The Sound of 100 Cowbells

Something to Crow About

Can you believe we are approaching the end of the first month of 2019?  I mean most of us, if asked to put a date on something are still writing 2018 by force of habit.  How long does it take you to make that transition?  By now we have all probably settled into our new year routines and have more than likely already broken some of our New Years resolutions made in earnest just a few weeks earlier.

Rather than a resolution this year, I made the decision to embrace a “Word” that I want to define my 2019.  I wanted to choose just one word but a word that has significance when considered.  I have decided that my word for the year of 2019 is “Focus”.   Focus on my art business, focus on my health, focus on relationships and my walk with the Lord.  Focus is something I often find lacking in my life now that I am retired from the traditional workforce. I had a stressful, demanding job for years and when you have a career and face constant deadlines you must focus on the tasks.  I also kept notes and to do lists be it how sloppy they appeared they helped keep me focused.  Now that I am retired, I find myself sometimes struggling with creating the urgency to spend time in my studio.  There is no longer board meetings, inspections, audits, payroll or a million other things needing my attention, so staying FOCUSED at this time in my life has a new challenge to it.

There is also a real balance that I must maintain because I never want my art to become boring or a drudgery.  I don't want to loose the joy in creating but I must stay creating new art and plenty of it if I want to see growth in my bottom line.

#100- Cowbells Sold

Always Greener

Nothing ignites that creative fire for me like a few art sales and January has been on FIRE!  I have had the joy of parting with 4 original paintings and the sale of my 100th COWBELL.  What a month! What is amazing to me is that all of the 4 original art pieces that sold came from connections I have made directly or via Facebook and not from the assistance of a gallery.  Only the cowbell was sold with the aide of the Boulder City Art Gallery.  This is what I want to see.  I want to see more and more of my income generated from online or direct sales because after all, who better to promote me than me?

In closing, I just thought I would share a last look at each of the original paintings that I said farewell to in this month.

Morning Reflection

Edge of the Herd

What is the #1 Complaint among Cows?

"Being SEEN but not HERD!"

I had so much fun yesterday designing this "For the Love of Cows" planner sticker sheet and this sheet of mini cow stickers to go with it.   After all, can you really have too many cows?

Some of the artwork is from my original art and others are digital images that I found online.  It is fun to combine the two and create unique designs and color schemes.  I don't even use a planner but have a blast designing the sticker kits for them.  Maybe next year I will have to give it a try.

Both sticker sheets are listed on my Etsy Shop as a printable download.  That means with only just a couple clicks you could have these stickers right away and you can print them out as often as you like.


For the Love of Cows planner stickers
Mini Cow Sticker Sheet

 

 

Busy as a Bee

It started last Friday.  I spent a number of blessed hours in the studio listening to uplifting worship music and a paintbrush in my hand. I managed to paint several cowbells, a funny cow on a 12 x 12 canvas and 2 cute Holsteins on a small 6 x 6 canvas.

I’ve tried to keep up the momentum each day and while I haven’t produced as many pieces as day one, I have steadily added to my collection of new works.  Yesterday, I painted a number of small 4 x 4 inch canvases with cute little bees on them.  I just had to share them.  I love the sepia background that is so easy to create but gives it such a richness.

Chips Ahoy

Cheese Crackers Anyone?

The rest of the week has seen me finish a sweet bunny peaking out of a hole, three small mouse paintings and a brand new cowbell design that I just love.  Besides painting, I have also completed 3 watercolor/pen and ink sketches that features some adorable mice.  All in all I have been pleased with the amount of work I have turned out this week.  I find myself looking forward to studio time.

I See You

My mind is now busy considering what to paint next   I’m certain I will be blogging more about that in the future, but in the mean time...I’m heading back to the studio!

You can find more of my work on my Website or on my Etsy Shop

I GUESS I NEED MORE COWBELL

Last night turned out to be pretty exciting for me.  My feeling is that any day that has an art sale in it is a good day.  This past week I managed to finish my rooster painting that I have decided to call, "Rise and Shine".  That piece had been on my easel for almost a month because I have been so busy with all the details of my solo art show.  Along with finishing the painting, I was able to whip out a total of 3 cowbells.  One cowbell was given away as a prize at my art reception.  Last night I got a Facebook message from a woman I had met briefly last fall while at an outside art event.  She wanted to buy both of the remaining bells.

