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OVERCOMING A DRY SPELL by on 10/12/2009 1:29:05 PM Comment on this A dry spell due to illness can be as difficult to overcome as a dry spell due to a block.  When days go by and you are not in the studio doing productive creative work, it is difficult to break the invisible barrier from the hall to the room where you work.  As one is getting well and starting to feel a little better, he may pass the studio door and think about going in but he may not.  He has gotten out of the habit. Habits - difficult to make, easy to break.  Once, it seems, that momentum is lost it is hard to get back.  We think “maybe tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow I will go in and work on that painting or send a package to that gallery or work on that novel.  I am still not feeling all that well yet.”  Does this sound familiar?  It is just another stalling tactic to keep from getting back to work. Sometimes we hate to do the things we love.  Creating is time consuming, draining, and sometimes stressful.  The only way I know of to overcome a block is to force myself to go into the studio and “live there.”  Anything I can do I do in there.  I eat there, read there, pay bills there, write my blogs there, and relax there.  It helps me to surround myself with my working supplies and the paintings I am currently working on.  As I do other activities, I keep looking at the paintings on the easels.  Before long I am deciding what to do next.  The feelings I had when I started the pieces start to return.  A few moments later I have a brush in my hand and all is right with the world. Comment on or Share this Article >> Painting Schedule by on 9/9/2009 10:31:03 PM Comment on this The only thing I have ever wanted to do is artwork and I have never been tired of it.  It is as important to me as the air I breathe to me.  So, why am I not painting constantly?  Time.  My enemy is and always has  been time. I am aware that so many other artists struggle with the issue of time, also.  And I am fascinated to learn just how they deal with it.  What kinds of clever ways have they discovered of finding more of it?  From where do they steal it?  Who or what suffers?  Where do we all find the quality time that produces the level of art we all seek?  I suspect that the answers for each query would be unique to each individual.  There are no universal habits that will work for every artist.  Each must experiment to see what might work for him.  And what might work this week might not work the next.  That is what is so frustrating.  But, even if one’s new plan works for only a short while, it is still worth following.  I used to get crazy because I would constantly change my “schedule” (the days of the week and the times of the day in which I do different tasks) in order to find an efficient way of getting things done – all in an effort to find more time to create art.  I tried painting as soon as I got up.  Then, I would paint at  night after dinner.  I used to paint after I finished all other work for the day, but the problem with that system is that I am usually too tired to do much painting at that point.  Then it occurred to me that even though no system was perfect, at least I had a system.  Without any order, there is chaos, and my schedule was working somewhat – better than no system at all.  There have been several things written regarding finding the proper time to work.  Each person has his own system and schedule for creating that is peculiar to him.  I may never find the perfect schedule.  I have resigned myself to that fact – sort of, but something tells me that I will keep trying to find that perfect elusive schedule. Comment on or Share this Article >> Wasting Time? by on 8/10/2009 9:48:07 PM Comment on this Periodically, I go to museums and art galleries, but only periodically.  You see, I always feel that I should be at home in my studio painting, rather than wasting time “goofing off.”   A deep sadness goes through me when I see wonderful art created by another artist – one who was not out and about in museums and galleries, but in the studio where he should be.  It hits me like a ton of bricks – this grey cloud that surrounds me.  It is not jealousy.  I am happy for those who produce more quality work than I do.  I just want to do it, also.  I can never seem to explain it to my friends and family.  I don’t try anymore.  People are so thoughtful.  They know of my passion for art and believe that I would love to go places that have art on display.  It is easy to see why they would think that I would like to look at art – any art.  Why wouldn’t I?  It is my major interest.   I know they wouldn’t understand these weird feelings I have.  How can I expect them to, when I don’t quite understand them myself.  Other artists have told me that it is inspirational for them to see the work of other artists and learn what and how they painted.  They get ideas and are then anxious to get back to work.  They do not seem to feel the depression I do.  I do think it is strange.  Then again, there may probably be just as many artists who feel as I do.   I need to spend my time honing my own craft, rather than seeing what others have done with their artistic abilities.   Actually, visiting places where artwork is shown reminds me of how much time I waste or is wasted for me.  