Opening Reception at Equidae Gallery

Reminder:

Tonight is the Champagne Opening at Equidae Gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY. It begins at 6:00 and is located at the Holiday Inn on Broadway. A great way to wrap up a day at the races. I have three paintings in the group exhibit of carefully chosen equine art. Artist and organizer Terry Lindsey has created an elegant and very classy show. The exhibit runs through Sept. 7th if you can't make it this weekend.

I Promised You Some Big News

But first:

My paintings have arrived at the beautiful Equidae Gallery at the Holiday Inn on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, NY. Fellow equine artist Terry Lindsey works an elegant miracle in organizing this spectacular presentation of not only her own terrific artwork but also the work of a formidable group of incredible horse artists. The gallery is just lovely and I'm honored to be included. If you're lucky enough to be in Saratoga this summer, DO make a point of stopping by - you'll be glad you did. And don't forget the Champagne Opening Reception on Friday evening, August 7th at 6-8pm.

Check out this fascinating website for horse lovers: The Equinest. It contains all kinds of extremely interesting topics that sets it apart from the rest. And I mean it's intriguing. This week an interview of moi is featured: Horse Artist Interview - Sharon Crute. It was fun answering the engaging questions. Read about my early years on the race track.

Okay, the big news: (drum roll)

I've teamed up with very well-known landscape painter Jackie Schindehette to open a studio/gallery space in a retail storefront in downtown Ocala. The impetus was my majorly disappointing negotiations with NYRA for vendor space at Saratoga that fell flat. But that's old news and this is new.

The timing is right, the price is incredibly right, the location is perfect, my partner is perfect. Together, Jackie and I look forward to painting, talking, schmoozing, painting, selling, marketing, promoting, and did I mention, painting? We'll be active participants in the downtown Ocala revitalization and look forward to a successful venture. It's my "Plan B" and am I ever jazzed! We're planning a preview opening on August 20th to coincide with "Thursday Girls Night Out" and an official opening on Sept. 1st. There is a down side to our exciting news - we'll be next door to Ocala Chocolates and Confectioners. Uh-oh.

Jackie is an important member of our salon, "Out of Hand Artists". In addition to being an awesome Florida landscape painter, she has years of experience at outdoor festivals, shows and is a rare artist who is creative AND a savvy business promoter. I look forward to partnering with her in this venture and learning from her vast knowledge.

Art isn't art until it's sold. Until then it's an obsession and a storage problem. - Anonymous

A Few New Pieces

I've been neglecting this blog something awful. No excuses. Apologies to my loyal readers.

Lots of events were set in motion when I finally realized that all my planning and marketing to NYRA was for naught. A year of negotiating, meticulous publicity packages and tentative scheduling were lost to a revolving door of upper management turnover. Lest I digress, let me just say initially, I was devastated before panicking into Plan B.

Hindsight is 20-20 and now I'm actually grateful for the whole bloody experience. Racetracks are wearing full cup blinkers while maintaining antiquated marketing strategies as the bad news just keeps rolling along. So, while I won't be personally traveling to Saratoga this summer, I've sent a few of my paintings up to the beautiful Equidae Gallery at the Holiday Inn and Soave Faire who is carrying my giclees - both on Broadway. The tough part is receiving calls from clients who were planning on visiting my booth on the racetrack grounds. Hear that NYRA? Huh?

Okay, I've vented and now promise you great news in a few days. In the meantime I'd like to show you a few oils that I've recently finished. Smaller, affordable original paintings. Click on the image for the details and info:

"Money in the Bank" oil on panel, 14"x11"

"After Breakfast" oil on canvas, 11"x14"

"Weanling Romp" oil on canvas, 11"x14"

"Look for and make your opportunities happen; they are not going to come rushing up to your doorstep. But sometimes they'll be looking you right in the face." - Harley Brown

Daytime Reception

Three receptions in eighteen hours! Yesterday my artist friend Jackie Schindehette and I headed up to Melrose Bay Gallery to attend the opening exhibit of Florida landscape artist Linda Blondheim. I'm always amazed at how a landscape painter can muddle through and edit all that green flora into a beautiful, cohesive and convincing piece. Linda makes it look easy.

Linda in front of her exquisite paintings of Florida landscapes.

Fellow landscape artist Jackie Schindehette and Linda Blondheim in front of Linda's paintings.

Linda also writes a facinating blog, Landscapes of the South, that you might want to wander over to visit. Besides her impressive paintings, her blog offers history and info of Linda's favorite places to paint plein air. Oh, and the recipes! Linda was a chef in a former life - attending one of her soirees is a culinary treat.

Custom-made birch panels are Linda's latest substrate of choice. Clean and contemporary, uncluttered by frames, the panels beautifully compliment her clear color and beckoning compositions of light.

"Plein air painting is still an interpretation of reality, even though I am seeing the scene first hand. My "truth" is far more interesting to me than the scene in reality." - Linda Blondheim

Night of Receptions

Did some gallery hopping last night. First stop - Gallery East in Belleview, Florida.

Gallery East:

Good turnout for this co-op in their new location.

l. to r.: best friend Modrea Seiler, featured jeweler Lynda Ryan in front of her lovely creations, and art lovers Drena & Ken.

Marion Cultural Alliance:

Then it was off to the Marion Cultural Alliance in Ocala for their exhibit "Shades of Green".

The gallery was hung beautifully.

l. to r.: moi with attitude, awesome Executive Director of MCA Nancy Ledding, best bud Modrea Seiler, and County Commissioner Barbara Fitos. All strong advocates for the arts.

Wonderful friend and talented artist Kelli Money Huff in front of her textured piece.

