Thursday 4 June 2009

Drum roll please...

Yes, it's the moment we have all been waiting for - the revealing of Swanee and Polo!

But first, here is the finished plant pot and dish, which I have decided to give to my Mum.



I used the same lino cut for this piece as I did for my Mum's mug, so apart from the colours they are quite similar. The glazing isn't perfect but it's not a complete disaster, so that side of things is improving.

And now, the revealing of Swanee and Polo!





I had to touch up the tiniest area of black with acrylic paint on both of their noses, but you can't even tell, and Swanee has a tiny pinhole in the glaze on one of her wings, but apart from that I am very happy with the results of these two pieces! Hooray!

I was so happy with the results, that although the closing date was a couple of weeks ago, I called the FPAA on the off chance that there might still be room left for these to be included in the local exhibition - and they said yes! So I shall drop them off tomorrow morning. The preview evening is tomorrow evening, and then the exhibition will run from Saturday to Saturday. I am so excited! Much more so than when I exhibited my paintings. I feel I have pieces to be proud of this time, so I am much more confident about it. This will be my first exhibition with the FPAA and there will be lots of viewers!

I'm not sure how I feel about them possibly selling. The money would be helpful as I have spent a small fortune on art supplies over the past 18 months or so, but I've grown very attached to them, and I know I will miss them. As silly as this sounds, if they sell I want them to go to a really good home - someone who will love them.

14 comments:

mona said...

Oh, everything is just lovely. Swanee looks great with that burst of orange.

It doesn't sound silly at all about no "really" wanting to sell them. I learned early on that the money is nice, but then you pay a bill or two and then the money is gone and so is the art. Kind of a bummer.

On the other hand it is good to let go so you can move on. You get used to it. I say that (but in truth I still keep my favorites for awhile) :)

For me, the best way to deal with this is to price them high enough that they won't sell easily and if they do, you make enough to be worth it.

Good luck this weekend!!!!

Undaunted said...

Thank you so much Mona, I'm glad you like them.

"I learned early on that the money is nice, but then you pay a bill or two and then the money is gone and so is the art."

Exactly!! And then after all that hard work you're left with nothing! That's just how I feel!

I think I would find it easier to move on once I had created my next favourite piece. Do you find that with your paintings?

Thanks for the advice on the pricing Mona. I think I settled on a price that was fair, but I just hope no one buys them! I should have put them in as not for sale, because I realise now that I'm not quite ready to part with them.

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Undaunted said...

Oh Wow!! Thank you so much Debby! What a lovely surprise! :D

AnneW said...

They look great! Good job!
Cheers!
Anne

cynthia said...

The planter turned out lovely, Linda...but Swanee and Polo - perfect! Congratulations!

leanne pizio said...

Amazing!!!!!
I love them! they are just so sweet and beautiful.
And I feel so lucky that I got to see Swanee in person and Polo in creation.
I think the mug and saucer turned out well as well.

I totally understand about not wanting certain pieces to sell. I have a Madonna that I put in a show and secretly prayed it would stay with me. Luckily it did!
But I think Mona is right as well. Letting go let's you move on to the next inspiration.
Can't wait to hear all about the show!
Good Luck!
Leanne

Undaunted said...

Thank you so much Anne, Cynthia, and Leanne!

I will post an update on how the show is going very soon!

queencraftygirl said...

I have missed you Un-D and I'm back in the blogging world,

And Oh, Oh, OH! I love everything! It's all so gorgeous! Swanee and Polo have turned into some of your greatest masterpieces and the purple mugs are so beautiful. It's so neat that you will be showing off your artwork. I have given Aunt Leanne some of my crocheted things before so that she could put them in one of her shows...but I wanted to keep some of them. But I forgot about them and moved on...but if you don't want to sell htem then...like Mona said "Price them high" (haha:D)

Love,
Queeny

mimilove forever said...

Oh masive round of applause! They've come out beautifully...you should be very proud of yourself madam!
Know where you're coming from on the selling front too...it's like selling one of your babies ;0)

Good luck though! x;)

ps: the 3rd chicken is in the background...you can just see her head (sound like a spy with a secret message!)

Leanne Pizio said...

So curious how the show went.....:)

Undaunted said...

Queeeeeenyyyyy! I missed you too! Thank you so much! I'm glad you like my pieces :) I'm itching to get started on more pieces, but other chores keep getting in the way! I'm sure working on new pieces would help me to move on though.

Thank you Mimi! Oh, that is so true (about it being like selling one of your babies)! I'm sure it's because they are animals (in your art too) and we get so attached to them. But yes, I am very proud of myself! Ooh, yes, I spotted the 3rd chicken when I viewed your painting on a larger screen!

Hi Leanne, I pick up my pieces tomorrow (Saturday) - presuming they haven't sold! So I will post an update shortly after :)

Kathy L said...

Oh Linda

I adore swanee. Your photos make me want to hold her (himn?) and touch all over. How bealutiful. Polo is too cute. You should be very proud of these "first" pieces. Well done!

Undaunted said...

Thank you so much Kathy :) I know what you mean about wanting to feel Swanee. That white glaze really suits her - I'm so glad I bought my own.

I should take a photo of Polo and I together - he is just the right size for a cuddle!