Red Easel

Gung-ho or Balance?

 

I've got problems.  Issues.  habits.  And they aren't necessarily good.  I get all wrapped up in a project, all gung-ho about it, and can't pull myself away from it.  I become so focused, so "in the zone" of what I am trying to accomplish, that I do nothing else until it is done.  So, as you can only imagine, so many other things suffer as a result of my immediate focus. 

My Big Bear made it a point to complain to me the other day about this problem of mine.  I can't say that I blame him, really.  I mean, it is frustrating when the laundry goes days without being finished and instead becomes a mountainous pile in the doorway of our laundry room.  Or, the kitchen table becomes a catch-all for everything from newspapers and mail to star wars action figures and lipstick.  Or, the children's lessons haven't been graded.  Or, I've been in the same pajamas for 3 days.  (just keeping it real here).  Nope, can't say that I blame him for complaining.

 

Maybe I need help.  I get all gung-ho to do something, or create something that is great - wonderful - fabulous - productive - prosperous, only to watch everything else around me crumble.  It's a real problem.  Take this "Raisin Toast" thing I have goin' on here, for instance - As a result of this place where I journal everything in my life that is important to me, I have neglected Red Easel.  Neglected to send out my monthly newsletters to my 500+ readers.  Neglected to update my artist listings.  Neglected to keep it up-to-date.  I should be beaten upon the head!  I should be scolded!  I should be ... should be ... feeling very guilty and sorry and downright upset with myself daggonit!  I have also neglected my art.  I haven't been in my studio to create a thing in about 3 months.  What's with that anyway?  Do I love writing more than painting?  I don't know.  Maybe I just can't seem to pull myself away from this dang computer long enough to find out.

This is ridiculous.  I have made a good name for myself in the world of fine art.  I have been published in the Who's Who of American Art and the Who's Who in Visual Art.  I have been published, garnered collectors, and recognized from North America to Paris and Italy.  I have won awards for my artwork.  Yet, I sit here like a lump-on-a-log writing instead of painting.  I should be stung with a cattle-prod.

So what is balance anyway, other than doing things on the right as equally as we do things on the left?  How can we find balance in our lives?  Who the hellacious knows?  I've been trying to find it all my life and can't seem to figure it out yet.  Obviously, nobody taught me structure, or I'd not have this problem. 

I need structure.  We all need structure.  My kids need structure.  Would you like to teach me how to do this?  You see, I don't like having a set time that I "have" to get up, although I get up early every morning with my daughter.  I don't like having a set time to do laundry or clean the kitchen, or teach my kids math.  I've been doing this thing called life by the seat of my pants for so long that I've come to like it this way.  But, as you can tell, it isn't exactly pleasing my Big Bear and for obvious reasons.

Maybe I should make a list.  A list of all the things I have to do every day and a list of the things I should do every day.  Then I should make a list of all the things I want to do every day.  Hmmm, I've never given this as much thought before now, and you know somethin', maybe I can figure this out - but do I want to? 

Then after I make this list I should organize it into time segments.  Time for writing, time for painting, time for teaching, time for cleaning, time for laundry, time for cooking (that's Bob's job - thank goodness).  Time for paying the bills, and going thru the mountains of paperwork that have accumulated in that bottom drawer in the kitchen.  Then my life would be in perfect order - ya think?  I mean really?  Do you really think this is possible without falling into the doldrums of structured boredum?

If anyone out there has any suggestions that might help me find structure and balance without getting bored with the day-in and day-out structure of life and responsibilities - especially since Life really is nothing but "maintenance" anyway - then please let me know.  I need help.

Susie Q

American Watercolor Society 142nd Annual International Juried Exhibition

March 31st-April-April 26th, 2009
$40,000 in cash awards!      Thirteen medals!

The American Watercolor Society’s 142nd International Juried Exhibition will open at the historic Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY, on March 31st, 2009.  This year, for the first time, the jury of selection will accept digital submissions (jpg files on CD).  You’ll find detailed directions for preparing your digital submission in the prospectus, available for download on the AWS website (americanwatercolorsociety.org)  Postmark deadline for all submissions, 35 mm slide or digital, is November 15, 2008.

There are still two months to go before the deadline, so download your prospectus HERE

ENTRY INFORMATION:

The Annual Exhibition is open to all artists working in water soluble media: watercolor, acrylic, casein, gouache and egg tempera on paper. Canvas is not accepted.                  

Original work only is  accepted. No collage, pastels,  class work, copies, digital images or prints; original work only.                  

Maximum frame size is 44”  in any direction.                  

Image size limit is no  smaller than 10” x 14”.                

All paintings must be  sturdily framed and have plastic glazing Plexiglas®. Varnish is not accepted.

Click on the link below for the Prospectus

Download AWS_2009-10Prospectus.pdf

                                    

THE BERMUDA WORKSHOP: NOV. 13-15, 2008 with ELI CEDRONE!

Hello everyone!

There has been a growing interest in the Bermuda workshop this year.  If you would like to be a part of this workshop, please make a deposit of $150 by Sept 15th to hold your place.  Eli Cedrone will let you know by Sept. 16th if there are enough students signed up so that the workshop can go forward.   She would suggest you book your flights and hotel (in Hamilton if possible) at that time.  Eli can also help answer any questions you may have about the island and places to stay.  Delta Airlines flies direct non-stop in November.

If the workshop goes forward she'll need the balance of $150. by Oct. 15th.  The initial deposit is non-refundable unless the workshop is cancelled or postponed.  Please send your deposit in the form of a money order payable to:

Eli Cedrone
63 Sunrise Terrace
Stoughton, MA 02072 

Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested in joining in on this workshop!

