Center, I was so burned out on abstraction. But wouldn't you know it, my mojo started coming back the week I started to pack out.

The studio was so warm and cozy. For I while, I just couldn't defile it with moving boxes, styrofoam peanuts, bubblewrap and tape! I had to work up to that.

So in the meantime, I did an inventory of my paintings and scheduled a photoshoot to document the studio before I "destroyed" the sanctity of the place. My photographer friend, Lindsey Klinger, came over a few times to photograph me working on some of my paintings. It was wonderful spending time with Lindsey. She really has great eye and works to capture that special thing about the subject.

I think what she captured about me that day was that instead of packing, I only had paint on my mind!

Painting Live & In Color At The Sand City Festival 2009

Painting live is exhilarating! Participating in the Sand City Art Festival back in August 2009 was a blast. I made a sale, met a lot of interesting people and networked with a bunch of very cool Sand City, CA artists. Good times!

The photos were taken by photographer, Lindsey Klinger of Lindsey Klinger Photography.

I have done a few festivals and I always like to set up a table to work in addition to presenting pieces ready to sale. I figure it is better to paint or carve images than just sit around and smile waiting for some curious spectator to come by and grace me with their variable attention.


Besides most people like to see an artist at work. And I like to show my working style. I'm not quite a conceptual artist but this for me is my version of performance art.


If I have a serious buyer come through, I'm more than happy and capable to stop painting and give them the attention they need and deserve to answer questions or process the transaction. I'm all about the Win- Win situation. I don't want to pressure or manipulate the prospect into buying. I want them to buy because they fell in love with my work and/or they want to invest in my career.

Granted, I probably have lost a few sales by not closing hard on a "fragile" prospect who was on the fence or intimidated or shy. Believe me , I can close...but I don't like to be manipulated therefore I don't want to do that to anyone else. It may have cost me some sales but I figure I should treat people how I want to be treated. So far, my collectors tend to be people who know what they want and THEY approach me.


So if you like my work and want to be part of my tribe or a valued collector..holla at me and let me connect you to something that will blow your mind. If not, just keep reading or pass on by. As for me, I'll keep on working.

Peace!-Princess

Sand City Art Festival Wrap Up!

A Fresh Display of Plein Air Painting-"Our Home Town" runs till 10/15/09.

Recently, I blogged about the last show I participated in at the Pacific Grove Art Center (PGAC) - see previous post. It was an honor to be chosen to hang with this great group of artists. Also it's heartening to see that plein air painting is still alive and well on the Monterey Peninsula. Here are some of my favorites from this juried exhibit.

Andy Williams

"Reclamation"

Oil

Patty Biederman

"House on Second Ave."

Oil

Howard Perkins

"P.G. Recreational Trail"

Oil

SOLD

If you missed the reception but are in the Monterey Peninsula swing by. The title of the show is "Our Home Town" and it features an organization called the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA).

The exhibit ends October 15, 2009, so you still have a fews days to catch it.

Pacific Grove Art Center

568 Lighthouse Ave,

Pacific Grove, CA 93950

ph.831.375.2208

www.pgartcenter.org

A New Fan & One Classy Lady

Recently, my plein air oil painting, "Corner of Oceanview and 15th" sold on opening night at the MBPAPA's "Our Home Town" exhibit. I was happy to find out that I already knew the buyer and she happened to be a friend and somewhat of a mentor.

I remember when I first met Connie Pearlstein. It was the day I brought all my work to be hung for my solo show, "The White Space" at the Pacific Grove Art Center.

In the brief time I have known her, I have learned so much about how to navigate my art career-like always bring my best with STLYE and I think ALWAYS have a good HAT handy. She is a forminable lady and I am honored to be in her private collection.

MoVING AGAIN!

That's right! I moving again. My husband graduated from Naval Postgraduate School today. I'm tremendously proud of him! Now we on our way to Tampa, FL. So I might be offline but rest assured I'm still working. Actually I using this down time to get more organized. I'm also working on my art books and videos during my hotel time..of course in between diaper changes... Well on to TAMPA, FL...two kids, two cats and a husband!

