Tuesday, June 25, 2013

"Sell Or Not To Sell!"



Yesterday I went to historic Plymouth, Massachusetts! I  dropped of two of my favorite paintings at the Plymouth Center For The Arts summer show!
I have a great emotional attachment to each piece and I am not sure if I want to part with them.
So wish me luck...for a sale or for no sale?

(  Shout out to my real life friend "Vincent from Pennsylvania!" Hello Buddy!)




"Majestic Ocean"
Acrylic Canvas 30" x 40"
"Boston From East Boston"
Acrylic Canvas 30" x 40"
"Mayflower 2" at Plymouth Harbor.

Site of "Plymouth Rock"



31 comments:

  1. don't you just love Plymouth?
    I hope it goes the way you want it too.

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    1. Hello Mary!
      Thank you so much! Yes, I do love Plymouth so much! We are so lucky to live in Massachusetts!
      I love your wonderful blog and your fantastic so very colorful paintings!
      Take care!
      Your fellow Massachusetts Art Buddy!
      Michael

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  2. That's a lot of Monument for a rock, my husband would say. He visited the site as a college student; he wasn't empressed. All these years, he's kept saying, "It's just a rock." And so it is--but it was the rock that was the first step for man on a new continent. He's doesn't get it.

    As for sale or no sale: you wouldn't have put them in the car to drop them off if you didn't hope for sale. It is nice to receive validation for all our efforts. I hope you receive it. Now get painting your next favorite ones!

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    1. Thank you Linda! You are the best! I like what your wrote about starting to paint my "next favorite" ones! Much appreciated support!
      Many years ago I had some work at a local art show and I desperately wanted a sale. Of course then I didn't get a sale but I got a best of show ribbon! Go figure! Now I am hoping for a ribbon!
      Always love hearing from you and also respect and appreciate your helpful and supportive comments!
      Take care my art friend!
      Michael

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  3. Great entries...lots of luck with the show! The movement in the first one is wonderful and I like the strength of the buldings in the second. Way to go!

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    1. Hi Joan!
      Thank you for your support! I love that you like my work!
      I love your observations on both paintings!
      Love your watercolors buddy!
      Michael

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  4. Wonderful pieces, Michael!! The best of luck with the show!!!

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    1. Thank you Hilda!
      I so much appreciate your wonderful comments and support!
      Your portraits are magnificent!
      Take care.
      Michael

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  5. G'day Michael!
    I can relate to your ambivalence. I find it very hard to part with my paintings - and so far, haven't done so very often. Your Majestic Ocean is indeed majestic and I will be surprised if it's not snapped up. The light you've captured on the waves is glorious!
    I love the colours and the moodiness in your second painting, and your photos are great too.
    Is that the actual original rock sitting there behind the grill? Imagine if it could talk!
    Are you able to go on board to do a tour of the Mayflower replica?
    Plymouth is another one to put on my "places to visit one day" list.
    Good luck with the exhibition - I hope it works out whichever way is right for you - whether that is by selling your paintings or getting to keep them. I'm sure it will be great either way.
    Your art cobber,
    Wendy

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    1. G'day Mate!
      Good morning Wendy!
      It is so nice to be understood! I am still not sure why I entered. Maybe so others good see my art in person! Some recognition! Funny now that they are out of the house and photographed maybe I won't feel so badly if they are sold?
      I am so appreciative of your positive feedback and wonderful comments! I am beaming!
      Yes, visitors are allowed to board Mayflower 2! It is being refurbished now and the ship is in dry dock so no visitors. I took the photo a while I was out on a deep sea fishing expedition!
      Again, thank you for your best wishes!
      Take care my wonderful Australian artist friend!
      Your USA art cobbler
      Michael

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    2. Oh Wendy!
      I am not sure if it is the original rock! I am not sure the historians know either. As history goes the Pilgrims, from Plymouth, England, first landed in a section of Massachusetts called Provincetown. It was too sandy to settle so they took a little boat called the shallop across Cape Cod Bay and then decided to make Plymouth their home. Provincetown, Massachusetts now is a wonderful artist colony and home to many free spirits! The native people, the Wampanoags, were said to welcome the Pilgrims and helped them make it through their first very difficult New England winter. Our U.S A. Thanksgiving holiday commemorates the Pilgrim adventure. It is a time when we Americans pause and give thanks for our so many freedoms and blessings.
      Okay so that is enough US history for one post!
      Now for some Australian History Mate!
      Michael

