Blogging on Tumblr

I have been using Tumblr more for my "blog" because I never really feel like I have much to say. I just have images of my latest artwork and artist trading cards. Take a look:

http://happysangria.tumblr.com/

Robert Frost's Acquainted with the Night ~ the Cat Version

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have danced in the rain -- and back dry again.
I have out stalked the whitest moth in flight.

I have looked down the greenest forest lane.
I have passed the hoot owl on his seat
And winked my eye, quite willing to explain.

I have stood still and lucked into fresh meat,
When next to me, an un-intending mouse
Climbed over some branches, and gave me a treat.

I was not sad for the mouse, nor did I begin to cry.
'Tis the law of nature. 'Tis the law of might.
O' pale judge, shiny against the sky,

Proclaimed me one with nature, neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

Sneak Peek

Work in Progress

This is an oil I'm working on. I can't seem to get the background right. I've actually wiped down the background since taking the photo. Maybe it needs to sit in the back of my studio for a few days and then I'll take a fresh look at it.

What in the World are Artist Trading Cards?

I've been working on artist trading cards, or ATCs for short. These are little works, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, and are traded or swapped but never sold. I am absolutely loving this. It is a nice little community of artists and creative types who get together and share ideas, techniques, and inspiration. Sometimes we collaborate and make group cards or other art objects. Anyone can participate and it is all about sharing and collaborating. I have joined a local group called New England Artist Trading Cards Plus. We meet at least once a month and make stuff and trade cards. I have also joined a couple of online groups. The pointillism cards above were made for a mail swap. I've made four total and will be mailing them soon to the coordinator. I will get 3 mystery cards back and one of my cards will go to the swap coordinator as a thank-you for organizing it. It is all really very fun.

How to Make Gluten Free Flour Tortillas (with pictures) - wikiHow

How to Make Gluten Free Flour Tortillas (with pictures) - wikiHow

A Good Day for Quotes

Art is making something out of nothing and selling it. Frank Zappa

I've been looking up art quotes all morning. This one by Frank Zappa is funny and not at all cynical. Making something out of nothing is actually a cool thing and selling art is not the root of all evil. Honestly, making money motivates great art. It is foolish to think art is not made to be sold. My husband came up with this quote:

No man but a fool ever wrote but for money. Benjamin Johnson.

And we can thank Andy Warhol for this one:

Making money is art, and work is art, and good business is the best art of all.

These quotes are by way of working out lesson three from my online marketing class. Today's lesson is to flesh out my buyer, to imagine the type of person who would buy my art. I need to actually create this person in my mind. Give him or her a name, a family, a career, and some ready cash. Instead of that I've been google-ing quotes. I need to buck up my confidence and come to terms with the idea that I would like to make money with my art because, after all:

Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. Woody Allen.