aRT & pHOTOGRAPHY

2009 Was Busy

This past year was a busy one, as indicated by the lack of updated newsletter entries.  However, as a member of my site, you should have been receiving updates on when new photo and fine art additions were made to my galleries.  2009 was a pretty good year, but I hope that 2010 is even better.  I do love painting, and I love it when others enjoy viewing my work.  It's even better when someone buys.  I'm not ready to paint full-time; economics dictate.  However, I am moving in that direction, and I will continue to paint not only because I love it but also because it is therapeutic.

So, continue to stop by and visit the galleries.  Six new paintings were posted yesterday.  A seventh will be up soon.  The majority of the new paintings are gathered in the Abstract Expressionism folder. 

You will find my latest commissioned work in the Abstract Expressionism folder as well.  Its buyer lives in Fort Myers, Florida, and he's traveling three and a half hours to come and pick it up.  I guess he doesn't want to chance that shipping may damage his baby.  It's entitled The Soloist, and I'm very proud of it.  It's lovely, and when the buyer takes possession of it, I admit that I will miss its presence in my studio.

In the meantime, let me know if my services can serve you personally.  Remember, I not only paint, but I also engage in portrait and event photography.  Redecorating?  Need advice?  Email me.  Give me a call.  I can help!

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel 

Busy Little Bee

The lack of an updated newsletter entry in no way indicates that I've slacked on producing art.  If you've been keeping up to date with the photos and paintings that I've added over the past six months by simply stopping by my site, then you know that I've been a busy little bee.  A few paintings have barely had time to be *NEW* additions before they've headed right out the door.  For example, the originals Tree Frog and Amore already have new homes.  

Homepage Announcements

I've also been busy with participating in local art shows.  In fact, the homepage is the single best way for anyone to be aware of what I'm doing publicly since I keep it updated to announce shows and events.  I always encourage anyone and everyone who can to stop by during one of my shows.  It is always nice to see a familiar face, and quite frankly, seeing my art "live" is a different experience than simply viewing it here on my site.  Details and texture.  Texture and details.  A two dimensional photograph just doesn't capture 3-D effects affectively. 

Coming Soon

I'm working on adding t-shirts that I've designed to my website.  T-shirts will go for $15-$20, and they WILL BE SO COOL!  Also, I'm working on adding canvas prints of originals that are no longer available to my COOL JUNK TRUNK.  The COOL JUNK TRUNK is a site where items like prints, posters, mousepads and mugs with my artwork imprinted on them can be purchased.  These items are affordable and only available because I have designed them personally.  If you've not done so already, go check it out. 

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel   

FROGS

Three new paintings have been added to the aRT gALLERY, and they share a single theme: frogs.  I like frogs, and therefore, I painted some.  They are original works on fiberboard which is a resilient but sturdy medium.  When you check them out, you will notice that they are quite reasonably priced.  Buy one today!

On the FARM

I've loaded my latest pictures, and they come from my visit to my aunt's Two Son Farm in Saint Augustine, Florida.  She owns and operates an elite and professional riding business.  The pictures illustrate how very quaint the farm is, which consists of a variety of terrains just within 100 acres.  Unfortunately, the pictures aren't able to relay to you the characteristic and often adored smell of grain, hay and horse manure.

Another FEMININE Original

Another painting new to the aRT gALLERY is Melodie.  Go check it out!

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

THE COST

Let's face it, materials get costly.  I price my paintings according to the cost of the materials and the time that I invest into each painting.  I believe I do a good job of seeking out quality materials for the best price.  I wait for sales; I take advantage of online discounts and bulk pricing.  Of course, I also have to be compensated a little for my artistic talent.  I do the best I can to make sure that my paintings are reasonably priced.  Even still, I have noticed that younger art appreciators may not necessarily have the means or the desire to budget for a canvas painting.  As canvases get larger, the cost to purchase the canvas gets expontentially larger too.  Therefore, I've been seeking ways to use quality materials that are less costly so that I can pass those savings onto my fans.

