a blog to keep up with artist Colleen Hanley in the studio, at home, and on the road.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
ASSOCIATE WITH WISE GOOF BALLS
IT'S GOOD TO BE GOOFY. AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT OVERLY OBNOXIOUS, RUDE OR ANNOYING THE MASSES. THIS IS CHUCK, A LOCAL ART CRITIC. WHO HAS HELPED ME WITH ROOM AND BOARD, TRAVEL, AND FINE WINE; BEING HE IS ALSO CONNECTED WITH THE RITZ CARLTON, REAL ESTATE AND THE AIRLINES.
Friday, July 16, 2010
IF OTHERS LIKE YOUR WORK THEY WILL WANT OTHERS TO SEE IT
Sometimes as an artist you just need to share visuals to add ambiance to a surf shop, a restaurant, or another public venue. If you think your work is good, the ultimate test is to see if you qualify to get into a public display without a hassle and also be the one who gets the invite. This takes social skills as well and patience. Once you get an invite from a shop owner or a manager, than this is a good step towards targeting a local crowd or even stepping into unchartered territory , as far as your art's concerned. This is my three piece Jazz Set at BC SURF in town. The big piece is now on a pair of board shorts. I like how it's lit up at night.
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
As Surfers, especially those of us who get to travel or at least search for waves on a some what daily basis..we can easily get jaded or "spoiled" with our neighborhood breaks and waves..It's true, it actually happens. The water may be too cold or the crowds may not be the thing you're into that day. Some days are just like that. But there are also the days where you can change your attitude, and this usually includes saying to yourself:
" Come on and get out there"
Go find a wave to surf no matter the temperature or in fact where you just came from. If it's flat than go swimming.The continued relationship with the water , an athlete who's consistent is the key to the gift it gives.
The truth is the ocean has some amazing abilities to make you happy , enriched. And when you actually suit up and stretch, you may be surprised what you will come across. This is a fine example of what you may find opposed to not trying to find anything at all. The result: one healthy surfer. By the way, reggae music helps. This is my neighborhood, welcoming me yet once again...Nice crowd. And look at that right !
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
WHEN U TRAVEL, FIND A FRIEND.
One of the best parts of traveling is the fact that you can meet whoever you choose to meet. But there is also another fact, You may meet who you don't choose to meet. If it sounds like a contradiction it is not. Basically the earth is spinning and there is a great opportunity to meet the other dogs in other lands. Their world spins too. Engage with the animals if you are too shy to engage with people. Sooner or later there is an owner. And the owner could be you! Here's Roofus doing his thing on an Island somewhere in the South Pacific.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
TEACH TO LEARN
a friend of mine, Quinn, used to teach 4th graders at Newport Elementary school. She called me up one day and said, " Do you feel like coming in and teaching my class how to paint?" I said " No, not really..."
She said " Colleen, just please come in..."
I said " Ok, but they need their own canvas's and brushes, and i can come in for an hour...."
So we had them cover shoe box lids with white construction paper stapled on for their "canvas's" and it all worked out. The kids are good teachers as well.
PLACE MAT RAP
i wrote a surf rap once. it actually really flows and rhymes and has a unique rawness and vulnerability to it. it was done on construction paper with magic markers, and it is like a place mat size . i dig it. these words eventually made it onto another piece of mine i painted titled " need surf" (which is the far right piece on the header for blog page). So, this is the original gangster for need surf. if you click on the picture you can read the words more clearly.
DOODLE DOODLE DOODLE
This piece is called 'twin peaks" it never really manifested into anything majorly special. But it does hold a simple complexity which i adore. It was like i was doodling one day with a brush instead of a pencil . You know like when you're on the telephone and you are drawing random images and shapes while you listen and talk. So this is a doodle piece on canvas. I sold it to Mike Gerard for 600.00 . It hangs in the USA surf team headquarters outside his office door. Mike has several of my paintings. It's good to doodle.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
INSPIRED BY OTHERS
Bob Marley was just a man. But his love for music and his charismatic performances are one of a kind and ultimately, just perfect timing. An artist i feel that had an easy going approach and a love for his talent. I grew up listening to Bob's music. Since I was very young, his lyrics and rhythms have filled my head. I started painting to Bob's albums and also bootlegs of his live concerts. ( i knew a dread once ) . And i started to paint his face when i started to paint. So all in all I have been inspired by the late Bob Marley. This one in paticular with the teal and purple hues, i painted in Jaco Beach Costa Rica. Thanks Cedella Booker and Captain Marley for your whoa and crazy talented baby genius.
~ colleen @ 10:54 p.m.
DIARY ENTRY " COLOR "
colors colors colors, what would i be without you? I can be a world or just a person.We too need the assortment of mixed media, attitude, depth, richness and layers. My surfboards, need color. My salad, needs color. My walls, need color. My sky at night, needs color. what a grand concept, color. In all it's reasons i love color.And the substitute, your cousin if say you can't be here, is sound. The vibes, this too i will expound on!
~ colleen @ 9:29 p.m.
~ colleen @ 9:29 p.m.
ART ECONOMICS
This piece i just finished. it is an oil painting of two Stand Up paddle board lovers. Pun intended. I titled it
"Dusk and Dawn". I sold it today for 950.00 dollars. Which is rather low for this sort of piece, but I have lowered my prices 30 % due to the recent weird change in the economy. I figure, Art was a necessity to people when i first started selling. Now, it's a luxury. And the first thing to go usually, is luxury expenses. So i thought i'd do my part and get smart and still earn a living. I actually adore the clients and was rather thrilled to give them something they can hold onto. Unlike the money i just made.
"Dusk and Dawn". I sold it today for 950.00 dollars. Which is rather low for this sort of piece, but I have lowered my prices 30 % due to the recent weird change in the economy. I figure, Art was a necessity to people when i first started selling. Now, it's a luxury. And the first thing to go usually, is luxury expenses. So i thought i'd do my part and get smart and still earn a living. I actually adore the clients and was rather thrilled to give them something they can hold onto. Unlike the money i just made.
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