Dancing in Pink Light - I Love Art

"Dancing in Pink Light" acrylic/canvas ©Mary Montague Sikes

For the past months I have been considering my passion. Is it art or is it writing? I've done both for most of my life. I have to confess, color has won.

I love color. I love art. The wonder of paint spreading in every direction on a blank canvas intrigues me. Abstract art fills my heart with joy. For now, I consider myself an abstract artist.

We are working on my artist website so that I can display many of my paintings where collectors and just interested folks can browse through them. Right now, we are planning to have them categorized with the following divisions: pastels, acrylics, oils, watercolor and mixed media which will include my encaustics. All of the categories will have sub-divisions including: landscapes, seascapes, still life, portraits, and more. The website is now a work in progress.

Experimental mixed media is my focus right now. I love using many methods to create new textures. Watching colors evolve in unusual ways on various substrates fascinates me. I have a different type of paper I have not used before in my studio right now waiting for me to try it out. Perhaps I will take photographs of happenings along the way.

In the meantime, I continue to work on the first revision of my new novel, Dragonflies in the Morning. I intend to finish that draft before devoting most of my time to the paintings. I also plan to take down my "Animal Alphabet" exhibit at Crossroads Art Center some time this week and replace it with an abstract art show of Experimental Mixed Media Paintings.

When you visit an artist website what categories of art work do you want to see?

Should an artist website be combined with that of a writer?

Just Google My Name - A Catchy Song Title?

Having an up-to-date Web site is essential in the ever-changing age of internet promotion. Last weekend, I discovered how important it is to keep my Web site fresh with correct information. After all, if someone Googles my name my Web site is the very first item on the first page that comes up.

On Saturday, I received a phone call from the owners of two of my experimental mixed water media paintings. The collectors explained that for some time they had been trying to locate me because they wanted to purchase a third painting to display with the ones they already owned. Since I am no longer affiliated with the gallery where they made their original purchases, they were unable to track me down there. These collectors were calling from Petersburg Regional Art Center, a location where I now show my work, which they found on my Web site.


After a few calls and several photos sent by e-mail, they selected a painting and we met the next day at a shopping mall between the towns where we live, 60 miles apart. They now have a new painting, and I had the  opportunity to get to know some of my collectors.

Without my Web site, complete with links, I doubt that any of this would have happened. Google your name and see where your Web site falls on the list.

Just Google my name. Would that make a catchy title for a song?

Monti
©Mary Montague Sikes