Shipping Art Secrets

I thought I would share my shipping process with you today.  I would love feedback and suggestions if you have them.  I have bought some original art and it has come in all sorts of ways to me in the mail, it seems that packaging and shipping is just as individual as painting styles, so just wanted to share my process.

I always mount my works, which are on paper, on to a piece of acid free foam core leaving 1" around the painting.  I use acid free photo mounting corners to secure the picture to the foam core.

I sandwich the painting with another piece of acid free foam core on top.  On the outside of the foam core sandwich I mount my certificate of authenticity with mounting corners.

This is my fun, new toy, an embosser.  I emboss my certificate and envelopes for thank you cards, etc.  I got it from Three Designing Women.

Here is my painting, foam core sandwich.  I secure the sides with tape to ensure it all stays in place.

Wrap the whole thing in bubble pack.  I also place the whole package in a cellophane bag.  You can buy them here.

Wrap the whole thing up and make it pretty:)  A little ribbon and my business card. I put the whole thing in  a plastic bag after hearing some horror stories.  I've heard about paintings being impaled during shipping also having liquid things spilled onto them.  I also always put my paintings in a box for additional support.

Include a Thank You card and other postcards.

Artists Bio and additional postcards of my art.  I also include business cards. All made at Vista Print and extremely economical to have printed.

My mailing supply tub.  This makes my life so much easier.  I just grab my tub and everything I need is in it.  I went to Big Lots and stocked up on scissors, tape, envelopes, etc.

My wrapping accessory tub.  I have ribbon, tissue paper, etc in this tub. 

My ATG gun.  This is something if you don't have it you need to add it to your wish list pronto.  I discovered ATG guns while working at my Mom's frame shop.  They are a double sided tape gun used to adhere the paper onto the backs of frames, but they have so many more functions.  I use mine for wrapping gifts, framing, adhering cards and ribbons to my packages.  It's like having a glue gun, so useful!!!  I also have a huge roll of brown craft paper, another must have.  Great for the back of pictures, wrapping gifts, letting the kids draw on, so worth it!!  You can buy this here.

 

 

First Day of School

Hi Everyone,

I've only gotten a tiny bit of painting done since school started this week.  Not really enough to share.  So in lieu of that I'll share pics of Steven and Sam's first day of school.

We've only had one hiccup.  When I dropped Steven off on his second day of school I went through the car line.  I got worried about him as I was dropping him off so I parked the car and went inside to check and make sure he got to his classroom.  He wasn't in the classroom, so I went to the cafeteria where they gather the kids before school.  He wasn't in the cafeteria.  I started to panic.  They lined all the kindergartners up in the cafeteria escorting them to their classrooms and still no Steven.   At this moment I'm experiencing every mother's worst nightmare.  Every missing child case is flashing through my head.  I alerted his teacher that he was missing, she immediately got someone to watch her class and went on the hunt to find him.  15 minutes later she came walking hand in hand with Steven.  He was choked up when he saw me and said "I got confused Mom".   My heart just broke, poor guy:((  I gave him a big hug and told him he would have a great day and then proceeded to bawl my eyes out in the car.  At this point we were on the way to Sam's first day of preschool and a little voice from the back seat says "Mom, you're not going to cry at my schewl (school) are you?"  So needless to say it's been an emotional roller-coaster of a day, but we are all accounted for and ready to try it again tomorrow.  This time I'm walking him in to school:)

See you Friday for a new Friday Feature,

Carrie

Work in Progress and kindergarten ahhhhhh

work in progress by Carrie Waller original watercolor

Hi Everyone,

As you can see I haven't progressed as much as I would have like too, but this was the last weekend before school starts and we had a family weekend.  We did all kinds of fun stuff in Little Rock.  My baby starts kindergarten Monday morning and I'll probably be a big, teary, mess!  Sam (my 3 year old) and I will have lots of quality time together while big brother is at school.  Steven goes to school from 7:45 until 3:20, seems like such a long day.  I'll let you know how it's going on Wednesday:)

Steven at his kindergarten desk:)

Carrie

Friday Feature Carol Nelson

"One nineteen 12-072" by Carol Nelson

Hi Everyone,


This week Carol Nelson is the Friday Feature.  I came across Carol on facebook.  Her abstracts have me mesmerized.  They are beautiful, organic, vibrant and just plain cool. She can do it all aside from abstracts she has some beautiful landscapes and still life paintings on her site.

