I’m Selling Art! And the Conundrum

I’m Selling Art! And the Conundrum

Kinda an Angel II – a custom based on Kinda an Angel. It has the same feel of the first work but definitely differs.

Returning from vacation earlier this month, I was ready to jump into regular posts here and had several assemblage designs ready to go along with two gourds already in process. And then life happened. That week was Spring Break around here and it was my opportunity to spend that extra special time with my school-age grandkids. So, five days with grandkids followed by two days at the cabin with my hubby, and my first artistic week of March was gone. Okay, so jumping in was delayed a little. No problem. So, last week’s plan – create! And I did – sorta – and loved the results – a custom based on last year’s Kinda an Angel. I’m now working on a second Kinda an Angel custom for the same customer. But my mind had envisioned several finished works. Hmmm – time to take a close look at just where my time goes.

The first Kinda an Angel

A good bit of time was spent adding Found Objects to my Etsy shop (a surprisingly laborious task). And apparently a dozen other seemingly important (non-art) projects as I start this week with no progress on my gourds and no new assemblage pieces underway. I’ll finish up that second custom today and then the week is cleared to create more assemblage art. I’m determined that nothing shall find its way into my studio schedule.

And why do I need to buckle down and give myself time to create? I’m selling my assemblage art! I mean truly selling the number of pieces I’d envisioned when I officially declared that I was an artist two years ago. I’m thrilled with the sales – I relish knowing that my art is displayed in homes far from Oklahoma. But the conundrum? I’m not replacing my assemblage art inventory as quickly as I’m selling. This is where a hobby differs from a small business commitment. I’m committed and time to get my schedule under control.

So, the official plan for the next weeks – put the gourds up for now. And let go on those many assemblage art designs I have sitting in my head. It’s ALL good times. I just have to remember to not stress!

Vicky

And We’re Back!

And We’re Back!

Vacationing for a week in the Bahamas was so entirely restful and we could never tire of that turquoise ocean off the back deck. But coming home after vacation always has its advantages – we simply love returning to our regular routine. We’re fortunate to have a life we enjoy to the max every day – not just on vacation.

Of course, my mind couldn’t stay still while we were away when it comes to all things art. I’m now carrying around new designs in my head as well as new topics for blogging. But as is usual for an overactive mind, how do I now choose what to do first?

– Continue with those two gourds that are sitting at my gourd station at this moment.

– Finish up the two custom assemblage canvases at my assemblage station. (This will actually be first.)

– Keep learning about SEO – search engine optimization – a never ending daily job to keep Etsy, Google, and Amazon featuring your work in their searches

– There’s a new Assemblage Canvas to list – this time a collage

– There are more than two dozen Found Objects photographed and ready to list at Etsy

– I’m expanding my Assemblage Art line in several directions but still contemplating which one to feature first – spirit dolls on canvas or hanging assemblage art or assemblage jewelry or even the more typical standing assemblage art. Designs and beginnings of each line are seen throughout my art studio.

Abyssimo – this is just a small piece of one of her larger works

– And then there’s this… something I’m very excited to learn. I splurged and purchased two Abyssimo tutorials right before Christmas. This artist is simply the best around for creating 3D texture on canvas. It represents hours of instruction and I keep thinking I’ll block off time to dedicate solely to learning her marvelous techniques. I’ve now given up on that “block of time” idea and believe that I just need to start learning in bits and pieces! Her actual name is Maria Grossbaum-Fondler and you can see here a taste of her work. If you click on the image, it will take you to a short YouTube video where she introduces you to her methods.

– Of course, Gourd Art is an important aspect of my artwork as well. Although I can produce finished gourds for selling, there is still so much more to learn that requires practice and more practice.

So, lots of fun and inspiration is now waiting for me no matter which way I turn!

Vicky

They Call It “Vacation Mode”

They Call It “Vacation Mode”

It’s vacation time!  I’ve placed both my Etsy shop and my Amazon Handmade shop in Vacation Mode. You can still see all my items both here and the official shops but purchasing is temporarily turned off. I’ll be reopening these digital doors on Monday, March 13th. In the meantime, I will be available through the contact form as I will be checking email daily.

