Tag: colorful watercolors

Inside Green 2 copyright Marika Reinke

Goodbyes and Good News

At my studio party on Saturday, a few people asked me last night if it was hard to let my paintings go. And I answered no. As I’ve let them go one by one I have prepared myself for each sale and it has felt good. I love my new profession.

 That night was a good night. Beyond expectations.

Six of my originals sold and all ten original watercolor pendants as well as many prints and scarves and cards.  At one point there was a line for sales and our house was hard to move in.  My husband commandeered me; no more socializing, I had to help him take credit cards.

After everyone left, I finally had a glass of wine.  The next day I tried to let it sink in. There is a strange disconnection that occurs for me as I watch my goals unfold.  It takes me awhile to quit doing and just absorb the reality, the lovely reality. I’m flying.

My husband, family and I chatted about what went well and what could go better. I had a goal for 2015 to sell 10 original paintings, I’ve already exceeded this.  I need a new goal. My son says maybe I should set a goal to make ten million dollars.  🙂

He knows I like to say anything is possible.

After the Studio Party
After the Studio Party

As I looked at this bare wall I ached a little bit at this mass departing. In a good way, it is bittersweet and joyful, but there is a little ache. Painting is an act of love and I love each one like a child or piece of me. They are moving on to loving homes.

The sale of the originals are the hardest parting.  They carry the handprints of my thoughts, reflection, and the love and ache of painting.  And the people who bought them will forever be stamped with the memories and emotions embedded in them. We are merged in some way, some friends and some strangers. That is what makes the parting so sweet and satisfying.

In memory and appreciation the following originals have moved on or will be shortly moving on.

2014: Three Friendships Lost copyright Marika Reinke
2014: Three Friendships Lost copyright Marika Reinke
Seashell Collectionn (c) Marika Reinke 2015
Seashell Collectionn (c) Marika Reinke 2015
Inside Green 2 copyright Marika Reinke
Inside Green 2 copyright Marika Reinke
A Light Embrace (c) Marika Reinke 2015
A Light Embrace (c) Marika Reinke 2015
Casting Prayers in Puerto Vallarta (c) Marika Reinke
Casting Prayers in Puerto Vallarta (c) Marika Reinke
2011: Dragon in the Tree copyright Marika Reinke
2011: Dragon in the Tree copyright Marika Reinke

And the watercolor pendants which lived such a short life in my hands! They are all gone! I love them and like children, I’m excited for the next phase of their lives.

There is lots of good news but the best news is I’ve got some serious painting to do!

And I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the community.  What a wonderful lift off.  Thank you!

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To Paint a Climber

I’m not a graphic designer.

This was my first thought when my husband suggested this project. I’ve done the graphic design thing. I worked at a firm at one point. I’ve taught design and related software. I really respect graphic designers. It’s a lot of work, talent, persistence, thought, completely artistic but highly client focused and much more technical and straight edged than I’d like my next career to be. I’m not a white space person, I struggle with white space. I’m walking away from a computer screen in favor of a paint brush for a reason.

But all those “I’m nots” is more a defense to keep me in one place. And they are full of assumptions. I’m not in a position to be closed-minded. Plus I generally don’t respect a closed mind.

So I looked into it.

This work in progress is for my husband’s climbing team t-shirt. He sold hiring me to his team, and his coach liked my work. They understand they are getting a paintbrush.

I originally sketched this out vertically. I started drawing with one idea and ended with another. This is my concept sketch.

The team liked it. But we all agree horizontal for a t-shirt is better. My husband doesn’t like pink (typical). They all prefer red, blue and green. The name of the team will be under it. I thought I would use a program for it, but maybe I’ll paint it now. I’m warming to the completely handmade idea.

I don’t usually sketch as heavily under my painting but I am real sensitive to getting those climbers right in relationship to the rocks. We are a climbing family, my husband and I have been climbing for over a dozen years and the kids with us. It won’t be right if they aren’t right.

It’s a small project, but fun to capture something we are all so dedicated to. And perhaps the fear of not getting it right is really why my initial reaction was full of “I’m Nots”.

Lesson learned.

getting setup for a party

Plans and Confessions

March 28th, I’m having my first Studio Party at my house.  And I’m just going to confess this: I’m excited but terrified.  If I thought I could get away with it, I wouldn’t do this. But, I know I have to. My husband insisted and he is even more of an introvert than I am.   I can’t say that I want to be an artist and not invite people to enjoy my work.  Well, duh.

