10.09.06

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…

Posted in Good News, Calendar, General Business, Bitching at 11:10 am by April

For some reason I can’t get my photos to upload. I’m not sure why. Probably some bug with my blogging server. I just primed two big canvases and my hands are sticky…ick. It doesn’t seem to be getting on the keyboard, thankfully. Or maybe I just don’t notice it. Ah, who cares, really.

It’s getting down to the wire… the preview party for the Art Scene is Thursday night, (by the way, lots of art free wine and food! you’re invited… when they ask, tell, ‘em you’re with me! Broadway and Maple, North Little Rock, AR… check my calendar for the map!) and I’ve only got 2 or 3 paintings left to do to be comfortably prepared. I have to say, that’s pretty good for me. Thing is, though, that I also have a zillion other things to do for it as well. I’m not stressing over it (for once), mainly because the paintings are the most important thing, all the rest is really just fluff. I do need to get my new business cards soon, but other than that, everything else is pretty much optional.

The big thing is that I’ve been pretty creative the last few days, and I’ve really started to come up with some cool new stuff. (New stuff I wanted to post on the blog, but since I can’t upload it I’m out of luck…nope, still not working). I’ve been doing a lot of geometric abstraction (don’t know what the hell that means? I’ll get it posted soon… you’ll understand when you see it) which is, in my opinion beautifully simple, and a welcome change. As the customer who bought my first one (before it was finished, I might add) said, “the elegance is in it’s simplicity.” I love that. I just started this Saturday, which, I might add, was the longest day ever, but that’s a blog for another day. I don’t feel much like bitching (for once! ha!).

By the way, I did finish the feet. I’m quite proud of the way they turned out (again, I’d like to show you, but…). And thanks, Ms. Kieft, for the lovely comment!

Quick side note… everyone pleeeeeeease sign my map! Thanks!

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08.23.06

Lions and Tigers and Bears… Oh My!

Posted in Calendar at 7:07 am by April

My family is officially freaking out about me going to New York alone. I’ve gotten all the standard warnings, plus a few odd ones thrown in. Even random strangers are warning me about the dangers of the big city. (sigh).

Yesterday I took Michael’s truck to get a tune-up at Midas and as I was waiting the guy behind the counter asked what I’d been up to and I mentioned that I was driving to New York this week. “Well, you’d better bring a gun.” What??? Oh, that’s a great idea, you moron… I can’t shoot a gun. I’ve shot a handgun once in my life, and no, I didn’t hit the target. I don’t have a license to carry a damn weapon and all I would do anyway is shoot myself. Christ, people. I mean, how stupid can you get. I find it interesting that all these people who have never been to New York suddenly think they’re the authority on it. Okay, folks. I love you all, but just because you’ve seen a place in the movies a hundred times doesn’t make you an expert. Yes, I’ll be careful. No, I’m not going to go wandering around alone in dark alleys at night. I’m not stupid. I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. I’m going anyway, so you might as well just relax. If one of you gets a call that I’m dead, then you can all sit around and talk about how stupid I was. Until then, please calm down.

Oh, and one last thing, I seriously doubt this will be my last trip. So get used to it. Actually, I’m planning on making several others, not just to New York, but other, yes cities. (gasp!) Sorry, people, this is what I do. If I only show my work in Arkansas, I’ll never become anything but a local celebrity at best. I have bigger dreams than that.

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08.21.06

Crunch time!

Posted in Calendar at 3:53 pm by April

With only a couple of days left before my big trip, the pressure is really on to get some things accomplished. I’m finishing up last-minute paintings, shipping out the final bits of sold pieces, tying up loose ends all over the place, getting all the technical stuff sorted out… It’s quite a mess, actually. I hope I’ve thought of everything, but I’m sure there will be a few minor details I’ll overlook. It seems like there always is.

The most important thing is that thanks to the lovely people of the city of Little Rock and a few generous patrons across the country, I have plenty of cash to get me comfortably to and from New York with a little spending money left over, although I’m really not interested in bringing home souveneirs, to be completely honest. I’m pretty sure I’ve donated enough to the local economy with my hotel stay and show registration fee.

I really think that this trip will give me plenty of inspiration and help me solidify my goals, both personal and business, generate a few strong leads, and (I’m crossing my fingers) sell a few original works. Regardless of how much everyone I know is freaking out about me travelling alone, I feel strongly that this week will mark a turning point in my life.

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08.02.06

Heading to Eureka Springs Today

Posted in Calendar at 7:18 am by April

I’m heading to Eureka Springs (Arkansas) today to pick up a couple works and a new set of prints. I haven’t been up in a while, actually. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day to drive, so that’s good. Eureka Springs is practically in Missouri. It’s about 3 hours one-way from here, which isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t want to do it every day. And the scenery is just beautiful, so that makes it nice. I figure I’ll take my to-call list and make a few phone calls before my signal turns to shit. It’s so hilly that it gets tough to find one pretty quickly, especially, oddly enough, on a sunny day.

Quick side note: I wonder how the tourist season has been this year. I imagine it’s slowed down a little with gas prices here, too. I’m hoping on the open road my car will get over 40mpg. It’s topped out at 39 so far, but that’s driving in town, too, so that messes with the gas mileage quite a bit. I’m actually pretty anxious to see how it does. Before it took me almost a full tank of gas to get there and back. I’m hoping to cut that down to a half or so. Wishful thinking, maybe.

Wow. what a boring blog. Sorry about that. It’s early and I’m not very inspired just yet.

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08.01.06

New Charity Events

Posted in Calendar at 7:22 am by April

Well, I guess it’s the time of year when the charities start having their big fund-raisers. Last year I was planning on donating something to a couple of charities, but I never got around to it. This year, though, it’s barely August and I’ve already been approached by several organizations. I’m only committed to two events so far, though. I’ve just decided that I’m not donating to more than six charities through 2006 (unless the publicity is going to be badass, then I may rethink that number). I think that’s a good number, though. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up doing more donating than selling!

Here are the groups I’m currently supporting:

Kaleidoscope Kids
Silent Auction
September 15, 2006
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
http://www.kaleidoscopekids.org/auctioninv.htm

The Centers For Youth and Families
“Splatters” Art Auction
October 8, 2006
Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, Arkansas
http://www.youthandfamilies.org/default.aspx

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