Kevin and Kirsty

[Kevin Noonan]

Hello, one and all.

Below I have posted a pic taken today with my daughter. Thanks to this Forum the bags under my eyes are twice as big as usual. In the early hours of this morning I posted my first pastel painted in 10 years. For those who are interested, I posted it to the "Unveilings - Open to all Members" section.

Ten years ago I tried the impoverished artist bit ran out of funds, met my wife, went back to college to study computers and have done very nicely since. But! As seems to be prevalent amongst the artistic community the itch never really goes away. I'm the kind of guy who on my honeymoon eight years ago got to see Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. You have to understand this was a great inspiration to me during my formative years and something I had always wanted to experience. It lived up to my expectations and I openly admit I wept.

I feel I have come to a crossroads in my life and the need/compulsion to draw and paint. I'm sure many of you out there can identify. So, the only way to do this is to earn a living doing it. Any encouragement and advice is greatly received to this end.

It's incredible reading some of the posts and looking at the "Strokes of Genius" contained within these pages. I'm glad I found them. I know this is a site that deals primarily with American Painters but if anyone has any links to any UK clubs, societies and Forums you may think are of interest I would be very grateful. I

[Cynthia Daniel]

Kevin,

So glad you have found our Forum so riveting! We do have artists here from many different countries and most information is relevant to all artists, though there might be some differences in marketing techniques between countries.

On the main site, we will soon have our first artist from France! I assume you're aware of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters web site (just click the name to see it).

We look forward to seeing more of your work. You'll find lots of support here!

[Kevin Noonan]

Cynthia

I have been searching the web for months now trying to find information which will not only inspire and reawaken my love of art, but help with the practical aspects of making a living. This site is an oasis in the desert.

I am aware of the RS, and intend to make enquiries mid next year when I feel my work is up to scratch. I have set my expectations high and am in the process of collecting as much information as possible on galleries/clubs/societies, local, regional and national.

Now I have to produce the "STUFF" to put to market.

Many thanks,
Kevin Noonan

[Steven Sweeney]

Cheers, Kevin.

Interaction with other like-minded folks is so valuable and inspirational at this stage of your ambitions and efforts that, if you're not yet comfortable approaching the Royal Society, I would very much encourage you to look into the Society of Amateur Artists, see www.saa.co.uk/ , founded by the UK's own Alwyn Crawshaw (one of the few talented and successful artists I had encountered when I was starting out [in Australia, hence the British influence], who made it obvious that the vocation could be so much fun that he could hardly wait to get up in the morning and grab a pencil or open a pochade box.) Be sure to check out the Links from the SAA web site.

The Society has many regional organizations throughout the U.K. There is an interesting newsletter sent to members, which contains among other news one or two how-to articles, brief but often excellent. Members' work is often published in regular "galleries".

Best wishes,
Steven

P.S. I now see from the SAA web site that they've changed "Amateur" to "All".

[Kevin Noonan]

Thanks, Steven.

I'm trying to be as disciplined as possible now, and take things one step at a time. I suppose like a lot of creative people, I am my own worst enemy. I have set small goals for myself from using pencil (just posted two in the Drawings forum) to pastel and in a month or two, all being well, oils.

One thing I have learned over the last 10 years is business! So, being realistic I feel my work would sell. Now I have to find out where and for how much? As you say searching out like-minded people is a big help. Already I have met a couple of people who I believe will be a great inspiration. Plus this resource is invaluable and as long as people don't tire of me, I hope to post and contribute to this Forum.

Thanks for the pointer to the SAA. There is a contact in my region which I will follow up.

Hmmm! I like the sound of a pochade box but can't figure out what a pochade is; do you keep po's in it or chade's?


Many thanks,
Kevin

[Steven Sweeney]

A pochade box is a small wooden box, about the size of a large coffee-table book or a very small briefcase, that is placed flat in front of you or upon your lap and then opened up so that the lid (locked in roughly vertical position) becomes your easel, with all your painting supplies contained in the large part of the box. It of course accommodates artwork no larger in dimension than the lid, but the intention of it is to permit plein air (or front seat of the car, or boathouse, in inclement weather) paint sketches. A mini French or field easel without the legs. Crawshaw uses them all the time. (He has a number of videos out, you may know, all collections of half-hour BBC episodes, so nothing very "finished", but the guy is such a delight and inspiration (his trademark sign-off: "It's easier than you think! Why not have a go?") that I feel almost remiss at never having sought him out personally when I was visiting in the U.K.)

By the way, a book you might find instructive at this juncture (and which you might have to have Amazon.com send over to you) is Becoming A Successful Artist , by Lewis Lehrman, a collection of 21 "interviews" with successful artists who tell their tales, often of difficulty, circuity, and serendipity, relative to both becoming adept at artwork and learning the marketing business. [Later note: I've just discovered that the book is out of print, and may only be available through a used-book dealer, online or elsewhere -- sorry.]

Cheers,
Steven

[Mari DeRuntz]

Try this link www.openboxm.com for the beautiful Maier line of pochade boxes.