Good news. I have decided to go semi-professional and part-time, self-employed with my art. Art has been a passionate hobby for years and I want to take the next step offering original paintings and fine prints for sale. Aiming for quality, unique art at reasonable prices (no AI generated stuff). After doing some research, I will focus on a New Zealand market at this stage (to avoid shipping and taxation nightmares; and to have high assurance of quality). I have started a New Zealand-themed collection. A New Zealand website is coming soon. Art journeyAs I am prone to burnout, and I have disabilities which impact on my daily functioning, I will take my time, building up a collection of original artworks at my own pace. Also, to enjoy the process and not to compromise on quality.
In recent years, I focussed on process art, to help me to manage significant mental health struggles. I've had two solo art-as-therapy exhibitions and taken part in community exhibitions. I have no plans for further solo exhibitions at this stage (very stressful) but I may take part in group exhibitions in the future. I am currently researching website options, whether to stay with the website builder I've used for over a decade, or to switch. Unfortunately, most of the websites with e-commerce options are expensive. It will probably be less stressful for me to stay with a familiar website builder, even though it doesn't have lots of bells and whistles. I will be spending this month building a New Zealand-based website and hopefully have a few artworks up to start with soon. My test prints of Fantail Rose are on their way from a fine art printer (superior print quality to home printing), before I finalise what formats and sizes to offer. I can remember painting in kindergarten and visual arts has been my strength over other forms of art (including writing). I also enjoy photography, even though I don't have super-expensive equipment. I take my own reference pics to inspire my paintings. Now, I can take the photographs of my art. Also, to prepare them for print, with skills I gained when working as an assistant for photographers in the publishing industry years ago. I was invited last year by a local professional artist to take part in group exhibitions. That is less pressure than solo exhibitions as I could enter just a few pieces. I have to say it's a huge compliment to be invited by an established professional artist. I am also grateful to the local art community and an arts community grant to help make my 'ridiculous goal' of my first art exhibition possible (with prices by tender, as I was too scared people would just my art as 'not good enough'). The reason I had a second exhibition was to price my art publicly for the first time (visitors said I priced too low). I've sold some art, given some away, destroyed some. It's been part of the therapeutic process for me. I have had tuition in oil painting and acrylic painting. I am not keen on the fumes, mess and slow-drying that goes with oil painting, so I specialise in acrylics on canvas. In recent years, I have focused on writing books, inspired by my experiences. I have one more book left in me, I think, called Soar Purpose, which I think will take at least a few years to complete. I haven't given much attention to marketing my books, so they are buried under hundreds of thousands of other books. Thank you to a reader in Germany for recently buying both my books. My creative studio for my painting, writing and editing is my cramped bedroom. Currently, I am still in the 'hobby' category as far as taxation is concerned, although I want to start making a regular income towards self-employment. I have big dreams and last year, I trademarked Soar Purpose, which is my banner for my creative endeavours. I recently invested in a better quality camera, to take sharper images of my art, for fine art reproductions. Anyone who has seen my art 'in real life' has immediately remarked how much more vibrant they are compared to the images (that should change now I have a better camera for fine art reproductions). If you would like to be included on an email list to alert you when I have a new artwork available, let me know via my contact form. (Reminder: at this stage, I will be focusing on New Zealand only for my visual art, mainly because of the practicalities). Update: I've felt both excited and quite anxious deciding to make a go of this. Anxious because of the fear of failure and also I don't like the business side of things. I've had a few small businesses in the past, and they did pretty well part-time until I burnt out each time. So I know I have the skills and knowledge. I am also a bit anxious that I might kill another one of my passions, attempting to turn it into a business. The previous small home businesses were based on teaching music then caring for pets. I have grown a lot since then, with more self-awareness, so I'm hoping this time will be different. One thing I have learned, is to stay the hell away from commenting on anything political when running a business. Now, I need to try figure out how to build another website from scratch (it's always like starting over, even though I've built half a dozen websites before). Making some enquiries with a tax agent, I'm pretty sure my government now considers me to be in business, even though I've made a loss with my startup costs (this can be claimed as expenses and get a tax refund from my other income). My test fine art prints arrived and I'm very pleased with them. Now I have another website to build. Further Update: And we are launched. New Zealand-based website to buy fine art prints of Xanthe's art is now live: www.soarpurpose.nz Xanthe Wyse
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This blog post also is a review of the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 bridge camera, which I have used for the past five years. Aimed at hobby photographers who want to enjoy bird photography but don't wish to have a large outlay to get started.
