It Starts. . .

I have started receiving applications for 2012 shows. There are a few decisions to be made: try again for the ones that haven't done so well recently hoping that things will pick up, or go in a new direction? Known versus unknown?

Room for One More

So the art fair season is long over, and I'm filling in some gaps in the bird painting inventory. The Eastern Bluebird is a big favorite, so I'm hoping it sells next year. I had an idea that I would paint it perching on a sumac branch, but though I wasn't sure if bluebirds were ever seen on this tree, I thought the color combination would look good. After some internet research, I learned that bluebirds have an affinity for sumac. So do I.

"Eastern Bluebird & Sumac", Original watercolor by Anne Gilna

And now, it's over (temporarily).

Last weekend was the last art fair of 2011 on my schedule. It went out with a thud, I have to say. But no more of that. I'll try to create a fall-themed painting before the trees go bare, and then during the long off-season I hope to come up with some more new works. Overall, I'm pleased to have sold some paintings that had hung around longer than they should have. I was proud of them, but for one reason or another, they took a long time to find the right home. I only sold one original botanical painting this season, so I'll probably hold off on producing another botanical work until more are sold. That could change, though, if I am inspired by the beauty of a botanical subject in the near future.

All Birds, All the Time

I have just finished two new paintings in time for the show this weekend at Art in the Barn: "American Kestrel", Watercolor by Anne Gilna, and "Black-capped Chickadees on a Vine".

Whew!

The Lake Forest Art Fair on the Square is done- and it was a success! It was an exhausting weekend, but fortunately the weather was fall-like and conducive to shopping. I said goodbye to some of my best paintings, but they're going to a good home. There are now some major gaps in the display, and the next show is coming later this month. I'm working on ideas as I write this.  The printing press is rolling tonight.

The Latest Work

I've painted many hummingbirds, but usually they're seen in flight. This time I felt it deserved a little rest on a hosta stem.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird & Hosta,
Original Watercolor by Anne Gilna

Hot Times at Glenview

I don't think I've ever been more uncomfortably hot at an art fair that I was last weekend. If I stayed out of the booth, I could find shade, but wouldn't you know it, sometimes people actually wanted to buy something, so I had to go in. It could have been worse, at least 1) There wasn't a drop of rain, and 2) Sales were good. So, though it was exhausting, it's still exhilarating to sell art!