New commission piece finished and installed

So a year or two ago a guy contacted me about showing my work in a venue where his band was doing a show. Unfortunately for him I had just picked up some of my work in another alternative venue and there was some stains on a couple pieces so I decided then, no more alternative venues. So I told him Id have to pass. Fast forward a year ago and he contacts me via facebook asking my about my prices and about doing a commission piece for their home. Then just this past September I was doing the Westport Art Fair and they came by my tent and decided to make the commitment to do it. So I got to work after meeting with them about the size and looking at the space.

I started working on it and really was going for a cloud look but I struggled and struggled with trying to bring it about. After about 14 hours one day fighting with it I scrapped it and started on a whole new design. When all was said and done and I took it over for a preliminary fitting they commented that it looked like a fish. I had yet to stand back and look at it and when I did then they were right. Funny thing is the husband use to have a large salt water fish tank and still has a couple large tropical fish tanks. I love how God will work through me when working on pieces and I dont even realize it till its all over.

So I took the finished piece over yesterday and got it installed for them. I love how the openings on the piece cast light and shadows up on the ceiling just as Id hoped. I also love the way the two sconces they have on each side of the fireplace also interact with the piece.

Getting it together

Well slowly but surely I am getting this blog site together. Upon the suggestion of a fellow artist (thank you Rhoda Powers) I changed the template I was using so hopefully it will be easier for everyone to read my posts. Also I just uploaded some more images of my past and present work and will continue to add as I can. Hopefully with the Westport Art Fair coming up in September I will be creating a lot of new work like I did for the Oklahoma Festival of the Arts show. So keep an eye out for new work.

Where I am right now

So I guess a short introduction is in order. I am a full-time working artist. Sometimes I make money sometimes I don't. Well right now most times I dont. Presently I work about 8-10 hours a day in my studio creating my illuminated sculptures. Then I go home and spend an hour more or less on the computer dealing with emails and searching for opportunities to show my work.

I started this blog to help dispel the myth that artist don't really work. It hit me when earlier this year to earn some money I was working for a friend that owns a landscape and mowing company. I was working with a great guy named Tim. We had been working together for a few weeks. One day when we were taking a short break it came up that I was an artist. Tim's response was, "Your an artist? Huh I would never have pegged you as an artist. Your a hard working son of a bitch. LOL" So it was then that it hit me that most people think artist firstly dont work very hard or wont work hard. The truth is any artist thats serious about being a successful artist works very hard. Working as a full time artist is no different than running and working your own small business.

So thats what made me decide to start this blog. It will basically be an online diary of my triumphs and defeats, ups and downs as a working artist. Hopefully I will be able to make it interesting enough to keep people around.