Last night I was invited to attend an event at Southwestern Medical School to honor Mr. Pickens.  He gave the school a donation of $50 million to grow for 50 years.  They cannot touch the principle, but can use the interest collected by that principal and must also grow it by 10 in the 50 years it is in their care or it will go to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK.   It is highly unlikely to not collect the 100 million during that 50 years because the caretakers are motivated to see that it will serve the school very well.  Mr. Paul Bass said he thought they would reach their goal in just 25 years.
Mr. Pickens is 79 years old, but looks much younger to match his wife Madeline.  They are a generous couple with high ideals for the future of this country.   May he have a long life to tell the stories his interesting life has provided him.
There were very distinguished guest there to honor Mr. Pickens and the school.  What a nice event for a Monday evening  on the 14th floor of the Southwestern Medical School Research Building, now named Pickens Building.
The 14th floor offers a clear view of downtown Dallas and surrounding areas.  As an artist, I wanted to capture the distinquished people there, but also the dramatic view, especially after dark.  It was pure poetry in the making.   Inspiration is exciting for those who love to create their thoughts in visual art, writing or like Mr. Pickens, inspiring others to make their world grow out of the box it finds itself in today.
liz peveto

P. S.  Wishing you an inspiring day to see what we can add good to this world that we live in.

 

Today is a day that I would love to just think about painting with no cares of the business side of the creative process.  But that is not the case.  This thought process feels negative and I am a believer in positive thinking getting you where you want to be.   Not thinking about it will not keep me organized and accountable.
I have been searching for more information about how to promote my art so that sales will occur and the IRS will not declare my art a hobby.  Today is tax paying time for all hard working Americans.   At least, those that are accountable to there country.  Here it is again, being organized and accountable.
Producing fine art  is a life long passion of which I am just now feeling I might have a handle on what to expect the results to be.  In that search I am finding a great deal of information and a collection of very informed young people that are struggling with the same issues.  The technical side of this business is almost overwhelming for an artist that has been painting a long time.   It never hurts to learn new things, it just is not as easy to put it all together.  We are still carrying the old infomation that is filed away in our brains.  The files are larger and move s-l-o-w-e-r.
Ideally, having a partner that can take care of the business side and never having to choose between painting and doing paperwork, would be wonderful. 
Life gets in our way sometimes and the creative process is interrupted when we least expect it.  The trick is to maintain the thought long enough to get back to where we want to create.   Being in the creative state is a natural high for those who know how to get there without dragging life interruptions with us.  Today I am in the process of clearing my head so my heart can create freely what I have a passion for.   Do you ever feel the pull from what you want to do  and what you must do?

liz peveto

P. S.  There, I feel better, thanks for reading my thoughts.

I have recently heard people say they don't want to be known as a Pet Portrait Artist.   I must say it is not as glamorous as being known for other types of paintings, but ever bit as viable as doing other art.   I recently talked with an artist friend who was just starting a business of doing Pet Portraits.  She sent me her web address, but it was not up yet.   She did send a picture of the painting by email and I was very excited at seeing her approach.   The dog had such cute personality in just a small close up.  You could try her site and see if it is up now at: www.juliegrim.com
I did a portrait of Peaches before January as a Christmas gift for a client that had just lost their dog to cancer.   It was such a treat to do that for them because it was like doing one of their children.  They love the dog and that is what makes the Pet Portrait category in painting so viable as a business.
My main interest at present is doing my paintings for a France series with an art show prospect in 2008.   But, if a commisssion for a Pet Portrait came in I would enjoy doing it.
Best wishes for the day
liz peveto