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  6. thanks for sharing the photo of Plymouth Rock..I had it pictured different than that! I did have one painting that I felt sentimental about, so I put a big price tag on it. (The rule of thumb is make it the price that you won't be unhappy to receive if it does sell). Good paintings..I bet they will look great in the show. :)

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    1. Hello Celeste!
      I am glad I posted the two photos of Plymouth. Most people picture "the rock" in a much grander fashion! When I was teaching I remember taking my students there on field trips and many were disappointed with the size of the historic rock! We in Massachusetts love it and we all like to say, "Plymouth Rocks!" A very silly pun but fun!
      I am glad you mentioned pricing because on purpose I think I may have "overpriced" both pieces a bit. Maybe hoping somebody would like it and maybe think too expensive to buy. I love your rule of thumb. I will always keep that in mind.
      Thanks my very talented art friend!
      Michael

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  7. Hi Michael, I love both paintings and can imagine how much of you goes into each piece. The layers of colors and textures are gorgeous! Congratulations on your show and hope it all works out for you!

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    1. Good morning Celia!
      I am so happy you love my paintings! So nice to get such great support! Thank you Celia~
      I am so very happy you noticed the layers, colors, and textures. For some reason I am compelled to paint like that. I love to see what happens with layering paint! Ahhhh! Thanks!
      "Gorgeous!" a great compliment!
      Grazie!
      Abbracci!
      Ciao!
      Michael


      !

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  8. Hi Michael,
    We all can relate to parting with or keeping some of our work. We all must hold on to some of it for various reasons, I do. Only you can decide.
    I will say I have held on to some or planned to then decided to let them go once I saw the reaction someone else had and the joy it brought them so I let it go without regret. I figured they will enjoy it hanging on a wall, where it belongs, seeing it everyday and at my studio it will get buried behind others and rarely seen. I paint for myself but when it brings another joy I let it go.

    Write a beautiful then never play it for anyone?
    Write a poem then never let anyone read it?

    I can see you in both of these paintings. They are both filled with the emotion and passion I always hear from you so you would be sharing that part of you with others.

    Oh yeah... love L.W. Roth's comment on her husband! That was my initial response too... THAT'S IT! It's just some little ...... ROCK! .... .... until I too had to remind myself... it's not just a rock... .. it's history! Our History!...

    Oh... and your last post on Vincent and you... love it... now get to the easel and paint that "Michael as Vincent Portrait" .... GOGH!!!!

    Keep Painting...

    Your 'no famous rocks here' painting comrade

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    1. ooops...
      the above should read... Write a beautiful SONG then never play it for anyone?

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    2. ohh,
      and sorry about your Bruins
      I can relate, the Kings did not quite make the finals.

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    3. Thank you buddy!
      David I am so very appreciative of your wonderful insight and support!
      I am so happy when I see your name appear on the comment section!
      You are so right on about letting a work go! I am feeling so much better after reading your comments as well as our other art blogging friends' words! Thank you!
      I am glad you notice my passion and emotion in my art! I think that is the main reason I paint! To express my emotions! I am happy that my work shows that!
      Linda and you are so right about our country's little rock at Plymouth! So many have struggled so much and so hard so we could enjoy our freedom!
      I am on the job of painting "Michael Van Gogh!"
      Southern California Coast rocks without any rocks!
      Sorry about Kings and Bruins! Thanks buddy!
      Hey! Your L.A. Clippers are going to get our very good Celtic coach, Doc Rivers! Hope he does well. Except of course when you guys face the Celtics!
      Thanks again David. You and our many other art blogging friends have become so meaningful and important in my little art life!
      Your friend!
      Michael

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  9. To sell or not to sell, that remains the question! Good arguments have been made - validation for your work; you wouldn't have packed them in the car; etc. It's a tough call but you went through this dilemma in Middleborough several years ago. It's time to let go and clear up some space for your next paintings.

