Wynn Creasy Fine Art, LLC

Preparation for life...?

2009-04-14T09:15:00.004-04:00

So... I am working hard at getting ready for a masterclass taught by the great director and theatre manager Eric Schaeffer of Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Its a singing/Acting masterclass on making sure your auditions song wows them.

Eric is well known for his work on Stephen Sondheim's musicals in the U.S. and overseas. He frightens many people , me included, with his intensity. And of course, if you want to work for Signature Theatre, the best musical theatre company in the Washington, DC, area; then you have to get his attention and show him what you can do that no one else does as well.

In the majority of auditions for a general call to get your foot through the door, you only have 16 measures of a song to sing. Rarely do they ask for a second selection or really pay much attention due to time constraints. It's simply a chance to show you have a voice and you have some idea of how to create a character. It helps if you have a clear idea of your TYPE - romantic juvenile lead, ingenue, character types like old lady, bum , father figure, mother, etc. All of us like it or not are type cast the second we walk into a room. A smart actor uses that to his/her advantage to present audition material that says..."I know who I am and I do this very well."

I'm taking this master class for several reasons.

1.) Because I think I have a clear idea of the type of character actress I am and I want to know if I am on the right track in a major producer's, like Eric, mind.

2.) I want the chance to learn from him HOW to be the best I can be in an audition, but also in how I approach every song I do.

3.) It's a chance to get to be heard directly by him, not a casting director; and to sing an entire song, not 16 bars with no prep.

4.) I want to show him I can take directions, that I have variety, and that I am someone he needs to hire. That I would be an addition and an asset to his company.

5.) Because I am an actress, a singer, and a teacher. I can only do my job well if I know what the working environment is like these days, then I can better prepare my students and myself to compete in this crazy addictive world of theatre.

I am amazed that a company like Signature Theatre offers classes taught by the people who are casting and directing their productions, and they often get cancelled because not enough actors in the DC area sign up for the class. If you wanted to work for a company like Signature (and who doesn't) wouldn't you want them to know you, to see your work, have a chance to see what you offer in a forum other than the 60 second once a year auditions?

I'm petrified. But at the same time, I know I am very, very good at my craft. I have much to learn, but I have much to offer!

Off to the races!

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Prayers and Meditations!

2009-03-27T10:22:00.007-04:00

Theatre, art, and life!

Grasslands

Oil on Canvas

28' x 22"

$495.00

So its Friday already! Another month has flown by. I've painted a number of new paintings for my new solos show in Williamsburg, Virginia - schedule May 5 - June 5, 2009 at This Century Gallery. I'm very excited about the new works I am doing. Ia m returning to my earlier experiments with color field and with the influences of Kahn and Rothko on landscape paintings. New images to follow.

Majestic

Oil on Canvas

28" x 22"

$ 495.00

On a different front. I have an audition Monday for a theatre that I dearly love and would give almost anything to work at as a company member! - Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. This company has grown in 20 years from a group of dedicated artists to a world class theatre that specializes in supporting and creating new musicals, and up and coming composers and playwrights. Guided by the Brilliant Eric Schaeffer who - is known for his direction of Sondheim Musicals around the world, and his gift for inspiring incredible committed acting on his stages - they create some of the very best theatre in the Washington, DC, area.

I am petrified! This is what I trained my entire early life for. It is what I what makes my life worthwhile. At my age and in this area there are very few opportunities for musical theatre performing at the caliber that I strive for. I'm not a diva. I don't have the need to be a star nor the ego to pull it off. But I would love to again be part of an ensemble of players to whom theatre is the purpose of life. It could only make my painting better.; My marriage happier, my life complete for the remaining years I have! ( and there are many I am sure!)

This Monday, March 30 at 3:05 pm I hope everyone will take second to think on me, to visualize me on that stage singing my heart out, creating a wonderful, vibrant, fully realized character that shows to the producers that I would be a very valuable member of their ensemble! I would be grateful for all your prayers, meditations and well wishes.

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Trunk Show Fine Artisans March 14 12 noon til 7 PM.

2009-03-05T11:03:00.004-05:00

So, here is the scoop! I am joining 3 other phenomenally gifted Artisans for an invitational Spring Trunk show. We will all have new artwork to exhibit and sale, at discount pre-seasonal prices. All our work is one of a kind. Unlike a lot of craft shows, there is no cover charge. There will be snacks and drinks. Lots of leisure time for you to talk with us about our techniques, our inspirations and our lives as artists. Get some wonderful gifts before the craft summer markets see them.

for more information visit www.jewelryintheworks.com/trunkshow.html

The Fun Part of Making Choices....

2009-03-05T10:45:00.004-05:00

One of the first things you learn when you approach building a character is that in order to make her/him real on the stage or on the camera you have to make specific choices.

These often include knowing her background, deciding the kind of person she has become, why she is doing what she does, the language that she expresses herself with, etc. The in the action of the play , there are more choices. Is she aggressive? Is she maternal? Is she caring? the biggest question / choice/ motive / of them all is "What does she Want???"

Funny how much life is like that. I am convinces that if we really take the time to examine for ourselves that basic question - we will have all the tools we need to have a happy and successful life! Whenever we stop and concentrate on exactly what it is we want and open ourselves to having it - the universe provides it for us. Maybe not always in the way that we envisioned it. But being open is the key. Of course, that too is a choice!

For the new year, I decided that I really WANTED to go back on stage. I made it a statement, and shared it with my friends and the universe. Then I set in motion the actions of behaving as if it were already happening. I got new head-shots, I put together a resume, I learned new monologues, and I began to search for auditions for roles that I thought would be right for me at this age and time in my life. And the universe began to reward my hard work and commitment. I've already landed and performed two roles in the DC theatre scene. I've been called and asked to audition for a few other roles because of word of mouth.

I have made a choice to work hard at my skills as both an actress, AND and artist. I still need to express myself in visual art as well as on the stage. So now I have a show to rehearse, and two auditions to prepare for. I have a Silk Trunk Show in Bethesda MD to prepare for by March 14 ( more on that later.) I have a solo painting exhibition in Williamsburg, VA to get ready by May 5, 2009.

Life is good. It is precious. And it is full of choice!

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

LONG AGO.. in a far away time and place....

2009-02-11T14:15:00.009-05:00

Long ago I wrote here somewhat consistently. Then, as usual life took over and I managed to have a life that got in the way of all the different arts I pursue. It's hard for me to recall, but from the age of 3 until I was 38, I trained, worked, studied, and struggled to build a career as a performer. I grew up singing in my Dad's country western Band, sang in church and local concerts, then went to college. I studied Dance and Theatre at James Madison University in VA, The school of the Richmond Ballet and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. I had scholarships to the Blossom Festival School of the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Hartt School of Music as an opera singer. I performed in over 100 Musical theatre pieces, Operas, and choral works and concerts. I was a member of the Apprentice Program for Singers of the Santa Fe Opera; regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. I worked for years as a soloist and chorister with the Connecticut, Baltimore and Washington National Opera companies. I produced my own solo Cabaret show that ran for years on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. After years of performing, I finally decided I had done it all and I was ready to move on. Oddly enough it seems my mind made a decision that my heart and soul was not ready to agree to. The first year we were dating, my now husband took me to see a concert by Betty Buckley, one of the grand dames of the American Musical stage - it was her, a four-piece band, and an evening of music sung as only she can sing. My man could not understand why I spent the majority of the evening in tears. ( He had not known about my past as a performer before this evening.) Was I not enjoying the concert? I could only explain it with the fact that in my soul I knew I should be on that stage doing what she was doing. He took me to see a production of Shenandoah at Ford's Theatre with Scott Bacula and an amazing cast. Again, I cried through the production. I could only say that the sets and back drops reminded me so much of my home, and that the musical genre just does that to me. I've seen the incomparable Barbara Cook 4 times at Kennedy Center. I own every recording of hers. In her 80's now, she still sings better than most 20-year-olds, and with a use of language and expression that no one can match. Finally it hit me. As much as I love my painting, and as much as my husband has supported me and encouraged me to pursue art as a career.... I still need to be working in the theatre. I need to balance the private me with the actress who still has a voice and has a need to connect to others. And so I decided at Christmas this year that my gift to myself would be to return to acting classes and to audition and see what was out there for a woman of my years. Surprise!!!! The first audition I went to I got cast in an amazing new play - "Past is the Present Imperfect" by playwright Thomas Minter. I had a dream role of a cantankerous older woman who lives in an alcohol induced fantasy land but must face that the consequences of her early life choices are now having on her son's happiness. It was an intense and wonderful 2.5 week workshop production with sets and costumes at the Warehouse theatre in DC, produced by the Capitol Artistic Partnership. I'm back! At the same time I ended up being cast in 7 (SEVEN) roles for a staged reading of The Laramie Project produced by the Actors Center of Washington DC. Directed by Kevin Kuchar - this was not your average staged reading. it was fully staged and costumed by the actors and staff, and performed after 5 hours of rehearsal to a full house. I have to say it was a very rewarding experience to see my skills as an actress have not deteriorated and if any thing are stronger. And so from now on you will find here both my information on my Artwork, my daily life, and my life as an Actress in DC. Who could ask for anything more! until next time Create beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

So... I have 2 weeks and..

2008-11-19T14:37:00.003-05:00

Tree of Life

Hand painted silk

18" x 18" NFS

I need to sew 10 new woven top silk pillows I need to sew 5 more large scale Tpestires I need to paint 4 more large Still lifes! AH! the joy of pressure!

My how time flies when you're having fun - NOT

2008-11-14T14:42:00.005-05:00

Grandmother's Bowl 18" x 24" Oil pastel on Paper $575.00 http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/ It has been months since I wrote how did that happen? Well, I have been working on a couple of books, and articles. I have been doing a few art shows trying to eek out a living, and I have been connecting to long lost friends on FACEBOOK! Needless to say, I have not gotten much of anything done. BUT starting this weekend I begin to paint for two new upcoming solo shows of 2-D art, plus I am finalising the big holiday party we are giving see http://thebigeparty.blogspot.com More soon! unti;l next time Create Beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

Design Style Guide is on Youtube

2008-08-20T07:43:00.008-04:00

Hand Painted Silk Pillow #62 (front and back images)

16" x 20"

Hand Painted silk , Muslin lining, wooden button, hand-wrapped silk frog clasp, glass bead on tie.

$132.00

Today I am quilting two new wall hanging pieces (smaller sizes.. 40 x 26" and 22 x 18" - pics later this week) and painting a new Sofa Throw ( 60 x 45") to replace the one that was stolen last week. I'm also beginning a new series of 6 " landscape" accessory pillows in hand-painted silk as well. Got to get myself going again!

Here is a wonderful way to get new gift ideas co-ordinated by the folks at Design Style guide:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DesignStyleGuide

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.etsy.com/

Design Style Guide - A new way to shop!

2008-08-19T07:00:00.010-04:00

Pillow Set

Each 20" x 20"

Hand Painted/ Woven Silk /Satin Back Private Collection

I am a new member of several organizations. One of the most exciting being

Design Style Guide.

Here is a link to one of their Treasury Listings of selected items wiht a theme for people who collect art and crafts. this is a wonderful link .

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=22439

Look for my new Store on Etsy

http://wynncreasyfineart.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5465767

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Landscape passions... why art makes my heart sing.

2008-08-18T09:15:00.037-04:00

I don't know of any logical reason for the way the landscape touches my soul. I only know that without my hands in dirt from time to time, and without the time and ability to recreate the feelings I have about the landscapes around me, I would be a poorer person.

My landscapes have always been about color. From the very beginning I was influenced by Wolf Kahn though my foster mom and mentor Ann Aves Martin. Color takes priority over everything for me. But color (including value in that of course), gives everything its shape and its meaning for me. The painting "Blue Ridge Sunrise" is exceedingly simple in in format. Bands of color against each other form a sense of depth and distance, and geography.

Blue ridge Sunrise

oil pastel

18" x 24"

$525.00

Take that same format, color and add to it the incredible intensity of color on silk and the wall hanging "Sunrise" sings of the land waking up and enjoying " il baccio di primavera" the first kiss of spring.

Sunrise

Hand painted Silk/ muslin

45" x 60"

$375.00

The painting "Simply Fall" is again simple bands of color with little detail. But the riot of color instantly brings to mind the rush of Virginia mountains as the colors splash themselves in a mad race to winter.

Simply Fall

Oil Pastel on Paper

11" x 14"

$275.00

As I explore silk painting, I love being able to dive into such rich colors and still create something that is "functional " art. An heirloom to pass down to family members years to come.

In this pillow I've explored water and reflection, in an impressionist style. The grove of tress at the top leave dappled shadows down the bank that play in the moving waters. Hints of summer grass at the bottom give motion and contrast.

Pillow #59a

12" x 16"

Hand-painted/ Hand-Crafted Silk & Muslin

$42.00

So often I return to the extreme simplicity of color to give only a hint of landscape, as in the next pillow and painting, but still in my heart I feel nature's call to leave to the imagination the mists, the heat, of the summers day, the quiet still of the sultry afternoon.

Pillow 61a

16 x 20"

Hand-painted/ Hand-Crafted Silk

$132.00

Even the woven silk pillows I am creating have painted strips of landscape in them. I enjoy the surprise on peoples faces when they see them interspersed with the solids and shibori silks.

Woven Pillow

20" x 20"

Hand-Painted Silk / Satin Backing

SOLD

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Silk Tapestry - A passion I can't seem to let go of...

2008-08-17T12:50:00.004-04:00

Thistles- fenced in diptych

w panels each 60" x 22

Hand- painted and stitched silk/Tea dyed muslin

$525.00 pr

www.wynncreasyfineart.cm

www.wynncreasyfineart.etsy.com

My large tapestries are becoming more and more then stuff that dreams are made of for me. Not because they seem so fantastical, but because they allow me to express myself as I always hoped to be able to in painting and art. I love the way light reflects off the material. I love the vibrant colors I am able to get in the landscapes and I love adding detail in both painted color and in stitching.

Each piece is unique, one of a kind. Whether it is a wall hanging, a cmfortor to snuggle under, or a pillow for hugging and snuggling with , they feel so sublimely sensuous to the touh and a are a feast for the eyes and the soul... I am the luckiest woman in the world to be able to create and share these! Everyday I work on a new piece and explore new color combinations, new ways to define the landscape for myself. This is what life should be about!

until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Loss and stress... and much disappointment!

2008-08-08T07:51:00.006-04:00

Nothing but Blue Skies

Silk Wall Hanging with matching Pillows

60" x 45"

STOLEN - Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts Annapolis MD 07 August 2008

Some times I have got to learn to trust my intuitions. I got a call in early June asking if I was available to do a solo show in July at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. It seemed awfully short notice. The curator mentioned she had meant to call me earlier... but hadn't gotten around to it. I went to visit the space and talked to the curator and we decided yes we'd do it but with a combination of silk tapestries and the paintings they were inspired by. I fiendishly produced 7 new tapestries in two weeks, since it turns out the delivery date was 3 weeks before the actually opening of the show due to scheduling issues.

I had been told I was responsible for rods to hang the show. I bought new rods so I knew they would be sturdy and make the show a uniformed whole. I even waited until the day I was delivering the show to purchase them. I bought exactly the number and sizes needed. We drove to Maryland and dropped off the show. Before we had even gotten back home I got a call saying one of the hanging rods was "missing" and I must not have brought enough. The next day I got an email saying the gallery manager had decided that now they "would buy dowel rods to hang the show as they thought they would look better." If they were going to choose the hanging method why make me spend money to begin with. And what about the lost hanging rod?

The opening for the show was scheduled on a Thursday 5:30 - 7:30 during rush hour traffic ( in the DC area a nightmare) because it turns out the other exhibits going on at the same time (I was not told this either) were an exhibit of amateur photography ESL students who were doing photos of their lives, and an exhibit by handicapped students. Those artists could only be available at that time. Did anyone really think there would be sales from an opening scheduled at that time?

