Red Envelope

In the spirit of the Chinese New Year I present my Red Envelope,
"Nude with apple".
Available at my 1000 Markets shop.

The Chinese year 4707 begins on Jan. 26, 2009. Chinese months are marked by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year's festivities start on the first day of the month and continue to the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. It is traditionally said that those born in ox years tend to be painters, engineers, and architects. In case you are wondering in Chinese birth years I am a Wood Dragon, & President Barack Obama is an Ox. I read that the Chinese find this system extremely practical. A child does not have to learn a new answer to the question, "How old are you?" in each year and also that old people often lose track of their age in China, because they are rarely asked about their present age. Everyone just has to remember that he or she was born in the "Year of the ____." I found an interesting post, Stories from China on birthday celebrations there. I was present in San Francisco for New Years Celebration a few years ago. It was filled with a parade of dancing dragons, music, fireworks and many red envelopes.

Candor and Color-Tag Team

This is one of the pieces I shipped Friday titled "Waterside" a 9" x 12" pastel by me, Robin Maria Pedrero, to Juxtapose Gallery in New Jersey which is now representing me and my work! In my previous post you read about Julaine, who is not an artist yet goes the extra mile without expecting any gifted gratitude, but "Purple Woods" is on the way to her anyhow! This next relationship I discuss has expectations. Expectations based on trust, reliability, skill and success,
a "Tag Team." The Juxtapose Gallery representation is credited to the due diligence of my friend and fellow artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson who is already selling works there. We collaborate bringing our full package of skills to the table, although honestly we rarely see each other in person, both fully immersed in our responsibilities as mothers and wives, plus Elizabeth is a full time graphics designer. We have similar hair color, small dogs, are New England natives, and both wear Brit by Burberry. Yet we are very different artists whose works do not compete but more often compliment each other. We share marketing strategies, partner on exhibits, collaborate on projects, and work together toward gallery representation. Elizabeth shares in her post "Something to Celebrate" of her recent representation at Celebrations Gallery, where I served as a catalyst to get her work in front of them. One of the rare galleries where we aren't the only ones with long names! We have exciting news to share. We now have a featured exhibit at Celebrations Gallery in September 2009! We will each host a "Conversation with the Artist" there in Connecticut and also have an event at Juxtapose Gallery in New Jersey while we are back in New England. "Candor and Color... " is just a hint on our upcoming featured exhibit.

Love is a choice

Not because we have to, but because we choose to. That is the answer. Helping one another is a choice. Taking an interest in one another is something we choose. I am blessed to have people in my life who choose to support, cheer, guide, and enable me to succeed in my goals as an artist. Thank YOU! Recently a friend and I chatted back and forth on facebook where I eventually asked her ...see post from my facebook fan club page here below.

Robin Maria Pedrero: Are there any galleries near you
so I can have a business goal & make a trip to see you?
Julaine: Missoula has a TON of galleries. Helena has a clay artists guild that is visited by people from all over the country every summer. And there are picture postcard views in every direction.
Robin Maria Pedrero: any suggestions on a direction for who is approachable, reliable, and successful?
Julaine: Hmmm. Well, let me kind of check around for you. I know there are a couple of places that have been here for as long as I can remember and always have fresh stuff. That would indicate success and reliability, no?

I got a call from Julaine asking me for the best place to view my artwork online as she was in a gallery telling them about my work! I gave her http://www.gallery523.com/ as it has links to this blog, and my shops. I am just so touched that after our conversation she went out and scouted on my behalf! Then I received a packet of information in the mail from her visit to the galleries. As a token of my appreciation I intend to give her a gift of my art. She selected about 11 favorites. "Purple Woods" will be shipped to her with gratitude.

My next post I will share a story on the benefits of a reciprocal relationship with an artist.

