Issue #2: Notes From The Studio
Today’s my birthday, so you have to read my newsletter. It’s like, the law, or something.
Hello and thanks for joining me! Let’s get right to it.
What I’m Working On This Week
A large abstract landscape painting is keeping me busy this week. I think it’s going to be about 55 H x 70 W inches when I’m done! I’ll have to see what feels best for the composition. I’m painting it on unstretched canvas attached to my studio wall so I can roll it up easily and ship it more economically. If it were on stretched canvas I wouldn’t even be able to fit it in my car!
I may able to finish this one tomorrow. It’s already moved past the images I’ve shared below. Once I’m done, I have two other large scale paintings to complete and then I’ll be able to get all of them scanned for licensing. After scanning is complete I will be able to offer the originals to you.
Painting this large is definitely more challenging for me. I’ve been encouraged to create larger works for several years now, but have been resistant. Lots of stuff goes through my head that keeps me from doing it — everyone doesn’t have space for large-scale art, everyone doesn’t have money for large-scale art, it’s a hassle to pack and ship it, I can’t even fit it in my car, I don’t have enough space to work on multiple paintings, I don’t have enough space to store multiple paintings, I’m not used to creating with the proportions of large-scale art.
So why even do it? Because I’ve been missing out on opportunities that I want that will allow me to grow my business.
Which brings me to the other thing I’ve been working on this week — a year-end review of my sales. And like I’ve heard from some other artists out there, this year hasn’t been the best for me either. I’m going to revisit everything again in February, but I know that things have to change for me. I can’t continue to walk the exact same path and expect things to turn out differently.
This is not the best way to be feeling during the holiday season (0 out of 5 stars), but it’s okay. I have ideas and plans. I’m going to keep moving forward and creating new work. I’m going to reach out to new people and places that might be a good fit for sharing my art and I’m going to provide my current licensing and art consulting partners with new paintings. I’ve moved through problematic times in the past and come out the other side better off, and I hope to do it again.
Sometimes it’s hard to muster up the faith though — and I’ve definitely felt some of that this week.
Moving on to accomplishments, in addition to working on the large-scale abstract, I started five new small paintings for print licensing. I’ve completed three of the five so far! I still have more to create, but I’m waiting until I start my next large-scale painting so I can switch the color palette. I can only work on one large-scale painting at a time, so I’m not switching palettes until I move on to the next one.
What I’m Into This Week
Today is my birthday.
That’s right — it’s my birthday! I’m 54 years old today. Wow — when I was 24 I thought 54 was ancient! I’m going to celebrate by seeing Sofia Coppola’s new movie, Priscilla.
I don’t usually feel too bothered by aging — I consider it a privilege to get older. But this year I’ve felt a little more “blah” about it all — likely having a lot to do with the business/financial issues I’ve been experiencing lately, hormonal changes, “the news”, and watching people going through some serious hardships. It can be a tough world out there, and it can feel lonely and isolating. I’ve been experiencing more of those feelings lately. I know that I can change it by getting out and engaging with people and the world more often. Sometimes it feels hard to actually do that though.
I’ve also been having “I’m running out of time” thoughts. These are not logical thoughts, so I don’t need to be reasoned with or reassured. It’s more of an overall feeling and I haven’t experienced it on other birthdays. Again, I think it’s likely to do with the things I mentioned above — not that knowing the cause of anything truly does anything to change the feelings! — and I’m optimistic that the thoughts/feelings will pass soon.
Okay…enough oversharing. Let’s move on to something more fun…
Yes, it’s sappy and by no means award-winning television, but I’m all about that (along with award-winning television, of course). I love the beautiful scenery and like that it feels “cozy” for winter. Do you prefer to watch certain types of shows/shows set in particular places depending on the season? I do!
I’ve waited until now to watch the new season because Netflix held back a few of the episodes and I strongly prefer to binge watch things. Like I will literally bypass the show I want to watch most for an alternate if all of the episodes are available. They came out this week so now I can settle in and enjoy it!
A Murder at the End of the World
I was OBSESSED with Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij’s (unfinished!) Netflix series, The OA and was crushed when it was prematurely cancelled. For the past four years, the creative duo has been working on A Murder at the End of the World and it’s finally ready for us. I tried waiting for all of these episodes to air so I could binge the entire series, but I failed. Can’t wait for next week’s installment!
Upcoming Events
Art Walk: On Thursday, December 14th from 5-8pm I’ll be sharing my art in Studio 15 at The Building as part of the West Seattle Art Walk. My friend Dorothy Lemoult is hosting me and I look forward to meeting some of you in person at the event! 4316 SW Othello St., Seattle
That is it for this week! Thanks for being here. I hope you’re enjoying hearing from me more often and learning more about what’s going on in my head and in the studio. Have a great weekend!
xo,
Melanie
Happy birthday, Melanie! I’m so glad to know you, and to read that despite the challenges that this year has presented, you are still pushing through and making your art.
Happy belated birthday Melanie.
Hope your day was a great one for you.
Your art is amazing and I cherish the Forest Bathing painting I purchased from you.
I can relate to this newsletter, especially about your feelings concerning growth and aging. I hope that all of your plans come to fruition.
Keep up the good fight!