Listing Last Chance with DPW!

"Mosier Aspens" 12x9" Pastel  Sold

"Fieldways"  10.5x9"  Pastel

Opening bid $75

"Cornelius Road House" 8x10" Pastel  Sold

"Down the Line" 10x8" Pastel  

Starting bid $75

"New Vines Over West Valley" 8x10" Pastel  Sold

"Prelude to Spring" 10x8" Pastel

Opening bid $50

"Violet" 8x6" Oil

Opening bid $50

"Cusp of the Day" 8x10" Oil

Opening bid $50

"Glass Implements" 12x9" Pastel

Opening bid $75

About 5 months ago I signed up with Daily Paint Works to sell artworks not relegated for my galleries.  The fifteen or so pieces listed were either just to small to frame, studies for larger pieces, or they didn't fit the gallery's market. Beautiful works that have no home yet.  I had a great start with the site, but have now decided to discontinue my subscription because of my time and availability to list new pieces  (this means less time on the computer and more time to paint).  Please take advantage of the deals here folks, cuz they won't be available at such cut prices as of July 1st.

Over and out!

Brenda

Fieldways, 10x8

 "Fieldways" 10x8" Pastel

Offered on DailyPaintworks HERE

I now am offering small works on Daily Paintworks.

(non gallery small studies and workshop demo pieces)

After a long conversation with a fellow artist about his success with Daily Paintworks, I finally decided to list my small studies and demonstration pieces in both pastel and oil.  Like many artists, I have oodles of small works that I need to move and this will provide a way to distribute to large online audience. I am finding it provides a great resource for my first time art collectors to find inexpensive works not usually offered in my galleries.  "Fieldways" is one of the many I have offered up for auction, starting at a ridiculously low $50. New pieces are added periodically, so stop on by and take a peek HERE.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/brenda-boylan-3668

Auction recap, Red Blueberry Rows, 16x12

Red Blueberry Rows, 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

A huge success for the MHCCF Auction last Saturday night. Here is my piece that I painted at the event before 450 attendees. You may ask, 'Weren't you a bit stressed?' No, not really, and that is because I prepared for it. Giving me the comfort that all will run smoothly. I do this by pre-painting the subject (days or even months before) and having all my framing ready for the art, including the glass, backing and wiring. You've probably seen this one before and that's because I painted and posted this scene plein air last fall. In recap, it was a great event with many admirers and a lot of fun with artists Michael Orwick and James McGrew.

1/2 hour into the work...the crowd was just beginning to fill out.

Once the auction ended, I began framing the piece only to find out that the work was off by 1/8" and wouldn't fit into the frame. I ended up having to take the piece back home to adjust it, but that was nice because I was allowed more time to make sure it was framed with care. Next time, Brenda, check to see if it fits first! Augh! Anyway, I also donated a larger piece that was offered in the live auction. You can view the finished piece here.

The winners Robin and Loretta with my larger piece, 'Reflections on Blue' 21x30"

Now, a little about auctions and art:

If you donate your art, the law will only allow you to deduct the cost of materials for taxes. This doesn't fare well for artists, but then again I suppose the IRS is trying to keep us from over pricing our donations based on a perceived value.

Another thing to consider when you donate is that you might ask for a reserve on your piece. These charities may not like it, but really, there is no way else to secure that it's final bid will even match the value...and this could be really bad for business as an artist.

And finally, one more issue with auctions. When donating, ask if you can get a percent of the sale...kind of like a gallery commission. Again these charities will not like this, but if you can get a percent, say 40/60 or maybe even 50/50, then at least your efforts will not be lost. Otherwise, just 'give' and feel good about it.

There is almost no financial benefit to doing auctions except for the fun and the rewards of giving. Just maybe the rare chance that someone will like your work so much that they just HAVE to contact you! I don't think this happens very often, but there is always the likely chance it could. So before you say "Yes" to an auction benefit, ask yourself why you want to do it, and you will find the answer from within.

