Summer in my Artroom

 

A Quick Update

Summer is in full swing yet fall is gaining on me quickly.  I have been having a fantastic time making my way to the art room on a nearly daily basis.  With Farmer's Market being my main focus, many other things have been on pause...like dusting, vacuuming, blogging and website maintenance.  So, each week I have been switching out art in frames, creating bookmarks to sell at my vendor booth, and making any adjustments from one week to the next.  I have had such a fantastic time being outdoors even in the heat and at times a gusty wind.  The opportunity to bring my artwork to the public, meet with the community, visit about life in general...and sell a few pieces of artwork...just a terrific experience.  Thank you to all who have taken time to come and stop by at my display.  Your kind words and purchases have made such a difference in a way I cannot fully describe.  There are seven weeks gone and three remaining for this season of Farmer's Market.  I will happily look forward to next season.  And all the months leading up to the 2023 season, I will plan and dream of new ways to add some artwork to items that will bring joy to all of you.

New changes are coming to my website and so I have put it on vacation until I can give it a refresh this fall.  I wanted to be sure you are reassured my artwork is still a full-time concern.  Fully committed to managing while creating means I will gradually improve with my time and task management.  In the midst of socializing at Farmer's Market, posting and sharing on Instagram and Facebook, creating new work, taking on special orders, and developing new ideas for art products...I know I am missing out on not communicating here with you on a regular basis.  As much as I love posting on Stories on Instagram and Facebook, those video messages disappear after 24 hours and not everyone will go watch on a Highlight.  I will keep working to devote a bit of time on all the different platforms including here.  So if you go to www.christysheeler.com and see it's out of date...it's under construction and there's new work to be loaded but I am setting aside time in September for that project.

Thank you for coming along with me on the adventures of an artist!  I do appreciate every little bit of feedback and support.  Thank you for every positive comment.  Your encouragement and excitement are fuel for the creative energy to continue flowing.

One more thought before I go...Summer Miniatures 2022 is now in motion with this being the window for preorders/claims for those who are interested in purchasing one or two 3" x 4" original watercolor paintings.  The theme is wildflowers.  $15 each with a limit of 20 being made in this collection.  You can choose a type of wildflower or a color family and then I'll help you choose a wildflower in that hue.  Contact me for more information!

I'm off to sketch wildflowers now...

Christy

She must make art.

Spring Miniatures 2022

Seasonal Miniatures 2022 by Christy Sheeler

The color palette of spring is a welcome change!  The first bit of inspiration for this series comes from a larger artwork I painted last summer.  I was taken back by the view of many branches against a blue sky with a bird perched there on a branch.  Imagine the views birds must have!  And with the return of robins being one sign of spring, I was sure this must be the bird to include in these little artworks.

If you are not on Instagram or Facebook but would like to preview the finished artworks, please email me at the one shown on my contact information page.  I am very happy to help you preview these and you can choose one.  Are you on my email newsletter subscriber list?  My website is linked and there, you can sign up for my newsletter!  All is a work in progress but I will do my best to help you find my artwork as it is completed and available.

Christy

-She Must Make Art

In December, I had a bit of fun offering a collection of winter miniatures to my followers on Instagram and Facebook.  It was such a success!  The number was under twenty five total.  Each watercolor painting, an original artwork, were 3" x 4" in size.  

I am preparing to begin work on the spring collection of miniatures, limited number to be available.  With under thirty available and each one painted by hand with unique details, no two will be alike.  

Those who have purchased a winter miniature have already expressed interest in collecting from each season.  This makes my heart sing!  I was thrilled with the response to something like this working so well.  I am able to sell my artwork to a those who have a more limited budget...or just need a little bit of artwork to splurge on now and then.

The way this works for me...I begin small watercolor artworks on 3" x 4" watercolor paper.  There are about 30 small artworks in the collection.  These paintings are painted in one short span of time, say about 2 weeks' time.  With a single palette of colors chosen, the paintings have a continuity yet they each have their own "personality."  As I share previews of these mini works in progress across social media, I ask potential buyers to direct message me to claim one.  I may have to set a limit of 2 or 3 going forward.  I create my list as messages come in.  Once the watercolor minis are completed, I begin private messaging buyers with a photo of the miniatures still available.  Payment is taken preferrably Venmo, Paypal, or cash (local pickup).  Once the purchase is made, I prepare the art to ship in the following 2 or 3 days.