Acrylic Art

Sneak peek at one of twelve pieces I am working on. This is a smaller one, an 8" x 10" acrylic. I am surprised at how I am enjoying this medium. I found the quick drying time challenging at first as I was working the process like oil but when I adjusted my technique I rather relished it. I tend to like to keep on working, without waiting, which is one reason that the immediacy of pastel has always suited my character. I say this is a new medium only having created a handful of acrylic pieces, in particular three large ones that were in Chalk Paper Scissors. Two of which are at the Dessert Lady in downtown Orlando, the cupcake is in a private collection. The glazing is comparative to some of my pastel techniques. Just as with the pastel on paper I find I do not like the pattern of the canvas to show through. I had gessoed the canvases but still not enough texture change to my liking so I sporadicly used some molding medium adding a different texture. When working on wood the opposite is true, I prefer to see the grain. While working I used one glove on my right hand, though my left hand got colorful from my palette and moving pieces while working on several simultaneously. I painted with brushes and directly with my gloved hand, paint against canvas. I just couldn't help it! I am quite excited about these new landscapes in acrylic. These are expressionistic landscapes, capturing my deep connection to nature. I find nature to be a haven. I am filled with a range of emotions and energy in the midst of nature. Can you tell?

Tagged by Karen Faulkner

I was tagged over ten days ago by artist Karen Faulkner whose color saturated watercolors are selling like hotcakes! I especially liked what she shared when she was tagged.

One of the most important things I've learned is that if there is something you
really want to do with your life, you must find a way to do it. Maybe you can't
do it full time or make a living at it in the beginning, but do one small thing
every single day toward making your dreams come true.

1. I promised in an earlier tag to continue listing one of my many previous occupations; undercover store security.
2. When I was twelve I explored the Kasbah in Morocco.
3. I play music repetitively when working on art. Right now my mantra song for 2009 is by Lykke Li.

Working in the corner Peeking over shoulders Waiting for my time to come Working
in the corner One day to the other Butter on my piece of bun Stepping a stone
and I'm all gone Give me the tone And i'm all gone Yeah, i'm walking by the line
Not here, but in my mind I'm working a sweat, but it's all good I'm breaking my
back but it's all good 'Cause i know i'll get it back Yeah, i know your
hands will clap And I'm working, Yeah, i'm working To make butter for my piece
of bun And if you say I'm not OK with miles to go If you say there ain't no way
that i could know If you say i aim too high from down below Well, say it now
'cause when i'm gone You'll be callin' but i won't be at the phone And i'm
hanging around 'till it's all done You can't keep me back once i had some No
wasting time to get it right And you will see what i'm about 'Cause i'm working
a sweat, but it's all good. Find More lyrics at http://www.sweetslyrics.com/

Everyone reads their own ideals into what they hear and this song for me is about striving for success. I like the music a lot and the video is awesome.
4. I imagine being like the artist mother in the movie "Twins", having a similar artist colony in my later years.
5. I am going to share my knowledge by having workshops in both art skills and business skills ...coming soon.
6. At the Scottish Games I waited an hour in the archery line. I hit the target once out of 6 arrows, and it felt good!

Untouched

A scene seemingly untouched by human hands.

Title - Untouched

Artist - Robin Maria Pedrero

Dimensions - 5 1/2" x 11 1/2"

Medium - soft pastel on canson mi-tientes
mounted on mat board and sprayed with fixative

Price - $35 unframed

Purchase now in my Etsy Shop

I have fallen in love with the colors and mood of this piece, "Untouched". I carved out some time to make art recently between spending lots of family time at Universal and then the Scottish Festival. I found my clan, MacKay and enjoyed the dancing, singing, games, and bands. After working on some pastels I had a full day of working in acrylic, a rather less explored medium for me. I love working with my specialized medium of pastel and do not intend to give it up but I like the option of having works available ready to hang without the need for protective glass. I am excited to produce more pieces and share them with you.

