Channel Islands Awe by Southern California Artist, Marian Fortunati

Channel Islands Awe

© Marian Fortunati
24" x 30" Oil on Canvas

 $1,425 + s/h
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Are You Tired Of The Channel Islands Yet?
I know that some artists post a painting every single day and their skill level makes it seem very easy to those of us who follow their blogs.   I have been posting paintings from my five day trip to the Channel Islands with David Gallup, Stephen Mirich and 22 other painters and adventurers.  I painted thirteen paintings en plein air while on the trip and have painted several in the studio since then.  I am beginning to feel like I do nothing other than paint and blog. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday I worked on a large studio painting I had decided to paint from our time on the islands.  Although I shouldn't have done it, in the back of my mind, I wanted to include a larger painting among my submissions for an upcoming show.  I really do know better than to do that, but I couldn't help myself.  The brush and canvas were calling and so I planned it out, blocked it in and painted my heart out until I thought it was "finished" early last night.  I was really happy with it.

Dilemma
I thought maybe it was good enough to submit for the juror of the show.   However... despite my use of liquin, a fan running all night and sunshine this morning... it was still a bit tacky.   Hmmmmm...  Should I try to submit it??    And then I realized a bigger problem. 

I had thought that the frame I had on one of my other large paintings was the same size.  It wasn't.  I went through all of my frames and realized that I had NO frames that were 24" x 30".    What should I do?  The paintings needed to be submitted for jurying the next morning before 12:00.    I went through my inventory of other paintings.   My other large painting that I really like has been rejected from a few shows already.   I emailed my girlfriend and asked her "What is wrong with that painting?"... Since it had already been rejected a couple of times, I figured I could only learn from her comments.  Unfortunately she said it was one of her favorites too.   Sigh....

I decided not to enter THAT painting for this show.  I would test the waters with my damp painting and figure out how to frame it before 12:00.   Aaron Brothers had a one item at 50% off sale.... That would be plan B.  My first choice would be if my framer could build me a frame early enough in the morning.  That would be plan A.   I would use another painting I had that had not been successful in some shows as my second painting.  I'd posted it not too long ago on an international artists website and gotten some very nice comments about it.  You just never know what a juror will do.  I like this painting too so I decided to give it another go.

Executing Plan A
My morning was tightly planned out step by step... plan A or plan B.  I got up, dressed, dropped Tyler off at school and was going to call the framer when my daughter from Santa Barbara called to let me know she had missed her flight from Burbank and was just driving into my driveway.   Eeeekkkk!!!   I LOVE seeing my daughter...  But my day had no spare time...   Anyway... I saw her for a bit..   Called the framer who luckily said he could make me the frame by the time I asked.  I didn't need to go to Aaron Brothers for plan B-- I got the type of frame I like best.  So I spent time with my daughter and husband until I had to drive 20 miles across the valley to pick up the frame.   I kissed her goodbye and left her with her dad then drove away.  I picked it up, drove back home, framed the painting, and drove back 15 miles to the gallery.  WHEW!!!   Got there just in time!!!  Yippee...

I always enjoy taking a moment to see friends and their work that has also been submitted.  It was wonderful to see the great work and so many people I haven't seen in a while.  Many commented on having read my blog posts about the Channel Islands and how they were "virtually" enjoying the adventure.  When the juror came in, I left and went to lunch with a friend while I waited for the juror to do his thing.  After lunch I returned with my fingers crossed to see if I had to take those two paintings back home again.  


Good News
Hooooraaaayyyy....  They were BOTH juried in!!   I'm pleased.  This is probably the last time I'll have paintings in this gallery as the group that runs the gallery is giving up the lease.  Makes me sad, but that's the way the economy is going.

Maybe you can come to the show:

Valley Artists Guild 2010 Fall Exhibition
VIVA Gallery

October 13 - October 30

Reception:  Sunday, October 17
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

13261 Moorpark St.
Sherman Oaks, CA  91423
www.vivagallery.org

Gallery Hours
W - F    11:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sat    12:00 - 4:00 p.m.