The best and worst bits of 2014.
Some of the original paintings sold in 2014
You may already know this but six months ago I gave up my job in Conveyancing to become an artist full-time. The Halstead Gazatte ran the above article exclaiming that I'd quit my "career" to pursue my art "dream". I've never said this was my dream - my dream was to be a cleaner (well, it was when I was three anyway)!
At the time leaving seemed an impossibly difficult decision to make. I loved my job, I'd been in Conveyancing since I left college at eighteen, and I was good at it, but I also love painting and teaching, and it wasn't possible for me to continue doing it all any longer.
In the end the decision was an easy one, talking to others made me realise that at the end of my life I won't find myself wishing I'd done more Conveyancing! Painting is good for the soul, and sharing what I've learnt with others is so rewarding.
It was the right decision, during the past six months I've been busier than ever - learning, growing and sharing. I'm not a good business woman; I got some business cards printed with fifty different paintings on them, but I love them so much you'll have to wrestle one off me if you want my details. I'm not a sales person, I completely forgot that Christmas is an opportunity to sell, and I feel very uncomfortable doing any self promotion, I've had my work exhibited four times this year and I'm only telling you about it now! I'm making LOTS of mistakes, but I AM learning, and I AM loving it.
At the time leaving seemed an impossibly difficult decision to make. I loved my job, I'd been in Conveyancing since I left college at eighteen, and I was good at it, but I also love painting and teaching, and it wasn't possible for me to continue doing it all any longer.
In the end the decision was an easy one, talking to others made me realise that at the end of my life I won't find myself wishing I'd done more Conveyancing! Painting is good for the soul, and sharing what I've learnt with others is so rewarding.
It was the right decision, during the past six months I've been busier than ever - learning, growing and sharing. I'm not a good business woman; I got some business cards printed with fifty different paintings on them, but I love them so much you'll have to wrestle one off me if you want my details. I'm not a sales person, I completely forgot that Christmas is an opportunity to sell, and I feel very uncomfortable doing any self promotion, I've had my work exhibited four times this year and I'm only telling you about it now! I'm making LOTS of mistakes, but I AM learning, and I AM loving it.
My new business cards - but you try getting your hands on one!
Life is never all good. My lovely friend and framer, Vanessa, died of cancer shortly before I left my job. I wanted to give up painting altogether at that point; I couldn't see how I could manage without her. I miss her every day but I feel it most keenly when I come to have a painting framed. Not only was she excellent at her job, but she never failed to lift my spirits during the times I spent with her. I hope I did the same for her, she said I did.
In addition to painting and teaching I took over the upkeep of my website from my son, started writing this blog and set up the newsletters. I also re-joined the online communities of Twitter, Facebook etc. Dealing with technology continues to challenge me, so thank you for your patience in this respect.
Last month I was the featured artist in an online magazine run by Suffolk Rural Arts as a result of being "found" on Twitter. I know it's not a national newspaper or a glossy magazine but I was thrilled.
In addition to painting and teaching I took over the upkeep of my website from my son, started writing this blog and set up the newsletters. I also re-joined the online communities of Twitter, Facebook etc. Dealing with technology continues to challenge me, so thank you for your patience in this respect.
Last month I was the featured artist in an online magazine run by Suffolk Rural Arts as a result of being "found" on Twitter. I know it's not a national newspaper or a glossy magazine but I was thrilled.
From Facebook came new friends and the article I wrote during Invisible Illness Week. I was writing one positive thing about living with Autoimmune Hepatitis every day for a week. It was shared by many people and I was asked to publish it in one article, so I did so on my blog. This was the only time I'd written about something other than painting here but on reflection I feel that the blog is as much about me as it is about watercolour. It is a visual diary of my artistic journey, which hopefully will also be a record of my improvement!
In other news I applied for, and was accepted, as a Professional Associate for the Society for All Artists. If I'm honest I thought it was a given when I handed over my subscription fee - but I had to fill out an application form and submit paintings and everything!
In other news I applied for, and was accepted, as a Professional Associate for the Society for All Artists. If I'm honest I thought it was a given when I handed over my subscription fee - but I had to fill out an application form and submit paintings and everything!
I was also featured in the Suffolk Free Press on Boxing Day. Me, my work and the story of how my life was "transformed" by my son's discarded set of watercolour paints. How sensational. A few other inaccuracies too but it is said that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
So, that's my year in a nutshell. I wonder what 2015 will hold? I've been thinking up and researching new challenges for myself... The Pen Pal Painting Exchange? The Sketchbook Project? Artist Trading Cards? I've decided to take one day at a time instead. You see, last January I vowed not to put myself under any unnecessary pressure (for health reasons) and then in my next breath vowed to paint a picture a day! I am my own worst enemy.
Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement. I was going to say “without
you this would be a lonelier, more solitary business” except, without you there would be no business!
Happy New Year, everyone. I wish you health, wealth and happiness, in whichever order matters to you.
~Eleanor
So, that's my year in a nutshell. I wonder what 2015 will hold? I've been thinking up and researching new challenges for myself... The Pen Pal Painting Exchange? The Sketchbook Project? Artist Trading Cards? I've decided to take one day at a time instead. You see, last January I vowed not to put myself under any unnecessary pressure (for health reasons) and then in my next breath vowed to paint a picture a day! I am my own worst enemy.
Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement. I was going to say “without
you this would be a lonelier, more solitary business” except, without you there would be no business!
Happy New Year, everyone. I wish you health, wealth and happiness, in whichever order matters to you.
~Eleanor
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