To top it all off, last night I got an e-mail (not even a phone call) "only as a courtesy" to tell me that one of the pieces has been stolen and how sorry they were. Also that they had "not had a theft there for several years".

Needless to say I won't be doing another exhibition there, and I feel violated on several levels. I am often told that I can come across as abrasive, that I rub people the wrong way. I think perhaps because unlike a lot of artists I will not be walked over by the system and galleries. Artists seem so afraid to stand up for themselves. The work we do is not easy. The odds we face to simply make a living are hard enough. And yes I realize that there are thousands of other wannabes who are next in line to grab a chance to be seen or to sell. But the more I learn that this is a BUSINESS - the more I expect and even demand to be treated with the respect and courtesy of any other business person!

There are many more wonderful experiences than negatives in this life. But it seems the negatives need to be brought to light in order to break the old patterns and beliefs, that what we do, who we are is LESS THAN any other producers of quality goods.

until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love

Wynn

I need feed back! RANT AND RAVE WARNING!!!

2008-08-04T11:06:00.009-04:00

Is it just me?

I work really hard to create art and craft that people respect and appreciate. Visitors to my booth ooh! and ahhh! over my work, handle it, ask questions, admire it ... and then walk on by. Everyone says "It's the economy" "It's the slow time of the season" "After the election things will be different." My art works is priced VERY modestly. My last two art fairs I sold ONE (1) $19.00 scarf at each one. I work hard and fast. I know my expenses I don't try to gouge prices. I simply need to make back the money I spend on art and pay my rent.... I cringe when I see some vendor selling 8" x 54" tie-dye scarves that are pre stitched for 65.00 dollars.. they cost them about 4.00 each to make. While I don't begrudge them the money if they can get it....Where is the ART?

I've done a number of art shows this year that have been financial busts. The "ART FAIR" business has been growing in leaps and bounds. Everyone is on the bandwagon to produce an arts and crafts show. They have realized how many artist wannabes are out there trying to break into the business that are willing to fork out the application fees and the big bucks to the producers in order to set up and try to sell art. I admit, I've been one of them!

Some were major shows with hefty entrance fees (and long waiting lists) that tout incredible attendance and sales records per capita .... yet there were no people walking the aisles. They make their money off the booth fee's of the artist, supplemented by the entrance fee of patrons viewing. They don't care if we sell anything or not once we've signed on the dotted line! Every vendor around me said they sold nothing. Sugarloaf Festivals, zip! First Sunday Annapolis. zip! Reston Festival of the arts...zip. Harbor East Baltimore...? ZIP. And if I don't apply for a space next year because of terrible sales they don't really care; there is another fool waiting in the wings to have my space in the line up.

I am really learning my lessons though. I will not spend large entrance fees and booth fees any longer for festivals that aim at "Family entertainment". The last 3 fairs billed themselves as Fine Art and Craft shows. They were really street parties with no focus at all other then a "good time" for the community members. Every other booth along the way was beaded jewelry, intermixed with food vendors and fund raising groups , a few gyms selling member ships, imported buy sell toys and jewelry, and diet centers , window installers, plumbers, and even a couple of fortune tellers. Where do these things fit into Fine Art and Fine crafts? What is that "JURY fee" for? At the Harbor East show the artist tents were placed at the farthest end of the closed off streets, next to a huge generator. The generator was loud enough that it was hard to talk to clients. At Reston the Artists were closer to the band stand. The mixed quality group of performers was so loud visitors walked the streets with their fingers in their ears. No one could seem to do anything about it. Several calls to the producer got no response. The sound board operator said he was using the correct levels and that was that.

In my background training as a performing artist there is one simple rule passed on from generation to generation. "Never go on-stage with small children or animals." They will upstage you every time. At the fairs I've been doing, parents with no control of their toddlers, wheel SUV size baby carriages with dogs on leashes attached into merchandise while sipping their latte, or better yet the beer and wine allowed at these ART events ( read "street parties") Listening to the band and ignoring both the merchandise, and the fact that their dog is wrapping his leash around the leg of a table holding my entire life's merchandise on it.

Food, music and kids really do NOT lead to a conducive atmosphere for serious art buying. Or even good conscientious gift buying. LEAVE the kid's and the dogs at home.

Producers -Restrict animals. This is not a DOG WALK - it's an ART AND CRAFTS show. And if you really want to support the artists don't invite the bands to push their CD and play loudly enough that a conversation with someone interested in purchasing the art on sale is impossible. LIMIT food to one area and rope it off... chocolate and soda hand prints (not to mention coffee and beer stains) are hard to remove from art. If you are producing an event or supporting one as a patron. THINK about the real reason you are doing it! Patrons - Set aside just a few precious hours of your time. Leave the Blackberry and cell phone at home. Take a deep breath. Really look at the booths as you pass by. Take time to talk to the artists. Find out why they do what they do. Who are they? What is it about their art that attracts you? Talk. We won't bite and we love to share our stories.

Artists are entrepreneurs! We work for ourselves. We sacrifice a great deal to be able to create fine art and craft and to make a simple living doing it. Nothing give s me more joy than the look on some one's face when she/he discovers a piece of art that touches his/ her soul! We need a fighting chance to make a living at what we do. until next time create Beauty and fill the world with Love Wynn

Hand painted Silk Pillow 16" x 12" Silk Satin , Muslin, Poly-fill

$38.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Upcoming shows and new items

2008-08-02T13:14:00.006-04:00

Fire in the Sky

Hand-painted and quilted Silk Tapestry

60" x 45"

$595.00

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

This weekend will find me and my silk art at First Sunday on West street in Annapolis.

Sunday August 3 ( how can it be august already????) From 12 noon until 5 pm.

I will be showing my new pillows hand painted silk pillows and light weight silk scarves, along with my 4" x 4" decorator blocks. Its a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon - with good art, a wonderful environment and good music.

Stop in and say hello.

And if you are going to be in Annapolis, stop by the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and view my solo shows Transmutations- Painting as inspiration. There are 7 NEW Wall size silk tapestries created for this show, along with the oil/ oil pastel paintings that inspired them.

until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

Spam blocked!

2008-08-01T10:16:00.001-04:00

So here I am .. a working woman. AN ARTIST! Trying hard to use the blogger system and my computer to build my art business and make some kind of a living. And I get blocked because they think I am a blog spam. Why? Is it because I mention my own web page too much? Is it because there are links to other web sites on my page? Is it because they just don't like my kind of art? They don't give me any reason. They simply LOCK my page and say I can't publish it again ..... until "they" whoever they are, review it and say its OK..... its not like I send out 100 blogs a day - unlike many of the blogs I subscribe to do... I am often lucky to find time to send out ONE blog a day. WHAT IS IT?

Home feelings!

2008-07-06T12:50:00.010-04:00

Pillows (Set of 3 ) Ocean View

Hand- painted Silk

each 16" x 12"

$125.00/ Set or $45.00 each

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

I'm working hard this weekend to finish 10 large scale tapestries. (Ranging in sizes from diptych panels 65"x 24" each to 72" x 45")

The interesting thing is that they are really making miss home and family. Part of that I am sure is its the 4th of July, a time traditionally spent with family and friends in cook-outs and home visits. My roots are in the Blue ridge of Virginia. And of course most of my landscapes and home decor items are the Virginia Landscape. Today as I am painting, sewing, steaming, ironing and hand stitching, I put on a bluegrass station on the computer ( live 365) and I am enjoying hearing the music of my father's band that I grew up with, as well as the energy that this honky tonk style has to it that keeps me going! The music sings of life, love and liquor. And that has inspired me to some of my best painting to date. The pieces will be on display at a solo show entitled- Transmutation painting as inspiration. Tapestries and the paintings that inspired them. July 24 through September 12, 2008 At the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, in the MD Capitol city of Annapolis.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Works in progress...

2008-07-03T10:58:00.002-04:00

Hand Painted Silk Pillow

16" x 12"

$38.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I am in the crazed place again. ( Blogging IS one way to avoid producing work! )

Next week I have to deliver 14 paintings for a SOLO show in Virginia on Tuesday at the Raytheon Building in Tysons Corner. I am one of the artists that takes part in the Arts Council of Farifax County's "Art in the Work Place". It is a wonderful program that uses the art of local artists in a county program to hang good work in public places. It gives the artists exposure and a few sales, and gets our names around in the Metro DC area. It is run by a real gentleman named John Dusenberry. He has a great eye for art, and more importantly recognizes artists as one of our country's great resources. I am lucky that he often will use my work in very prominent places in the area as part of their program. I appreciate his support and encouragement!

THEN on Thursday my partner and I have to deliver large paintings and 10 New Silk wall hangings for a SOLO SHOW as featured artist in the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis Maryland. The show is entitled transmutations and features large (65" x 45") silk wall hangings I have created hung with my original paintings that inspired them.

Needless to say I'm a bit crazed trying to finish the tapestries ( oh yes , they have not all been painted yet... unlike my usual efficient and well prepared self... !!!!!)

Have a happy fourth!

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Catching up...

2008-06-19T07:37:00.006-04:00

Hand-Painted Woven Silk Pillow

16" x 12"

$38.00

Sorry it's been a while since I was able to blog. I have had several Fine Art and Craft shows back to back and the weather here has not been a help. I've had to restore and create new work that was messed up with sudden unexpected storms catching me outdoors at several events. But still I am working at what I love!

I am creating new wall hangings of hand-painted silk these days and also accent pillows. Both with my impressionist landscapes and also shear "Rothko" style color landscapes. I am having a ball and they are selling like hot cakes to designers.

Hand-painted Silk Pillow

16" X 12"

$38.00

I'm having a slow time getting colors to my exact standards and specifications. One of the things I love so much about silk painting is that it teaches me on an hourly basis the need to give up control. In oil pastel and oil paintings I have a lot of control on a line, a color, how it is blend, what lies side by side. In the silk work I must relinquish that control and go broader, bigger and more intense, to let it find its own balance of line and form.

Here are a few pictures of some of the new work I am doing. Love to hear your comments!

Hand-Painted Silk Wall Hanging w/ pillow

muslin backing

60" x 45"

$225.00

Pillow 16 x 12"

$38.00

until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Happy Friday!

2008-05-30T12:33:00.005-04:00

Appalachian Trail No. 14 7" x 5" Acrylic on Masonite $125.00 http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/ Today I am finishing 12 (yes, that is right - twelve...) new pillows for this weekend First Sunday at Annapolis Md.

I've already cooked appetizers and Dessert for a dinner party tomorrow we are having with my best friend Jane and her beau, and done the laundry.

I've cut, hemmed and dyed a hand-painted silk caftan for myself to wear. ( It's getting warm enough to do away with clothing!)

It's only 12 noon... WHAT am I going to do with the rest of the day?

Well, I have a little grocery shopping left to do. I've got to get these pillows finished (all I have left is the hand-stitched closings... ). Then my partner is planning on doing a series of photographs for the records ( and my portfolio, and the blogs) I've started a new series of Landscape paintings in my head for a solo show I have scheduled in Williamsburg VA next year. Now is a good time to begin to put somethings on paper for that.

I suppose after I've done all that it's OK to take a nap... Ah the luxurious life of the self employed! lol

Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with Love Wynn

Life as art....

2008-05-27T12:29:00.002-04:00

Life is slowing down.. or at least it seems so.

My partner and I just had a lovely long weekend (Memorial Day) that was spent idly working on new silk paintings, making pillows and doing taxes.

To this we've come.

Oh there was passion and romance as well, and lots of good gourmet home cooked food involved. (I am a chef in one of my other lives) but it seems our lives are most enjoyable together when we are working on creating and making our business in art grow. We are lucky that we share ideas well and we both have strenghts to compliments the other's weaknesses. He keeps me focused and steady and gives me much needed feedback on quality, style, perception and perceived value. I remind him that life is about joy and play and thinking outside the box. (Oddly enough, I am the disciplinarian when it comes to getting things done. he is a yankee and delayed gratification / procratination can be the same thing. I'm a southern belle and instant gratification is never soon enough!)

This week I've been workng on a new series of hand-painted Silk decorator pillows, and wall hangings that serve as paintings/tapestries, or as throws on a chair or sofa.I'll have new pictures of them for you this weekend.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Landscapes to Wear

2008-04-22T09:10:00.004-04:00

Landscapes to wear

I'm in that last minute race with the clock to create something new to sell at Sugarloaf. I suddenly had a brilliant idea but I don't have the energy or enough time (or supplies if they don't arrive UPS today!) Still, I think I have created something wonderful and I have 48 hours to produce enough to make an impression.

One thing I have learned is that rushing to create art or fine craft doesn't work. Ideas come often. Exploring and developing just one of them takes time... I'll breathe deeply and take my time! Back to the dye vats!

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with LOVE!

Wynn

New lines at work!

2008-04-21T15:53:00.002-04:00

My partner is out of town on business and I am missing him A LOT! (Although it is allowing me to create and explore new ideas continuously for a while.)

I am working today on a new scarf idea based on my landscapes and color palette. I will have new pictures this week-end I think. I am very excited about the possibilities. Will tell you more after I copyright it. But think earth, sky, land ,air, water. What color combinations would YOU use?

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

For something totally different.

2008-04-20T09:20:00.003-04:00

It's raining, we are having a wonderful spring thunderstorm. Today I am taking a mental health day and instead of painting I am making myself some new clothes to wear for Sugarloaf. Some Comfy casual pants and vests inspired by clothing from India. Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with love. Wynn

Inspirations come in the most unexpected places....

2008-04-19T12:09:00.005-04:00

Nebula No. 2 11" x 14" Oil Pastel on Paper matted/framed $225.00 While I am working to get stuff ready for Sugarloaf I thought I'd post a painting different from what I usually do. A Client who recently bought a painting of mine e-mailed me to say her husband is a space buff. So I pulled out some paintings from a series I started last year including this one. the paintings were inspired by photos taken by the Hubble space telescope. I've entitled them "The Nebula Series." As I started looking through them I realized that I really need to return to this series and continue to develop it, but also incorporate these images in my hand-painted silk scarves and throws and pillows! Uh ohhhhhhhhhh more work.. more ideas.. more fun ! Until next time, Create Beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

Weekend already?

2008-04-18T07:39:00.006-04:00

Silk Scarf No. 141 8" x 54" Imported silk and painted and steam set. $35.00 http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/ There is not enough time to get all I want and need to get done by next weekend! Oh well! The best laid plans of .... I still have another 200 cards to glue, tag, and put in envelopes, another 8 comforters to finish and sew, plus 50 scarves to paint and tag. I have 5 days I can do this! Until next time Create beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

The Studio Tour 2008

2008-04-17T14:34:00.002-04:00

It may not seem like much... But if you realize I was doing all my work before in a room that was 1/4 the size of this you will understand why I am elated.

I actually have separate spaces to paint, assemble cards and art booklets, silk paint, dye and steam, AND sew. I also have storage space (the next tour) for the 200 some framed paintings I have here to move around for shows.

It IS like going to artist heaven! Financial success MUST be the next step! Wish me luck!

Until next time,

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Still working...

2008-04-15T09:17:00.003-04:00

Appalachian Trail no. 20 7" x 5" Acrylic on Masonite Panel Float mounted, Matted, Framed $175.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

2008-04-14T09:08:00.002-04:00

Display images Working on the display for the Sugarloaf shows this weekend and next. WHY didn't I order ready made table clothes and leave it at that? Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with Love Wynn

On the 7th day she rested.... NOT

2008-04-13T09:51:00.005-04:00

Twilight Series No 87 7 x 5" Acrylic on Masonite $175.00 http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/ Today I am hitting the frame shop. I have to frame 12 new paintings (like the one shown here) to have enough inventory for Sugarloaf in Timonium, MD - April 25-27. I love painting small works that can fit in an out of the way place in your home. These works are 5" x 7" acrylic on Masonite panel, mounted floating then double matted and framed under Glass to a size of 11" x 14" At $175.000 each they are a steal. Off to the Frame shop! Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with Love! Wynn

Finally... I'm back at work!

