What I Did 2007

It's that time. I know I've bored some of you with my multiple Year in Review posts. Here's what I actually accomplished in the past year. Being a high-strung overly ambitious type, this exercise reassures me that, yes, things are happening and I'm making headway.

Exhibits:
Group exhibit: "Masters of Horse Racing" sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.
Gallery Central, Hot Springs, Arkansas: two person exhibit during April, coinciding with their monthly Art Walk and the big stake races at Oaklawn Park.
Equidae Gallery, Saratoga Springs, New York. Group exhibit during the summer race meet. I also painted on the sidewalk for a week in front of Soave Faire who carried my giclees.
Fayette Gallery, Lexington, Kentucky: solo exhibit through October during the Fall Keeneland Racing Meet.

Cover Art:
Program cover for Horse Shows in the Park. Great publicity and networking opportunity.

Marketing Workshops:
Alyson B. Stanfield at Manatee Art Center, Bradenton, Florida
Southern Regional Conference on Self-Employment in the Arts, University of Tampa.

Outdoor Shows:
Little Everglades Steeplechase, Dade City, Florida
High Hope Steeplechase, Lexington, Kentucky

Out of Hand Artists Salon
I kicked this idea around for a couple of years and finally did what was needed to launch. One of my proudest accomplishments for the year. Eleven (total) dedicated, hard working artists determined to succeed, supporting and promoting each other. Our salon focuses on business and marketing with the emphasis on networking and sales. Our first exhibit as a group was held this past summer at the Bank of America in Ocala, Florida.

Purchases:
2007 custom ordered 6'x12' Lark Cargo Trailer. Initially, this was purchased to deliver a very large commissioned canvas to Connecticut, with the intention of being resold. It's so versatile and easy to haul - we think we'll keep it!
Santa Fe III double masted easel with a marine-type winch. Holds huge canvases and saves my back adjusting the canvases up and down.

Contacts:
Acquired numerous new clients and commissions.
Made very good friends with the North Florida Farm Credit. They included me in some of their very fun events. I always have some pieces hanging throughout their offices.
Visited and made great contacts with the Museum of Racing at Saratoga Springs this past summer.

Giclees:
This was the biggest year ever for my giclee reproductions according to my books. Wonderful cash flow. Just when I'm thinking we're not getting them in enough venues...I sold to several commercial clients who are exhibiting the giclees in very public places. I also released my first "open edition" or "print on demand" and it was extremely well accepted by my galleries and clients.

Community:
Participated in the Marion Cultural Alliance's "Artist Within" fund raising project. I was teamed up with Executive Chef Randal White (of the Ocala Hilton and cable program "Dishin It Out"). Randal created a great painting and was a blast to work with.

Artwork:
I had another commissioned filled year. What a blessing. I also established working relationships with some major VIP clients. That's my main focus.
I'm very happy about my breakout piece "Diagonal". It's about 13'x13.5' and says I'm way more than a 4-F painter (foals frolicking in fields of flowers).

Entries for Competitions:
I entered Art Business News Emerging Artist Competition for an exhibit space at ArtExpo in New York. No word yet on the results.
I applied to the 2008 Professional Development Workshops sponsored by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. No word yet on the results.

Books, movies, etc.:
I read Barney Davey's "How to Profit from the Art Print Market". Great info for those in the reproduction business. No movies or other books really standout and I don't read nearly as much as I should be. Studio all day, crashing at night.

Travel:
Michael and I logged 25,000+ miles traveling to and from galleries, shows, delivering artwork, etc. No moss on these two stones. I still love the road trips where I'm able to get away from the business and studio and - think! Some of my most creative brainstorming occurs during extended hours on the blacktop.