On The Artist's Doorstep #3: Art Walk and Cleaning the Studio

This Summer, the Arts Council in Palestine TX, decided to start Art Walks as a way to showcase local artists and businesses, bringing people into the downtown. Several businesses signed up to host an artist. But before I start, I want to let you know I have exciting news to share at the end. It's going to be a game changer for my art! 

Are you ready to read about Art Walk? Ok, let's get started!

I got the wonderful spot of the Co-Ed Shop on Main Street. The proprietor had me set up near the front door.

My checkout stand/painting table set up with
small table off to the side

This is the perfect spot! The front windows give perfect light to see the art and also for me to paint by. Plus there's a display case across from it where I can set some of my artwork.

Flamingos on the display case

Set up to paint on my checkout stand

The front side of my checkout stand

Small table set up with paintings and cards 
for sale

People came in steadily late morning through early afternoon. They were excited to see all the artists throughout downtown.

They got to see me painting live. So much fun interacting with people, hearing comments, and getting feedback on what their favorites were.

One of the paintings I finished 

Since I finished the unicorn painting before Art Walk ended, I started a new  painting. I already had it sketched out on the canvas ready to go. I started by putting in the background.

Here's a closeup of the picnic basket on the back of the bicycle. I really like the way the details are starting to pop!

Here's all of the fun paintings I did last week for Art Walk. I wanted some summer themed paintings. These were so much fun to paint!

I had a blast! Best of all, the Council has decided to continue to offer Art Walk each month. Woohoo!

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As you can imagine, my studio was quite the wreck afterwards. I had boxes and supplies piled over by the door - I was too tired to put things away. Not to mention all the paint, drawings, and other supplies all over my work tables. I'll spare you a picture of that clutter!

I took Monday off and went to eat lunch with a friend, but Tuesday I started cleaning the studio. 

Ahhhh, much better! The boxes are put away!

Work tables are getting cleared off and cleaned of paint marks.

Buddy thinks it's a good place to nap! Herbie
his brother, sleeps in the back. I don't have a
picture of that area because it's for storage and
not pretty. 

Getting there! The floor is vacuumed, stuff is being put in its 
proper place.

The other side...it's been rearranged and cleaned too. The chair
with the leopard print blanket is Flynn the cat's spot. He usually
sleeps under it on his cushion but occasionally, he likes to sit on
top.

I'm now gathering ideas for Fall/Holiday paintings. Plus, I'm working on making cards from the flamingo paintings. I'll have prints made also. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my setup for ArtWalk (I tweak it each time - before long I will have it down to a science) and getting a glimpse of my studio. Things at the farm are rather slow right now as the heat goes up but I intend to share how we redid our fireplace a couple of years ago. It really changed the whole look of the room! See you then!

Now for my exciting news!!! I'm working on setting up a Square store so people can easily order. I compared it to Etsy and decided this was the better option for me. Plus, it's letting me put my website with it so it should all work better. I hope to have it up and running in the next month. I'm super excited about it. 

Cecilia