As 2009 comes to a close, I look back at a year that turned out pretty successful without much help from me. I painted a few new pieces, but mainly had enough inventory from previous years that I was able to participate in two small shows. I chose not to do the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Show in June and the GO! ARTS FEST in Sept. because of travel and family commitments. I did a small one-day show in Santa Fe on the weekend of Indian Market. I didn’t sell anything at the show, but booked a commission to do a Greek icon of St. Nicholas from a business card that someone took to give to a friend. So, what looked like a bust turned into a very lucrative sale just from being there. In Nov. I participated in the Arts and Crafts Show at the Aquinas Newman Center and had a very successful show once again. This is my best show…about half a day’s work and it brings in great sales.
I have also marketed my Evangelist Series note cards in several gift shops and they’re doing pretty well. I hope to put them in more places in 2010.
I was asked to teach a retablo painting class for adults at the Newman Center in early December. We had 15 sign up with another 9 on a waiting list. The class painted a very simple version of Our Lady of Guadalupe and everyone did a terrific job. It was very positive for me the teacher, but the students really enjoyed it and are wanting to paint more. Perhaps there will be another class later in the spring.
My volunteer activity at Habitat for Humanity has recently taken on a fundraising theme. They want to have a “Recycled Objects Art Exhibit and Sale” and asked me to be the lead on it. We’ve got 3 others on the committee now and we’ve set a date for the show to be the week before Valentines Day. Canvassing the various parts of town with fliers and cards has taken quite a bit of time…I’m hoping to have a couple of weeks of down time before we have to start putting the show together. Hopefully we’ll get some really great art to exhibit and earn some money for the great work that Habitat does.
Here at home, we recently changed the looks of our studio/office space just in time for our kids to visit for Christmas. I love the new layout and I can’t wait to start painting in there.
I can’t believe tomorrow is Jan 1, 2010…time is really flying and I want to do so much…I need to keep focused on this goal of not only painting the St. Nicholas commission, but I’ve got ideas for so many other paintings…I really am hopeful to do a lot of painting this year.
Missy
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