2008-04-12T09:10:00.002-04:00

Silk Scarf Sunset Motif hand-painted imported silk 8" x 54" $35.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com Finally I can find the tools of my trade, and I can get back to working on the things that make me sane and fill my heart with love. I painted a new throw cover yesterday, as well as two pillows, got all the silk put away and got the stretchers hung out on the patio work space I am blessed with now! Got the final tax forms finished and mailed (Cursed things). Today I get to cut and paste (by hand - not with photo shop) 400 greeting cards! The sun is playing hide and seek, and my beloved is locked in his office doing his taxes today. It's a great day to put on some music and work at the things I love. until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with Love Wynn

2008-04-11T08:16:00.003-04:00

Field Day Oil Pastel 11' x 14" unframed $125.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com Not a lot to write today... just passionately trying to get the studio finished and get back to work. To Do: 12 comforters 24 pillows 98 Scarves 10 jackets assemble 400 cards finish display materials Pack and go... Amount of time left before my first big Sugarloaf show: 12 days.... talk to the goddess for me please! I've been requested by several people to post images of the studio when it is done. I'll take a short video clip so you can have the tour; see and hear me surround sound Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

I can see clearly now....

2008-04-09T06:39:00.007-04:00

Decorator Blocks No. 01-05 (Raspberry Dawn)

4' X 4" Acrylic on Canvas

$15.00 each or 3 or more $10.00 each.

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I can almost see the floor of my studio now. That in itself is very exciting. Of course I have to have canvas drop cloths all over the floor to protect it from my rantings and ravings with paint. But still, I know it's there and there is space to turn around and to dream again!

Today I begin work on a new series of small "Decorator" blocks. These are a wonderful way to have a bit of original art work in a small space in your home. Each block is 4" x 4" and hand painted on stretched canvas blocks. They are painted in a limited edition of each color at a time. They are made to be interchangeable in the series, so you can have 2-4-6 blocks of one color to make a display. Or arrange them in a kaleidoscope of colors for a really impressive mixed colors large ensemble. They are infinitely affordable as gifts at $15.00 each, or if you buy 3 or more the price goes to $10.00 each - so make sure you get some for yourself as well!

My landscapes give me a sense of quiet solitude in a world that seems to get faster and more hectic every day. I hope they do the same for you! Until next time Create beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

Up and Running!

2008-04-08T09:07:00.002-04:00

Appalachian Trail NO. 10

7" x 5" Acrylic

Float mounted, Matted and Framed

$175.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Well, I am halfway done setting up the Studio. I am very very excited to have so much room to work in and space for supplies, office and solitude all in one space!

Now it's time to really get in gear and produce a lot of work. I will have new silk throws and pillows available soon, as well as more printed cards of my work, 7"x 5" landscapes and 4"' x 4" decorator blocks.

Just a reminder, I will be at the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium MD (Timonium Fairgrounds) April 25- 27, and at Sugarloaf Festival in Chantilly (Dulles Expo Center) May 2-4. Come out and see the new work I have created and say hello!

until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Believe it or not... its all been moved!

2008-04-06T09:11:00.004-04:00

Appalachian Trail No. 24

7" x 5"

Acrylic on Masonite

Float Matted/Framed

$175.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

So I FINALLY got my house and my studio moved. At least it is in a new location. Right now the studio is shoulder high with boxes and piles of things to be sorted out.

But as of last night the living room and library are unpacked and looking good, the master bedroom is looking gorgeous, and i can find the pots and pans and dishes in the kitchen. In about a week life should be back to normal. Meanwhile I have a Sugarloaf show to get ready.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

2008-04-03T14:31:00.002-04:00

A La Greek

5' x 7" Acrylic on Masonite

Private Collection

Christos and Denise Papaloizou

Taverna Cretekou

This little landscape painting of a port in Greece was special gift for the owners of the Wonderful Greek Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria,and a divergence from my usual Virginia Landsapes.

Denise and her husband Christos have always been so warm and welcoming to us personally. And the food and atmosphere is so comfortable and cozyno wonder it is a favorite stops of locals and toursts a like. I an honored to count them as friends and clients.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Anchors in the storm!

2008-04-02T06:38:00.006-04:00

"Austin's Way"

24" x 18"

Oil on Paper

NFS / collection of the artist.

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

Since I am in the middle of moving right now, ( god will it ever be over!) there is no new work for me to share today. SO I thought I'd share one of my very favorite paintings today. This was actually one of the first paintings I felt proud about. It is from 2005. It is oil bar on paper.

I pride myself on not getting attached to my paintings. I enjoy creating them. I learn something from them. And then I let them go. Not so with this painting!

The image has long stuck with me... it is the back road around the mountain to my grandfather's house in Bedford, VA. It was one of those paths that you are sure was started as a cow path following the twists and turns of the existing landscape, then the tractors followed it, and then eventually a car could get through there.

The view of the mountains in the distance and the relatively pristine environment is so beautiful, so very peaceful. Out there, there is still not much traffic ( believe it or not.) There are not a lot of planes flying over. No real industry has grown up to pollute or to add man-made noise and dirt.

I miss being in the Blue Ridge Mountains very much. Especially on days like today when there is such up-heaval in my life (with moving, beginning a life with my partner/lover, and setting up a new studio and getting back to work.) At moments like these, a painting can anchor me, remind me of my roots, of the love and connection I have through nature, and help me remember I am part of the big picture. I am not just this stressed microcosm I feel myself to be today.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Passion, Color and Commissions!

2008-04-01T09:02:00.004-04:00

"Sandra's Forest"

36" x 48" Oil on Canvas

Commissioned / Private Collection

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I Can't help it ! I LOVE color! Whether it is in my landscapes, my silk art, or my sweet little garden - I need to be surrounded by intense color. The world is so full of bright and different colors.

I love to push the expected boundaries in color but often still using more traditional compositions.

This painting was commissioned by a woman that saw my work in a show where elections voting took place. She liked my use of color. She actually stopped by the opening of the show on her way to a previous commitment just to tell me so. We talked about my creating apiece for her beautiful town house in Alexandria. This was the finished product.

Many artists think doing commission work is hard because your really have to paint what the person commissioning the work envisions. In the case of this painting we were using a previous work as a starting point, but when Sandra first viewed the work in progress the colors were totally different from those she had envisioned in her living room. With a little more communication it was a snap to re-do the painting to her requirements. And I love being able to really please someone, and know they appreciate the time and the effort I take to create a work of art specifically for them.

Of course, I love having the freedom to paint whatever springs into my mind. Luckily there is call for these paintings of mine as well. But it is really nice to collaborate with a collector (who usually becomes and new friend) to create a one of a kind work for their home or office or as a gift to a loved one, that shows both they and I put time and energy into the creation of something totally unique.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with LOVE

Wynn

Feels like home

2008-03-31T07:51:00.005-04:00

"Old Barns"

11 x 14 Oil Pastel on Paper

Unframed

$125.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Sometimes all it takes is the sense of a change in the air or an old tune playing, and an image pops into my mind.

This painting of large old barns at the edge of the plow field was triggered for me by an old fiddle tune I heard. Growing up in the Blue-Ridge Mountains of Virginia I was lucky to be surrounded by a lot of music making. There was no electricity and so no TV or radio. People sang and played instruments together most evenings and on the weekends as a way to entertain themselves. My father was one of those people who could pick up any instrument and teach himself to play it in no time at all. I recall him sitting out on the porch with a old fiddle he bought at a junk sale and teaching himself to play. In an hour or so I heard a melody I knew well coming from the porch. When that melody and memory came to me recently, this image of the barns came with it.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

Where DOES the time go?

2008-03-28T08:46:00.005-04:00

"And so it begins"

Oil Pastel on Paper

11" x 14"

unframed 125.00

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

I always mean to write something here everyday. It's not that I think my life is that wonderful or even that eventful, but it is one way I make contact with the outside world, and of course it helps people to fine me and know what I do, what I'm working on , what is available from the studio these days in my life. But I'll sign in to write and go..." Gosh! it's Friday and I haven't written since Tuesday. WHERE DID THE WEEK GO?"

This weekend I am having a massive yard sale to down size and get ready to complete the move into my new home and studio. I have tons of art books I need to "re-gift" (pass on to others who need them more than I) to learn from. I have paintings and silks that I think are good, but I 'm a firm believer that work that is not sold after 3 years is no longer viable for shows and galleries. (Other than a few street fairs etc.) I'd just as soon recoup my investment for materials by selling it almost at cost to get rid of things rather than have to move it all and then pay for storage. Plus I have furniture, extra dishes, years of art magazines, and a few knick knacks I need to dispose of... past life memories, etc.

The next most exciting thing about this weekend, my boy-friend (and my business partner, and the love of my life) is taking me to my first ever professional ball game! (Actually it's my first ever live ball game of any kind.) So I am really looking forward to the crowds the excitement, the noise and to sharing an evening with him in a world he enjoys. (He puts so very much time and energy and support into the art world I live in. It feels good to be able to share something in HIS world!) Who knows I might end up a fan and do a whole series of art on sports!

One month and counting until Sugarloaf... I NEED to get settled and get ready for this. I am so looking forward to it! I love meeting the people and sharing my work, and I like explaining how and what I do.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

The fear of the "Jury" Process.....

2008-03-25T13:03:00.011-04:00

I've been very lucky to make it into a lot of solo and group shows, and even a few galleries in my short career as an artist. Yes it is that time again! I've decided I'd really like to be in a small gallery. There is a wonderful co-op gallery at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria that I want to be represented in. The Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.

The people I have met from there are all really very nice, and the quality of work is wonderful too. I've filled out the requisite paper work and got a call today that they can arrange for me to have 5 pieces to be juried in TOMORROW!

So, since I don't have the month I had hoped for between moving and getting settled in my new studio and jurying for the gallery to produce some super duper "world class" work, I am going to have to submit the pieces you see here. All in all, I think they are good pieces and representative of my work and the directions I am going.

Being the insecure perfectionist I am I wanted another month, week, hour, to wow them. But perhaps the fates know best. Since this is what I am doing now, let me be really judged by it, and learn from it.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

PS. Wish me Luck!

Vermillion Art: Silk Paintings & Sculpture for HOPE show

2008-03-25T13:03:00.009-04:00

I just discovered another landscape artist/ turned silk painter who is also enamoured of trees.... Check out her blog! Vermillion Art: Silk Paintings & Sculpture for HOPE show

On the Move!

2008-03-24T09:34:00.003-04:00

Old Grand-Dad

Oil Pastel on Paper 11" x 14"

Unframed

$225.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

The subject of this photo if a field out in Fairfax VA that is up for development. Over the hill this tall and very old tree loomed. The play of colors and the sense of quiet and peace caught my heart.

I've been moving into my new home and Studio with my partner for the last week so things are a little up in the air. I cant seem to get much work done because a little of everything is in both places so far. But in two weeks I will have a dream studio to work in for both silk and my oil painting. I have Two Sugarloaf shows coming up the end of April and in May. LOTS to get done. But it will be so nice to be at home with this man I love so much and who shares my passion for beauty and for the world. I am grateful for the time and the history we have, and for our future to keep working to create art and please people.

I'll be back hard at work soon. Today I have to teach 6 voice lessons... !

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Les Cuisines des Artistes - New Group show

2008-03-18T10:59:00.013-04:00

Fruits and Vegetable Series No 19

(Black Grapes) 5" x 7"

Acrylic on Masonite Panel

Float matted and Framed 11" x 14"

$175.00

Les Cuisine des Artistes

Golden Flame Restaurant

8630 Fenton Street

Silver Spring, MD 20910

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

Every once-in-a-while someone touches your life unexpectedly, and you are a better person for it.

Such a Person is Myrtis Bedolla.

Ms. Bedolla, an art consultant Director of Gallery Myrtis located in Baltimore MD possess over 20 years of experience as an artist’s representative and in preparing artists for the art market through lectures, workshops, and individual consulting. In addition, Myrtis advises corporate, private and institutional collectors in the acquisition and sell of fine art; and provides corporations, civic and arts organizations with professional curatorial services, lectures and educational programming.

As a writer, Myrtis has contributed to Valentine New York, The Magazine, published by Michael Valentine; The International Review of African American Art, published by Hampton University, and online newsletters: ARTINFO and IRAAA (International Review of African American Art) and catalogue essayist for the Tubman Museum. As cultural liaison for the embassies of Ghana, Haiti, Mali, Republic of Georgia and Zimbabwe; Ms. Bedolla uses art to encourage cultural exchange and awareness.

I was fortunate enough to meet Myrtis through a workshop "Training for Success" given by Empowered Women International, http://www.ewint.org/ where she volunteered her time and expertise to talk to emerging women artist about creating a life as a professional artist. Soon after that first meeting, Ms. Bedolla took me under her wing and agreed to represent me as art consultant through her company "Creative Artisans" http://www.creativeartisans.net/home.html

Since that time Myrtis has been friend, advisor, and curator for several shows. The latest that I have been fortunate to have work selected for is Les Cuisine des Artistes." A wonderful show featuring 12 of my still life paintings of fruits and vegetables along with the work of several other wonderful artists. The show is Beautifully hung, and the space ( The Golden flame Restaurant in Silver Spring MD) is a wonderful art-mosphere for enjoying great food and even finer art! If you are in the area please stop in and enjoy the food and art. Buy a painting, or just say hello to Myrtis! (And tell her "Wynn said thanks!")

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

2008-03-15T09:35:00.003-04:00

Appalachian Trail No. 26

Acrylic on Canvas 7" x 5"

Matted Framed under Glass 14" x 11"

$150.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I sometimes wonder that I don't get enough done. This month I have been concentrating so much on the new silk work for Sugarloaf, that I felt I had not paid attention to my Fine Art landscapes. But then when my partner was photographing my recent work for my files. I realized that I have painted 125 new small works and framed them this month so I guess I'm doing OK.

I am not sure why I prefer working in small and medium sizes. Since my favorite focus of painting is skies and the vastness of them you' think I'd want to paint 28' canvases. Perhaps I love the challenge of giving an intimate glimpse of the grandeur of the world. In some ways I think it give me the perspective of what the world must look like to a higher being looking down. I mean the mountain ranges near home-town that I love so much must seem like foot-hills to that kind of being... and so I love taking on that perspective.

When I feel frazzled I just have to take the time to paint a small landscape of home, and I am back in myself and ready to live life again! Thank goodness for perspective , Eh?

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

2008-03-14T17:16:00.003-04:00

Silk/ Fleece Quilted Comforter

100% Imported fine silk, Hand-Painted/ Hand- Quilted 45" x 60"

$225.00

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

Perhaps it is because today finally seemed so much like Spring, I am celebrating this painting of a fall scene reflected in the lake. FAll really is my favorite time of year, but the joy of new growth bursting forth, its colors blazing, and the sounds of new life, do make me so very happy to be alive.

These comforters/throws are so sensuous and comfortable that I love to curl up and read in one all afternoon. A cup of hot chocolate and a good book and the soft warmth of the fleece lining wrapped around me and I am in heaven!

Get yours soon! Each painted to order, each one is one of a kind and very unique. If you have a favorite landscape image send me a picture to work from.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

New gift item 2008

2008-03-12T08:09:00.002-04:00

Designer Neck Ties - $35.00 each

Assorted colors with abstracted landscapes.

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

It seems every day I work on something new. Some people may think of that as being a little flighty, but for me it is the only way to keep my creative juices flowing and to create the number of lines I need in my business to have a variety to sell.

Recently I have been working on a wide assortment of silk items. Silk/Fleece Comforters, neck ties, scarves, jackets, blouses, decorative table runners, pillows. The sensuousness of silk and satin just demands to be used for home decor and personal wear. In this time of rush and hurry and transient living, we want something that anchors us and says we deserve to be pampered a little.

That is my job. Pamper you!

Until next time!

Create Beauty and fill the world with love...

Wynn

Time flies when you are having fun!

2008-03-10T10:23:00.006-04:00

Silk Hand-painted Comforter/ Throw.

60" x 45"

100% imported Silk w/ Fleece backing.

Traditional Silk Painting Dyes/ Steam set.