It all reminds me of the time flying by when I am not producing the quantity of quality work I feel I should be creating.  Time can be an enemy or friend.  I, too often, think of time as my enemy, I’m afraid.  There are never enough hours in the day – not even close. I always seem to be fighting time. I spend so much time thinking about what I need to do, planning my days and weeks, and worrying about whether I will find the time I need in the studio.  It is a huge concern of mine and probably will always be.  And, of course, there is the issue of the time I waste in the studio, once I am there, without being very productive.  But, getting into the studio is half the battle.  I think I will deal with one problem at a time. Comment on or Share this Article >> Winter Trees by on 1/23/2009 8:13:03 AM Comment on this This morning I got up and immediately looked outside, as is my practice, something I never did when I lived in the city. We live in the woods now along with the deer, squirrels, birds and a myriad of other animals. We are just a couple of the creatures that inhabit these woods, and not even the most significant. Here we are all equal. We all appreciate and enjoy our environment. We are all grateful to live in such a beautiful place. We all breathe, eat, and walk here among the trees. And, when we are tired, we sleep among the trees. The squirrels are the only ones who never seem to run out of energy. Each day I get new appreciation of the world around me. The beauty in each season is staggering. Even in the winter, there is much to love. The bare trees have a certain grace. I could paint the bare trees forever. The branches follow a pattern long ago determined and weave a tapestry of their own. It is complex in the way they break off into smaller and smaller branches going in this and that direction. But, it is simple in the way the branches reach out and up toward the sky. It is a beautiful mosaic that I cannot seem to stop looking at.    Today, I will start a painting with this theme. I can’t wait to get to my easel and see what happens. Comment on or Share this Article >> Organizing my studios by on 12/23/2008 9:22:50 AM Comment on this This is the time of year that I organize my studios.  I look forward to it every year.  After working in one environment all year long, it can seem a little stale sometimes to go in and start working.  I need a change and since I can't change the location (my home), I change the placement of equipment and furniture in my space.  It can be very uplifting.  I sit in my comfy chair and just look around for awhile, picturing how it might be if I moved this here or there.  I imagine working at this drafting table or easel if it were in this position or that  position.  What if I moved my files to another location?  What if my easle faced that way?  What if I moved the desk across the room?  I start with the large items and then move the smaller items like the chairs, chairs, small tables, waste basket, bookcases, and taborettes.  I then put away the reference drawings for paintings already finished and organize the paperwork and table tops.  I look at all of my supplies with a new eye.  I see things I haven't really seen for a long time.  I find supplies I haven't used for awhile or even never and vow to do some work with them in the near future.  It is quite a nice feeling when this is all accomplished.  I feel so inspired to start on a new painting and to just "be" in my "new" studio.  It is like having a brand new studio.  I always get a lot accomplished in the beginning and I am very pleased with the artwork I do.  I will organize and move furniture today and get my studio ready for 2009.  Next year will be a good year. Happy painting, Terry Comment on or Share this Article >> Artcalendar.com by on 12/10/2008 1:19:34 PM 1 Comment   Fine Art Studio Online is the best.  I don't know where I would be without them.  But, it is nice to find more places to display our images. I am very excited about discovering a place to make a mini-website for absolutely no cost to me.  It is Artcalendar.com.  Art calendar has been around for many years.  I have subscribed to their newsletter, which was a wealth of information for artists.  No professional artist I knew would be without it.  Now they are online.  It is easy to set up.  I put on several images, as well as a photo of me.  I was asked a series of questions about me and my art, as well as an artist’s statement.  When it was all put together, I ended up with a handsome little website.  I can see lots of possibilities here.  They also provide tons of information on their main page – many opportunities, articles, events, and tips for artists.  I have received several from other artists on their website already and it has only been a few days.  You may say that artists are not looking to buy.  But, artists do buy art.  They are probably the only ones who can truly appreciate it.  In addition, the feedback from other artists is invaluable.  Any publicity is good publicity, as they say.  And it is important to get our images out there.  Hopefully, art dealers, galleries, collectors, agents and others interested in buying art will monitor these websites periodically.  It will be interesting to see where this takes me.  Check it out if you are an artist looking to find free publicity.  