My grandmother had a major influence on my life...teaching me how to be a good homemaker and seamstress. When she passed, her Button Jar was one of the things I requested.

Grandmother's Button Jar spilled out many childhood memories along with the buttons. In the summer we had outdoor adventures and outdoor chores...but in the winter months grandmother's button jar always came out.  We invented a 'spinning game', seeing who could make the buttons spin the longest. We created a mini shuffleboard game.  We sorted them and pretended they were coins. I could go on and on but you get the idea.

Graphite was used on this pencil drawing around the lip of the glass jar.  The reflective qualities of graphite work well for rendering glass. The rest of the drawing, even the soft shading on the buttons was done with a carbon pencil. However, for the rough texture of the aged lid I did use a charcoal pencil.

This drawing was pure joy to create. I hope "Grandmother's Buttons" brings to mind good memories of your child hood...when times were simpler and life moved at a much slower pace for all.

Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:7-9 (in Context)

This happens to me at least once a year, sometimes twice...where I ask the question, "am I an artist"?  To my salon customers, I'm their hair dresser.  To Fine Art Studio Online artists, I am a tech support agent. To my friends I am a very talented person.  Then there is my 'tax person'...to her I'm the lady with three jobs!

Now, my framer...she refers to me as "her artist". I've always been quite complimented by this statement. We talk about my art and my future as an artist. Yet, when I walk away I am still just me, Marsha Robinett, a frustrated creative person with so many visions in my head, just waiting for paper, that at times I feel as though I will explode if I don' let it out.  So does this make me an artist?

My drawings have won awards, even several best in show...yet when the opportunity arises I have difficulty introducing my self as an artist.  The phrase still gets caught in my mouth!  What Is My Problem??

I have business cards that say I am an artist. So...I must be an artist, right?  I'm going to stick one on the bathroom mirror for awhile until I get over this slump, and another one on my computer.  I do know one thing for sure...if I don't consider myself an artist, others certainly wont either.

OK...I'm done moaning. I just seem to need to go through this periodically to get my head on straight again.  I guess the bottom line is this. I know I can paint and draw...but does that make me an artist or just an artistic person?  Is there a difference?

What makes you an artist? Is it because you have a group of loyal collectors who buy your art, or because you create wonderful paintings?  Does your art have to be your main source of income? Can you be an called an artist and sell nothing?  Can you be called an artist and create art only for the sake of creating?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:9-11 (in Context)

Matthew 18:3
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4 (in Context)

I hear it over and over:
"my website has been up for months now and I have no sales and few visitors".
As artists, whether we categorize ourselves as full time or part time, marketing needs to be a part of our everyday creative process.

No one wants to hear it, but we can't just paint.

Look at it like this...if you acquired a new phone number and didn't give it out to anyone do you think you would be receiving calls? How about if you gave it to just 10 people and they each gave it to just one person (and so on)...do you think that would make a difference? Absolutely.

Your website is no different. If you want traffic you need to let others know you are there.

Now..for the next question. Do you just want traffic or do you want buyers? When it comes to traffic to your website a few good regular followers of your art is much better than several hundred 'occasional lookers'.

So, how do you garner the 'few good followers'? First of all...get that Newsletter Subscribe option on your navigation bar. The people who sign up for your newsletter are saying, "I want to know more about you and your art". They want to hear from you! Clint Watson says send your newsletter once a week...if once a month is all you can handle, then make it once a month, but be consistent.

It isn't necessary to write a long newsletter. In fact your newsletter is more likely to be read if it is short, simple, and offers the reader something they can't get elsewhere. My newsletters include a discounted print each month that only my subscribers have the option to purchase...and I always sell several. This one item more than pays for the time it takes to write my newsletter.

• You may not want to offer a discounted print but I'm sure you will be featuring at least one of your artworks...provide a link back to your portfolio and make purchasing easy.

• If you blogged about something of interest...make a short statement and link back to your FASO blog for the complete article. The blog article linked to doesn't need be current this month...just relevant to what you're writing about in this newsletter.