$225.00

SOLD

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

As usual I am always looking for new things to create to sell and to fill peoples lives and homes wiht beauty. I came upon this idea of a sensuous and expensive looking throw for a sofa or a chair or across the bed. My friends all are waiting in live for theirs!

Using traditional Silk painting and setting techniques, the heavy silk-satin is hand-painted with a landscape image either imagined or from a commisisioners prefered photo of a loved place. Once the Satin is painted and color set, the silk is then quilted to a fine fleece backing and stiched around the border to keep it in place. The throw is then tuft quilted with contrasting threads to keep the fleece and silk aligned. The Silk side is very cool and sensuous to the touch, and the fleece side provides warmth and comfort on a cool evening. Each is a one of a kind heirloom.

To place orders please email me or ring me!

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

New week new work...

2008-02-17T14:21:00.003-05:00

Decorator Block No 23 "Magnolia" 4 x 4" acrylic on Canvas $20.00 each ( sets of 5 assorted paintings) Ok the cabaret is over; and thank the goddess I can get back to my real love - ART. This week I have a short list to accomplish:

Cut and sew the floor length table covers and display rack covers for my new display for Sugarloaf 2008
Paint 40 8 x 54 scarves
Paint 20 22 x 90
Frame 15 11 x 17 landscapes
Paint 15 new Fruits and Vegetables
Get photos/slides/ digitals as required to file Applicaitons for 5 local shows.
Take care of my sick BF.
Remember to smile and be grateful for the life I have!

Until Next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Diva Moments

2008-02-13T09:23:00.002-05:00

ME ... in a photo my BF / business partner took.

I am having a diva moment. This weekend I have a cabaret performance that I am very excited about. In-spite of the fact that I have not sung professionally for 2 years I am very pleased with the song selection, with the jazz musicians I am working with ( John A Marlowe on piano and the lovely and renowned Bass player Ann Marlowe.) The venue is a wonderful home in Chevy Chase, MD that has been expressly remodeled for these salons. I have made a hot silk outfit for the occasion and I am almost over being scared. I still have 3 days to finish the last minute stuff of re-memorizing and polishing the patter, but all in all I'm in good shape.

It's Valentine's weekend. Love is in the air.

Guess I better get a move on! Saturday will be here before I know it!

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Fruits and Vegetables

2008-02-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

Fruits and Vegetables No. 9 5"x 7" Oil on gilded Masonite Panel Matted/ Framed

$150.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I sometimes forget how much I love life. The abundance of nature and its ability to reproduce itself constantly make me joy filled. I paint because I need to capture those feelings... more than the image of place or time or object.

I am finding that everyday I work on a different project, a different medium, a different style or form. That seems to make me more open to cross referencing styles, techniques, and color.

"Attitude of Gratitude"... I guess it has meaning. I am grateful for life today! And so I am doing what I feel I was put here to do. Producing art work to inspire and touch others.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with LOVE!

Wynn

Spring is in the Air

2008-02-11T15:18:00.000-05:00

Decorator Block 4" x 4" 1.5" Acrylic on Canvas $20.00 each (3 or more 10 each)

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

It's been the most wonderful weekend. 60 degree days and calm and no stress. I've had the chance to work on a lot of new paintings and to also get some work done on-line. (Thanks to my partner who amazes me.) He works his 9-5 usually 6 til 6, then has time to work on the publicity for the business and also do all my photo-work. I am very very lucky to have him!

I did a series of new Wearable Silk Neckties this week. They each started out a a landscape but through the magic of silk painting they have turned into wonderful colorful silk abstract art! I'll have photos of them next week for you .

The small Designer blocks I've been working on are expanding. I've moved from the silhouette of trees series to spring blossoms and will continue to work into the seasons, so they can be mixed and matched in sets of seasons, or all of one kind as well. For more images see my website:

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Another beautiful spring day... in February!

2008-02-06T07:43:00.000-05:00

Hand Painted Silk Scarf

Assorted Landscapes

$35.00 - $75.00 Choice of Colors

wwww.wynncreasyfineart.com

It's February.

February 6 to be exact. Now I know there are many mixed feeling on "global warming", and I'm not getting into that argument. BUT! It is February in the North-East and it's 60 degrees outside and will be into the mid-70s today. I'm not complaining . Yesterday I was able to hang silk outside to paint and dry, and go for a 3 mile walk in a light jacket. I got a little work done and taught a few lessons. Read a book. Had time to do some writing, filled out a few applications for some markets and for come competition. Still had time to compile images for my greeting card series. Sang through the cabaret and worked on memory (God! What happened to my memory?) AND got 8 hours of sleep. (For a change!)

Today I have 2 lessons to teach. I have a silk jacket/ throw I am finishing up for the cabaret next week, and I have some hand painted cards to work on.

Life is good. It's SPRING!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Go Giants ... OK back to making Art!

2008-02-04T10:26:00.001-05:00

Hand Painted Silk Scarf Wearable Art

22" x 90" 100% imported fine silk

French Silk Painting Technique Dyes

$50.00 each. http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

Have to admit I wanted to be a Patriot fan, but as my BF explained the game and I watched last night even I could see that New York were better players. Oh well.

Today is Computer day.... Already had a 9 AM voice student. I have already written the artist's statement, intro and text for a new book of my paintings I am publishing and gotten it to the publisher. More on that soon... it will be available from http://www.amazon.com/ and my http://www.wholesalecrafts.com/ pages, http://www.etsy.com/, http://www.ebay.com/ . I also have a ton of letters to get written, a commission to call to have her final approval on a large work so I can get it delivered this week, and some thank you notes to write.

Starting today I also have to have 2 hours a day to run though the cabaret show on the 16th. (If your in the locality and interested in attending the show e-mail me.)

The month of February I will be focusing on painting at least 3 pieces of silk art/day. Taking survey of peoples most favorite colors to wear... email me!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

It's SUPERBOWL weekend and....

2008-02-03T09:32:00.000-05:00

Appalachian Trail No. 9 5" x 7" Acrylic on Masonite Panel Matted Framed 11" x 14" SOLD

It's Super-bowl Sunday. For many Americans that means that life stops for the afternoon/evening. It's an excuse for a party, or celebration of some sort, even if you don't care a fig about football. Partially I think that is because is in the perfect spot between Christmas and Easter that we need a little levity. Winter has not yet given us the idea that he is going to leave yet, and the sense of being trapped inside becomes overwhelming to many. Plus... how long can you really do the same thing every day - day in and day out -and not feel a little trapped, in need of a diversion.

I am spending this morning catching up on a few work things, of course. I am finishing the details for the student theatre production I mentioned. ( see the Collage and Poster my Partner and I created for this project.) Plus I am having to stretch a ton of silk for silk painting this week and it is a slow and tedious process (I think I may take silk and stretchers with me to my Boyfriend's where I am having dinner and watching the game with him... A first for us after almost 3 years together.. lol ).

I have to photograph, edit, and and file a large number of new works already for 2008. I started yet another new filing system this year to keep track of my work, every piece gets a digital photo (thanks to BF), a detail form in the paper file, and a spread sheet entry including commitment to shows and display locations as well as sales, etc.

I beat myself up often. I don't think I ever get enough done. My first year as a professional painter my personal goal was to complete 10 paintings a month - simply to improve my skills. To my amazement by the end of that first year I had completed and framed some 247 painting - many that went on to be in competitions, gallery, group, and solo shows, and even to take a few first places and other awards.

With that kind of beginning I expected that I would keep up that kind of production. What I didn't count on was my trying to balance life with that... little things like making a living. Painting and winning acclaim for 247 paintings is wonderful, but unless I SELL a number of them I don't pay for creating them, much less my rent, marketing, medical bills, etc. The time to market and to show them takes away from just producing. Plus I started to explore other venues to make a living.

I realized that in 2007 I painted a grand total of ONLY 14 NEW paintings that I considered Quality Fine Art Paintings. In spite of the fact that I have sold 7 of those paintings, I was really beating myself up for not meeting my own standards.... until my partner pointed out that in that time period I had also painted 300+ HAND-PAINTED 5x7" HOLIDAY and GREETING CARDS. Not to mention 150+ 4" x 4" stretched canvas DESIGNER BLOCKS, and 200 pieces of silk HAND-PAINTED WEARABLE ART pieces. That with also teaching 12-17 hours of private lessons a week , and doing weekend retail markets. Maybe I can improve on that in 2008....

As I reflect... perhaps I deserve time to have a beer with my partner and watch the game.... anyone know who is playing?

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with LOVE!

Wynn

A mixed blessing --- too many talents?

2008-02-02T15:28:00.001-05:00

Fruits and Vegetables No. 7

Pear Company

5"x 7"

Oil on Gilded Masonite

SOLD

I have been very fortunate in my life to have survived by my wits and the work of my hands and mind. I have had many careers that supported my love of the arts. From a child-hood country music singer, to a dancer, actress, opera star, choreographer, director, waitress, dishwasher, chef, executive secretary, housekeeper, teacher, and now professional artist. I suppose it is ignoble to complain, but sometimes I feel like I have too many gifts and too many talents and that I really need to just concentrate on one thing and do it!

This week I have been pulled in a thousand different directions.

I am set designing, prop managing/ assistant directing/ song-writing and mentoring for a theatre project a former student of mine is doing. I know it is my own fault. I initially offered to help her out by doing the set design. But then I realized that she really needed some assistance in pulling this whole thing together. It is for such a good cause too.

I have a great gift for assimilating. After spending 40 years of my life in the theatre as dancer, actress, singer, choreographer and director there is very little about pulling together a show that I have not done or that I don't know... BUT the one thing I didn't know how to do was say "NO" OR just not say anything. So in this last month when I had planned to really focus on the huge amount of painting, card making, silk painting and marketing I needed to do before I tackle a couple of huge art and craft fairs... I've been talking though script writing, helping with blocking, writing song lyrics, making placards, painting fabric for draperies, and trying hard to keep her positive and happy and confident. The work she is doing IS great and I am so proud of her. But if I were just a little less multi-talented perhaps I would be not feeling the crunch now for the Money making shows I need to be ready for.

Another thing that has been taking so much of my time this month... I sang professionally for years up until 2 years ago. I performed regularly doing opera music theatre, recital, solo concerts and cabaret. I stopped a couple of years ago because there really is no money in the performing world unless you are one of the top ten in the country and I was tired of being so poor. Well, my best friend convinced me that I should do a cabaret show again for the Valentine's Weekend. Now when I was singing all the time having my chops up and having the band together and having all that music memorized was a piece of cake. At that time I could pull together a two act show the same day I got the call. But for the last two years. Ive done little except paint, and teach my voice students and all the teaching in the world is not the same as singing. Its a lot like going to the gym... those muscles have to be worked ( including my aging memory) on a regular basis. So not only am I working HARD to have a show ready, but I am petrified. I miss singing professionally terribly. I miss doing theatre shows, I miss the spot light ... although I don't admit that often. Even with being the recluse I am - that time of really telling a story and sharing the evening with strangers was good. For 40 years of my life music was ALL that I did every day. But ... right now those art and craft money making shows need a lot of time too. If only I were a little less capable, or limited more in my abilities.

The painting on my blog today is a still life. Still life to me is really a landscape of a different nature. If you read my blog often you know I am primarily a landscape painter. Landscapes are my passion in life. Suddenly I have a call for 14 still life paintings. And they take me time to do, matte and frame. THOSE at least I can use for the art and crafts shows later...

I am working on my second novel. I love words. More than language I love the act of communicating. It is not JUST telling a story to me. It is sharing my world with others. But lately the only time I can write is about 3 am.

On top of all this I have a relationship. My business partner is the love of my life. I waited my whole life to know this man. To learn to love him. To desire to be with him. Each moment I have to be away from him my soul hungers for him. My heart beats erratically until I get to be near him and feel at peace again. Some people may call this co-dependence... I think it is love. We live apart and I am faced with some huge choices to make. I really cannot afford to continue to live in the city I am in and I am about to lose my apartment. My partner, although he loves me very much, is not ready to make that living together move for a number of different and very legitimate reasons.

One option that I have been looking at is to find a live in position as a Bed and Breakfast manger. With my broad background I have all the skills one needs to manage that type of place. It has long been my dream to one day return to the rural towns I grew up in and own and run a B & B with the man of my dreams. Perhaps I will be pursuing it without him. But what-ever life leads me to, I will still need time in my day to paint, to garden, write, to be in nature, and to connect and care take. Maybe being intelligent and extremely multi-talented is not so bad after all. Perhaps I will be the one to figure out the way to add 2 extra hours to the day.

Until Next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love.

Wynn

In the cool cool shade of the evening...

2008-02-01T10:52:00.001-05:00

Last Breeze 16 x 20 Oil on Masonite

SOLD

Winter's chill is doing a wonderful job of avoiding us here in Virginia this year. But still my heart is cold. We have rain today and its slightly gray out. I took a walk in the mist this morning and tried to find that thing that has always driven me to survive, to seach for more, my own voice to express and to explore. I find it sadly lacking right now. My creative juices are stirred by love and loving.

My dearest friend in the world pointed out to me yesterday that I have always had the soul of a care-giver. I need to be needed. I need to feel that I make a difference to someone's life. I need to be more than a convenience or a responsibility. My introspective and reclusive nature really is geared towards re-charging my batteries so that I have enough to give others. Somehow though I seem to have lost the knack for caring enough for me.

In some ways it really is a matter of setting boundaries. How much do I give? How much to do I accept. No matter how little it may seem to be meeting my real needs, am I really willing to give up the thing at hand that I am sure of to once again traipse off into the unknown and recreate a new life. AGAIN? Loving someone can be the most wonderfula nd joyfilled thing in the world. But how do you Unlove someone?

Guess I better get back to work. I have committments and the only way to continue being an artist (same with being an adult, I guess...) is to show up and do the work.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love.

Wynn

The wild world of passion.... in art.

2008-01-30T09:12:00.001-05:00

Silk Scarf 44" x 44" Hand-Painted on 100% imported fine silk.

$75.00

Silk painting must the most sensuous thing I have experienced - well next to chocolate, and of course sex... but it's been a few years since that...

The feel of silk almost like flesh as it glides through your fingers, wraps around your body. Because of its organic make-up silk adjusts to your body temperature instantly and warms you on cool days and wicks off the heat on hot ones.

Painting on silk is challenging primarily because the techniques required for several different layers of the work. The most often seen is simple Tie-dye (remember the hippie clothes of the 60s?) the fabric is knotted and tied and wrapped and then dipped into the dyes. Color combinations are created by setting the dye (If it is French dye either by steaming it or by chemicals, the new fabric paints don't require as much work but they leave the silk stiff and not natural feeling.) and then re tie-ing. Layers of color are added that way for patterns and variety.

Similar to that is the Shibori Silk method. Traditionally these complex colors are created by folding and wrapping the silk tightly against and around a bamboo pole or other prop and then painting the colors to give depth and variety of color and texture to the silk.

These are both time consuming and simplistic in many ways considering that there is no "painting" but a gifted silk painter can create incredibly rich textures and colors when they know their craft. and the garments created by a gifted dyer are in high demand.

I tend to work more in the French tradition of silk painting. In this way you use what is called a "resist" to block out the part of the fabric you wish to keep white (very similar to watercolor painting) and then layer colors. you can under dye then use the resist to have more complex colors and it is very much like working in watercolors or in acrylic paints where transparency allows you to create color and depth by layering.

The thing that makes my silk wearable art so different is that I paint Virginia Landscapes - paintings that become simply color when worn but also are recognizable paintings when hung. For me the challenge of course is I don't plan things out ahead. I let my instincts guide me. I have a somewhat photo-graphic memory so I paint what I see and recall in my head. That gives me the freedom to re-arrange the landscape to suit me. But in working for transparency and brightness of colors one has to be careful not to layer too much or like pastels or water colors one can end up with muddy colors. Once they are there the silk is ruined and you have to begin again.

My silk painting is a great joy to me, even more so when someone buys one of my scarves and tells me how incredibly beautiful they feel in them and how sensuous they are. Life is a feast.

