Jan 2014 postcard
Start your New Year right. Whether it be a fresh new finish or a stunning mural, let's work together to make your project a reality this year!
Ready for 2014!
If you follow me on facebook, you've seen some of the photos of my new storage space above my paint shelves. I looooove me some storage and get giddy when I hear the word organization. I know, I'm a dork.
Thanks dad!!
I am officially ready for the New Year to begin! Purged, cleaned, organized, you name it. Bring on 2014!!
What kinds of things are you doing to get ready for the New Year??
A Still Body, A Not-so-still Mind, and being Thankful
“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.”― Rollo May
Lake Huron at Port Austin, Michigan, July 2013
Some of you may have known that I had minor knee surgery last Wednesday. I had my left meniscus repaired. Who knows how I tore it but it reminded me that it was there if I stood for too long, climbing a ladder, riding my bike, or twisted wrong. I was supposed to have the surgery this past winter but because I wanted to go to France, and the doc said not to fly for 6 weeks after surgery for fear of a blood clot, I decided to postpone it and go to France. Wouldn't you?
If you know me, you know I am never still. I'm always trying to squeeze something in to a 5 minute lull. Since I have had my surgery, which I strategically scheduled before Thanksgiving ;) , I have had curtail my activities. Its been a very easy surgery, compared to when I had my sinuses done along with a tonsillectomy. (That was a nightmare where I lost about 12+ pounds and one night passed out cold on the bathroom floor from not eating + oxycodon.)
Unlike the last one, this time I've been able to forgo the meds after the first two days and have been lucid and aware that I am sitting on my rear for 10+ hours each day. Its been the first time I've been grounded in a long time. It has given me a lot of time to do things like watch tv and go on facebook and sleep. And time to reflect about this past year as well as look forward to what 2014 has in store for me. Back during my post about not having enough time in a day, I rambled about all of the things I wish I could do. Well, now I have some time to reflect, sit down, and plan those things. Sitting here thinking, its been a really good year for me. I've been in my studio a full year and don't know how I got along without it. I love my neighbors there and feel part of an artist community. I love having a space that's mine to do whatever I want artistically. I am also very fortunate to have great clients who trust me to do some incredible projects. Although I have so much more I want to do and try, I have to count my blessings that I've been able to come this far.
So stay tuned to see what plans I have in store for 2014....!
And, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
A Cautionary Tale
I am writing this post as cautionary tale to fellow artists. I hope that is serves as a lesson to be learned through me and not one to be experienced in their own work. Every now and again I'm reminded of my lesson when I'm riding down the road and I see a "for sale" sign. Or I'm watching TV and I see the commercial. I try to get over it but each time I see anything related to the mural I did for a very well known local Real Estate Agent, I feel like I've just been slapped in the face.
Here's my story...
Back in 2009 I painted a mural of a map of Maryland with roadways and significant towns and cities for the office of this Real Estate Agent. They wanted something to show clients where their house would be in relation to their work. In designing the mural, I drew out the shape of the state, complete with each county, significant towns, and placed a Maryland flag in the background. I wanted to add something that was unique to the Real Estate Agent's company and take up the "dead" space in the lower left area where West Virginia and Virgina usually are. I decided to add a compass rose, being it a map and all, I thought it appropriate. I researched different designs and composed a compass rose that would compliment my design. I placed the Real Estate Agent's initials in the center of the compass rose. I presented my design to the Real Estate Agent's wife and she like it. Just change out the blues (I had originally included blues because their website had the color.)
I installed it with the help of my amazing paper hanger. I got paid for my work and that was that.
A few months later, I am at a meeting and I see the compass rose on some give-away pint glasses. Hmm, I thought..not sure how to comprehend. I took a glass and put it in my bag. Then I started seeing my compass rose, the one I designed for the mural, all over the place...on ads, on signs, on brochures, on commercials, on everything! Needless to say I was dumbfounded. And angry!
I talked it over with my family and some fellow artists. I did research on copyright law. I decided to write a letter. It was responded to by his lawyer. "You can't copyright a compass rose." I then got my lawyer involved. I didn't want to go there but anyway. The image was clearly taken from my mural and wasn't in use before the mural's execution. The composition, colors (well, the initials were black instead of red) were IDENTICAL. In educating myself about copyright law and art, I learned that ANYTIME an artist touches pencil (or brush) to paper, that work instantly is covered by copyright. Here is a good explanation. But, come to find out, because I had not registered my mural with the copyright office and had a clause in my contract that all of my work is owned by me, I stood little chance in court to come out with any money left in my pocket. See, even though as an artist I owned the copyright to my work, I didn't bring it up within 3 months of discovering the theft. If I had, I would have been able to recoup all of my court costs if I were to have won. But because the amount of money it would take to take the Real Estate Agent to court far outweighed the piddly amount of money I had asked for in compensation, it wasn't in my favor. I still could, it would just bankrupt me. I'd be out more money than what I was trying to get.
So...lesson learned. I have put things in place so that I am protected and have learned what my rights are.
Next time you see that compass rose, smile and say "Gee, what nice work, Dee!"
The FIRST Annual Ellicott City Artwalk!
Come be a part of the Art Scene in Historic Ellicott City Maryland!
The First Artwalk will take place on Saturday, September 28th 2013 from 12-5 PM. You can tour artist studios, watch demonstrations, and view local galleries. 
Start your tour at the Artwalk Tent located at the Log Cabin on the corner of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Rd.
Grab a Passport at the Artwalk Tent at the Log Cabin and get a stamp at each stop along Artwalk. Completed Passports can be entered in the Artwalk Raffle to win a PRIZE! Prizes donated by Friends of Artwalk Raffle drawing will take place at the Wine Bin Stage shortly after 5pm. There are some really good prizes!
Click on the image and print your own passport now!
Fall Fest and Main Street Music Festival will be taking place also, so there will be lots of fun for the whole family. Enjoy the shuttle service that will take you from the Courthouse Parking lot to lower Main Street all the way to the West End and back! Parking is available on the street (metered) and in lots (some free).
Prizes for the Artwalk Raffle have been generously donated by the following local businesses:
Ellicott City Artwalk website: ellicottcityartwalk.com And Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellicott-City-Artwalk/224799031005907
More Information on Fall Festival: http://visitellicottcity.com/
More Information on Main Street Music Festival: http://mainstreetmusicfest.com/
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An especially huge thank you to Chelsea Maymon of Perspectives Gallery for doing all of the graphic design. Her portfolio is amazing! http://chelseamdesign.com/