A lot has happened in the week since my last blog post! I can tell that our marketing efforts over the past year are paying off this holiday season. Either that, or the recession is over, because people are buying more art this year. You heard it here first, the economy is recovering, if art sales are an indicator.
Most importantly, TODAY is the last day to enter my online sweepstakes to win a custom beer painting of your choice. A lucky winner of an 11″ x 14″ beer painting will be drawn automatically via a computerized agent tonight at midnight Alaska time. Good luck to all who entered! If you are still not registered for this amazing giveaway sign up here. Also, you get extra entries when you share the contest on Facebook.
The Maury Studio Sale was a sweeping success for all parties involved. It was a grand party with a keg of my best example of homebrew. Jewelry, pottery and original paintings were flying out of the Maury’s Turnagain home. Notably, over the three-day event I saw many friends I haven’t seen in years, including my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Anne Smith, who let me know she does not want to be called Mrs. Smith but will answer to Anne. As she walked out with a small magnet painting of a red IPA, I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was not a painting of red wine. Packing all my things into my ice-covered truck was melancholy as I wish that I could have a sale weekend like that every week.
When I got back into the studio under a frenzy of high stress commissions that should have been done yesterday, it was difficult to transition from the socially-heavy weekend to the isolation of my studio. I escaped yesterday to go on a supply mission. Yes, I did need a new roll of painter’s tape and I needed to measure walls at the Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Co. for my next art show, but did I need to visit King Street Brewery, or shop for new running shoes, or buy that extra 25 lbs of pastry whole wheat flour? I just wanted a break from the studio. I am still cranking though, with a show to prepare and a couple of commissions to wrap up before the big holiday!
At the Maury Studio I learned that the nice frames that Toni Maury orders for her wall hangings are surprisingly affordable. Maria spent a while yesterday submitting a large order with economyframes.com. I am glad, as I want to spend more time painting, and even though I will lose some money on the frames I will have more time to make more and better pieces, and I am also happier with the quality of the USA-made frames. This will be a test run to see if it is worth the extra expense.
Currently I have paintings on display at the Snow Goose Restaurant upstairs during the months of December and January. For my upcoming show in January at Midnight Sun Brewing Co. I will have “We CAN Be Green” can-themed beer paintings, and a new series called “A Toast to Our Mountains” — paintings of favorite Alaska mountain ranges depicted in beer foam in pint glasses.
I’m grateful to be so busy painting commissions and new pieces for upcoming shows. Back to the studio now where I am working on a commissioned painting and listening to public radio.
Real Art Is Better! 