Starting a New Job!

So back in August or September of 2011, I saw an ad posting on Craigslist for a painting instructor (I like to browse Craigslist every once in a while to see if there are any fun creative opportunities).  I looked into the position further, and found out places like it are popping up EVERYWHERE!  Basically it is a painting studio where people can sign up for a specific painting on the website.  On the day they signed up, they come to the studio and over the 2-3 hours an instructor leads them through the steps to create that specific painting.  On top of that, they can bring their own cocktails of choice.  What a fun night out!  I thought this sounded like so much fun, and when I researched it more I found tons of studios that do this.

I interviewed for the position and I was hired as a painting instructor.  I was ecstatic!  For the next few weeks I worked on numerous paintings that I thought were creative enough but easy enough to teach to beginners. Here are some of my ideas:

Cherry Blossom

Margarita

Calla Lily

I just found out recently that the business is scheduled to have its grand opening on March 24.  Woohoo!  This sounds like one of the most fun "jobs" I've ever had and I can't wait to start.  Have any of you ever taken a class at a place like this?  Do you have any tips for a new instructor (what to do or not to do?).

As always, you can see more of my original paintings on Etsy too:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjae

New Paintings - Owls!

I've decided to paint some owls today, because today seems like the perfect day to do it!  Here in Georgia, it's dreary and rainy outside.  The rain always puts me in a quiet, thoughtful type of mood.  How many of you love to curl up with a good book on a rainy day?  I absolutely love it!  So as I was unpacking my art materials this morning, the image of an owl came to my mind and I knew I just had to paint it.  To me, owls are both majestic and mysterious.  They are always watching, never impulsive, and so beautiful. 

I'm going to paint several owls and hopefully get them up for sale this weekend for anyone interested.  A day full of painting, cannot wait!


As a side note, although I may find this day very inspirational... my poor dog doesn't feel the same.  He is the sweetest dog, but has a lot of anxiety about EVERYTHING!  So when he heard the first roll of thunder this morning, he ran for the bedroom and hid his head under the bed.  Poor baby is having a rough day! 

Meet Dexter!

How to Wire a Painting for Hanging

A great way to prepare paintings for sale is to place wire on the back of the painting (as long as the sides are already painted!) so it is ready to hang as soon as your customer receives it.  Many galleries also request that paintings come ready to hang, either in a frame or with wire.  It is very easy to put wire on the back of a painting!  This guide will show you how to do it:

Supplies you will need:

2 Eyehooks

Wire - gauge will depend on canvas

weight; read packages for information when purchasing.

Wire cutters

Ruler


Step 1
You should have your canvas face down so you can see the stretcher bars on the back.



Make sure you take note of where the top of your painting is so that you put the wire in the right place!









Step 2
With the top of your canvas in the right position, measure the side of your canvas with the ruler.  You should be placing the wire between 1/4 and 1/3 of the way down.













My canvas is 16x20, so I am measuring down 5 inches on the 16 inch side and placing a mark with my pencil.

Repeat this for the opposite side - make sure you place a mark at the exact same measurement!

Step 3
Push the tip of one of your eyehooks into the inside edge of the stretcher bar, lined up with your pencil mark.  Placing the eyehook on the inside edge will help your painting to lie flat against your customer's wall and avoid leaving any wall damage.

Step 4
Twist the eyehook into the stretcher bar.  The wood used in the stretcher bars is fairly soft, so it should be easy to twist in.  Make sure you twist it in straight so it does not come up through the top of the stretcher bar or through the bottom and into your painting!











Step 5
Repeat Step 3 and 4 for the opposite stretcher bar so that both eye hooks are in place.






Step 6
Measure out your wire so that it is abot 6-8"  longer than the eyehooks on both sides.  I usually line it up and then cut it with my wire cutters.

Step 7
It is important that the wire is secured to the eyehook.  This step describes how to tie the wire onto the eyehook.  First you should loop the wire from underneath the eyehook and up.

Next you should make a letter "P" with the wire by looping it underneath of itself.









Now push the tip of the wire through this loop.









Pull tightly for a very secure knot.









To make the wire even more secure, you should knot it again.  To do this, first pull the end of the wire through the eyehook again from underneath and back up.








Push the tip of the wire through the loop.








Pull tightly for a second secure knot.










Step 8
Repeat Step 7 for the opposite eyehook.  When you first put the wire through the second eyehook, make sure the wire is taut.  You do not want slack wire; as the wire hangs it will loosen some, so you do not want to loosen so much that the painting no longer hangs correctly!

Step 9
Wrap the extra wire on both ends around the taut wire going across the canvas.  I wrap mine very tightly for extra stabilization.

Now admire your professional, wire hanging!