PK Seay Studios Traditional Style Folk Art

PK Seay Studios Fine Art Display

Here are two displays from the First Federal Bank in Lanesville, IN.  The one on the above (Folk Art) was up August 16-23, and the one on the right went up today (August 23-30).  The bank offers business a place to display and share in a program called Spotlight on Business.  Since I had two weeks I split my art into the two genre’s.  Hope you get a chance to stop by the bank and see this week’s display first hand.

Last week I set up a mini show at our local, hometown bank to share with my friends and neighbors the folk art that I do.  This week I am taking in my watercolors to share.  It is called Spotlight on Business.  A lot of banks are offereing space to their customers to share their business with the public. 

I have had a couple of requests for Christmas Ornaments already, so I will start on them soon.  Right now I have several Brides/Grooms boxes to do!  Tis still the season for weddings around here it seems.

Just sent in two articles to “Paintworks” magazine for their 2011 issues.  I am working on two more.  They are all watercolor pieces which I know you will enjoy.  One is watercolor basics which demonstrates my watercolor techniques in a very simple way. 

I spent a lot of time last year getting my business set up, and this year have come to the conclusion that the KISS principal is best.  So, I am practicing what I preach and going back to some of my simple bookkeeping techniques instead of fighting with a computer program.  (I’d rather paint than learn a lot more computer stuff. LOL)  My studio is in good shape and ready to welcome my creative soul.  I am ready and anxious to go. 

See you soon with more updates and photos, too!

A couple of years ago, I came to the decision that I would put my energy towards art.  Now I have taught painting for over 30 years, of course painting all that time for myself and occasionally for others.  In the early 80’s, I met people in a company known as Ceramichrome.  The manufacturing facility was located near my home at that time in the town of Stanford, Kentucky.  Stan Clifford and Jim Miller asked me to use the paint they were making and compare it to other brands of craft paint.  I did, and boy was I impressed with the coverage of the paint, which was intended as paint for ceramic bisque pieces.  It did not, however, have the sheen other craft paints had.  The chemists or mixers fixed that, and the company went on to become Deco Art paints.  I was fortunate to be around when the first bottles of paint were introduced.  In fact, I, via cut and paste, helped design the first label.  I was hired to teach some of their staff to “tole” paint and became a liaison between the ceramic industry they had been and the growing decorative painting industry.  I was given a phone card (for long distance calls) and told to call the “big brushes” to offer them a complete set of paint to try for free!  Can you imagine that, giving a woman a calling card and telling her to talk on the phone about something she absolutely loved!  What a job. 

I moved from that area in 1985 (February 11 during an ice storm, to be exact) and had to leave the job soon after.  I tell you this to know where I came from.  During this time, I attended several Society of Decorative Painting Conventions, wrote magazine articles for Deco Art, designed my own patterns, taught several days per week, traveled with Deco Art and taught for them at conventions and trade show, and yet I did not believe I had any ability or the right to call myself an artist. Remember, I was drawing and designing my own patterns, cutting my own wood pieces and selling then, and doing quite well while raising two small children, keeping house, and all that went with that.

Now move forward 20 or so years, and I decide maybe I do have some ability.  I took a few watercolor classes and found them to be so fulfilling.  I crave the time to paint and create.  I live and breathe with my head so full of ideas.  I entered a couple of pieces in juried shows and was actually accepted.  I painted a large sculptured horse, and it won accolades.  Okay, a few good pieces still don’t tell the whole story, but the point is people are now buying what I am designing and painting. 

So, I decide I want to make this a career, and the rest is my history in the making.  I found a coach to help me in the business of art and started down this road.  This is where Alyson comes in, and I begin to review the past year.

I won’t go into all the questions she asked, but  I HAVE answered them all for my sake.  In 2009, I was co-owner of Bliss located in the Blue Velvet shop on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky.  I sold several paintings there and met wonderful new friends, but the Blue Velvet Shop closed, and I moved on.

I traveled to seminars and painted with some wonderful new teachers, met more new friends, and gained a lot of new skills.

Through my business classes, I have learned about QuickBooks, Adobe Photoshop (still struggling there), set up a website with a wonderful web master, Marian Jackson, (still building that, too), learned about blogging and now have a blog, and twittering and Facebook, and I have linked up with several other social and business networking groups.

I have a beautiful home studio where I love to work, and new business cards and signage have been printed.  I have a monthly newsletter with a growing audience and take part in several annual shows.  I am now in three galleries in the Kentuckiana area and am beginning to plan traveling teaching events.  I was published in the Decorative Painter Magazine this year.  I consolidated all my notes with names and addresses on them to one computerized mailing list.  I set up regular (kind of) studio hours and now spend time daily working there.

I have begun working with Traditions Paints (acrylics), using them as watercolors and like an oil paint (more on that another time), and am listed as one of 70 or so artists in the world who will be teaching in a new online art education program beginning in 2010!  I also have played with adding pastels over watercolors, and the results are beautiful, if I do say so myself.