See you on March 13th!

Vicky

 

The Running of the Gourds Festival 2017

The Running of the Gourds Festival 2017

Last week I shared with you the tremendous time I had recently at Wuertz Gourd Farm’s festival in Arizona. I definitely plan on attending each year – not only is it a place for everything gourds but the classes for gourd artists are detailed and challenging with some of the best instructors around. Unfortunately I didn’t realize just how quickly one must sign up for these classes and I missed that aspect this year but I’m determined to be one of the first to register next year.

The Arizona Gourd Society’s Judged Show was part of the festival and it is that which I want to share with you today. These pieces are lovely and unusual and showcase gourd art in the best of ways. Forget thinking of gourds as a quick answer to a birdhouse or a rolling Santa – this is what gourd artistry is all about!

The People’s Choice Award – it gets my vote. Portions look like suede.

 

The fantasy section grabbed my attention and I didn’t want to move on.

 

Gourd masks don’t interest me all that much as a choice for creating but the entries were fascinating.

 

Another fantasy section – look closely and you’ll keep seeing more than you did at first glance.

 

Fiber Arts – weaving plays a large role in gourd art.

 

 

Mixed Media – varying techniques that each take an immense amount of practice and talent make these entries extra impressive.

 

 

On a moving turntable, it was hard to grab a photo of this magnificent work.

 

My first time seeing this technique. I don’t even know what to call it but I’d love to tackle it some day.

 

A mobile or a wind chime? I doubt gourd seeds rattle enough for a wind chime but that was my first thought while viewing.

 

The Novice Section – I was pleasantly surprised to see space dedicated to those just learning gourd art.

 

The award for color. I completely agree.

 

Embellishments – the buffalo was a show stopper.

 

Now don’t look too closely at my gourd work – I’m a work in progress! Fortunately for the newer gourd artist, a beautiful gourd can be created with just the basics. Including the more complicated procedures (that are completely new to you) before hours of practice can be problematic when you are looking to sell. All of that required practicing means we usually have a stash of practice gourds we keep completely hidden from the public’s eye. 🙂

Vicky

Arizona Gourd Festival!

Arizona Gourd Festival!

Gourds galore – only a few of the many gourd displays at the entry to the Festival

Arizona has been one of my favorite states to visit for years and now I have another reason to frequent this state – gourds. For the gourd artist, Arizona is full of inspiration and instruction and real live gourd growing and celebrating.

Just a few of the bins full of gourds just waiting for picking

Earlier this month I attended THE gourd festival in Casa Grande (halfway between Phoenix and Tucson). Sponsored by Wuertz Gourd Farm, it was their 14th Running of the Gourds Festival, and featured bins holding thousands of dried gourds for sale, gourds used for every purpose and decorative element imaginable, four days of serious gourd art instruction (filled long before I thought to make my reservations), Arizona’s Gourd Society’s Judged Show (unbelievable), 100 Gourd artists and vendors, music, food, and much more.

My shopping bag – don’t let the picture fool you. It was huge – I could barely drag it around!

Mixing with others who loved gourds as much or more than me was thrilling and gave me a feeling of bone deep satisfaction. You just don’t find many gourd artists in Oklahoma and even fewer (if any) suppliers. The three companies I rely on for most of my gourd art supplies were all there – Welburn Gourds, The Caning Shop, and Wuertz Gourd Farm. I had only shopped these merchants by mail and I loved actually seeing the colors of the ink dyes, touching and seeing various cording and trims, and choosing my own gourds. New techniques were on display even if you hadn’t been lucky enough to snag a spot in the official gourd classes. All in all – it was quite a rush!

Yet more bins full of gourds. I couldn’t focus on anything at the Festival until I had chosen 14 perfectly shaped gourds to send home.

