Goodbye and Hello, 2012 Artist Goals

2011 was overwhelming with changes, great events, and new experiences.

Many sites recommend setting goals. The simplest goal setting is to choose three words and make them your touchstone. 

My 2012 words are Create, Simplify, and Joy. 

The list on the right was written last week of 2011.
Every month is represented.

This list was written at the beginning of September, 2011. WHEW!

Create - every day, doodle, do an origami from my calendar, make something. Find ways to be creative at the day job and in any space. 

Simplify - donate, recycle, make space, let go. If an item does not serve a purpose and make me happy, lose it. Limit my dumpster diving, thrift store pick ups, garage sale finds. If it is trash, let it go. If it can make me sick, let it go. ONE THING at a time will get almost anything done!

Joy - if I'm not happy, then stop it. If I'm stressed, stop it. There is a difference between want and needs. Not everything is a need, from stuff to events. 

Do you have three words? Do you have goals? What are they? Share, please.

Save the date! You are invited to share more art at my exhibit about Paris, France on at the 3rd Door Art Project on March 21, 2012 during Miami's Bird Road Art District Art Walk held on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Exhibit will run through April 8th.

Smiles!!!!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Facebook Page for Angeline Marie Fine Art

Curious about marketing for creatives and artists? Check out ArtBizCoach.com by clicking on this sentence!/>

Homestead, Florida City, Extreme South Miami-Dade Has LOTS to Do and See

Comments often heard include What do you do in Homestead? There is nothing there! and I don't want to drive to Homestead. I only work there and last but not least Homestead is a short stop on the way to Key West. There is nothing there but chain restaurants and gas stations. 

After living in Homestead for two years, there are LOTS of things to do south of Miami Zoo. Here are some ideas! 

To learn more about any of these places, please click on the place names. 

Follow the Historic Redland Tropical Trail. 

Fruit and Spice Park shares local fruit, history, and teas. 

Go wild for orchids at R.F. Orchids. 

Enjoy local fruit wines at Schnebly Redland's Winery in their garden areas. 

Visit the Everglades and photo shoot egrets, gators, and the river of grass at the Tropical Everglades Visitor Association. Local photographer Jason Eldridge gets inspired here. 

For one of the best fruit milkshakes in this world, visit Robert Is Here.

See alligator and snake shows at the Alligator Farm. 

The Everglades Outpost rescues abandoned and abused exotic animals of all kinds, including lions, tigers, and bears. This is where local photographer Mike Downs captures animal characters here. 

See alligator and snake shows at the Alligator Farm. 

Get a steal of a deal on antiques at Jacobsen's Antique Mall.

Visit the Children's Gallery and Art Center for an adult and child styled art experience.

Andy, Morgan, and Brad at the entrance of the park, ©2009.

Guide, Brenda, and Charlie with a snake at the Alligator Farm.
©2009

Angeline's caveats on this tour she created:

Recommendation: wear bug spray and sunblock, and have water. Casual clothing style is allowed at all stops. This tour I created will take you from overheating to cooling off stops. Most stops have a free experience, but allow $100 per adult for the day. Not all stops can be incorporated in one day. Please check each link for the hours they are open to the public. Food recommendations will be created in a different blog post. This tour ends with a visit at the Children's Gallery and Art Center, where you can cool off and get an art experience! 

Save the date! You are invited to share more art at my exhibit opening Once Drove Through Florida on Saturday, August 20th, at the Children's Gallery and Art Center that runs through September 13th, 2011. 

Remember, too, to explore Paris, France with me during my Fridays in France posts which began Friday, May 6th. Interested in original art from Paris? Check out my Send Paris to You Project!

Smiles!!!!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Facebook Page for Angeline Marie Fine Art

Curious about marketing for creatives and artists? Check out ArtBizCoach.com by clicking on this sentence!

9 Ways to Get Inspired to Create Art

1. Travel

2. Store catalogs

3. My own photos

4. Ideas from those who commission art

5. Playing with art materials

6. Reading how-to books

7. Using my sketchbook

8. Participating in contests with themes or plain aire

9. Current news events

Poinsettia in My Day Job Office Window ©2011 Angeline Marie
It still has red leaves in May!

