Mentoring

The great thinkers in the golden age of Greece lived by the mentor example shown in Greek mythology, where Mentor was placed in charge of Telemachus in the Odyssey, later the characters take the form of Mentor and they succeed. The apprenticeship system of the Middle Ages and Italian Renaissance fostered the method further.The relationship carries many myths such as age, gender, similar fields, or proximity as being qualifying factors, especially since many mentorships can now be carried out via the internet. Experience shows that there are powerful mutual benefits within the relationship that can manifest positive effects in productivity, clarity in goals, and build expertise. Camille Pissaro and Paul Cezanne are fine mentor protege examples. There are lists of creatives in the Mentor Hall of Fame .

~ In every art beginners must start with models of those who have practiced the
same art before them. And it is not only a matter of looking at the drawings,
paintings, musical compositions, and poems that have been and are being created;
it is a matter of being drawn into the individual work of art, of realizing that
it has been made by a real human being, and trying to discover the secret of its
creation. ~ Ruth Whitman

In 2004 in an Orlando Sentinel article about my studio gallery they used full color which helped build my business with an added surprise it caught the attention of Dana Schmidt who emailed me asking if I would be his mentor. Dana is shown above working on his most recent pastel. I am so excited as he has recently launched his own online shop at 1000 markets! http://www.1000markets.com/users/danaschmidt He has an active life composing music, traveling, volunteering at Legal Aid, and taking care of cats at the local shelter. Not only did he open a shop but he initiated a market and is the manager of For the Birds of which I am now an exhibiting member.

I am filled with gratitude to those whom I have been drawn in to and have gathered knowledge, encouragement and skills as both mentor and protege. I believe strongly in the importance of role models and mentors. You Make a Difference!

How long did it take you to do that?

How long did it take you to do that? Artists are nodding, laughing and sighing at that familiar question. An inquiry, and if I may speak for many of us artists, we might not be too fond of being asked. Giving a locked accurate account can be unnerving for various reasons as simple as we don't know, or questions passing through our minds such as are you trying to validate my talent or the price of my work by hours? As artists become more skilled the work goes faster. New techniques or products might change the pace. Another passing thought when asked time is, Am I getting lucky and getting a commission and its needed right away? Early on I kept a tally next to portraits as I worked on them to help me come up with pricing. Not including client time or photo shoots, just actual easel time. Some took an amazing 2 1/2 hours while others might go 24 hours even 72 hours. My prices do not reflect an hourly wage per piece. The labor in a work of art is what it is, while some pieces flow, others give natural birth. The mulling, the distance, the think time is inestimable. The above piece was started as it says on the back at Cafe Tu Tu Tangos 9/11/04. Unsettled with the piece of sky in 2005 I added an apple on a window sill. Now in July 2009 came the chickadee and branches. I feel a sense of whimsy coming it's way so when you see it again it might have undergone yet another development.

By the way the answer is, a lifetime, that's how long it takes to do this...and I love it!

Bliss and Magic

To the right through my north light window, outside on the corner of my rooftop quietly sits a dove. To the left through the west window a mockingbird spies me. We lock eyes. I grab my camera to take multiple records of the image. Maybe I capture one decent frame to use as a reference. Such is a normal day in the realm of my studio listening to music, taking care of business and creating in a multitude of ways. The experience inspired the above work. I enjoyed creating the chickadee, an adorable plump little bird peeking at an apple on the window sill. I've more to tell on this particular piece and will give you a straight on look next post. First I must share how there occurs every so often moments of pure bliss and it's like a magic creative wave. When it comes I move into bringing forth creations. Like this pastel here...

