Just Awake
24×30″
Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
©2011 Lucinda Howe
$1,400
This week I’m celebrating the 5th anniversary of my weekly newsletter and blog! 5 years of blogging! Who would have believed it? Since I started my blog on August 15, 2010, I have posted (almost) every week, accumulating 248 posts.
Thanks for being a reader of my blog. You may subscribe via RSS feed or see it on my Facebook page or you may only pop in from a Google search. However you find me, I’m glad you are here! Thank you for your interest in my art.
Over the years I’ve learned a few things. As I expected, writing about my art is hard. Like most artists, I paint to communicate. As Georgia O’Keeffe said, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
But most of the world communicates with words in addition to images, and I know it’s necessary to use words to explain my art.
What I didn’t expect is how much I have learned in the process. Five reasons I keep up this habit are:
1. I write what I need to learn. Sometimes my blog posts require research, reading or trying new things, and I learn a lot from the process.
2. I have had to learn about the technical aspects of maintaining a website, blog, and newsletter subscription list. And I’ve had to learn about social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. There is just enough computer geek in me to think this is fun.
3. It keeps me painting. Sometimes I may not feel like painting, but wanting to post fresh work on my blog motivates me to put in my time in the studio.
4. It connects me with the larger art world. As I attend art events and meet new people, I expand my understanding of the art world. And I’m blessed to have followers from all over the world. Only a few short years ago, it was a struggle to get one’s art out in the world. Now with the internet and a blog, I can show my art to a huge audience.
5. Blogging accumulates content. By owning the information on my site, I’m able to build a body of work in works and images. I’m documenting the development of my work and sharing information about painting techniques.
So what’s next? What will the next 5 years bring?
Now that I have more time for my art, I’m planning to expand in several ways.
In the studio, I’m painting larger work, and looking for opportunities to exhibit in places that can accommodate large pieces.
On the blog, I’m planning to make a distinction between my weekly newsletter and blog. I plan to post more often to the blog. I’m not promising how many times a week; I’ll have to see how it goes. The newsletter will still be every week on Tuesday morning and will include links all the blog posts, along with some special things only for subscribers. If you are not a subscriber, please use the link at the right to subscribe so you won’t miss any special offers.
So thanks again for joining me on my blog!