Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Nothing eases the sting of discouragement and disappointment like going for a bicycle ride with Frylie. He's my most fervent cheerleader, my shoulder to cry on, my rock, my Best Friend, the one who always knows how to bring that silver lining just a little bit closer.

My little ray of sunshine.

In It With All My Heart

Taking heed to the words of Vincent Van Gogh, “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”

© 2014 Tammy Kaufman - All My Heart - acrylics on canvas 10" x 8"

As such, with much gratitude to my wonderful husband for all his technical assistance, I've launched my new artist website and art blog, Facebook page, and Fine Art America page.

I will, of course, continue to update this blog with the goings-on of my life, but hope you'll also visit me on one or all of my art sites to keep up with my artistic endeavors! Please click on any of the following to head over to the new sites - pages will open in a new window.

My Art Website
My Art Blog
Connect with Me on Facebook
My Fine Art America Page

Save the Date - Wake Forest Tour of Artists

The 19th Annual Wake Forest Tour of Artists is fast approaching - Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7. This year's Tour is shaping up to be incredible with over 60 artists in 16 locations! I will be at the Sunflower Studio and Gallery, 214 East Jones Avenue in downtown Wake Forest, along with 12 other very talented artists, and I'm looking forward to sharing my love of art and demonstrating my pastel techniques for you. Please come out and enjoy a delightful weekend visiting all the local artists and galleries, and the chance to win a gift basket filled with artsy goodies!

Click on image for larger view

Finding Joy

Henry Ward Beecher once said "One's best success comes after one's greatest disappointments". Trusting this to be true, I'm continuing to forge ahead and paint. Not because I might get juried into a prestigious show someday. Not because I feel like I should. Not even because I might make a sale. I'm continuing to paint because, quite simply, I enjoy it. Sometimes I can get unnecessarily bogged down worrying about what others think of me and by extension, my artwork, especially while holding a juried show rejection letter in my hands! In those moments, I may find myself moping along head-down, missing what is beautiful and joyous lying right under my nose. So tonight, I stopped to consider what makes my heart sing and remembered a spectacular sunset greeting me with open arms of brilliant color at the end of a bike ride on the Neuse River Greenway. And I decided to paint it, for no other reason than it made me happy. :-)

© 2014 Tammy Kaufman - The Waiting Game - soft pastels on Canson Touch paper 7.5" x 10.5"

It's nothing personal...

But it still hurts. I've received two juried art show rejection letters in about as many weeks, one from the Yadkin Arts Council's "Eye of the Artist" show and the other from Tipping Paint Gallery's "Dog Days of Raleigh" show. And despite the intellectual understanding that having my artwork rejected for a juried show is nothing personal and not necessarily a rejection of me as an artist, that still doesn't quell the sting of rejection. I realize almost every artist faces such disappointment at various times - it's simply part of life - but this felt particularly blues-inducing for me. Maybe it was nothing more than the fact that I received multiple rejections (I submitted a total of six paintings for the two shows and all six were denied entry) in such a short time period that crumpled my confidence.

I'm going to give myself permission to be sad, discouraged and crestfallen for a little while, but will be back after a brief period to try, try again.

Inspired

Why I always keep a sketchbook handy (yes, I am sketching in this photo) - inspiration is all around us...

Art After Hours

I did it! My first Guest Artist show at a local gallery, The Storyteller's Bookstore here in downtown Wake Forest. The opening reception for my month-long pastel exhibit, which will run through August 7, was Friday evening at After After Hours, and I was absolutely thrilled to see so many of my dear friends and fellow artists stop by.

Me and Fellow Artist & Friend, Clarence, in front of my Guest Artist "wall" at Storyteller's Bookstore

It was such a joy to see so many friends and make some new ones, and I so very much enjoyed the opportunities to chat with people about my artwork and painting process. To top things off, a few pieces sold almost immediately and I trust they will bring as much joy to their new families as they brought me painting them. I was delighted to discover also that some of the local media even mentioned me and my show, including the Wake Weekly and Wake Forest Today - click on the newspaper titles to go to their respective articles. The exhibit will run through August 7, so if you're in the area, please do come by Storyteller's for a visit!

I'm so appreciative of all the wonderful people in my life, and the supportive and encouraging art community we have here in Wake Forest. Looking forward to the Next Big Thing - the Wake Forest Tour of Artists coming up September 6-7. I will be a participating artist, exhibiting several works as well as demonstrating my soft pastel techniques at Sunflower Studio & Gallery, and hope to see you all there!