I'm Seeing RED!...but RED is GOOD Thing!

Oh how I love blogging about RED DOTS- Their presence on a painting signifies that the art piece has been sold and is not longer available as an original.  Some lucky collector has picked your work over a gallery full of beautiful and skilled pieces.  Oh yes, RED DOTS can be in many cases more thrilling than winning large ribbons in juried art shows.

"Great Horned Owl"- 10 x 20 original acrylic

I am just pretty excited today after finding out that my most recent painting "Great Horned Owl" just sold at the Boulder City Art Gallery this afternoon.  Selling art is confirmation that as an artist, I am heading in the right direction with my art.  With each sale, I am encouraged, even when there are times that doubts and insecurities creep in.  That simple commerce transaction between the gallery, the collector and myself brings with it energy.  Energy to get back in that studio and CREATE more art with added purpose and passion!  

My recent disappointment caused by scammers (more details about this story can be found on my September 1st blog  post) is not going to get me down. I didn't fall for their schemes and while I was sad that I didn't make that first website sale, I am greatly encouraged today. There are people out there that appreciate my work enough to want it to spend their hard earned money in order to hang my paintings in their homes and offices.


If you would like, please consider checking out my entire gallery of work at Julie Townsend Studio.  I would love to have you stop by and leave me a comment to let me know you were there.







This week I also stayed pretty busy in my studio restocking my inventory of greeting cards.  I had gotten a little low on some of my designs and I just love having a nice selection to choose from to use as give away gifts to friends or for marketing purposes.  I probably put together over 50 cards yesterday and am waiting for more cellophane bags to be delivered to finish them up.  Then I can start work on updating magnet inventory next.

I'm putting this year's investment of my Canon Pixma Pro-100 to work.  I love that printer!

Here are just a few of the cards I put together yesterday.




Finally, this past week we celebrated two granddaughter birthdays.  I have for several years now tried to draw each grandchild a special drawing on their birthday that I'm hoping will be a treasured item for them in years to come.  Nothing too complicated but something from their year that they can recognize.  These are the two drawings I came up with for my little September girls, Katherine (4) and Jenna (2).  Brad and I are soon to welcome grandchild number 8 into our expanding family and so I have plenty of work a head of me.

           

I'm Partial but These are Just Stinking Cute

For the past 6 months I have been painting a number of pieces with the idea they would all be part of a collection that I'm calling "Down Country Roads". The artwork is a combination of large acrylic paintings and pen and ink sketches that have been embellished with color pencil.  All the pieces focus on a country or farming themes.  To see the whole collection please feel free to take a peek at my website gallery.  I would love to hear what you think.

Now I'm new to the whole Zazzle market but as an artist I want to try to tap into any market that will get my artwork out there.  So the other night I was adding a few of my "Down Country Road" images to a puzzle coaster that they offer.  I thought this was about the cutest thing ever and so I thought I had better share it in case someone else decided this was the perfect gift.  

I can just see this as a great gift for friends that enjoy a touch of country.  Also young children would love the puzzle aspect and who can resist cows, pigs and bunnies?

Feel free to look up my Zazzle store and order your very own coaster set.  I would love to hear if you do.

       

                 I see......COWS!

Order a Cow Puzzle Coaster Set

and PIGS!

Pig Puzzle Coaster Set

and BUNNIES!

Bunny Puzzle Coaster Set

New Custom Cowbell Design

I just wanted to show off several new hand-painted cowbells that I have completed in the past few weeks.  I'm rather excited about these new feathered friends and how they have turned out.  I've actually painting my 3rd eagle cowbell in the studio right now.  It is turning out to be one of my more popular designs and who can resist a spunky little hummingbird?  

The Nativity scene and the Cardinals are a bit more challenging but they are SO perfect for the Christmas Holiday.  

You can see some other Cowbell examples on my website gallery on the tab  Cowbells & Country Store.  The pricing and ordering information is listed there too.

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

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!

Every home needs one- A COWBELL IN EVERY HOME!

Introducing the opening of my newest website feature- THE COUNTRY STORE.  I have made my ever so popular cowbells available on my website by clicking this link:  COUNTRY STORE

Right now I have 5 unique cowbell designs available but hope to expand that shortly along with other hand painted gifts.  (Please allow at least 2 weeks for me to process and get your order shipped as their popularity has been a bit overwhelming.)   These attractive but sturdy cowbells make great gifts. Custom orders (a small fee will be applied)  are considered and you can contact me to discuss the possibility of me painting something very special and unique for you.

Locally these cowbells can be seen at the following locations:
     City of the World Gallery at 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
     Boulder City Art Gallery at 1305 Arizona Street, Boulder City, NV  89005
     Valleys Edge Country Store at 4779 W. Bell Vista Ave, Pahrump, NV  89060

Here are just 3 of my designs to choose from:

Rooster 2

Sunflower 1

Cow 1