Hi Friends,

Courage is all around us. Each day I see something in a new and different way and realize that courage isn't always the hero act of saving someone from a burning building, but shows up in small ways, too.

After being around Rowena Wildlife Clinic, something I started to notice is the iron will that so many of the animals have to live, even after severe injuries.

One that always comes to mind first for me is a golden red fox with the clinic name of "Foxy."

I was new to the clinic life, and on one of my earliest visits I was allowed to go into a little glassed-in sun room where Foxy was living. Now imagine being up close to this exotic little creature with thick golden red fur and huge eyes that look at you so directly. I also noticed right away those eyes were not glad to see me. Fear and resentment were what I saw. This was a wild animal that had no intentions of "being grateful" for his rescue.

Foxy came to the clinic by way of a call that a fox had been hit by a car and had ran into a huge pile of blackberry vines to hide (and probably die). Doctor Jean, the fearless vet that is the driving force behind the clinic, went out armed with a towel and carrier, to retrieve this little animal.
I'm not sure what went on in the berry vines, but Doctor Jean came out with the fox and got him back to the clinic. His injuries required the removal of one back leg and the start of his year-long recuperation, which one of the assistants termed his "alien abduction." 

As I'm standing there, only about 3 feet from him, and seeing the look in his eyes and the warning that "he does bite" echoing in my ears, I looked away with only quick glances in his direction. Staring directly into the eyes of most animals is interpreted as a threat. It wasn't too long before he started to relax some and allowed me to take a few photos.

This scratchboard is the result of that encounter.
 
 
  "Foxy"        scratchboard        10x8"

You can see the alert and watchful eyes, but now without the fear and resentment. And he didn't offer any attempt to bite. Foxy was later turned outside during the daytime with the intention to bring him back inside the clinic at night. He had other ideas, and it wasn't long before he decided it was time to go back to the outdoor life where he belonged. He is doing fine and living his life with purpose.

With single minded focus, whether you want to call it just survival instinct or not, Foxy knew where he needed to be.

As an artist or from another walk of life, I hope you find that focus and life with purpose too.

All my best,
Sandra
(p.s. If you haven't signed up for my newsletter yet, now would be a good time! Thank you, as always, for your support. Click here to find my sign up form for the newsletter on Sandra Haynes Fine Art)


 

Hi Friends,

So many of us in the part of the art world that I inhabit have discussed at length the economy and what that's doing to art prices. For some, art sales have taken a pretty good downturn, while for others it has remained constant or even gotten better.

I'm relatively minutes old in the world of full-time artists, but I have put a theory into practice. Diversify.
This idea is based on successful markets across the globe. Will it work? The question that comes instantly to my mind is "Why not"?  Diversify ideas, diversify products. Diversify your marketing.

While I will continue to do the art that I know sells, I will also strive to find new and fresh ideas. One new way of thinking was to completely abandon the website I had been using and set up a fresh new one on FineArtStudioOnline, the artist's site by Clint Watson. Check it out if you are thinking of an art web site.
A couple of the things I'm doing differently are writing a weekly  newsletter and blog, and there is a "contact the artist" link on every page of my website. It has proven to be invaluable.

Another idea that works well for me is to do art that is backed by a passion. This sounds like a "well, duh" statement, but not every artist I know paints with that connection to their art.

My life force from childhood is wildlife.....the force behind my artistic passion is the Rowena Wildlife Clinic in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Having been adopted as the "resident artist," I am allowed to go into the flight cages with the eagles, hawks, falcons and many other birds, and be around the animals that are in for rehabilitation after injuries sustained in the wild.

My education with the clinic and the up close encounters with these wonderful creatures brings to my art an authentic ring that is hard to attain any other way.

"Bobcat in the Evening Light" 
 
    Scratchboard         12x16"                 $795          

The human connection to wildlife that I want to establish with my art comes from showing viewers the up close details and expressions of these beings that share the same planet.

The scratchboard shown here, "Bobcat in the Evening Light" will be a 100% donation of the selling price to the Clinic from me. Other art pieces designated as "Clinic Wildlife" shown in the Collections on this web site will also have a portion of their selling price donated.

More information about the Clinic can be found at Rowena Wildlife Clinic. Their work is a valuable contribution to the world and a cause I truly believe in.

Keep Coloring Outside the Lines,
Sandra

(p.s. Click here to find my sign up form on Sandra Haynes Fine Art  for my weekly  "Letters From Home" newsletter to have it delivered to your in-box.  More thoughts and news from the studio. Thank you for your continued support. I'm grateful.  S.)

What do you do when you don't think you have a story to tell? Maybe you aren't rich and/or famous from your art yet. Or you don't think that you have a unique or interesting enough story.

Now stop and think about it:
 Is this really true? When visiting with other artists do you get enthusiastic about something you are working on, can you relate to clients a feeling about a painting that meant a lot to you when you were creating it? You will always have other artists that are ahead of you on this journey and many behind you to whom you can lend a word of encouragement.

An old advertising saying states it this way: "Tell your story, or someone will tell it for you."

The following is from a wonderfully talented artist and consultant that I get to count as my friend:

BRAND BY STORYTELLING
Know Your Self = Tell Your Story
    * Brand marketing is storytelling, not salesmanship. Give them your "story" not your "spiel."
    * "Word of Mouth" can be the most effective form of marketing and is simply people telling stories to other people. And stories are how we remember.
    * It is critical that YOU write your story lest someone else write it for you.

This wonderful advise was given to me by Lisa Lepine--Branding Consultant For Creatives. She can be reached at llpromo@gmail.com. She always jump starts new ideas for me every time I talk to her.

I can almost hear the chorus out there now....."but I can't write." What better time to learn than now, rather than later. It's a skill just like most other skills.......jump off the deep end, you'll learn to swim more quickly than you think.

You've all heard this before, but keep a journal. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Buy a 6-pack of legal pads, both small and large sizes and keep them in every room that you frequent. Keep one in your car, in your purse (ok, guys, I probably don't mean you on this one).

Just do it! The rewards are huge. You are going to be so surprised once you get over the initial "breaking in" process and maybe a little self-consciousness. Soon you will start to notice that you are getting more focused on your art, ideas for marketing, subjects for your next art piece. List ideas or concerns that would be good subjects for discussion with other artists. Write down some of the conclusions you come to as reminders. Take yourself and your art seriously!

Help people to remember you! There are a lot of artists out there. It's up to you to make yourself and your art memorable.

Color Outside the Lines,
Sandra
(P.S. A weekly newsletter is a lot more fun to write knowing it's going to a wide audience.....sign up on this web site to get yours delivered to your email. If you like it or this blog, tell your friends, the local art club, anyone you think might enjoy it. Thank you for your continued support...With gratitude, S.)