Anti Valentine, scorned, hurting heart

Here is my image titled "Saving the Heart" created over 10 years ago. It is intended to soothe the scorned, hurting heart, a somewhat "anti valentine" however the message is about how pure love rescues us and with time we are healed. This image is available in cards, mugs, and travel mugs on Cafe Press http://www.cafepress.com/heartnotecard

Three places

I continue to develope this piece "Wild Orange Tree" to enter into Comma Gallery's upcoming citrus show. I am just so glad to have the Winsor & Newton spray fixative, geez they could give me royalties on talking about how much I like it! Above is the space I create in, below is the space I play on web 2.o sites, laptop open and lit up. Over the couch are two silk fish paintings by Pam Glose. I'll show you a close up in the future when I feature her as part of my art collection.

Next is a photo of some of the pieces that were brought to the art salon I mentioned. You see (R- L) My "Moon" still in progress, next "Orchid Sky" an acrylic of mine in progress, Marianna Hamilton Ross (whose long silk luminary is also in above photo next to my couch), Arlene Kartak's batik, Doris Smart, batik and little fruit ones under the shelf are resin coated pieces, far left watercolor paper basket is Susan Monde (whose work you have seen here before as I have her work in my collection), porcelain by Georgina Holt, colored pencil by Veronica Daily, and pastels by Karen Brannen. Girls if you read this and I have misrepresented please pipe in.

Orange you glad?

My painting time felt like it was stolen away and woosh it was gone. Yes yes this is technically a drawing because it is pastel but get used to the term painting. We pastelists use that term when we fill in all the spaces on the whole page. And I must say it feels like painting so thus here is my painting in late progress....early shots may be used in a video some time in the future. Yes I am glad! It is after midnight and quiet all around and I am making art.

Favorable Words

I am so warmed by the words of Kristina Laurendi Havens, who is one of my favorite artists.

I am so touched that she would be moved to write about my work. She is a wonderful artist herself. Thank you Kristina! You can see her work along side mine in Gallery 11.

http://www.1000markets.com/blog_posts/2226

I adore this landscape by Robin. It is somewhere between a landscape and a
beautiful abstract painting. The red sky is intense, but fits - it doesn't take
away from the rest of the piece. The periwinkle horizon of clouds is intensified
by it's relationship with the crimson sky.
The grasses have a range of cool
and warm tones that create a sense of movement - the lilac in the background
layered with the olives and oranges is a particulary beautiful and complex
moment.
The placement of the trees strikes a wonderful balance to all of the
open sky and land...I love that there is a linear element among all of the
fields of color.
Gorgeous work, Robin.

Just warming up

Today I have been invited to an art salon. I will bring a covered dish, (vegetarian) and two pieces of art. I am excited to go!

I shipped two more works of art to Pomfret Ct yesterday AND I was invited to have a show there this summer at Celebrations Gallery and Shoppes! More details coming soon...

I now have a Fan Club on Facebook. Would you be a fan? See it here

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-Maria-Pedrero/56469979828

My calendar is filling up with business and fun. For instance on Monday evening I am listening to a teleseminar smARTist Pre-event with Ariane and Mari Smith "the" Facebook expert who knows all the tricks of how to use Facebook as another way to create visibility for you and your art. Facebook has an Alexa ranking of 5: meaning it is the 5th most trafficked site in the world. It has over 63 million active users, and that doubles every 6 months.Click here to get your 'free' seat before they are gone!http://smartist-telesummit.com/live/preevents/#smith

Above is "Florida Scene" by Robin Maria Pedrero, a pastel of what I see when driving posted to warm up my readers covered in ice.

Speaking of knowing cool people

"This one's for Josh" pastel by Robin Maria Pedrero
Remember Josh Garrick, curator for Milenia Gallery, who was at the Artist workshop, and I created art and a video for him? He's quoted here in the NY Times in an interesting article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/realestate/04cov.html

I like the very different perspectives and opinions from building owners, guests, artists, gallerists and others ranging from positive to vulgar. One artist's complaint reminds me to be careful and use specific terms in contracts in these types of non-gallery situations. I have a non - gallery venue without a contract, time to add taking care of that venue to my list.