Over the next week, I’ll be sharing snippets of the festival starting today with the biggest thrill of all – choosing a large boxful of dried gourds one by one. Wuertz Farm then took over for the packing and shipping as I was certain I couldn’t take them with me on our flight home.

And I must mention the gourds I saw beyond the festival in a number of artsy Tucson shops. Truly inspirational. Since returning home, I have drilled, cut, and cleaned two large gourds and now have both at my gourd art station just waiting to be burned, dyed, or carved.

Vicky

 

Day 3 of Heart Art – Love Potions

Day 3 of Heart Art – Love Potions

I’m now ready for Valentine’s Day with NINE Assemblage Art creations categorized as Heart Art. Each differs greatly from the others so you have a choice of color schemes and sizes. Take a look here for a full listing of my Heart Art pieces.

And now for the official description of Love Potions:

Although this Assemblage Art Canvas seems especially appropriate for Valentine’s Day, it’s a year-round piece of 3D wall art. Giving a nod to the steampunk era, it spells love with its center plaster red heart and Love Potion bottle as well as the Cinderella type coach and the embossed “maiden fair” medallion.

With its salute to love, I’ve named it Love Potions. The background is made up of many layers of stenciled texture paste, gauze, and paints with metallic spritzes finishing it off. Its colors are primarily bronze, purple, red, and copper (or shades thereof) and the colors change slightly with the light.

Vintage found objects include: filigree rhinestone bracelet (that circles the heart), beaded flowers, metal king’s cross, button, and miscellaneous jewelry pieces. Newer items include: love potion bottle, plaster heart, maiden medallion, gears, paper rose, floral cabochons, metal coach charm and embellishments, and beads. There is also a bit of tree bark which has been treated to assure the absence of pests.

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, Love Potions is ready for framing. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

Dimensions: 12” x 12” x 1.75″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are one of a kind.

 

Another Day of Heart Art – Heart’s Journey

Another Day of Heart Art – Heart’s Journey

It’s getting closer to Valentine’s Day so another day of Heart Art! This time it’s part of my Mini Assemblage Art line and may be my favorite Mini Art piece to date.

Now for the official description…

This delightful piece is part of my Mini Assemblage Art line as well as my Heart Art line and, I must admit, it’s one of my favorites! A perfect Valentine Day’s gift, it measures 5.50″ x 2.625″ with a depth of .375″ and not only hangs but displays nicely on an easel as well. On a rectangular chipboard, the background starts with texture paste that has been stamped with various designs and then finished off with a number of paints and spritzes.

The assemblage artist uses smaller items (found objects) to create a larger art piece. Found vintage items include a portion of a beaded flower and the white flower button. Mostly this piece has newer embellishments including wooden heart, metal heart bezel, quote charm, metal gears, miscellaneous metal adornments, and various beads. It comes with an attached hanger.

Dimensions: 5.5” x 2.625” x .375″

$22.50

Available at Amazon Handmade

or

Available at Etsy

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are originals – one of a kind. 

Introducing Heart Art – Love Lifts

Introducing Heart Art – Love Lifts

Valentine’s Day is drawing near so it’s time to introduce a few new pieces of Assemblage Art that feature hearts at their center. I’m calling it Heart Art and it’s a term I’ll continue to use year round as I often feature hearts in my art work. First up is Love Lifts – hopefully you’ll understand the name once you study the piece.

The actual colors are hard to capture in photos but the first four adequately depict the color as you will see indoors. Yet, the last two photos are true to the piece in a different light setting – such as sunlight coming through a window.

And now for the official description…

Six hearts fill this assemblage art piece with love. I’ve named it Love Lifts and it is a perfect gift for your Valentine. I’m referring to this as 3D Heart Art – this isn’t just a painting. It is three dimensional with 60 found objects (embellishments) plus dozens of beads adhered to a stretched canvas.

Assemblage is the method of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. My assemblage art is on canvas rather than free standing. It also has strong steampunk overtones all while saying love.

