Winter Blahs Be Gone

After an insufferably long and frigid winter up here in the north country, I'm ready to get cranking. Some new opportunities have presented a respite from the dark and cold hibernation season. The positive side to all this is the necessity to stay in the studio and get some serious painting done. And I have.

Three commissions, a foxhunting piece and a Saratoga inspired painting are completed. Another racing canvas is in the works and that should - should - take me up to warmer weather. The racing paintings will become giclees and a possible poster for the track meet this summer. Something for those of you who visit my booth every year and ask "so what have you got new?"

After my tentative foray into plein air painting in the paddock and in the stable area last summer, I continued to paint outside until it became too cold. Okay, I'm a weenie and went back inside when temps dropped below forty degrees. However, I absolutely loved it! Loved it enough to get the nerve to apply to my first plein air competition being held in Finger Lakes, NY in June. To my astonishment, I was accepted! Let me tell you that I will be in excellent, experienced company. (begin nail biting)

Dusk at the Lake, 11"x14" oil on canvas plein air

One of my steeplechase paintings has been chosen by the High Hope Steeplechase in Lexington, KY for their program cover. Last year the meet was cancelled so I'm thrilled it's back as it's one of my favorite venues. My artwork will be rotated lengthwise to accommodate their format. Should be an interesting design.

Here's a photo of the creek less than fifty yards from our new house. Taken just today so you don't think I'm a total wimp for not getting out and painting...yet.

Think spring!
Sharon

The Muse - Revisited

In the past I written about my personal Muse. We've had lots of good times together, and we've also defiantly stared each other down, hands on hips. A typical love relationship. When the equine art market flatlined, I tearily bade her goodbye, promised to visit often and set off in search of a replacement. Believe me, the Goddess of Horse Art is a stalker.

You may be asking, what is the Muse? In Greek mythology, there are three goddesses who provide knowledge and creative inspiration. Here's the Wikipedia version. In my opinion, it's the drive behind any worthy endeavor - whether it's a masterpiece of art or music or the cure for cancer. Referring to the Muse implies an outside entity when in reality the source comes from within. Creatives must learn to access a higher consciousness where all of life's answers and infinite ideas abound. Okay, it's where you invoke the Muse. Sometimes she waits around for you, insisting that you ask nicely, and sometimes she arrives unannounced in her glorious swooshing cape.

I recently listen to a Radiolab segment on NPR. Me, Myself, and the Muse is an interesting take on the the where, when and how's of inspiration. It's well worth a few minutes to listen. Be sure to hang around long enough to hear Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love). She's a delight.

Firefox won't let me embed the audio so you'll have to click to the link here.

Say hi to your Muse for me,
Sharon

Permission to be Great

I harbor a guilty pleasure: award shows. Surprised? They ignite that fantasy portion of my brain and I visualize "what if?" What if there were nationally televised award programs specifically targeted to visual artists? Can the subjective approval of art be measured? What would be distinctive, considered excellent enough to garner special merit? What would truly be "award-winning (not self-proclaimed) and by who's standards?

Okay, that's just too crazy to even consider and yet another subject for an all-night discussion. So, I'm watching the Golden Globes last week and Leonardo DiCaprio wins best actor in a musical or comedy. His acceptance speech includes much gushing about Martin Scorcese, seated in the audience and director of the film DiCaprio has won the award for. DiCaprio calls Scorcese a "risk-taker", a "visionary", putting "the fabric of our culture on screen." I agree. Massively talented, his list of accolades is beyond impressive and his multi-tasking for not only directing films but also screenwriting, producing, acting and filling in as film historian is nonpareil. When do these over-achievers sleep? What drive. His work is great, he will leave a legacy of greatness, he drags his players along with him to great accomplishment...he's just an inspiration to become great.

Pondering this in my studio the next morning, I'm wondering if I could be great. Could I ever paint a great canvas or aspire to a great idea? What really defines "great?"

With arms folded in front a large commissioned canvas, I gather up the chutzpa to whisper to myself: today I will do something great. Just like that. This hesitant yet audacious statement prompted a liberating feeling of empowerment. Like giving myself permission to really strive, achieve and go for it. It promised opportunity for growth with assurance. It handed out confidence. It's too simple.

