123 Days, Day 5 - Perseverance

When I said in the last blog post that I was going to talk about Perseverance, it was for a completely different reason than I'm writing about it today. Yesterday, it was from a feeling of complete frustration as I had written the blog, and then in previewing it, I hit something and thought that I had lost it. I thought about forgetting about writing again for the day. But, then, my mind went nuts thinking about the great writers who tragically lost their manuscripts and then rewrote them anyway. And, if they could do it, who am I with my tiny unknown blog baby not to Persevere for one day and do the same. So, I spent another hour and a half re-writing and color highlighting it etc., only to find out that after I finally posted it, there was a saved draft of the first one. Ugh! And, now, needless to say, I am learning more about blogger from my mistakes.

    perseverance[pur-suh-veer-uh ns] noun
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc.,especially in 
spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement       Dictionary.com 

Today, I'm writing about Perseverance for a different reason --because I Persevered and Won "The Prize"! A few months ago, I began hearing about the Onomatopoetic Show, Art Inspiring Art: Music Made Visible, a Collaboration of Inspired Artistic Interpretations. Dr. Jesse Jones of the University of South Carolina, and a Guggenheim Fellow, won an award for his musical composition, In Dulcet Tones. He invited artists to Listen to his composition and create art inspired by the music. Then he would select artworks to be shown on stage behind his performances of In Dulcet Tones. From the beginning, I knew this would be a good opportunity, and that it would be fun, too. I had always wanted to try something like this because friends I know, Jean Bourque and Ric Standridge, each paint to music, and they do great work that looks free and full of Life. And, I wanted to try because my past works have mostly been very tight. I mean extremely Tight.

So, I gave it a try...  and another try...  and I began to get frustrated. "This is harder than I thought", I kept thinking to myself.  These were my results...the marsh scene is "Unfinished", and the other is "Experimental". Still not what I had in mind to be worthy of Selection.

 But then, a painting began to happen. Here's what my statement looked like:

Artist Statement

Flowers in Dulcet Tones by Barbie Mathis

As I listened to the musical composition, In Dulcet Tones, I began to visualize colors that flow. I squirted  paint  from bottles onto the paper in a swirling manner. As the paint started to settle, I immediately saw a delicate hibiscus begin to form. I picked up a brush, and as the musical composition progressed, I felt zigzag  highs  and lows that became a type of coreopsis flower that is full of motion and vibrant color.   Throughout the piece, I used sprays of water and color to capture the melodious feel of In Dulcet Tones.  

And, here I am with Flowers in Dulcet Tones 

This is how it looked on the Big Screen

And here are my momentos, so happy!

Until tomorrow, Keep On Keepin' On!

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie

         

123 Days, Day 4 - Taking Inventory (Part 2), The List

Yesterday, I talked about Taking Inventory, and that in order to move forward, you need to see what you've got. And, I showed you some very messy photos taken in my studio at Tapp's Arts Center in Columbia, SC. There is so much STUFF, that you can't see what's Good and what's, well, not so Good. I also shared a quote by Brendon Burchard that says, "...Clarity comes with simplicity." But, How do I Simplify? If you're like me, I have a lot of paintings, supplies, papers, and trial runs. And, these are my Babies, my Heart, my Life's Work!

What I keep hearing from Life Coaches and Gurus and Motivational Geniuses is that if the Project is Overwhelming, Do something Simple. Just Make a List.

   Adam Savage says "...The project may be the lion, but the list is your whip."

So, here is my List of What to List: (K.I.S.S. - Don't make it hard)

1. List of What's Finished
    Title
    Image Size
    Framed Size
    Medium
    Price
           (This may seem like a Pain at first, but it will save time when trying to show at galleries, list on Artist websites, etc...)

2. List of What's Unfinished - or if you'd rather - make a Stack. Sometimes there is a reason pieces are unfinished, like they aren't progressing well, or you haven't made time for them. Whatever the reason, if they are on good paper or canvas, DON'T THROW THEM AWAY!...You can Gesso them and start over, or Bring them to one of my WaterMedia Options Workshops where you'll learn 12 Ways to Fix Dud Paintings.

3. List of Your Successes! - Thanks again to Mary Morrissey who talked about the very subject that I wanted to mention here in her "My Morning Mentor" at this link:
http://www.mymorningmentor.com/daily/your-list/?inf_contact_key=fccd0cfc8c78d5a877b18f5c997891dfec399741675b4f2eaf41b95c33645af5
She talks about how Abraham Lincoln was said to keep a newspaper clipping about himself in his pocket so that he could remind himself that he'd done some Good things, and there were some Good things about himself.