I have learned to delegate and to say no, as well as how to express an opinion out loud (not a small task for me).  I have accepted what I am not qualified to do and asked for help in learning or accomplishing filing, computer technology, and bookkeeping tasks.

I look back at 2009 and think about all I accomplished and say, “thanks” to all those friends, family, and mentors who have lead or dragged me towards my goals.  I am excited about 2010 and what is to come.  I have more to do to get my business in order, and I need to paint every day to grow my skills.  I am happy to be healthier but still need to do more towards the goal of good health and, dare I say it, losing weight!  

I hope I haven’t bored you with this evaluation of my year.  It has been good to step back and put in writing what I have done.  I encourage you to try it.  I would love to hear from you on your 2009 and your goals for 2010.

Peace and creative energy,

Pam

I used to not paint daily, but a couple of years ago I decided to set a goal to become a full time artist.  Like the slow turtle, I am learning many lessons, applying them and working, now, daily to reach my goal.  As I sit here at the computer, I am surrounded by words of encouragement from the likes of Robert Genn  and Alyson Stanfield.  My studio is a sanctuary, a workshop, and my favorite space.  I am making a place a peace and tranquility where I can go to zone in to paint.

I made a decision this year to only do inside shows for both practical and health reasons.  I will focus on build a web business, developing online classes material and entering juried shows.  My mother always asks me if I am rich yet.  I say no, but I really am. Well, not as reflected by my bank account, but in all other ways I am a very wealthy person.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family to surround me, new grandbabies being born, and children who want me in their lives.  I have a talent, skill, or gift that I am using and am constantly learning new techniques and stretching my wings.  Through art I have met so many new people that I would never have know in my small town. 

The biggest lesson I learned this year was to build a relationship with people first and foremost.  Do not try to sell, just share your self with others and the business will come.

November is a time for giving thanks, and I did give thanks for all I have, but December is a time to look back on the year and count your blessings.   so, I am looking back, thanking God and all those who have come into my life this year, and looking forward to 2010!  A new beginning!

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Woodland Beauty, my first attempt at painting.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Oil on wax paper, early 1970’s

What does this mean to me?  I just finished a juried show which lists me as a juried artist in acrylics and watercolors.  My booth had an assortment of both mediums.  As people came by the booth, I introduced myself by saying  something like,

“Welcome, I have traditional style folk art and watercolors.  Depending on how I feel on a given day, I may choose to do a fine art style of painting or a traditional style of folk art.  I have mostly American and German styles represented here.  Enjoy your browsing and let me know if I can answer any questions.”

I watched as some people focused on the prints and watercolors, and other zoomed in on the folk art.  Then I heard the dreaded, oh, she does tole painting, comment.  Now that used to frustrate me, anger me, or leave me feeling less than adaquate as a painter.  However, I finally realized that most people have no clue about the different styles of folk art, the similarities and the differences between the styles. The comment was my problem, not theirs,so  as a result I have decided to share my thoughts and a little history of painting with you, my blog followers.  I hope you will at the very least enjoy my pennings, and perhaps even learn a little bit more about who I am and where I have come from.

When I first picked up a paintbrush in the 70’s, it belonged to my college roommate.  I doubt that she had any idea that her leaving her “tole painting class” supplies and instructions on our coffee table would launch a career for me, but that is where the painting bug bit me.    My mom had done ceramics and decorated plaster molded items as had many women of her age group.  As the ceramics hobby market became flooded, a new group of painters emerged. Tole painting in the 70’s was the hot new craft on the market.  Priscilla Hauser was the one painter who caught me eye.

 Time passed for me and I found myself a newlywed in a new home, new town, new state and away from everything familiar.  I arose one morning and prepared breakfast for my husband and I, cleaned up the kitchen, and immediatly set the table for supper, and  wondered what I would do from that point on.  That movers had gone, the house was basically in order, I had no job, no friends, and my husband had gone to work.  I remembered painting , so  I found my way to the local craft store and bought a book by Priscilla Hauser( For Whom The Bell Tolls).   I opened it up, read the supply list and purchased the supplies.  The store clerk suggested I take a class, but no, I thought why spend money on classes.  Everything I needed was in the book.  I went home and began painting everything in the book….on wax paper.  I couldn’t afford any surfaces after putting all my money into the book and supplies. 

Long story short is the local teacher was my new neighbor, so she was called by the store (who recognized the address proximity by my checks) and I made my first painting friend.  Lola Jacks came patiently to my home daily to encourage me, and eventually won me over to being a student in her classes. 

Tole painting at that time was apples, strawberries, daisies, grapes, cute little people, comma strokes, etc. Drawing was not taught much, but instead you traced a pattern, applied it to your prepared surface, and used the brushes and paint colors the instructor suggested. It was so easy (the ads said) that anyone could do it.  I like many others found great joy in creating that which we had never thought could be done by untrained, and untalented painters.  Looking back I can see the design influences of early American folk artist such as Peter Ompir in a lot of the designs, but they were simple and cute, but they lacked depth.  The work was done in oils, and we painted on anything that stood still.  My first paintings not on wax paper were on soup cans (made great pencil and brush holders), and old wood pieces I found at thrift shops.  I still look for old pieces to paint on, that hasn’t changed, but now the designs are not as cutsie and usually more detailed.  The Tole painters became Decorative painters and a new confidence has risen.  Instructions are becoming more technique oriented and less project oriented, but that’s another subject. 

