Saturday, 31 December 2016

Goodbye 2016

What a year this has been! There have been good things and bad things happen and much of the year is just a blur!

2016 started with Leslie Saeta's 30/30 challenge and I was very happy with most of my paintings.

February saw me giving a Quilling workshop to some of the members of the Creston Art Club.
I also tired selling my wares at a Pop-Up Mall in Creston but decided it wasn't the right venue for my art.
In April I shared a table at the Creston Trade Fair and promoted a new venture -  Watercolour Painting Parties. The response was great and I ended up doing 6 full parties, one private party and one party for two. They were so much fun I will be doing more in 2017.

Starting in May, I joined a number of Art Club members and set up a gallery in an empty store in town. We were only open on weekends and the venture was only mildly successful - good thing we didn't have to pay rent - lol

I attended our Art Club annual Paint-out where I didn't manage much of a painting - plein-air is just not my thing.

In between doing all these things I was spending time with my flowers; starting them in January, then thinning, transplanting, pruning, watering, planting them outside, then more watering and pruning. A lot of work but I love the show.

 At the end of summer, the roof sort of fell in with Bob's heart attack. Things are okay now but the situation has certainly changed our eating habits and I am learning a new way of cooking with the focus on more vegetables, no salt and fewer meat dishes. We are learning to live!

In the fall I started teaching a few private students which is always a joy, especially when they are really pleased with their progress. I hope they will all come back in the new year.

 When I look back I really think that the good has outweighed the bad in 2016. I did 62 paintings, about 25 handmade cards and over 20 quilled pieces. I think about 24 of my paintings sold at the various venues and a whole bunch of my photo cards sold too - not too shabby although I am glad I don't have to make my living at art - lol.

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Successful 2017 - it is sure to be interesting!







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10 comments:

  1. Sheila31 December 2016 at 23:58

    I am impressed that you have a count of all you did Val! Love that you shared your not-so-successfulls as well as all of the good things that transpired throughout the year. Your willingness to experiment and try new things is a lesson for us all!
    Happy creating and blessed continued healing to you and yours. :)

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    1. Mellowood Gallery1 January 2017 at 08:15

      I guess I am a bit compulsive Sheila; I photograph and number all of my art and keep files on that as well as what sells. Like you, I think it is important to share the not-so-successfulls as we can learn from our mistakes. Happy creating to you and yours as well.

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  2. Nelvia1 January 2017 at 05:40

    What a nice retro spectate you did Val. You did indeed have a full year. And yes, you sound like you lived every minute of it, but a blur it is. I sure don't know where it goes but as they say it just seems to get faster - even if you don't have to go to work daily. Looking forward to watching what you do in 2017 my friend!!

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    1. Mellowood Gallery1 January 2017 at 08:17

      Thanks Nelvia. I am looking forward to what you do in the new year too - lots of creating to do!

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  3. Win Dinn, Artist1 January 2017 at 07:50

    Haven't you had a full year, Val?! Congrats on everything you've accomplished, and here's to a fabulous 2017!

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  4. Karen Knutson30 January 2017 at 15:50

    What a wonderful diary of your year! I'm sorry to read about your husband's heart attack. Good thing we have our art to release our feelings, right? Hope 2017 is a great year for you!

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    1. Mellowood Gallery30 January 2017 at 15:57

      Thank you Karen. I am glad you took the time to check back at my older blogs. Over the years art has been a blessing to me, helping me through some tough times as well as bringing some wonderful people into my life. Thanks for the wishes for a good 2017 - I wish the same to you!

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  5. Karen Knutson30 January 2017 at 16:48

    I tried to find the button to follow your blog, but couldn't find it.

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    1. Mellowood Gallery30 January 2017 at 17:07

      Hi Karen. It should be on the right side of your screen at the end of all the other stuff. It would be great to have you follow my art adventures.

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