To see more of Carol's work check out her blog and website,

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?

I was an art major when I started college, but finished with a scientific degree.  Art was on the back burner for many years, until one day I came across Maxine Masterfield’s book, Painting the Spirit of Nature.  It inspired me to buy all the stuff I need to try her technique.  

"Gemstone 9 12071" by Carol Nelson

That was followed by several years of trying different media, and finally settling on acrylics and mixed media.  I also paint portraits in oil, but the majority of my work is mixed media with an emphasis on experimentation.  I love to try new things.  

If you had told me 6 years ago that I would be teaching workshops in mixed media around the country, I’d have thought you were nuts.  I found out I love sharing my knowledge of contemporary abstract acrylics with other artists.

Where were you born? Duluth, Minnesota

If you could live anywhere where would you live? I love living in Colorado, where the sky is blue and the seasons are dramatic.  I like to vacation near the ocean, but love coming home to my mountains.

"Gemstone 4 1000 12047" original by Carol Nelson

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?  The most consistent theme in my work is my Geologic Abstract Series, which includes my new Gemstone Series.  Many of my paintings are suggestive of the rocks, cliffs, and canyons of the West.  

Could you talk about your painting techniques?  I strive to have deep, vibrant color, and unusual textures in my work.  I often incorporate metals, metal foils, metal leaf, modeling compound, art papers, printed papers, and a variety of textural elements into a painting.

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?  I work exclusively with Golden Fluid Acrylics for the abstract work.  My favorite color is Quinacridone Nickel Azo gold – it ends up in almost every painting.  For my portraits, I use Grumbacher Pretested Oils.

"Gemstone 8 12069" by Carol Nelson

Do you have a favorite artist?  Who has been your biggest inspiration?  I love abstract expressionist
artists such as Diebenkorn, Rauschenberg, and Rothko.  Since Masterfield’s book started all this, I’d have to say she was the most inspirational to me.

What have been some of your crowning achievements?  Just found out last week that one of my paintings would be on the cover of the new Blick catalog, and also that I am a finalist in The Artists Magazine annual competition.  
My biggest achievement, however, is the continuing popularity of my workshops, where I can show other artists how to be more creative with acrylics and mixed media.

"Orange Dream 12053" by Carol Nelson

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)
I’d like to see my work on the cover of some of the major art publications – the Blick Catalog is a start!  It would be nice to be so in demand, that top galleries would seek me out (does that EVER happen?)


What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?   There is no substitute for miles on the brush – paint every day.  Join online and local artist groups.  Take workshops and classes.  Start a blog.   Visit galleries often.  Enter competitions.

"Parkview 3 12020" by Carol Nelson

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist? Start a blog.  Then a website.  My whole internet presence started with putting myself “out there” in cyberspace.


SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? vanilla

Your dream vacation spot?  Seychelles

Book or movie? Movie (don’t have time to read books).

Favorite author? Margaret Mitchell

Favorite movie? Blues Brothers

Romance or comedy?  comedy

Favorite dessert? Apple pie

Night owl or morning person? Night owl

Thank you Carol for your insightful interview!



Carrie

To see Carrie's latest painting click here

Work In Progress Wednesday

work in progress, original watercolor 18" x 24 "

close-up of my wip

Hi Everyone,

I'm plugging on through my large version of Lumos.  I will say after having painted a lot of ball jar paintings, I've lost count, that practice sure does help.  I'm almost on auto-paint.  I've worked most of these problems and solutions out on other paintings so this one is really a no brainer.  I can see now why people to studies. Oh and I took these pics with my ipad, not to bad!!  I have the hardest time taking pictures at night with my big camera.

On the home-front school starts next week for Steven.  He'll be in kindergarten.  I can't believe he'll be at school all day everyday:(  I have Sam going twice a week to a preschool program, hopefully I will get a lot of painting done on those days.