I urge you to give a a shot...you won't be sorry. They're just words, after all. I've said it everyday since the Golden Globes. I'm emboldened.

Discover you own greatness,
Sharon

New Year, New Digs

Our move out of the gallery/living space on Beekman St. into the new house was not without drama. Progress was impeded by severe weather - ice storms, blizzards and frigid temps. It's winter after all and an honest one. The day before we were scheduled to spend our first night, fourteen inches of snow fell. We shoveled our way out of the driveway but the roads were impassable. We decided to stay put one more night. That very night, the new house was broken into and all the copper piping in the basement was ripped out and hauled away taking the heat and water along in the destructive chaos. The intruders also ransacked through everything we had already brought over, helping themselves to all of Michael's power tools and a few other things that could bring a quick buck. Thankfully, and I mean thankfully, all the printers and computer equipment were left unscathed as well as all the paintings.

We finally moved in last week but I have to say...it's a creepy, uneasy feeling that takes over that I'm sure anyone who has experienced a similar situation can empathize. The 12-gauge is now out of it's case and propped behind the door.

But life goes on and we managed to take care of some business while unpacking. Assessment of 2013 and plans for 2014 are now on paper and I'm anxious to get settled and back into the studio. Anxious to paint and anxious for routine. Anxious for the focus and addictive Zen-like brain state that is art making.

Before:

After:

I look forward to a productive and prosperous new year and wish my readers the same. I hope I've imparted something useful or at least thought-provoking in this blog and I'm grateful that you've joined me on this artistic journey. Thank you for celebrating my accomplishments with me and allowing me to vent my doubts, fears and insecurities. In the "jungles of time and space" as Mike Dooley calls this crazy adventure.

With loving appreciation since 2006!
Sharon

Onward and upward (again)!

The building we're renting for our gallery/living quarters has been sold. We're moving on and the feelings are bittersweet. There's great energy here: history, ghosts, the spirit of many ethnic groups who have stamped their presence on the neighborhood to infiltrate our milieu. Ah, but change is good and we'll look forward to new opportunities.

The art biz has changed so much in the past few years. Is it due to the recession? Or the way our clients purchase art? Or that we as artists have had to take on the role of self-promotion that wasn't required a mere few years ago? More than likely a combination of all of the above. Remember the days when we hooked up with a prestigious gallery that sold our work for us, freeing us to joyously create?

With that said, we won't be searching out a new gallery space. I've been working this career a long, long time and the majority of my business is repeat customers who contact me via phone or email. I also reap the benefits of internet marketing from my website and a bit from (dare I say) social media. I also have a mailing list that I've honed and cultivated to represent those who have either purchased from me or very likely will purchase. Included are those who are sincere fans who may or may not purchase yet hopefully endorse and recommend my artwork. When we put the pencil to paper to determine the profit ratio of the gallery space...well, the numbers didn't justify.

So, as I assess the past two years here in the so-called Historic Arts District on Beekman Street, I will say that our participation in the entity has been a disappointment. 'Nuf said. There are some individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly to promote Saratoga Springs as an arts destination. God bless them. A tourist town is a tourist town and those six weeks in the summer prove it. Another curious factoid for the business minded here in Saratoga: if you're not located on Broadway - you're screwed. Just my opinion.

If you'd like to see all my original paintings in one place, make haste. We'll be moving at the end of December and my artwork will be designated to places afar. Also, my dear friend Robert Stebleton is sticking with me to the end. I'm extremely honored to have his nationally renown paintings in my gallery. The chance to savor his artwork is reason enough for you to visit the gallery in the next few weeks.

The gallery/studio in pretty times.

Working on yet another new business plan,
Sharon

WARNING - Nude Drawings

One of the requirements in art school is attendance at life drawing classes. It's a discipline of the ages and practiced by the masters for hundreds of years. Throughout my career, I've joined artists groups whenever available that offer life drawing. It's sound practice to maintain drawing skills. Some of these classes have been arranged by a group of artists chipping in for a model and some are hosted by art centers/organizations. All are interesting...it's the nature of the study.

