Submission And Two Portraits...

The last few days I have been sending portfolios of my work to galleries in southern California. I have started with Los Angeles. With so many galleries, researching them takes a while. No sense contacting a gallery where my work wont fit in.

I hate the review process. It's not personal (most of the time). Galleries get so many artists wanting to submit their work it can be overwhelming. It gets easy to just say no right up front.
First contact is crucial. It needs to go well.

Of all of the galleries in the Los Angeles (LA, Beverly Hills, Hollywood) area I choice 14 to contact. So far 3 have said they wont look. They're not taking submissions right now. 1 is out of business. 4 have asked to see my work and wanted my biography and history. The magic 8 Ball is hopeful.

Next week, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Laguna, San Diego, La Jolla.

*****

A late night in the studio. These two are almost finished. I need sleep, I just rubbed oil paint in my eye.

Danni, 12 x 36 inches, oil on canvas.

Erica, 12 x 36 inches, oil on canvas.

What Have We Become?

I very seldom get political. Especially here. This however, I couldn't let pass.

Every time I think that Bush and his stooges have sunk as low as any American ever has, they manage to out do themselves.

Laws, human decency, morals, ethics, Christianity...mean nothing to them.

I am saddened and ashamed.

Keyholes....

Here is my first cross over work. I like the girl. I like the seascape. Still undecided about liking it as a whole.

No 67, 8 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.

I am drawn to these odd shapes for the girls. Not sure why. Maybe it's the mystery. Like peeking through a key hole. Maybe I should shape the canvas like a key hole. I'll get back to you about that.

Chadette No 66, 8 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.

Chadette no 65

8 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.

Up For Review...

January was a good month for my productivity. I managed to get a lot done, painting wise that is.

This week I started the painful, soul crushing task of submitting my work to galleries for review. Having been on the gallery end of the review process for many years, I know what to expect. No, no, no, no thank you, no, no and don't call back, no, hell no, WTF? NO, no, not now, now, no but thanks anyway, no, no, no.....

I know that I'm not the most talented of painters. I also know that talent is only part of what it takes. Most often it's about timing. It's being able to live with all of the rejection and to keep going. There is a space for most everything. It's finding that space and convincing them that you are the right person to fill it.

There is something new I'm finding with a good number of galleries. They want to be paid to review work. Up to $100 per submission. WTH? It's brilliant! I wish I had thought of it. In fact, I may start charging at my gallery for submissions. It has to seriously cut down the number of weekend dabblers that submit work.

The submission process is a long one. Most galleries take between one and four months to review your work. Of course they want to see what's available. How do I know what I will have in four months. Do they expect me to hold it back and not try to sell it else where while they decide? It's crazy.

Anywho...

Here are four new works I painted yesterday.

Chadette No 64, 18 x 24 inches, oil on canvas.

Chadette No 63, 8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas.



Chadette No 62, 8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas.



Chadette No 61, 8 x 10 inches, oil on canvas.

2008 will be the year of the Chadette. Let the rejections begin! I can take it.