As I looked around my studio yesterday, I did see some Successes, Some Prize Winners and some pretty darn GOOD ART. So, in the spirit of reminding myself that there is some Good in that small, messy, overcrowded studio, here are a few snapshots...  

Tomorrow, I'll talk about Perseverance. There is a reason...

I will make my Lists in the next few days. But, First Thursday Art Shows are tonight in downtown Columbia, SC. So, until tomorrow...

   

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie

     

123 Days, Day 3 - Taking Inventory

Tomorrow is First Thursday of the month which means that in Columbia, SC, Main Street is alive with Art Shows and Exhibitions. I am involved in three. One is the show at Certus Bank, The Onomatopoetic Show where artists like myself listened to music by composer, Jesse Jones, and then painted our inspiration.   For more info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Onomatopoetic-Art-Inspiring-Art-Music-Made-Visible/1376888185932125?ref=br_tf  
My piece~ Flowers In Dulcet Tones, by Barbie Mathis, Fluid Acrylics on 300 lb. Archival Paper, $400

I'm also in the auction I mentioned yesterday to raise money for the Nancy K. Perry Childrens Shelter ~
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152310365166732&set=a.10150097446226732.276363.747951731&type=1&theater

And, there is a show called Figure Out in the main gallery at Tapp's Arts Center, where my studio, Barbie Mathis Studio, #28 is located. I have two C-Prints in the show of my daughter, Faith. https://www.facebook.com/TappsArtsCenter  Come see them!

While at Tapp's, I walked in my studio and sighed as usual thinking, "What do I do with all of this Stuff!" And, it came to mind that I should take Inventory because I can't move forward if I don't know what I've got, and what I need to finish or fix, and how or where to sell it. I looked up Inventory, and Wikipedia says "Inventory or stock refers to the goods and materials that a business holds for the ultimate purpose of resale (or repair)." And, in my case, some just needs to sell for the first time, and some definitely could be used for my WaterMedia Options class where I teach 12 ways to "Fix Dud Paintings". 

                   Get the picture? ~ Studio shots at Tapp's Arts Center~ 

 

 

More tomorrow about making Inventory Lists. You are invited to Come to the Shows, Thursday, September 4th, 2014. Check the above links for times and places. Until then...

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie 

"People are remarkably bad at remembering long lists of goals. I learned this at a professional level when trying to get my high-performance coaching clients to stay on track; the longer their lists of to-dos and goals, the more overwhelmed and off-track they got. Clarity comes with simplicity."  (Underlining is mine, BSM)

Brendon Burchard

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/lists.html#TjBBbzZx08eUGumF.99

123 Days, Day 2 - Guidance

Sometimes when you begin something, there is a glitch that slows you down. And, you find yourself having to ask for help, for some kind of Guidance. That was the case yesterday after I posted my first Blog Post on my new WordPress website. I asked my friend, who has his own WordPress Blog, "Where is the button to create another Post?" He looked at me like "What??", and then looked at my site, and we figured out that my Blog was just a Webpage, and it wasn't functioning as a regular Blog. He and my web guy are making a few adjustments, and it will eventually be fixed. But, in the meantime in case you're wondering why my Blog might look different than yesterday morning, I'm Posting on Blogger, and I just may keep doing this...

Every morning I like to read and hear inspirational things for Guidance, and to get my creative juices flowing. I've been taking a Dreambuilder Course by Mary Morrissey who never fails to inspire. This morning's "Morning Mentor" was about knowing you're on the right path when you treat the work you're doing as "Sacred". What does that mean? It is Important, and even to be done with Reverence. There is a purpose for whatever you do. Julia Cameron, well-known for writing The Artist's Way, talks about creativity being a "spiritual path", and that "the word God", when used in her book stands for "good orderly direction". Almost every spiritual practice has some form of Seeking from Source or Higher Power. The Christ said to "Seek first the kingdom of God". And, where is the Kingdom? It's in You and Me. It's that vast realm of possibility and ideas in You and Me when we Be Still and Connect with whatever you want to call "good orderly direction".
     Had to switch my table in the artroom (my dining room) from this

    to this.  I like looking into the Living Room. (painting above TV coming soon)

Since it's now night when I'm writing, Today, my Guidance was to complete what was due Today...
Sunflowers, Acrylic on wood, 8" x 10".

This is how I was inspired...a photo taken at City Roots a couple of years ago.

And, this is how I set up my table in the kitchen using Golden Fluid Acrylics (available at City Art in Columbia, SC)

I actually finished another piece of art today! Yay!  Working on the details...

And it was Sacred work, a small piece to help raise money for Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter in South Carolina. The fundraiser is First Thursday, Sept. 4th.  