I have a DickBlick catalog that I use, and I visit Michael's often as well. Artboards are less expensive than canvas.  It just so happens, though, that I took a trip to Home Depot this past weekend.  I picked up two 24"x48" fiberboards.  They are a bit heavy, and they are sturdy.  I had them cut the boards into four 24"x24".  The fiberboards were about $6 each.  So, for $12, I got four 24"x24".

We'll see how they turn out, and you'll get to see them in the aRT gALLERY soon.  I hope that either fiberboards or artboards will be a viable means that I can use and that you can appreciate.  Of course, I'll still be using canvas predominantly.  I'm not giving up on a classic!  

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

Pop Mission Completed

Well, in the last newsletter I informed you all that I would soon have a video up for a painting entitled, Pop Mission.  Well, it's up in the aRTIST's sTUDIO.  Yay!  I also developed a 90-second video showing close-ups of two other new paintings: Sterling and The Fish Named Venus.  I thought that viewers would like to see details that are usually missed by photographs. 

Other NEWS 

So, go check out the aRT gALLERY once again.  Remember, the new paintings include: Pop Mission, Sterling and The Fish Named Venus.  It just so happens that a painting that I created quite a while ago, but never displayed, is up as well.  It's entitled Gray Pebbles.  It's small, but it's fantastically detailed. 

A new page is now available on the homepage.  Did you notice it?  It's my COOL JUNK store.  Yeah, that's right.  COOL JUNK.  Why did I name it that?  Because it's ironic and catchy, and flipping funny too.  Go check it out.  The COOL JUNK available includes prints of paintings, and prints of other art work that I've created.  The items are more economically priced so that those of you who appreciate art but have not the funds to purchase original works can still get a piece of the "rejcel" pie as it were.  I'm not too sure if I like the sound of my being part of a pie.

The Latest album in the pHOTO gALLERY has been updated as well.  The little boys who currently occupy the folder are brothers, and their mom hired me to photograph them.  Boy, are they cute!  The new spatials also displayed in the album are from a weekend trip I recently took.  It was fun, and therefore, I pass that fun on to you.  I hope that you enjoy them.  

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

I've been rather busy in my studio lately.  On any given day, if you were to happen upon me and took a look at my fingernails, you would find dried paint.  I bet you could even match the color to determine which painting I was working on.  Speaking of what I have been working on, I have just put up four new pieces, and a fifth is on the verge of birth as well.  I will introduce the fifth to you all as video blog #5.  It will be entitled "Pop Mission".  

VIDEO BLOGGING

The latest video I have placed in my sTUDIO introduces you to CHOCOLATE (one of the newest of four paintings I have put up in the aRT gALLERY this very day).  Make sure you check out Ribbons, part 2 as well; it was put it up a couple of weeks ago.  I hope you didn't miss it!

I really love my new painting ,Chocolate.  It's entitled as such b/c of its colors.  It attacks your eye with an array of colors that, if edible, would be some concoction of the cocoa bean.  One viewer has already given me feedback on his impression of it.  He saw a picture in it that I did not intend in the first place, and now I can't remove it from my head.  Do you see a hidden picture in it as well?  Go check it out, and let me know. 

The Four

Ok, we're going to recap.  Four new paintings are showing in the aRT gALLERY.  The first one is vlogged in the sTUDIO.  It's entitled Chocolate, an acrylic on canvas, 24x36.  Here are the other three:

1. Marmalade, acrylic on canvas, 16x20.

2. Tentacles, acrylic on canvas, 16x20.

3. Thirsty, acrylic on canvas, 24x48.

Go check them out!