Back to tole painting:

I have always been taught that Tole Painting by definition is painting on tin as tole is French for tin,  but the term tole painting has become synonomous with decorative painting of almost any style and on a lot of surfaces that were not tin or even metal. 

Wikipedia has the following article on Tole Painting:

Tole painting is the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture. Typical metal objects include utensils, coffee pots, and similar household items. Wooden objects include tables, chairs, and chests, including hope chests, toyboxes and jewelry boxes.

The practice began in 18th century New England, and was also extensively carried on among German immigrants in Pennsylvania. A separate, related tradition occurs among Scandinavian countries and immigrants, including Norwegians, Danes and Swedes. German tole painting may concentrate more on metal and tin objects, while Scandinavian may concentrate more on wooden objects and furniture. Patterns in the two traditions vary slightly as well.

Modern tole painting typically uses inexpensive, long-lasting and sturdy acrylic paints. Good quality wooden work is sealed, primed and sanded before the decorative paint is applied.

The most beloved family objects tend to be high quality utensils or furniture, painted freehand with favorite patterns, colors or flowers, humorous themes, family in-jokes, or illustrations of favorite or family stories. The perceived value of a tolled utensil increases with its quality as a utensil, the quality of the art, and the personalization, the story, of the work.

An advantage of tole painting as a craft is that a bad painting can be sanded off and repainted. One of the signs of such repaintings is a black-backgrounded tole-painted object. Very often such objects are repainted, especially if the furniture or utensil is valuable and the painter is inexperienced.

I am madly getting ready for a show this weekend at the American Legion Highland Post on Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY.  (It is just across the street from a great Krispy Kreme at the Waterson exit!)  So get your self a hot donut and a cup of coffee and join me at the Lousisville Artisans Guild Holiday Showcase Saturday (10-7) and Sunday (10-4) and get started on that Christmas Shopping!

Now for the newsletter, I have signed up with I-Contact to send out a monthly newsletter called “Paintings and Pennings From Pam” .  Along with my website, it will give you news of my current shows, information about art supplies that I use and recommend, painting instructions and it will let you shop online for both my artwork and supplies and links to galleries carrying my original art work.

If  you receive an invitation from me just click on the link at the bottom of the page to let me know you want to subscribe,or, even easier, go to my website  (www.pamelakingsleyseay.com)  and you can subscribe on the first page, and bingo! Once a month you will get your own copy of “Paintings and Pennings from Pam”.

Please feel free to share this info with your friends.  I look forward to getting to know you even better.

See you Saturday or Sunday!  Mention this blog and get a free notecard at the show!

Pam

The second show is a local church show and I’ll have some great bargains on some beautiful pieces that will NOT be at any other show.

Don’t forget the grand opening of Bliss Gallery and Gifts coming the first Friday in November.  Julie Diehl, owner, is my former gallery partner!  Now Julie has opened a beautiful new Gallery AND Gift shop in West Port Village.  You will love the location!

I spent two weeks with her and her parents.  Late night feedings, hugs, smiles, and tears when I had to leave.  I am already thinking about paintings of her, for her, and with her.  Brynlee Dean Seay arrived at 10:15pm on September 25th, and Grammy saw her at 10:30pm, just after she had her initial clean-up!  I hadn’t expected to see her so soon, especially when we live 6 hours apart, but upon arriving at the hospital, and asking  whether we had found the right place, I was directed to room 14.  I had no idea it was a labor and delivery room.  So, I was her first visitor.  It was love at first sight. Her dark blue eyes were full of wonder as she scanned the room and the people who will be very important to her in new world.  Tiny lips were pursed, but quiet as she looked into my eyes and smiled.  (Yes, I know about smiles and eyesight in newborns, but Grammy is telling this story.)

A new chapter of my life has began… I am a Grand Mother for the first time, and in just six more months, grand-baby number two is due.  Life is GRAND.

I am so excited to have this chance to share my world with you, and look forward to hearing from you.  I hope to use this blog to journal my path into this new part of my life, PK Seay Studios, LLC.  This is the learning curve year with all the technology.  I am learning websites, blogging, facebook, along with bookeeping programs, and Adobe Photo shop.  Lots of information coming.  So  for fellow artists, I hope this blog can be a place where we can talk about the business end of art!

For the rest of the world I will use this site to let you be among the first to see new works, share my “news”, perhaps share my thoughts per my creative process.

I would love to hear your thoughts, too.  Tell me what draws you to a piece of art.  Is it a work of a certain color, style,  a particular artist, something that makes you feel good, or something that provokes an emotion, etc?  Do  you prefer traditional work, contemporary pieces, a piece to hang on a wall, or  a form with function? 

Time for me to get back to my painting.  I’ll tell you about that real soon.  The title of it is “Fleur de Leaf”