Heavy Sighs

Very early this past Friday morning our next door neighbor, Glen "Junior" Swift was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on his way to deliver produce at a wholesale market in Tampa. We don't know the details except that the thick fog may have attributed (it was the day after that 70 car pileup on I-4).

He farmed turnips (yankee potatoes, he called them) in the winter and peanuts in the summer.

We dearly loved him, simple as that. A kind, generous person with a devilish ornery streak made for a great friendship. Originally from Kentucky, Junior moved to Ocala in 1973. He related wonderful stories of who was who and what they did and how they ended up. If we mentioned that we needed or wanted something, he loved to reply "...let me make a phone call". My political views are liberal, and he loved to kid me about the dems and Hillary.

Now I glance at the kitchen table forlornly knowing that these precious conversations have come to an end. It's an uncomfortable feeling - this not wanting to let go. Funny what depression will do when it gets a toe hold.

Just last Thursday I leaned against his pickup, getting caught up on the details of his busy harvesting and he in turn inquired about the painting I'm working on.

Life does a one-eighty at any moment. We're never ready.

Tagged

I've been tagged by landscape artist extraordinaire, Linda Blondheim. I invite you to visit Linda's blog for a candid commentary on her life as a plein air painter. She also closes each post with a delicious recipe culled from her days as a chef.

Here are the rules: 1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog. 2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.(I used 6) 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here goes:

1. Classical music plays in the background of my day in the studio. It's soothing and unobtrusive. However, I'm a hard rock fan and love to crank it up to volume 11. Poor Michael has suffered through many a headache on our road trips.
2. As an early teenager, I was an outstanding equestrian and trained with world renown Gardner Gaines. He cultivated my troubled talents to an alternate position on the U.S. Olympic Team.
3. I love to play beer and drink pool. And I'm very good at both.
4. Believing in the "Science of Mind" philosophy, I start my day with at least 20 minutes of affirmative meditation.
5. I first met my husband Michael at a horse farm in Rehoboth, Mass. at age 14. The encounter lasted about 10 minutes. Nine years later we met again in Lakeland, Fla. That meeting has lasted 285 years.

Tag, you're it! (interesting blogs I actually read)

Sue Smith

FoolishPleasure

Eolake Stobblehouse

Hershberger & Huff Studios

Jackie Schindehette

Kentucky Derby Artwork

I finally made contact with Clare Jett of JettStream Productions, the licensee for Churchill Downs' "Art of the Kentucky Derby" program. I sent her an e-mail with my introductory line:

My name is Sharon Crute and I create dynamic equine oil paintings on large scale canvases.

She answered back promptly with a polite explanation of the decision making philosophy. Involving a direction that researches trends, she stated that artists are chosen not only by the ability to be "comfortable with the horse form" but also have a style that embodies a 'lifestyle" approach: fashion, glamor, etc.

As enormously disappointing as this is to me, it makes perfect sense from a marketing standpoint. Just puruse a copy Art Business News to get a feel for what's hot and selling.

The artwork is created by Trish Biddle, a published artist from Texas. The horizontal format is cleverly split in two, the left side for the Derby and the right for the Oaks.

Another statement Ms. Jett made to me: "...the customer who purchases our brand is not necessarily a horse racing fan: it is usually the casual fan". This I know. I sell to many, many non-horse people - teachers, building contractors, various executives, sports team owners, etc. who tell me they are attracted to the color and action in my work.

So, I'm thankful to Ms. Jett for her gracious e-mail reply. However, you can be certain, without fail, that this dynamic, passionate and somewhat volatile artist will be in touch every year.

Art Business News

I received my copy of "Art Business News" in the mail today. Imagine my delight to see the photo and short blurb I sent in after returning home from Saratoga Springs last summer. It's in the Picture Gallery department. Even though I resemble a linebacker, hopefully people will look at the artwork instead of moi.

Michael took the photo at my exhibit with the Equidae Gallery. Owner Terry Lindsey does a primo job of designing the space and presenting the artwork. I was honored to be included.

Here's the text:

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY
The Equidae Gallery recently hosted a group exhibit of equine artwork. Pictured from left are gallery owner Terry Lindsey and artist Sharon Crute in front of one of Crute's multipanel oils. The piece depicts an entire horse race from start to finish.

Goals 2008

The tone of my intentions is evolving. I seem to be getting down to the serious business of what it'll take to become rich and famous...