See you on Friday for another new Friday Feature:)

Carrie 

Lumos

"Lumos" original watercolor by Carrie Waller 6" x 8" on 260lb Arches SOLD

Hi Everyone,

Did anyone else get swept away in magical wizarding world of Harry Potter?  I certainly did.  When the first book came out my hubby and I were living in Germany and couldn't wait to get our hands on an English copy, this was before Kindles.  They were sold out on base and I borrowed the book from our 13 year old neighbor.  She stayed up all night long reading the book after it's midnight release.  I stayed up the next night reading the book cover to cover and then passed it along to my husband who, in turn, did the same thing.  It was and still is a phenomenon.  So after I painted my first version of this painting for the fabulous Carol Carter, I was thrilled and flattered that Crystal Cook said she wanted me to paint her a version.  Crystal's son a fellow Potter fan said that the painting was cool and that it looked like something out of Harry Potter.  So in honor of the Cook's I am titling this painting "Lumos".  And because I just can't get enough of these ball jars I am painting an 18 x 24 version.

My 6" x8" painting sitting on my 18" x 24" work in progress

I did find it ironic that when I was saving the photo of this painting on my computer I titled it ball jars for CC, then realized that both owners of this painting have the initial CC (Carol Carter and Crystal Cook)  How cool is that:)

See you Wednesday for some more work in progress photos.

Carrie

Friday Feature: Ona Kingdon

"Baby On Board" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

Hi Everyone,

Have you ever had one of those days where you knew it was Friday but didn't really realize it was Friday until Friday was over?  Ha Ha!  Well that is my story today:)  School starts soon so I'm sure this will not happen again any time soon.  Anyway, this Friday I have a fabulous feature for you.  Ona Kingdon's work is spectacular.  She paints these wonderful, witty stories in watercolor.  She has accomplished a tremendous amount in a short period of time and is one of Watercolor Magazine's Ones to watch for 2012.   Please enjoy Ona's interview.

To see more of her work visit her website or blog.
 

"Impersona-Ted" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

How did you get your start?  What’s your artist journey so far?

When I was very small I would go with my mum to drama festivals. She would give me pencils and a sketch pad to keep me amused. I would get lost in a colourful imaginative world where a simple scribble could become a tree, a few shapes a friendly giant and a triangle a mountain far on the eastern horizon. My mum would tell me three objects and I would use them to create a story in my mind and then illustrate it on the paper.

Things didn’t always go to plan though. Once, when I was about three years old I was with my mum in a very old Victorian theatre with a sloped wooden floor. I dropped my pencils in the middle of a very serious and tragic scene on stage. The pencils rattled noisily on the wooden floor all the way from the back of the theatre where I was sat, to the front of the stage. As they rolled they clattered and everyone bent their heads to see what the noise was. It looked like an inverted Mexican wave  J …I guess I was destined to be noticed as an artist even from a very early age.

I didn’t take up art seriously though until 4 years ago. Having a career, getting married and raising a family and then moving to Canada took up my life but I always knew deep down that something was missing. For me, art is a way to communicate so much that is so hard to put into words… a way to see beyond the outer appearances of the things and people around us and into the soul of the subject whatever that might be.

 My experience working in Special Education helped me to develop a strong understanding of how feelings, emotion and knowledge can be communicated visually.  I draw on this when creating art, painting in essence, the emotions of life.

"Interes-Ted" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

Where were you born?

I was born in South West of England.

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

I love where I live now.  We made our big move 6 years ago when we moved from the UK to Canada. We adore so much about this country, the fabulous scenery, the wildlife, the weather… yes even the snow, and most of all the positive upbeat attitude to life that most Canadians have.

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why?

I love to paint anything that evokes a feeling.

I think creating a connection:

1) personally to my subject as I paint

and 2) to the viewer as they look at the finished painting 

is the single most important thing to me about art.

 It doesn’t have to be a positive ‘ oh my this is lovely’ response either. I enjoy tapping into all forms of emotion both positive and negative. Art is such a wonderful way to encourage someone to challenge their own views or tackle a controversial subject as well as helping them remember fun happy times. I want to make them laugh, cry, feel comforted, disturbed, sad, happy even angry … not all in the same painting of course but at least one emotion in each. It doesn’t need to be the same emotion as I felt when painting it either. We each have different experiences in this world and it is these that we tap into when viewing art.

A single painting could provoke two very different responses from two viewers. One might laugh, if the experience the painting reminds them of was a funny one, while the other might cry if their memory was sad. Both reactions are very valid to the individual that had them. 

"Intoxi-Ted and Inebria-Ted" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

Could you talk about your painting techniques? 

