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Category: Creative Life
Behind the Scenes: How I Make Custom Art with Family Photos
In this post I’m going behind the scenes to share how I created a custom art commission for my client, Amanda, using her family photos and mementos. I feel honored to work on commissions using treasured family photos and scraps of paper that have been saved. Projects like this truly feel like collaborative creative endeavors.
The Project Begins
For this commission I completed two companion mixed media canvases, one about Amanda’s maternal family history and one about her paternal family history. Here are the materials that Amanda gave me to use on the project.
Photos and mementos from her mother’s side of the family. 
Photos and mementos from her father’s side of the family.
In this project, Amanda was generous with her time, telling me stories of her family and giving me original notes, a used passport, and other odds and ends to include. It felt like we were both invested in this process and in the artwork. Thank you, Amanda, for trusting me with your family story in this way.
We agreed on the size and a color palette and I got to work with the painting. I purchased two maps of significant places to her family on Ebay to round out the collage materials she gave me.
I found a map that would add to the story of her family. 
The colors for each piece were thoughtfully selected.
The Midpoint Check In
As per the typical agreement, I sent her photos when the project was about 50% completed for her feedback. Amanda asked for more color, as it was going in her mostly white house, and a greater emphasis on her parents in each painting.
I sent her another update photo after implementing her edits. They are 80% done here. 
I collaged some photos and I drew in others, like this mother and child image.
We scheduled another process check in because I had more edits to make after our check in than usual. It is important that my clients are happy with their commission and have peace of mind that our visions for the artwork are the same. So, I sent her the above photo at around 80% finished and she was thrilled with the progress.
The Reveal
That done, we scheduled a time for delivery and installation and I finished the paintings, including a varnish spray with UV protectant. She elected to keep the sides unfinished and unframed.
If my client is local, I prefer to do the reveal in person, and for large paintings, I’m more than happy to deliver them and help install them. It brings me joy to see my happy collectors when I reveal their artwork.
The finished commission in Amanda’s open concept dining room.
Amanda loved the finished paintings. Together we placed and hung them in her open-concept dining room. As a bonus, they were done in time for Thanksgiving, which she was hosting for the first time and now able to show off her new family-centered art pieces.
Imagine, what might you include in your commission?
If you are interested in a custom commission using your family memories, you can read more about requesting a commission here. I love to incorporate unique, meaningful items. From treasured family photos to ticket stubs from a trip, the sky’s the limit. So, let’s do this! I’d love to talk to you about creating a custom art commission using your family photos and mementos.
My 6 Most Recommended Podcast Episodes for Artists
I listen to a lot of podcasts. Like, a lot. I use podcasts to stay connected to other artists, learn about art history and contemporary art issues, and learn professional development for art and entrepreneurial business. Today I’m sharing a list of my 6 most recommended podcast episodes for artists.
This blog post basically wrote itself because I heard myself referencing all of these episodes in conversation over and over again and realized that I needed a concrete list to refer people back to. I hope you enjoy!
1. Do it For the Process: Instagram for Artists
We all wish we could crack the algorithm and garner a large following, like artist and art business educator Emily Jeffords. I’ve listened to tons (literally tons) of podcast episodes about Instagram tips and tricks, but for artists, Emily’s advice in these two podcasts is spot on.
Instagram for Artists (part 1): tips for creating a VIBRANT and ENGAGING account
Instagram for Artists (part 2): tips for creating a VIBRANT and ENGAGING account
2. Beyond the Studio: Amir H. Fallah Interview
I have enjoyed many episodes of this podcast. I feel that Amanda and Nicole ask smart questions and share practical advice for working artists. In fact, this podcast was the inspiration for the post I made a couple weeks ago on understanding your numbers, where I broke down my income buckets for 2019. If I had to pick one episode to share, it’s this interview with Amir that stands out. Before this episode, I had never considered what expectations I might have for a gallery that represented me. Amir talks candidly about how he found and considered his gallery representation and it made me rethink how I would approach and structure a gallery relationship in my own art career.
3. Don’t Keep Your Day Job: John Tabis of Bouqs
This episode caught me by surprise. John Tabis, the founder of Bouqs, a flower delivery company, talks about starting his business. In it, he shares a story about how he realized that if he truly believed in his company, he should personally reach out to his friends and family and ask for support. I was convicted by his passion and confidence so much that I drafted my own version of “the email” to send to my close friends and family. If you are going into business for yourself, you can’t assume that people know what you do or how they can support you. Listen to this episode and be inspired to take a bold step and share your art or business directly with your community.
How Rejection Made a Flower Company Blossom – John Tabis of Bouqs
4. I Like Your Work Podcast: Applying to Academic Jobs in the Arts
This episode is a gift. Oh my gosh. Erika is invited to record a conference panel discussion where the discussion topic is applying to academic jobs in the arts. Different speakers share their advice for applicants based on their own experiences applying or on search committees. One stand out speaker pair review the timeline of an application, each from the perspective of the committee and the applicant that ultimately got the job. I have never found this much insider information about academic hiring in the arts ANYWHERE else.
