Mixed Media Art. Photography. Inspiration.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Photos From The Petite Valentin Art Show


Fantastic chandelier at Zinnia.  Illuminating Inspiration!


Hi there.

I would like to share some photos with you of the Petite Valentin art opening that was at Zinnia last weekend.


It was a great night!
I got to meet other artists, look at all kinds of art, and even sell a painting..... or THREE!!!  Yahoo!  That's right, I sold my very first paintings (to non- family or friends that is)!!  When I showed up two were already sold!  See those beautiful red dots next to two of my art pieces below, that means "back off buddy, these are sold!"  Let me tell you, I was thrilled!!  I have my first non-family member collector.  Right?  If this woman (of impeccable taste you know) bought TWO of mine, doesn't that make her a collector?



Wow, I sound like such a novice.  Don't make fun, this is a whole different world than painting Trompe L'oeil on people's walls.  The art world can be a bit of a mystery.


Reva (left) and me
















As I was cruising around I started talking to an artist/creative life coach (how cool is that?),  Reva Solomon, who submitted some work also, and she asked which were my pieces.  When I showed her mine, this dear woman,  also of impeccable taste, and a funky edge :-) pointed to one of mine and said "I'm going to buy this one".  I wasn't sure she was serious, but next thing I knew, she took "Pinned" down and bought it right in front of me.  I was unsure what to do with myself.  Three sold out of six before the first hour was even up?  Yahoo!!

"Pinned" is already sold and gone!  It was above "Be Gentle"


For most, if not all, of us artists, each art piece we create is very special to us, a piece of ourselves.  Our babies.  So to see someone appreciate your art is a good feeling. It's as if you yourself are understood in a way.   I've been wanting to release my "babies" into the world for a while, so to sell three the first time participating in a show gives me a much needed boost to get out there and release more for others to enjoy.  I create art because I have to, I'm driven to, but I don't create just for myself.  I create because I want to share what I have to offer, what I've been given, with the world.  To find others that connect with my art, that "get it" is a true blessing, and it lets me know that I'm on the right path (even though really, I DO know this.  Heck you couldn't shove me off the path if you tried, but it's just nice to get a little extra confirmation, you know?)


Reva (left), one of my very first buyers! and me (right)







So here's a big huge THANK YOU to my buyers, and also to you, my blog followers who keep supporting and cheering for me from Blogland!

The art wall that my pieces are on.  Can you spot them?


Another wall of Petite Valentine art







Zinnia is jam packed with creative goodness!





Their displays always amaze me!

Notice the saw blade Valentine"wind chime".  I love it! (sorry these were from my cell phone so it's kind of hard to see)



I love the figurative painting that's on the wall above.  I stare at it every time I go in there.  It's by Joe Carrion, a darn talented artist, who works and teaches at Zinnia.  If you look to the left of Reva in the photos at the top, you can spot Joe in the background looking busy in the green shirt.  Hi Joe!  



Another brilliant display.  It's a rusty bedspring that has hundreds of hearts tied to it!




I fell in love with an art piece at the show titled "Heart Seat" by Connie Freedman, so I made my husband buy it for me.  It's so pretty.  I can't wait to frame it.  I love encaustic art!




As we were walking to our car we saw this below... they were playing a classic Charlie Chaplin film on the side of a building!  Wonderful!  We'll be sure to be at South Pasadena's next art crawl, and maybe even be a part of it again!





**side note.  My brain is not what I need it to be right now, tough day, so I had by husband proof-read this post.  I learned something that I thought I'd share with you because it MUST be true.  After finding not one, but three apostrophes where they need not be, to make me feel better he stated, "It's a proven fact that being on your period causes unnecessary apostrophe usage".  Of course.  I should've kno'wn.

12 comments:

Mandy said...

lol..what great post with a great laugh at the end...so funny...xxx

Joyce said...

Love your valentines. I hope to visit Zinnia the next time I'm out west visiting family.

Jenny said...

Oh Esther, congratulations... I am SO happy for you... your pieces were gorgeous... so I am not surprised at all they sold so quickly... beautiful pic of you... love what you are wearing... and love the piece your hubby purchased for you too... how fabulous to see snippets of the art show... oh and Charlie Chaplin screening outside... brilliant... glad it was a success...

Hugs
Jenny x

Lesley Edmonds said...

How amazing - thank you for sharing the photos. Well done you!!!

I am also liking your blog makeover and love your inspirational quotes page :)

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Congratulations Esther! I can completely relate to your excitment of selling to someone who isn't a family member. I sold my first mixed-media canvas a couple of months ago.

It served as a small affirmation that I'm not the only one who likes my work, lol.

Zinnia looks like a great place and again congrats on a successful show!

Carin said...

Congrats Esther! I'm so pleased (but not in the least surprised) you sold so many pieces at the show. They are fantastic! If I lived closer I would have bought one.

Loved the bit at the end- made me laugh out loud.

Btw, a little favour to ask if you're okay with it, please turn off word verification... these new ones are a pain.

Manya K. said...

Love the post! I'm so proud of you!

P.S. What D told you is too funny!

xoxo, nya

Sada said...

This post made me first get leaky-eyed from your sharing about your art and your drive to create. Then it made me laugh til my eyes leaked somemore about the apostrophe usage. WELL DONE. My day is now perfect.
xo
Sada
Dressology HQ

Leah said...

Congrats, Congrats E!
I know exactly what you are talking about. What a thrill for you. What a blessing to be an artist living among such a thriving art community.
You should feel proud. I put some of my very fist mixed media artwork up in my sister's bead shop {i know it does not really go, but being my sister she put it up on her wall for free} I sold one piece. But it was a big piece with a rooster and wine corks and a french quote about food, and the lady you bought it said she was looking for the perfect rooster art piece to go with her newly remodeled kitchen. She even took a picture of it handing in her kitchen and dropped it off at the shop, for my sister in law to show me! That was really rewarding. If she buys another, then yes I too will boast of having my own "collector".
So happy for you.
Keep creating.
PS when I have my period I insert a lot of extras...but they aint apostrophes!
Cheers,
Leah

Renee Troy said...

So sorry I missed participating and meeting you at the opening of the Zinnia show. This has been an obscenely busy month for me and I had to prioritize. Unfortunately, this wasn't a priority. However, if I would have known you would be there I would have shifted my priorities.
So glad your piece sold. Let's try to get together this year.
Hugs,
R

Kristin said...

YAY!!! I am so happy for you!!!! And you so deserve ti. Beautiful display and artwork, xoxo

rscoach said...

Hi Esther - finally had time to sit down and read your blog - and was pleasantly surprised to find some of it devoted to photos of you and me and about our connection at Zinnia for the show - thank you! I love the piece I bought from you - it hangs on the wall right across from my front door so I see it every time I come in my apartment! Still love it! btw ... yours was the only thing I bought that night...and the encaustic piece you bought is by a dear friend and talented artist Connie Freedman - I'll let her know you bought one of hers - I just found out that one of mine sold too - thanks for your post and to your funny husband's take on it all - so happy to meet you - and own some of your wonderful art!
big hugs -
Reva Solomon
CreativeRebelGal.blogspot.com