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

It's not a Vegetable

Ok, it's not a potato.  It is a painting.  Eh ehm.  No, rather, "paintings"- as in "s", plural.  They are going fast... like a hot potato.  Blue Night was up for less than a week, and it's now sold.  I'm not saying you can't get a print, but you will not be able to buy the original from me anymore.  Blue Night decided to go, along with his friends Alive at Night (hey...it's a theme!) and Caged.  I'm going to miss you guys, but I'm confident you will find comfort, admiration, happiness and adequate wall space in your new home. 

Some to Come

Numero Uno.  I am currently working on a new painting.  It's relatively large compared to my regular inventory, and I really hope it turns out as I envisioned it.  I am vlogging its progression, and it will probably take a couple of weeks, but its video will be up in the sTUDIO shortly.  So, you've that to which to look forward.

The second is this.  Senore Dos.  I've a party project to do.  I will be photographing a graduation party in May.  When that is done, it will be another addition to the pHOTO gALLERY.  A few of you that visit my site know me, and still a few know some of the people in the pHOTO gALLERY.  The party is for Chelsea.  So, those of you who are her friends, or who are just fans.... check back in early June for those photos to be displayed.

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

What Bugs?

In the last newsletter, I expressed frustration with getting my BUY aRT page to function.  Well, I sprayed those stubborn bugs, and they are laying legs up and motionless.  Yay!  So, the page is working.  Furthermore, I have been able to add some new pieces to the site (acrylics on canvas and one watercolor on paper).  They are currently displayed in the aRT gALLERY and available for purchase on the BUY aRT page. 

in the aRTIST's sTUDIO  

Yes, it's a new page for your entertainment.  I'm going to begin cataloging my work as it progresses and let you all see it.  Since every project has small beginnings, I have just one video blog to share with you, but that will be changing as time passes.  The vlog is for the first watercolor that I've shown on my site, "In the Cold".  So, by all means... go check it out: in the aRTIST's sTUDIO. 

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel

The aRT Investors

Have you read the testimonials in the comments section of the homepage?  Read for yourself what buyers have to say about their investments. 

Scott owns Solarium.  Lee owns A Lonely Walk, Wet City, Rachel and Sticks and Stones.  Jeff's wife, Denia, said that her wedding pictures, "were so good, it didn't even look like me!  I wanted to know, 'Who is that?'"

David, a British investor, purchased Fame.  Although he did not make a final decision until he had seen the piece in person, once he had, he did not hesitate to purchase it immediately.  David isn't the only Englishman who has good taste.  Another Brit, Robert, has his sights set on Tranquility.  He had wanted Rachel, but he was beat to the punch by Lee. 

A personal friend, Ben, especially likes Squall.  Well, Anderson (a neighbor) likes that one too.  Mr. Danny Oliveras is loyal to The Shards of Lust.  "It's so full of emotion," he comments.  Mr. Franko Gomez purchased a print of The Guitarist.  He said, "Oh, very cool!"    

Yes, cool.  That's exactly right.

What is Not Cool?   

I'll tell ya: trying to implement the eProcessing buttons and pages into my website so that I can make it easier for you buyers to purchase what you want.   I've racked my brain over what is supposed to be simple.  Nothing ever is, though, is it?  I'm a smart, little, whipper snapper, too.  I signed up for and bought into an online service that is to facilitate my online business.  Well, there has been nothing "facil" about it.  I'm calling in troops.  I hope to have my Buy aRT page up and running very soon.

What is Cool?  

For one, my aesthetically pleasing pHOTO gALLERY.  My navigable pHOTO gALLERY.  My organized pHOTO gALLERY. 

Two, the aRT gALLERY.  Make sure you go and check them out.  Of course, you will not be able to purchase anything online directly until the stupid eProcessing starts working.  Did I mention how irritating that is?  Grrr.  You don't have to wait around for such technology to get off the pot, though.  My phone and email are functioning.  So, contact me if you would like to make a purchase or to hire for commission. 

Email: rejcel@gmail.com

THANKS for liking the way I did that    ~rejcel