It's a Challenge

I belong to two Etsy teams so far, Watercolor Works and Visual Arts Street Team - VAST. As is the case with most Etsy teams, the monthly challenge is a fixture to help promote the team. I'm all for promotion and I like themed exhibits, too. My local society, the Saint Louis Watercolor Society follows the theme genre at an on-going venue, CJ Muggs restaurant. Themes are generally inspriational and certainly motivational.

For the WWETeam challenge, our team leader posted three photos to be interpreted as we see it. Here is the photo and my interpretation for that challenge. It is titled Harvest Time, 11" x 14" original watercolor, available in my Etsy Shop.

The VAST September challenge is "fall colors", that I intend to work on soon. You'll have to come back to see that one!

Just Ask Me

Many artists offer to do commissions. You might wonder why they do that and why you would want a commission. Here is an example of a recent commission request I completed. I had a painting of purple irises listed on eBay. Someone liked my style, but really wanted white irises with a yellow background for the room she was decorating. So she emailed me and asked if I could do white irises. I said sure, and because I was painting that day, and in the mood, I was able to complete her request that day. I emailed her a photo of the painting, she liked it, and she paid me through Paypal. Voila!

So artists offer commissions because they are willing to paint upon request. This is not for everyone. Some artists just really want to stay with their own "from the heart" inspiration, which is occasionally how I feel, too. On the other hand, it can be very gratifying to create a painting that fulfills the vision of someone else.

If you see an artist offering commissions, take a minute to consider their offer. It is from the heart.

Here is White Iris, prints available in my Etsy shop.

Award Winner

Pear Brandy - 14 x 20 watercolor

I am pleased to announce that my painting won a prize in the 11th annual Big Splash members award exhibit of the Saint Louis Watercolor Society.

My prize is a $100 gift certificate from Jack Richeson Co. The are always generous supporters of this show. This year they contributed $400 in gift certificates.

Prints are available now in my Etsy Shop, http://hammelmanart.etsy.com/. The original will be available after the show ends September 22.

Etsy Treasury

Take a look at Wet, Wild and Wonderful!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=2571

One of the greatest searching modes on Etsy is the treasury. Etsy users curate a group of items, usually following a theme, that are posted as a gallery. The viewer clicks on the individual pictures to view the items and the shops of the sellers. Most treasuries have a 2 day life, but I was lucky today to get one of the random 3 day placements.

Big Splash is Coming

I'm busy getting ready for Big Splash, the annual member awards exhibit for the Saint Louis Watercolor Society. I will be entering 3 paintings which have all been posted here recently so I won't post them again. As a board member and treasurer, I will have quite a few tasks to accomplish Wednesday and Tursday. We expect about 135 paintings from about 75 of our 250 members. I will help with hanging and then hurry home to type the database that will create the title cards and program. It's a good kind of busy.

My first award at an exhibit was at Big Splash '99. I received an honorable mention for this painting. The original is not for sale, but prints are listed in my Etsy Shop.

Moorings At Spa Creek, 14" x 21"

Would you look at that sky!

Relocating

We're heading to the lake today, Lake of the Ozarks that is. We live on our boat and hang out with a bunch of other boat users. This painting is of a popular area golf course, Porto Cima at Lodge of the Four Seasons. Have you ever been to LOTO?

There Was No Fire

Well, it's the middle of the week. How exciting! Beautiful day in the neighborhood but last night was quite interesting! I live on a street with 12 houses. Last night 6 firetrucks and 5 assorted vehicles showed up at 10:00. Turns out a neighbor reported a gas leak in their basement. Everyone stood around while the firemen went in the house and fixed whatever it was. An hour later they all backed up the hill and away they went. End of story.

This painting kinda reminds me of fire and water. It is 14" x 20" and titled Directions.