Back to work!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Beauty and the Beast....

2008-01-29T05:27:00.000-05:00

Appalachian Trail No 2

5" x 7" Acrylic on Masonite Panel $150.00

SOLD

I chose this stormy painting today because that is how my life feels right now. I feel as if I am in the midst of a terrible storm and the wind, rain, and life in general are buffeting me every which way.

My beast is often the emotional roller coaster I ride trying to find balance in my life.There have really only been a few things I wanted in life: to create beauty that inspires others to enjoy life to the fullest and appreciate the world we live in (whether it is in the music I sing or the various art forms I produce) AND to love and be loved by one person.

Making art is easy. Singing is easy. Making a living - now that is harder, but with persistence, perseverance, dedication, and discipline I truly believe anyone can be successful in the arts. Dream BIG and push the envelope. Expect more. Expect success. Expect people to want to help you along the way. Trust that what you do is right for you and don't let others push you into being different just for difference's sake. You don't have to be "edgy" to be an artist... You only have to be good. I seem to do OK with the art world. I have my differences at times with the gallery system (which is becoming obsolete because of artists marketing themselves on the Internet) and I recognize that I will never be a part of the edgy mainstream of trendy "ART". But I do well at my work and I attract buyers who recognize my talent, and my passion, and who want to be surrounded by beauty, not gore.

Love how-ever seems to be a different animal. I know people who have casual relationships and date the same people or persons for years and they are content with that. I also know people who build a marriage and settle for the safety of one person and the longevity of security.

I am not good at dating. Dating requires too much energy. And I believe in committing to a person the same as I do committing to my art. I've pretty much spent my whole life being an artist and not had much experience with being a partner in life. I don't believe in long term casual dating however. For me, if I really love someone and I believe in in spending a life together - then I mean TOGETHER. I am really struggling these days with the isolation of being an artist and also being someone who needs to give and get love on a daily basis. Being an artist often means working in the home environment. It means that every one around me deals with the fact that what I do is messy at times. And that I don't work on a regular 9-5 basis. (For instance I am writing this blog at 3 am around a project I am working on.) I have realized though that I want to live with the man of my dreams. I want a home life. I want to fall asleep with him every night and wake up with him every morning. I want to share his work, his passions, his fears, his successes, his failures, his LIFE. I also need to share my life with him - my messiness, my passion for a life lived now.... a life lived fully. Why is that so much to ask if you love someone?

Sometimes it feels like we have learned to put off our joy forever... always planning on "some-day, one-day" of retirement, of safety , of "one day" making the time for us instead of doing it today!

My roots are in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Virginia Landscapes are what I do. A Virginia Landscape Painter is who I am. Because of that I need desperately to move out of the town I live in and get back to a place where people seem more real. A place where everyday I am surrounded by the air that fills my heart, the mountains that are my heritage, the beauty that is really the soul of the person I have become in this lifetime. But I can't do it alone. A life lived in isolation is not a life worth living for me. I am rapidly reaching the point where I realize that this life perhaps is not worth living. The Storm clouds are gathering.

Until next time,

Create Beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

Art as life... life as art?

2008-01-24T14:06:00.000-05:00

Assorted 4" x 4" Blocks Each hand painted acrylic on stretched Gallery style wrap canvas. $15.00 each (3 or more $10.00 each) Designer Decorator Block 2007 4" x 4" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas $15.00 each Today is about trying to get back into the saddle and move forward. I have a lot of painting to do. I have committed to doing several of the Sugarloaf Art-n-Craft Festivals. Besides having to produce the vast number of 2-d and silk products that I need for that kind of (rather expensive) multiple exposure show, I am also creating the table covers, wall unit covers, set decoration, and displays for the booth. At this point I figure I have to finish painting and framing about 150 new works, plus some 200 pieces of hand-painted and constructed silk garments. My partner and I spent the last year narrowing down my focus and fine tuning my techniques to produce the lines that I am creating in painting, art, and wearable art (such as the small affordable Designer Decorator Blocks pictured above). While I have a good idea of my abilities and my limitations, I also know that each piece of art I work on is furthering my sense of self, my exploration of art for expression of my vision of the world and my dream for a happy life. I am also working on my techniques for different art media, and creating my livelihood. Like most artists I struggle daily with schedule, with finding faith in myself, with the "sell out" or quit mentality of "is it art if it is not in a museum". Lately though I find the struggle becomes more and more about the fact that I didn't build a business at being an artist because I wanted to be rich and famous. (Although as everyone does I need money to survive and for art to at least pay for itself.) But I have a business because it is how I share my life with the man I love. We work together to promote my art, to focus on the coming year and what our priorities are. At times I wonder if my relationship were to end, would I still pursue a career in this world of art? The answer is, yes! Art is how I share my vision of the world with the man who is my soul and my inspiration. Ultimately it is a reflection to me of how I see myself. It helps me to examine my own vision of the world, my priorities in life, and my principles. "Create Beauty and fill the world with love is not just a by-line motto for a blog... It is how I try to live my life, have a relationship, and yes, run a business too! Back to the art work! Til Next time Create Beauty and fill the world with Love! Wynn

Well... back, to work! 2008

2008-01-14T07:15:00.000-05:00

Mixed Decorator Blocks each 4"x4" Hand-painted acrylic on canvas $15.00 each @ http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/ I have taken a few weeks off from writing to organize my life and plan out the New Year. I have found that for me to keep focused and to move forward in my creative and business life I require time to plan, to set goals, and to strategize meeting those goals, in order for me to achieve anything. I have been working for the last few years on building my art business based on the work of my fine art paintings in oil and oil pastels. I love to paint so very much and I have had good response to my Virginia Landscapes. I have managed 11 solo9 and group shows in 2007 and feel very proud of the work I have done. In the coming year I intend to return to those media and keep expanding my use of color and form to express nature as she draws me to her. I have also been exploring the whole sale world as a means of supporting myself 100% with my art. I have found that the market for 2-d work is very undependable in both the gallery world and in wholesale art markets. But I have gotten a wonderful response for my hand-painted silk wearable art landscapes. This year I plan to continue to develop shawls, jackets, dresses, and pants for upscale clothing, as well as throws and pillows for interior design. I am booked for several Fine Art and Crafts shows this year, including the Sugarloaf Craft shows in Timonium Md, and in Chantilly VA. The Spring Show in Richmond Va and other to be announced soon. There I will be selling my silk-work and some small 2-d works including decorative wall blocks and my Twilight series and Appalachian Trail series paintings, as well as hand painted cards. I look forward to meeting many more people and the fun of craft fairs. It means a lot more time working in my studio... which I love! Part of my planning for 2008 is to work harder at maintaining my web sites and my online sales at ebay.com and etsy.com as well as my wholesalecrafts.com site. Time to get back to work! Until next time Create Beauty and fill the world with love! Wynn

ART as art...

2007-12-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

Trees

18 x 24" Oil on Canvas

SOLD

I love to paint. I forget at times how much the simple act of putting paint to canvas eases my world worn spirit and makes life worth while again. I often get tied up in the "I must produce more work faster to sell today" mentality and I forget that I started this because I loved the act of painting.

When I step in front of the canvas and clear my mind and let my spirit guide my fingers, then I begin to feel back in my own body and life becomes joy filled again. I don't have to worry about whether it is good or marketable or world class painting, or not. I can trust my skills, trust my heart to take me where I need to go. Paint, unlike a lover or a family member or the person at the job, can't let me down. It can only free me to be me again.

Recently I was asked to do several commissions. The people I work with are all lovely and I love to be asked to create something special just for them. Often they will go through my portfolio and see a work they love that I have already sold and ask if I can recreate it. My answer is always that yes, I can recreate the feel and the colors used, but that no two paintings of mine are ever going to be just alike.

I don't mind copying from myself. If I have created a painting that touches someone other than the original buyer ( and please god let them be seen by many others) then I want to be able to make that same emotional response available to others. What I don't really plan to do often is to make a print or an exact copy. I love to recreate the feel of a place not a photographic replica of it, and those feeling change like the sunlight does minute to minute.

This week I have had the honor of painting again! It's good to be home!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

New Horizons

2007-12-21T09:25:00.000-05:00

My painting has always been about creating beauty and vibrant color. I am starting to develop now a line of silk clothing. Using the jewel tones and vibrant colors of nature that I love so much, along with my simple abstracted landscape styles on hand painted silk and satin, I am designing and creating hand made clothing for men and women. Clothing that celebrates culture, class, and elegance; while at the same time clothing that can go from the Board-room to the ball-room. My free-style clothing draws from many cultures and influences and is designed to allow the maximum freedom of movement while still celebrating and highlighting the form, beauty, and diversity of the human body!

I look forward to sharing the new designs and my work in silk, satin, linen and velvets int he coming month with you all. Happy Holidays!

Until Next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

The Art of Commissions

2007-12-17T11:57:00.001-05:00

Cherries 9x24" Oil on paper

SOLD _ private commission

The creation of an original piece of fine artwork is a personal and interactive process. It is important for you to understand the process. Although there is a process, there are no hard and fast rules. The free flow of ideas, facts and feelings are essential to the completion of a commission. I am committed to your satisfaction.

Initial Contact Take some time to look at my Artwork through my website www.wynncreasyfineart.com or a visit to my studio. Get an idea of my style. I paint primarily landscapes, still life, and abstracts. Each commission is unique. Any image you find attractive can be enlarged, lengthened, altered, and adapted to fit your specific space and needs. I choose my materials and techniques to ensure the greatest of permanency; when treated appropriately your art will outlast your grandchildren. Fine Art is a financial and personal investment. Quality and longevity are of great importance to me. I enjoy a challenge. If my style is one that you are interested in, contact me and we can discuss the details. I will also give you an idea of my current work schedule.

Consultation The nature of the initial consultation will depend upon you. To best help us both, I would like to see where the art will be placed, the lighting and decor in the room, and the flow of traffic through the room. Photos of work that interest you are also helpful. We will also use telephone and e-mail to keep in contact. I will be creating a piece of art that is unique and personal. I aim to make sure it is right for you, your family, or the persons to whom you are gifting it, to enjoy for a lifetime.

Agreement and Pricing I can create both large scale and smaller pieces to fit your needs. Price depends on many factors which include, size, materials, technique style, and matting and framing (Delivery/Shipping fees and installation charges are an additional charge). The evolution of the piece will affect the cost. The estimate is just that, an estimate. Depending on the complexity of the image and the materials and the number of labor hours required, the price is adjustable (not always higher). Upon your commitment to commission a work from me, I will require a contract with a down-payment equal to ½ the agreed estimated price for the finished work. This provides the materials for the commissioned work as well as a good faith commitment on both our parts to finish this project.

Sketches and Reviews Based upon our initial discussions, I will make several sketches. We’ll meet again and go over the proposed work. You’ll be given an opportunity to review the sketches and to make a final selection. Your input here is invaluable. After this selection, I will create the painting incorporating your ideas and suggestions. Please note that after this phase, there are limited opportunities for further change in the image composition or colors of the painting. (Note: unless agreed upon prior to beginning the work, all sketches remain the property of the artist and may be purchased separately.)

The Finished Work At that time I will proceed to complete and deliver the commissioned artwork as per our agreed time schedule. When the painting is complete I will notify you to view it. We can then arrange the final payment and the delivery of the work.

For additional information on Commissioning Artwork please contact me direct at: wynnc@wynncreasyfineart.com Or call my studio at 703.652.9626.

The Joyous Season

2007-12-12T13:08:00.001-05:00

The Autumn Series

Wall mountable 4x4" Stretched Canvas blocks

set of 5 $75.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Fall has come and is almost gone and I hardly noticed it.

Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia I always loved the fall weather most. The brilliant scarlets and the shocking lime yellow of trees balanced the rust wheat and sienna of dead grasses and the naked trunks of trees. The crisp air wakes you up and you begin to notice that it's dark when you rise and dark when you get home. Dreams of logs in the fire and hot chocolate and quiet evenings return.

My friends all tease me because my own clock is tuned to the sun. I wake when it rises and I am ready to crawl into bed at dark. (Which is about 5:30 pm as the winter rolls through.) I could say its the result of maturity but I've been like this all my life.

But now its almost Christmas and I feel somehow I've missed the fall. Our weather has been strange and I've lost count of the days. I guess I'm going though one of those spells of introspection reminding me that life is a gift. I have so very much to be grateful for: Friends, Talents, a wonderful life partner, and the joy of creating. Painting for me is the ultimate gift back to the world around me. So for today I will stick my head outside and acknowledge the beauty of my little piece of the world and move ahead.

Elan Magazine

2007-12-11T10:34:00.000-05:00

Here in Northern Virginia there is a wonder arts magazine known as Elan. It is a magazine aimed to the housing market and the the growing communities in NOVA of investers and collectors. The main focus of this glossy tabletop magazine is to introduce local artists and focus on thw quality of life in the arts that our community offers. Not only do they highlight visual artists - painters, sculptors, fiber workers and glass , but they also cover and introduce area musicians, dancers, conductors, actors writer. All mediums of the arts. I was very pleased to be covered in their December 2007 . You can click on the link here to read the article in PDF format on my website. http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/elan_magazine_dec07v3.pdf Until next time Create beauty and fill the world with love Wynn

Art vs Craft... Skilled labor at its best.

2007-12-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

Silk Scarf - 44" x 44" One of a kind Hand-painted 100% imported fine Silk, hand hemmed. Painted with traditional French Silk Techniques.

$75.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

As an artist I work hard to keep exploring the world around me. I expand the ways I use my mediums of choice (oil, oil pastels, acrylic and lately Silk painting.) Though I have no formal training I assimilate well. I study art - both in museums and in back rooms - not to find what sells or what is/was popular, but to find what the artist seemed to really be trying to say? I love to philosophically question, why this color palette, why that kind of brush stroke?

In my own simple work I am searching to create ( primarily) colorful landscapes of my soul. (That lost black hole.) I explore my relationship to the IDEAL of nature rather than trying to recreate with photo detailed realism my surroundings and memories. My work has been called emotional, "conveying an underlying optimism using subtle shading and layers of contrasting and complementary hues".( Trudi Van Dyke - Elan Magazine December 2007)

I have fallen into the trap occasionally of trying to paint what might sell so that I can live. Every time I end up deeper in despair because in order to paint I have to listing to my heart and not my mind.

Lately I have again been struggling with the Art/ Vs craft dilemma. My work is going in directions that seem to make it more feasible to sell it at art and craft fairs where "hand-made" means something. I just don't have the financial backing to stage one or two fine art shows a year in a gallery and not have my work out there the rest of the time for the public to see. The quality of my work is the same, the presentation is similar. It does seem that in many ways the only real separation of art and craft is determined by one thin question. "Is it usable or is it superfluous decoration?" If only very rich people can afford to hang in on the wall does that make it art? If it can be used in everyday life (a scarf, an holiday ornament, etc) does that instantly make it craft?

There are a number of museums and galleries that are now recognizing that the quality of work and the skill of creativity and design that goes into many pieces formally labeled Craft are no different at all than their "Fine Art" counterparts.

I guess all I can really do a the moment is to let others decide the matter and get back to work on my own art.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

An artist's work is never done... thank god!

2007-12-09T13:29:00.001-05:00

While it may seem to many that the reason artists like to stay self employed is to lay in bed and eat bonbon til noon and play through life.... I'm here to tell you it is so much harder than any 9 to 5 or even 8 to 8 job in the "real" world could ever be.

Right now I am working on several different projects. I have 4 private commissions currently on the easel. I am working everyday to also create enough product for the weekend art fairs and craft shows I do. Besides my usual landscapes and the cards and small collectible pieces I produce right now in oil and pastel, I am also developing my technique as a silk painter (and the rewards and response has been great in that market this fall for me) But I need months to complete the learning curve and to produce the quality work I desire in this other medium. I just don't have enough hours in the day right now!

I am working fiendishly to keep up with applications for solo and group shows nationally, as well as juggling craft shows that will provide me with the necessary exposure and income.