In many ways, this will be a coming out.  This is the official event announcing my transformation from teaching faculty to professional artist. It really is something to celebrate!

But on my list of things I’m not so comfortable with: crowds and being the center of attention. Sigh.

I actually like a good party.  And I love to eat. And don’t get me started about wine. 🙂  And I love that art is about people and relationships.  I love the mutual gift that is art-making.

So head down, I persist.  We will have art, gift cards, scarves, some pendants, wine (for my nerves) and appetizers.

So far we expect maybe 40 people. I will see good friends, old colleagues and a good handful will be bringing friends and people I don’t know.

And another plus; I’m going to apply to some art fairs this year.  The jurors want a picture of an art booth.  So in the next few days, I’m transforming the dining room into an art booth for the Studio Party.  Why not?

My vision; navy walls, cream and/or gold tablecloths, classic wood furniture, accents of burgundy and fiery orange.  Flowers and chocolate.  Paintings dripping from the walls and furniture.  Classy, formal and someplace you want to stay and peek around for awhile.

I can hear my husband rolling his eyes.  Me and my visions mean a lot of work for him.

Wish me luck! I can’t wait to see some of you soon!

Dana’s Turtle Progress Report

Dana is happier with the turtles progress now. The water has pulled in the ideas she was exploring in her drawing. She notices this. She feels seen, she feels important. I have had a small moment of connection and motherly victory. I'll take what I can get. I get a lot of eye rolls and sighs these days too.


I also washed the head in some deep yellow because she suggested a golden head. I'm really going to have to think about the head now. I'll look at some pictures, but as I write some ideas are forming.


So much of painting is looking, studying, thinking. I often take long breaks and photos on my cell phone so I can just look. Before I had my studio, I used to prop my painting at at the end of the bed before I went to sleep, just to look at it and make decisions for my next painting session.


Her original drawing has a nest of eggs. She has told me not to include it now. Honestly, I'm glad to not include it, I knew it would be challenging to design. It will let me focus on the other elements more thoroughly. I think it will also reflect the experience of seeing the turtles more acurately. And in some way, that makes it more magical for me, and less scientific. Is that weird? The turtle just appears and we don't know where it comes from now.


For me, There is a point in painting, when a the painting goes from being a painting “of something” to a reflection of my viewpoint, where I and the painting merge. At this point I internally say “Now, this is me, now I'm heading somewhere,”. It is as if I and the painting are making our ways towards each other.

 

Ironically, often when I'm done, I laugh and think I must be a little insane. I don't mind being crazy as long as it makes me laugh.

 

The point is emerging, but I'm not there yet.

 

Daire's Dragon Photo 4 (c) Marika Reinke 2015

Scream. Cry. Love. Hate. Repeat

Daire's Dragon Photo 4 (c) Marika Reinke 2015
Daire’s Dragon Photo 4 (c) Marika Reinke 2015

Prologue

I’ve been sporadically working on my son’s Dragon and have some  in-progress pictures here.  I was inspired by a picture he drew with passionate energy.  The post has been a lovely vignette of an enchanting kids painting in-progress (written with a touch of sarcasm).  

But now

I could scream 

Maybe I did.  I can’t remember clearly.  There was a rush of something – maybe adrenaline – that clouded my vision, my heart beat accelerated and a trembling wave of shock radiated from my chest.  Thinking rationally – gone.  Control of my hands – gone.

The watercolor has a mind of its own! I can’t control it! Oh My God!  Its running all the way into the green!  The yellow!  Oh no the yellow! All the hours in this painting lost.  Where are the Q-Tips! They aren’t working!  F*ck Watercolors!  

I dropped the Q-Tips and brushes.

I.  Must. Walk. Away.

Breathe.

I hate this painting 

It is so trite and cliche.  I’ve seen it before, not original, definitely done somewhere else by someone else more skilled.  A kids vision.  Not sophisticated.  I’m stealing his vision because I have no vision.  I’m an idiot in over my head.  The rainbow is too much, I can’t handle it.   This is taking me too long.

I love this Painting

I love the story.  I love my son.  I love the way this painting has pushed me.  I love the crazy colors.  I love that Daire made the lower jaw bigger because when the dragon closes his mouth you can’t see how big his teeth are.  I love that he breathes fire and water and stars.  The dragon has no arms. Poor little arm-less dragon, I love you.

Sigh.  

And Repeat.

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