We sold all the art books that Melissa created, 23 paintings, and some cards and tote bags (which can be created from images of my art work).
Back when I started painting 25 years ago, one of my idols, Judi Wagner, gave me the best advice. She said, "Use paint as if you were a millionaire!" Well, I took that advice to heart! I primarily paint with a palette knife, and I layer paint on thickly to create texture in my work.
Judi lived in East Boothbay, down the road from our house and gallery. She has passed away, but was quite well-known and a major influence on my painting style. Believe it or not, when I started, my style was very tight, and more than anything I wanted to loosen it up. Judi Wagner and Tony van Hasselt were major influences in helping me do that.
I'm not a millionare, so it helps if I can sell my work from time to time to keep my habit going. I'm happy to say that, after the expenses of creating the books and packing and shipping the paintings, I should have enough profit to fund my paint and canvas habit until my 81st birthday.
We also gave away two paintings in a raffle and will make a nice donation to an organization that is near and dear to my heart: The St. Labre Indian School. It makes me feel good to be able to do that from my own earnings and not from the joint checking account. :D
A big THANK YOU to all who purchased my work - long-time collectors, first-time buyers and everyone in between - it means the world to an artist when someone wants to buy your art. So again, THANK YOU! And to all who simply appreciate the art or the artistic journey, THANK YOU for the kind words and for coming along for the ride.
Despite being very busy filling the orders, I still found some time to paint. Here are some of the paintings I created in May:
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| Clouds Over Taos |
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| Hill Country |
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| North of Taos |
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| Beginning of Autumn |
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| Shoreline Waves |
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| Tranquil Surf, Boca Grande |
