I have been giving a great deal of consideration to what steps I need to take to MOOve or propel my artistic goals forward. 2016 is rapidly approaching it's end and am I really further along than I was on January 1. I know I was determined to take strides to make this year the year of my art. So besides creating art, I've been considering some of my accomplishments this year.
In April I sold almost $800 worth of art during my solo show "Down Country Roads". One piece broke my personal sale record for a single piece of art. So I guess I can state that this show was pretty successful and has pushed my art down a path towards a style that is uniquely my own. I've heard the word "Whimsical" used a number of times when describing my little country scenes. Also I have heard the reaction that my art makes them smile or reminds them of their childhood. This is such a compliment to me because it is this exact emotion that I am trying to achieve. I find myself smiling at my own work often. You can stop worrying at this point because while I may smile to myself, I don't talk the animals in my paintings!
2016 has seen me adding some poetry to my creative collection. Again my humor always takes over when I'm trying to be creative and my poetry is far from a serious collection. One of my favorite pieces I wrote this year is called, "Go Grab a Tissue Please" and corresponds with several of my paintings and sketches that demonstrate the nasty habit that cows often participate in of licking their own nose with their super long tongues.
Go Grab a Tissue PLEASE
By
Julie Townsend
Picking
or licking your nose is a bad habit I say
I
promise you will regret that you did it some day
When
all the other calves are playing, jumping and having fun
You
will be too embarrassed to join them to rumpus and run
So
when the hay fever strikes and won't slow
And
the snot runs free like a steady river flow
When
that fountain is turned on and you have the urge to sniff and snort
And
even though God has given you a tongue that is far from short
Please!
Oh please! Go grab a hanky or better yet, a wad of tissue
To
handle the problems of your snot and dripping green issue
Blowing
your nose is so much better than using a tongue to lick
Be
considerate of those around you for you will surely make us all sick
You can read more of my poetry on my website at
Julie Townsend Studio-Poems
One of the biggest goals that I wanted to see 2016 MOOving me towards was that of licensing my artwork. I know that I need to create a portfolio of consistent work that reflects images that are in demand and marketable for merchandise. I established both an Etsy store and uploaded images to an my newly created account on Redbubble.com and on Zazzle.com. A couple of tiny sales so far but as always things must start slow and build.
Last week I received a message on Facebook from a woman that was not my friend nor a mutual friend connection. She asked if I illustrated books and then when on to talk about a story of a little calf that wanted to be a PBR rodeo bull. My heart jumped. My dad was bull rider in his younger days on the professional rodeo circuit and so this was such a perfect story line for me. Let's not mention that fact that this year I have painted or drawn cows more than any other subject. To my disappointment, her deadline was not something I could see myself accomplishing as she shared she needed 30 images in just 30 days. I've not illustrated books before but that timeline seems a little unrealistic to even me as a illustrating greenhorn.
BUT...I'm always the optimist and so I asked her how she heard of me. She shared that she just did a Facebook search of western art and really liked my work. So rather than being disappointed about not getting the job, I choose to take the whole transaction as a compliment and confirmation that my art is headed in the right direction. It will be only a matter of time before I begin to receive offers for commission and illustration work. I'm confident of that fact and resolved to keep on practicing.
So since this blog seems to deal primarily with my bovine creativeness, I thought I might just aMOOse you with more of my cow artwork.
These are two of my "Cow Licking" pieces that I had great fun creating. All my works is available prints, art cards and art magnets. In some cases the original artwork maybe available. Just message me if you are interested.
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| Always Greener |
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| Fence Post Curiosity |
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| Morning Roughage |
This is a colored pencil sketch I did just this week of a sweet Jersey cow enjoying some pasture grass.
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Resting Before the Rodeo
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This is another sketch I did this year of a beautiful Brahman Bull. What impressive creatures these animals are.
I just through this mouse and pumpkin sketch in because it is almost October 1st and I think it is cute.
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| Harvest Mouse |
We did it! “Life on the Funny Farm” is all hung up and I think it looks great. Of course I could imagine that you would think my opinion would be just a wee bit biased. I can say that I have been anxiously awaiting this opportunity and I'm so happy that March 1st has finally arrived. It takes nearly a year to get on the schedule and I missed out in 2019 but the wait was worth it and I am now officially the featured artist at the Boulder City Art Gallery for the whole month.
The reception is scheduled for March 21 from 1-3 pm. Now I just need to start planning the fun for my reception in a few weeks. I certainly plan to make one of my much requested cheese balls but I need to find some other goodies to make. 
This is such a lovely gallery, nestled in the heart of the "Old" Boulder City and located in the historic Boulder Dam Hotel. The gallery has been in operation for over 40 years and it really is a little gem in the desert. I believe this is my 6th year as one of their gallery artists. It is a great talented group of local artists and I'm honored to be listed among their ranks.
