Friday, April 27, 2012

Fridays Check in

My first outdoor show is tomorrow
Saturday, 4/28.
It is to be a bit chilly and rain in the afternoon.
I am hoping the weatherman is wrong, I am looking
for sunny skies. The van is packed and we are
ready to seize the day. Heading to Lewisburg, PA

the show:
Lewisburg Market Street Arts Festival
Held on Market Street in downtown Lewisburg, PA
from 10am to 5pm ~ rain or shine!
(my space last year was 43N)

Sunday morning I am dropping Linda at the airport
and she is going with a girlfriend to Vancouver.
I am a bachelor for 5 days. As much of a bachelor
as I can be with my in laws living with me and all
Linda's friends checking in on me! I plan to ride my
bike and stay late at track, that's living it up for me!!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Painters High

I am trying to expand your knowledge on artistic
subjects and give my point of view.
Another article to chat about... "Painters High".
Feel free to read the article first and then come back
to me.

I had to think about this.  I can truly say I get a high,
a feeling of euphoria while riding my bike. Now that
does not hit me until after some point of pain and I
push through it and then feel like I could ride hard and
fast forever.   With that in mind I thought about
how this relates to my creative side.  From a career
perspective when I was a young painter there was more
feelings of frustration.  Paintings not turning out the way
I expected.  My lack of skill interfered with my expectations.  
Combined with the fear of others critiquing my work.  There
was often one break through painting that was ahead of my
learning curve that gave me a thrill, but mostly there was a
feeling of inadequacy.   As the skills improved and I feel
confident (actually very confident!) the fear is gone. Yes gone.
I guess you could say I pushed through the pain.  Now I am not
sure euphoria is what I feel, maybe a notch below euphoria.
Pleased, satisfied, content sometimes proud.
Although I have been known to do a little happy dance when it
all comes together and I know it looks real good. 
I am glad I pushed through the painful years without giving
up.  While I may not get a "high" painters high I do have a
strong sense of well being and contentment.   Yes, interlaced
with whatever life throws at me, occasionally times of low sales
and sometimes feeling like there is not  enough time to
accomplish all I have on my plate,  underling all that I still
mostly feel content, satisfied and pleased.
A bit of a high!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

2012 Still Life #13


4"x 6" original watercolor
SOLD!
Shaker buckets, I like the variety of colors.

First time packing the suburban.  I like to have a system
so I know the order going in, much more efficient and
I get much more packed.  Besides all the paintings there
are the tent poles, tent canvas, tarps, 4 heavy weights, chairs,
dolly, box of panel covers, box of stakes and bungees,
box of feet for the display, bag of rain gear, exhibit box
and a ladder.
Getting the blog on early tonight because we are going
to the Hershey Theater to see Human Nation...
a Motown group.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

To title or not to title...

I thought I would chat about something today, 
since my painting is not totally finished!
I read an article on "To title or not to Title" 
An interesting article that shows how a title
may influence the viewer.

Thought I would share my personal take on titles...  Personally
for me it is all about painting.    Sometimes while I am painting a
title comes to me but most of the time for me it is the painting
that matters not a title.   I tend to favor the the obscure titles
that require the viewer to ask me what the hang I mean! 
Ones that simply tickle my own funny bone.   Like
"Man Fixin Himself". 
I also like long rambling titles... 
"Trees at Night, During Full Moon in December". 
Which leaves little for you to ponder.
My manager/wife likes short 2-3 word titles that fit easily
on her labels.  She tends to be a bit stuffy with the whole thing,
might I dare say lacking in the humor department! 
But a good business head.

For the daily blogs it is just too much to be that creative
each day so we simply go with the old series... 
"2012 Shaker Series #5".
I also often  ask for clients opinion on titles because
I enjoy seeing your ideas and I think you get a kick
out of it when I go with your suggestion.

I can seriously say I never gave any thought to my
clients not buying my painting because of the title.   And
frankly if your shelling out enough cash I will rename
it for you, I can be bought!!  Just don't tell Linda! 
I think my clients are more savvy than to not buy a
painting because of the title I gave it.   And maybe my
paintings speak for themselves and a title is unimportant.
But maybe I am out of touch with you...
really... what are your thoughts??

On to very important news.  Just got in from a track meet
with Ephrata and both our boys and girls won! 
Doing very well.


email comments:
Andy, or probably Linda reading this,
We have about 12-14 prints and 1 small daily original, and my wife and I sitting here cannot remember the title of a single one. Maybe if we wondered around and looked at them we might remember a couple. Of course maybe it’s an age thing. LOL
I have never thought the title of a piece of art was important.
After all, isn’t there a painting named by the artist called “Arrangement”
I actually had to look up the original name for “Whistler’s Mother.
Just my two cents
Brydon (mike) Lidle

I like short titles for paintings.........allows me to personalize it to "me" (selfish sounding I know)
MBB

Monday, April 23, 2012

Hibiscis

4"x 6" Original Watercolor
$225.00 ~ Contact the studio
I keep saying I am not a flower painter, and
I am not.  But this was from our trip to Longwood
Gardens and I love hibiscis.  Had to paint it!

I have not been doing a very good job of
keeping up with my blog.  This is the first
year I feel like I am struggling with the daily
painting.  I have toyed with stopping but I
a not sure I want to totally stop.  So I am going
to get through track season and see how I feel.
It is not that I am goofing off, just somehow
busier than usual. 

Like today... I was at Hempfield H.S. by 8am.
I gave two talks on art and being an artist.
For free, just spreading my brand!

