Hanging artwork in restaurants

You may have noticed a trend with fine dining establishments reserving display space for original fine art, usually by local artists.  When I first started painting, there were two modes of thought on this... Some artists felt that hanging your artwork in a restaurant was undesirable and was simply decorating another's space... for free! I was advised by some to not hang my art in restaurants... But, since I have been painting, I have had my artwork in many, many restaurants.  And it has almost always been a win-win situation.  If you are an artist and are thinking about hanging your work in a restaurant, here are a few pointers... Most importantly, make sure that certain things are agreed upon up front... The restaurant should always give you permission to have your work for sale and you should always be able to display label information with your artwork so patrons know your work is for sale. Along with your artwork, hang an artist statement with your contact info, website and social media links.  Make sure there is decent lighting and if the space has a hanging system in place, bonus! If not, make sure the owners are ok with you moving hangers if you need to. Determine the percentage the restaurant is taking (if any... some don't take a percentage!) and determine who will handle the sale, should someone want to purchase a piece.  Also, it doesn't hurt to have the staff on board and knowledgeable about your work so they can talk about it positively when you are not there, so you might want to leave a little info sheet for them to get acquainted with you..  I have had a lot of success hanging in alternative venues like this and would encourage any artist looking to put their eggs in more than one basket to give it a shot.

Take More Chances, Dance More Dances, oil, 8"x8"
Will be available at one of the 2 venues mentioned....

So, point of story....  I will be hanging my work in 2 beautiful restaurants on Monday! -  Say Cheese in West Reading and the Soltane Cafe in Phoenixville.  My gallery, Art Plus, has had a relationship with Say Cheese for some time and we hang our member's work there all the time. It is a wonderful restaurant and has a great gallery space towards the back of the restaurant where they even installed a hanging and lighting system to make it easier to hang your work! Things have been so successful, the owners are looking to expand the hanging space into the front of the restaurant. Very cool!  I have never hung in the Soltane Cafe before, but am so looking forward to getting my feet wet in the Phoenixville scene, and the manager, Emma Peabody is a total sweetheart. 

As you may have imagined, the past few weeks have been jam packed for me with preparing new work for these two shows.  I've painted 14 new paintings (which I can't even believe...) and am in the process of finishing frames.  The weekend will be spent deciding which work goes where, printing labels and putting the finishing touches on everything.  :) Life is good... 

Check out the details of both shows below, and happy Friday!

Collage of all the paintings from the 2018 30 in 30 painting challenge

The finale of every 30 in 30 includes creating a collage of all of the paintings I created during the challenge.  In the past, it would take me sometimes hours to do this, because I typically painted on a variety of sizes of canvas or panels and I had to figure out how to get them to all fit nicely .  This time around, save for one painting (the plein air I did around the middle of the challenge), I painted on all square panels or canvas.  This made it a relative snap to collage them all in a nice organized way.  I say relative because there was still finagling I had to do.  But it was much easier this time round... 

If you read my first post from this challenge, you will see that I wasn't sure how things were going to work out for me. My son was just getting over a 2 month illness, during which I had spent little or no time in my studio.  I wondered if I would be able to paint every single day... but I decided I neede to do this to push me to get up there!  Things were going great, and then, mid challenge and for a variety of reasons, we decided start my son in cyber school.  I once again wasn't sure what would happen, because I knew that my life was going to be in upheaval for awhile while he transitioned into this type of schooling. I can say this, some life difficulties are hared to work around. But if you have the will and the ideas, you can generally find the time to create.  There were days I didn't get up into my studio until after dinner and painted until 9 or 10.  I didn't care for that at all.  But I wanted complete this challenge with all 30 paintings this time so, I forced myself to do it.  I am so glad I did!  Below is the collage of all the paintings and I love seeing them all together!

And finally, credit must be given to my husband who always picks up on the chores and cooking that I can't do because I'm designing a painting or actually painting the painting... or I'm just too tired! Thanks hubby... <3

And thanks again to you for reading this and following me through this challenge.  All the positive feedback has been wonderful!  

Day 25 of the 30 in 30 - "A Good Attitude"

Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while you wait.  This golden Labrador retriever is definitely practicing patience... Just don't ask how I got her to pose long enough to paint this picture... All I can say is that some dogs have patience in spades...  :)
For purchasing details, please click on the link under the picture.

A Good Attitude, oil, 8"x8", to purchase click here

Day 17 of the 30 in 30 - "Chihuahua de pato afortunado"

"The Lucky Chihuahua (With Duck)"
I decided I needed to switch things up today and paint a whimsical doggy with a duck on his head... I've been painting a variety of birds lately and I just needed something different. :)
Today's painting reminds me of St. Patty's for some reason. Sometimes you get lucky... I'm feeling lucky for a lot of reasons lately, and the fact that March, the luckiest month of the year, is right around the corner doesn't hurt matters. :) 

This Chihuahua is feeling pretty lucky, and I don't know why.  But he seems to know something about the little ducky on his head that maybe we don't... And that green tie!  Love it!

