I Have O.C.D…

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colorful dog art, custom dog art, custom dog portraits, dog, dog art, dog commissions, dog paintings, dog pop art, dog portraits, dogs, pop art, shih tzu, shihtzu

Colorful Shih Tzu Dog Art

Mixed Media

2015

Everyone who knows me is well aware of how quickly I process. I think fast. I drive fast. And I paint even faster. When I work with acrylics, my work goes in a furious fashion. It’s all over in a matter of minutes usually. There are the huge beasts that require many hours, but the majority of my work is a race to the finish line. It’s just how I roll.

People have the mistaken idea that digital work is easy. It’s true that running something through a filter does not take much effort. But this little cutie took me over 5 hours to create. It is collage work and bit by tiny bit I form the image using one of my original paintings. Cutting and pasting….cutting and pasting….trimming….adding….tweaking…..It’s maddening in a way. Kind of like O.C.D. (which I have been clinically diagnosed with). I definitely have this disorder (in more ways than one)! Obsessive Creativity Disorder.

Enjoy my madness!

You can see more here: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/colorful-shih-tzu-dog-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

Basking In The G.L.O.R.Y…

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art, floral, flower art, flowers, mosaics, sunflower, sunflower art, sunflower paintings, sunflower prints, sunflowers, yellow art, yellow flowers, yellow sunflowers

 

I created this sunflower art many years ago using my signature “Labor of Love” style. When I listed it for sale, it sold immediately…..within minutes!  It’s always been a favorite piece of art of mine.  I am featuring it for the next few days and you can get an AMAZING deal on gallery wrapped canvas right here:

http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=163192

This is a limited offer…..So check it out now!

T.R.A.V.E.L. In My Studio

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eiffel tower, mixed media art, nasa images, paris, paris france, parisian, the eiffel tower, time travel, time traveler, travel, traveler, traveler's gift ideas

Time Travel….

It is said that reading takes you to far away places in your mind and let’s you experience a place without moving from your chair.  I feel the same way about painting and creating.  I can choose to go to Paris, France for instance.  I can immerse myself in colors and shapes from any time and place.  Looking at this view of the Eiffel Tower “takes me there” in a way.  It is such a magnificent structure that I feel I have enhanced in my art.  This piece is a composite painting using a vintage post card and layers of other imagery.  My choice of nebula brings to mind a timelessness and connectivity of all.  I can see this place…and if I close my eyes, I can feel it too….

To learn more about this piece, click here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-eiffel-tower-paris-france-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

F.I.N.A.L.L.Y.!!

Tags

abstract art, art, art marketing, Artist, artist's resources, economy, hard work, selling art, selling art online, successful art business, successful artists, working

When I started this art business, it couldn’t have been at a more oportune time.  The housing market was on fire and people were buying and selling like crazy.  All of that moving and redecorating kept me super busy.  I worked 16 hour days sometimes just to keep up!  My income was only limited by my ability to work and the time needed.  Back then I was only selling originals which meant a lot of physical labor for me.  I definitely paid a price for that, but the profit I was making was out of this World.

Then it all came crashing down. The bubble burst!

Like many artists I found myself lost and barely able to stay afloat for many years.  I had thousands of dollars worth of supplies sitting in my studio, but no one was buying much.  I kept creating, but watched so many paintings languish in storage.  I had sales. I worked harder.  I spent more hours marketing.  I decided to start offering prints.  Then I marketed those like crazy.  16 hour days came again, but for less per hour than servers make without tips.  But I kept the faith.  I held on.

So many of my artist friends let go and went back to regular jobs.  I considered it many times myself.  Some got angry and bitter, and I lost a few along the way over petty jealousy (even a small sale could cause snarky remarks).  Others held on tight and stayed the course right along beside me.  We celebrated even the small triumphs together.

I am so happy that we are FINALLY seeing the turn around.  My income is right where I want it to be and I no longer have to kill myself for it!  My prints are selling at an amazing rate and commissions come a few times a week.  I take 2, 3 and sometimes 4 days off each week.

It’s really perfect.  Finally.   Yes, it could all crash again, but for now I will just keep a big smile on my face and keep on creating!

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http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries

Crazy C.O.L.O.R.F.U.L…

Tags

art, beach, beach art, beach house, beachy, Colorful Art, nautilus, nautilus shell, ocean, sea shell, sea shells, shells, tropical decor

“Colorful Nautilus Shell”

Mixed Media Art

Sharon Cummings

2015

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Find It Here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-colorful-nautilus-shell-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

A W.O.L.F. At The Door…

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abstract wolf, animals, buy wolf art, gray wolves, political art, wild animals, wolf, wolf art, wolf print, wolves, wolves in art, wolves paintings, wolves prints

Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.
Lord Byron

It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be.
Virgil

Fear isn’t so difficult to understand. After all, weren’t we all frightened as children? Nothing has changed since Little Red Riding Hood faced the big bad wolf. What frightens us today is exactly the same sort of thing that frightened us yesterday. It’s just a different wolf. This fright complex is rooted in every individual.
Alfred Hitchcock