It's been just a little over 2 years since I painted my first cowbell.  I just had no idea how really popular these would become.  I would estimate that during those 2 years, I have painted almost 100 of them.  I know that just thinking about that many cowbells blows me away too.  The reality is that I'm not really so fond of painting on their hard metal surface, not to mention the limited space I have to work with.   I sometimes find the process frustrating but I have always approached each cowbell as a unique piece of art and try my hardest to make the end result be something to be proud of.

There are several upsides to cowbell sales...1.  Look at all the practice painting that I have gotten.  I think my style has become a little more loose and colorful.  I chalk that up some to all those cowbells.  Practice makes perfect they say and I've gotten a LOT of practice!  2.- Sales of any kind are a good thing to your bottom line.  Be it cards, magnets, prints or 100 cowbells, it all adds up.  I had a conversation yesterday with an artist who said he didn't want to fool around with selling cards.  I say "Yeah for card sales!"  If I could sell 100 or 1000 cards a month I would be a pretty happy artist.  It is a way of enlarging your fan base and as an artist I have to face the reality that while many people may like my work, most won't see the need to invest in an original piece of art.  I dream of the day that my original paintings are in demand but until then....I will be excited for every cowbell and greeting card I sell.

AFTER ALL, AND I'M QUOTING THAT FAMOUS SNL CLASSIC VIDEO WHEN I SAY ALL WE NEED IS "MORE COWBELL!"

Attention All Fine Art Pig Collectors

Just getting ready to pack this up in a box to ship off to Georgia

I just love it when my art finds a new home.  There really is no greater compliment you can pay an artist than to actually make a purchase.  It may be for your own collection or perhaps a special unique gift, but when someone is willing to spend their hard earned money to buy your art, than you just know it was worth it.  

In the five years I have been seriously painting, this feeling never gets old.  Here you see a collector that fancies pigs and approached me via Facebook regarding my sketch that I did a few months ago that I titled "Portly Porker Pals".  Since I knew that I had a cowbell that also featured a chunky swine, I was able to talk her into buy both.   I threw in the two greeting cards free to show my appreciation.  

I snapped this picture just before I boxed it all up and got it ready to ship out tomorrow.  They will soon be on their way to Georgia and I really think they will be appreciated when they arrive.  If you like my artwork shown here you might just want to take a closer look at the rest of my "Down Country Roads Collection.  You can view it on my website at JulieTownsendStudio.com.  This particular piece makes a great greeting card or art magnet to give as a gift.  Just send me a message if you are interested in a specific piece.

The Practical Side of Cowbell Ownership

"A COWbell's not a COWbell 'til you ring it, A song's not a song 'til you sing it, Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, Love isn't love 'til you give it away!" Oscar Hammerstein II

Okay...I will admit it, I added the word COW but it fits and it was just too great of a temptation not to post it. LOL!

Installing my own EARLY HOME WARNING SYSTEM

Every time my husband goes to the store that is my cowbell supplier and clears out all their in stock inventory of cowbells from the store shelf,  the cashier will often ask him, "What are you doing with all these cowbells?"  His reply is always the same, "An Early Warning Home Defense System."  I was giving that some thought and found out that perhaps that might not be such a bad idea.   Apparently I'm not the only one that has considered it, because here I find an online article for a Home Security System that uses Cowbells and nylon string or fishing line to alert you if there is a gate opened or an unwanted visitor that decides to climb over your fence.  Here in my neighborhood, a good defense system is always a good idea and what a unique and pretty defense system my cowbells would make for any home.  

Well today while reading my Facebook comments I found a collector using my cowbells perhaps not to protect her own property as she is the lives of some neighboring squirrels. I just had to share this story.   According to Karla, they make effective Squirrel Life Saver Distraction Devices.  I guess "to each their own" and whatever "Rings your COWBELL."