Chihuahua de Pato Afortunado, oil,m 6"X6", to purchase click here

Day 13 of the 30 in 30 - Pysanka Perlustration

True story: Many years ago, I sat in my Mother's kitchen carefully blowing the innards out of several chicken eggs.  After washing and drying them, I super carefully and painstakingly applied layers of melted beeswax and dye to finally achieve the intricate artwork called Pysanky.  My mom still has a bowl of these relics in her basement (I think).  Just one bowl though... It was an art form I never pursued beyond this initial discovery stage as I found it was way too detail oriented and tedious of work to keep my attention!  I remembered just how tedious it is as I painted this painting that has a Pysanka egg in it today!  Oh yeah, and that Magpie...I love the position he is standing in!  Great lines and curves that seem to swirl and compete nicely with the egg and egg cup. And his intense inspection of this egg had me looking for a new word that would nicely sum up what was going on... Perlustration seemed to fit the bill.  

Pysanka Perlustration, Oil, 8"x8", to purchase click here

  

Day 12 of the 30 in 30 - "Let Him Preach"

I was looking up quotes about Goldfinches to try to spark a good title for this one... I came upon a few interesting ones, including a strange one from Picasso...

But, I related most to this one from author Aldous Huxley -

"Fortunately, however, birds don't understand pep talks.  Not even St. Francis'. Just imagine, he went on, preaching sermons to perfectly good thrushes and goldfinches and chiff-chaffs!  What presumption!  Why couldn't he have kept his mouth shut and let the birds preach to him?"

-Aldous Huxley

Just too funny... Aldous calling St. Francis out for preaching to the birds... Love it...  But you know, I do agree, sir!  Listening to the beautiful song of our feathered friends is more oft better than any cacophony of human verbiage one could perceive... Thank you Aldous for the title...

Interested in purchasing?  Click here

Let Him Preach, oil, 8"x8", to purchase click here

Day 10 of the 30 in 30 - "A Fine Perch"

I am enjoying these little vignettes :)  I had forgotten just how cute juncos are and also forgot how much fun it is to paint marbles!  There are little microcosms in each of them.  And putting them together is even better... I think the bird agrees, hence the title.

I'll have to get a better picture as the lighting wasn't the greatest, but here it is for now. :)

A Fine Perch, oil, 8"x8", to purchase click here

Day 9 of the 30 in 30 - "Be Like a Magpie"

In the words of artist David Hockney, "Style is something you can use, and you can be like a magpie, just taking what you want.  The idea of the rigid style seemed to me then something you needn't concern yourself with, it would trap you."  

Yes!!!  Artists will naturally have their own style, if they work at it long enough, but my belief is that we should all keep trying new things and exploring different ideas.  There is too much out there in this big beautiful world of ours to hem ourselves in... Be brave people!  Be like a Magpie. :)

If interested in purchasing this or any of my other work, check out my Daily Paintworks site here. 

And to read more about David Hockney, check out this cool link! 

Be Like a Magpie, oil, 6"x6", to purchase click here

Day 8 of the 30 in 30 - Just a Spool for Your Love

When I get an idea for a painting, I usually like to make a series of them because one idea isn't just one idea... There are so many ways to interpret it that one idea can sometimes result in 5 paintings (or more!)  So, this is the 2nd in this little series of paintings -  birds and spools. I am not sure how far it will take me but I have 4 planned already, and 2 more waiting to make it out of my head....

 These birds are specifically black and white only, as I wanted to have them stand out next to the sweet colors of the vintage thread.  This little Chickadee is getting ready to make a landing - hopefully without knocking over the spool! I keep getting great title suggestions for my paintings, which are always welcome... some times the title is easy peasy, others, not so much, so spare titles are awesome. :)

This painting is for sale, as is yesterday's.  Check out my Daily Paintworks page for all the details!

Just a Spool for Your Love, oil, 6"x6", to purchase click here

Day 7 of the 30 in 30 - It's a Sin to Kill a Mockingbird

"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.  They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing bu sing their hearts out for us.  That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
-Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Well, the Ducks in Chucks (technically Fowl in Footwear...) are taking a hiatus... There are a few more planned, but this idea came to mind and needed attention.  I've always believed it to be quite special and even a little magical when I hear a mockingbird.  And during the summers when one nests near my back porch, for me to enjoy their songs daily, I feel extra blessed.  This mockingbird has a bit of attitude perching on a pretty spool of thread. :)

It's a Sin to Kill a Mockingbird, oil on panel, 6"x6", to purchase click here

Day 6 of the 30 in 30 - Duck Norris

Well, yesterday's painting sold fresh off the easel!  I thought there may just be a need for some karate ducks after all, so I painted a sequel today. :)  I love painting these ducks and am so grateful that there are people out there who appreciate them right along with me.  There is an interesting story behind these two guys, and if you'd like to read more about them, you can check out my blog post from yesterday :) 

Duck Norris, oil on panel, 6x6, to purchase click here

Day 4 of the 30 in 30 - Blue Mary Janes

These Ducks just keep coming out of my brush.  This one is simply a study in cute happiness, as I believe she is quite satisfied with her shoes. I would assume that blue MaryJanes exist in this world of varied footwear.  After painting them on this happy duck, me thinks I may have to search me out a pair! That is after tonight's big game.. Off to make Nachos and other goodies!