Shown below is an example of my first little spring miniature.  It may be finished, I am not quite sure yet.  I will set it aside and glance at it again later...fresh eyes sometimes see something that it still needs to be finished.

Along with spring minature collection, I am preparing to offer the many other miniatures I have in stock in the coming weeks.  By removing these small artworks from my website inventory, I will manage it more easily to bring a spotlight to artworks.  Each release will be in numbers of about ten or less within a week's time.  I am still deciding whether to offer them available like the miniatures were done OR record a LIVE video showing them off and claiming done in the comments.  Separated into smaller categories like flowers, mountains, waterfalls, and prairies/farmlands will help make these into a more enjoyable experience.  And more easily manageable for me.

With a few hours of bright sunlight the past two afternoons, I have been able to tackle some artwork photography.  I began by cleaning the floors especially where the sunlight is free of shadows on the landing.  The tripod set up on with a cell phone mount is my usual method now.  I set the tripod on a sheet of foam board as the base for placing artwork.

If all is good with detail and color captured in the photos, I may be ready to move to the next step of cropping and giving each artwork a title.  It all takes time so I'll keep plugging along!

Artwork prices have been updated effective 1/26/2022.  This applies to artwork available for purchase from now going forward.  Private Art Commission prices have been updated as well.  These prices are now listed here on the blog and on my website christysheeler[dot]com.

If you are not following me on Instagram and Facebook, I encourage you to do so!  I share so much more in the way of Live video as I paint; I am still a bit unpredictable but hoping to work out a regular schedule of when I go Live on those platforms.

There's my little update on what's happening here.  Thanks for following along.  I sincerely appreciate all the encouraging feedback.  Knowing that you are enjoying my updates is a boost and looking forward to sharing more along the way.

-Christy

She must make art.

In A Planner Choosing Frenzy

 I thought it would be easier than this.

Always seems I am doing it this way and I should have learned by now.  The year flies by and the next thing I know, it's December.  Where did December come from?  Meaning, wow I didn't realize how time was flying.  And now that means a new year is about to begin and I need to be organized and ready.  My husband calls me a Type-A Wannabe.  He's not wrong.  I create this facade that I am organized.  It gives me comfort and a sense that I might be in control.  I figure this is my way of  being somewhat prepared when life starts coming at me from all directions.

Perfect timing and I made time for it!

Earlier in December, I joined in a free workshop on Facebook, Soul Smile.  It was hosted by Alice Sheridan and Megan Woodward Johnson.  Such a blessing!  For the past few years, I had to choose what I could make time for and many times missed out on art opportunities.  Excitedly, I joined in with other artists and we shared how we have weathered the months of 2021.  We found we had so many shared thoughts and emotions.  For quite a while I have missed having interaction with other artists and the social distancing has made it a challenge to fill that void.  We talked a bit about how we all organize our creative work time.  There was mention of bullet journals and The Maker's Yearbook, The Get To Work Book, The Legend Planner, and Dingbat Planner.

So that's where I realized it's past time for me and the planner choosing process.

[This is a lengthy post and so giving you fair warning now...it's just that I have SO much to tell you.  I can't leave any of it out.  It's all really good!  And there are many photos to show along with the tell.]

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A bit of a side note here:

I was already familiar with Alice Sheridan.  She and Louise Fletcher host a podcast, Art Juice.  I began listening before the the pandemic.  As I worked my then job as a nanny, I would do laundry and tidy the kitchen with a podcast playing that is art related.  Art Juice quickly became my favorite.  And then when the pandemic had us all closed up in our homes for months, I listened then also and found a connection to similar struggles.  I had a hard time creating art for quite a few months in 2020.

If you haven't hear this podcast before, give Art Juice a listen.  I highly recommend it for creatives!  Maybe you'll feel like you've just had a cup of tea and a great visit with a couple of artist friends.

The pandemic has taken its toll on all of us.  As a creative, I found it a feat to recapture my energy and drive again.  I figured out that I needed to get a grip on the stress and anxiety levels.  I understood that creating art should be one of my ways of handling the emotions and thoughts that were giving me a tough time.  Through some spiritual battling, taking care of myself and remembering how to grow strong again...I was able to see better days full of hope and joy.

I am stronger and more grounded than I have been in a long, long time.  There should be months of creating ahead of me and yet I know life is unpredictable.  Just when I think it's all smooth from here on out, there will be some event or circumstance that shakes it all up for weeks or longer.

