Thursday, January 15, 2009

Still Trying To Get Stuck In and Donating Art To Charity

I know you have seen this painting before. It is one I did a long time ago, but I no longer have it here. No, it did not sell (it seems not a lot is selling these days), but I have donated it to a charity. It sold at auction and sold well. It is currently hanging in someone's vacation home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.This painting was painted in England during Bonfire Night, so you can understand the inspiration.

Many bloggers do wonderful giveaways, and I need to take a page from their blog book. What I am wondering today is do you donate your art to charities?

Today I commented on Andrea's blog I am having a difficult time getting the things I am doing photographed. No, not because I have technical problems but because I have head problems. :) I have enjoyed working in my studio and have been making my mark each day, but I have not been photographing what I am doing. I promise to get to that as soon as possible so you can see what is going on in my art world. I was given some new, helpful photographic tools for Christmas (new, strong tripod and a flash diffuser) so there is really no excuse for my behavior. Do you have problems getting stuck in with some little parts from time to time? What do you do to get yourself out of it?

Everyone have a day full of love and grace. Those of you in the Northern Hemisphere...keep warm!

27 comments:

Archie and Melissa said...

hi kim!
i absolutely love that painting! i donate signed prints to every pug or dog rescue that contact me for their fundraisers. i am so happy to help their causes.
i think I get myself unstuck for little things that will just move me forward is to write them on a to do list with other things i enjoy that i need to do and they somehow then all get done and checked off. :)
melissa

~Babs said...

I have donated to charity auctions, yes. Always makes me nervous that they won't sell.
:-)
And I like this painting a lot. I think I remember liking it before.

Like Melisssa, I'm somewhat of a list maker,,feels so good to be able to put a big check by each thing as it's finished.
But,,,, not so much in things art.
Usually, I feel those things get finished up as they're supposed to. All in good time. Or not.

soulbrush said...

yes i love the illo too.please take those pics and show us. no, i have never considered myself artisic enough to donate stuff, but I have so much now, and would love to give some of it away. if you think anyone would want it, tell me who to send it to, and i will. great idea.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

oh this one is cool. and to think it is at a place in the OUTER BANKS of NC. No I have never donated my works to something. Never thought of it.its a good idea tho.

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Melissa,

That is cool to donate your prints...and a perfect cause for them to draw top dollar, too. I feel the same way it is a way I an do more than if I were asked to hand over the cash.

Mmm, that is a good idea to jumble up your tasks in a list. I am not good with list making, but maybe I need to consider it again.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and insights here.

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Babs,

Oh! Your stuff will sell, but I know the feeling all too well.

Well, as I said to Melissa, I am not a good list maker. I often end up loosing the list or just down right forget to look at it. Everyone around me loves that feeling of marking things off the list...not me...no rush there. Just the other day I made a list for when I went out shopping, put it in my bag, then I couldn't find it when I got to the store! I didn't forget anything, though. I think that is the point...I have a good memory and do not mind doing things, it is just I need the blocks of time to get certain things done. When that happens, I just don't start them until I get the block of time I think I need.

Oh, what a tangled mess I weave!

Thanks Babs!

Love,

Kim

Jess said...

That's a stunning painting Kim, what a lucky owner!x

Jess said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Soul,

I do plan on taking photos over the weekend or maybe even tomorrow. It is really silly, but I do have some things I am eager to share.

Often charities have fundraisers and will take donations of items to sell at auction. That is when it works so well to donate art. Your charities there in the UK are organized in a very different way than they are here. If/when I hear of something I will let you know. Also, do you know Fiona Long? Fiona is a very active artist there in London and Hampshire. She or her boyfriend, Adam, might have some suggestions for charities. You know, Soul, this might be a very good opportunity to create a master list of charities around the world who might be interested in something like this. Let's give that some thought...

Thanks Soul!

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Thanks Cris,

I have to say it does feel really good to do this, and I know the charities get more from the sale of the painting than I could donate in cash. I will donate to this group again this year (they rebuild homes in areas which have gone through disasters and provide "help kits" for needy people around the world).

Thanks for your kind words, Cris!

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Jess,

Thanks...I am glad you like it!

Love,

Kim

sukipoet said...

Wonderful painting and am glad it found a home. I dont think I have ever donated anything to charity. I mean any artwork. Re: technical stuff. I often get clogged re: picking up technical items, including the computer at times. I think then I just have to stay away from them, practice some yoga, have a cup of tea and reapproach.

Andrea and Kim said...

Thanks Suki, I am glad it found a home, too. Oh I bet your art would bring big money for charities!

I think maybe you are right, I just had to step back from this photographing of art for a little while. I can feel it returning, but for some reason it has been important for me to step away...find another approach. I am realizing I also need the alone time which hasn't happened too much lately. Some things I am very good with people around...like blogging, etc. My art, and I think of photography as a part of my art, needs alone time.

