STOP and RETHINK!

Being an artist, and trying to make a living is not all it's cracked up to be. I have had friends and folks in the past that have made some very envious remarks to the way I live my life, and it always gives me a chuckle. (I no longer take offense, how are they to know?) I think people picture me, wearing a big straw hat, in flowing linen clothes, sitting out in the garden painting pink flowers on old furniture, while they sit in a stuffy 8-5 office all day. (the little elves stripped, sanded, filled, glued, primed, basecoated that piece of old furniture before it was ready for the art work you know). Sometimes I am ENVIOUS of them! Paid vacations, insurance, benefits, retirement plans, etc. etc. You get the picture.

This morning I did something that I probably should've done BEFORE my life became out of control, and though I feel horrible, because I genuinely LIKE most of my clients I paint for, I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders!

This morning I sent off a letter to all BUT one client and told them that when their furniture was done, this was the end. I am overwhelmed, and not only is my work suffering because of it, I feel like the house is as well. The chores, the yard, the constant clutter. Hell I can barely get to dinner at night and I LIKE making dinner and having a glass of wine with my husband....I am not ready to give that up!

Besides, now I can paint what I want to paint when I want to paint it! I can go into my barn full of furniture and say "hmmm...what strikes my fancy today? I think I'm in the mood to paint hydrangeas on that bureau."

The antique co-op I am in keeps me in business, and I happen to know that several Coastal Shops would take my wares on consignment, and I do believe the money would be better, (in the long run) because I can get what I want and need for a piece.

I have found that I DO NOT enjoy painting things to specification. I don't like trying to picture another person's vision. It clutters my mind when it's time to think of my vision for my own piece.

So for a while I may be poor again, but I feel that it will pay off in the long run, and I'll be a much happier soul as well.

posted by: sweetpeas at July 30, 2004 13:57 | link | comments (1) |
artsy fartsy

moose crossing

Since I have been incredibly busy with painting orders, thought I'd show you all this photo my Hubby took last year while fly fishing here in Maine. If you look real close his buddy is up the bend, nearly around the corner. This young fellow didn't seem in any way bothered by Jon's presence.

I am painting a headboard, footboard and desk for a client this week. I don't have to do any artwork on them, so I will not bother to show you pics. We are heading to Louden N.H. this weekend to go to the races, so all may be quiet here for a bit! Please check back again!

I welcome comments!

 

posted by: sweetpeas at July 20, 2004 12:04 | link | comments (1) |

what's up with this rain?

Just when I am finally getting caught up with my painting orders, something always seems to get in the way....this week it's the rain. I have a headboard, footboard & matching desk to do for a client that in turn needs it for her show. I know we have the barn, but it's so damp, nothing is drying! Besides the fact that my husband has put his boat in there.....HI, where am I supposed to get this work done? Does Mother Nature or anyone else care? So Jolene and I had a little conference yesterday, and we are going to move the coffee table in the living room and set up shop in there. This old house stays very cool (and dry), besides I have a ceiling fan. Let's hope it works!

Now let's bitch about the garden.....from a distance (that means from the road) it looks lush and full, so I haven't horrified the neighbors driving by (yet). But up close it is a small jungle, full of strange plantlife that I am fairly certain shouldn't be there. The plants themselves are starting to grow into eachother, and become one. The rain has pummeled some of the beautiful blossoms to the ground. If Mother Nature would give me a good solid dry hour....I might be able to get out there and work (play), no work.

Now the Pets.......Rudy (no longer Conehead) needs excersise, she seems to be getting picky in her old age and wet paws are one of her pet peeves. Dakota will go out and pee if I yell "squirrel"....she'll shoot out to the backyard like a cannon, realize she's been duped, and well, pee anyway. Weezie is sleeping non-stop and gaining her winter weight back again. She may even be depressed, I feel for her, I may be that as well.

posted by: sweetpeas at July 15, 2004 12:59 | link | comments (2) |

friends please take notice......

O.K., so my hotmail is not letting me send emails out to anyone...(I am receiving though). Yesterday I was in such a hurry to post the show pictures before I went and worked my 12 hour shift, I figured maybe hotmail would fix the problem. This morning I am SO tired after my 12 hour shift, that I just don't have the energy to fix it....So in hopes that certain folks are reading this....here's what I basically wanted to mail you!

Dear M.K.....We came home from the show Sunday, pooped out and tired, and I just couldn't believe the most lovely message you left me on my answering machine! THANKYOU, THANKYOU for the oh-so nice compliments about this site and my work! It means a lot coming from a great artist as yourself! Hope to be invited to your next opening....and hope to see you on the water this summer....(that would be a small hint to Father Andrew by the way). Have a great day and please KEEP in TOUCH! Inspiration needs to stick together sometimes!

Dear Loretta....Thanks for the nice compliment you sent me about this site in my mail, I just wanted to simply reply and say thanks! You know I love your site! New friends are always welcome! I will keep reading your terrific words!

My Dearest Little 'Sis.....please make sure your box is cleaned out, as soon as I get my email fixed I will send you the cool pics. of our day on the water. The one of you & Ed came out awesome! Love to Dad, Duke, Ed & Gabrey.

