"X" is for Xanadu - #A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017

"X" is for Xanadu, a very special place in space. I love the popular song, "Xanadu". I admire the gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona by that name and its owner, Jason Horejs. I consider Xanadu to be a hidden place with all the colors I could ever imagine. It is a sanctuary and a retreat that is the subject of my current painting series. Today's image is one of my favorites and the first of the series. Its new owner fell in love with it just as I did while painting it.

"Xanadu" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Xanadu

Tear-filled eyes consider the beauty and success

That conclude a long and tedious march.

The journey came following the star of peace.

It brought requiem and closure to a troubled mind.

The planet Earth is the war planet

That always was and always will be barbaric.

Those seeking peace must find their own sanctuaries

Hidden in the dream world of Xanadu.

Poetic words lead the way into the universe.

Those who walk to the sound of a different drummer

Are sometimes lost along the path that leads

Through purple valleys and pink hillsides.

Watch the brush of an artist as it moves through space.

See the touch of the musician's fingers.

Hear the sounds of a melodious band.

You have reached Xanadu, your destination.

Mary Montague Sikes

 

 

Looking for Consistency in Art and in Writing

"Circles and Butterflies" acrylic painting ©Mary Montague Sikes

Earlier this year, I was pleased to be a semi-finalist in the Xanadu Gallery's Mentorship program. I've long been a fan of Jason Horejs, owner of the gallery located in Scottsdale, Arizona who offers helpful blog advice to artists all over the world. "Circles and Butterflies," a 48" x 46" acrylic painting on canvas, was one of the pieces I submitted in my application.

As part of the program, I now have the opportunity to follow the progress of the two final artists through 15 bi-weekly podcasts that will document their journeys to an exhibition of their work in Xanadu Gallery during April. This is the first time that Jason has selected two artists for the program. Sculptor Phyllis Mantik deQuevedo and painter Kimberly Ferrell will compliment each other in an exhibition of their figurative work.

This week Jason discussed the importance of having consistency in the art an artist puts out for public display. I take notes throughout the podcasts and was pleased that he listed his six criteria for consistency. They are: subject matter, theme, style, palette, medium, and presentation. I thought about how authors also can benefit from using those same criteria for consistency in their books and their covers.

Jason says that artists should discover their own mix in the six criteria as they seek to find their individual brands. This reminded me of the time a few years ago when I met with the cover designer of my first novel, Hearts Across Forever.  She told me about branding, a subject I had not considered much before that day. Although she did not give me the criteria for consistency, she made me understand the importance of developing a "look" for not only the books, but the author as well. The art on the cover of Hearts Across Forever is my pastel painting of falls that are part of the story. It is interesting to note the similarities of the color palettes of my painting and those of my book. I had not thought about that common element until I put photos of both of them in my blog today.

From now on, I will give special attention to the six criteria for consistency as I develop my art work. I will also consider it in my book writing and in the art for my covers. Thank you, Jason Horejs, for your thoughtful suggestions.

Consistency for the Artist and the Author

"Cross in the Wind" mixed media 20"x16" ©Mary Montague Sikes

For the past several years, I have been following Jason Horejs and learning from him. Jason is an art gallery owner and a marketing guru. He has a mentorship program for artists and selects one each year to guide through the business of art. In his instruction about the business of art, he focuses not only on the quality of the art work, but also on the consistency.

When an artist is seeking gallery representation, consistency in the pieces of art presented is crucial. A collector should be able to recognize the work as that of the same artist, Jason explains. The art should be consistent in at least four out of five of these elements: subject, theme, style, palette, and medium.

The same, or similar issues, are true for an author. During my book signing on Sunday, I was frequently asked what my books were about. Although the subjects are different, they all have a similar theme - romance with a bit of mystery and suspense mixed in. They have the same author's voice - mine. All but one of the five novels displayed featured my own cover art. However, I have two different types of settings, the exotic destinations for the "Passenger to Paradise" series of books and the small, fictitious town of Jefferson City, Virginia for two others, including my latest novel, Evening of the Dragonfly. Straying from the original series might be a mistake unless the two kinds of books were written under two different names, which mine are not. I think of Nora Roberts and how she began writing books under the name, J. D. Robb, when she wanted to pen mysteries as well as romance.

I've been watching authors and believe that those with a series, featuring the same character or characters, appear to be the most successful. The consistency of characters develops a following, and readers anticipate with great excitement the next release. Also, having an unique business or hobby for the protagonist develops interest and a following.

For me, as an artist, I am in trouble. I'm all over the place with subject matter, style, theme, medium, and even palette. I love to paint tropical plant life in acrylics. For many years, I painted figures in oil, acrylics, and pastels. Encaustics, a completely different medium, fascinate me. I adore experimental paintings that use everything from watercolor to collage materials and acrylics plastered on with heavy-bodied mediums. I also paint landscapes with pastels and am working on a National Park series using that medium.

What to do? I have a large body of art work created in a variety of styles and mediums with differing subjects and themes. With so much work, I really need to sell it. To do so, I must be consistent. What style should I choose?

"Amy" acrylic 42" x 54" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Realism or abstract?

This is a huge dilemma.

Especially for me.

Thank you, Jason Horejs, for making me think!