Cape Cod & Show Your Work!

Cape Cod Bait Shack

11x14 watercolor

Greetings!  I have to share some great news with you.  If you are an artist, show your work!  Have it hanging somewhere, anywhere visible to the public.  As you know, I have done a couple of shows at City Cafe.  Last week, City Cafe called to tell me that someone had bought 8 of my paintings!!!!!  One person, someone that I don't know bought not one, but 8 paintings.  

So if that is not as awesome as awesome can be, I ran into City Cafe on Monday to hang more paintings in place of the ones that sold. A woman came up to me and asked if I was the artist as I was bringing the new art in.  It turns out, she was the one who bought the paintings.   She actually had bought 9, but, one was not recorded.  I was still overwhelmed with the news 3 days prior and then to by chance run into the person who bought the paintings.  It was so great to meet her.  She was so inspiring and it was just what I needed (I had some bad news in my personal life).  She ended up purchasing 2 more of the new paintings I had just brought in.  

Of course, I am thrilled and on such a high, but, the bigger thing is the validation that comes from this.  As artists, we connect with others through our art.  When someone likes what we have done, it says we have something in common, we share similar ideas, we connect and for me personally, it says I am good enough.  After this experience, I was so motivated I signed up for a workshop I had wanted to take that meant being super creative in airline tickets, finding a day camp for my 5 year old and a place to stay in a popular tourist area.  

But, the bottom line I want to convey to the artists reading this: find a place to display your work.  Anywhere. Of course a gallery is first choice, but, if that is not an option try a restaurant, coffee shop, any local business that gets a lot of traffic.  Your gorgeous art is missing the opportunity if it is just stacked in your studio.  I know this experience was a once, if at all, in a life time thing, but, if my paintings were stacked here in my house, that one person would not have ever seen them.

Have a great week!  Thanks for reading, I hope you find a place to display your work.

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th in the Park Cities

11x14 watercolor by Liana Yarckin

I hope everyone is enjoying all of the 4th of July celebrations and festivities.  I have several photos of 4th of July parades from different towns over the years since we had kids and guess what is always present in these photos?  The big, red fire truck!  Every time when I hear the sirens, I get the camera ready.  

In this painting, I wanted to capture the masses of people lining the streets in the neighborhood parade waving and cheering at the parade participants.  This parade goes through the residential streets of Highland Park and ends at Gore Park in University Park where there is a huge celebration with all kinds of tents, food and music.  And every year, it is hotter than hot.  However, the heat does not keep the crowds from finding a shady spot on the tree lined streets of live oaks and pink crepe myrtles to watch this annual celebration.  

Families and friends are together on blankets and chairs with donuts and coffee waiting for the parade to start hours before.  The parade is made up of local businesses and residents.  Sometimes neighbors get together and create a group float with kids shooting water guns and throwing candy to the kids on the street.  Or the kids decorate their bikes and scooters in the spirit of the 4th of July and ride in a group.  Ever since my kids were little I would dress them up in red, white and blue and tell them to wave and say,"Happy 4th" as the parade would come by so treats would be thrown their way.   It's just good old fashion fun.

Hope you are having a Happy 4th of July!  

Please tell me about your favorite 4th memories.  Check back on my facebook page, I have one more 4th of July painting I am working on to hopefully post soon. 

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