The Art & the Artist
My Necklaces...
All of the necklaces that I make are unique...ONE-OF-A-KIND. I personally make them and I do not use a guide or template., so they are all slightly different. I use the material that I have at the time, in whatever combination strikes me. I don't buy any materials in bulk. I only buy small amounts of what I find interesting. If you see it and you like it, then buy it. If you miss out, don't worry. There will be another one along very soon that you will like just as much...maybe more! I like all of the necklaces that I make. And if I don't like it, I don't sell it.
They are made mostly from solid, hand-painted wood beads, but there will be an occasional piece of bone or stone. I use mainly leather to string them and all of my necklaces, whether 1 bead or 100, have all of the beads individually knotted in place. A fine necklace, whether it's wood bead or rare pearls, has individually knotted pieces so that should the 'string' break for any reason, you would lose only one piece, rather than the entire set. Don't ask me how I learned this hard lesson!
Me...
'click the
pic' to see my studio
I am a New York artist working in several mediums....Photography, Bead Work, and Watercolor. I really love to travel and new places always inspire me to new art, although I am always amazed at what I can find of interest right in my own backyard! Sometimes, right there in the room along side of me! All that is needed is to take the time to stop and look around. You will be amazed at what you might find when you take a closer look.
I think that the most valuable lesson I can pass on to another, emerging artist [of any age] is to not be afraid to try something new, and to not be afraid to make a mistake. If you enjoy your art, then you are a successful artist! If others like it as well, then it's an added bonus...but not a requirement.
My Artwork...
The drawings in the 'Artwork' room are scenes from around the house, the beach (my favorite place), and places from our travels. Most are Pencil, watercolor, and ink...with a couple of Oil on Canvas. I do take a sketch book with me when we travel and I always (which really means 'almost always unless I forget') have my camera. All of these drawings are reproduced from the pics or the sketches that I bring home. When we travel I take a long a 5x7 sketch book. Big enough to get the idea and small enough to throw in the luggage.
After having been asked too many times, and (my husband goes nuts over this one...) giving away several works to friends past & present, I have decided to 'part with the art' as they say. Not sure who 'they' is, but yes, some of my work is now for sale. The prices are, I believe, modest. They are listed along with the links to each piece which are found in the Artwork room of this site.
The terms & rules of sale are simple. Here they are:
1. If you buy it and you really really really don't like it, then send it back (at your expense) and I will give you a full refund less the cost of shipping, insurance, and another 10% if I had to pull it out of it's frame and then put it back! I think that's fair. If I get it back and it is not in the condition I sent it, then there will be considerably more discussion before you get a refund. I think that's fair, too.
2. The reason for the frame business in Rule 1 is that all art shipped will be without the frame. Most of our frames are heirlooms, antiques, garage sale finds, or hand-made by my husband, and they are not for sale. So....the art you buy is without a frame.
3. The sizes of the work that are listed may be off by a bit. This is due to the artwork possibly having been tailored to meet the frame dimensions. European frames are not matched to our standard sizes, and many of our frames seem to be European. Be prepared to have some custom framing done, but you were going to have a great custom frame made anyway, right?
4. Shipping & Insurance will be included in the listed purchase price.
5. I will not duplicate your work unless there is a meaningful change in content or size. However, its likeness may be licensed, but that would probably make you very, very happy as the proud owner of the original.
6. The copyrights will always remain mine. The right to duplicate or use the likeness of the art may only be granted by me, in writing. The original artwork itself is, of course, yours to do with as you wish.
7. I will continue to display the art on my website, but with a notice that it has been sold. I will, but only with your permission, list your LAST NAME ONLY as the collector. No other info will be displayed....ever.
COMMISSIONED WORK
Yes, I will accept a commissioned work, but, as you might have expected, there are rules Here they are:
1. You need to send me a drawing or photo (preferable) that you do not need to get back! Please do not send me the only copy of anything you really care about. I don't need an award winning photo to see the art within. It may be color or black & white. However, please do not ask me to create a color drawing from a black & white photo.
2. With regards to the 'art within'...when I get your photo I will stare at it for an undetermined amount of time. If I see what you see or if I am moved by what I see, then we can proceed. If I don't see it, then it's over. We don't all see the same thing the same way, so please don't be angry with me. If I force it, it just won't come out right.
3. If I do see the drawing within, then I will ask you to send me a non-refundable deposit for 1/3 of the agreed on price. I will set the price in keeping with the current pricing of similar work, with regard to detail and size. You will be able to get a pretty good idea after having viewed my drawings here on the web site. Bear in mind that I draw the way 'I' draw. I can only assume that if you are commissioning me that you have some appreciation for my style. We will never speak of this again.
4. There is no set time limit, so please do not ask for one. I draw it as I see it and feel it. Some come fast and some come slow. We will never speak of this again, either.
5. When I am personally satisfied with the piece, then I will send you a good set of pics to review. If you are satisfied with my rendition then you may send the remaining balance and I will ship your piece. If you look at the pics and become physically ill, then you are under no obligation to complete the purchase. Remember two things: First, your deposit was non-refundable...but you are off-the-hook for the other 2/3 of the $. Second, if you do complete the purchase, the original art is yours but the copyrights remain mine, and you cannot reproduce or offer the work for reproduction without my written permission.
Yeah, I know, this all sounds so stiff & legal and I seemed so nice earlier on. I'm still a nice person, but art can make people really nuts! Especially when they have a vision that doesn't quite match what the artwork turns out to be. So please, be sure before you commission a work. It's not for the feint-of-heart or for someone who would be much happier with a framed poster from a museum or one of those big pictures of a cat stretched from a chinning bar with a caption "Hang in there!".
If you're unsure, just send me the pic. That is still free.