Another good artist friend (I love my fellow artists) Carlynne Hershberger with her beautiful mixed media. The "browns" are actually gold leaf that didn't translate in the photo but simply glowed. Kelli Money Huff and Carlynne published a book together entitled "Creative Colored Pencil Workshop".

Designer extraordinaire Paul Ware took an honorable mention for his whimsical stippled drawing. Paul's studio business is Drawn By the Light right here in Ocala.

"Every artist ought to be an exhibitionist." - Egbert Oudendag

Available Originals

I've had some requests to create a separate link on my website that lists only my available originals. The website is ever expanding and I can understand the frustration of collectors searching for new and available paintings as they muddle through the various galleries. So here it is: http://www.sharoncrute.com/availableoriginals.htm with a link "Available Originals" located at the bottom left of the opening page. The latest completed paintings will be posted ASAP.

Also, I'm sending out a separate e-newsletter for collectors who've requested first access to my still-wet-right-off-the-easel paintings. The first of these VIP e-newsletters should be launched in about a week or two. Paintings will not be posted anywhere prior to this exclusive mailing. Tiptoeing through this fresh effort, I don't want to exclude those who should be included. If I've overlooked, my apologies and shout at me to get it together.

"My career should adapt to me. Fame is like a VIP pass wherever you want to go". - Leonardo DiCaprio

Giclees: a Viable Alternative

Got a summer cabin or cottage that needs a bit of color? Have you recently remodeled a spare bedroom that needs some wall art? Or does your main living space need an inspiring face lift?

My giclee fine art reproductions are printed on quality canvas with archival UV inks. They're stretched and resemble the real thing except they're an extremely affordable option. Of course, nothing can compare to investing in original paintings, but giclees offer an inexpensive alternative for decorating purposes.

I've moved in the direction of open editions that offer more choices to my clients while maintaining reasonable pricing. Limited edition runs are still available and here I illustrate just a few. The image to the left, "Get His Mind on Running" is sold out at 100 plus 10 artist's proofs. Below are a couple of editions that are still available yet very close to concluding the edition run. If they appeal to you, consider ordering soon: Click on the image for more info.

"Daybreak" 30"x40" giclee fine art reproduction

"Not Whisperers" 36"x48" giclee fine art reproduction

In addition to the UV inhibiting and water-resistant coating, I've finally discovered an impasto medium that pleases the artist in me... offering a giclee with dimension and brushstrokes further creating a quality product.

“These are not my works; these are just prints of the originals. Really, what we're showing here is the record of what happened, what I went through physically [and] emotionally in every aspect, what I went through to get these paintings done, and this is what I have left. I just wanted to share my voice. ” - Abelina Galustian

I'll Paint YOU and Your Little Dog too!

Well, my last post may have been just a tad vague.

To be a bit more specific, I'm considering re-inventing myself. When word got out that I was stepping back from painting horse racing subjects for awhile I was confronted with exclamations of jaw dropping, eye popping: "what ever will you paint now?" A decent artist who can draw well and understands color should be able to paint anything. Even my closest friends seemed astonished that I would endeavor to paint something non-equine.

Seems I've branded myself into a very tight little niche.

Therefore, I'm opening up the phone lines, the studio, the paint box and this blog to announce this amazing one-of-a-kind painting dynamo who will paint your kids, your yacht, your trophy bass, street machine, prize-winning cucumbers, favorite NBA player, copies of Kinkade nirvana...heck, I'll even paint your house. But don't send your money yet 'cause there's more: I'll even paint your champion Jack Russell! And if you call within the next twenty minutes, I'll throw in a free t-shirt! (while supplies last)

“People like to feel they are buying of their own good judgment as a result of the information given them” - Paul Parker

Deconstructing an Art Career

Spent a long productive day in the studio back at the big, looming racing canvas. I've dabbled at those runners on and off while I attend to neglected...stuff. Who knew that would take days? And there's always bookkeeping beckoning me like a deranged foreigner with arm outstretched and finger curling. I'm waiting for art supplies that are back ordered. Back ordered? Are we artists spending that much again already?

in progress oil on canvas, 48"x68"

There won't be too many of these big racing canvases for awhile. I'm stepping out into uncharted territory to try new creative endeavors. So long for now, luvs.

Did you hear that noisy clanging and crashing sound? That's just my dreams being shaken up good and tossed out in disordered, tumultuous patterns. Thank you trepidation.

"If you don't like what you're doing, you can always pick up your needle and move to another groove." - Timothy Leary

T-Shirts

Technology can make us feel overwhelmed or it can be the coolest thing since the AC adapter in my Jeep. With iron-on transfers, advancements have created a product that delivers. Applied to any color t-shirt and washed countless times, these t-shirts hold their weight against any screened product.

This is Michael's little red wagon. He enjoys taking my latest images and finding the perfect background. Here's the predominately cool-toned "Neck in Front" on a medium blue shirt. Looks good on gray as well.

Do you recognize that hand?

Here's the man with "Horsepower" on a dark beige background. Chocolate brown and taupe is also sharp.

We also offer tees in youth sizes and women's styles. It's hard to tell, but the pink has a softer, smaller neck and shorter sleeves and body length.

Two years ago I asked Michael to make me a tee that I could keep by the washer. Every time I washed a load of laundry, I threw in the tee. I'm so happy with the outcome and confident of this product. If you'd like more information, contact me through my website. We wholesale for retailers with sizable orders and can also produce small numbers. Even just one.

Remember, any image on my website can be applied to the t-shirt. And on any color.

"The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist." - t-shirt quote, author unknown.