Reflecting on 2012



Pack Horses
©2012 Claudia Ballard
16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

 

This year I have been very privileged to be part of a free year-long art mentorship under the capable hands of my dear friend and master landscape artist Linda Blondheim of Gainesville.  Linda has been incredibly generous with all of us this year; sharing her time, knowledge, and marketing expertise.  Not everyone survived the process.  But those of still standing at the end have learned from each other and formed what I hope will be long-lasting friendships.

Looking back over this year, I am frustrated that I did not accomplish more.  Health issues caused me several setbacks this summer.  I did not push myself as much as I could have.  However, I have started a blog, launched myself kicking and screaming into social media ;->, discovered that my true love is painting animals, written an artist statement and  my bio, learned how to critique my own work, had two mail marketing campaigns, held a successful contest among viewers for the cutest pet portrait, and even improved in my technique.

Now it is time to push out of the safety of the nest in 2013.  This time I am flying solo, setting my goals, juggling business with easel time.  There will be no mentor hovering and pushing me, saving me from near disaster.  The mentorship may have come to an end, but the adventure is just beginning. 

 

 

Bonnie and Big Bird

Evening Deer

©2012 Claudia Ballard

Matted to 8x10 acrylic on Arches WC paper

Dark wood frame under glass

One day last week I heard my husband calling me softly to come to the back door.   He had heard a ruckus in the backyard from our usually quiet cocker.  A small flock of wild turkeys had wandered through the yard and Bonnie did not know quite what to make of such big birds.  Apparently she charged the fence and the gobbler turned on her, ruffling his feathers, and charged back.  Totally taken aback for a bird to behave that way towards her, the bird dog, she retreated. 

The gobbler was shielding his flock by staying between us and the hens while they made their way into the woods on the edge of our property.  Bonnie studied this some more and rushed the fence and gave one small bark, just to let him know this was her yard after all.  Once the hens had slipped into the cover of the undergrowth, the gobbler too disappeared into the woods and they vanished.

When we first lived here, before development around us, we would see huge flocks of turkeys on a regular basis, pecking their way through the tall Bahia grass and snacking on the acorns under the large oaks.  It was a grand sight!

Getting Back Up

@2012 Claudia Ballard, Ricky Up a Tree, 5 x7 acrylic

If you trip and fall down, you don’t just lie there on the ground….unless something is seriously broken.  You hop up, dust yourself off, and go again.  Hopefully a little wiser to watch where you put your big feet.  My blog and marketing plans suffered a tumble due to a mountain of tax returns, the “go-live” for two major new clients at the day job, capped off by our septic tank backing up into the house. 

So, I have filed returns, rearranged my work schedule, and cleaned up the mess.  I am learning to make better use of my time….writing this while waiting in line for customer service at the bank.  Have designed and ordered business cards and promotional materials.  Just need to find a balance in my schedule to make a place for my art, because I refuse to lie there and give up before I have even started walking.

Mentorship

We did have a wonderful session with our mentor group this weekend.  We have such different styles as artists, and we are all at different stages in the development of our art careers, but I am learning so much from all of them.  They have all helped me find a clearer focus for my work…so expect to see more wildlife and less trees.