It’s half-past Winter in Minnesota, and My Work Here is Never Done!

The Weather is What It Is

Mid-January in the northern states equals mid-winter. We’re on the downslope now, we like to believe. It’s been an odd weather winter so I’m not taking bets on what will happen next. As long as the temperatures stay mild, but not too mild – rain and sleet mild – we’re okay.

Winter in Minnesota.

By the way, that’s what we do in non-tropical climates, we open every conversation with a comment about the weather – what it did, what it’s doing, what it is predicted to do today, tomorrow, and for the season overall.

Painting With a Purpose and Trying to Rein in My Graphic Instincts

Wondering about the weather is not all I do. On Tuesday, I finished the last painting in the grouping I created for the Watermark Art Center exhibit in Bemidji, MN. On Wednesday, I started cropping and matting some of the small works I’m painting for the exhibit at The Smallest Art Gallery in Ortonville, MN.

The last painting for the Watermark show is a redo of a painting I started months ago. I’d fallen back into my old graphic ways, making bold marks and filling in the spaces with color. I admit that graphic images make me happy. But the new style (for me) of abstraction makes me giddy. I knew I would cover up the first painting with a new painting. And I did.

The original graphic image I called Mr. Ed and the coverup is called The Day the Tree Fell on My Garden. Please visit my gallery page to see what is available and contact me if you’d like to purchase a painting.

For the exhibit at  The Smallest Art Gallery, I’d planned to show small works on paper, but I think I’m going to add a few small canvas pieces as well. Stay tuned!

Small abstract works on paper.

Here is a teaser for the upcoming book, From Hothouse to Heaven

For those of you who read Blood on the Bridal Wreath, you are likely wondering if Gloria will be back for the new book. I’m happy to report that she returns along with a few surprises. Her story continues in From Hothouse to Heaven. Here is a teaser:

Blue Eyes sat back in his chair and fiddled with his pen. “I have to say, I didn’t see this coming.” He paused, set the pencil down on the notepad, and raised his eyes to Hill. “No, I did not see this.” He closed his eyes in a thoughtful withdrawal and after an extended pause, he spoke again. “The second body they found is …

There is murder afoot in Buffalo View Village!

See you next time. Thanks for reading.

World Building Wednesdays

When you can’t focus, shake things up!

An old, long-gone friend of mine talked about a shower of glitter. That’s how she experienced life. One sparkly thing after another captured her attention. Nothing ever got done. She was a hoarder and maybe one thing explains the other. I do not know.

A few weeks ago, I realized that I was no longer laser-focused on tasks. I couldn’t keep my mind on anything for more than a few minutes. Creatively, I slumped. I struggled with painting and was confused by the storyline I was building for a new book. I was experiencing a shower of randomness and not a sparkly thing showed up to enchant me.

A creative slump, illustrated.

Something had to change. I decided to devote one day a week to creative musing. I could be as random as I wanted. What I couldn’t do was address a task list. I could change the sheets, do laundry, wash the floor while musing, but I couldn’t tackle a MUST list.

The result was I started producing again. I didn’t stick to my world building at all. I guess I jogged my thoughts from wherever they were stuck. Oh, and I bought a sparkly light. I plug it in each morning before I go to my studio. I know it’s there. It’s like my friend, endlessly sparkling but contained!

The story line for From Hothouse to Heaven became clear. The characters developed, lively and troublesome. I write with an undistracted smile.

I’d been having a figurative fistfight with a painting for months. We called a truce and I’m in love with the finished image, my first of 2023.

In Your Dreams, M E Fuller, 2023

In Your Dreams is available. It’s a mixed acrylic on canvas abstract. 18 x 18 x 1.5 inches. $975. Shipping is free in the lower U.S. Let me know if you would like to purchase this or any other painting you see on my gallery page.

See you next time. Thanks for reading.

2023 Is Coming With Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities, Galore!

Today I woke up with my head full of what-ifs. What if tragedy strikes? What if we get 20 inches of snow? What if my world turns upside down and bites me on the backside? What if … ?

Not quite 20 inches but enough!

I’m a practical sort of person. I like to have a plan for my backup plan. But I have learned that for every plan I make, there is a universe of possibilities I have not accounted for. And then, I paint, write, or plot my next book because those are things I can control. Everything else will certainly change with or without my help.

#changes

2023 is coming with changes that include relaunching my websites into one site that provides at-a-glance information about my art, writing, and workshops. Blogging is easier because I can write about whatever is happening without creating two separate posts. You may know that each post comes with SEO and other marketing details that use up time I can better devote to creative work.

#challenges

The number one challenge for me this year will be to get my artwork in front of buyers. Last year I was juried into a number of art fairs in my home state. Even though sales covered the costs incurred, I can’t say I made a profit. More than that, I did not have follow-ups from visitors to my booths who, at the time, showed a sincere interest in the work.

Marketing challenges for contemporary art include:

• Identifying buyers

• Booking additional shows for 2023 and 2024

• Choosing art fairs that attract buyers for my style of work

#opportunities

I have a new book coming out in the spring of 2023. From Hothouse to Heaven is the second book in the cozy mystery series, Filthy Dirty Garden Gloves. I love writing these books, and there are lots of opportunities to share my books with readers. I can’t wait to hit the road for book talks across the state.

This year, I’ll push workshops, too. I don’t teach writing, but I help writers at every stage get started and keep going with their writing projects. Check out my list of workshops and contact me to schedule an online or in-person event.

I’m excited about where my creative energies will take me in 2023 and look forward to sharing my experiences with you in this new blogging format.