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In My Life

Selling Art – Thoughts

by Katrina Hendrix1 Comment on Selling Art – Thoughts
Selling Art – Thoughts

After thinking about it for a while I’ve decided to split my Instagram account. My goal with my account is to share my paintings. Not everyone wants to see pictures of me flexing or AT&T Park, but I’m sure that some people do. My Instagram @kathendrixart will now only have art. Having the two separated will give me more opportunities to post for each. Deadlifts and squats on one, paintings on the other.

I’ve amassed quite a number of paintings and it’s about time that they get a new home. I’m exploring how I can best sell them – etsy? ebay?

I’m not sure if dailypaintworks is a good place to sell. I want to know the metrics, see what sells, for how much, etc. I’m not sure how much my art is worth to others. Would others agree with what I think my art should be priced? I suppose I won’t find out until I try.

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Burnt Orange Blender

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Burnt Orange Blender

I added the switch to the previously posted blender, but that will have to be the next post. Why? Because here’s an orange blender! Complete with faux wood panel, what a cadillac. The glass was especially fun near the base. The heavenly glow around it adds to the magnificence of this machine.

I am lucky enough to work somewhere that offers a set amount each year to spend on professional development. Most people spend them on public speaking courses, computer skills, etc. I take advantage of the Continuing Education courses offered by Stanford. Last year I took an Introduction to Acrylic course. I was very naive in thinking that I was a beginner. They meant absolute beginner. I learned a lot from the course and I tried things I would not have otherwise tried. It was fantastic to paint with others and have an instructor, though.

This year they will be offering a course on Painting from Observation, taught by Katie Hawkinson, Lecturer, College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley. It is looking to be like the course I will take next.

In My Life

Feeling Fine

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After a long time spent stepping down on my antidepressants today I got the OK to stop. Here’s hoping that 2.5 mg isn’t a huge step to 0. I am not a fan of brain zaps or dizziness.

Examining my mood charts from the meditation app that I use, Stop Breathe Think, has been enlightening. A few months ago I would never have chose the emotions that I choose now. I am grateful, happy, relaxed, and focused. Lifting weights has helped with that immensely, as well as acknowledging my emotions and offering them validity (or reconciling with those that may not be quite as valid). I am in control. I feel like I have the power to change things around me and speak up when something isn’t right.

 

This feeling is good.

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Vintage Blender: Aqua

by Katrina Hendrix7 Comments on Vintage Blender: Aqua

At it again with the blenders- this is my third. I love the way the glass turned out on this, and the chrome has a vague resemblance to chrome.

Someone asked me how I would describe my art – what style. I’m not sure. I look on Instagram and I don’t see analogous painting styles. Perhaps I am embracing the messiness more than some. I’m not sure.

In My Life

Vintage Blender

by Katrina Hendrix1 Comment on Vintage Blender
Vintage Blender

This morning’s effort – a vintage Osterizer blender. The glass was especially fun to paint. A quick sketch, pretty loose.

I’m drawn to blenders. They create and destroy to create. Before my orthognathic surgery I was given a blender from my husband’s parents for Christmas, knowing that I would have to use it to eat. For the year that I had it before the surgery I blended protein powder and power greens with blueberries every morning before work. After the surgery I blended pie for pi day, an In-and-Out hamburger with fries just to see if it was good (and it was, considering that my other sustenance was primarily Ensure). Now that I’ve healed and can eat normally again I’m back to protein powder and power greens to power my lifts at the gym. I should have my braces off by my birthday – less than two months to go!

Looking at this I see some errors – perhaps I will give it another try but be more serious about it. It’s kind of lopsided, but it feels good to just paint and accept errors. It’s ok to not be perfect.

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17th Hole at Sawgrass

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My first commission piece. I will have to take a better photograph, the cell phone does not do it justice.

 

This was fantastic to paint. My client asked for it to be done by Fathers day a week before (!!!) and I knew it couldn’t happen. Luckily she settled for before September. A week and a half later it’s done!

My favorite parts are the trees and the reflections in the water.

In My Life

Selling Art in Paradise

by Katrina HendrixLeave a Comment on Selling Art in Paradise
Selling Art in Paradise

So it’s been a hot minute since my last update. I’ve been doing much better. Remember that post where I asked what you do when you feel blue?
Well, I felt really blue. Mostly because of lifestyle choices which I have since been able to get a grip on.

I’m back in the gym lifting and eating healthy, work is going really well and it looks like there is something on the horizon there as well.

I showed off my art at the Stanford Multicultural Festival – a festival celebrating both diversity at Stanford and those who have managed to work there 15+ years without going crazy.

I made my first two sales! A coworker of mine bought the larger seaside painting because it reminded her of her wedding, and another person bought one of my Sonoma vineyard paintings. Since then I’ve scored a commission that I am hoping to have done and posted here soon.

The Stanley Cup just came to an end. I have never been to a hockey game but I live within walking distance of the SAP Center so I was treated to the crowds for the past week or so. A great opportunity for people watching.

In between games on a Friday night I packed up my easel and used the great backpack straps to haul it over to the SAP center to paint the palm trees, which was the featured image for this post. It was nice and hot out and it brought me back to a tropical paradise state of mind. The underpainting is a golden yellow, which really brightens things up and adds a nice glow. Andrea Bocelli was playing that night at SAP so everyone was dressed up in their nice clothes and the bike taxis were playing his music. Altogether it was lovely.

In My Life

Teacup Study

by Katrina Hendrix9 Comments on Teacup Study
Teacup Study

 

I have my first “show” coming up this Thursday, which is quite exciting. It’s the Stanford Multicultural Springfest, a yearly celebration of Stanford staff. Luckily, since I am one of these staff members I can show off my work and they will provide a table for me at no cost.

While I find this absolutely exciting it is also terrifying! Other people will be gawking at my art in person. The last few days I have been wondering if I am good enough, or if people will even like my art. It’s times like these that I wish that little voice in the back of my head that doesn’t respect me would just shut up. It’s not ok for people to talk to others the  way my inner dialogue talks to me, so perhaps it would be beneficial to be more mindful when it comes to my own inner dialogue. Perhaps if I name it Donald Trump it would be easier to tell it to fuck off.

No sales are allowed at Springfest but I can hand out my business cards and see if anyone would like to purchase from me after the show. My goal this year was to sell a painting, after all.

The last few weeks have been difficult for me mentally – I have been feeling pretty blue. It has actually helped to let other people know that I am feeling blue. I’m feeling on the up and up and I know every day I will feel better.

 

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Ikebana #2

by Katrina Hendrix1 Comment on Ikebana #2
Ikebana #2

This is the second of my ikebana paintings, finished while camping in Arroyo Seco, California.

I have a massive pile of very cheap canvas boards which I regret purchasing now that I have become more serious about my paintings, so I am trying to use them up and reserve them for trial paintings.

I’ve been back at work for two weeks now and I am glad to spend time here, but I get tired. Trying to combat the fatigue with building my stamina – it feels good to be back in the gym and out running.

 

This painting is a reminder not to rush. Some parts are good and some parts stick out like a sore thumb, and it’s ok to embrace and learn from these things. Perhaps I will go back and fix the lines at a later date, but now I am working on a landscape.