Update on the storage device is not good news. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me retaking images of my work at hand and being satisfied with memories of recent travels and family times minus photos.

ASK BELIEVE RECEIVE GRATITUDE

Yeah baby!!! High five blog style! I posted my goals before noon and had a warm response with great ideas and support all day. At 5 pm. I got a Museum exhibition acceptance notice! My work will be in the exhibition at the Museum of Florida Art titled "Chrome and Leather."

You might be thinking hey what did this landscape artist create for a show with that title? I pondered it for months, up at night making projects in my head, and devising mechanical chrome and leather connections for my imagined work. There was a time when a Harley Wide Glide affectionately named Wilma G was the bike taking me to and fro till she met with a car. I flew over the car way over on to the other side of the road and was left with a crack in my pelvis. The exhibit tag line is "Art on the Road of Good and Evil" and my focus is on the GOOD. My favorite aspects on a motorcycle is the nature that surrounds me on the ride. I did not need to concoct a new style or work as I imagined but sincerely show the joys of riding in the wind.

"The best part about riding in Florida is experiencing the wild life in more
ways than one. Flying through glorious natural wonders, I feel the
sun shining on me, hear the birds, sometimes the bike's sound and movement make
them burst into flight. The impact by a bee who hangs from my face is not so
pleasant, but when the wind calls.... you ride! "

"Many the Miles" 20" x 16" pastel by Robin Maria Pedrero

I feel this piece epitomizes my beliefs while depicting Florida full of life and energy. I am filled with gratitude in all things, oddly even the UGH of the storage device.

300th Landmark with Goals

I smiled when I saw this is my 300th post land marking my Art Career Goals for 2009. When I posted my 2008 achievements Alyson called me out on specifics, some which I did not share some which I hadn't made. If you are an artist and have an art business and have not made your goal list yet consult Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz blog and book. I did a quick search of other artists' goals before posting mine. As I commented on the other blogs I left words of encouragement and shared some suggestions in their quest. Yes we do take a big gulp when making the desires of our hearts so vulnerable in public. Yet on the other hand I ask you, since you are here reading, would you? could you? help me achieve a goal on my list? Or who do you know that could help me succeed? Risk. Ask. Believe. Receive. Gratitude.

So what do I want? I want to be in National Museums - Met, Chicago Art Institute, Boston Museum of Fine Art etc. I want to be internationally known, respected for my work and collected. I want to profit from art (originals and products). I will produce a significant body of work which I aim to be pleasing and glorifying to God.

I have fine tuned parts of my personal list with specifics. Here is a broad list filled with challenges, doable but most of all goals I believe in.

1. Apply for Museum shows
2. Maintain present Galleries
3. Expand to new territory in other states
4. Exhibit at more Galleries in Florida - note to self get out and DRIVE
5. Create and document 60 new pieces of work (for sale not counting studies)
20 - 16 x 20, 18 x 24 range
10 - LARGE 30 plus size
30 - small
6. Market early work online and in products
7. Prepare EARLY for the Holidays and Promotions
8. Organize data - which includes a back up system and clarifying of images etc.
9. Online Venues - I have specific sales goals at Etsy and 1000 markets
10. Create more products to generate revenue - through Cafe Press, Lulu, Shutterfly, Imagekind, etc.
11. Use connections already established - I have met and know some great people and need to utilize the opportunities I have been offered.
12. EBAY - learn it, do it, at least 5 pieces
13. Find better solutions for framing overhead
14, Artist Residency - find viable ones that I can afford
15. Apply to Who’s Who
17. Build Capitol by Building Sales
18 Visit more galleries and museums
19. Continue my positive practices; blogging, social network medias, newsletters, postcards, mailing lists, attending exhibits, build the tribe and pay tribute to patrons, etc
20. Inspire, share, mentor and give

I ask again do you see my work someplace you are connected to? Are you interested in my work for yourself or a gift? Perhaps you have an opportunity to participate in a show with you and we can reciprocate? Do you have solutions or suggestions to help me obtain my goals? Will you right now sign up for my mailing list on www.gallery523.com or blog via feedblitz or follow?
Thank you for sharing in my Visual Journey and making dreams come true.