BONUS: Applying to Academic Jobs in the Arts
5. Artist/Mother Podcast: Jaime Rovenstine
This artist/mother episode made me cry, in a good way. I’ve heard a lot of artist mamas talk about how they were inspired by the life that they were creating and in response their art practice soared. I love those stories, but my own experience wasn’t like that. I had so much anxiety during pregnancy about how my life would change and I struggled with the lack of control I felt during the whole experience, that I practically stopped making art. It also took me a long time to return to art postpartum. When Jamie shared her story, I felt relief because I wasn’t alone. Art is a long game.
Jaime Rovenstine Shares About Finding Time To Paint In A Busy Season Of Life
6. Art for Your Ear by The Jealous Curator: Ashley Longshore
I’ve been listening to this podcast since it launched. Seriously. Danielle, The Jealous Curator herself, is one of my art heroes. It feels impossible to pick one episode to share because she has recorded so many incredible interviews with artists. She is conversational, funny, and engaging. I especially love in the first couple of seasons where she continues to record artists “after the interview” and then shares that segment on the podcast. Artists are real people and in these episodes I get a sense of that.
When Danielle relaunched the podcast in 2019 she changed the format away from artist interviews. I’ve enjoyed the new format, and if I had to pick one to link to, it would be the episodes with Ashley Longshore. Ashley Longshore is a pop artist in New Orleans that is leading an art empire. She breaks all the rules and is unapologetic. I find her episodes refreshing and inspirational in a no-excuses-get-your-ass-to-work kind of way. Be warned, lots of gown up language in these episodes.
ASHLEY LONGSHORE: muses ‘n more
ASHLEY LONGSHORE: optimistic as f*uck
I hope you enjoyed my list of the 6 most recommended podcast episodes for artists. Are you also a podcast aficionado? Leave your recommendation in the comments!
2019 Year in Photos
In this season of my life, the days are long but the years are short. I started this post as a business focused year-in-review, but 2019 was fuller and richer than just my growing art business. We traveled to 2 countries and 3 states, saw Benjamin turn 1 and start walking and talking, and Pat’s job moved back to Houston.
January
Commissions bring me back to the studio.
February
We take our first trip away from baby to CDMX.
March
I open my online shop and launch new art.
April
I continue to do a lot of this.
May
Forth and Nomad Gallery opens with Lanecia’s art show.
June
We take Ben to Peru, a dream vacation.
July
My solo show opens at Forth and Nomad Gallery.
August
Pat moves back to Houston full time.
September
My art business starts gaining momentum.
October
Ben turns 1.
November
We spend lots of time with family.
December
I work my first art market and open a holiday shop.
Your turn. Can you sum up your year in one photo/sentence per month?
Working As An Artist: 5 Things I’m Doing In 2019
I get asked a lot about what work looks like for me these days. If you know someone who is an artist, then you know that their job is more than just making and selling artwork. Here’s a peek at five of the things I’m working on this year.
Selling Artwork Online
In March I launched my online shop for the first time with a small collection of collage explorations. One of my big goals this year is to connect my shop to Instagram, so hopefully, you will see that come through in the next month. I also have plans to go through my studio inventory and add work from my older collections to the shop. I want to make it easy for you to support my work and add to your home.Curating the New Forth and Nomad Gallery
In May, Forth and Nomad will open in their new location and include a gallery concept that we are partnering on. The gallery will show local emerging artists with a focus on selling to new collectors and providing collector education. We want to bridge the gap between today’s young art buyers and the elusive “art world.” I have a blog post coming soon to introduce the gallery concept in more detail. I’m excited about this opportunity.My First Solo Show
In July I will have my first solo show at the Forth and Nomad Gallery. Forth and Nomad has been selling my work since they opened and I am beyond thankful they want to continue to support my work with a show. Moreover, the ideas I’ve been sketching for this show are bringing me energy. All of the collage explorations from my store launch and the sketches you see on Instagram are part of the research I’m doing to develop my next body of work.CAMH
I will continue to lead educational group tours at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). I love keeping my toes in art education and staying abreast of the new shows that move through the CAMH.Open Studio Sale
Yes, I plan on having at least one more of these in 2019. I’m kind of playing with the idea of opening my studio for White Linen Night in August and maybe once more before the holidays.So, that’s all for now. I have some ideas of what I might work on in the fall, but I’m keeping them quiet until that time comes. In the meantime, keep following along on Facebook or Instagram, and I’ll be sure to let you know what’s new.
Oh, I’m also starting to collect emails for my newsletter. Sign up at the bottom of my website if that interests you!