During my time in California, artist's models formed a union and received a decent union wage. Most are well paid for an unusual task. Sometimes we can talk family members and friends into modeling for us. I tie old reins around a doorknob and ask Michael to lean back and pose extreme jockey hands. Make 'em white knuckled and gnarly, please. In fact, almost all of the hands in my racing paintings are his.

To be an artist's model, one must sit still for long periods of time while vulnerably naked. We do our best to keep them comfortably warm and not insist on any poses that would cause cramping.

The model above is holding a doll that had been modified into a creepy "Chucky" character. Another artist created this cottage industry of doll customization to make extra money. It was Halloween and an absolute hoot to pose the female model with the demon doll. When creatives get together, imaginations run rampant!

The models will often fall asleep as the one above. Or they have an itch and never put their hands back into the same position. Or they put themselves into an uncomfortable pose and fidget. Most of us do our best to remain patient and professional, after all, it's not an easy job.

Some models are innovative and will show up in costume. Some have a sense of humor that we artists thrive on. Yes, we do have our favorites. One time a very plump girl posed with a bridal veil and beautiful white silk gloves up to her elbows and of course, nothing else. Some models are naturally graceful and slip into elegant poses. The model above was eight months pregnant and announced that this was her last gig until the baby was born. It was a beautiful and sensual session.

There are some instances where an artist won't find a model inspiring. No one's fault, just one of those vague energy things. Then we turn to studying body parts, as above.

It's a classic,
Sharon

Patriot Guard Riders

In time for Veterans Day, I'd like to introduce you to the Patriot Guard Riders. Perhaps you're already familiar with this organization - I wasn't until my brother's funeral this past weekend.

They originally formed to protect families of deceased and fallen heroes: be they law enforcement, fire fighters, first responders or any active duty or veteran service member of the armed forces. The impetus was the Westboro Baptist Church, who claimed that the deaths of American troops in Iran and Afganistan was God's retribution for homosexuality tolerance in the U.S. These motorcycle riders would block the Westboro protesters with their motorcade replete with large waving American flags and by revving up their engines while singing patriotic songs.

The group has evolved to establish a mission of RESPECT. They are a non-profit 501(3)C dedicated to ensuring respect and dignity for our fallen heroes. Check out their website for more details: Patriot Guard Riders.

They'll perform this selfless ministration for any family of a service hero who requests it. ANY. This is regardless of political or religious affiliation. I'm humbled by their beliefs, values and dedication. They didn't know my brother personally, yet showed up on a cold and blustery November day to perform a duty of utmost RESPECT. Some rode from sizable distances to assist us. They accompanied our procession from the agreed upon meeting place to almost an hour's drive to the Veterans Cemetery.

The first of our Patriot Guard Riders arrive.

While we waited for a prior funeral observance to finish, our Patriot Guard Riders rode ahead and established themselves into their sentinel positions:

The Patriot Guard Riders surround my brother's final resting place.

They held their posts steadfast until every last one of us departed.

My brother was a decorated (Bronze Star, Purple Heart) Communications Officer of the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam and other countries. He was also a VFW Post Commander for several years and volunteered his time and talents generously. I'm so proud that his life and service was honored by this illustrious organization. There are no words to describe my gratitude, awe and how much I'm moved by it all.

Patriot Guard Riders, I salute you.
Sharon

Not a Social Butterfly

Every once in a while I grow weary of all this tech stuff. Like everyone else, I need it, it will never go away, but at times - enough is enough. I'm sure it's my age. Call me ancient, but I grew up in a time when we had to physically move across a room to change TV channels, run through the house to answer the phone and drive to the drug store to drop off film. Not that I ever want to go back to those days.

As artists, we're told how fortunate we are to gain control of our careers via the web and it's multitude of opportunities for self-marketing. No longer reliant on brick and mortar galleries, this has created a new kind of pressure. It's now up to us to determine what and how to promote ourselves and our art. And how often.

It often feels like a popularity contest. Social networking, websites, SEO, blogs, subscribers...the list is endless. Who has the most friends, likes, comments, shares or whatever. There is no shortage of marketing gurus roaming the internet to help and advise...for a fee. Where was this gang when I was fresh out of art school? Right, no internet back then but where was the emphasis on constructively managing an art career? The pervasive belief was that the creation of art superseded all else. Read that line again, my dears.