 
My friend, Susan did one, too. Sometimes life is so synchronistic! Susan and I found each other on facebook after not having seen each other in 30 years! We worked together in a small gift shop called "Pizzazz" in another town, and now we are sharing artistic ideas again!

She also makes delicious Plum Jelly!

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie            

"Seek First the Kingdom of God..." Matt. 6:33
      

123 Days, An OPENING in Time, Day 1

It’s September 1st, Labor Day in the US, and I have “An OPENING in Time”. My daughter, Faith, who up until now has lived with me, has just gone to realize her dream of studying abroad in Seoul for 4 months and I am HOME ALONE! And, after having moved 2 times in the past 2 years, everything looks unfinished…

My Art – Yes, Cousin Donna, I will finish your piece this year…MANY more unseen unfinished pieces

My Artroom – Still has boxes laying around…

My Office – filled with art supplies that are still in boxes…

My Porch – where I write because the office feels crowded and I hate khaki walls…

My Carport – where I set things until I can arrange my storage shed and office shelves (my neighbors love me)

My Storage Shed -need to patch holes, set up shelves and kill spiders (ewe)…

And, we’ll save my Studio at Tapp’s Arts Center for another day :/

If some of you artists and artist wannabees are less than perfect like myself, i.e., a mess who has trouble organizing and finishing things, then follow me on my journey for the next 123 days. Why 123 days? It looks orderly. And, the real reason–my daughter will be home December 23rd. You do the math. Well, okay, so I’m an Artist and NOT a Mathematician…it’s actually only 113 days, but 123 sounds so much better, don’t you agree? During that time, it’s my intention to share my daily journey of (1)How I’ll organize my space and supplies, (2)My artistic process and class preparation, and (3)How to reach my goal of making $100 a day (or something better) on my art. (I know, how do I live on that?–We’ll figure it out together).

Oh yeah, I like quotes. Goethe, my fav person to quote, has that great quote about magic in beginning, but I really like this one as my quote of the day:  “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.”  But, I just did! …today… and this day forward!

Becoming Prolific,

Barbie

www.BarbieMathis.com   (Calligraphy Quotes coming soon)

 Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/johann_wolfgang_von_goeth.html#durrL8xQUGX6rLiC.99

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2014 Fall Art Classes at Midlands Technical College taught by Barbie Mathis

Watercolor 1: Monday mornings,  10 am – 1 pm, 9/8 - 10/6 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus,  $139

Watercolor 1: Monday evenings,  6 pm – 9 pm, 9/8 - 10/6 (5 weeks, 15 hours)   Harbison Campus,  $139

Watercolor 2: Monday mornings, 10 am - 1 pm, 10/13 - 11/10 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus.  $139

Watercolor 2: Monday evenings,  6 pm – 9 pm, 10/13 - 11/10 (5 weeks, 15 hours) Harbison Campus.  $139

Acrylic Painting 1: Wednesday mornings  1 pm – 4 pm, 10/1- 10/29 (5 weeks, 15 hours)  Harbison Campus,  $139

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday mornings, 10 am -12 pm,   9/9 – 10/14, Harbison Campus,  $109

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm,   9/9 – 10/14, Northeast Campus,  $109

Calligraphy 1: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm,   10/21 – 11/25, Beltline Campus,  $109

Calligraphy II: the Art of Creative Calligraphy, Tuesday mornings, 10 am -12 pm,   10/21 – 11/25, Harbison Campus,  $109

Sign up now for Classes that I will be teaching in the Fall at Midlands Technical College!

http://www.midlandstech.edu/cce

New Fall Classes

As many of you know, I have been teaching Watercolor Painting for the past few years. But, did you know that I also teach Calligraphy? And, this past Spring, I got a fun part-time job teaching for Corks and Canvas.

Here is a class list:
Mondays: Watercolor-(ongoing--you may join at anytime), 12:30-2:45 pm, Village Artists Gallery in the Village at Sandhill,   http://www.thevillageartists.com/

Tuesdays: Watercolor II starting 10/15/13 at Midlands Tech, Beltline Campus, 6:30-9:00 pm
http://mtconline.midlandstech.edu/CeClassCatalog/schedule

Wednesdays: Calligraphy starting 10/16/13 at Midlands Tech, Harbison Campus, 6:30-8:30 pm
http://mtconline.midlandstech.edu/CeClassCatalog/schedule

Corks and Canvas Classes: These are fun, decorative acrylic painting classes that change every week. See the calendar for Classes. The next one coming up Oct. 3rd:
http://www.corksandcanvas.us.com/enroll/lighthouse-on-the-shore

Private Classes and Workshops: Available upon request for Watercolor, Acrylic, and Calligraphy. Contact me  to schedule a class.   Barbie Mathis, 803.261.3038