Found vintage items include beaded flowers, buttons, necklace, and charms. New items include: floral cabochons, metal hearts, flowers and leaves, glass tiles, gears, bracelet pieces, metal embellishments, and a polymer clay frame made by yours truly. The background is stenciled with modeling paste and covered with several colors of multiple paints which is then highlighted by spritzes of metallic. The depth of the overall design is approximately 1.50″.

There are attached hangers and, although I prefer the no-frame look, Love Lifts is ready for framing. I occasionally frame an assemblage piece and effect is stunning. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

Dimensions: 8” x 8” x 1.50″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky are the work of artist Vicky Hensley and are originals – one of a kind. 

Time for Gourds… and Dani!

Time for Gourds… and Dani!

January is my month to start creating gourd artwork once again. I tend to work in one medium and forget the other. The last ten months I’ve been so wrapped up in my assemblage art work that my gourd tools have just stared at me from their lonely work station. One of my goals for 2017? Create assemblage art and gourd art at the same time!

What better way to reboot my gourd line than spending time with my dear friend and gourd artist (who inspired it all) Dani Montoya of Yellow Cottage Studios in Poteau, Ok. I was so fortunate to discover Dani – a gourd artist who also excels as a teacher. I’ve spent hours in her studio cutting, drilling, staining, burning, and carving gourds since 2015.

The lesson I chose for our time together? Weaving the edges of gourds. I learned several weaving methods in gourd classes during 2015 but it just didn’t stick. And I usually made a mess of it causing Dani to laughingly ask more than once, “How did this get all tangled up like this?!” We’d look over at my Aunt Don or sister Mary who would be just weaving away (and almost finished) and Dani would patiently advise me to start over once she’d untangled everything. 🙂

I had in hand three practice gourds from Welburn Gourd Farm. Welburn is the supplier I use for gourds despite their California location. One of the items you’ll find for sale is a box of practice gourds and pieces. That means you’ll receive gourds that may be cracked or have a hole on the bottom or even half a gourd but all that makes for great practicing. I don’t go to the trouble of cleaning out and painting the inside of the gourd.

After I weave the edges of these three practice gourds, I’ll then use them to test stains, practice carving and insetting cabochons, and (the hardest for me) burning designs.

It’s always wonderful to visit with Dani and we talked about more than just gourds. Dani now concentrates on creating her pottery designs and sells in her Poteau shop as well as in her Etsy and Amazon Handmade shops. So, we talked (and I learned) about the mysterious (and laborious) steps one must take to sell on those two online sites. It’s far more difficult than just turning out lovely artwork. And it’s more than just learning what it takes to have Etsy and Amazon Handmade pull your creations up on a search. It’s all about Google! There are algorithms and such to learn and follow if you want folks seeing your artwork.

I did spend time actually weaving and I’ll return later this month to have a refresher course on pine needle weaving. Also planned are times for me to work on carving and burning under Dani’s direction while she creates her pottery (you need to check it out!)

Thanks Dani!

Vicky

 

 

Blooming Creativity

Blooming Creativity

Blooming Creativity – just seeing this work on my art studio wall inspires me and I simply love its quote!

creativity (n): the ability to use, or explore the imagination, to design and express ideas

Yes, creativity is the theme of this assemblage art piece on stretched canvas. I found its center flower at an estate sale – a chandelier embellishment. Its previous owner had made rather extravagant chandeliers and I was lucky to pick up a number of such pieces for my assemblage art work.

Assemblage is all about making a larger art piece from a number of smaller pieces. My assemblage work is on canvas rather than free standing.

Found vintage items include: buttons, trim, and chandelier flower. New items include (but not limited to): floral cabochons, paper roses, cutout heart, gauze fabric, gears, leaves, clock face, metal embellishments, and creativity quote charm. The polymer clay heart embossed with script was fashioned by yours truly. The background has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with a crackle design as well as stenciled modeling paste. The depth of the overall design is 1.50″.

Attached hangers for wall hanging. Although I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. I occasionally frame an Assemblage Art piece and the end result can be stunning. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

Dimensions: 10” x 8” x 1.50″

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.