At the moment, I am awaiting word about a large, illustration assignment consisting of nine illustrations. That would definitely impact my blogging, however, it would be a relief financially. I’ll be able to justify recording even more of my music. I might even plan a family vacation. My husband has been looking a little irritated lately. His job exhausts him.

I’ve started my art blog, which now has eight posts. I have at least fifteen more posts in the works. That involves a lot of “media preparation.” I have many existing scans of artwork, but not of old paintings from college. I have been digging through some of my old portfolios and it’s been a blast. I’ve actually enjoyed seeing the box of my old, seashell collection.

I’ve decided to share a post from my art blog about my seashell painting experiences. For more images and technical information, check out the link below on my illustration blog:

#9 SHE SELLS SEASHELLS

Besides doing an art blog, I am actively involved with my music. I have been debating about whether I am ready to share what I’ve been working on. It has been extremely inspiring after thirty years to improve musically again. I would love to share this journey also.

If there were any message I could impart from my total turn around since February, it would be that there’s no time limit for following dreams!

In 1981, I had just graduated from college. I began my career with a portfolio of watercolor paintings.

My food paintings were my strongest. I began to create “portfolio pieces” that were of food images. Those portfolio images were created in order to sell my style. I joked that art directors would save my image of a Nestlé’s Crunch bar because it made them hungry!

I obtained a list of advertising agencies and began to contact artist representatives in other cities to see if they were interested in my work.

I made appointments to see art directors. That part was quite difficult. Most of them were too busy to make time to speak to a new artist on the phone, let alone see them. I did a lot of “envelope stuffing!” I would follow-up to see if the art directors received my postcard and promotional material.

I also decided to show my watercolors to publishers of fine art prints and posters. I went to see a publisher in Los Angeles. He seemed very interested in one of my paintings. It was a watercolor painting of a medley of seashells.

MY FIRST SEASHELL PAINTING DONE WHILE IN COLLEGE.

He said, “I could see this as a series of prints. You would need about eight paintings. These paintings should be done in pairs. Use different approaches – incorporate driftwood on two, and do a pair of large, solo shells. Do some as a medley, and a pair with variations of shell sizes. When you’re finished, bring them in for me to see.”

My foray into the world of publishing began.

I began my search for reference.

I found a warehouse that sold seashells. I walked down the aisles of seashells and marveled at the exquisite colors and shapes to choose from. I purchased the ones I felt were best suited for my paintings.

I found a “driftwood” furniture maker who had some small pieces of wood I could buy. I brought home my reference and began to take photographs. I set up a sandbox in my backyard, and this was before I had children!

MY PHOTO REFERENCE.

I began my paintings. I worked fairly large on the driftwood paintings.

I experimented to find a way to create the effect of sand. I practiced splattering with a toothbrush, so that it resembled sand. I loved the effect! My fingers became stained with dark brown.

A CLOSE UP LOOK AT THE SAND.

It took me about six months to finish all the paintings.

All of that work didn’t translate into money, for sure. However, as a novice artist I wanted to be published. I asked a friend of mine who graduated with a business major if he could “help me negotiate.” He went to speak with the publisher. The most the publisher was willing to pay me was $125 per painting. He crossed out the $100 he had initially started with.

MY CONTRACT.

I believe the publisher became annoyed by the fact that I asked my friend to negotiate for me. After that, he required me to sign another contract with his company in order to be published. This was called a “Right of First Refusal.” He didn’t want me to go elsewhere and cause any kind of competition for the seashell prints. I was able to get him to agree to a time limit on it.

AN AD FOR A PAIR OF MY PRINTS. THEY SOLD FOR $20 EACH.

There was more to my story.

I remember when the prints were all finished. In order to get paid, I was required to hand-sign the editions of prints. The edition for each print was 1,200.

There was a certain smell to a new print. It was intoxicating. I was nervous when I came to see those stacks of prints. I was not that confident about my handwriting, and wanted to have a nice signature.

It took me many hours to earn $125. After many hours of signing my name on 1,200 prints, my hand was very tired.

There were eight seashell subjects I had to do this with!

© Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.