Taking workshops

[Cindy Carrillo]

I don't know about the rest of you but this economy has hit my hard. The only paintings selling are small ones , and I am happy that is happening but it is so slow. I had sulked around for some time about it, verbally too. That really is a terrible way to deal with this issue and I have had to turn my brain around to stop thinking so negative. I can't change what is happening but I can make the most of it. And though this sort of thinking usually makes me crazy when I hear it from my husband- it was true. A painting friend of mine, Phil Starke, is a marvelous painter, and teacher. I know that tough times have been tough for all artists but I found out that Phil was taking a workshop in Scottsdale. I had sort of assumed I should cut back my spending as much as possible and that means workshops but I realized that if someone as amazing of a painter as Phil was taking a class to be a better painter my gosh how much more I should be learning more also. Now I am tucking away a bit here and there to save up for a big workshop- one that I can throw myself into from a master painter. I am still spending money with advertising but I am very selective as to where, I keep my website up to date and started a newsletter. Those things I hope will keep my name out there and in front of my collectors so they won't forget me when they have more leisure money to spend. In the mean time instead of being a pouter, it's time to work on my skills. I am back to drawing all the time with a cheap little notebook that I can do small sketches while waiting and waiting at doctors offices, or talking to long talking friends on the phone and road trips. If you are having the economy blues give one of these things a try, it has really reversed by brain to run forwards, not backwards.

[Jeffrey J. Boron]

Good stuff Cindy...I would add that 'nothin' stays wrong for long' so keep painting!!

[Larry Seiler]

I see the present economy as a call to be more productive. An investment in your future. Who knows...the eyes could suddenly go, something could happen making hard work months, a few short years from now difficult.

I have a hutch filled with small paintings which has impressed some, and a couple closets full. It is easy to ask "what's the point?"....but I want enough pieces that if all I have is the energy to attend shows, visit galleries, I have product.

The recession or down time means this is the time to get more serious work done on my next book on painting, and perhaps finish it. Time to work on making perhaps that next hour long dvd...and, put together workshops. I am planning three workshops in my area for this summer which I'll post soon, after I finish compressing my video. For the astute, the one having vision but seemingly never the time...there is no real "downtime"...but time to finally expand on one's potential and opportunity.

Lastly...I don't know if the economy will fully recover, but so long as I can afford at least the paint, painting will provide me the means to keep my head above all the negativity as I live one more day to celebrate life itself.

[Cindy Carrillo]

Thanks for the real life comments- you all are totally correct. We paint because it gives us joy, and that can not be affected by the market. I am preparing a big batch of canvas ready to go on to painting. Maybe all this is a good way to be reminded we are not painting for galleries, or for shows. Thanks to all and go paint!!

[erin libby]

I made a list of all the things I wanted, but cannot afford ( no trips to the Cavary Islands, just new brushes and such. Looking hard at what is my post-recession budget, I decided I need to go back to work. Previously I was , among other things, a sculptor to the toy industry. That field has been evaporated by computer generated forms and the growing talent in China. That leaves"other things." I am turning my attention to soft-goods design, along with small paintings, which do sell.