Newsletter Volume #2
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FEATURED PAINTING
Every Dream Is Real (original oil painting - completed February 2022)
May 2022
Vol. 2
A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATE, BUT I'M BACK...
Yeah, it's me again, your favorite artist! I mentioned in my last newsletter that I'd be sending them out every two months, and this is getting closer to month three. Hey, I'm just trying to live up to that C+ average that I graduated high school with. There's no need in raising the bar now. 😝
So, if you're reading this, you either liked what I put together last time, or you forgot to unsubscribe. Either way, I'll take it. Beggars can't be choosers, right? If you did mean to unsubscribe, but forgot, let me remind you that I don't send these out very often. Queue that first paragraph again. This newsletter is a fun way to stay in touch and to share what I have going on. I'm still sharing through social media, but it can be... Well, let's just leave that as I'm still sharing through social media, if you know what I mean.
Before I get too far into this, I want to thank everyone again for signing up and for the positive feedback from last time. I also want to thank those of you that purchased artwork from me after the last newsletter and took advantage of the discount code(s). 😉 I'm doing the same thing this time, so you'll find the code below if you're interested. First, you'll need to read the rest of this thing though. I'm not letting you off that easy.
It was 881 days ago that I left my IT job and started doing this full-time. How do I know it was 881 days ago? Because I have an app on my iPhone that shows me that information. If I'm having a bad day, I can look at it, and it instantly brings me peace of mind. 🤌 Is there anything I miss about my previous job? NO!!! 😛 Here are my favorite absurdities:
No time off. Nights, weekends, holidays, vacation, sick? They are all fair game for calls/emails that require immediate attention. "I know you're on vacation, but you're the one that helped me with this last time, so I figured I'd call you". 🤔 The real kicker, getting messaged through your personal social media account about a 'work' problem.
OCCURRENCE = every day
No lunch! It's amazing how many times I'd hear the response "can you fix my computer during lunch, because I'll be away from my desk then". The problem with this logic is, I'll be away from my desk too, because I'll be at yours. Maybe that sandwich in the fridge will still be good tomorrow. 🤨
OCCURENCE = 3-4 times a weekHaving people follow me into the restroom. Yeah, I wish I could say this only happened once, but it was fairly routine. I'd get spotted on my way, have someone follow me in, and then they'd proceed to ask me questions about their computer or other IT related things. Mind you, they aren't there for a restroom break, but only to ask me questions. The quickest way to break it up? "OK, I'll take a look at it during lunch." 😜
OCCURENCE = 2-3 times a month
Every day was a new experience, and unfortunately I could go on. At least I can look back at it all now and laugh. I now have 881 days of better health (I've lost 35 lbs since then), happiness, and I'm doing what I love. I can also go to the bathroom now without feeling like I need to put on a disguise first. 🥸
LET'S TALK ABOUT ART
OK, I'm going to talk about my artwork now. 👏
I've been busy since my last newsletter went out. I completed a couple of oil paintings, and a few watercolors. One of the oil paintings was probably my most challenging painting to date. It's called 'Every Dream Is Real', and is pictured at the top of this newsletter. I'm a big fan of Degas, and his ballet artwork, so I wanted to try one for myself. If you recall from the last newsletter, I also had a few ballet related sketches that I had recently created. I'm not a big ballet fan either-- I just think it's such a beautiful & delicate subject to create art around.
I also have another oil painting that I've gotten a decent start on that may end up knocking the ballet painting out of that top spot. It'll probably be the headliner of my next newsletter if all goes well. There's still plenty of painting left to be done, so no window in the studio is safe until it's complete. 😝
I know that I mention this to everyone, but my oil paintings take a very long time to complete. There are times when I have to stop and let parts dry before I can proceed with other parts. This is because of the way I apply the paint. During the waiting periods, I'll usually start another oil painting, which can get confusing really fast, or I'll work on a watercolor here and there. The watercolors are a nice break, and I can usually knock them out in a day or two if all goes well. Hint, this is why the prices between my oil paintings and watercolors vary so much. 😉
As for my oil paintings, I've been noticing my style changing over the past few months. I'm learning new tricks and different ways of doing things. I've even got to the point to where I'm mixing a lot of colors once I put them on the canvas, instead of on the palette. This has also helped me speed up my painting process some, if you can call it that, and also gives me more room for error. I look back at some of my first paintings and wish that I would have done things differently, but there's nothing that I can do about it now. I'm still very happy with my earlier work. Saying that, I can see how I'm evolving as an artist though. In a couple of years, I'm sure I'll look back at what I'm creating now and wish I would have done something different. C'est la vie.
