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.

Preparing to Show My Art: A Nature Inspired Booth

There is so much going on in my art room right now... 

It's a chaotic mess to anyone looking in.  It's kind of a chaotic mess to me!  Somehow, I'm preparing for my first time selling art in public.  Okay, I must say, it's not really my first time.  It just my first time in over ten years!  Now, I'm ready to jump back in and present my artwork in public again!





In June of 2015, I felt this strong desire to begin exploring my artistic skills again.  I've got my list of goals written down but over time, I've discovered these goals take longer than I'd first imagined.  My family has patiently and lovingly tolerated (and supported) me as I take on the project of preparing to show my artwork in public again.  On top of the framed original watercolor paintings and the packaged Giclee art prints, I've added some other items to my merchandise.  I know I've got to play this out right in order to be successful.  High ticket items are a tough sell next to other items sold at the arts & craft fairs.  I need to have a strategy for more affordable price points for selling to a wider range of people and pocket books.  You'll see that I've been thinking through this thoroughly!  This place has been a madhouse with so many projects going at once.

Gathering items to build my booth displays.

My furry companions are worn out!  They napped for me.

Lucy takes a comfy spot nearby.

Roadside Views of Yucca Blooming

Montana life means

 time spent on the road.  

Road trips mean fast stops for photography!  I spend my time in the passenger seat with a camera in my lap.  While we travel down the road, I watch for interesting details along the way.  Recently we drove to Bozeman to see some of my family.  A few hours and Famous Dave's BBQ made a great Father's Day!  We didn't have much time to spend together but we made the most of it!  We spent the evening with them and then drove back home late that night.

While we made our way to Bozeman that day, I gazed out the window at the landscape.  A beautiful day was framed in with bright blue skies above and these lovely yucca blooming on the hillside.  We pulled off at the next exit, giving me opportunity to hop out of the car.  A quick 3 minutes with my camera resulted in a few great reference photos.  The blossoms are bundled in clusters on the stalk.  The shades of color vary with outer petals having more of a rusty pink tinge.  The wind was blowing (of course it was...this IS Montana)  so the petals are more open in some areas.  The roadside views of yucca blooming made for such a nice surprise that day!