Making Art Happen

As most Artists know sometimes you have to make the art happen. There are a million excuses to avoid the studio when you are a busy working mother. Last night I was up until 2 am again painting. Have to work, have kids to get up, dressed and ready for school. Have to paint. 
This nest is a painting in progress that I am almost finished. Other work that I am doing is on hold for this painting which is part of my children's school's fundraising auction this weekend. 
I am committed to donating one painting a year to the school in hopes of making some money for them. Right now they are trying to buy iPads. Now I still have to finish my peony painting to make money for me! I will often donate to auctions and do a 50% split with them. I think this is fair. A 100% donation to a certified charity can mean a tax break. If I have had the piece professionally framed that cost may come out of their 50% which usually still gives a donation of 700-1000 dollars. Now some auctions do not fair well and I have only gotten say 500. This is still a great venue usually as it gives a chance to get your name out there as an artist. It gives you an idea what people are willing to pay for your work as well and hey, if someone loves the work and gets it for a great price then that is a winning situation. It's always good to have people excited about buying your work and owning it. Over the next 6 years while my kids are in MDE Elementary school I hope the excitement will grow and parents will wonder what painting I will be donating in future auctions. This is my first auction for this school. Maybe my seventh auction in all. I have gotten up to 2300 for a painting at auction. Hopefully this painting makes some money for the school, and I can get back to work on art for the gallery walls. 
No matter how tired I am, no matter how hard it is to get back into the creating groove, the mere act of painting and creating gives me incredible energy. More than exercise (for me Yoga or running), more than any other natural or not (coffee) source of energy. After painting no matter how late I am buzzing with creative energy. It feels great!

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