Bare Naked New Year's Deal

"Blue Sky Red Tree" pastel by Robin Maria Pedrero 9.5" x 9.5"
Purchase 3 and the 4th is yours FREE and with Free Shipping!
Robin Maria Pedrero's Etsy Shop
The Purple Tree Series see all grouping of all 4 on gallery523.com

Peanuts and Peeps I know in the Mobile Museum

Peanut promised. One gorgeous giant golden peanut. The City of Dothan Alabama is a self proclaimed Peanut Capital of the World. Dothan's gold peanut statue sculpted by metal fabricator Larry Godwin stands at the Visitor Information Center. There was a peanut project, like the famous Cows, Horses in Ocala, Fish in New Orleans, Lizards in Orlando, Roosters in Miami...and speaking of Roosters as you know from UGH I do not have the photos to share but there is a giant silver rooster sculpture at ART WURKS.... this non photo incident led me to a cool site Roadside America, this link takes you to the Rooster page. In the truck just after leaving the Sam the Sheriff Peanut in front of Krispy Kreme in Dothan we laughed as two other tourists also took pictures with Sam. In the next town when I got out to photograph the rooster they were there too! They videoed me and I told them I'd post them on my blog. On Sunday we spent the day watching the Dolphins win over the Jets. Monday the Mobile Museum of Art! Yes it was actually open on a Monday! I can't tell you how many times I have been traveling and only had a Monday in a town and the artsy places were closed. Incredible Museum! A fabulous sculpture walk outside, interactive kinetic sculpture, then inside some great exhibits as you can discover in the link. BEST EVA moments... TWO BRACKMANS! (References in my blog from me and Gainor) THEN I came upon a Grady Kimsey! My daughter pointed and said"Hey that's the artist from the Cow exhibit you were in when I met Karen Carasik at Comma Gallery!" I was thrilled! Next floor whose sculpture do I see but my friend Cheryl Bogdanowitsch! My adored master Brackman and two fabulous works of art by artists who I also show with in Orlando Florida was topped off by a divine lunch in the museum cafe. Plan to have lunch when you go. YEAH BEST DAY EVA on the Americana Adventure!

UGH

I have started off my new year with a loss of years of images, art, travel, references, and information. When my pc needing repairing I placed everything on a portable back up drive. In the holiday rush I had not reloaded to another source. The portable storage device developed an error and even the Geek Squad could not revive it. I am not looking for a pity party but I feel like a deflated balloon, goals pushed aside as I recover. Someone on twitter told me about http://www.humyo.com where you can store and back up online. I signed up. Have you tried it? I am sharing this with everyone to heed those little messages in your brain and back up with more than one source. No Golden Peanut today. There's still one more method to pursue to get my images back, so there's a little smidgen of hope. It will be interesting to see where this detour leads me.

Americana Adventure Numero Uno

We began our adventure to the state capitols in the warmer south during the winter month of December. I share my travels as they become a part of my art, my "Visual Journey".

First state capitol our own Tallahassee Florida!

Florida's Historic Capitol is complete with southern charm! We arrived as the rosy glow of the day highlighted parts of the building. New cameras in hand each of us took photos on our Americana Adventure which we plan to publish. Many of my images focus on the landscape and sky to use as references in my artwork. I enjoy to photograph close ups of columns, stairs, patterns in walkways, sewer covers and trees. I exhibit my photography less frequently than the artwork I create by hand as it is not my area of concentration. The recently published book of our travels in Italy for my parents inspired us to publish our Americana Adventure. It will be years of investment as we accomplish this project as a family. As our teens consider their college options, we drove through the Florida State University campus. While driving besides clicking away we played games like name that tune on our ipods, I spy, and word games. Next the big GOLDEN PEANUT. Do you know where that is? Not too far from a giant rooster...