Total Art Soul - for artists

With better weather soon approaching here in Europe, it will soon be time for socializing again.  What better and quicker way to add a splash of color and make your guests feel super welcome than with this colorful garland. This idea came courtesy of http://mariages-retro.blogspot.com and has been translated by me.

Materials Needed:

- string

- glue stick

- tissue paper

- scissors

Step 1:

Cut your tissue paper into equal squares or rectangles.  You could also do triangles.

Step 2:

Fold each piece of tissue paper in 2 and apply glue to the inside.  Place the string in the center, fold and press firmly. Repeat this process for however many meters of garland you would like.

It's that simple!

For tutorials on how to market yourself online, go here.

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Yesterday we came back from collecting my paintings from the exhibition which just finished at Moulins, France.  It's been a lot of hard work and much driving since we live 2 hours from the Gallery.  Each time we had to stay overnight with a friend, which was enjoyable of course, but it did mean many hours away from our other work.

Those of you that followed the previous blogs I wrote, will have read that I did not make any sales in the first week or on vernissage night so I was getting a little concerned.  After all, February is not the best month for most people financially!

Things certainly did pick up and these are the paintings I sold.

Lavender II - string/acrylic on canvas

zesty triptych - string/acrylic on canvas

Half Artichoke - string/oil on canvas

Dive-In Kiwi - string/acrylic on wood

There are also a couple of other leads too and the collector who bought Half Artichoke also wants to come and see me working in the studio.

Jean, the Gallery owner said he was very happy with the interest my paintings got.  I've enjoyed working with a gallery for a change and it has restored my faith a little.  I've learned a lot from working with a good gallery here in France and I hope to do it again.

I have 2 exhibitions planned for the summer organized by the Tourist Board so it's now all steam ahead planning for those.

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Front window

So following on from the opening, the first week went well with the sale of my 'zesty triptych'.  We arranged to arrive early for the vernissage on 9th February so that I had some time to change some of the paintings with those that had come back from Belgium.  I wasn't too keen on all the little ones and wanted to add some larger works.

Setting up the food and drink

Quick chat with Jean the gallery owner

Jean was showing me literature from a previous expo

Just as we finished that, the local newspaper turned up. We had a quick interview and the photographer took some photos of me.  I've yet to see the article so I hope that went OK.

Next, the caterer came with a very strong punch (it smelled strong, I don't drink) and some lovely canapés.  There were tiny pieces of pizza, cheese croissants, small sausage rolls and pistachio pastries.  We set it all out and then the first guests already arrived.

The small gallery soon filled with people and I was really happy to see so many people appreciating my work.  I had some lovely compliments which really boosted my confidence and has inspired me to keep going.

I did not make any sales on the night but today someone returned and purchased half artichoke.  There are still 2 weeks to go so fingers crossed for a few more sales.

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