So here's my grumpy take:

I gave up on Twitter. How can a meaningful dialog be established in 140 characters that scrolls off the screen in less than a minute? The more you follow the faster it scrolls. Great if you're a celebrity yet some artists figured it out and reap great benefits. How, I can't fathom. Facebook feeds last longer, sometimes a day or two. I like FB and I have made some great connections and genuine friendships (not just adds). But here's the thing: on my personal page I have 1,464 "friends" that I've cultivated to find people with similar interests to mine. And some have found me. I try to post often but sometimes I'm just busy and immersed with my work and have nothing interesting to say. Do you want to hear what I had for breakfast or pray for my relative with a medical crisis? Now, Michael hardly ever posts anything, preferring to be entertained by others and he has 1,781 "friends". Huh! My business page which I was advised was a MUST by one of those art marketers has a paltry 337 likes. In my personal account, there are 218 pages awaiting a "like" from me - not to mention those I've "liked" that I did so just to be polite but really don't care about. My blog used to be cool. I've been posting since 2006 and used to at least a couple of times a week. At some point I wondered if anyone read it and why was I wasting my time? The positive about blogs is that bloggers own that bit of real estate and are not subject to another's rules and arbitrary advertisement. But again, in order to maintain readership the posts should be regular and engaging. Or edgy and controversial. Or regularly give away free stuff. There were many blogs in the recent past that I loved and eagerly awaited updates...however they have unfortunately fizzled out too. Or wandered over to Facebook.

Forget about the other new and hip sights such as Pinterest that we're told are the latest mandatory marketing sights. I'm too busy painting.

My website hosting service is very adequate and easy to manage and created specifically for artists. But their daily newsletters sent to subscribers contain contests, favs, featured artists, lists of latest exhibitions of accomplished artists, hot artists to watch, etc., etc. etc. making me feel miles out of the loop. Another popularity contest.

So my dear friends, like me if you agree and feel free to retweet (not retreat).
I'm poking you,
Sharon

Oil City, Pennsylvania

The ads were in artist's trade magazines. Oil City Artist Relocation Program. 100% Financing.

When a city experiences decline for whatever reason, it's akin to calling in the troops (artists) to save the day. Some of these projects have been extremely successful like Paducah, Kentucky, serving as a program model. Other attempts to attract artists to an area have experienced varying degrees of realization.

I love long, boring road trips where my wandering mind can clear out the daily pressures and open up to fresh ideas and inspiration. So it was after making a delivery in West Virginia that we decided to return home via western Pennsylvania to satisfy our curiosity regarding the Oil City program.

Beautiful countryside

It's a city struggling to survive after major oil companies pulled out in the early '90's. If you look past the numerous buildings that have fallen into decay, the city is really quite beautiful. Situated on the Allegheny River (right on it, the river splits the city) and bordering the Allegheny National Forest, the central downtown is surrounded by steep, scenic hills. We met with the relocation administrator, Joann Wheeler, who graciously provided information and her time as she showed us around the National Transit Art Studios. It's a grand old structure erected by John Rockefeller and restored by Ralph Nader. Yes, that Ralph - it's a great story. Joann is also a wonderful artist renting a studio in the building. She was quite frank about what we could expect. Basically, many of the artists who have relocated to Oil City have established outlets and venues to sell their art. The migration is to cut overhead...a lot. Don't expect tourist or any other kind of traffic. Oil City is basically in the middle of nowhere. The closest metropolitan area is Pittsburg, about an hour and a half drive south.

Stairway in the Transit Art Studios

Did I mention that an artist can rent a gorgeous light-filled, high-ceiling studio here for .49 per sq. foot?

We met with realtor Bill Moon at an empty home for sale. The real estate prices are in the cellar...it's astounding. We looked at a 3 bedroom 2 bath home that was in very good condition, needing just a bit of cosmetic work in the kitchen - $50K! Bill told us that 150K would buy us a decent Victorian. After living in Saratoga Springs, NY where real estate prices are off the charts, this was jaw-dropping!

Is something like this in our future? I never say never anymore but for now, no. I love this snobby town I'm living in and the Adirondacks and Lake George and, of course, the race track. Saratoga Springs would be just another dot on the map, struggling like so many other small cities of former glory were it not for those six weeks of horse racing every summer.