We have doomed the wolf not for what it is, but for what we deliberately and mistakenly perceive it to be –the mythologized epitome of a savage ruthless killer – which is, in reality, no more than a reflected image of ourself.
Farley Mowat

A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves.
Bertrand de Jouvenel

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More WOLF art here:  http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=225968

Child’s P.L.A.Y…

Tags

Artist, child's play, childhood art, childish art, frida kahlo, frida kahlo de rivera, fun, fun art, inner child, kid's art, kids, women

There are times in my very adult world of career, parenting and home ownership when I just have to let loose. A time to get in touch with my inner child and see that she gets adequate play time.  Painting commission work and new pieces is quite rewarding, but there is still a “work” element to it.  Listing and marketing my art is definitely a full-time job!  But there is silliness when I allow it.  Letting go!  It’s like being a kid again with big smiles and jumbo crayons.  Yes, I still finger paint too!  Whether you are an artist or not, it is good to go back in time for awhile…..When was the last time you played marbles?

See more of my inner child work here:

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=258335

Lightness Of Being…

Tags

abstract art, abstract prints, art, art prints, bright colors, colorful abstract art, Colorful Art, colors, contemporary art, creativiity, green art, spring, summer

This work offers a much different color palette than my collectors and fans are accustomed to.  Most of my work incorporates blues, aquas and reds.  With Spring just around the corner, I wanted to capture a fresh feeling in this art painting.  Warmth in the yellows and reds for the sun and greens for all of the new growth and life.  There is a flow in the paint that lifts the soul upwards and a lightness in spirit is left.  I hope you enjoy this abstract titled “Lightness of Being.  You can learn more here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lightness-of-being-abstract-art-by-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

Making A.R.T…………….Reality B.I.T.E.S…

Tags

art, art as a living, art career, art for sale, Artist, cheap art, creating art, custom art, inflation, making it as an artist, making money with art, successful art career, why is art so expensive

The other day someone asked me if I would lower the price of one of my custom paintings. She said that she knew it was a “labor of love” so she would understand if I wouldn’t. I didn’t. It isn’t because I am greedy about my “love”. It’s actually due to the fact that creating art is a “labor of expense”.

A lot of people do not realize what goes into that painting you hang on your wall. Aside from a lifetime expenses like education, I am talking about the day to day. We have to pay for our inventory such as canvas, frames, mats, texture mediums, varnish, brushes and paint, but we also have to use a ton of electricity and water. We buy paper towels by the pallet. My studio requires plastic sheeting, special flooring, butcher’s paper to cover my table. I constantly need to purchase equipment and supplies such as tables, chairs, printers, scanners, printer ink, paper, pens, pencils, staplers, calculators, spray bottles, shelving, computers, cameras, containers, lighting, gloves and a special ventilation system (so I do not breath in toxic fumes all day). And when one of those breaks or runs out, I have to call an expert to come fix it or I have to buy a replacement.

And then there is the “F” word:  Fees.  We pay listing fees whether a piece sells or not, marketing fees such as CPC, yearly fees for art sites, fees when we sell a piece and fees to receive payment like PayPal and Credit Cards.  Social media are starting to charge fees if you want to be seen too.  There are so many fees that sometimes you just feel “F”d.

Very few artists get rich on their work alone.  Yes, there are famous success stories that we can all fantasize about, but for the average creative, the best you can hope for is to make some sales now and again.  If you are really fortunate, it might get to be your only job.  But that is even more rare.   Sharing household expenses with my husband has allowed me to make this my full-time career.  But a lot of my artists friends work regular day jobs and create on the side.  That is typical.  It’s just ridiculously expensive to produce artwork and the income gained is too low in comparison.

Everyone feels the sting of inflation and artists are no different.

My hope is that this blog comes across as”informational” and doesn’t just sound like a rant.  I rarely get on a soapbox because I am too busy working.  🙂  Maybe, when someone that is not into creating art reads this, they will gain a new appreciation for our labor and expense…Just maybe…

V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E.S. Day Is In The Bag!!

Tags

great valentine's gifts, hearts, love, love art, romantic art, romantic gifts, romantic paintings, romantic prints, valentine's, valentine's day gift, valentine's day gift ideas, valentine's day gifts, valentines day

Valentine’s Day jitters?  Jewelry, flowers and perfume are so passe.  Your love isn’t old school, so don’t let your gift be either!  Colorful loving art will add a personal touch to your expression of amour.  You can even go a step further and write a love note on the back.  Spray it with your cologne/perfume.  Or how about taping an engagement ring to the verso??

Art is a gift that will last a LIFETIME!!  And every time your loved one looks at it, it will make them smile. 🙂

I have consolidated ALL of my romantic art into one big gallery here:

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=516767

And as a way to show my LOVE for all of my fans and collectors, here is a Valentine’s Day COUPON CODE:  LDJBPK

The code works on everything in my portfolio too. 🙂