Wow, it’s hard to believe we are already six weeks into 2018! Sometimes when time seems to be flying by and I wonder whether I am accomplishing enough, it helps to look back and take stock of how far I’ve come. So while I have several new projects in the works (which I will share about soon, I promise!), for now I’d like to offer a quick review of highlights from 2017:
GARDEN SCULPTURE
My stone carving took a turn towards art for the garden, with the completion of my first stone bench and a large stone flower, both carved from native Indiana limestone. In June I also finished up a stone standing figure that had been on the back burner for a while, and displayed about ten sculptures outdoors on a friend’s property during the Richmond Art Museum’s annual Secret Garden Tour.
BOTANICAL PAINTING
The series of botanical paintings that I started near the end of 2016 really took off in 2017! I painted a few 16” x 16” botanicals and then graduated to the 30” x 30” size. I love creating these images and want to try going even bigger in the future. I painted six canvases in 2017, began selling cards and matted prints of my botanical images, sold five original paintings, and landed a commission for a new painting just near the end of the year.
LACE DRAWINGS
As a spin-off from the mandala drawings that I have done in the past, I began looking at vintage lace with a new eye and using it as a subject for drawing. I love the geometric patterns and designs in the lace, and the way that white colored pencil on black paper imitates crocheted cotton in such an incredible way. So now I’ve become somewhat addicted to collecting interesting lace doilies whenever I spot them in antique stores or thrift shops. The variety is endless! I won’t run out of material for this series anytime soon.
CERAMICS
And since I have all that lace, I’ve also been using it to make impressions in clay, with some stunning results. These have been some of my most popular, top-selling items this past year. I continue to improve and refine my production methods as I consider going even bigger and seeking out high end markets for the lace bowls.
REGIONAL EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
In 2017 I was honored to have work accepted into juried exhibitions at the Minnetrista Center in Muncie, the Arts Depot in Union City, the Richmond Art Museum and the Whitewater Competition at IU East. I also attended the Indiana Limestone Symposium and participated as an artist or vendor in the Women’s Fund Art Auction, a group exhibit of the Whitewater Artists Guild at the Room 912 Gallery, the Union City Arts Festival, Richmond Art Museum’s Holiday Art Mart, The Richmond Winter Farmer’s Market, and our own Sexton family Holiday Open House and Art Sale.
ONLINE ART MARKETING
I learned so much this year as I blazed a trail through the many tasks involved in designing and launching my web site, writing blog posts, building a mailing list, starting an Instagram account and Facebook page, opening an Etsy Shop, and exploring ways to use social media to promote my art and tell my story. There is tons of advice out there, and I’m still trying to take it all in and see what works best for me.
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