Category: Painting

Posted on

The Sky is Speaking

Abstract 526 by Mary Gow
Abstract 526, acrylic on canvas by Mary Gow
Steven Pressfield writes extensively about overcoming “the Resistance.”

T. Harv Eker calls it “the Voice” inside that we need to ignore.

Julia Cameron calls it “the Creative U-Turn.”

There’s a natural self-protective mechanism inside that urges us to protect ourselves. And there’s a natural desire to grow which may require risk. Which ignites the protective mechanism to question the risk.

So it’s natural to hear the inner struggle when anything challenges what’s comfortable and familiar.

I’ve had to overcome some U-turns when I though my work had to be either realistic or abstract but not both. I was told I need to have one specific style all the time.

What a relief to find contemporary artists such as Gerhard Richter who paint both abstract and realistic styles and work with photography AND painting.

Today I listened to my “higher self” and I created this gestural expressive painting using only four colors on my palette. It’s part of a series I call “Sky Visions.”

The inner voice I chose to listen to took some time to truly hear and to honor. It was whispering to me. But in stillness, I heard it loud and clear.

Posted on

Day 25 – Does Big Art Sell Little Art?

Double Leo, by Mary Gow
“Double Leo,” acrylic on canvas by Mary Gow
One site I enjoy learning about entrepreneurship from is Yaro Starack’s Entrepreneur’s Journey.

In his archives I found an interview with an artist turned medical entrepreneur.

You can hear Starack’s “From Artist to Medical Entrepreneur: How Jeff Barson Makes a Million a Year Online,” if you go to this page

Barson talks extensively about his current endeavors and how before this type of work he was making and selling art.

In the 1990’s Barson was making a good living selling his art in New York City.

He says if you have a large painting priced at $60,000 placed near twelve smaller paintings you price at $1200, then you’re more likely to sell the smaller paintings than if the smaller paintings were hung alone.

What do you think? Have you seen a pricing strategy like that work?

He calls being an artist a lousy business model because the artist first has to make art and then try to find buyers.

It may not be the most uplifting podcast for an artist to listen to, but it may offer some useful insights.

Posted on

A Modern Way of Selling Art

Vesica Piscis, by Mary Gow
Vesica Piscis, acrylic with glitter on canvas, by Mary Gow
We’re approaching the final 6 days of my 30 days straight of blogging.

Good news! Yesterday something happened I want to make a regular event.

A print of a this painting sold from my on-demand gallery!

Imagekind.com is the new way of selling art. There are other sites similar, but Imagekind is my favorite. Check it out!

And check out my art there!

And buy a print! It will arrive in 5 to 7 business days!

Posted on

Day 19 – Inspired by Hyunmee Lee

Derived from Hyunmee Lee's Work
Untitled, Derived from Hyunmee Lee’s Work
I was in Santa Fe a few years ago and saw a show of Hyunmee Lee’s work at the Nuart Gallery.

Loved her use of yellow ochre with black and white, with gestural lines.

Her work reminds me of three other abstract expressionist artists: Clyfford Still, Robert Motherwell, and Franz Kline.

Here I am already on day 19 of my experiment of blogging for 30 days straight, sharing my everyday paintings.

Are you enjoying this?

I am inspired by Hyunmee Lee’s work and today’s piece is derived from one of hers.

Lee was born in Korea and in 1991 got a Master of Arts in Visual Arts from the Sydney College of Arts, University of Sydney. From 1997 to 2008 she taught at various universities. She retired from teaching art in 2008 (in Utah) to concentrate full-time on exhibiting her work in galleries in the USA.

You can find our more about Lee at her website. Have you seen her work before?