Friday, January 16, 2009

PAINTING A SAINT

"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? It will be a hard pull for me; the tide rises high, almost to the lips and perhaps higher still, how can I know? But I shall fight my battle, and sell my life dearly, and try to win and get the best of it." - by Vincent Van Gogh (1881)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you survived the first few weeks of January. Well, I did! Despite of the the endless gloomy economic news, I am still painting. Daily, I watch the economic news because I think it's very important to creative people. When times are good, artists, writers,photographers and musicians get the support they need, enriching city life in unquantifiable ways. But when the economic woes are getting global or the rich lose interest, artists are among the first to suffer. Today we we're hearing predictions of fewer arts, movies, books, plays, and exhibitions to support new works just when we need creative thinking. Of course, artists have had it rough for centuries, their livelihoods vulnerable to the whims of the powerful and wealthy patrons. Am I discourage to paint more and continue my art goal "Studio 65" this year? Nope! My goal is to keep on painting. Like Van Gogh, despite of hard times he never stopped painting and did the best of it. I believe good times will roll again.
REAL ARTFUL STORIES FROM 2008:
1. I planned and conceived my first solo art show when the financial outlook was rosier. About four years before the actual date September 27, 2008 came around. Little did I know that the stock market would be shattered the week during my art show but I decided to forge ahead. It was a successful event despite of the shaky economy. If you want to see my art show please go back to my older post and view my October 2008 entries.
2. Most of my oil paintings during my art show are NOT FOR SALE. However, I "SOLD" one oil painting that is not part of my theme. In this kind of rumbling economy, people buys painting? Yes! The price was so good and the money helped cover the huge expenses I incurred during my own solo art show. It was worth all the expenses and hard work.
3. This is the painting that I sold for a thousand dollar. I painted this for one of my sisters. Julie wanted me to paint this St. Petersburg cathedral in Russia, which she visited in her many previous trips. It took me almost 2 years to create this detailed painting. I knew every nooks and crannies of this saintly cathedral. I thought I will not be able to finish it because, I got so....bored painting the details. I put it aside for months and when the mood came back I worked on it again. I got a better view of things when I didn't work on it for sometime. When I see the painting again, it looks and seems fresh and new. During this time, I fall in love with SAINT PETE and decided to keep it. I didn't like to sell it anymore. But Julie was persistent. I gave in and she finally wrote the $$$thousand dollar check during my art show.

4. This is my sister Julie and I during my art show. This painting is now beautifully hanging inside her lovely home. "Thanks Julie for patronizing and loving my art. You're a wonderful and generous sister."
5. On October 25, 2008 my design for the cover of the Filipino-American Association 25th anniversary souvenir program was a winner. I was very happy even for a small reward like $50.00. It's not big but the publicity and recognition was more than rewarding.
6.Last November 4, 2008, during the 6th anniversary of KCS (Kalusugan Community Services) of San Diego, California, I donated my huge oil painting "Thanksgiving - Fil-American Style." In appreciation for my donation, this health group gave me a robust tax write off. Even in this jittery art market, surprisingly there is some monetary reward. I posted this "Thanksgiving" painting last November.
7. On November 9-15, 2008, I joined my husband during his annual conference to Longboat Key/Florida. After the conference was over, we were invited to dine with his relatives in a Thai restaurant at Sarasota. One of my husband's cousin has an American girlfriends who works at an art gallery in Sarasota, an affluent community. I asked her...Are people still buying paintings in this kind of bad economy?" Her answered was very encouraging..."Yes, they do. I am surprised that people here continue to patronize art and not holding on to their money."
7. I am confident that ART is a good investment for our money. How the sagging economy will affect the art world is a big question out there? When stocks, housing, savings bond, mutual funds, etc. fall apart..... ART..... is a sure thing....ART..... is forever.

19 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

I hope the economy doesn't take a big bite out of the arts.

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy- Let's continue to have faith that the economy will improve.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the beautiful blog on St. Petersburg painting. I enjoyed reading your writing and yes, indeed art will remain forever even in this bad economy.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully and prayerfully, the economy will improve.

Ebb Tide said...

Hi Julie- My pleasure to post you and the painting on my blog. Let's be positive that the economy will not stink forever.

SandyCarlson said...

Your St. Petersburg painting has captured my imagination. I am wondering what it's like to put a painting by for a while and the come back to it. Is it the same painting for you? Does your vision change?

That is a lovely work. Amazing.

Grammy said...

Your painting is amazing. I love all the detail. You are truly gifted.

Ebb Tide said...

Hi Sandy- Actually, I don't retouch my paintings. But when its like a dead end w/ St. Petersburg, I have to put it aside for a while. After a period of not seeing it, it gets fresher. I didn't retouch it but I was more motivated to finish.

Ebb Tide said...

Grammy-thanks for visiting my blog
and for your nice compliment. Thanks also for posting about my St. Petersburg painting on your blog. I hope to get to know you more.

Grammy said...

Your painting touched me deeply and started my quest for knowledge on the church.
I left this comment for you in my post.
Hi Ebb, This virtual trip touched my soul and made me cry also. I enlarged those photos. The quality of which I have never seen before. They made me search my soul. And wish for an answer to my life.
My writing rambles. As I was in a car accident in which I was hit in the head. I seem to start out on a subject, ramble a bit and then try to get back to the point. I thank you for touching my soul so deeply. I wish I could have expressed it better in my post for you. I included the link to your site embedded in the words. I did no if you noticed.
Thank you for stopping also.

Ebb Tide said...

Grammy-thanks for leaving me another comment. That is so nice and meaningful. I read your blog and some older blog and started to get to know you. I am sorry about the car accident. I time, you will recover. I had a difficult bilateral hearing lost. In time, w/ cochlear implant and rehab, I got my life back.

Anonymous said...

hi ebb happy new year.... i miss your posts... you are really a great artist... very detailed lines and curves...

how are u na po? me, i pursue my photography career now be back in painting sometimes.

by the way, we (w/ wife and couple friends) will be touring on april - may... from hawaii, LA, NY, Vegas, Washington and Cali.. hope to see po... God bless

Ebb Tide said...

Kneeko-Welcome back. Thanks for dropping by. I wish you sucess in your new career- photography. Come and visit me when you are here in L.A.

SandyCarlson said...

Just thinking....Art is forever; it is for us to make of our lives a work of art. God bless, friend.

Ebb Tide said...

Sandy-thanks for dropping by again. I agree w/ you that our lives should also be a work of art.
This idealistic but w/ God's help it is possible.

Anonymous said...

What a handsome painting! May God continue to bless you.

Ebb Tide said...

AA-Thanks for your feedback. It's always good to hear from you.

Anonymous said...

Keep on painting despite of the messy economy. Sell your arts when times get better. Good luck and happy painting!

Ebb Tide said...

Lgaya-thanks! I like painting for pleasure. When I think of money first, my painting is not as good.