I'm also in the process of adding an 'open edition' print section to my website, to go along with the limited edition prints. In the very beginning, I never imagined my photography being a part of the artwork I'm selling. It's just something that I had a lot of fun with, but it's also turned into one of the most popular things that I have available. The open edition will allow me to lower cost some, and it also gives me the flexibility to use different styles of photos without disrupting the current theme I'm doing for my limited edition work. If you haven't checked out the prints I have available, you can do so here. I have them available in two different variations, framed & metal. The framed prints have a more stately look, while the metal says "look at me, I'm pretty and I know it". 😘
One last thing that may be of some interest, but maybe not. It really just depends on how curious, or bored you may be, is that I've added videos of my paintings to my website. The videos are located underneath the pictures of the paintings.
Don't worry, we're almost done, I promise. Thanks for sticking with me this far. 🥵
LIMITED EDITION PRINT GIVEAWAY
Thanks to everyone that clicked the button in the last newsletter to enter the giveaway for a free limited edition print. I wanted to send everyone a free print that clicked, but at the same time I'm trying to make a living here. 😄
The winner from the last newsletter: Cecily, from Kentucky!
Click the button below for a chance to win. The only thing required of you, other than clicking a button, is to send me your address if you win. What do you have to lose, other than to be thoroughly disappointed? 🤭
As far as the rules, and other information about the giveaway. Yeah, I should have mentioned this last time, but here you go:
I draw the winner a month after the newsletter is sent out. This gives everyone time to read it. I'll then email the winner asking for their mailing address.
You can only win once per calendar year. It's only fair-- this way everyone has a chance. Note, this doesn't apply to the year-end painting giveaway though. That's up for grabs for anyone that clicks when that prize is available.
I ship the print unframed. The print size is 11x14" with a white border that fits a 14x18" frame. I recommend picking up a 14x18" frame from some place like Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc... They have nice 14x18" black frames that include an 11x14" mat.
I ship a COA with the print, so what you receive is exactly what you would get if you bought the print from my website, minus the professional framing, acrylic, mounting, and so on.
I think that about covers it. 😊
SOME OF MY LATEST ARTWORK
Forgotten Lore (original oil painting)
I painted this from a reference photo of some of my Edgar Allan Poe books, along with a sunflower. Most of the painting was done with a palette knife in the same style that I’m accustomed to.
I Remember How I Held You (original watercolor painting)
This is an original watercolor painting of a gorgeous, red rose. I left the background blank (white), so that the rose appears to pop from the frame. The painting is framed and double matted.
I'm Gonna Give You My Heart (Limited Edition Print)
Like the title says-- this is a beautiful daylily that is ready to give you its heart. When editing the photo, I wanted to make it a warm and welcoming print that would fit well in any room.
HOW ABOUT A DISCOUNT CODE? 👍
Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate all of you. If you know of any friends or family that may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please feel free to forward this email along to them. They can then sign up by using this link, or there's also a link at the bottom of the newsletter that they can use to sign up.
Use the discount code below if you want some art for those bare walls. Or maybe buy some art for a friend. 🥳 As always, the code is good for 21 days from receipt of this email. My oil paintings have an enquire button for the price. The 10% discount will be subtracted from the initial agreed upon price.
10% Off Entire Order -> SUMMER10
*Use code above during checkout
Take care,
I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and perseverance.
-Vincent van Gogh
PoeSoul Studio
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