Exploring Summer > Janet Crosby

All of my best plans for listing beads and other arty goods in my Etsy shop this summer have slipped quickly by. Beads are here, maybe I will get those photos and listings done later today. Or maybe several more weeks will slip by. But first, some of the views that inspired the art pieces that I have been working on this summer. There were several days of minus tides in July, and it is always a treat to see under the sea. We got to the beach early, as the morning sun peeked through the mist.

Summer2013L_2053 — There were lots of sea caves to explore as the tide continued on its way out.

Summer2013e_5716 — Giant anemones, starfish, mussels, and more – all await the tide’s return.

Summer2013d_5735 — Intertwined – starfish dance.

Summer2013g_2237 — Even those that wash ashore, like this jellyfish, are beautiful.

All of this natural beauty inspires creative energy.

Summer2013k_2179 — The foundation for me is color – love it. Look at these coastal flowers. Pop!

Here are a few of the art projects to date. Most are still “in progress” as I try out new ideas, materials, and work through the learning curves. A friend of mine has a cache of old window panes (love!) and we try to meet weekly for lunch and art.

Summer2013o_2084 — Here is the start of my window.

See what my cats think of this art piece.

Summer2013n_2279 — I love jelly fish, and this is a very quick “sketch” on glass, trying out various paints. Lots of fine-tuning to do yet, but really fun to paint this way – an idea inspired by the window pane lunch art day.

Summer2013m_2231 — The oranges and golds of starfish, curves of the waves, gold of the sun… made into a handmade book cover.

Summer2013h_2211 — A lot of “starfishtic license” here, but this mini painting was inspired from one of my low tide photos.

Summer2013j_2233 — The same painting, now finished with a little gold and silver accents on the starfish.

Beads. I still have to do photographs, listings, and so on. But what do I do instead? More arty explorations, more art projects piling up, for…? Such a conundrum. What I really need here is to work with someone who loves marketing and selling art. The creation and idea-making is where it is at for me, as anyone who has tried to visit regularly to see new listings might know. hah! But I try. Got ideas for more efficient methods of art work marketing-selling? Oh, please share.