Hello, hello! How do you like this one? I LOVE this painting! I never thought about painting a poodle before. But, last night Logan was very sick. She and I slept on the couch. She's a very talkative child, even in her sleep. Well, as she was sleeping soundly and I was just about to dose off...She said, "Oh....look at those cute poodle puppies". What a great dream she must have been having! I wish I dreamed about poodle puppies....so since I don't dream of poodle puppies...I painted one instead...a pink and lavender one at that! She's up in the Etsy store if you would like to take a look.
Wishing you pink poodle dreams too.... Love, WyannePin It
Wow...what a weekend it's been. Both kids had their birthday parties on the same weekend. Luke on Saturday and Logan's on Sunday. Needless to say...I'm a little exhausted. But, it sure was fun. I'll post more about it later. I did manage to find some time to squeeze in this painting. I love the way that she came out. It was sort of how I was feeling this weekend among all the chaos. :) She's up on Etsy if you want to take a peek.
Thanks to everyone wishing Logan a Happy Birthday. I forwarded them to her own private email, and she felt like such a big girl. She's making a little video for all of you to thank you. So stay tuned for that....
Well, off to work. The studio is much disarray after the party here yesterday.
This is a three part video due to YouTubes length restrictions. It's long...sorry...but it has a good message.
Love Wyanne
Logan is turning 7 on Sunday. She would be thrilled to have a couple of comments wishing her Happy Birthday and letting her know that you liked the "blessing". Hint...Hint....Pin It
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile...you guys are keeping me pretty busy these days. THANK YOU! You don't know how grateful I am!!!
And if I wasn't busy enough...my 6 year old turns 7 this Sunday. Fun..fun...EXCEPT that her brother turns 14, THREE DAYS LATER!!! Yes, can you believe that their birthdays are that close together? I guess The Universe knew that I was a pretty unorganized mom and that we just better lump them together to prevent any further chaos. LOL. It's always been a challenge...do you do 2 cakes? Everyone is usually sick of cake by the time my son's birthday arrives. Do you add to your ever growing collection of gray hair by hosting two birthday parties in one week? They can't have just one party because of the age difference. This year, we are celebrating on 2 different weekends. That should help some.
Except....we moved to Amelia Island. And their biggest festival that draws over 100,000 people, closes streets, and schools on Friday is the SAME WEEKEND!!! Holy Moly!!! It's called the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. It's the 1st weekend in May. Are you planning on attending? If you are and would like to stop by the studio...drop me an email me . I'd love to meet you and show you around. Hey...and I'll probably have some birthday cake for you. :)
In other good news. The web site Lily and Tulip featured me on their site. How cool is that! She made a gorgeous photo of some of my etsy store items and put it up. It is so pretty...I just had to show you! (it's the photo above)
Check out her site below:
Well, that's about it for now. Let me know if you are going to be coming to the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival. And if you have any questions for me...I'll be posting a new question/answer post in a couple of days. Just email me .
This is "Mariella", an 18" x 24" mixed media painting that I just finished. I was really happy with the results. The painting was inspired by one of my favorite songs by Kate Nash, also titled Mariella. I tried to use some different techniques like a wallpaper stencil on it, and to just be a little looser overall. You can watch the YouTube video below to learn more about the inspiration and technique involved.
You know...I've been doing this full-time for a long time. It's amazing the amount of questions that I get every week from others all around the world. So I decided to post a few of the questions and answers this week. If you like it, maybe I'll make it a weekly post. Let me know. :)
SusieB asks: How long did it take you to make it as an artist?
I've been working at it for over 10 years. I started selling on Ebay in 1998. I'm still "making it" every day...it's just part of the process.
JenInTX asks: Is it hard to sell artwork on the Internet? Don't people need to see it in person?
I find it easier to sell on the Internet because there is a much larger audience. I also think that with some work that strikes a more emotional cord with people...it's easier for them to make a decision about something when they are comfortable in their own home.
AmyG asks: How many paintings have you sold?
I'm not sure. I lost count.
FelixKat asks: What advice to you have for artists just starting out?
Archive all your work. You can later use it for prints and promotional materials. Keep a record of all your customers (with their permission). Brush up on your marketing skills...you'll need to spend almost as much time marketing as you do creating.
C.B.T. asks: Which is better Etsy or Ebay?
They are both great arenas with a large viewing audience. I think artists do better on Ebay when they have a following. Etsy is very good, but you have to work at it almost every day to keep your items displaying at the top of searches.
KristinaS asks: Your work is very recognizable. How do you develop your own style when you don't have one at all?
Follow your heart. Practice, practice, practice. and then practice some more. Don't try to be like another artist because "they are successful". Be true to yourself, be unique, find things that you can do easily, find things that are fun...put them all together and mix well. Oh...and did I say...practice....
Well, that's all for now. If you have questions, email me. I'll post the answers here next week.
