Up to my Eyeballs in Ribbons and Rosettes

Art Show Ribbons

It doesn't take long on this artist journey to begin to amass quite a collection of ribbons.  This last art show alone I think I received 5 ribbons for different levels of awards.  Here you see my painting the "Nanny Squad" has won 2nd best of class and a champion ribbon.

My ribbons have been stuffed in a drawer in my studio for quite some time.  I wanted to display them but just didn't have a clue what the best way to do that would be.  As you can tell these ribbons are at least 12 to 15 inches long.  Some of them have the information on them but as I went through this pile I realized that I had not done a very good job of recording them on my website resume or even making notes as to which piece won what.

Pile of Disorganized Ribbons

It took about 3 hours of pouring over old photos to figure it out and still wound up with 1 extra judges preference ribbon that I couldn't identify.  NEVER AGAIN!

My intention from this point forward is to stay on top of this and I knew I had to come up with some sort of display option that took less space than hanging each ribbon up individually.

1st Shadow Box with Ribbons on Display Completed

It was Pinterest to the rescue.  I found the prefect solution and that was to display them all in a shadow box.

I found the perfect shadow box (16 x 20) at Hobby Lobby and purchased 2 of them at 50% off.  The total I spent to purchase both of these beautiful shadow boxes was around $25.  That was far less than I had initially figured.

I just randomly placed each ribbon rosette face down on the glass of the open shadow box and tried to pull the long ribbons in behind so they didn't show.  I can see that right in the middle I failed because there is a green ribbon showing.  I will probably fix this even though it was a bit difficult to get the shadow box back securely fastened down.  As you can see by this photo, I already have some ribbons to add to the 2nd shadow box but I will plenty of room to accommodate future ribbons.

Since it has been a while since I last posted here on this blog, I decided to end this post with showing off a few of my latest pieces.  The large goat piece was painted last year but I felt I should give you a better look at it up close since my photo of it on display at the Clark County Art Show just didn't do it justice.  The little baby goat piece that I'm titling "The Face of Mace" was painted just this week.  While I painted Herman in March and the Meeting in April.

If you like my work, I would suggest that you follow me at my Facebook Studio Page  or join my VIP Studio Email List.  I often have art giveaways on both venues and you can also keep up with my newest artwork.  That is a WIN WIN in my books.

The Face of Mace- 11 x 14"

A Sweet Spot for Herman- 24 x 36"

The Meeting at the Morning Glories- 24 x 36"

The Nanny Squad- 24 x 36"

It's Red Dots and Red Ribbons For Me

I think this is about the 4th or 5th year that I have been involved in the Helldorado Art Show and Auction.  It is really one of my favorite local shows at this point.  The art is amazing and so winning a ribbon there is really special.

I entered 4 pieces total and won a second place ribbon in the acrylic category on my painting, "Rise and Shine".  That piece also happened to be bid on and so I only brought home 3 pieces and this ribbon.  This piece was nearly the last painting I have completed.  I really wanted to enter it in my solo library show but didn't quite make the deadline.

The whole time I was painting this piece I struggled with it.  I had initially tired to paint a mottled background in blue but I struggled with that and especially with the foreground. It just didn't seem to work out the way I had it in my mind.   I loved how the rooster was progressing,  but I felt as if he was floating in the middle of the canvas and I didn't know what to do with his feet.  I was pretty sure I wanted a fence post with morning glories but things just didn't seem to be lining up right.  

The current and final background was actually my 3rd attempt of painting it over.  I'm so pleased that I just kept at it even though I felt that I might just scrape the whole piece.  I love the bright colors and the combination of detail and pop art together.  This will not be the last time I combine these two styles I am sure.  

In April I had taken this piece and entered it into the Clark County Fair and Rodeo in Logandale and I received a very positive response with it.  I actually won 2nd place in the show with it.  Of course the competition wasn't as stiff as it is with Helldorado.

  

Ribbons are wonderful, but art sales are the true compliment paid to an artist.  Well unless you win BEST OF SHOW ribbon.  I'm guess that ranks up there pretty high.  I will miss this piece, but I am happy he found a new home where someone appreciates him enough to pay their hard earned money for the privilege of hanging him on their walls.

Now even though I have sold the original painting, there is still prints and merchandise available that can be ordered with this image.  I personally turn most of my artwork into small prints (4 x 6, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10), 4 x 6 art magnets or stickers.  These are all available on my Etsy store.

Julie Townsend Studio on Etsy

I've included just a couple of images that shows just how great this image would look on products such as prints, book bags, sweatshirts, mugs, shower curtains or phone cases.  You can click this link and it will take you right to this image to place your order.  What a great gift for any "Rooster" lover on your list.

Julie Townsend Studio on Fine Art America

Singing the Art Show Blues

This has been a particularly exhausting two weeks.  I have had art show commitments across town on two Saturdays in a row. This probably makes a total of 6 or 7 art shows that I have participated in these past few years of my young art career.  So far I haven't a single positive experience to report.  I can only imagine that art shows could be exhilarating if the end result was a number of sales or a pocket full of solid contacts had been made.  Alas, that has not been my reality. Not only did I loose the revenue I would have earned giving lessons to my Saturday students, but I got to pack up exactly the same amount of artwork that I came with.  My only real comfort as I look back over these exercises in futility is that I didn't pay much for booth rent for either event. 

Rejection for something that is so personal and emotional as ones artwork can be a hard pill to swallow.  Oh you get plenty of people who come by and make comments about what a great artist you are as they compare you to the only two artists that the uneducated art public know, Bob Ross or Thomas Kinkaid.  They might even gush over just how amazing your cowbells are but then they all walk, away to never been seen again. 

To end this blog on a high note, I am happy to report that the very next day I sold two cowbells; one through my sister-in-law and her Facebook post and a second because my sister had three bells out on the counter of her Pahrump, Nevada mini- market and one of her customers just had to buy one.  I guess the question here to ask is, "Will I ever do another art show?" I would answer probably so because it seems this is something that artists do.  I will do a little research before time and try to make sure I am participating in the RIGHT show that has been marketed properly and is a good fit for for my style of artwork and of course my COWBELLS.  

                                

If you are interested in seeing more of my work or perhaps ordering your own hand-painted cowbell then visit my website at Julie Townsend Studio

NetWORKing is a lot Like WORK

I think every successful artist will tell you that at the beginning of your journey you have to work hard networking. Networking with other artists, potential customers and collectors. I would wager that almost all successful artists will tell  you a number of stories that include their days working the art show circuit.

So this past weekend I did my duty by sitting in a booth covered with my beloved artwork and surrounded by my artist friends. I didn't sell anything but then neither did many other very talented artists so I'm not discouraged. As a matter of fact, this month I have made the investment in grid display panels so that I could professionally display my artwork at future shows. I just have to remember that perhaps one of those many business cards I pass out and every conversation I have about places in Nevada that have inspired me to paint will someday result in a possible sale.

This economy makes it very difficult to sell your work and it is nearly impossible if you are only sitting in your studio at home. It takes constant work keeping yourself in the public eye by showing your work on the internet, in co-op galleries and yes, even at art shows. So today get up and talk to someone about your art and don't forget to pass out your business card.

Artists Jan Arduini, Lily Adamczyk and myself