Artists Statement

I paint as often and as much as I can. I take classes when I can afford it, but the money usually goes to buy more art supplies. This blog is to share the results with you! I am a Work in Progress.

Dianne Lanning Fine Art.com


Monday, December 20, 2010

'Tis the season!

(This picture is unfinished, but it's the only Christmas one I had "in-house")

Well, it's been a while since I wrote, and a few things have happened.

One of the whines is my mic went on the fritz again. (sigh) It's intermittent, and probably a short. I finally had to cough up for a new one. It's a slightly lower priced one, but brand new, and the same brand. It works very well, almost the same quality as the old one. So I am finally up and running again. I hope to finish recording a book, get it edited and then offer it.

I haven't been painting much, my creative impetus has been focused on mid-Victorian accessories, especially crocheted lace lady's caps. There were a few collars and cuffs too, things to sell at the Dickens Christmas Fair. It was a lot of hours, and they sold pretty well, especially considering the economy. There was a lot of really good feedback too, especially from people that didn't actually purchase anything but wanted to. I had really pared prices down this year and I think it helped. Some of what didn't sell will be offered to Sacramento City Dry Goods, and some will go on my etsy store. Some of the things on the needwork page of this blog are for sale at Sac. City Dry Goods. I'll try to take some pictures and get the new ones listed, but maybe not before Christmas.

It's time to stop the bustle and consider Christmas and what it means. It really makes up for all the things that seem to be wrong. They matter so much less when realizing what has come to us, the light shinning through the dark to light the whole world. I was going to put up the tree this weekend but a serious leak and an incredibly heavy rain that lasted a day and a half had me bailing instead. When the sky cleared a bit I ran to the Dickens Fair for the end of the fair to close. If the tree doesn't get up this year, at least I got the wreath up.

So now the roof guy is trying to arrange to get here and stop the flow. After that I can asses the damage done and how to correct it. The carpet was already on the way out, it's original to the house.

This year I went to the Dickens twice, once in costume. I have an 1830's period black taffeta that I haven't been able to fasten for a while, so something has been working. That was teamed with a cap I don't get to wear often. It's white cotton (OK polyester and cotton, I don't iron if I don't have to) that I embroidered (white on white) with period motifs, trimmed in ruffles and lace and is HOT. No, I mean you broil in this thing. My big mistake was forgetting I hadn't worn anything with a heel in way too long. Between the Cow Palace hovering in the 80's and the hard floors I felt pretty battered the next day. When I went back yesterday I went in a t-shirt, cotton pants and spongey soled shoes. It was still blazing hot, but I was a lot more comfortable.

It was a wonderful Fair, they expanded the floor so you weren't jostling continually, and there were more booths. It was wonderful having more floorspace. I think the participants costumes are improving continually. I still don't quite understand what some of the visitors have in mind when the get dressed. Sometimes you can see what they THINK they look like, but, sorry, it didn't work. I love when they try to be as Victorian as possible, but there are many for whom that is not a goal at all. 'Nuff said.

Have a lovely and Merry Christmas, and keep painting!