Today, I needed a quiet day. You see...it has been Spring Break around my house. We have entertained out of town guests, who I rarely get to see. And it was splendid. I had such a good time, and miss them already. My kids have been out of school, so studio days have been cut short, to spend more time with them. We went to the zoo with my great, dear friend, Kelly and her two red headed twins. We went to Jacksonville, "The closest real City" to the Island. We shopped at all the stores I miss from Atlanta. It was great. But...it was loud...and I'm a quiet person.
So, on my morning walk today...I found some quiet time and got inspired. I came to the studio and decided I needed a quiet painting. So, I played...and played...and played in the quiet.
fyi..."Play in Wyanne's dictionary equals Paint".
The day was the best. Tomorrow...I'll get back to the my happy medium between quiet and loud. I'll listen to some Kate Nash, and paint some more girls. But, for now....I hope you can enjoy the quiet too.
Love, Wyanne
PS. I decided to list one in my neglected Etsy store instead of Ebay. I also put a few new giclees in the Etsy store too.
I know I talk about this a lot....but I'm always surprised at the number of us who constantly compare ourselves to others. Why do we always feel that we are not good enough? Especially, as artists. I know even after doing this full time for 10+ years, I still find myself doing it from time to time. WHY???? It's so self limiting. I can walk down the street to another gallery with the intent of merely enjoying myself and the art. Then something happens...It's like a little gremlin takes over... I look at the work and automatically start comparing it to myself. I look at the incredible abstract paintings, with huge price tags and think I should be doing that. My work is silly, it's meaningless...it doesn't garner thousands of dollars for one painting. So...it must not be good enough! How stupid is that? But, we all do that...even just cruising around on the Internet. I once confessed to a good friend of mine that I didn't like looking at other peoples work because I was like a sponge. I soak it all in, think I should be like "so and so" artist to be successful...and forget Wyanne. The truth is that I may not (yet...one shall always be optimistic) get thousands of dollars for a painting, or spend weeks or months laboring on one painting. But, the truth is...if I did...I'd be extremely UNHAPPY. It's not me. It would be like trying to wear shoes that didn't fit...just because they were so beautiful on the outside.
So how do we get past all of this as artists? Well, it's just like not buying the gorgeous shoes that don't fit .... You've got to pay attention to the fit. You've got to look inside yourself, center your mind and listen to your heart. It will tell you what's right for you. You can appreciate other artist's work without feeling like you "need" to create like they do to be successful. You find the shoe that fits you best, where every toe has lots of room, and the arch has just the right amount of support and then you wear it proudly with passion. It might not be the latest fashion, but it's always the way it feels inside that counts the most. And, when the inside of the shoe feels so good...you'll have a little spark in your step and soon you'll be dancing to your own song.
The truth is...I can't spend weeks or months at a time on one painting...re-painting, re-thinking, and making it pure perfection. I would go insane. I have way too many ideas that constantly bombard my mind that I just have to get out. Those ideas are way more simplistic and whimsical compared to the complex, lyrical, high dollar abstract paintings down the street....but that's okay. It's even grand...because it's me...and just me. My shoes are really comfy and I'm dancing all the time.
I just finished a huge commission piece for a long time customer. After she reviewed the photos of the finished piece she sent me this email. I started crying after I read it, and my husband thought someone had died. He read it over my shoulder and said it was the greatest compliment I've ever gotten as an artist. He was right, and with her permission...I'm going to share it with you.
Wyanne -
The painting is AMAZING! I can't wait til it comes home! I completely trust your judgement on finishing the piece.
I want to share something with you about the power of your work. My first work of yours was the Bicycling Diva - I had just started riding again (I am 51) and the print inspired me. Since buying it I have dropped 90 lbs, ridden in 30 mile races and been profiled by BikeNewYork !
More amazingly, I later bought the picture of a couple in a field of yellow flowers (Black-eyed Susans, i like to think!) with the same little reddish dog as the bike diva. Two months ago that little dog came into my life!
And even more amazing, I lost my husband after a 10 year struggle with Alzheimer's - and had no intention of ever letting a man into my life again.....but something about that print spoke to me. I hung it outside my bedroom and saw it first thing every morning and last thing every night. Wyanne, shortly after hanging the print I was out riding my bike when I ran into a guy I have known for 25 years and had lost touch with. We are now as much in love as the couple in that print.
You have transformed my life and I can not possibly express my gratitude.
Suzanne
It is amazing to me that my silly, little whimsical paintings could have such an impact on someone's life. My college art instructors would probably cringe if they saw the work that I was doing instead of those huge, high dollar abstracts...But that's okay. I took what I needed from art school, combined it with what made me happy, and then multiplied that by lots of love...and what do you know....the shoe fits and a few even think it's pretty fashionable too. Who knew!!!
Dance in your most comfy shoes...you'll be glad you did.