To my OTHER Dearest 'Lil Georgian Sis....I think of you every day...please stay healthy! Hope you had a great time w/Sam this weekend....I know you miss him, hang in there! Hello to Heath!

Mom....are you as FREAKIN' tired as I am this week? I'm getting too old for the shows! I must say...we do rock though! Talk to you sometime this week....hell maybe today if I don't get motivated! Love your Daughter...P.S. say hi to the Goob Man and let him know I OWN THE STRIPERS as he never will!

B.R.D.  i love you....LOL sweetpea

Well folks, that about covers it...now it's time to paint! Have a great day Kids!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 14, 2004 13:37 | link | comments |

A show in Lovell, Maine

The show went great! As you can see we are fortunate enough to have an inside & outside spot for our wares.

 

 

 

 

 

I found this pair of end tables at a tag sale,they were a dark brown stain....very ugly. Now they have a fresh coat of white paint with Coreopsis blooms. The wicker has been dry-brushed sage. Pillows made by myself and Suzy are finished off with yo-yo's and vintage buttons.

 

 

 

 

 

My Mom always has lovely linens for sale. Birdhouse made from recycled parts, then I brushed some white paint over it. The cupboard used to be a kitchen cabinet. Hubby cut openings in the doors & I covered them with chicken wire. We trimmed out the top, and put new knobs on it. I crackled the front of the doors sage. I put fence post finials on the bottom of it for feet. I've had this piece for a while, but it always makes a great display piece!

 

 

 

 

 

Handmade teddy, shabby chairs, vintage bowls & picnic baskets round out the display!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 13, 2004 11:59 | link | comments |
antiques, artsy fartsy

2 days till showtime.....

I am posting a quickie as I am terribly behind for this show, and I should be in the barn painting furniture. I did however get nice big pillows done (thanks Suzy for the help) that will look fab on the nice worn wicker pieces that I found. The only problem there is, I've become quite attatched to 3 pieces.....and well I think they may have to stay here at the farm.

I would like to call your attention to a site that I LOVE, especially because this talented gal seems to love paper more than me! Check out her lovely collages and more! I have linked Pomegranates & Paper so I can check her out frequently! She is, by the way, a lovely writer as well.

Have a great weekend all....will see some of you on the river tonight! I'll be the one with all the fish!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 09, 2004 12:20 | link | comments |

Art: LOVELL SHOW

Sunday, July 11th

If you are a Mainer, or will be in the area this weekend....I am doing a show in Center Lovell, Maine. It is an antiques show, though I am permitted to bring my painted furniture & other handmade wares too.

It is put on by the Lovell Historical Society and is in the barn of this great old house that they have been steadily working on for several years now.

It is on Rt. 5 across from the Country Club in Center Lovell.

Come one Come all!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 06, 2004 11:45 | link | comments |
where to find me & my junk

hermanas

Great day yesterday! Too much fun......

My 'Lil Sis Marissa & myself

At 26 & 35 I think pigtails are still O.K.!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 04, 2004 16:00 | link | comments (4) |
family & friends

weekend celebration/craziness

What will you do this Holiday weekend?

Despite Jon & I making the descision that we will be very "in the now", "going with the flow", "living for the present"....things still managed to get a little off keelter and crazy. I will say that I am proud of the fact that we almost made it till Weds. before we really had to make some plans....not perfect but we tried.

We are planning a great day today though, something that we would have wanted to do at the last minute or perfectly planned....it wouldn't have mattered in the least!

My sister & her hubby, Marissa & Eduardo will be coming to stay the night. We are taking our little boat and launching in Darmiscotta. From there we will take a leisurly cruize to E. Boothbay, probably making stops along the way. We are packing a picnic lunch. We will go at our own pace. I will not think about anything work related. There will be a couple of fishing rods aboard. I may or may not bring my camera. I will bring my sketch pad. I will get to truly hang with my 'Lil Sis probably for the first time since she moved home from the Dominican Republic. We both are going to be AUNTS again! Wish my other sis could be here with us. We will all be in the NOW today.

should be fun

Happy Fourth all!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 03, 2004 12:29 | link | comments |
family & friends

Find inspiration here!

I just received my new issue of Mary Engelbreit's HOME COMPANION and as usual I am drooling and green with envy at the articles! If you are an artist and do not receive this GORGEOUS magazine....GET IT NOW!  It is totally geared towards the Art Community, though you absolutely DO NOT have to be an artist to LOVE the magazine! Great decorating tips, recipes, craft projects AND best of all A NEW PAPER DOLL in every issue!

Despite her disciplined work ethic, Patience, like all creative souls, occasionally experienced artist's block until an artist friend, Margot Datz, gave her a permanent cure. "She told me to think of someone I love, hold that person in my mind's eye, and start drawing," Patience says. "It worked. The art came out beautifully, like a gift for both of us."  Patience Brewster, Home Companion

Check out Patience Brewster's BEAUTIFUL WORK!

posted by: sweetpeas at July 01, 2004 12:31 | link | comments |
inspiration for you