And please let me know if you find other such websites. Terry Artcalendar.com/Zarate Comment on or Share this Article >> Adding PayPal by on 11/21/2008 8:45:18 AM Comment on this I have had a website on FineArtStudioonline.com for about a year or so and it is the best thing I have ever done to further my art career. But, I recently did the second best thing I have done for my career. Usually I ask my husband to do anything other than the most basic things I have to do with my computer, knowing by the mere fact that “I” am doing it, it will be messed up somehow. But, this time my husband was busy preparing some new artwork to put on my website, as well as photographing some new artwork, etc. (all chores for me and my art) and I just didn’t have the heart or nerve to ask him for another favor. So, I slowly and cautiously stepped in and began what I thought would be the difficult and confusing experience of adding PayPal to my website. I fully expected that, after a few hours of totally messing up the installation, I still would have had to ask him to not only fix the mess I had made of it, but to install it for me. Let me tell you that I had no difficulty at all. It was as easy as pie – make that Jello. Before I knew it I had added it on and it automatically added the now well-known “buy now” under each of my works of art. I was totally delighted and surprised.  So, please, if you are considering putting PayPal on your website, but have been dragging your feet, as I was, don’t be afraid – walk in with eyes open and take the first step. It was simple and very fast. I hope for you, as I hope for myself, that it will allow us in the art field to get more business. Keep creating. Terry Terry L. Zarate tlzarate@flippinweb.com dreamworldsart.com Comment on or Share this Article >> Cat Portraits by on 11/18/2008 1:00:21 PM Comment on this Hi, everyone.  I am excited to add a new menu item to my website.  I am now doing cat portraits in graphite.  Click on "Cat Portraits" to get information and details.  Click on "Arwork" and then again on "view selection," under the cat portrait, to see examples of the cat graphite drawings I have done.  These are not sketches but finished works of fine art with graphite as the medium.  I hope you enjoy looking at them.  I will be adding more as time goes on.  I am also getting ready some new paintings to add to my website.  At that time I will send a newsletter to those who have requested one. If you have never received a newsletter from me, but would like to receive one, just email me at tlzarate@flippinweb.com and I will add you to my list.  This will contain information on each painting added and some details about what I had in mind when I was painting, etc.  I will also list the new paintings so you will be able to find them in my artwork selection.  I enjoy sharing these things with my collectors and those interested in my work.  I am presently working on a couple of paintings that I am looking forward to adding to my website as soon as they are completed.  I appreciate you reading my blog.  Have a great day. Terry Comment on or Share this Article >> Cat Portraits by on 10/26/2008 9:24:56 AM Comment on this I will soon be offering pencil (graphite) portraits of your cats.  Cats are my passion.  I absolutely adore them all.  I have been doing pencil drawings of my cats for years.  These are not sketches, but finished works of art with richness and depth.  I will be posting examples of the kind of work of that nature that I do and prices for different sizes.  You may send photographs that I may use for reference.  They will be returned to you in the same quality in which you sent them. As an added bonus, I will include with each order blank greeting cards with a print of your finished cat drawing on the front.  These will be mounted on linen textured white card panels with envelopes to match.  10 will be included with each order.  More may be ordered if desired. Please look for this new section on my website in the near future.  Thank you. Comment on or Share this Article >> 10-14-08 by on 10/14/2008 11:54:34 AM Comment on this I feel fortunate at this time to be able to blog, as well as have a website that I can edit and control as my life and career change. It is a wonderful capability. For those interested, I can update the information and let them know what kinds of new creative endeavors I am involved in. As I am beginning, working on, or finishing a new painting, I can talk about it and share my thoughts. I would like to say that I just finished a new painting, not yet on my website, of two cherished cats that lived with me until about 20 years ago. Their names were Donny and Psyche. I adored them. I put them next to each other and in a garden in my painting. It is an unusual painting because you would never have found them next to each other in real life. Donny tried constantly to get next to Psyche, but she would have no part of it. They both lived to 14 and died within 4 months of each other. I painted this painting on a 16" round Convexo canvas. If you have never seen this type of canvas before, you must take a look. It is not only round, but rounded, gently sloping back from the front. It is extreemly sturdy and doesn't require a frame. I really en;joy working on them. Another painting I have done on this type of canvas is "Winter Birds." You can see this on my website. My current painting is of a tiger. I will check back in when I get further along. Thanks for reading. Terry Comment on or Share this Article >>