Commissions and An Upcoming Show --- Marian Fortunati

I've been struggling with trying to paint anything worthwhile lately.

A Commission and a Missing Muse
Actually about a month ago I was commissioned to do a painting.  This made me feel very humble since the client has already purchased three of my paintings.  But for any number of reasons, I've put off trying to work on it.   (Fear of failure, perhaps??)  After a few back and forth exchanges with the client, and several attempts on a smaller format, we've settled on a larger sized canvas.   Even at the larger size, the figure --which is important to the client-- is tiny and is proving to be extremely difficult to make resemble the client's relative as he stands in front of his mountain cabin.   Ah well...  Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

And other paintings that I have in the works are just NOT moving the way I'd like either.   I think I've had the summer time blues or my painting muse is off surfing somewhere... or something.

Musical Chairs
In my last post I talked a bit about the musical chairs feeling of trying to decide which events to submit to and then which paintings to submit to which event.   Over the weekend I finally decided to submit to a local event and to forgo another event because of the cost.   Both exhibitions were being sponsored by Women Painters West, a club that, in general, highlights work which is less traditional than mine.   I usually don't get juried in to this group's shows.

Honoring Jane
The exhibition didn't have the snazzy venue, but a valued long time family friend, (Jane Friend - a wonderful water color artist) had encouraged me to join Women Painters West.   (She was a lifetime member).   Since she recently passed away at 93, one of the prizes offered was given in her name.   I entered this show to honor her and her good hopes for me. (Jane also taught at the venue where the show would be hung).  I figured I wouldn't enter the other exhibition at the fancier venue -- only this one.

Before I left, I put on a lovely stone bracelet which my friend, Diane Nelson-Gold, had given me.   Diane is a painter and she also makes jewelry.  I thought its energy would give me some good luck.  Upon driving to Burbank's Creative Arts Center and completing my paperwork at the entry desk, the other artists told me that the OTHER venue should NOT be passed up.   Hmmmmm.   I had entered THESE two paintings in THIS show because I wasn't going to enter either in the other venue.    Now what?   Still thinking about it now...   If I were to enter THAT one I'd have to come up with some different entries.  ----But I've still got almost a week.   SIGH.  Maybe...

************** SURPRISES!************************
The wonderful surprises came this afternoon when, after driving all the way back (with my fingers crossed and hoping I wouldn't have to take BOTH of my paintings home again), I found out that both were juried IN by the juror, Deanna Izen Miller, a gallerist with galleries in Marina Del Rey and Hawaii.   YAY!!

AND THEN I found out that she selected one of my paintings to receive a top cash prize!   WOW... WHAT a fabulous surprise and a wonderful honor!!!

Poppy Path

Point Lobos Poetry

If you can come by, I'd love to see you at the reception this coming Friday evening.

If you can't make it Friday, try to come by and see the show while it is hanging this month.  - Thanks!

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