This gypsy stays put for now,
Sharon

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I survived another racing season at Saratoga Race Course. Now it's time to decompress from a brutal schedule and ponder the highs and lows of this yearly roller coaster ride.

Aside from an opening weekend of steamy and sweltering temps, the weather was lovely. A couple of days of on and off showers was an annoyance at most.

Sales were off. The slowness at the beginning of the meet made for sleepless nights and lots of hand-wringing. Thankfully, momentum picked up during the Alabama weekend and continued to the end. Theories were offered as to causes and effects from those who were honest enough to admit the actuality. I'm amazed at the spin some of my peers engaged in to make themselves appear fabulously successful. It's was really quite amusing to observe as they went to great lengths to create this fake aura. I guess it's the perceived competition and pressure to lure the money. What works and what doesn't is a complex tightrope walk and probably a subject for another post. Anyway, a long time merchant friend from Broadway told me sales were also off downtown. Broadway, really?

A big perk of showing at the track is the all great people I meet that I wouldn't have the opportunity to otherwise. I enjoy a captured audience everyday of anywhere from about 15,000 to 50,000+. Most people are very kind and generous with their admiration of my artwork and I appreciate their often candid comments. Yes, I suffer through the "my aunt (brother, mother, next door neighbor, ex-wife, whoever) is an artist" stories people feel compelled to relate. I'm also compared to other artists. As irritating as these remarks can be, I remind myself that these people were attracted to my booth because of my artwork. Overall, it's an amazingly positive experience and can often be an absolute hoot! Many people make a point of stopping by to visit every year - collector or not - and those relationships are priceless. And then there are the precious ones who visit every summer with the intention of adding another Sharon Crute to their collection. Bless you all.

The 150th Anniversary Celebration seemed to fall flat. I wish it had been marketed more aggressively to create an attraction not to be missed. Spin it. Hype it. Play it up to the max. The city did more to cash in on the opportunity than the track and that was a big disappointment, making it feel like just another race meet. It's was their party to be savored.

I did some plein air painting in the mornings on the backside and in the paddock during the races. Nothing like jumping into the proverbial fire! It attracted lots of attention and I was unsure that my skills were up for the challenge. I did it, I'm glad I did it and I'll be better at it next year. I did sell a couple of those pieces so I guess I wasn't too terrible.

While painting in the paddock, I was gifted with a few private minutes with master painter Peter Williams. He's been painting plein air in the paddocks of major race tracks for years and he's so, so great at it. Surrounded by admirers and an entourage of adoring fans, Peter is a down to earth delight. He critiqued the piece I was working on and imparted a few gems of sound wisdom. Priceless.

Now for the ugly. A writer stormed into my booth one day to confront me with untrue accusations. He had made up his mind about this situation and was looking for someone to blame. He wrote about it in Bloodhorse Magazine and you can read it here. Obviously, he was clueless as to the entangled dance we do with politics on multiple levels. The whole ordeal was vastly complicated and was the low point of my summer. Unfair and biased.

But speaking of the media in much better light, I did a fifteen minute live interview on the cable OTB program with Seth Merrow. Nerve wracking but Seth put me at ease. Numerous people viewed it and made a point of stopping by my booth to tell me how they enjoyed it. I also had my picture taken while I was painting at the Oklahoma training track early one morning and it was published in the awesome Saratoga Special which is an enjoyable staple at the track every summer.
I really must find jeans that fit...

And of course there were the best of the best: trainers, owners, jockeys and great horses to be experienced as they made history. Tod Pletcher won yet another training title, the Ramseys slayed the owner's title, Javier Castellano took the jockey win title but it's all about the champion horses that make the meet for me. Palace Malice, Wise Dan, Cross Traffic, Princess of Sylmar, Royal Delta, Will Take Charge (and the surrounding controversy) plus a bunch of two-year-olds to watch as they impressively broke their maidens and scored in stakes. While the Graveyard of Favorites waved her mighty scepter (Verrazano, Orb), this is the cream of the crop and what makes Saratoga reign supreme.

The Grand Old Dame still stands strong through 150 years of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Regardless, I will always love her dearly and am honored to be a part of the milieu every summer.

Happy racing everyone,
Sharon