Tooth Picks for My Eyelids Please

This has been one very busy week for me.  Looking back over the past 7 days, I feel a bit tired just thinking about it.  Of course that might also be the fact that I got up at 4 am with my mother.  I'm in that funny stage of my life where  I find ourselves loading either wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and diaper bags into my SUV or it is strollers, car seats and diaper bags.  It all depending on who I am watching that day.  Brad and I are spanning the gap between several generations, all needing our attention. Sometimes it feels like a struggle just to find time for my art and so I'm beginning to sense an urgency to prioritize my current commitments.  You know what I mean.  When you must evaluate those obligations that are taking me away from important relationships and your passion. Sometimes it is just so hard to say NO!


Last Friday, we packed up the camper with lots of  yummy food and headed out to spend the day in Logandale, Nevada to enjoy the Clark County Fair.  Joined by 4 of my 6 kids and their families, I had 7 of my 9 grandchildren running under foot.  It was a wonderful time.  The weather was pleasant and the company was great.

I do have to admit, I was a bit disappointed when I made it to the art exhibit hall to find that the 4 pieces of artwork I had brought out there had received no major ribbons this year.  Okay that might sound a bit vane but to only see tiny blue participation ribbons hanging on them was a little discouraging.   I know that maybe silly to want ribbons, but that is part of the whole juried art show thing and you can't help but want to see those big beautiful ribbons hanging on your work.  That disappointment didn't last long when on Sunday morning I received this message on my Julie Townsend Studio Facebook Art Page:

" Hi Julie! I was at the county fair, yesterday, when I saw your painting of the palomino and two children. Is it for sale? It made my knees buckle! The cow (and tongue) were great, too! The grass and flowers, worm, frog.... I just can't.... "  

She is referring to two different pieces in this message.  First my piece, "Fence Post Rendezvous" features two blonde headed children feeding carrots from the garden to a palomino horse at the fence.  The second piece that she is talking about is "Always Greener" that features a little jersey calf with his head through the fence trying to get at the tall grass on the other side.

I couldn't help but smile when I read her message.  I'm not sure I have ever had my art cause such a  strong emotion that resulted in making knees buckle.   Needless to say, I have made a new Facebook friend and hopefully a collector as she has already arranged to purchase this piece from me.  I will let you in on a little secret, "Selling is ALWAYS better than Ribbons!"

This past Monday we once again had to drive out to Logandale to pick up the art work since the fair was over.  To my surprise, I was handed this beautiful ribbon for Directors Choice on my piece titled "Something to Crow About".  I guess she was so busy as the director that she neglected to put my ribbon on for the whole four days the fair was going on.  I guess late is better than never and I got my cake and got to eat it too.  A ribbon and an art sale!

My booth at the Galleria Fine Art Expo

So it was the fair on Friday and then We were up early on Saturday morning to load the truck with grids and tubs of artwork so that we could be at the Galleria Mall at 8:00 am to set up for the weekend.  This is a monthly event called "Galleria Fine Art Expo" and I'm really loving being part of this event.  Our first expo was in March and I feel that this is an excellent way to build a local fan base.

This expo is put on by the Las Vegas Artists Guild and is a great opportunity to showcase your work.  I'm SO EXCITED to be part of this event each month and can't wait until May 19th and 20th to be there again.

GOAT WEEK IN THE STUDIO:

This week has proven to be Goat Week in my studio.  First I did the little jumping goat sketch that I'm calling "Grab Your Partner, Doesy Doe".  This pen and ink drawing is just a small one in my sketchbook but with the help of some Photoshop I added a colorful digital background and added his little chick partner.  I have added this print, magnet, greeting card or I have a sticker version on to my ETSY SHOP if you are interested in purchasing him.

The second colored pencil goat piece I did this was was actually draw at the mall as a live demonstration.  I'm calling this one "Eat Your Greens" and I drew it as a request or commission for a lady I met last month in Boulder City during my reception for "I Dare You Not to Smile" show.  She asked if I would draw a goat for her to give to her grandson for his birthday.  I was ecstatic when she confirmed she loved the drawing and she will be purchasing it later this month!  I just LOVE art sales.  This one is also available as a print or greeting card on my ETSY SHOP

"Eat Your Greens"

"Grab Your Partner, Doesy Doe"

Yesterday, I started this large (24 x 36" acrylic) goat piece in acrylic.  If everything goes as planned, I will have 3 goats featured and a sparrow on the fence.  I might even add a little barn mouse in the background.  I'm using a reference photo that I found on Pixabay.com. (I LOVE that site)  I'm really hoping to get this one finished over the weekend and be able to include it in my May show coming up at the Art House LV Gallery.

Some Pig

If you like my artwork, please consider leaving me a message or checking out my website at Julie Townsend Studio and let me know you stopped by. 






I'm going to conclude this blog post today with these cute mock ups I made to showcase my artwork online.  I love the binder clip one and will be using that a lot I think. 

Then I made a white frame and matte that I think showcase my colored pencil drawings really well.  Some art looks better in dark frame so I decided to add a mock up file that included a dark frame, white matte on a wooden panel wall. 

Spring Bunny in the Clover

Bluebird with Wild Rose Hips