Karla writes, "Always thinking of this skit (More Cowbell SNL skit with Christopher Walken) and song when gazing into my beautiful cowbells! I LOVE them all! You ROCK my artist friend, I treasure these so much, some day I will share my story of how I deter the "demented man across the street from shooting my beloved neighborhood squirrels, he doesn't like noise and I don't like the fact that he shoots them for sport and blatantly lets his dog EAT them!!! Dead or injured.....nothing I can do legally, we are out of the city limits and it isn't illegal to kill them as they are rodents........However, to train your dog to track them in the trees, bark until the owner knows it is cornered, and then come out of the house long enough to shoot it, is wrong to me!! So when I hear the dog bark, I grab 2 of my bells, I watch and wait, when he comes out of the house points his gun up in the air? I ring those bells as HARD and as LONG as I can until he's so frustrated he gives up and goes back in his house! Giving the squirrels a fighting chance with the power of MORE COWBELL!!! True story ! The squirrels and I thank you Julie😇"

Win a FREE Cowbell during COWBELL MARATHON

This is my First Contest and I'm so excited.  I've proclaimed that I will be painting at least 1 cowbell a day for the next 2 weeks and so I decided at the end of my self-imposed Marathon, I would give away a custom cowbell just for sharing my post and liking and following me on Facebook and Instagram @JulieTownsendStudio.  I'm really excited to see what will happen here and how many new cowbell friends I will make.  For more cowbell images, you can check out my gallery tab called Cowbells and Country Store.  

2015 Cowbell Marathon is Going Down Now

I have boldly announced this week over several social media venues that I am committing to painting at least one cowbell a day from my Las Vegas studio for the next two weeks. That's everyday until Thanksgiving.   I'm calling this self imposed proclamation my COWBELL MARATHON!  These are my most recent contributions to this effort and I think they turned out nicely.  

Actually, the only bell showing in this line up here that isn't already sold is that of the hummingbird that I just finished a few hours ago.  So much for building up my Cowbell Inventory.  I guess this is a good problem for me to have. 

I plan to blog here about this endeavor often and keep my Facebook Art Page updated as to my progress.  So check back often and if you see something special you like or have an idea for a custom bell that you want me to paint than just drop me an email or a Facebook Message.  I would love to hear from you.

CLICK THE LINK HERE TO:

Visit my Website     OR      Like my Facebook ART Page   

Commissioned pieces here are the Eagle and Giraffes.  The Nativity scene was just me getting ready for Christmas

I added a snowy cardinal and a little hummingbird to my cowbell flock of feathered friends line-up

Cowbells Ring...Are you Listening?

So today I counted up all the cowbells I have sold in 2015 and I was blown away when I realized it equals 38 and I have a commission for 2 more that I'm working on currently.  That is amazing to me.  Who would have every thought!  That is a total of 40 cowbells not counting the couple I gave away as gifts. 

Brad got busy this week and prepared 6 more cowbells for me and so I'm putting away the canvases temporarily and am ready to paint some Christmas, Nativity and snow scene designs on them for the Holiday Seasons.  I can almost hear the faint sound of "Cowbells ring, are you listening?  In the Lane, Snow is glistening..."

You can check out some of my cowbell designs on my website JulieTownsendStudio.com or on my Cowbell Facebook page at Hand Painted Cowbells.  

I still believe that this hummingbird cowbell is my favorite

More Cowbells!

I am so happy that I received word this morning from one of my cowbell collectors in Columbia Falls, Montana that these newest custom ordered cowbells are exactly what she had in mind.  With custom orders, you always have to worry that there might just be something they don't like or want changed.  Not the case with this order and so I'm going to be finishing these bells up with a coat of varnish and get them ready to put in a shipping box so they are ready to mail later this week.  

I am so blessed to have people who appreciate my artwork.  A quote from the collector herself just this morning says it all.  "I more than LOVE them Julie, I treasure your "souls" work ! You sing through your paintings and my special room is coming together quite nicely with your BELLS as my signature pieces! Such a peaceful place to be, am loving it, will send you photos when complete! Thank you once again for all your work and effort, I truly appreciate you! Love from Montana, Big Sky Country! Gateway to Glacier National Park! "

These make great gifts and are an affordable way to give art.  If you are interested in having a unique creation of your own, just contact me and I would be happy to discuss the design you have in mind.  I ship them anywhere in the continental US for only $65!

If you are interested in seeing my other works, please check out my website at JulieTownsendStudio.com

Hand Painted Cowbells

FOR WHOM THE COWBELL TOLLS?

Perhaps a commissioned cowbell tolls for you!  