Peace

Princess

RED DOT BABY!-"Corner of Oceanview & 15th"

Photo credit: Sibyl Johnson. -I'm standing next to my red dot painting, "Corner of Oceanview & 15th",Oil on Board.

Do I look happy or what?

My plein air oil painting, "Corner of Oceanview & 15" was sold on the opening night of the MBPAPA "Our Home Town" exhibit at the Pacific Grove Art Center (PGAC)!

I have to say it was very encouraging to see a red dot on my painting as soon as I entered the gallery. This is the same gallery I had my solo show in back in May 2009. Then, I had 38 acrylic abstract paintings up for about a month and half and there were no sales. Great exposure but no sales. I got a little burned out and started painting small realistic oil paintings in plein air just for a fun and challenging experience.

The "Our Home Town" competition was the motivator I needed to seriously commit to going out and setting up my paints and gear, finding paintable subject matter, battling the weather and entertaining the occasional curious observer on a regular basis so that I could have something to submit. This little painting, "Corner of Oceanview & 15th" is a product of that time. Pretty cool!

Fellow Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) member, Sibyl Johnson took this great shot (photo above). I met Sibyl at a MBPAPA sponsored paint-out at the local Carmel Mission Basilica during the 2009 Founder's Day Celebration. She was the first MBPAPA plein air painter that I met and she encouraged me to join the group and submit an entry to participate in this juried exhibition. Thank you Sibyl!

By the way, Siblyl also won the Artists Choice Award for one of her paintings.

To see her work, visit her website: www.sibyljohnson.com.

Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Exhibit Opens this Friday, Sept. 4 @ the Pacific Grove Art Center

I have a small little treasure (painting) in this Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) show called "Corner of Oceanview &15th" ( see previous post). It's going for $250.00 (what a steal!)

Friday, September 4th is also the Pacific Grove Art Walk so there will be a lot to see. Come out and join us for great art, wine and music!

Sadly, it will be my last Artwalk in PG for a while. I will be closing my studio this week at 170B Grand Ave. It's around the corner from the Pacific Grove Art Center. Stop by during the Artwalk and you may see me putting the finishing touches on a very large abstract mural on the outside of my studio wall between (8 pm-10 pm, Friday night 9/4/09)!

-Princess

Exhibit info: "Our Home Town: Plein Air Exhibition"
Location: Pacific Grove Art Center,
Address: 568 Lighthouse Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Phone/Fax: 831-375-2208
Time: 7-9 pm
Exhibit runs from: September 4- October 15th, 2009.

Sand City West End Celebration-This Saturday-August 22, 2009

This is a FREE event (but the art is for sale) so come out and enjoy yourself and support the local Central California art community.

My booth #: D-49, Ortiz Ave.

On August 22, Sand City, CA features the annual West End Celebration, an exciting blend of art and industry in a newly transformed area of the City dubbed 'SoHo West'. The celebration features live music, dance and street performances as well as great food and of course the creative wares of local artists and artisans.

I have a booth ( # D-49) at the festival. So come out to support me too! YaY! I would love to meet you and share my work with you.

Location: Ortiz Ave., Sand City, CA.

The event runs from 12-6 pm, 8/22/09.

See you there!-Princess

The Emerging -Fine Art Base Artists

For the month of August, an innovative California organization called Fine Art Base is putting on a show at The Sunset Center in Carmel, CA.

c. Emily Brown

Paper Cut-Out

Last Friday, I went to the opening reception to show my support for the group and a good friend in the show, Marilet Pretorius. There was a great turnout and the artwork was refreshingly contemporary. I think this was a very impressive display of some of the emerging talent in the California Central Coast.

The Fine Art Base exhibit is displayed at Sunset Center’s Marjorie Evans Gallery. This exhibit features the work of artists dlwilkinson, Emily Brown, Tracy Parker, and Marilet Pretorius. They show photo-based art, paper cutting, painting, and printmaking.

My wonderful friend and printmaker, Marilet Pretorius, standing with two of her beautiful mixed-media etchings, "Reconnecting" and "Textile I: Suspended".

The very cool designer, Tracy Parker, in front of her large acrylic painting on wood panel.

If you in the local area, come check out the show. To learn more click here.