Save the date! You are invited to share more art on Saturday, August 20th, at the Children's Gallery and Art Center!

Remember, too, to explore Paris, France with me during my Fridays in France posts which began Friday, May 6th.

Smiles!!!!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Facebook Page for Angeline Marie Fine Art

Curious about marketing for creatives and artists? Check out ArtBizCoach.com by clicking on this sentence!

Seven Facebook Pages

These are Facebook pages that I "liked" during 2010 and thoroughly enjoy. They are not in any particular order. These are the pages that when do post a Facebook update, I usually react with "WOW! What a great idea and resource!" Even if you are not an artist, just the stuff you learn makes these Facebook pages valuable.

1. Kimberly Castleberry of "Just-Ask-Kim"
She knows how to WordPress, Facebook, and other "tech-geek-social-media" things that are beyond me and make them somewhat understandable. I cannot remember how I discovered her, but am so glad that I did!

2. The Crafted Webmaster
This one belongs to Nicole Tallmadge of the podcast 15 Craft Website Tips. She may not be podcasting as often, but Nicole keeps the information flow alive. Great resource for those who blog, make art or crafts, or run an internet business.

3. Stermer-Cox Studio
Margaret Stermer-Cox has posted a new daily drawing every day in 2010. She inspires me! Her art is fun, fresh, and varied and worth a look, not to mention the distraction!!!

4. Talon Dunning
Comic book, fantasy, and graphic art at its finest.

5. Fine Art Tips
Tips shared are for painting, blogging, art marketing, etc., this page is useful for those of us sharing a dream.

6. Art Biz Coach / Stanfield Art Associates
If you are an artist, like this page, NOW. Fantastic content always presented in a friendly and helpful tone. If you do ONE thing for yourself as an artist, get your almost daily dose! Guaranteed to make your dreams start coming true - but only if you take actions.

7. Eldridge Studios
Photographer who shares with a patience to be admired. Stunning photos and how-to-use-a-camera make it a pleasure to see what is new.
Your turn! What do you think should be on my next Facebook list in April? Leave a comment and let me know!

Smiles,
Angeline Marie of Angeline Marie Fine Art

PS: Please understand that this is a list of Facebook pages only. If we are friends on Facebook, it is an honor and a privilege to belong to your friend list. Understanding Facebook rules such as friend list limits, I will not intentionally post your profile in this list. If you have a Facebook page, please let me know and I will like it immediately. After all, both sets of updates (profile and page) are usually different and fun! 

Andy, my handsome handy man, helping with a project, ©2009.

Collection of Random Quotes

These are a random collection of quotes, gathered over the last year from a non-art related email newsletter that make me smile when very far away from my studio. What is your favorite quote, whether here or from your own list?

Good sense about trivialities is better than nonsense about things that matter."

--Max Beerbohm, British essayist, parodist and caricaturist 

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan, American politician 

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."

--Langston Hughes, American writer 

Art is meant to upset people, science reassures them."

--Georges Braque, French painter and sculptor

If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life."

--Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect

Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so."

--Belva Davis, American journalist and feminist 

Find a job you like and you add five days to every week."

--H. Jackson Brown Jr., 

American author

Speaking of dreams...have you checked out my Name This Painting Contest? Check out the tab at the top for more details. The title is due by 1/31/11 and there are five entries to date.

Kim E., Andy (handsome, si?!), Mama, and Dafne at Dharma Studio, 2010

The photo is one of my dreams becoming a reality, Dharma Studio, 2010. [Art in photo is not by me, but was required to stay in the studio.]


Smiles, 
Angeline Marie of 
Angeline Marie Fine Art

Three Difficult Words: Success, Can't, and How

Difficult Word #1: Success

After an exhibit, etc., many people exclaim "did you sell anything!?" If sales are the only measure of success, then my success as an artist has been modest! When feeling discouraged, I remember how much I have yet to learn and put into practice. I remember that I prefer to share my art than sell it. When I am creating a painting and enjoying the process, I am successful. When someone "likes" my Facebook page, writes a comment on my blog, or interacts with me, I am successful.

When someone enjoys and finds my art work inspiring, I am successful. The rest is work, effort, and practice. Success is taking pleasure in the process!

