Spring has arrived...finally. And despite the weeding, raking, lawn mowing, dust everywhere, rain barrels out, gardening and and and list of chores chores chores that are never never never done..... I LOVE LOVE LOVE spring.

Once it hits the 60's and the sun is out, I am antsy to get out and start painting. It does make for some interesting deal making in my own head. I am lucky  my wife is a supportive partner. She's often the one saying..."go paint". I am blessed.

Besides the home and garden part of spring that makes demands on an artists time, Spring seems to be "Art Season" too. Yes, a wonderful thing, BUT it adds another element to the balancing act. Art Fairs, Mother's Days Flower Shows, Graduations, Studio Tours, Galleries...everyone has art shows in the spring. It's great but it's also exhausting!

In my area Chester County Studio Tour is a biggie. So now add choosing art for shows, framing, social media, website updates and marketing/pr to the springtime list of to-dos...Oh My! Head just might explode....! hahaha

But wait, you'd like folks to show up to this event you're in (for me it is Chester County Studio Tour) and so you gotta post some pictures, and write that newsletter and a blog and go to 1st Friday, network and and and and....

Yep. That's what you gotta do. And that's what you will do..... and when you have that fantastic conversation with that shy person who wanted to ask you something or you see that person walk out of Chester County Studio Tour with one of your paintings with a big ole smile on their face..... you'll be SO glad you did.

I hope you'll check out Chester County Studio Tour on May 18th and 19th. More information is on my Upcoming Events page or just click here.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm always curious what you think so please leave a comment below. I also hope you'll sign up for the newsletter. Have a great day.

Sarah

  WHAT??? Really??  YOU, Sarah Baptist, an urban   landscape painter got an article in THE Plein Air Magazine??  Ok...who'd you pay off, sleep with or what?? Just HOW did YOU get an article in a magazine like THAT??

Well, let me tell you.... sometimes.....every once in a while.....when we put our noses to the grind stone, work at something we love, paint, frame, post to social media, do events,  take every opportunity that comes our way, smile no matter what, reassess every now and then (and scream and yell and say a few prayers in private along the way)...... sometimes, without trying (hahahaha) a wonderfully good thing lands in our laps.

      Four years ago, when I was a year into being a full-time artist, Bob Bahr contacted me via Facebook to do a small piece for the online version of Plein Air Magazine....ie OutdoorPainting.com. I thought it might be a scam. I was very new to the world of plein air and didn't know names of people or artists like I do now. I was also new to Facebook and heard stories of scammers. I'd actually gotten a few of those scam emails  from the husband who wants to buy the wife and anniversary present...SCAM...BEWARE!  Anyway, after I checked Mr. Bahr out, we had a wonderful 20 minute conversation on the phone, and he did a wonderful piece for OutdoorPainter.com. You can read that HERE if you'd like.

     Fast Forward to early 2019: For quite a while I heard nothing from Bob. I wasn't sure if he was still following me on Facebook or not. I just kept doing my thing...painting, posting my work on my Facebook page - Sarahs Art Scene - and a few groups I am a member of. One day a message appeared from Bob Bahr. He mentioned our past connection and that he "sometimes" writes for Plein Air Magazine; that he'd pitched a piece on me ...was I interested. YES!! The rest is history so to speak

     I thank Bob Bahr for championing my artwork; for bringing it to the attention of Plein Air Magazine and it's readers. We all need people rooting for us, supporting us, believing in us so we can be inspired to reach for the next rung in the ladder...or dare dream bigger dreams than that!

Since the magazine is in publication I am unable to reproduce the article here for you. Please check your local book store for a copy of Plein Air Magazine. I know Barnes and Noble carries it. IF you want a copy and have trouble finding it, let me know...I may be able to help you out!

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog. If you'd like to get future blogs and updates right in your inbox just sign up for my Newsletter below! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Sarah

Images from Plein Air article.

Hi and thanks for stopping by. It's mid-March and I do see signs of Spring! Ahhhhhh! Thought I'd give a quick look back at my Big January Challenge before I launch into what my plans are for 2019. Soooooooooo.......

To recap what this January Daily Painting Challenge thing was......I challenged myself to paint 30 paintings in 30 days to start out 2019. You can check out my blog about it it HERE if you'd like!

For me this painting challenge was simply about getting back into the art studio. It was about getting  in touch with being creative after a long break full of shopping, gift wrapping, decorating, traveling, family,  and in general ....the Holidays!

Honestly, I have never done 30 paintings! I usually do somewhere in the 20's. This year and last I did 27. I also paint 4-6 days in a row and take a day or 2 off; then make up ground by doing more than 1 painting in the next round of painting days. I find that this is what works for me rather than adhering to some tight schedule. Life has a way of interfering and so instead of sweating a missed day....I just make up for it down the line. No paint police here! Just me.

The point was to be in the art studio and enjoy pushing some oil paint around. To reconnect with my creative self and my materials. Listen to some wonderful music, enjoy just being in my space. Play. Breathe. Relax. Remember that...... I Am An Artist!

This year, I have a page where you can see all the work on one page. To see the paintings just click the button below:

What did I learn this year? Good Question!