I don't know about you, but a 'live link' peeks my curiosity...I can hardly avoid clicking it to see where it takes me, and once there...well, it's rare that I leave without strolling through at least a couple more pages!

I'm a firm believer that 'live links' in your newsletters teach your subscribers to visit your website. A live link is telling them there is something of interest...something new...something they might want...something you think is important for them to see.

Remember, your subscribers signed up for your newsletter because they want to know more about you...tell them and tell them regularly.

Proverbs 20:14
"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
Proverbs 20:13-15 (in Context)

This is Wil...the first grandson of one of my friends. I'm not sure this is quite as good as my last watercolor portrait. It seems a tad overworked in a couple of places yet it does resemble him nicely.

Will has the most beautiful little 'pursed' mouth and gorgeous hazel eyes. There was so many colors in his eyes that it was hard to get them all in. I really struggled with his hair...you know me and my thing for detail. I almost blew it here!!

Anyway...here it is, one more portrait for you to take a look at. Enjoy

Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:24-26 (in Context)

MY FIRST WATERCOLOR PORTRAIT

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:10-11

The photos shown here were taken of My Framers Holiday Window display. She regularly uses my drawings and watercolors as framing examples, which for me is like having a private showing that is changed out with the seasons.

The store front is recessed several feet from the side walk and has huge display windows. The right side is always devoted to her framing and my artwork. The back wall has a huge wreath with a 'framed' limited edition print of Mr Lincoln in the center. (difficult to see)

More of my framed work hangs on either side of the wreath and scattered throughout the side window are various prints and other small framed pieces.

She frames my work and doesn't charge me a dime until it sells. My work shows off her framing and her framing enables me to display my art. How much better can it get?

These last two photos are of the other side of her display windows...showcasing the works of the 'stitch group' that meets at her establishment each week. The display window is full of the most beautiful knitted and crocheted slippers, capes, sweaters, scarves, purses, hats....and on and on.

"Serendipity Framing and Needlework" is located in downtown Lincoln, Ill. right on the square. The wonderfully decorated windows attract much attention especially as our local movie theater is close by. You can always find people (day or night) studying the display windows, smiling and calling out...as they point out 'new finds' to their friends.

What a blessing it was when God placed Jeanie in my path. If you are ever in the vicinity, you simply must stop by her shop. Women come from quite a distance to buy her wonderful yarns and her framing, well...it's simply a work of art in itself!

Psalm 128:2
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Psalm 128:1-3 (in Context)

THE STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE
This portrait of Mr. Lincoln was commissioned and donated to the Lincoln College Heritage Museum in Lincoln Illinois.

This is a younger Lincoln than we are used to seeing. The main photo reference was taken in 1860, just prior to his nomination for president.  Lincoln would have been 51 years old.

Being from Illinois I wanted the finished drawing to be indicative of the period of time when Lincoln was in the area and still practicing law. I also wanted it to emulate his stature, which we all know was tall and lanky.

Then, and perhaps most of all, I wanted his eyes and expression to tell the story of the weigh he carried as he contemplated his presidency and the hope he had for his country's future.

My life took a detour this year. Health issues stopped me in my tracks. For those who have so faithfully prayed and sent encouraging emails, I thank you.

I still have no answers and the health issues persist. This really hit me hard...emotionally as well as physically. In fact I think the emotional part has proven to be the most difficult to overcome.

I've felt better physically for sometime...but have found it difficult to get back in the swing of things. I haven't blogged or sent a newsletter because I really didn't have anything to talk about except my illness, and it had been magnified enough.

I believe that what we see, hear, and speak effects who we are. If you say a word often enough it becomes you. I had allowed this to happen...I had become my disease. Not to say that what is going on is not serious...I just don't want it to dominate my life any more. I don't want it to be who I am.

When I do have real news or this health issue is resolved...I will let you know. In the mean time, I need to get on with more positive, enriching thoughts and projects.

I have several layouts done for both drawings and paintings and of course lots of ideas in my head. There also are at least two firm commissions waiting for my attention.

I am back...perhaps not as regular as before, but I AM HERE and thankful to be able to say it.

Proverbs 15:30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:29-31 (in Context)