Difficult Word #2: Can't

JJ, the Disconnected Writer, had a wonderful post on this titled "If at First You Don't Succeed, Give Up" [click on sentence to read it]. If I gave up every time I disliked a completed painting, didn't get juried into a show, didn't sell a piece of art, why would I call myself an artist? I use the word "won't" most often, because it is usually something I can do but it comes down to a choice. "I can't" translates into a choice. Just make the choice, and admit it! Say "won't!" Example: I won't measure my success as an artist by sales of my art work!

Difficult Word #3: How

How did the artist do that? How did that artist become successful? How did that artist get attention? How did that artist make it look so easy? How can I do what that artist did?

The word "how" is difficult because of the work involved with using it. The sentences with "how" involve investigating, learning, and putting into practice. "How" is something I constantly search with mixed success. "How" is something that with my limited time is the most difficult word to put into practice.

Try replacing the word "can't" with "how" and see how many possibilities open to you! Try "share" in place of "sales" and "success," see how much more fun it is?! What do you think of these word replacements? Let me know!

Please share my art work with others you believe may enjoy it.

Smiles,

Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art



Dive In - encaustics on paper - 2010 - 5 x 3 inches - $45 - copyright Angeline-Marie



Happy Thanksgiving with Leftovers

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone! 

Quick list of why I am thankful:

1. Loved ones are healthy and happy, including those in heaven smiling.

2. Everyone loved one has small problems, in the grand scheme of things.

3. I believe the first two cover just about all! 

Just to keep in the holiday spirit, with Black Friday and all, please visit some of my previous blog posts....


Also, please support your local businesses (and artists) this Saturday in spirit of Small Business Saturday. 

Wolves Cry - 2010 - acrylics on paper -

33 x 23 inches -

©Angeline Marie Martinez 

This is where the "leftovers" come in on this blog post title:


For how to give an artist the gift of classes, no matter where in the world they live: Want to Give Artist a Gift of Classes? 


Gift of drawing supplies: Drawing Materials Basics.


Gift ideas for a traveling artist: Travelers Dozen.


Reasons to go local (within the USA) for affordable art: Go Local for Affordable Art.

For more about the painting in this post: Wolves Cry Original Art Painting. 


Smiles, 
Angeline Marie of 
Angeline Marie Fine Art

Boat Races in Key West, Florida

Series of sketches based on the boat races, none I consider very well done but all were very satisfying as it has been a very busy couple of months with few moments with a paint brush!

All that is needed now is the plane! Andy's phrase is "boys and their toys!" No kidding!

I love these plumes of water!!!

A few photos...from the over 1,500 taken this entire weekend!

For more about the boat races, please visit SuperBoat.com where they are uploading photos from this weekend's event. 

Now, back to sketch painting!

Smiles,
Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art

PS: If you would like to learn how to buy some of my art, my blog has a page with what is available on eBay. More will become available off eBay...as my business plan slowly fleshes out.

Want to Give an Artist a Gift of Classes?

Do free classes work for you? How about low cost? Thanks to the internet and local libraries, learning anything is within reach of a computer. This is my list of what I use when wanting to learn something new in painting, drawing, etc. These also help when I get "stuck," too.

1. Subscription to Artist Network.tv.

For a fee, a how-to video of your choice streams to your computer. Sometimes, a free video is offered over a weekend. Video “rentals” are from a day to over six months, with unlimited views. 

2. Books

Yes, old-fashioned, made of paper, glue, and sometimes cardboard BOOKS. Check to see if your library’s catalog is available online, and explore what you can check out (all puns intended). How to sketch, paint, draw, decorate, fix a car (ok, I am digressing) is all available through books, no rewinding required.

3. Utrecht Art Supplies Online "Learning Center"

Another reason I love Utrecht is their online “school.” Free write ups, sometimes with videos, on how to use their art materials.

4. Youtube.com, eHow.com, and TVLesson.com.
I have videos posted on all three sites, and use them to find tips and tricks. 

5. Art stores

Most art stores have a bulletin board where artists post their class information. Some art stores have classes during store hours.

6. Art clubs

Sometimes these clubs know of artists who give classes or even host classes.

7. Local community college

Non-credit courses can be a great way of trying something new.

8. Local park or garden

In Miami, the Fairchild Tropical Gardens has a list of art classes. Check your local area parks and/or gardens for their list.

