Individual Artist Project

You don't need gothic mountains or an ocean breaking against the rocks to find beauty in nature. It's not necessary to only seek out the wonders of architecture or sprawling city buildings to feel admiration for man's creations. You don't have to go anywhere to have your breath taken away by our world. That's what I want to share with my community. I've recently participated in a few art showings that are open to the public with my new work of local scenes. These were the 2023 Annual Gallery Hop in Hibbing, the 31st Annual Juried Art Show in Grand Rapids, and the other was the 2023 Downtown Art Fair in Grand Rapids. I have had an overwhelmingly positive response to these new paintings. I've had comments that these paintings remind others of their childhood. That they knew people who used to read meters for the city or they could swear they knew exactly where the painting was created from. Over and over I had people connect with my paintings from the point of view that they felt I painted something very familiar to them. They could walk down that road or touch that building! Paintings in general give us a space to think. That's maybe their ultimate purpose. When I look at these paintings I reach out for those feelings of acceptance and embracing the good aspects of daily life. I've had others agree with me. I want to make more of these artworks and make them available to experience to people in Hibbing MN as well as anywhere else I exhibit.; One of my favorite quotes is from an artist named Andrew Loomis. He thrived in the 1930s and wrote a few art books that I got a lot from. He said, "Your artwork must so impress the beholder that he is moved to a definite response emotionally." I think about this every time I paint. I ask myself if my reference photos live up to this quote. Are my brush strokes in line with wringing out the best painting? Are my values, placement, color, texture, everything- created with the end result that this will move someone? That's my main goal. Always. I want people to come to the event I'm creating. I want them there to reminisce and connect with the local scenes I paint. I want to connect with the people that share my love for Hibbings back alleys and have that same fascination for our crazy amount of powerlines. I want more followers, more newsletter subscribers, to sell a painting, to have paintings to make prints of. I want a themed body of work worthy of a gallery. I'm confident I can host my own art show. I've done artist talks at the MacRostie Art Center before and did well talking to anyone who wanted to know more about my artwork at my solo exhibition. I'm not guaranteeing that hundreds of people will crowd around my paintings at this art show but I am making my artwork available to connect with in a way that everyone is invited. I'll do my best with strategies and creative thinking to get the word out as much as possible. I know I can create 7 oil paintings in the allotted timeframe. In the past year, I've created 17 realism oil paintings. While a few were commissioned and had the helpful addition of an expectation for quality, had a timeframe, and were motivated by money, most of my artwork is done by myself with no outside funding. I've done all of these painting ventures on my own but I've learned just how much funds can help! I was awarded a grant before with great success! My artistry grew and I fulfilled every goal. ; Outcomes for the art: Record feedback from my community through social media comments and my guest book at exhibitions. Unofficially consider feedback through word of mouth. Success would to be hear that my art is meaningful to my community, it makes people remember experiences they've had and makes them think the world around us is more interesting. Selling one original oil painting created from this project. From posting my artwork online I want 50 more followers on Instagram and to increase my website visits by 50%. In the last 8 months, I've had 615 site sessions. I can see how many visits I have and will record my results from Jan 2024 to Aug 2024 and compare them to Jan 2023 to Aug 2023. Create 7 oil paintings! Outcomes from the event: My goal is to have 50 people show up on the day of the event. This would mean that my efforts in promoting my art have been successful. Receive 10 newsletter subscriptions from promoting my website at the event via business cards and flyers.