New events and Mandarin Cuties, 12x12

'Mandarin Cuties' 12x12" Acrylic on canvas

Back in the studio after a small Spring Break and I'm so glad to be rested and ready to work. Upon return to my regular routine, I was greeted by 2 acceptance notices; Randy Higbee's 6" Squared show in Costa Mesa, and the Trilogy 2011 Winemakers Dinner and Quick Draw event at the Allison Resort in Newberg Oregon.

The online buzz about submitting art to Randy Higbee's 6x6" show went viral, so viral that he had 1,200 submissions for a show that hosts 300 pieces of art. I'm glad to be included for the second time around, and will be sending 'Passing Point' and 'So. Cal Sentry' down to Costa Mesa for a beautiful frame and a great show. Info on the dates are listed in the 'Upcoming Events' column to the right.

A yearly event, The Allison Resort and Spa hosts a Winemaker's Dinner and Quick Draw with 18 artists from the Northwest area. We begin painting in the afternoon and complete the piece with a beautiful frame before dinner. Then the excitement gets going with the finished pieces on the auction block. Contrast and color are my focus for this event plus a little wine sipping and making new friendships with other artists and collectors. Fun should be had by all!

Today I had my young art student over for her lesson, and while she worked on her piece I finished this piece (above) that I had started last week. It was nice to come back to it with fresh eyes. I kept thinking of those elusive 'lost and found' edges as well as getting some of that internal glow that oranges have. Not sure if I got it, but hey, I'm happy with it. Acrylic is really hard, but it's a nice break from pastels and I'm finding it fun. I somehow found my way with the canvas with a few struggles with the glazing of the paint and trying to keep loose. I'd love to hear what you think of this because I may consider working with acrylic or oils for additional support to my pastel work. What do you think?

Image resource from Wetcanvas Image Reference Library.

Donating Art & Resting Pears II, 8x10

Resting Pears, 8x10" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan sold

Many times over the course of an artist's career, organizations ask for art donations to support their causes. There are but a few organizations that I strongly believe in and was recently asked to donate to their yearly auction. Of course I said "Yes!" In most cases, I ask for a 50/50 split in auction situations to cover my costs of materials, framing and shipping. Donating art can be a great marketing tool with exposure to new patrons and art lovers but, only if you have plenty of inventory to spare.

There are disadvantages to donating. The tax laws do not let us write off the 'value' or sale value of the work due to different perceptions to the actual 'value'. We can though, write off the costs involved with the production of the art. But be sure to do your research before you donate and know where the money is going. As a general rule, I give where my heart is. It's not a bad feeling to know you are helping a worthy organization to accomplish their goals.

'Resting Pears II' is headed to my daughter's school auction. Her school is an art's magnet academy with plenty of talented young adults who do incredible things. Along with the usual demanding high school curriculum, they also study one or two areas of art: writing, photography, dance, jazz, classical music, poetry, ceramics, painting, graphic design, set design, and theatre. What blows me away is that the instructors all are vested in these students and it's a public school, so they have a very small budget. My daughter plays classical flute as well as a prolific writer. Here is a video of a recent flute recital, for your sensory pleasure....

"Sonata for Flute" by Poulenc

Caswell Gallery, Quick Draw

"Lavender Pickers", 9x12" Pastel on sanded paper, Sold

Last night was the Caswell Gallery Quick Draw event in Troutdale, OR. The participating artists Michael Orwick, Pam Flanders, Mary Lou Epperson, Rip Caswell, and Eileen Holzman and myself had 1 1/2 hours to complete a piece as the patrons placed their silent bids and nibbled on goodies and sipped wine. It was a very festive event decked with holiday trimmings and live classical guitar music. When our painting time was up we ran back to Rip's studio to frame them, then bring our framed work out for the conclusion of the silent auction. Of course you can imagine that the oilies had a framing advantage over any pastel, but I must let you know that it only took me a sheer 7 min to frame it all up! I had staged the frame with all it's pieces ready for the final art, and in a jiffy was ready for the bidding war to begin!

Right from the studio with Gallery Director, Kathy Toynbee.

I was sure pleased with the final piece, and later found out it took the highest bid from the show! Now some of you may recognize this painted scene from a prior post because I have painted it a few times over....but let me tell you, it gets better every time. With a pastel in my right and a glass of red in my left, it was plenty fun!