9. Ask an artist whose work you admire.

It is important to like the work the artist makes. Make sure the work has elements that you know will challenge you. Ask, ask, ASK. You might get an artist to work with you, and you only! 

10. If you are interested more ideas, here is a past blog post: Drawing Materials for Anyone. This topic is also a mini-series for me, so watch for more as the holiday season approaches.

Have an idea that is not on this list? Share, please! 

Smiles,

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Traveler's Dozen for this Artist

Lately, it seems that my home studio is ignored, empty, and dark. The road gets more of my company than our cat Simon, and so have created an artist survival kit for myself.

I try to remember to keep it simple, silly (KISS) and so have pared down to the following dozen plus bonus items. After realizing that I truly use on a few things, this is it. To see a sample of the item, click on the item description in my list.

1. 3 to 4 pencils of 4B hardness 
2. pencil sharpener with attached "trash can"
3. round #8 and #5 brushes for watercolor painting techniques
4. black ink in unleakable container
5. plastic white tub top (recycled item) to use as a palette for ink
6. 2 sketchbooks: 3 x 5 inches and 8.5 x 11 inches, one for purse, one for sitting a while
7. laminated sheets, two for each sketchbook (keeps pages dry when working wet)
8. 2 large binder clips (keeps sketchbook pages open in wind)
9. scotch tape (for business cards, tickets, etc.)
10. MP3 player for podcasts, music, etc.
11. digital camera for reference photos to take home
12. business cards because I am optimistic
13. sunblock

This all sounds like a lot, but it packages down easily since most of my travel requires sunblock, MP3 player, camera, and business cards. The most bulky of all the items is the larger sketchbook, and the smaller items are usually tucked into it.

I prefer to keep my travel kit to black and white sketches and ink paintings because it keeps everything simple enough for me to actually use while outside of home. My philosophy is that as I improve in black and white, my use of color will improve, too. For more on how black and white exercises improve your perception of colors, click here for photographer Jason Eldridge's blog post about returning to basics.

If you want to know what I am up to for the next days, click on the following link: ADV Rider Ride Report for FLA Rider

Smiles from the road!
Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art

Work of Art - Bravo TV Series

Bravo TV and Sarah Jessica Parker teamed together to create a show called Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.

The auditions were held in various cities, including Miami. I know of a few artists that auditioned. I know I looked at the application...and decided that I am just not a reality television type of artist. Here is a quick review of episodes 1 through 7. If you decide you want to watch the show, Bravo TV and Hulu can help you catch up to the current episode.

Episode 1: Self-Reflective
Artists created art about another artist in the group. The first artist dismissed did not create a piece of art that truly represented the other person.


Episode 2: The Shape of Things to Come
This episode kept me awake that night. Artists had 30 minutes in an electronic junk yard and a set time to create art from what was gathered. I loved this, kept awake by wanting to participate in the same challenge!


Episode 3: Judging a Book By Its Cover
Artists had to interpret a classic book and its story to create a cover. I loved the one for Dracula...but can understand why the Time Machine was chosen.


Episode 4: A Shock to the System
Artists had to create art that either angered, disgusted, or create a disturbing emotion in the viewer. This is one I do not think I can do very well. Oh, wait, I am in the middle of doing a series about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill....


Episode 5: Art That Moves You
Artists drove a car to its showroom and then had to interpret their experience into a piece of art. Not sure what the judges wanted in this episode: a commercial for the car or just the overall experience?


Episode 6: Open to the Public
When I saw some artist friends on my Facebook account write things like "with plywood? Are you kidding?," I had to watch. Well, I have to watch because it is fascinating to see how artists are viewed by the public. I liked one of the two pieces better...but understand why the other won.


Episode 7: Child's Play
Use only the materials found in a fantasy art class loaded with supplies for children, at a children's museum. Hmmm. I know how I would have interpreted that one...another sleepless night because of ideas.

At this blog post, I have not had a chance to view Episode 8, Opposites Attract. Episodes are also summarized by Bravo TV, along with online bonus videos.

What do you think about Work of Art? Do you have a favorite episode? Has any episode kept you awake at night, thinking of what you would create? You are welcome to comment.

Smiles,
Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art