The holidays are over, and the new year has begun. 2008 was a year I'll be happy to leave behind, although it was not without accomplishment. I had this studio post in January:
My studio now looks like this:
The reveal of my studio was posted under the title Studio Interior.
I did exhibit at the Bellevue ArtsFair 2008, which was my sixth year in Bellevue.
Another expansion of the *Klahn art empire* was participating in Tracy Helgeson's collaboration blog, The Fine Art Department. It led directly to the creation of my art-for-sale blog, Casey Klahn dot Blogspot. You might know that I have emphasized the blog-content side here at The Colorist, and have not really made it a big, commercial enterprise. Fair warning, that will be one thing changing for 2009! I am a big believer in capitalism, and I will be looking for new ways to monetize my blogger life. Adverts? Probably not. Product endorsements? Possibly- I have already done this a few times. I have a scheme to begin blogging for commercial entities, but that won't involve the happy land here at The Colorist.
For no reason I can possibly imagine, my post about my fiftieth birthday went ballistic in the Stat Counter. Is it me? Michael Jackson? I think it's Donny, but you be the judge. Again, for the record, I don't share the exact birthday with either Donny Osmond or Michael Jackson, but we share the same age. Well, it turns out that Michael and I are only a few days apart...
Most memorable in blogging was my series on Artist's Traits, which had a great and rewarding response from my readership. The traits of Commitment, Courage, Creative Integrity, Decisiveness, Excellence, Generosity, Knowledge and Self Understanding provide a foundation for my goals this next two years. I am going to work in a biennial format because I have some tough challenges looking forward, and I want to fit my expectations into a realistic outline. BTW, the impetus for thinking about traits before goals came from Alyson Stanfield, the ArtBizCoach.
Finally, I don't want to forget the support I have received from the Karlson/Gray Gallery in Langley, where my sales have been very heartening. I don't underestimate the bedrock value of my collectors to my artistic pursuits. I want to encourage the gallery owners who do find their way to this blog to contact me, as I need more gallery representation.
My final words on 2008:
Casey..your postings are fasinating and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThe real life of a working artists.
I like the studio lighting you have, I am afraid mine faces south so it can at times be a problem.
I cant add to the previous suggestions of refurb, but a matt finish is always prefered to a reflecting gloss finish.
Happy New Year to you and your family
Trevor
Thanks for reading, Trevor. That reminds me that I need to do a post on studio lighting - except that I need to push the lighting to the next level first.
ReplyDeleteActually, I am cooking up the next phase for the studio - a pole built structure, like a big salt box on the north, with high ceilings. The trailer will then become attached office/storage.
Never mind, indeed! I'm trying not to envy the studio space and light you already have, Casey. Just don't let the building project get in way of the artistic output. I always want to see more of your paintings.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your commercial enterprises. Anyone who doesn't use you to promote pastels is mad.
Auguri!
Roll on 2009 !
ReplyDeleteps.enjoy time to make art in your refirb studio
Hi Casey,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you & your family.
I also made 'the colorist' one of my top three most resourceful and thought-worthy
recommendations of 'Resources for Artists" on the site Artslant, of which I have been getting some generous and much needed exposure.
In case they did not contact you, they have contacted me about it, as it is in need of you claiming it, etc. I don't think I gave them your email address.
If you have any questions about it just drop me a line, as I am getting emails asking who you are and where, etc.
Be well,
Julianne
Auguri back at ya! That sounds like happy new year in Italian, Robyn. Which reminds me that studying my Italian will be a personal goal in the near future.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Robyn - remember that you have the loveliest studio on earth, IMHO.
Thanks, Adam. Thanks for the encouragement. I am getting a wee bit of time out there, and hope to fashion some little still "lifes" first.
Julianne, thanks for the Artslant exposure. I need as much of that as I can get.
A nice round up of the year Casey and the Gilda Radnor bit made me burst into laughter!
ReplyDeleteAll the best in the coming year
Deborah
Casey, if you were standing on our terrace today you wouldn't say that but I do know that when the Spring arrives and the sun comes out, the big studio under the sky will be magic again.
ReplyDeleteGlad that made you laugh, Deborah. But, it does date one...(talking about myself)
ReplyDeleteThe Big Studio Under the Sky...ahhh. That sounds magical.