People that know me often joke about my 2 haired brushes. I do have some very small brushes but I also love using my ‘mops’ to create smooth washes. I like to capture detail in a subject but I am not thinking about the detail itself but rather the message it might convey. My area’s of interest often have accentuated detail, as well as bolder or contrasting colours and values than say the background. On the other hand, I sometimes include areas of mere suggestion if it helps convey the message. This is what I have in mind rather than rendering all the detail of the texture of the object or person exactly as it really is, so I do accentuate or change some aspects as I paint.

I love to glaze. To me it’s just pure magic when you glaze single colours layer by layer and gradually the object or person appears to become 3D and  leaps out of the paper at you.

"Imagine" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

A majority of your works seem to have a playful or meaningful story woven into the composition.  Where do these ideas come from? 

My Pixie J She is a munchkin though and never gives me ideas at times when I can act on them or even write them down. She gives me them when I’m driving the car, or in the middle of the night, or even while I’m food shopping in Sobey’s. I have learnt to always keep a notebook and pencil with me to jot down the ideas as soon as I can because if I don’t they disappear almost as fast as they came. Once an idea is written down I can wait until the right time to begin developing it. Sometimes I know exactly what I would like to do with it right away, other times there are months of experimenting to find the right way to convey my story or message.

Ok. Really??? A pixie I hear you say????  I haven’t a clue where the ideas come from really. They just pop into my head at the oddest of times. It’s more fun to blame it on my pixie though J She doesn’t seem to mind :)

"Spinning  A Tale" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

I have about 36 colours that I wouldn’t want to be without but I never use more than about 8 or 9 in one painting. Colour to me is emotion and combinations of colours help to convey my message so I spend a lot of time choosing my palette for each painting.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Life is my inspiration :)

What have been some of your crowning achievements?

I am amazed at how much I have achieved in so little time. .. 3 big signature memberships CSPWC, PWS and NWWS in only 2 and a half years. WOW!! I have also won several big awards including the John Singer Sargent Award at the TWSA exhibition this year and the Jade Fon Memorial Award at the CWA last year and have just been selected as  one of watercolor Magazine’s ‘Ones to watch’ for 2012. Oh My Goodness!

All these are so wonderful to receive but my favorite crowning achievements are when I receive a Peoples choice Award or a painting sells or a member of the public comes up to me and tells me their story related to my painting. The fact that my paintings can make a meaningful impact on a total strangers life….this, to me, is what it’s REALLY about.

"Time Warp" by Ona Kingdon Transparent watercolor

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

Ok, you asked for it J

1. I would like the medical world to recognize chronic lyme disease and for politics not to be an issue in its treatment. Then …
2. I could tour the world teaching both children and adults the joys of watercolour and creativity.
3. I could banish the opinion that watercolour is the poor relation of the art world and give it equal standing among oils and acrylics.
4. I would teach teachers how to teach art to children in a fun way especially art history so they don’t kill it!
5. I could create a ‘day 8’ in each week that is ‘World Arts Day’. On this day no-one has to work, wash-up , vaccum, go to school etc and can just paint or create in whatever medium they choose. I think the world would be a much happier place.

Did I dream big enough ? :)

What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

Be yourself and paint with your heart as well as your brushes.

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist?

Go and experiment and find the way of creating an effect that works for you because we are all different. (my art teacher at High school)

"Bookworm Breakfast" by Ona Kingdon Transparent Watercolor

 SPEED ROUND!

Chocolate or vanilla?

Neither cos I’m a strawberry kinda girl J:)

Your dream vacation spot?

A land where paint colours can be found in puddles on the ground and you can pluck the softest feathers from friendly birds to use as your brushes. You can then create your dream vacation spot for that moment in time in the air in front of you and ‘live’ that life for the rest of the day. As the sun sets the rain begins and washes your dream away so the next morning you have a blank canvas ready to create once again.

Book or movie?

Book because then I can imagine :)

Favorite artist?

Dali. I could look at his paintings for hours and still see something new.

Favorite Famous painting?

It changes every day depending on how I am feeling

Favorite author?

J.R. R. Tolkein

Favorite movie?

I haven’t got one

Romance or comedy?

A romantic feel good comedy J

Favorite dessert?

Fruit salad with clotted cream … Yum!!!!

Night owl or morning person?

I’m definitely a morning person. I LOVE the time just before dawn when all is quiet. It’s like when you are holding a new book and just about to open the front cover.

Thank you so much Ona for sharing your thoughts and works, it was an honor to have you on my blog.

Carrie