Dottie Riley

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Username:
dragonflyby
Name:
Dottie Riley
Location:
Brandon, FL
Birthday:
01/19
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Single
Job / Career:
Design

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Brush Strokes

Arts & Culture > More Fiddling Around ...
 

More Fiddling Around ...



Over the last several days I started a few pieces and all except this one ended up in the trash. Another 'Not a Masterpiece", but it was fun! I don't know what I am trying to do; where I am going. I am in the experimental mode, trying things I never tried before, just "fiddling around". Maybe this is a good time to try a more impressionistic piece. I almost succeeded here by eliminating the details and using just color to suggest forms. I'd love to work with my pastels- my refuge when I want to 'play', but it is too damp on the porch. It has been raining nearly all day every day. As I write this the thunder is rolling and the rain is pouring down.

I really would love to do an illustrated children's book and started a sketch for the first image, but the composition is all wrong. Back to the drawing board. I have the story in my head. No morality, no preaching or teaching, just plain fun. I had no idea how difficult an illustrated book was until I thought about doing one. An incredible amount of work goes into those little picture books that we read to our toddlers! You need at least a dozen different images, all the same style, and the characters have to be recognizable throughout. What an undertaking!

I don't sell very much art. It just accumulates in my bedroom and in my garage. I attended a seminar last year on how to price art, after which I adjusted all of my prices. A few went up, but very, very few! For the most part all of the prices went down significantly, especially on my prints. Some of it is because I don't do art fairs. I'd like to, but there seems to be a built-in Catch 22. You need a photo of your tent/ set-up to get into a show, but until you do a show,you have no photos!

A children's book, on the other hand, is very marketable. Publishers are always looking for new material. Now that I have a grandchild, that idea really appeals to me.
I wonder if I can complete at least a half a dozen images before Shelly finishes her Perpetual Portrait? (Sorry, Shelly, but that last line was just too good to resist!)

posted on Aug 24, 2008 11:17 AM ()

Comments:

I tend to run out of walls. I wrote children's stories for my grandchildren featuring a favorite baby.
comment by elderjane on Aug 26, 2008 10:41 AM ()
This is really different Dottie than what I've seen so far. I really like it. A night skyline is interesting. Kudos!
comment by shesaidwhat on Aug 25, 2008 1:43 PM ()
Only wish I were fooling around!
comment by dragonflyby on Aug 25, 2008 10:11 AM ()
That sounds like a good project
comment by elfie33 on Aug 25, 2008 7:55 AM ()
Nice "fiddling around" dottie!
comment by itsjustme on Aug 25, 2008 2:52 AM ()
Hello Dottie,

My name is "Gary", I am "coincutter" on here. I noticed you made a few comments on my blog. I decided to check yours. First off, don't let me scare you. I am not as bad as some would think. Second, I am an artist. I come from a long (family) line of artists. I see your work, and it looks great! Personally I have made my living off my art for 23 years, my cousin "David Magee" wrote the screenplay for "Finding Neverland" (with Jonny Depp, and Kate Winslet). My aunt runs the biggest art gallery in Flint Michigan, and I have many other relatives doing art/craft shows weekly. Anyway, I've read your blog a little right now, I do plan to more. You don't live by me, so I don't know if there is anything I can really offer, but I do have some connections, if there is anything you need.. ask. I am around artists of many types daily. Take care, Gary (coincutter)
comment by coincutter on Aug 25, 2008 12:13 AM ()
I love to fiddle around,is this the same as fooling around..
Oh1what do I know Dottie such a fool am I.
comment by fredo on Aug 24, 2008 1:32 PM ()
Definetly- but let me see if I can actually do mine first!
comment by dragonflyby on Aug 24, 2008 12:18 PM ()
I like the way you fiddle around! Your painting reminds me of the waterfront skyline in Chicago, one of my favorite places. I'm very fond of impressionism, too, so it would be a treat to see your work in that genre. I, too, am working on some children's literature ideas — the writing, not the illustration. So I may be looking for an illustrator one day. Interested?
comment by marta on Aug 24, 2008 11:39 AM ()
I really love this one. I wish I had the money to afford art. I just get enthralled with it! We have an artist display work in the library every month. It is always great. Unfortunately, I would insult most of them with what I could actually afford.
AJ
comment by lunarhunk on Aug 24, 2008 11:38 AM ()

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