I love it all! I'm surprisingly good at it all. but at times I want to sit and cry from being tired. I'm often exhausted because of trying to fit in painting, dying, stretching, mailing. writing and selling with household chores, teaching, a relationship. On top of that sometimes I feel I've spent a year plus working on something because someone said " This is good!" This is the direction you should be going!" "This is edgy and modern do it!"only to find that there is not really a market for me. I know building an art career can take years. I don't have years. I don't have as my mom would say "a pot to piss in". I only have talent! I'm half way through my life now. I've never in my life had a vacation of any kind. I can't afford to take a day off from work. AND STILL... I am the luckiest person in the world. I get to do the thing I love more than anything in the world - Create beautiful things that people love and wish to own and share.

Today I am finishing holiday gift boxes, updating my resume, building new stretchers for silk, painting 20 pieces of silk for a retail store, cooking lunch for my BF and working on 4 new sketches for a commissioned painting. January I'll sleep... Maybe!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Tis the Season!

2007-12-08T15:30:00.001-05:00

I wish a very Happy Holiday to all my friends and patrons, old and new. It’s December and the weather is not co-operating with me as far as comfy outdoor sales, but still life and art goes on. You can find me for purchases at the Alexandria Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings until Christmas, and Sundays at Eastern Market in Washington, DC. My paintings are featured currently at the EWI A Woman’s Story Gallery and also at Madeleine’s Doggy Boutique both on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. I currently have a Solo show with works available at the Durant Center 1605 Cameron Street until January 2 2008. There is ALSO a solo show at The Massey Cancer Center of the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond Virginia until January 5 2008. Please contact me if you’d like information on either of those shows. If you are looking for the perfect last minute stocking stuffer or gift idea, I can help. I have available 4x4x1” free standing or wall mountable holiday ornament blocks (see attachment) these are lightweight canvas blocks perfect for hanging on the tree or to give as collectible gifts. Each year I paint a new one of a kind design for the season. Collect them all. They are priced at $15.00 each or, if you buy three or more, they are $10.00 each. I have a hand painted Christmas Cards still available. They come in packs of 4 cards for $25.00. Each painting is had crafted on matte board and mounted on archival paper. They make great gift cards or can be framed in a 5x7” frame for years of enjoyment. Like the blocks there is a different design for each year’s holiday card. Get your 2007 before they are gone. I also have sensuous hand painted silk scarves available in a variety of sizes. They are painted in the style of my abstracted landscapes using intense rich colors with traditional French Silk dye/resist and set techniques. Scarves can be crafted to order if there are specific colors your loved one likes. The Scarves come in several sizes. 8 x 54” Neck Scarves, 22x90” Stoles, The full size “Pashima” like 35 x 84” Veils, 44” Square neck and head scarves, and even little silk chiffon Kimono style jackets for casual and evening wear. Please feel free to check my web site for style and colors and write me or call for orders. This month there was a wonderful personality profile written by Trudi Van Dyke about my life and work in the Élan Artist Magazine of Northern Virginia. Featuring 4 pages of my paintings, I was very grateful for the coverage and the in-depth writing, also for Élan’s mission to introduce emerging and established artists in the Metro DC area to the public. As always my studio in Old Town is available for you to visit and select your gifts, or just have a cup of coffee and share the time with me! Happy holidays to you all! Until next time, Create Beauty and fill the world with love. Wynn

The Christmas Season - Collectible Hand Made Cards

2007-11-27T12:47:00.000-05:00

The 2007 Collectible Christmas Card Series

4 assorted hand painted Cards for $25.00

Each card hand-painted

4x6" image Acrylic on Matte Board

Mounted on 5x7" archival paper suitable for framing.

2007 Hand Painted Canvas Ornament

4" x 4" x 1" Acrylic on Canvas with Ribbon Hanger

$15.00 each

Each year I design a card image that I use in a series of hand painted cards and small canvas ornaments for my collectors. This year the series features a single decorated wild spruce or holly tree the snow with others fading into the back ground. The Paintings have an iridescent blue paint that reflect the skies and the snow drifts in front of the trees reflect the green of the trees on a winter day. Each year there is a new series. Collect them all!

Until Next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love

Wynn

How fast the year goes bye

2007-11-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

2008 Landscape Calendar featuring 13 of my recent works.

8.5 x 11" Printed on Archival Quality paper. 12.95 each

It's Thanksgiving day.

I have so much to be grateful for this year. My partner and I really expanded my art business to be a full time job. I have had 11 solo and group shows around the country this year. My skills have grown because of my having time to paint EVERY DAY. I've made new friends and I've expanded my network of other very talented artists! My partner and I have strengthened our relationship because of being committed to working together building the business.

Besides all that I discovered a new medium that I have fallen in love with ( Silk Painting) and I am expanding sidelines of wearable art that includes my landscapes and my goddesses.

How quickly a year passes when you are passionately involved in life, love and art.

Better get a calendar now! It looks like 2008 is going to be here before I blink and I want it to be just a joy filled as 2007 has been.

Thanks for all of your support and words of encouragement.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

2007-11-18T15:49:00.000-05:00

Holiday Cards

Featuring a single decorated tree amidst its pals in the snow.

Each card is hand-painted original 4 x 6" art. Painted in acrylic on matte-board these can be collected and framed in a 5x7" if you can't bear to send them away to your friends for the holidays. Each set is $25.00 for 4 cards - mixed vertical and horizontal.

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

www.wholesalecrafts.com

Frustrations and Venting 101

2007-11-13T06:48:00.000-05:00

You know, as an artist I work pretty hard: To be professional. To follow through on my commitments. To present both quality work and an attitude that will assure my clients and those that represent me that I am dependable. That I am serious about the work I do and that I intend to be recognized and am here for the long investment of a career as an art and craft person.

So it really irritates me when I commit to something and the sponsor sees the event and my work as an afterthought.

Case in point. This past weekend I had a "Meet the Artist" opening for a show that is hanging in the city as part of a local Arts organization. It was supposedly a juried show. There is a required commission on all sales and all sales must go through the organizers.

There was little or no communication about the show, the hanging, the venue. I had to organize the reception and pay for it all myself (which I didn't mind it is part of the marketing budget.) There was no information about how to order a set up, nor any mention from the venue that that a license was needed to serve alcohol at the reception. The DAY OF of the 6:30 PM reception I was informed that I couldn't get in to set up until after 6:00 pm because of an after-school program in the building. There had been NO publicity in the local papers or even on the web site of the organization. There were no fliers made, nothing mentioning the show at all.( I had spent a good deal to produce my own post cards of the event and send them to a limited mailing list of my collectors and also to do my usual web site and online marketing.) There was one quick last minute e-mail sent out the day before the show to a limited list of other artists in the area... not buyers or investors or collectors. No arrangements were made to have a representative from the organization present to deal with charges or sales (Remember they HAD to go through the commission.) And not one member of the organization managed to show up for the reception.

I recognize that I am just one of many artists in this community. I recognize that perhaps this show was not really about supporting the local artists as much as about making the arts organization look good and as if it is doing something to add to the quality of life. But unlike a lot of the local artist here i am not retired or living on someone else's income. I can't afford to create mount and frame work to hang as free wall decorations.

End of tirade, back to painting.

The power of marketing

2007-11-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

Hand painted Cards - each card frameable quality original 5x7" set of 4 in mixed colors $25.00

2008 Landscape Calendar Archival Print Quality - 8.5 x 11" Spiral Bound Each $12.95

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

In a recent article in the Washington City Paper (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=2376) I was mis-quoted as saying that my artistic success "has more to do with marketing than artistic talent." While I did not say that.... and I do not and never did believe that, I DO believe that without some marketing skills and the push to get my creative work out there I have no hope of making an income as an artist.

As an example of that - one of the things I do regularly is to send out a monthly e-mail report to people who have requested to be on my email list and people who I have exchanged ideas with about what new work I am creating, where I am currently showing and what works I have available for sale. This week I sent out my November Arts Update Email and within 48 hours I had orders for cards, my 2008 calendars, and my silk scarves from people who are beginning to think about their holiday gift ideas. I also have a response of people saying they are attending my solo art show opening tonight, and THAT means I have a chance to sell a few paintings.

NONE of these things would have been possible if I had not spent time reaching out, planning and marketing. To many artists the idea of marketing their work is beneath them. To others artists it is simply a matter of not knowing where to start or how to market. Keep in mind that marketing is really the simple act of informing people - friends (old and new), relatives, previous collectors and future buyers - that you have a product or them and that it is available at such and such a location for such and such a time. My business and romantic partner always reminds me that K.I.S.S. ( Keep It Simple, Stupid) is the best way to approach everything in life and that goes double for marketing. Get the word out there that you have built it ( painted it, sewn it, shaped it...etc) and they WILL come!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

The meaning of creativity

2007-11-07T16:08:00.000-05:00

Austin's Way 24 x 18" Oil

$490.00

Painting is in many ways the thing that keeps me sane.

Life can be so hard at times. The simple matter of trying to pay the bills on time. Or come up with the money needed to produce a show and reception in order to sell work to make the money to pay for the materials needed to make the work.

My life has been a series of challenging events. From childhood abuse, to life in an orphanage, to putting myself through school for a career as a performer, to now working to build a reputation as a artist. None of life is easy. But it can be rewarding and joy filled.

Friday this week I open a new solo show of works based on my love of the Virginia Landscape. The works range from realistic to abstracted images in oil and oil pastels. Works are moderately priced and all works are available for purchase. There will be a "Meet the Artist" reception Friday evening form 6:30 til 9 pm at the show. Located at the Oswald Durant Center 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria Va 22314

Events like this where I get the chance to talk with the people who collect my work; to get to know them and let them know me, allow me to really celebrate what I paint, and why, and how.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with LOVE!

Wynn

The Wonder of Silk Landscapes

2007-11-06T08:16:00.001-05:00

Silk Kerchief 6x20" 100% imported hand rolled hemmed silk. Each piece hand painted using traditional Silk Painting Techniques and steam set for lasting color and durability. $20.00 each

Since all my life I have been a nature child and the landscape is both my escape and my grounding it is only natural that both my fine art and my silk work is based on landsapes.

I am using wonderful imported silk that is so smooth to the touch that it almost feels like flesh. The drape of the fabric lets it hang and swirl around you when you wear them, but when used as a window covering or wall hanging, the light leaps through like a fine stained glass window.

I am so pleased to list that I now have several lines of silk available: 6x20" Kerchiefs, Silk Stoles at 22 x 90", Hobatai Veils at 35 x 84", wonderful Silk Square headscarfs at 44 x44", and even casual and dressy chiffon silk Kimono type light gauze jackets. All are hand dyed and painted using improted silk dyes that are specifically created for brilliant color and longevity.

You can find my Wearable Silk art at The Alexandria Farmer's Market ( 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA) on Saturday mornings until Christmas, and also every Sunday at the Eastern Market ( 7th and North Carolina Ave, SE) in DC .

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Letting Color Reign

2007-11-05T10:41:00.000-05:00

Silk Stole 22 x90

Hand painted

Imported 100% silk

50.00

Color has always been my master. Long before I had an inkling about color theory I was fascinated by the way that colors played off of each other, the ways that colors could guide mood, heighten emotional reactions and thoughts.

In my landscape paintings I have always considered myself a colorist. Of course I always take form, value and density into consideration, but I allow the color to guide my response to nature around me.

As I have recently begun to develop a line of "Landscape" paintings in silk, I have discovered even more the passion I have for color, and how it can lead one to a new horizon. Simply allowing colors to lie beside each other begins, as Rothko saw, the dialogue of earth and sky. Form is determined by value but also simply by the juxtaposition of shade, hue, contrasts, and complements.

My new series of wearable silk landscapes in french dye is re-kindling my love of pure color. I hope you enjoy them as well!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Rainy Days and Mondays

2007-10-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

Painting a day

Rolling Thunder

9 x 24" Oil on Paper

325.00

It raining. I usually love grey cool wet days. God knows we have not had any rain here all summer so I am grateful for it.

Still. When you are an artist who makes her living mostly at out door art sales and farmers markets and festivals... rainy weekends can be the death of the bottom line.

So I am not at the Alexandria Farmers Market today. Instead I am using the day to iron all my new silk scarves and catalogue the work I am doing. I am repacking for art shows later. I am working on new paintings and up-dating my web page. I am sending out invites to my Solo show openings coming up next month, and I am taking time for a cup of hot tea and later a good glass of wine and begin grateful for the day. The sun will shine tomorrow and then it's back to the races.

Until next time

Create great beauty and fill the world with love

Wynn

The Race is on again!

2007-10-26T16:32:00.001-04:00

Original work 2008 Gift calenders available for the Holiday Season.

Each is printing on quality stock Paper and bound with enduring spring binding. They arrive in sealed cellophane packages to protect them from travel and shipping wear and tear. ORDER YOURS TODAY before the LIMITED supply is GONE!

Ive started the Fall Madness that I love so much about creating art and craft.

Beginning this week I will be at the Alexandria Farmer's Market Saturdays 6 am until 10 am.

Sundays will find me at the Eastern Market in Washington DC every Sunday 9 am until 5 pm.

I open my solo Show "My Virginia" at the VCU Stony Point Medical Facilities on November 1. This show of new works of mine in oil and oil pastel focuses on my unique vision of the Virginia landscape and has about 30 works framed and for sale. The show runs until January 5th, 2008

ALSO this week I hang another solo show at the Durant Memorial Center In Old Town Alexandria ( 1605 Cameron Street) This show sponsored by the Alexandria Commission for the arts and entitled "Virginia Landscapes" is a retro of my past landscape paintings, as well as explorations in new directions for expressing my view of the landscape. that exhibit will also run November 2, 2007 until January 2, 2008. There will be a "meet the artist" reception Friday night November 9 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm.

Needless to say I am running full steam ahead. Not only am I polishing my painting skills of r new work, and working on a few commissions, I am also developing a line of fine craft wearable silk items in my trademark colors and landscapes .

Sleep would be good... Maybe in January!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the World with Love

Wynn

Day to day struggles... so many arts works so little time!

2007-10-16T08:15:00.000-04:00

If only I didn't need sleep. Or to teach as much as I do to pay my rent right now. Or if there were some way to get everyone to agree on which of my art forms they want to buy and then Id only have to concentrate on one medium at a time.. ( that sounds boring somehow). Of course it would be nice if I could find someone willing to update my web page for free every day, and help me with all the eBay marketing, and the publicity and the press releases and the events planning and applications. Then it would also be nice to find a volunteer full time book keeper to deal with the taxes, and my book-keeping, and suppliers orders and bank balances and production costs etc...

The truth is I love doing ALL these things. I like being in charge of my life. I love the people I am meeting by doing out door markets and craft fairs. I enjoy the gallery scene for my solo shows. I love the time I get to explore new ideas and create new works to share, and to make others lives joy-filled as well.

I get frustrated that I am not more on top of all of them all the time.. but then if only I didn't need sleep

until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love

Wynn

New Award - Honorable Mention The Art League Alexandria Va

2007-10-05T10:27:00.003-04:00

"Blue Ridge Sunrise"

18 x 24" Oil Pastel on Paper

I have just been notified that my painting Blue ridge Sunrise has been awarded an honorable mention in the recent show at the Art League - Torpedo Factory, Alexandria Va.

I also would like to mention I have been featured this month in an article in Elan Magazine. This Northern Virginia "High end" art resource magazine covers promising and professional artists in the Metro region. I am very honored to be included in their pages!

I sometimes struggle with the fact that I am attracted to so many different styles of artwork. Yet it always seems to be the landscape that draws me back. We are often told that in order to have good gallery representation that we need to focus ourselves and to present only one style of work that we do. I know that is so a gallery owner knows how best to peg us and to promote us and I recognize the sensibility in that. But I still have to work in the different mediums that attract me. So I find that as long as I keep focused on my landscape work it doesn't really seem to matter if it is oil, oil pastel, acrylic or even the new silk paintings/ wearable art I am currently doing I still seem to create a cohesive body of work.