The Bermuda Workshop

November 13-15, 2008

Join award winning artist, Eli Cedrone for a unique experience in Bermuda!  Follow in the footsteps of Winslow Homer.  From the breathtaking beaches of the South Shore to the winding alleyways of St. George’s, explore the island, “en plein aire”  while learning to paint in the alla prima tradition.  From life too in one sitting!  Package includes airfare, and 3 nights at the Hamilton Fairmont Princess Hotel.

Please contact Eli Cedrone at 781-443-4014 for prices and more info. Space is limited, reserve early for best rates!

The workshops will focus on

• Plein air painting outdoors
• Understanding and simplifying shapes
• Laying down a foundation quickly and confidently
• Creating focal points and developing them
• Balancing cool and warm colors
• Creating atmospheric perspective
• Composition
• Developing an individual's ability

November 13
* 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
* Arrive at 9:30 for late registration, seating, refreshments, handouts and meeting other artists.
* Workshop starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. for lecture and demo.
* Please bring supplies for taking notes
* 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. lecture and demo
* 1:00 p.m. break for lunch (1 hr)
* 2:00 p.m. arrive at designated location
* 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.  paint on location
   
November 14
* 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
* 8:45 a.m. arrive at designated location
* 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. paint on location
* 12:00 p.m. break for lunch (2 hrs)
* 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.  lecture and demo

November 15
* 8:45 - 5:00 p.m.
* 8:45 a.m. arrive at designated location
* 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. paint on location
* 1:00 p.m. break for lunch (2 hrs)
* 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. lecture and demo

Space is limited to 15 people. 

Contact Eli Cedrone at 781-443-4014 or artfulhand@comcast.net for supply list.  She can arrange for shipping of your artwork back home for you.

June Bessette of Carlson Wagonlit Travel is available to assist you with planning all your travel arrangements for this package. She has selected several hotel options for you to choose from.  Book at the earliest possible convenience to take advantage of special air travel rates.  Airfares are based on availability at the time of booking.
• All packages require a deposit to book and are subject to cancellation and length of stay restrictions. A valid passport is required for travel to Bermuda.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel
634 Broadway
Raynham MA 02767-1735 
(800) 828-6938
www.carlsontravel.com/carlsononthego
       
PRICES:
Workshop ONLY - 3 Days (no accommodation)     $300.00
Hotel & Air (sample price) - Fairmont Hamilton Princess : $1295.00
Price may increase depending on availability at time of booking. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy Air is from Boston. Standard) Accommodations, three nights, four days. Includes all room gratuities and taxes and airport transfers. Bus/Ferry Pass is available for an additional cost. 

ELI CEDRONE FINE ART
www.elicedrone.com
The value of a spritual stroke, correctly placed is beyond calculation - Balthus

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Plein Air Oil Painting Workshop with Mary Erickson

Mary Erickson
Professional Visual Artist
Medium: Oil
Marshville, North Carolina
USA
Mary Erickson Fine Art
Erickson Red Easel Gallery

Join Mary Erickson and a limited class of no more than 8 students for a four-day learning adventure into Plein air oil painting. The workshop includes demonstrations, individual critiques, and lots of one-on-one attention. You will be guided in seeing and capturing the essence of a landscape with the use of value, scale, and color.  

With practical information on materials, and tips for optimizing the outdoor painting experience, this workshop is designed to help you experiment and grow as a landscape painter.  Learn the essentials of capturing the landscape in oils! 

The class is limited to 8 students, with the instruction tailored to your specific needs.

Wednesday, October 22 through October 26 at High Ridge Gardens in Marshville, North Carolina.  

For more info on this workshop or the March '09 workshop in Venice, Florida, visit Mary Erickson Art Workshops or call 704-219-0391.

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The Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Competition

For 10 years, the Pastel 100 Competition has rewarded artists just like you for your finest work. And this year, we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary by giving away even more great prizes!

Sponsored by The Pastel Journal, America's leading magazine devoted to pastel artists, and sister publication of The Artist's Magazine, this annual competition offers cash, prizes and publicity to its lucky winners. Go here for more info.

All entries must be postmarked by September 1, 2008, so don't wait to start creating! Enter now and your work could win huge cash prizes, like the $5,000 Jack Richeson/Unison Pastels Best of Show Award!

Other top awards include:

The Ruth Richeson/Unison Pastels Award, featuring a 402-piece set of Unison Pastels— worth $2,067, plus 750 worth of Richeson Co. products!

The Pastel Journal Grand Prize—$2,500 CASH!

The Art Spirit Foundation/Dianne B. Bernhard Silver and Gold Medal Awards for Excellence—$1,000 to $1,500 CASH!
You can also compete to win more cash prizes in any of these 5 categories:

Landscape & Interior—juried by Lorenzo Chavez
Portrait & Figure—juried by Desmond O'Hagan
Still Life & Floral—juried by Christina Debarry
Animal & Wildlife—juried by Dustin Van Wechel
Abstract & Non-Objective—juried by Frank Federico

PLUS, all top prize winners will be featured in our April 2009 issue of The Pastel Journal. Don't miss this opportunity to publicize your work!

To learn more about the competition, for complete information, additional entry forms, or to enter online please visit www.artistsnetwork.com/pasteljournalcompetition

For any questions, you can contact us at pjcompetitions@fwpubs.com

Best of luck,

Anne Hevener
Editor
The Pastel Journal

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Tags: PastelJournal, Artist Competition