For business:

• Practice aggressive marketing and promotion. Act immediately before someone else does when a lead, contact or opportunity presents itself. I've been laid back in this regard and will be more alert and attentive.
• Michael and I have merged on the same page with our attitudes regarding marketing techniques. Extensive discussions resolved any possible misunderstandings while maintaining our individual philosophy, so, it's okay to disagree. Respect for instinct is also paramount.
• Continue with promotional mailings, both e-mail and conventional. Strive for free publicity via newsworthy events by writing our own news releases, announcements, etc.
• Enter the Appleton Museum's Biennial Exhibition.
• If unable to become an exhibitor (it's $$$$), at least attend the ArtExpo in New York in March.
• Expand outdoor shows. Contacts acquired are too valuable to limit the number per year. Apply to Equifest, Horse Expo, and add Virginia to the steeplechase circuit.
• Investigate feasibility of setting up stores at eBay and CafePress (last year's foray into the auction portion of eBay was disappointing).
  
• Invite more commissions. I used to despise them but now that I've produced a zillion, I've gotten quite good at it and don't mind them at all. Cash flow is great.
  
• The giclee market is outstanding for me. We'll continue to expand our client base and concentrate on the "open editions". The technology just keeps getting better...
• Devise a system for keeping track of the race meets throughout the country. This way we can contact them a few months before opening day to proposition merchandise and promotional ideas.
• Ever onward with my relentless obsession to gain access to the huge players in the racing biz. This includes corporate as well as individuals.
  

Artwork:

• Experiment with generic equine themes that will increase more widespread appeal.
• Continue exploration in the direction of the "Diagonal" nine canvas piece, remaining in the spirit of an innovative, cutting edge and contemporary attitude. Audacity rules.

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.

Peace

May you all experience a blessed day of relaxation, reflection and recreation!

Merry Christmas

Canoeing Instead Of Pontooning

Morning brought dense fog, cool temps and a strong breeze so we shifted plans to rent a pontoon boat out at Cedar Key. Instead, we headed back to the Ocklawaha River and put in at the Outpost. The river was a bit busy on a Sunday but the weather turned out gorgeous. My friend Lynn came with and as I've stated before, she is photographer extraordinaire.

We only saw a few gators due to the boat traffic. This was the biggest we spotted, about a four footer.

Juvenile ibis were plentiful. Lynn didn't see the gator behind them until she edited the photos back at home. One of those rare, lucky events.

Turtells abound.


When we we got back to the boat ramp, we met Capt. Natural-Lee who had rigged his canoe out quite creatively. A self-described author, adventurer, philosopher and all around nice guy, which he is, it was a hoot to spend some time talking with him. Moments like these are what make life so fascinating.



<---This kills me.

Snow Ponies

Apparently I've b-o-r-e-d some of you with lengthy ruminations of my Year in Review posts. Yawn. Allow me to make amends: these pictures are worthy of Christmas Card status. They're from the lovely photographic blog of Andrea J. Anderson who graciously gave me permission to post.

The thought of snow+cold+horses generally makes me cringe due to frigid years of over wintering at racetracks in the north east. But these photos brought back pleasant memories of my childhood in New England.

On weekends I worked at a local riding stable. Inclement weather was the only time us kids could could go for "free" rides through the woods in Lincoln, R.I. We were wild and reckless, the horses were full of themselves and somehow, all of us were impervious to the cold.

Bareback was the norm, and some of us took terrific falls only to jump back on with passionate abandon. I'll bet there were more than a few unreported concussions.

Now old and warm in Florida, I look forward to my pontoon boat ride at Cedar Key tomorrow.

Year in Review #6

To conclude my review of Goals for 2007, here's the Personal category:

• Work harder, study harder, manage my time more efficiently, excel at managing my money - do whatever it takes to get rich and famous!

Doing it and then some.

• Balance that work ethic with playtime. All our road trips are for business only. I intend to take an extra day on these trips to relax and enjoy.

We managed to take two extra days in Saratoga for a drive in the Adirondacks. Whoopee. This is a case of old habits dying very hard. After spending more than half a lifetime at the race track working day after day for months on end without a break, it's something we've become familiar and comfortable with. Even when we get fed up and take a day off, it's difficult to relax. Can't be healthy. This is an ongoing issue that I'm not sure what to do about...any suggestions?