PineShoreStudio/Paintings by Helen Harris

I have to laugh as I write this blog. I skipped last Sunday's check in because of a technical glitch. Today, this is my second version of this blog because my computer ate my first draft... and ooo I thought I had a good one too! The universe is clearly trying to tell me something... bringing me to this question posed by a follower. Q: What do you do with older/failed paintings? Do you throw them out ? A: When a painting has stayed in my hands too long, I know it is only a matter of time before it will be returned to my easel. I never think of a painting as a failure, only as a  work that needs time and more skill to resolve. I am not opposed to reworking a painting. As my skills have grown, my vision for my work has changed. Influenced by other artists that  I study and simply by showing up each day in my studio to paint.   That being said, it is not easy for an artist to rework a finished painting. There is a period of denial, of angst, frustration of time invested and ...

SplitRock Falls has been a learning experience in painting as well as marketing.  Repainted, framed, almost purchased, unframed, repainted and now...finished! Such is the life of some paintings.They get placed against a wall for months even turned toward the wall in rejection only to be revisited from time to time because it nags the soul of a painter.The bare bones of the idea has always remained along with the vision and intent, but the painting took many revisions.  I've learned to hashtag my "works in progress" ( #wip) so that my customers realize that changes may yet occur while posting on social media. I must give credit to  the outspoken yet gentle critique from one of my collectors for pointing me in the right direction on this one. An early version of this painting attracted her interest. After visiting my studio, not realizing that the work was still undergoing changes, she passed on its purchase, respecting my need to pursue my approach to the work and not ...

Recently I've devoted more and more time to my art marketing. I began Facebook ads and invested time and money to send more traffic to my web site , my posts on my business page , and my new shop site . I've joined a new art group  too. Do you know what? I stopped painting!!! There has to be a balance of time spent painting,and marketing . After all you can't market what you haven't produced.Emotionally I got myself into a tailspin and a litany of "have to". I have to do this,I have to do that ... hmmmmmmm something is definitely off here. So today I pause...... Washed out my brushes, squeezed out some new paint ...breathe, paint....center...there that's better.

As the snow flies...I miss being outside under my art tent participating in a show. What I miss the most is the conversation with the variety of potential customers and collectors that enter my "gallery". Over the years these moments of conversation have provided an education in my painting, marketing and understanding of what kind of artist I am in the process of becoming. What a valuable opportunity to engage with possible collectors of my work ...so why stop during these winter bound days? In 2015 I am asking you to engage me in  conversation about painting be it on FaceBook , Pinterest , or this blog .  I will answer you to the best of my ability and in a timely manner. I, in turn, will no longer hit the "like' button and scroll on without adding encouragement, comment or my own question. I recently joined a new Facebook group : ArtCollectorsandArtists led by artist Robin Pedrero and  have taken this wonderful opportunity to share with other artist ...and I ...

After one year away from my Etsy Shop ,I have reopened it with a listing of 4 ACEOs. In the past I have sold a number of small format pieces from this site. Since opening my bakery/cafe my painting time has been limited and the ACEO format has allowed me to quickly paint with my watercolors in small moments stolen away on weekends or evenings. I still prefer to sell my larger work from my web site and my prints from FineArtAmerica . I invite you to visit these sites, comment or make a purchase. It simply feels good to be painting again.

Finding ways to remain a working artist while building my bakery/cafe business, The Cookie Cab has been a challenge. As the bakery moves into a more routine schedule and its ups & downs become easier to handle, my art plans have begun to come into focus. Small steps have been taken here & there but not consistently enough to gain any momentum. The first step was simply to create a space within the bakery for the art work to be displayed. The Cookie Cab Gallery became a space that I offer free to local artist, by my invitation,to exhibit work. All work is for sale and any sales go directly to the artist, no commissions are taken. This may seem crazy to some but it is in keeping with the "pay it forward" concept upon which the bakery was originally funded. The second step was to hold an opening for the artist, 4 Woman Art Show , that had been featured throughout the winter. On May 2nd, the opening was held with a very respectable turn out of visitors. The Cookie Cab ...

I have questions I'd like to address to the many "working artists", that follow this blog. Many of you have Etsy ,Artfire, 1000Market, Indie .Zazzle shops etc. Do you feel too spread out with your work ? Are the shops redundant? Do you place the same product in each or do you select certain products for one shop and different items for another? Are you finding different shoppers? If you have a web site that has shopping capabilities, do you still need another shop? I'd really like to get some feedback . I've been reviewing my sales.Based on the information,I'm thinking of reorganizing my shops, such as exclusively selling my best seller in one shop or only having higher priced work in another. What is your opinion? .......While we are on the subject of posting product . Ok...so this floral cycle of paintings continues. Don't know why but I'll just go with the flow. In case you missed my tweets or FB announcements I've just posted new floral ACEOs...

Although I am still adding artwork to my new web site , it i s up & running. I had reached a point that my needs did not match up with my previous site. I've been searching for an alternative ,and I must say there are plenty of good systems these days, I chose FolioTwist . It is fairly new but was developed by Dan & Zac from Empty Easel . Do click through these links. I think you will find valuable information. The best part is that they take the time to explain and guide you in a very non - geek way. That in itself was a selling point for me. My learning curve has definitely gained speed but there are still some bumps along the way. I'd rather spend my time painting than dealing with computers. I asked questions and quickly received responses...nice. Anyhow I'll be adding to the site and experimenting since it is so easy to navigate.....come visit!

Another show come & gone..this one was sunny and I received an Honorable Mention Award! I even sold a painting that I was working on during the show! All good ..but... I do feel I've reached a plateau at the moment. Hmmmm...change is in the air. If I hesitate ..I'll be in this same spot mentally, creatively, and financially this time next year. Time to make some changes. Learning how to market my artwork on line as well as in my daily public contact is an on going process. Taking the time to listen to a number of artists that I've come to know both on the internet as well as through art associations has resulted in a need to adapt some of my methods. Soooo.. I'm going to be busy,going over basics, readjusting ,reevaluating. It's back to the drawing board and hopefully more success! A quick note here to my followers ...I'm in the process of changing over my web site host and my site will be down for a few days.

Just posted this piece to http://PineShoreStudio.artfire.com "Crayon Shadows" matted 10"H x 8" W image: 7"H x 5"W Needed to have a little fun with color after working all day on my computer. I update my web site http://helenharrispaintings.com by adding a new page featuring ACEOs . Please visit and when you do take a moment to fill out my guest book form and be entered into a monthly drawing for an ACEO!