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Looking back on 2018 January was month of reflection.  Instead of making resolutions on the January 1; I took the entire month to consider the direction I want to take. This past year I made more money than I have in any single year.  So I am saying this is my year for it to blossom!  

Honorable mention in Illinois Art League’s membership show

A Helping Hand and Hiding in Plan Sight

2 commissions for The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma  

4 paintings one time licensing, on metal 4ft by 8ft.

2 paintings sold

2018 was a profitable year!

these 2 paintings were commissioned

These 4 were licensed for reproduction on metal 4ft by 8ft 

lastly these 2 paintings were sold

I’ve been setting goals and planning how to accomplish those goals.  From all the reading that I have studying, Social Media is very important these days.  It’s not just doing it , it is when how, how often, how to respond when someone likes something, how to get more likes and followers.  Maybe the list of these is endless.

Let me share with you from one of these postings that I have read or maybe it is from more than one.  Since I am almost finished with a painting I need to give it a title.  Here are points that were given and some may have been modified.

A good title will provide insight into your inspiration for the artwork, and may help the artwork tell its story.

A good title will leave room for the viewer to bring his or her own meaning and interpretation to the artwork.

It should be memorable and catchy.

It should be original (or at least as it can be).

It should not be too cheesy.

These guidelines I think I already know but could not put into words, as an artist words are not my forte.  I have and can learn to use them better.  There is also still room for improvement in this area.

Steps to giving a title:  Start with the obvious a jumping off point.

 Was there a driving emotion or inspiration for this work?  Try and draw a title from that inspiration.  The painting I am thinking of has been in the works for quite a while.  It has also remained unfinished through multiple moves, and will yet another before it is finished.  (I’m moving again in 2 weeks.)  Im trying to remember the fragrance of the Clementine tree I planted into the first home I bought.  It’s branches and blossoms are what I painted.  

Is there an underlying story behind the work? Try to clue the buyer into the story with your title.  I used a complimentary color scheme or a split complimentary color scheme.  This is where I need to stop and analyze my colors for the back background and make sure they are right.  That is off tract here, but that IS part of why I started the painting.

Try to put yourself in your viewer’s shoes. What will they see? Will the contrasting color still bring about a somewhat calming effect or balance? Help, I need a thesaurus.

Keep it short!  This is probably and easy one for me, since I am not known to be the talkative type.

In my up and coming newsletter I will show you the completed painting.  You will also have an opportunity to give me your thoughts of a title for this painting.