This is a busy month for me. This Saturday October 6 I am introducing my new line of wearable hand-painted silk art at Art on the Avenue ( Booth #W163) This huge street fair takes place on Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray section of Alexandria Va, 10 am til 6 pm. Come early it gets crowded, and finding parking is hard. I also have available now my 2008 Calendars for sale - in either the Virginia Landscapes series, or the Goddess series.

Sunday I am at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill.

Next Saturday October 13th I'll be back at the Bethesda Artist Market in Bethesda Maryland.

I am hanging two solo shows this month that will run until January 2008. one at the stony Point Medical Center in Richmond VA, as part of the VCU/ MCV system. November 1 until January 2

The other will be in Alexandria, VA at the Oswald Durant Center November 2 until January 5.

NEW beginnings... developing a new art line

2007-10-01T06:07:00.000-04:00

Silk Scarf - Twilight Blues

100% quality silk, 8mm

Hand painted using traditional French Silk Painting Techniques and permanent silk dyes. Color graduates from a deep teal to light sky blue with moon and clouds in background. Tree silhouettes on one end only. May be hung ad wall hanging or worn as wearable art scarf

22 x 90"

$75.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I've begun developing a new series of wearable fine art. I am creating one of a kind unique hand painted silk scarves, handkerchiefs, and Silk Kimono Jackets. Each piece is hand-dyed and painted using a resist method to created designs with complex colors and layers. Each piece is 100% imported china silk of the finest quality and hand hemmed. Colors and designs are permanent and the garment can be dry-cleaned or hand washed.

This scarf is using my trademark images of "Twilight Series" (TM) usual gradually darkening color and lightening toward the skyline which includes moon, clouds, and tree silhouettes in the foreground.

I am also developing a series that includes the "Goddess" images as well as abstract color studies as well.

There will be scarves and New 2008 Wall calendars available at Art on the Avenue this Saturday - Oct 6 - all day long. (Mt Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray section of Old Town Alexandria)

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

The unpredictable series. Life as an artist...

2007-09-19T07:46:00.001-04:00

Painting a day -

A Gaggle of Goddesses No. 48 Goddess series No. 39

9x12" Acrylic on Masonite Card 7x5" Acrylic on recycled Paper

$45.00 $6.25 each

I usually think I am a good judge of human nature. But when it comes to art there is no way to know how people will respond. I guess sometimes it surprises me that I really can't predict what people are going to be attracted to.

The Goddess grew out of my grieving for the death of my dear friend and mentor Ann Aves Martin. Ann was a larger than life woman who for most of her life lived basically as a recluse from health and emotional reasons. Still she encouraged me to explore my world and to first develop my talents as a musician and singing actress, and later to enjoy the process of exploring communicating through art.

Ann died last April. But her spirit is always with me still. It was her images that began the Goddesses. I always thought that, like the Venus of Willendorf, there was something powerful and empowering about this style of full feminine figure. But I was unprepared for the way that people respond to them in the market place. I have been working on the Goddesses as painting and hand made cards, and am now also expanding that line to include silk painted scarves and clothing. The combination of brilliant color and strong line seems to really entice people. I am so glad they touch people. Through these images Ann Aves Martin ( and I hope I) will continue to make the world a better place!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

A new horizon ( line)

2007-09-18T08:26:00.001-04:00

Card Series

Each 5x7" Card is hand painted on recycled paper

Available individually, $6.25

or in Mixed sets of 4, $22.00

or 8 $45.00

www.wynncreasyfineart.com

So... it's true that I have spent the last year of my life learning my craft, exploring every day new ways to communicate what I see in my minds eye, and honing my skills with color and different media.

So Monday I took my first ever painting class; a landscape class with a wonderful artist named Rick Weaver, who is based in Charlottesville, VA. I have to admit I was petrified.

I have been an over-achiever all my life and many things have come easily to me. Art is instinctual to me, but having had no formal training I felt very inadequate taking a class with a group of artists who have painted most of their lives.

I had a great time and I appreciate Rick's approach to basics first. We started with very basic value studies of dark and light. I recognized that I have a skill for breaking things down to the lowest common denominator. A simple line. A block of dark versus light. Distilling form that is pleasing and organic. I have done these things instinctively, it was nice to be affirmed that I can do it, and improve my composition, and grow still more as an artist and an interpreter of the landscape.

I'm very much looking forward to the next 8 weeks of Plein Air Landscape painting and the many technical skills I will pick up from this wonderful instructor.

Mean while look for me this Saturday at the Western Market at 18th and Wyoming in Adams Morgan ( NW Washington DC). Sunday I will be at the Eastern Market ( North Carolina and 7th Street SE.) Stop and enjoy the new work I am doing!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

10 steps to Market your Art to the World

2007-09-15T15:18:00.000-04:00

Painting-a-day Solitude 16x20" Oil on Masonite Panel

$325.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

People tell me I am amazing at marketing and getting coverage for my work. Personally I think there is still SO much I need to learn in order move to the level of a national competitor for recognition in the art world (and for sales) that I wish to be. That means mostly putting my regular daily work into over drive and making sure everyday I do at lease one of the following 10 steps to get my work out there and sell it.

1.) PAINT - unless I work every day to have a product that is of quality and that is desirable, all the marketing in the world is not going to make me recognized as a collectible artist.

2.) KEEP RECORDS - without sound pictorial references, book-keeping AND up dated list of works and their where abouts there is no way to manage a career.

3.) UDPATE MY PORTFOLIO - When I create new works my collectors and prospective galleries need to now about them. Likewise when a work has sold I need to notate that and remove it so that a client is no longer disappointed that the ONE work the desire is already gone.

4.) SUBMIT - No I don't mean be sub-dominant to my husband. I mean apply for every show that I research and find is correct for my type of art. For every gallery that might be interested in my work, for every competition, or every local AND NATIONAL juried show. (An artist can almost Never rely on just her/ his local friends and family for a living wage.

5.) FOLLOW UP ON LEADS - Every friend that mentions a friend, every builder , every collector , every designer, every developer, every retailer who has mentioned an interest in my work needs a reminder that I am here. A new image, a friendly note, a call to say "How are things going?"

6.) NETWORK - Go to galleries openings, go to wholesale shows, go to retail shows, talk to people outside of my world, talk to the people IN my world. Thank people for referrals. Refer people to friends. The world of other people is here for us to use it .. to share it.

7.) GET WRITTEN PUBLICITY - It really is not that hard to get press coverage. Write a press release and send it for everything you do. A new series of paintings, a new show, an award, recognitions from peers. Search out local magazines and papers. They are often looking for well written fast stories about local personalities. Submit to everything you can.

8) DONATE - Unfortunately once you donate everyone thinks you should give them something. And with the Tax laws as they are, artists are screwed with the amounts we donate that can be written off. Still donating to public causes can get your name before the public, and repeated exposure pays off in the long run. Name Recognition is the way your prices can increase.

9.)TEACH - Teach a workshop. Teach a class. Share your knowledge with others. Whenever you have the chance talk to any one about How you paint. Why you paint. What you paint. Educate collectors, other artists and the general public about why what you do is important to you. And why it is important to the world around them.

10.) PAINT - I know it started the list. It also must end it. Unless I paint, unless I grow every day as an artist, and unless I can create a body of work that will represent me in a cohesive way - I can't call myself an artist. That doesn't mean to only paint one way or one thing. But know who I am, to explore my creative means in every way possible requires that I produce regularly, that I continue to explore to refine and to experiment.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

New Works

2007-09-13T15:26:00.000-04:00

Painting a day - Nebula Series No. 2 11x14" Oil

$325.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I am loving working in silk painting these days.

I have always been fascinated by skies, both the cloud formations of the Virginia Sky, and the intersteller atmosphpere. Recently I was exposed ( no pun intended) to the incredible light show that has recently been brought back to earth through the Hubble Telescope photos. I am using those images as a starting place for a series of abstracted sky-scapes paintings on silk scarves and wall hangings.

I will be at The Western Market in Adams Morgan this Saturday. I will be at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill this Sunday.

I wish I had hundreds of hours to paint every day!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love.

Wynn

The silly things that an artist deals with

2007-09-12T09:11:00.000-04:00

Painting a day - Twilight Series No. 4000 24 x 36" Hand Dyed Silk

$195.00 Sometimes in the rush to create there are little things I over look.

Yesterday, after months of discussing and planning I started on a new venture: Silk Painting. I've dreamed of the scarves and clothing I will make using my trademark Twilight Series of paintings. I've read dozens of books on techniques. Scoured on-line sites for hints, do's and dont's. I invested an amount of money on some quality silk and painting supplies. Finally I blocked out a period of time that I knew I could work undisturbed. I loved it. The paints flow with the fabric and I am able to create beautiful skies landscapes in fabric that is both hang-able and wearable art.

There was one little bit of information I seemed to have over looked. It seems the French imported dyes I am using which are brilliant colored and fluid... are also semi-permanent in skin. I missed the note that one should wear gloves while working with this medium! Ive tried everything I know. Mineral spirits, Turpenoid, denatured alcohol, bleach.... nothing lightens the stains. So for a few days - perhaps weeks now - I am going to be walking around with brilliant colored hands. I guess it's the stigmata of the artist...

But the paintings are beautiful and I cant stop now!

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Silk, canvas, art goddesses, back to the joy of work!

2007-09-11T09:08:00.000-04:00

Goddesses No. 13 14 x 11" Acrylic on Masonite Panel Framed

Sold

This was a wonderful and successful weekend of art sharing and meeting some great new people! I exhibited for the first time in public my Goddesses and people went wild over them. The cards series was immensely popular and the paintings were gone in a flash. There is something very organic and earthy about them, at the same time the bright colors and clarity of them speaks to many people. ..

I was surprised at the number of expectant mothers who were taken by them. Many expressed how the Goddesses affirmed to them that they were still beautiful and attractive in their current state. I am so glad that they get it! That its about all women in all shapes and sizes are beautiful and desirable and perfect as we are!

I am working hard this week on developing this series even more and also on expanding it into silk wraps and clothing.

I have long been fascinated by the techniques of silk painting, and I think that my silhouetted "Twilight" series of trees back lit with sunsets and moonlight will be wonderful in soft colors and in the flowing silk clothing I am developing. The Goddesses are a natural for the jackets and scarves I am creating now.

Back to work

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Art festivals this weekend to meet and greet and buy!

2007-09-07T11:34:00.001-04:00

This Saturday September 8 you can find me at the Bethesda Artists Market (www.bethesda.org) located at Bethesda Place Plaza - the corner of Old Georgetown Rd and Woodmont Ave in Bethesda, MD. The Market runs from 10 am til 5 pm. and will feature the work of various fine artists and crafts-persons. Come early to get the best selection.

Sunday September 9 I'll be part of the exciting Adams Morgan Day Celebration - Arts on Belmont. Located at Belmont and 19th Street in historic Adams Morgan DC. the all day street and art festival celebrates the creativity and the diversity of this DC neighborhood. Parking can be difficult so get there early and enjoy Arts on Belmont and make your selections before the crowds arrive.

I'll be introducing a new line of hand painted cards and the "Goddesses" seen in the picture above.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

The struggle for balance - Art VS life VS sanity

2007-09-05T08:19:00.000-04:00

Painting-a- Day Japanese Screen No. 6 Marguerites 24 x 9" Oil Pastel

$375.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

The life long image that I grew up with of artists as unstable, unsocial, and irresponsible is often at war with the person I see myself as inside.

I have worked very hard to be good at what I do.

I have worked my whole life. I have put myself through 3 college degrees in the performing art field. I have always supported myself and been fairly good at keeping a roof over my head. While it is true that I chose not to have a serious relationship for many years in my life I didn't see that as being irresponsible; rather as be responsible to my art and craft. I know that simply keeping a roof over my own head and making the time to be a good professional musician, then teacher, and now visual artist required so much of my time and energy that I wouldn't really have the time to have and care for children or commit to a full time relationship.

I have had hundreds of different jobs, from waiting tables to executive secretary and lots in between. Several of them could very easily have opened doors to a career path in the rat race. I seemed to be the kind of person who was always pushed into management positions for my intelligence, determination, "pride in my work" ethic, and "go get 'em" attitude. Every time that push came, I moved on to another job that allowed me to stay focused on my art. A look at my job record and you might think I was a very flighty and irresponsible person. But I 'm not. I simple had a different view of what being responsible was and whom... society or myself.

I admit that I am somewhat unsocial. I have thousands of childhood demons that I struggle with that stunt my ability to trust easily and make me feel safer when I am in my studio at home instead of socializing or schmoozing. But that doesn't make me a bad person, simply a recluse.

Stability.... well I suppose that is a different ideal as well for everyone. I freely admit to being emotionally unstable. While most people who know me on a surface level find me perky, full of life and a bit Polyannaish -- I've struggled with lifelong clinical depression. I struggle with thoughts of suicide and worthlessness. I suppose for collectors of my art that is a good thing - since we all know that the work of an artist goes up appreciatively when she is dead. I think many of us who are drawn to the creative energy in life must struggle with some demons that need exercising. However, I have enough of a rational mind to know that I'd hate to miss that moment. So I stick around for the values to increase while I'm still alive to take advantage of it myself.

It is a running joke with my spouse /partner that I only paint so that I can afford to have a little Bed and Breakfast Inn in the country. To return to the quiet simple life that I dream of in the Blue-ridge mountains. To build a life having visitors, cooking and caring for others, and painting and selling my work online and at few select galleries. That is what I want the second half of my life to be.

Call me irresponsible , but that seems a life well spent for any sane person.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Running on empty

2007-09-01T11:30:00.001-04:00

Painting a day - Wall Blocks Twilight Series No. 106 ad 107 each 4 x 4" Wrap Canvas

$25.00 for set http://www.wynncrasyfineart.com/

I am running on empty today. Fortunately I have finally gotten almost everything ready for the coming month. Still have about 5 pieces to frame this weekend but then I'm ready for the upcoming shows.

Find me next Saturday at the Bethesda Artists Market downtown Bethesda Md.

Sunday I will be at Adams Morgan Day as part of Arts on Belmont.

Stop and introduce yourself!

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love!

Wynn

Working the work - Art as life and livelihood

2007-08-30T14:57:00.000-04:00

Not Quite Night - Diptych 2 panels each 24 x 9" Oil

SOLD

I spend a lot of time painting. I also spend a lot of time thinking about painting. I spend a lot of time marketing, and I spend even more time thinking about marketing.

I feel very lucky that I am blessed with a few gifts. Even more that I have been able to develop them in to skills to produce art that people enjoy. I know I probably would have flunked out of art school. Ive been told (a lot recently) that I am too out-spoken and opinionated. I know from experience (ask my BF and business partner) that I to independent and focused to play the game. I at times rub the powers that be, or that think they are, the wrong way. I suppose in part that comes from being a survivor. All my life I have had to depend on myself to provide for me. Going with the flow and just praying for rent or food or clothing or love did not ever seem to work for me.

As an abused child I tried early to hide and not draw attention to myself - being sure that if I didn't get the big bad man's attention then I'd make it through another day alive. All I really achieved by doing that though was to be invisible to the very people who might have been there to help me and teach me. In the end I learned to isolate and to hide and hope that things worked out OK. After a very long and stressful life, I have decided to take the bull by the horns. If I am not proactive for me who will be?

So I really work at selling my art. I paint fast and furiously.

If I had known 40 years ago that I had this gift for painting and drawing... That I would love it so much. That there was a chance of building a successful BUSINESS from it. That I could make a living doing something I love. (Again providing for me since I've not noticed any one standing in line to nurture, provide and care for my needs.) Perhaps then I would not be at the place I am now where I am afraid of the years slipping by before I can be who I was meant to be. Half of a life has gone by, and now I need to make up for lost time.

I am often asked about the fact that I don't really differentiate between fine art and craft, and how that affects my work? I guess I let others decide that for me. I just create what my heart tells me and I learn from the people around me. I market to every possible venue and then I sell it to whomever is interested in owning it... be it a condo building, a crafts gallery, an art collector, a retail chain, my wonderful next door neighbor Amy or the therapist for the hospital center.