This is why I love blogging...lovely suggestions which make me step back and evaluate just by hearing what others have to share.

Thank you, Suki!

Love,

Kim

Unknown said...

Kim, I'm so glad this painting sold, it is sparkling and festive and really a bonfire on it's own!

And to answer your question, oh yes. I all the time get stuck in with some little things... as so many things are going on a parallel level, you know? It's like a train switching railways all the time. At the moment I have a list of things and don't do them, because my mind won't let me. Every time I begin with a planned thing, the another thing hops into my mind and I have to do it! I follow this mood or else I get too stressed out:) Don't know if this all makes sense, what it means is: at the moment I'm a real butterfly.

Your tripod and flash diffuser sound great, I'm really looking forward to your next pictures! (pressure pressure LOL)
love
Andrea

Andrea and Kim said...

Thanks Andrea! I am glad it sold, too, this organization really can use the funding.

Yes, I think you have hit the nail right on the head about this problem I am having getting stuck into some of my projects. If I would force myself to do it, then I will make a real mess of the project. It is funny, though, once I get stuck into a project there is little (a few things) which can pull me away and my focus does nothing but irritate those around me. Are you like that?

Okay, I am very close to getting to the photographing here. Often sharing this also helps me. Now I am wondering if people want to talk about going to the post office? That is another problem I have... LOL

Thanks Andrea!

Love,

Kim

Unknown said...

Kim you make me laugh, I sure don't like to go at the post office, cause it is one of the places where you SURE have to stand in a line and then you are behind a lady who keeps the guy behind the counter busy for an eternity cause she can't find her purse or she wants something they don't have or the guy can't find her parcel or her letter etc etc. LOL, that is why I hate to go to post offices:)
love
Andrea
Oh and, yes, when I'm focused on something, then I do it and am concentrated, and nobody can keep me from finishing it but usually that is upsetting for my DH cause I'm doing it last minute:)
But right now, I wish I were that focused on something, you know, I just feel as if there is never time enough to do it all...

I'm really curious about the pictures you'll take with these new devices!

Andrea and Kim said...

Oh how I detest the post office! I have packages ready to mail here and I just can't make myself go there, yet, for just the reasons you say...and it is just not in a helpful location ever! :)

I am not so last minute with my work, but my focus keeps me there for every little minor detail. I just keep working trying to make it better and better and better right up to the last minute! So it is very similar! Yup, even though we have the same amount of time as everyone else, there is not enough time! I so understand that.

Well I hope to get some of those photos taken by tomorrow. It is sunny and very cold here...lots is going on in Washington, DC over the next several days, so I am going to get a few things done today so I can stay in this weekend...I hope the photo taking can happen then. I am hoping the tripod will help me keep my camera a lot more still and the diffuser will help keep the glare down. I will show them to you on the blog next week...

Thanks Andrea!

Love,

Kim

Anonymous said...

Your painting says "Celebrate" to me. Confetti raining down.
I think donating artworks is great if you support the cause and it's a good way for an artist who is starting out to get their name known.

Private said...

I love your blog! Looking forward to following along. You are a creative genius.

http://racheteapaintersdiary.blogspot.com/

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

I have given my work to charity and it has always worked out...I dont't give to a specific charity or on a regular basis but yes, I like the feeling of sending a piece off to do some good all around.
Beautiful work you gave to charity!!

marianne said...

Dancing fire was the first things that came in mind when I saw it! Gorgeous!!!!
I once donated 3 canvasses for a contest to design a watch. The canvasses you didn´t get back but they were sold in a mobile art shop for a charity cause in Africa.
I didn´t win so I wonder if my mandalas were sold and where they are........
Funny haven´t think about much untill you mentioned it.
Can imagine your art sold well it is a great piece!

Andrea and Kim said...

Hi Chewy, I think it is just good all the way around. One of the things I learned when I was practicing interior design a lot was how important it was for me to provide design services gratis and to donate time for auction to help charities.

Thanks Chewy!

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Thank you Rachete!

I look forward to you following along and to following your blog, too!

Your words are very kind indeed...sometimes we all need kudos like that!

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Thanks Blue Sky! It always brings a smile to my face, so I guess the charity is not the only one who wins.

Love,

Kim

Andrea and Kim said...

Thanks Marianne,

I wonder what did happen to those mandalas? That is an interesting way of doing it...I bet they sold them in the shop anyway. Your mandalas would bring a lovely price I am sure.

Thanks for your beautiful words about this painting.

Love,

Kim

Dianne said...

Oh Kim, this painting is amazing, I havn't seen it before. I can just see all the fireworks exploding. Well done for donating it to charity!
Love Dianne x x

Andrea and Kim said...

Thank You, Dianne! I am glad you like it and glad it has a new home.

Love,

Kim