If you are interested in purchasing, please click the link under the painting. :)

Blue Mary Janes, oil on panel, 6"x6", Click here to purchase

Day 2 of the 30 in 30 - Little Miss Mei in her mary-janes

Happy Groundhogs day... and, thank you! to those of you who reached out with all your well wishes and good vibes!  Your love is very appreciated.  My guy is getting better day by day, and news from yesterday's appt. was mostly positive. So, whew on that front.

I am just getting around to posting now as today's schedule was also tricky.. another doctor's appt, this time for my teen-aged daughter, plus other Mom duties had me juggling my time.  I'm getting better at managing my time even when things are disjointed but it can be tiring!  I think I am ready for winter to ease up with the sickness, and the cold...  I know I'm not the only parent dealing with this right now, so, love to everyone else out there <3

Yesterday's painting was in honor of my son, so I thought that it was fitting to paint today's in honor of my daughter. She is a very strong and unique young lady who I am so proud of for all she is accomplishing right now.  There is also a soft and love-y side to her that not everyone may know about.. that feeling is what I tried to capture in this painting :)

This one, I can't sell yet either! Sometimes you just have to hold on to a painting for awhile...

Little Miss Mei in her Mary-Janes, NFS

Day 1 of the February 2018 30 in 30

This is now the 8th 30 in 30 I will have participated in... I can't say enough about what doing these has done for me, the development of my art and my career.  That being said, it is with a little trepidation that I am starting this one.  Without going into too much detail, my son has been been battling with some pretty tough illness for about 2 months.  Today, we are travelling about an hour away to see a specialist about some of what he has been going through. I wasn't even sure how I was going to be able to do this.  But, I know from prior experience that this challenge is all about organization.  I also know that if I don't participate in this challenge, I probably wouldn't make myself get up to my studio to paint as much as I would like.  So, I've been planning for the past week or so.  I have 10 of my compositions already sketched out on panels (my preferred surface).  This has been done in bits and waves when I had the time.. sometimes late at night after my son is finally settled in bed... And I woke up early this morning to make sure I could get to my studio before he woke up.  I also chose a pretty simple and small piece to start with as I didn't want to shoot myself in the foot on day 1! 
So, anyway, I just wanted to put that out there because I know that many 30 in 30 participants visit other people's blogs and read about their process.  Mine is going to be interesting and I hope I can keep up the motivation and energy to do all 30 paintings. It is so worth it in the end!
Without further ado, my first painting is in honor of my son...:)  I think I will call this one "The Little Con-ducktor" 
Good luck to everyone who is participating!

The Little Con-ducktor, NFS

Day 14 of the 30 in 30 painting challenge - "Look Before Crossing"

I believe the weekend should be about slowing down and smiling more often, if possible.  So, in an effort to help this cause, I present today's painting.  Look Before Crossing is the latest in a series of more whimsical paintings I have painted.  This one combines two of my favorite things to paint, birds (cute ones actually) and items of nostalgia.  Have any of you ever owned a pair of Mary Janes or T-bars, as these shoes are apparently called?  I am pretty sure I had several pairs when I was a kid and I know I bought a pair or two for my daughter when she was little. I love the RED color of these too..

After painting her and just looking at her for a bit, I thought she looked like she might be readying to cross the road.  Hope all turns out well... Enjoy your weekend!

Look Before Crossing, oil on panel, 6"x6"
to purchase please click here

Day 8 of the 30 in 30 - Brown Duck, Green Chucks

The response I got when painting my other fowl in footwear last month was surprising!   So many people loved them and in fact, I sold all of them almost before they were even dry.  And I love painting them... they combine two of my favorite subjects, and really, I love to make people laugh, which apparently these do. So, I present to you another fowl in footwear painting - "Brown duck, Green Chucks"

Brown Duck, Green Chucks, oil on canvas, 8"x8"
to purchase, please click here

Day 7 of the 30 in 30 - Happy Birthday!

Today is my birthday, so I wanted to paint the cuteness.... Of course, chocolate labs are adorable, and lop eared bunnies may be cuter.  And the icing on my cake is the little bluebird on top.  Rest assured,  I will resume my travels around the globe and my "Glimpsed" paintings on Monday.  But the weekend is for the delightful.  

Happy Birthday, oil, 8"x8"
to purchase please click here