My job is to make it. My job is to put it out there where others can find it that are looking for it. My job is to let it go to make more. The next 50 years is not long enough for me to do that job. I guess I don't feel I have time to worry a lot about stepping on other's egos. That is their job.

Til next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

Painting a day.... why?

2007-08-28T11:29:00.000-04:00

Painting a day -

Appalachian Train No. 9 5x7" Acrylic on Masonite

$150.00 Matted and framed http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

I am often asked with amazement why I would do a painting a day? Even other artists tell me that admitting I can paint fast takes the magic and the mystery out of being an artist for the masses. It seems to many people the fact that someone can paint at ALL is a miracle, and it should be presented as a struggle, a mystery, divine inspiration and sweat and toil that makes a work of art worth the price of purchase. But I really do have to disagree. that seems a lot like the priests of old keeping the "mysteries" of the church to themselves in order to retain control over the masses.

My ex-husband got paid what I considered an exorbitant amount of money to sit on his butt and look at a computer screen and fidget with a few symbols every day. He works when he feels like it. He is paid for his skills and his expertise at what he does, NOT for the hours he sits at the desk. He studies, he reads, he constantly works to keep up with his industry. He is paid to compensate for the skills he brings to the job, and in fact, for the ability to do the job as quickly and competently as possible.

Why should a skilled artist not be compensated the same way? I work HARD at my craft. I read, I study, I train, I observe, I spend hours learning a skill. The fact that I can use that skill now to create a work of art that people find pleasing, attractive and desirable in less than a months time should not be a handicap!

The fact is, I try and do at least a painting a day not to prove how fast or skilled I am, but to push myself to be a better artist. Working every single day at my craft helps me learn to see better, to analyze faster, to think with an artist's mind, visualize with the artist's inner eyes. I often paint the same still life, or the same landscape over and over to learn from it. To push my own limitations and boundaries. To search for the essence of each view, of each item, each panorama. To distill the core of why I am moved by that scene. Then to recreate that for others to search for themselves.

It's funny, but until "Scènes de la Vie de Bohème" by Henri Murger, being an artist was an acceptable livelihood. Painters and other creative types were considered skilled craftsmen to be used for art for family portraits, for architecture, for private collections. Since Murger's short stories, the novel and the play that followed them, which then became the Puccini Opera "La Boheme", and the Musical "Rent", the romanticized and glorified life of the "starving artist" has been accepted as the norm. And even sold to the public as a means to keep artists from being successful in their own right. (Like the high priests, we "NEED" art consultants and gallery owners to interpret us to others.)

In no other creative field ( theatre, writing, dance, etc) is self promotion looked down on as it is for visual artists. Those fields EXPECT individual artists and companies to promote, to sell themselves, to toot their own horns in order to be successful. And no other artist is penalized for being skilled, creative and fast at their work. Only the visual arts still has this archaic view.

I paint because I have too. It is my life's energy source and the creative impulse makes life worthwhile to me. I MARKET because I have to. I need to sell. I depend on my skills to bring me a living that is much more than just to survive. I expect to thrive. The Secret says that "words become things" and "that which we focus on the universe HAS to give us. The Law of Attraction Demands it!" I focus on success. I focus on the beauty of the world. I focus on becoming the best artist I can be and on making a wonderful living by selling my art.

What do YOU focus on?

Until Next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love.

Wynn

The world of e-commerce.

2007-08-27T09:18:00.001-04:00

Painting a day - "In the Beginning" 24x18" Oil on Paper

$490.00 http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

I am more and more convinced the way of art marketing and sales, and to real exposure and acceptance as an artist, is through embracing the Web for the benefits it has to offer.

Of course the retail market-place has already acknowledged that. Numerous businesses have already done away with store fronts and fancy retail outlets in order to focus on on-line catalogs and sales. They can reach thousands more clients, be available to process orders and ship 24 hours a day, and cut the over head costs tremendously. Galleries are getting on the band wagon by posting images of their represented artists work and updating as new art work becomes available. We as individual artists can provide instant images of our new works and make them available to a world wide network of collectors.

More and more collectors and shoppers are relying on the web as a marketplace. Buyers can see products, review and compare information from a variety of sources and make a purchase quickly and easily from the comfort of home or office. With UPS, Fed-ex, and other major now arranging home pick up and delivery even returns are not a huge chore if one is disappointed in a product.

I am currently working on a free e-book to share providing links, listing and suggestions for ways for artists to market art work on line, and for collectors to make sure they get good work at a fair price. Anyone who requests it through my email account may receive a free pdf of the information. Simply request the Free e-book on Online Marketing.

All of us working together as artists and as collectors of Fine Art can benefit by sharing knowledge and support and encouragement.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

Branching Out

2007-08-26T09:46:00.000-04:00

Painting a Day

Twilight Series No. 2000 12x9" acrylic on Masonite Panel

$75.00

http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

Branching out - no pun intended.

I love to paint. It seems my soul is drawn to trees more than anything. They are symbolic to me of both being rooted and belonging somewhere and at the same time reaching towards heaven.

So many factors can affect the twists and turns and directions that a tree will grow into - The constant winds from a particular direction. Being in the shadow of a larger neighbor or parent tree. An accident that cripples it or stunts it growth . Lack of nourishment. Not enough room for growth, Not enough light.

Just like humans. We are often bent and shaped by the people and events around us, whether they are nurturing or stifling. When we are given the support we need and the freedom to branch out we grow and we become our unique and individual selves. When our friends, family and people in our industry treat us with respect and with encouragement, when the advice and the nourishment they give us comes from a place of love and of confidence and empowerment rather than fear or a need to control... then we grow and flourish as our best selves. We soar. We find the ability to try to do to achieve our best selves. And we learn to pass that on to others around us. We all share in the infinite wealth of the universe around us.

Plant a new tree somewhere today, figuratively or literally. Nourish it and watch it grow. . And become astounded at what life offers us!

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

Saturday a day of rest...

2007-08-25T11:48:00.000-04:00

Painting a day The Knoll No.3 24x18" Oil on Paper

$490.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Actually it's not a day of rest. I'm in the frame shop all day getting ready for September. More later!

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

The round about world of an artist.

2007-08-24T09:51:00.001-04:00

Painting a day Autumn Orchard 5x7" acrylic on Masonite

$75.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

To those loyal readers, sorry I missed an entry yesterday. I had a migraine that kept me in the bed all day and I couldn't think of looking at a screen or bear the clicking of the keyboard. Back to semi-normal today and hitting the ground running a usual. I have one week before September, (where did the summer go?) and 3 solo shows and numerous weekend art shows and fairs to prepare for. While I have been working like a fiend all summer, there never seems to be enough hours or enough income to get everything where I want it and framed and matted and presented as professionally as I require. I still have post-cards to create, new brochures and catalogues to get ready along with price lists, arrange shipping and insurance, schedule pick-ups and hire a hanging crew.

Oh and I am developing two new product lines for wholesale at the same time. What am I crazy!

Anyway I just wanted to share a quick story about the way of the world. I was recently talking to a good friend who shares my ups and downs with me and occasionally gives me a wonderful insight into my craziness. As a friendly observer she mentioned that every time I seem to be on the brink of some type of success, a really great financial period from my art and my teaching, I seem to have a knack for sabotaging it by a sudden health issue, an accident that requires cash, or a huge bill I "forgot " until it causes a disruption in my life - utilities, cable, art suppliers, etc. She challenged me to look at my core belief that was keeping me from the success that I so richly deserve as an artist and a human.

While that was not a conversation I relished having at the time I realized that she was right. I often buy into our American societies idea that being an artist is not a full time job. That I should feel guilty for not having a "real" job I hate. That I should be the starving artist who creates great works of beauty, but lives on bread crusts to be legit.

I release that now. I work very hard at my art. I put in many more hours than most office types do and I never have a real day off. Ive never had a vacation of any kind. While I chose to live simply and to be frugal I am NOT a starving artist. I can pay my bills on-time most of the time. I even have a little in savings. I sell my art at a fair market value for the time I invest, my expertise and my skill, as well as compared to other artists within my experience and genre.

Thanks to my very dear friend, starting right now I am accepting the accolades and the wealth that I deserve as an artist. I share my wealth with those around me. I learn from and share my gifts with any who chose share my vision, my life and my wealth.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with love.

Wynn

"Shut Up and Dance" .... musings on an artist at work

2007-08-22T07:57:00.001-04:00

Painting a Day - series Twilight No. 102, 103, 104 each 4 x 4" acrylic on canvas, wall mount.

$ 45.00 set http://www.wynncreasyfineart.com/

I no longer own a television set ( an idea that the Comcast people just can't grasp as they insist on telemarketing to me every night at dinner time just how much I need cable TV.) I long ago grew up without one and the few times in my life (my marriage to my ex) when there was on in the house I rarely found anything worth the hours lost in front of it.

That being said however: Once years ago (1996) I saw a program called "Inside the Actors Studio with James Lipton" on which the brilliant character actor Christopher Walken was being interviewed. http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/guest/Christopher_Walken Mr. Walken spoke of his life in the theatre and how he started out being a song and dance man but turned to straight acting when he got his first role (at 15). One of the moments I remember most about his interview was his mention of a T-shirt he owned that said "Shut up and Dance". He said it was a reflection on how all artists, not just dancers, could spend so much more time TALKING about their craft instead of DOING it.

Actors spend hours at parties and in bars talking about their "process". Writers spend years "planning" their big novel. Singers spend many more hours talking about their vocal problems than practising and learning new music. And painters waste hours staring at a blank canvas afraid to make the first mark. Mr. Walken's t-shirt was just a comic reminder to "get on with it"! Nothing can begin until we take action.

As a painter I can wait for inspiration to hit me... or not. I have learned that for me to improve as an artist I have to paint. Every minute that I am at the canvas and working out new problems is a minute closer to being a good painter. Yes being self taught means that I read a lot, I view a lot of art. And I do spend a lot of time thinking bout my craft. But the real improvement and growth comes when I paint. When I do . When I am being a painter, as in the active verb tense.

Goethe's now famous lines hold more than a grain of truth:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn

The Virginia Landscape in Oil Pastels

2007-08-21T09:14:00.001-04:00

Painting a day "Birds and Fences" 18x24" Oil Pastel

SOLD

I am often asked "What are Oil Pastels"? It always surprises me. Oil Pastels were my introduction to art and to oil painting. They are still the perfect medium for so many styles of painting - from realism to abstract and everything in between. They were a favorite of Picasso, and recently Wolf Kahn has beena champion of them, along with other artists.

In my Virginia landscapes I am particularly enamoured of the changing skies, especially around the Blue Ridge Mountains. With Oil pastels I can capture the light and the cloud formations quickly and easily on location and the have wonderful color studies to create larger works in the studio in Oil , Oil Pastels, and Acrylics.

Here is a link to the short history of Oil Pastels for those interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_pastel

I have always loved Oil Pastels for the ease they afford me to switch between drawing and painting. If my landscape demands a lot of detail ( grasses, leaves. tree silhouettes, etc.) they can be used as a sharp drawing instrument. If I want to blend colors together I can use them as oil paint and mix them on the canvas. With their lipstick texture and their non-drying they are perfect for sgraffito techniques of scratching through for details. They don't have any of the mess of dry ( called "soft") pastels, and they can be used on a variety of surfaces from wood canvas, paper, cloth to metal. Oil pastels can be used with a liquid medium like Turpenoid, linseed oils, or mineral spirits to create transparent washes and used in a watercolor effect.

Collectors are only now beginning to understand and appreciate oil pastels, in part because art consultants, agent and critics have not fully understood or appreciated their versatility or their longevity. But the market for them is growing.

I am a member of the Oil Pastel Society of America. For more information and to see a number of artist who work in the medium check out their web page :

http://www.oilpastelsociety.com/

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

To be or not to be... The Artist's Dilemma

2007-08-20T07:38:00.000-04:00

Painting a day - Thistles Diptych 2 panels each 24" x 9" Oil on Paper

$725.00/ Set www.wynncreasyfineart.com

I admit it. I am a mess when it comes to balancing life with work with art with romance.

I have a wonderful partner with whom I enjoy sharing my life and my art business. He is my strength and my back bone and is great at keeping me focused on the next thing on the list. My partner is great at creating brochures and marketing materials. (You have no idea how many other artist have asked to borrow him! Thank goodness I have first dibs!) He is the practical one. He is more conscious of the business world and of politics. He reminds me often that I can be brash and outspoken, and at times step on people's toes and perhaps cut off my nose to spite my face. We rarely disagree on what needs to be done, but we often disagree on how to do it. When it comes to publicity and marketing, press coverage is important. So is having the materials at hand to sell yourself and make it easier for the people in position to make choices and to promote you.

My dilemma is how true to be to myself and my beliefs in the rights of artists and how much to subjugate myself in order to sell more. I take a great deal of pride in the work I do. Not just my painting, but also my professional level framing and matting. I listen to the people around me and I try to incorporate their needs and desires for types of art, while still painting in my style and with my palette. I try hard to maintain a fair market value on my work, but recognize that I am not selling to high end collectors regularly (yet).

I have learned over the last year that in the market for art sales presentation is everything. How works are chosen to hang in unified groupings, subject matter, etc. can have an impact. In out-door art fairs and Farmer's Markets the way your booth looks and how you grab attention can draw a stroller in and make them a client.

I want to present myself as professionally as possible. I also feel the need to clearly present myself as the woman of honor and integrity that I strive to be. I hope that I also seem friendly and easy to work with. I want every contact I have with an agent, corporate art collector, private collector, or simple a stroller-by to be fun, informative, and to provide what they need: a work of art, information, or a referral for another time. By being sure of who I am and what I offer I can do that. By listening to them I can do that.

My dilemma is really not a dilemma. It's simply a fact of life. Balance in all things.

Until next time

Create beauty and fill the world with love!

Wynn

Expanse

2007-08-19T10:29:00.000-04:00

Painting a day - Expanse 12x9" Oil pastel on Paper

$125.00 www.wynncreasyfineart.com

Today is about expanding my horizons. I am an intellect by birth and an introvert by nature. I am completely happy spending days and weeks alone in my home and studio reading, writing my own thoughts, exploring others writings, teachings, and art. My need for outside stimulus is minimal. Yes, I have at times contemplated life in a nunnery or Buddhist temple. The idea of my days spent studying and creating, hours of meditation. A simple life is very very attractive to me.

But the part of me that wishes to use all the skills available to me to create a rich full and prosperous life for myself demands that I balance out my introvert with a personality that can be very public. In order to teach, to perform, to reach out and sell my art work and make sure it is seen but the public, I have to work at communicating with others. I have to be open to all possibilities. I have to look beyond the obvious - search for people and places that might be out of my safety zone in order to make a living.

I have a been accused of being very anti-gallery. And while it is true that I think there are a lot of problems with the system, it is the one we have and I don't believe that I or any one other artist is going to change that system. I don't have the kind of ego that demands fame for personal reasons. But I recognize that in order for me to build the kind of livelihood I want from selling my artwork, I need to be known and that is going to happen by being recognized in the art world through major galleries and through exhibitions that draw attention to my art work.

In other words I have to play by their rules and work along with them to build my reputation. I have no qualms with that. An equal partnership in all things is what I strive for in life. Call me idealist. I think it is possible .

I am reading and studying and searching everyday for the right venues for my personal vision of art. I am well aware that my work is not for everyone. I am not "edgy" or cutting edge in my art. I am not in your face political in my art. My landscapes are for the most part sensuous peaceful poetic images moments in time. My paintings have been accused of being "pretty", which seems a fate worse than death to some educators gallery owners and curators. Fortunately I do not paint for them. I paint for the people who want an original painting by an artist who understands that the world can be rough and fast and stressful. I paint for the collector who is also looking for a painting that take him away for a moment to a quieter, simpler, beautiful place and time. Ultimately I paint because it is who I am and what I do.

And my world is a more beautiful peaceful caring introspective place because of it.

Until next time

Create Beauty and fill the world with Love

Wynn