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Above:  the Eccolo planner I picked up from TJ Maxx last year.  I love the cork cover so much.  I also loved using it because it's a manageable size for me.  Dimensions are 5.25" by 7.5" for reference.

It's up to me to make creating time a priority.

Instead of feeling cheated because there are no blocks of time left over in my schedule, I do something very different now.  Back then, I begrudgingly gave up my precious art making time for family appointments and commitments.  I hated that I felt upset and wanted to blame everyone else for not letting me make art.  Then I realized how that could change.  There is always time for both family/personal commitments and creative art time.  Always.  What matters is HOW I approach it.  I made a simple and effective change to how I handle my schedule.  

Below:  The notecard "Wake up and be awesome" came in an order (from where I do not remember) BUT I have been clipping it in my planner to be a fun reminder each morning.

Block it off now before life crowds in.

I began using a highlighter, a pen, and my planner to block out several hours per day for art.  I would plan out several weeks at a time.  With a list of what I would like to do, I would make a highlighter colored box outline and then write in what I planned to do.  If nothing else, it would just say, "Art" or "Paint" and then that time was reserved ahead of time.  I built the schedule of appointments around those blocks of art time.  I planned to have time already reserved BEFORE all the other appointments.

Below:  My new 2022 cover with a leather-like cover in a soft tan color.

I guess I should add here that what is necessary is to NOT cancel that creative art time.

Unless it's a serious emergency, which can happen, keep that time commitment to creating as precious.  Because it is more valuable and beneficial than anyone could really know.  No need to prove it as important.  Just matter of fact, make it a new practice to schedule creative pursuits.

Limited Edition Winter Miniatures

This was the orginal post; same information was posted on Instagram and Facebook at the end of December 2021.

Limited edition watercolor miniatures in a winter theme.  More information on my Facebook and Instagram.  I am excited to offer these in dimensions roughly 3" by 4" all originals painted in watercolors.  Contact me through messenger to claim.  $15 each.  I plan to begin shipping next week.  

The photo shows these miniature originals while still in progress.  I am limiting the number to a total of 30 pieces.  Thank you to those who have already claimed!  I am so excited about finishing these and shipping them off soon.

• Facebook:  ChristySheeler-Artist

• Instagram:  christysheeler.artist

As I was painting to develop an idea for a winter landscape, a bigger idea formed in my mind.  The amazing and colorful sunsets of winter plus birds perched in the bare branches, and then add snowy drifts that catch the light and cast long shadows.  This was the beginning.  Later, I chose some evergreens to complement the scene.  As I wrote my notes and mixed pigments on the palette, a bold idea came to me.  What if I painted a number of these little winter paintings and offered them to be purchased and shipped within a ten day to two week window of time?

On a spontaneous whim, I boldly went to Instagram and Facebook with this idea.  I felt foolish.  Crazy how that happens when I step out of my comfort zone.  I reassured myself that if there were no "takers" I can just use these for gift with purchase tags.  Nothing to lose, right?  

I had enough to offer just under a total of 30 minature watercolor artworks.  That very same evening after feeling like a fool, the messages began coming in!  To my heartfelt delight, there are dear friends out there (maybe you are one of them) that will jump at the opportunity to have one of my artworks.  Too precious for words, that's what I think of all of you.  Thank you for being with me on this adventure.  When the offer ended, I had just a couple miniatures remaining...and they will maybe go into a future mini winter edition.  The messages I have gotten from those of you who purchased bring a smile to my face even now.

I felt that this orginal post didn't really do the Winter Minis 2021 justice.  So all of this has been edited after the fact to share more detail about this super enjoyable first run.  Now, I am excited to share that there will be more seasonal miniature artwork to come!  I am working through ideas for Spring Minis 2022.  I am sure there will be trees and birds.  Those two subjects seem to be a must for me.  But thinking that big blue skies with fluffy clouds and a few bitty dandelions will be sneaking in, too.

I will be giving my mailing list friends the first dibs at claiming a mini in the Spring Minis 2022.  Are you on that mailing list?  Over on my website, christysheeler.com  you can sign up to be included with my new announcements.  Then, I will take the announcement to Instagram and Facebook.

So, if you joined me for this edition of seasonal minis, thank you very much!  And if you are new to the seasonal minis, please consider purchasing one when they become available.  I will post here and in all the places I share as well.  If nothing else, shoot me an email with Seasonal Art Minis in the description and I will take care of getting you on my mailing list.

Stay warm everyone!

-Christy