I know it may sound like I'm bragging here this morning, but think it takes some skill as an artist to do a commission piece from a small photograph.  I've heard horror stories about artists trying to use a tiny, faded, wrinkled black and white photo of grandma to capture everything that the family remembers of her years after she has passed away.  I can only imaging how very hard it would be to make a realistic portrait on a canvas under these circumstances.  My commission experience wasn't anything so drastic but I was asked to paint a commission bell of of a beloved pet, in this case a horse and transfer that likeness to the small 4"x 6" metal surface of a cowbell. This morning I decided to share with you my experience.

Painting so many of these cowbells have given me some valuable practice and I think, just like consistently drawing in my sketchbook, these small artworks are also giving me valuable practice as an artist.  Painting small can be a real challenge because I naturally prefer to paint much larger. Today, I can report that I'm feeling much more confident at painting in general and I can almost paint chickens in my sleep. 

Up to this point, my cowbell commissions have been pretty non-specific and rather more a general theme such as "Can you paint me a rooster, a cow or a sandhill crane?"  I also get request for certain flowers such as the Texas blue bonnets, lavenders or sunflowers.  This particular commission request was much more stressful because this is not just any horse but the clients horse "Lady" and I had to get it right.  

I was a bit nervous during that time that I sent the initial photo of the finished bell to her Facebook message thread to the time that I received the "I LOVE IT!" reply.  Let me just say I gave a huge sigh of relief because this bell probably took me as long to paint as it would have taken to paint maybe 2 or 3 bells of a different subject.  

I am happy to report that this bell is today packed up and waiting for the scheduled postal pickup, soon to be a fixture in it's new home in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  As an artist, there is a great deal of satisfaction to take a project, even if it is as small a cowbell, from start to completion.  

Please contact me at Julie Townsend Studio Contact Page if you might be interested having me do a commission cowbell for you.  They make GREAT gifts!

Cowbell Stampeed!

It has been a Cowbell Frenzy in my Las Vegas Studio the past few days.  It started out with a request for a commission piece of a horse for the daughter of my cousin and then several additional orders were then requested.  I ended up almost finishing my 7th bell yesterday and I am happy to report that they are all sold!  I continue to be amazed and blessed at the popularity of these small pieces of art.  

I've pulled out 4 of my USPS medium rate shipping boxes and it is now time to get my assembly line shipping process in full swing.  I have (2) double orders and this box is perfect because I can ship 2 bells in the box for the same cost.  I have established an account with USPS and can order these free boxes in larger quantities to be delivered directly to my home.  I don't have to visit the local post office and hope they have enough boxes for me.  

Another great tool I have found just recently is invoicing on Paypal.  All I need is an email address and I can invoice the collector and they have the convenience of paying with a credit card.  The small fee that Paypal charges is well worth the convenience and security for me.  No longer am I waiting for a check to arrive in the mail before I can ship off the artwork.  This has really made the process less stressful for me.  I actually woke up this morning and sent an invoice to one happy client from my iPad while still enjoying the comfort of my bed.  What a day we live in!  Paypal also allows me print out a prepaid shipping label so I don't have to wait in line at the post office to ship.  I know that I can schedule a pick-up of my boxes but haven't done that yet.  I think this might just be the right time to see how that works.

The results of a weekend of cowbell painting!

The cost to order a cowbell is $65, which includes shipping if shipped in the continental US.  A $10 additional charge may apply if you are interested in a custom design.  Just message me you are interested in placing an order.  Mother's Day is coming and they make GREAT one of a kind gifts!

Happy Little Cowbells Find a Home

This week....two of my newest cowbell creations have found a new home.  I really like how the Lavender and Black-eyed Susan flowers turned out.  I think I will paint that one on a small canvas because it was just so much fun.  There is nothing like seeing the expression on the clients face when they see the work in person for the first time and love it more than the picture you sent them.  I love to create these little works of art that not only spread joy to their new home but also make LOTS of noise!

Hand-painted one of a kind cowbells- $65 including shipping in the Continental US

For more information about my work or if you want to order your own cowbell just visit my website at JulieTownsendStudio.com  the cowbells are part of my Country Store collection or just shoot me an email at Julie@JulieTownsendStudio.com.  I would LOVE to hear from you!