Having 2 subjects was helpful again. The urban abstracts were a bit frustrating since I had to wait for them to set up to rework them. That I may have to rethink if i were to do again. But I felt some of those pieces were quite successful and I was getting the hang of it towards the end of the month.

I like the 8x8 format but it may be a bit small. I may have to rethink that. The idea is that these are quick sketches, but this year I felt the size was a bit constraining especially with the urban landscapes.

Interestingly enough the studio studies got the most reaction when posted. You guys loved those! Was it the color? That it was an art studio? A more familiar, intimate space? I wonder....and would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Doing the videos and Flash Store was new and it was fun to share the process. I will do that again.

Thanks again for stopping by. I enjoy sharing my journey of being an artist with you and truly appreciate your support in this artventure.

I am always curious to hear what you think so please leave any questions or comments below.

Next Time....Chester County Studio Tour Update and Plein Air Painting Tip or Two

         I know I say in the video I have never made it completely through the month in the past, but I did get 27 paintings done last year and I am committed to 30 this year. We'll see. The number is not important as much as the doing and being consistent.
        You've heard about my Studio Series. To hear about my Urban Abstract series which I will do every other day, please listen the video below.
         

Be sure to check my Instagram and Facebook accts to check on my progress. 
      www.instagram.com/sbaptistart            www.facebook.com/sarahsartscene
But for you...….Today...….Here's a peak at Day 1 and Day 2 paintings...….

        This time of year I definitely slow down on my social media posts  as I focus on family and all that comes with this time of year but I wanted to touch base with you all as the year comes to a close....AND that includes sharing my favorite Christmas card with you!
      
   If you haven't heard, my website re-launch IS NOW underway with new  paintings in new categories being uploaded every 2 weeks. I hope you will visit often and I'd love your feedback too!

The 1st news of 2019 is I have been working on a large painting....3 feet by 3 feet, which will be delivered to Gallery 222 in Malvern on January 7th. It will be available for viewing by appointment and online only and for a couple weeks only. Check out the Gallery's website after Jan 7, 2019.  Here are some detail shots of the painting just to tease you a bit.....

On the last day to turn in paintings and it was 65 degrees! I was feeling the best I had and got one last painting in right outside Teresa Haag's Studio....our wonderful event host. I knew I wanted to paint this street scene and when I saw this jeep parked there, well.... the rest is history...in a painting!!

I am so excited to be spending the next week painting in Phoenixville PA.  Artist Teresa Haag has asked 19 professional artists to come paint this week.

An exhibition of the works created will take place on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018 and run through Nov. 17, 2018.

​More info HERE

Starting to think about my upcoming Open Studio Event. Just ordered my invitations!

All my subscribers are invited to attend. Be sure to sign up for my Newsletter HERE to receive details!!

Just got back from my 3rd plein air event this summer. This one was in Castine, Maine....WAY up north...a 10-12 hour drive for me depending on traffic. Two and a half days to do up to 6 paintings. My goal was to do 6 and I did accomplish that! I always start one of the events by cruising around and taking lots of pictures. I pour over these in the evening and come up with a plan on where to start and which subjects I definitely want to paint.

So...day one painting looked like this...

It was surprisingly hot and humid  in Maine. My original tactic was to paint from 7am to 2-3 and then enjoy exploring and hanging out. The heat changed my plans since it was miserable to paint between 11:30 and 2 or so. I ended up taking a break during that time...lunch and a quick nap .... and then going out to paint in late afternoon/early evening.

Day 2 was only 2 paintings.... and looked like this....

I spent the evening of Day 2 framing up what I had done so the next days delivery of paintings to sale would go smoothly.

Before I knew it 2 days were gone. I planned to do my 6th and last painting on Saturday morning when it was cool. Not sure exactly what I was going to paint but knew I'd figure it out. Sometime in the night it came to me...Paint People. Castine is not a working fishing village so early in the morning people are not out and about but I did find my victim...Another painter!

Thanks to Diane Dubreuil from Milford, CT for being such a wonderful and willing subject!

Now it was time to frame this one and deliver my paintings to the sale venue.  This event sale is only 2 hours. Shortest plein air sale I think I've ever been to! Many folks came out and many had wonderful comments. Unfortunately, I had no sales.

This is the brutal side of the art biz. You plan your trip, what paints you'll need, what size canvas/panels, which frames to bring. You bring your framing supplies, paint clothes, regular clothes. You bring snacks and food because eating out every meal is not good for your waist or your wallet. You get to this town where you know no one...maybe a couple of the artists ...then you work hard to do good work.... you hope it's good. You think it's good or you wouldn't show it BUT there are NO guarantees. And you never know why the artist 2 tables over sold 3 paintings and you didn't even sell 1!

The cold hard truth is more paintings DON'T sell than do. Approx 180 paintings were created in Castine and about 50 sold. Odds are against you, but you know that and you just keep on painting!
Off to Floyd Virginia in 2 weeks to do it ALL AGAIN!  WooHoo!

All paintings shown here are for sale on website home page...unless already sold.