Artistic Success or Success in the Art World: How to become successful acrylic paintings

Defining (redefining?) Success 

I have an art marketing accountability partner. We talk weekly , encouraging each other in marketing our art and in brainstorming ideas.

One question we ask ourselves is, "what's the end point anyway.... what are we after?  What exactly is success?"  We need a clear view of what we're after so we can set our aim and reach it, right?

Is success attaining a certain yearly income with our art?  Is it gaining respect and fame in the art community?  Or finding  representation in the top galleries in the country?

All of the above would be nice, but the more I ponder this, I think it's the daily grind, the process itself, that really matters. 

In  looking back on various achievements in my own life, it's been the arduous process of becoming that's been more interesting and fulfilling than the actual attaining of the goal.

For instance, all the long hours of studying and training to become a doctor were, it seems now,  more satisfying to me  than the daily ins and outs of actually being a doctor.  All of the hours of practice in becoming a musician were more captivating and rewarding than finally being a musician in a band, stuck in smoky bars until 2 am and playing to a crowd that wasn't really listening to the music. Raising children to become independent adults was so difficult at times that I sometimes thought I couldn't wait to have an empty nest. Now the nest is empty and I realize raising the kids, despite some tough times was, without question for me, the most fulfilling thing of all. How much better to have embraced every single moment,  then to waste one of them wishing for something in the future!

Taking this back to art, what I've concluded is that, in large part,  success is found in the daily doing of the thing.  And that success can be lost the moment artificial goals supplant the unbridled joy in the daily doing.

I'm truly grateful that I have the opportunity at this point in my life to be able to paint every day.

As for the smaller part, well, supplies, workshops and classes, just to name a few items, are ridiculously expensive.  The painter does need to sell art in order to continue making art. ( and the spouse is only willing to hear and accept, "you have to spend money in order to make money" so many times before he kicks you out the door)

With that in mind,  are you in the market for a piece of art? 😉

On Sale:

Ken Caryl, Stylized

12x12 acrylic, framed!

shipping or pick up

Local Pick up $200.00 USD Shipping $215.00 USD Option 3 $200.00 USD

Abstracted Figurative Paintings A subset of the Annabelle Series

The Good Model
24x24x1.5 Mixed Media/Cnv

A busy last two weeks as I begin yet another series in a slightly different style.  Prevailing wisdom in the art world says the artist should develop and hold fast to one particular and recognizable style.  Galleries prefer this when taking on an artist.  Collectors don't always appreciate an artist's change in direction.
I started my art career focused on landscapes. I still love landscapes.  
But right now I'm in love with abstracting the figure. 
Last month floral mixed media pieces had my heart.
I don't mean to thumb my nose at prevailing wisdom, but I do believe my best art will come by following my gut and painting only what excites and delights me, regardless of style, medium or subject matter.

Ladies Night 56x24x1" Acrylic/canvas

Abstract acrylic paintings studio tips good books, quotes, art festivals Tracy Haines art

Happy June!

It is summer and that means......... Summer Art Market time!

Be sure to stop by the 2015 SUMMER ART MARKET!!  June 13&14th , 9-5 Saturday and Sunday
2nd and Grant st in Denver, Colorado.  Please stop by booth #6 and say hi!

I am excited to showcase new work in a very different style this year.  I will have many large ( up to 36x48") mixed media and acrylic paintings in a more stylized landscape format and a few purely abstract works like the one below.

Fresh off the easel:

Lazy Summer Day
16x20 acrylic on stretched canvas
$ 395.00

I've a new and huge respect for abstract artists.  I had no idea how difficult the struggle in painting something without reference material as a guide.  This new endeavor has been challenging and very exciting.

Today's studio tip:

Make your workplace as inviting as possible; a place you look forward to spending time. Hours and hours of time ;)

My studio is located in my basement.  For good lighting, and after quite a bit of research, I ordered the natural spectrum fluorescent lights from Verilux Lighting Company.  I can paint any time of night or day with these.   Still, the studio feels basement-like and sometimes a bit dark, despite the lights.  To make it a comfortable place to spend time, it helps to light a candle ( kept a good and safe distance from things volatile, of course!) and put on music while working.  Keeping the studio clean and organized  helps.  I am slowly decluttering and adding small touches here and there to make the studio itself feel like a piece of art.  It's a work in progress and I will keep you updated.

Quote of the Day:

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling. ~G.K. Chesterton

Current books on my bedside dresser:

Acrylic Solutions by Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard- excellent review of materials and techniques in abstract and acrylic art plus great images.

Burn Your Portfolio by Michael Janda-  fun read with tips on succeeding in business and life.

One Nation by Ben Carson, MD-  This presidential candidate gives a clear overview of his ideas for healing the political and many other divisions in our country.  His life story is fascinating.

Coming soon:

You Tube pastel demo

Enjoy your day!

How to get started in pastel painting, youTube videos, oil paintings birds cardinals

Greetings!  Oh Happy Day! 

If you are new to painting in pastels or would like to get started, I just launched my first teaching video which covers materials for painting in pastel.  These videos can be seen on YouTube under Tracy Haines Fine Art. 

 (In the last post I wrote out materials that were discussed in the video for your convenience. )

Fresh off the easel:

I love the attitude in this little guy! Just look at his body posture.  Cardinals, especially, seem to convey attitude in the way they hold themselves and stare you down. This one is a 6x6 oil on Ampersand Gessobord and is mounted on a black 8 1/2x 10 1/2  plaque, as shown. It's ready to hang.
$ 95.00

In my next video I will demonstrate how I do a pastel painting on sanded board. Stay Tuned!

Today's Quote:

I heard this while listening to Lesli Saeta on the podcast, Artists Helping Artists:

" You get one chance in this world to enjoy every day and if you don't enjoy it it's your own fault, when the day's done. The more I do the better."   So true!  I love that.


Today's Studio Tip:

Once you have laid in the foundation of your painting and you are at the point when you can put the left brain to bed and start using the right side,  listen to a podcast of Artists Helping Artists.  I have learned to much listening to these fantastic, free and information-FILLED podcasts and love that I'm multi-tasking.  If you don't like to listen and paint at the same time, then try downloading these to an i-pod or from your smart phone while you walk or jog.

The podcasts are about an hour long, so you can knock out a 2-3 mile walk and get exercise!  Again-multi-tasking! 
:)

Below is a preview of some new styles of painting I am trying out.  I will be unveiling these at the next Summer Art Market June 13 and 14th at 2nd and Grant in Denver, booth # 6. Please stop by!

Aspen a'Glow is a 30x40x2" mixed media ( charcoal, pastel and acrylic) painting on gallery-wrapped- style Birchwood. Sides are painted black and it is ready to hang!  $ 1200.00  Free shipping

Have a wonderful, beautiful, joy-filled day and be sure to enJOY every minute of it!

Tracy Haines original art paintings in pastels,oils and acrylics colorful Colorado landscapes mountains sunsets affordable wall art for home

Title:  Beautiful for Spacious Skies

Artist: Tracy Haines

Medium: Pastel on sanded professional and archival Wallis paper mounted to foam core 

Size:  11x14  

Unframed

The colors of the landforms underneath the lovely night sky at dusk begged to be painted. This scene was found near our cabin in the Indian Mountain area near Como,  Colorado
The painting will be carefully sandwiched between two pieces of foam core, with glassine taped over the image.  The painting should be taken to a framer once you receive it and will need to be framed behind glass. I have shipped pastels in this manner without problems thus far.