I spent a several days last week and the weekend
"detailing" my new wheels.  I am finally happy
with the way it looks.
Now to see how it all packs, here I am putting my
show racks on top.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Challenge #28 Spring is Coming ~ Tulip

4"x6" watercolor
$275.00 ~ Contact the Studio

This tulip is a challenge from "Paint and Draw Together".
Mine will be posted on their web site tomorrow.
If you check the site, the photo on the right was what
we had to work with.  All entries are in the center, just
scroll down.  It is always interesting to see other artists
interpretations.

Painted till noon today then a quick trip to market,
which was packed.  Home in time to go to a track
meet with Cocalico.  I want to give the school some
props, the staff was extremely nice and they ran a
great meet, I was impressed.
Our boys won but the girls lost (by 6 points).

Monday, April 16, 2012

2012 Window Study #2

4"x 6"  original watercolor
SOLD!
Ahhh the light...

I need to catch you up on the weekend events.
Thursday I sold my old van!  It had been a part
of the family for 20 years.  Took us "West" twice.
Truly an old friend. 
Friday, visit my Mom, then track practice then off
to American Music Theater to hear Gaither Vocal Band
They are a gospel group that Linda grew up with, not the
syncopated gospel I was raised on!  But they were fantastic,
their voices were top notch.  Singer Mark Lowry is the
co-writer to the song "Mary Did You Know"  and
they preformed for 2.5 hours.  Wonderful and uplifting.
Saturday... ELCO JrHi Track Invitational... yes!
A full beautiful day of track.  19 teams.
Our girls placed 4th and our boys 2nd. 
Sunday, hung out at home! 
Today, I painted and worked on cleaning the outside of
our new(er) Suburban. Then track practice and a viewing
for the father of one of my runners who passed unexpectedly.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

2012 Spring Series #1

4"x 6" original watercolor ~ SOLD

I like the crisp look to this.  A pot ready
for spring plants.

I did accomplish a bit more than I thought
today.  Spent the morning on this painting.
Then washed and cleaned out my van, it is
going up for sale.  It has served me well for
20 years but I replaced it with a suburban
with hopefully better gas mileage.
2:00 it was time to get ready for track...
Had a meet with Conestoga Valley.
Home triumphant at 7PM!  Both girls
and boys won!  Windy ugly night to be on
the field.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

April 2012 DPP Challenge

April 2012 DPP Challenge
6"x 4"  watercolor
$250.00 ~ Contact the studio

A challenge is a photo presented that anyone
within the group may paint.  You are challenged
to paint it.  The idea is to see a variety of styles
and medium.  This was from the Pennsylvania Daily Painters.
Nice reflections on the water.

It takes as long to take apart an exhibit as it does to
put it together.  We worked some of yesterday and
this morning putting everything back to its normal
place.  I received an email about why my mini paintings
are so good but under priced.  So in case you were also
wondering...  I joined a group called A Painting A Day
back in 2006.  The idea is to complete a miniature painting
daily and offer it at a very reasonable price so new people can
collect original artwork.  I offer mine at $100 on eBay.
If it sells, I made a little money.  If it does not sell, I frame it
and place it on my show stand at a price commensurate with
my other work.  Usually between $225 and $300.  So they are
a great bargain for the savvy buyer!

I have a track meet tomorrow so my focus is
elsewhere!!  I will tell you the results tomorrow.

Monday, April 9, 2012

2012 Still Life #12

6"x4" watercolor
$225.00 ~ Contact the studio

A study in blues, I love this shade of blue on the simple blanket
chest and bowl.

My Student Exhibition was this past Saturday and I am
pleased to report it went very well.  These photos are a
few moments after we opened and from this point on it was
packed.  You could hardly move around.   My students had
a wonderful display showing a wide variety of style and
subjects.  The next set of classes will be in September!


Thursday, April 5, 2012

2012 Still Life #9

6"x 4" Original watercolor
$250.00 ~ Contact the studio
Wooden shaker boxes.  Just a good study piece.

All this week I focused on painting and finishing
my blog before I started anything else.  It has
helped me realize I do spend a lot more time on
these little mini's than I thought.  Around 1:00
I did more from Linda's "to do" list.  We set up the
studio with some of my painting.  There are
21 students exhibiting here at the studio on Saturday.
Each student has a panel they may fill.  It has been
a real eye opener for them to see what goes into
framing a few pieces, especially if you do not paint
in standard sizes.  I am going to hold a class on
paper sizing and framing.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

2012 Still Life #8

6"x 4" watercolor painting... SOLD!

A nice blue antique chest with a blue bowl.
I know, another unusual angle.
I finally made a dent into Linda's "to do" list
Several more students dropped off their work
for the exhibit.  Generally a busy day.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Glass Study


5"x 5" Original Watercolor
$250. ~ Contact the studio SOLD!
I was drawn to all the interesting glass and
did it my way with a different view instead of
the whole picture.  Love the reflections on the
table. 

Since we do not have shows until the last week
of April I am determined to get a blog painting
on every day.  So I did nothing until it was finished
and realized it takes a few hours longer than
I thought it did.  I finished this at 2pm.  Rushed
to Tuesdays market and was home in time to change
into my coaching clothes for a 3:30 track meet.
Both boys and girls won our first meet, we are off
to a great start!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Challenge #35

6"x4" watercolor
$300.00 Contact the studio
This was  Challenge #35 from Rookie Painter  that
I did not get finished on time!  Go ahead and go to
their site and scroll down and you can judge mine
against the others.  I am pretty happy with it.

I finally bought a suburban to replace my 20
year old van!  Spent today taking care of the
paperwork and starting to clean it.  I need to figure
out how all the paintings will fit in for traveling.
Meanwhile students are dropping off their paintings
for the Student exhibit.  You are all welcome to stop
in on Saturday from 1-4.  Talk to the students to see
what kind of teacher I am.... well maybe you shouldn't!
Get inspired to take a class.