    If you paint with the concept of putting it up for sale, you'll have less anguish over seeing it go.

    Just think, someone will have a "Perchard" hanging in his/her home!

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    1. Hello Joe!
      So very, very good to hear from you in our little blog world! (Of course we have to thank our wonderful artist
      buddy, "Lisa Daria's Painting A Day" for introducing us to this blogging thing!)
      You are so right. I was thinking the exact thing about my selling my "Newspaper Boy" painting. I see the buyer often and he thanks me and tells me how happy that painting has made him. I guess I can't ask for much more than that!
      Thanks for all your support, in all ways, Joe!
      Take care my great photographer buddy!
      Michael

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  10. Congratulations on having two in the show Michael! I absolutely love your Majestic Ocean piece...it's wonderful, and the Boston one is strong too. It's true isn't it, it can be like parting with a child when you sell a favorite painting...console yourself by knowing you have an endless well of creativity to be explored...we are meant to share the love. (and enjoy it!)
    I hope it all goes as you would want.
    Thanks for sharing the photos of Plymouth, that is something to see the very rock...I didn't know this was a monument. Interesting. Hard to believe they came across the ocean in that teeny boat...ooooh...makes me seasick just thinking about it. Have a great day, and a fun time at the show!

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    1. Hello Sally!
      Thank you my Canadian buddy! I am so happy you like my work. It is so wonderful to read your very supportive and wonderful comments! Thanks Sally! Your words have so much wisdom to them! Thank you. I am feeling better every day about letting them go!
      I am glad you enjoyed my two Plymouth photos. You are so right about the size of the boat. The inside living quarters are ever so tiny! So brave and courageous!
      You have a great day also!
      Michael

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  11. I hope for some sales, Michael! A sale always means that someone is completely delighted by your efforts and must have that painting for their enjoyment and their home! And I know that there are surely more paintings where those came from! Good luck with the show!

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    1. Hello My Art Buddy Susan!
      After reading everybody's comments I too am hoping for some sales. Your comments make me feel better about letting go and creating new pieces. I am thrilled with all the support from our fellow art bloggers. Help in so many ways! Thanks again Susan!
      Take care and keep making great art to share!
      Michael

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  12. Ciao Michael,
    I don't know what it is better...It's true that it is beatiful that someone like your work.... but if you love your two works ...nobody can appreciate more than you, so....you have to decide...
    I like very much the composition and the colours and the "leggerezza" (soft, I think)
    Ciao, abbracci, Floriana

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    1. Ciao my dear Italian artist friend Floriana!
      Grazie! Thank you. Always so good to hear from you!
      I am so very happy you like my work! I love your wonderful watercolors!
      You are right I have to make the decision! I am thinking now that if somebody likes it they will enjoy it and that will make me happy! I took photographs of both works for me to remember and enjoy!
      Thank you very much for visiting my blog and always writing supportive and positive comments!
      Grazie Floriana!
      Ciao!
      Abbracci!
      Michael

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  13. I love the ocean painting. Simply a visual poem. Great work!
    Greetings
    Maike

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  14. Hello Maike!
    Thank you very much for visiting my little art blog and writing such wonderful comments!
    I have a poet friend and I will share with her your wonderful "visual poem" analogy! Thank you so much Maike! You very kind words made my day!
    I have visited your fantastic art blog and I very much enjoy your beautiful and creative work! I will visit again and again!
    Take care!
    Michael

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  15. You are the best Wendy!
    Imagine, you, all the way from Australia, wishing me a "Happy Fourth Of July!"
    Thank you Mate! The Fourth Of July is a huge holiday in the US!
    Many parades, cookouts, Cookout is when we do our cooking outside on a "barby!"We have many
    picnics, huge patriotic concerts, especially the concert at the Hatch Shell in my awesome Boston, plenty of firework displays! My favorite thing to do is to read a copy of our Declaration Of Independence! I guess we Yanks can be a patriotic bunch!
    Again, thanks so much for thinking of us! so far away!
    Your Australian At Heart Art Cobber!
    Michael

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