Beginning Balloon Rally 2013 Project

Ketchner (Balloonmeister)

Sky Turkey

Buckles

  March 20, 2013
And so it begins...
While listening to the Leave Your Sleep album recently released by Natalie Merchant, followed by Carol King and James Taylor at the Troubador
 I have added Gesso to my 18" x 24" canvas and I am currently assembling images to fit into the concept of my design.
The committee has clarified their expectations and you will see the changes as things progress.

Mystical Breeze

Tony Sax

The five balloons featured here will appear in the final painting.

Conceptual drawing

A Right Brain Business

I just attended the 3rd Annual Right Brain Business Plan Video Summit  hosted by Jennifer Lee author of the Right Brain Business plan. Although I have been dedicated and steadily moving forward with my studio plans I have been lacking in the "networking" department of my career. Topics covered during the summit addressed many of the issues which have been floating around inside of my head for last few months.
I have been inspired to establish a realistic fair value for the work I produce in my studio and the hours it takes to do so.Project Rates and Guidelines
This session has increased my Marketing Momentum exponentially over last year. While learning about the Right Brain Business Plan concept and attending the summit I entered the competition to become the Official Artist for the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally and won. Images of my original painting will be on posters and T-shirts sold during this event. This is a wonderful, exciting opportunity for me to be involved in this Annual Local Event in an Artistic capacity. I was the events coordinator for this event three summers in a row while I was completing my BFA ten years ago. It will be awesome to revisit this experience from a visual artist's perspective.
I also entered the Wellsville Art Association Annual Photography Show this year while participating in the summit.  I have entered and received awards before but this year I made sure each piece had a quality frame and was priced for sale during the show.
 Only So An Hour placed First in the Still Life category. Teasel received Honorable Mention in this same category. Elementals placed second in the Open category. I was honored to once again  participate in this event with so many other talented local artists.
During my participation in this show I was also invited to teach summer art classes for the Allegany Arts Association Summer Arts Festival. I was skeptical at first but as the summit progressed decided that this would be a good move for my studio and a good way to implement the 2010 teaching portion of my preliminary LEFT BRAIN business plan which has been sorely neglected.
As a result of the summit I also addressed the disorder in my working business plan and feel much more engaged with the time line and events contained there. Not surprisingly this working plan bares some similarity to the methods utilized in the Right Brain Business Plan concept. I am sure this similarity will increase as time goes on.
I am currently completing projects for entry in the Seven Counties Art show in April.
2013 is off to an ambitious start. Here's hoping I can maintain it.
Many thanks to the people who encourage and believe in me as I continue on this journey. You know who you are.

March is Support Women Artist Now Month

The Women Arts Blog is tracking events and activities in honor of this celebration of female creativity.
Visit the blog to learn more about how this event is being observed around the country.

Art As a Life Raft

Life Raft ~Katie O'Hagen

Still Standing (Frame 6) ~slk

I recently had the good fortune to read about this wonderful portrait artist, Katie O'Hagen, in Artists  Magazine (April 2013 Preview).
Her realization that her "art emerged as the only thing keeping my head above water," resounded with me as I have often found that my art is a place of refuge and renewal when everything else in my life seems to be shifting beyond my control.
Her painting, "Life Raft" captures the feeling that art is maintaining life while acknowledging that both are always a work in progress. 





In Frame 6 of Still Standing I am attempting to express the fundamental powers of the desire to create. Art moves me to survive the worst of the things life has thrown at me over the years. It provides me with the language necessary to accept and overcome those events and circumstances which threaten to overwhelm me. It gives me a voice to influence change. As I work through the process of making, art gives me the wisdom to identify that which I can control and the serenity to accept the things I cannot. Although the clock may move at fluctuating speeds, art inevitably gives me the courage to move forward. 

New Project 2013

Conceptual Drawing ~slk

This conceptual drawing was selected by the Official Great Wellsville Balloon Rally 2013 committee for use on the 38th annual Great Wellsville Balloon Rally Posters and T-shirts. I will be meeting with the committee soon to discuss specific details and expectations for the final painting.
I am very thankful and excited to have this wonderful opportunity!!!
Project guidelines permitting, I will post images of this work in progress as it evolves. Many thanks to Kathleen Decker for encouraging me to get involved with this project.

Studio Planning 2013

Currently in the works...
I am planning a solo show this year!!!!
For the first time ever all of the images from the Facing Phases 2009-2012 series will be available to the public at one location. Reprints and Originals will be sold here.
Preview Facing Phases

In March
Wellsville Art Associtaion Annual Photography Show
In April
Wellsville Art Association Seven Counties Show
In October
Wellsville Art Association Annual Member Show
Learn more about Wellsville Art Association Events 2013

Accepting Portrait Orders throughout the year.

NEW THIS YEAR!!!! DISCOUNTS AND PRIZES
 available to Blog followers and fans of  SheilaLynnK Art Studio on Facebook

LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME NEW WHEELS!!!
Vocational Rehabilitation Grant has been approved!!! I will be working with ACCESS-VR to obtain a pre-mobility device which will facilitate increased independent mobility and connectivity with local art resources and a Studio presence at local events.

Stand-N-Ride Electric Scooter

NEW ADDITIONS TO STUDIO RESOURCES
The Abundant Artist Learning about the business of Art
Jerry's Artarama Supplies and Compentitions
Veteran Artist Program Military Veterans in the world of Art. Creative Veterans moving forward.
Artists Network Art Lessons and Competitions
See.Me  The new location for Artist Wanted Competitions and Exhibitions
Looking forward to adding new resources in the days to come.

Providing connections for B.O.F.A. the Belfast Organization for Artists
Visit the page to follow current events and activities.

Commissioned portraits available

Youngest Nephew IV
"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Adjusting to the New Year and enduring frigid temperatures in upstate New York. 

I am now accepting orders for commissioned portrait projects. Visit the Portrait Gallery on my website to browse the portfolio or commission a project.