I checked my records and I purchased this camera and accessories (including camera bag, memory card) new for NZ $653 (around US $408). It was on sale plus I asked the salesperson if he would add anything to my purchase. I saved approx $200 of the retail price of the combined items. All the photos here, I took with this camera. I've cropped some and done subtle adjustments for a more pleasing composition. Subtle, as I prefer a more natural look with photos. I've also reduced the file sizes significantly for uploading to a website. The original file sizes can be printed clearly at at least 8x10 inches (approx 23.3 x 25.4cm). Just revisting some journal entries from five years ago, when I had my first solo art exhibition (which I pitched as an art as therapy exhibition). I'd set a 'ridiculous goal' of an exhibition when I was severely unwell and struggling. My main diagnoses are bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I still have permanent disabililty after treatment.
I did the painting below, More than Good Enough, during that exhibition. It expressed the mixed feelings of the exhibition process. I didn't put prices on the paintings, as I didn't want people to judge. One of the main reasons I did the exhibition is because I didn't feel good enough and that my art wasn't good enough (in fact, most of my art in the past ended up at the dump). I still haven't done everything on my list, since I published my book. Partly because I haven't felt motivated to, as my Dad died the same week.
Last night I cleared out a few things from my wardrobe. I came across some notebooks with amusing anecdotes from when my son was little. This anecdote keeps playing through my head. One of the great things about being an independent 'indie' author, is that I can choose my own publication date. With flexibility to move things around, if I need to.
I had therapy today (for PTSD). My clinicial psychologist asked, 'Why September?' as that's the month I'm aiming for. In this blog post, I'll give a few reasons why, with a little context. A very talented artist friend asked me if I'd intended for my fire goddess painting to be named 'Devine' rather than 'Divine.' I actually checked back and her name is definitely 'Devine.' She's mentioned in my memoir, now in the polishing stages.
I don't want to drastically alter the manuscript, so I've been writing some blog posts with additional linked information, for those interested in my creative process. The memoir I'm currently finalising, is probably way more accurate than a typical memoir, as I've spent a lot of time cross-checking my journals, vlog etc. I decided to cross-check about the origins of why I chose 'Devine.' Just another draft extract from my memoir, that I've just written, going off on a little tangent. Tangents are my thing, so I can't avoid them completely. I decided to share it here, just in case it doesn't make the final cull (for practicalities of book length). It's an unconventional love story.
I've been working on the manuscript for my second memoir, Bipolar Courage: are you sure you're not autistic?
The book is mainly about an intense online connection with an autistic man, whom I have called Maxwell. Xavier is my son who shares a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome with Maxwell. Leo is Xavier's father. Patricia is a psychologist (she said she's honoured to be in the book, by the way). All names are changed, of course. I've just written a draft section that might be still be condensed or even have some edited out. I wanted to share the extract here, under 'Maternity Ring.' I did a bit of work on my memoir this past week. Then, tonight, I decided to have another sort out. Some things got burned, some put into another location. It's like sorting out my mind, as I've processed things. Whatever I have kept has the potential to be used later, creatively.
My last blog post on this blog was how avoidance and tangents actually resulted in my getting things done. My last blog post though was on my 'old' blog for Bipolar Courage, because I felt it fit there better: 'My enemies made me stronger'.
Will try keep this blog post as brief as possible. |
Xanthe Wyse('Zan-thee Wise'). Disclaimer: the author of this blog is not an expert by profession and her opinions should not be taken as expert advice.
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