Thought-Full Art Studio

A conversation...

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Changes To My Store

Hope your summer is going well. We have been under a heat dome here in Texas (along with most of the midwest-to west coast). My garden has taken a big hit, but we are still getting a few vegetables in. My wife has decided to do a little local craft show. It WAS on her “never again” list – but all creators know how that goes. But she realized she was missing an opportunity to shine some light on her YouTube channel with a large audience and that might be more important long term than whether things actually sell or not at the show. We’ll see how that works out. So now she is madly trying to get things produced and ready. Can’t say I miss anything about that whole process!

I’ve been extremely fortunate that some folks recently sought me out for some purchases of some originals. It was really fun as they chose some of the pieces that I especially enjoyed creating and it is good to see them find a new home. This afternoon my wife spent several hours working on my website to keep it updated in the “behind the scenes” functioning. So, we are continuing to keep my shop open online – and are ever-grateful to our friend Zeke Zewick for the space he makes available in his shop in Edom, Texas. If you are near the Canton, Texas area, you have to plan to make a stop at his studio. Their fall show is coming up and that is a terrific event. Always a fun trip for us!

Handcrafted Jewelry by Zeke’s Studio in Edom, Texas

I’m considering starting to put originals up on my website. It takes quite a bit of preparation to get them ready to ship – but my recent sale of several originals was helpful in learning more about what is possible. Now we just have to figure out how best to prepare images of them that will work on the website.

Take a moment when you can to visit my shop. If there is anything you are wondering about – and don’t see a listing – fill out the contact form and let me know. I won’t spam you. Don’t have the time – the garden calls!!

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Hope Your Fall Is Going Well!

It is still really hot here in North Texas so my garden is half-heartedly trying to put out a few treasures. We have a nice crop of green beans, some misshapen green peppers that look more like a Halloween item than anything. I’m looking forward to seeing cooler weather ahead.

Although I will greatly miss being part of art shows, I am finding lots of joy in reading, gardening, encouraging the fish and frogs in my little pond. My wife is working on her YouTube channel and after the October/November voting period (she works as an election worker), she will be (PROMISE!) adding more to my and her own website offerings. In the meantime – if you are in/visiting the DFW area of Texas, I’m happy to set up a time for you to view/purchase art in person. Head over to the Shows page for more details on how to schedule. My work makes for fun gifts to yourself and others – and no tariffs applied! :-)

This was inspired by my wife’s grandmother Bessie. She had an old black and white photo of her grandmother beside the Neosho river cooking catfish in a big cast iron skillet over a log fire. She was stirring the fish with a big stick. I loved the way she was standing – relaxed but purposeful – and have drawn different versions. This is one of my personal favorites. Available in the shop!

These are very unusual times, and I think it is too easy to get caught up in the constant negativity. This picture reminds me that we can create great beauty in small spaces, and we need to tend to those with special attention. My wife and I both wish each of you peace, hope, and safety.

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Life is a Journey – An Update on the Show Life

I had planned to participate in the Edom Arts Festival this fall. However, I have made the tough decision that now is the time for me to focus on making my art available through other means than shows. I will continue building out my online shop, adding art to the few online sources that fit my type of work, and perhaps finding a gallery or doing some seasonal home shows. I am very grateful to have some of my work available at Zeke’s Studio in Edom, Texas. If you are in/visiting the DFW area of Texas, I’m happy to set up a time for you to view/purchase art in person.

I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the “art show circuit” for nearly 5 decades. I was able to participate in the heyday, and it was a wild and wonderful opportunity! Back then (and probably in some ways still today), artists had the option of being in galleries or selling to friends and family (!). As communities began to support arts festivals, a massive opportunity emerged to reach the public directly. This made it possible for MANY MORE artists to create a viable living.

While shows are still being supported in communities, large and small, many have also gone by the wayside as a result of the pandemic. Closed public spaces and limited financial resources killed off many of the shows run by civic organizations, corporate sponsors, and individual promoters. After the pandemic, people remained unwilling/uncertain about attending large public events. Many of the volunteers who manned the civic and corporate-sponsored shows were no longer available as they dealt with the changing employment environment. While the last year or so has seen an uptick in attendance, participation remains very different than pre-pandemic. Social media has exploded, offering artists additional opportunities to promote their work. And now, AI. And none of us really know where that is headed or what disruptions it is going to cause for the creative community.

So, it’s a tough space out there these days. If your local community is still offering shows, I encourage you to take the time to attend and encourage the artists. If you find something that “speaks” to you, buy it – or at least tell them that it did so. It means a lot!

If you have kids heading off to college, or you are wanting to perk up your home space, my prints are an affordable way to do so. If you remember a print but don’t see it in the shop just yet – please use the email below to reach out. You will have to type in the email address, this image will not typically cut and paste into a form. I respond very quickly.