A 12" X 9" piece created using soft pastel, still yet to be titled.

~~~~Catch the creative wave~~~

Laugh.

I am happy as you see me pictured here in my Life is Good Laugh shirt. I've been enjoying summer swimming in the pool, feeding the birds then spying on them to quickly photograph them. I've been sparked to journal while reading "de Kooning" by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan a read prompted by Alyson Stanfield (Art Biz Coach)who initiated a book club on twitter. I am continuing to mentor and teach. I am working in the Sketch Journal for the Atlanta Art House's Library project, not to be confused with the Art House in Casselberry Florida where I am picking up a mask to art up for the Hooowl for the Arts fundraiser for SCAC. This week I am sewing an organza wrap to compliment my mother of the bride dress and playing with art.

Above I am also glad to be wearing my JMJcreations diva drops hand made by Karen Terry I adore those silver branches too. She has a beautiful selection of handmade jewelry in her etsy shop. Karen is also a member of UWIB, Unique Woman in Business, a group which I am so pleased to have joined.

Ladies you can join too! Even if you just want to shop. Read about it here.

The third Diary Project

Lucy the originator of the Diary Project invites people to create pages based on templates which she provides. The diary has a total of 392 pages. There are 364 date pages, 8 address pages, 3 notes pages, 12 months pages, 2 introduction pages, and 2 year pages, the cover is plain, so one can decorate it as they like. The printed size: 4¼" x 7". This year the diary will be trilingual: english, french, and spanish !

To the left is my accepted submission. This was quite fun!

"Chandelier" by Robin Maria Pedrero

There is an event in Longwood Florida, a concert at the springs. I missed this past year "The Beatles" performed by the Orlando Philharmonic as described here by my friends in the Seminole Magazine. The event has a magical feel, people even hang chandeliers from the trees hence my inspiration for the above piece which is listed in my etsy shop . http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27966816

It has a companion piece in the making with a steinway! Both are 20" x 16" created using acrylics and india ink.

Pedrero Interviewed by Annette Schwindt of Germany

Interviews are both an honor and a door filled with multiple layers of opportunity for personal and business growth. I was honored when asked by Annette Schwindt to be interviewed, especially when I went to her site and knew I would join a diverse exemplary selection of artists. Today in lieu of reading much content on my blog go to the interview here

http://blog.schwindt-art.com/2009/07/14/artists-i-like-part-8-robin-maria-pedrero/

Please continue to extend the power of social network media and leave a comment on her blog you just never know where that might take you.

Wander Where the Wind Blows moves on

Monday morning I will install "Wander Where the Wind Blows" in my art collector's home. I have kept the work securely and out of my view. It was still in my possession while taking installment payments. I am excited for her to have the work yet there is a tender spot inside me for the work as the leader of my red landscape series. This work has received such numerous responses from viewers. I can recall in detail the making of this work of art. http://pocketfullofcolors.blogspot.com/2008/03/pastel-today.html

This image is available in books on Lulu. I will be making some products with "Wander Where the Wind Blows" like mugs, more cards etc.

Christmas in July

Christmas is JULY??? Yes indeed!

Matted prints from selections of my 2003 - 2006 series at a great price!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5981407&section_id=5708703

Abstracts and a wild tomato in my Christmas in July originals Sale items

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5981407&section_id=5920083

If Christmas was in July I wonder what some of our holiday images would be?

Sandcastles, sunsets, balloon rides...

The Landfill Art Project;art in progress

Landfill Art Project by Robin Maria Pedrero

Ken Marquis, is the founder of the Landfillart Project .

The 1,041 pieces of rusted metal are actually old automobile hub caps from the
1930’s through the 1970’s. Each hub cap, after being cleaned and primed,
is affectionately called a “metal canvas.” Although most “metal canvases”
have been transformed by the artist using oil or acrylic paint, some have been
weaved on, glued or screwed or welded to, or made into fine sculpture.

Above is my metal canvas created using acrylics, some charcoal, colored pencil, and india ink with a clear coat to protect the work.

3 cheers for red, white and blue in Robin's art

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=12792971

This pastel "Walking In" is listed in my etsy shop.

"The Answer" is on exhibition for sale at Celebrations Gallery in Pomfret CT.


The sky in this piece, red, blue and white, not an image of a flag
nor intended but always looks like a flag to me, and feels patriotic.
This is "La Playa" which is Spanish means The Beach.

http://www.1000markets.com/products/29034