Uncategorized Category Archive
May 11th, 2016
Hello! I have so many projects going right now, I’m not sure which to tell you about first!
I should start with my upcoming opening at the Phipps Center for the Arts this Friday from 6:30-8:30pm. (I’d like to point out, 8:30 is way past my bedtime. Why do openings always have to happen at night? A problem we morning people will have to tackle some other time – haha.) Most of the pieces I’ll have at this show are new and have never shown anywhere else – so be sure to swing by! If you can’t make the show, I’ll be posting the pieces here on my website within the next few days.
Next on the list, I’m nearing some deadlines for some more work going to the Park Nicollet clinics in Minneapolis. Both commissions are ten footers (split into three panels). Needless to say, my studio has been cramped!
I’ve also been working on new pieces for the upcoming Edina Art Fair, which is held on the first weekend of June. PLEASE NOTE – They’ve rearranged booths and I will not be in my usual location. I am on a waiting list to get nearer to my usual spot, but until further notice, I’m booth 125.
I’ll be having a show at the Ripple River Gallery in Aitkin MN from June 22-July 17th. So if you’re heading to the cabin this summer, be sure to stop in!
Lastly, once all these shows and commissions are finished, I’m working to launch a new website where people can click and buy my paintings. This will be an entirely new body of work, and I’m tentatively calling the series ‘Air’. It will be lighter in both color and feel. I’m pretty excited about this new endeavor, so keep an eye out for future announcements.
I hope you all have a great summer,
Jill
April 4th, 2016
Hello beautiful people!
My studio sale on Saturday was great, and thank you so much to all who came!
This sale did, however, reveal to me some things I need to work on.
I’d say 80% of those who came are repeat buyers. I love my collectors! But, their walls are filling up, and I am in desperate need of new clients.
So, here is the favor I’m asking:
Do you have ideas where I can introduce my work to new clients?
Before you answer, let me tell you what I’ve already considered:
▪ I currently show at 7 galleries, and work with several fabulous interior designers and art consultants – and I love them, but to make a livable income, I need to be selling some of my work myself. (Galleries and designers take a big percentage of the sale).
▪ I’ve looked into taking out an ad in one of the popular Twin Cities magazines. After seeing the rates for those ads, holy moly, that does not fit into my budget!
▪ Art fairs are brutally tough for a team of 1.
▪ Selling prints of my work is an idea I always consider, but one I really hate. It would take a lot of work to get that business up and running, and I’d make very little per print. Plus, they lack so much life! Prints just sort of bum me out.
▪ I already license some of my paintings with a company that prints artwork for upscale hotels. Getting a royalty check once in a while is great! But, I only get a maximum of $4 per print, so, as you can imagine, that doesn’t exactly pay the mortgage.
Thoughts? Who do you know? I bet you are, or you know someone, who has great connections! Is there a blog you follow that I should know about? Can you share some ideas with me? I’d appreciate it immensely.
My target market mostly, but not limited to, 35+, female home owners. I’ve heard there are ladies groups all over .. but being the hermit that I am, I have no idea where these groups are found!
Thank you for your ideas, and happy spring!
Jill
March 16th, 2016
Spring Sale!
Hello all!
I’m back from my trip where I painted on location in NC, and now it’s time for a studio sale.
On Saturday, April 2nd, I’ll be opening the doors to my home studio in South Minneapolis from 11am to 3pm, and all paintings will be 20% off! My place is jam-packed with work, including many pieces that are not yet listed on my website.
Please email me at jill@jillvansickle.com to receive my address and directions.
This is a informal event, and please excuse the way my tiny studio is crowded with work!
I am able to take credit cards, but much prefer cash or checks. No early sales.
I hope to see you there!
Jill
Poor Spencer is lost in the paintings!
It’s a wee bit packed in here..
February 11th, 2016
Greetings from the North Carolina Coast!
Once again, I’ve left Minnesota in search of something other than snow to paint! Before I continue, I want to give a huge thanks to my house sitter who is keeping my place warm for me while I’m gone. Thank you so much!
This year, I am staying on the southernmost coast of NC. Of course, it’s been unseasonably cold here, so I’ve been unable to do a lot of exploring outdoors. The good news, however, is that I am right on the beach, and have used the beautiful ocean as my painting inspiration thus far.
Below I have attached the pieces I’ve been working on. I hope to get a lot of work done down here, because I have several upcoming exhibitions. First, I will likely have my annual studio sale sometime this spring. Maybe in April? I’ll keep you posted when a date is chosen. Also, I have a show at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, opening mid May. If you’ve never been there, be sure to visit, it’s a stunning venue!
In June I’ll be in my usual spot at the Edina Art Fair, and I’m also doing an exhibition at the Ripple River Gallery in Aitkin, MN., which opens June 22nd.
I’m also planning to show my work at a gallery in Eau Claire WI soon. I’ll post more information about this when the details get ironed out.
With all these new projects, I hope to see you this spring!
Sunset 10×30 $380
Clearing 11×14 $220
Colorscape 11×14 $220
Water Reflecting 11×20 $220
Parting Clouds !! 8×24 $240
Parting Clouds 1 8×24 $240
Beach Sky 12×24 $360
Dune Grasses 20×24 $580
Glittering Surf $1200 24×36
Ruby Reds 18×36 $780
Sea Dunes 11×20 $280
Sky at Low Tide 20×24 $580
Breaking Through the Grey 11×14 $220
Sea Grasses Abstracted 22×28 $760
November 13th, 2015
I admit, I cheated. I painted all day yesterday, and finished the last three animals in my animal-a-day series. I worked on a big horned sheep, foxes, and a cow, and experimented with different styles in each them. Why did I work ahead? I’m inspired! I’m ready to get to work on some new things! Check back soon to see new pieces posted on my Artwork page. And a big thank you to all who followed me through this animal-a-day experiment!
My incredibly messy studio
Another piece I’m working on
