MiliGirl Art

New Beginnings

2011-10-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

As the old adage goes, "Time flies when you're having fun".

Well, it hasn't all been fun, but retrospect sure does have a way of helping you let go of the not so fun parts. I have officially moved on from this blog and from my old www.BanayatFineArt.com website.

Come on over to my new website and blog to find out what the heck I'm up to now.
MiligirlWellness.com

BTW, My Miligirl.com online store is also back online.

See you over there!
Melanie

Replay Malfunction . . .

2010-10-06T19:26:00.003-07:00

Facebook, for me, has been an incredible tool that has brought me back together with people from my past that I never thought I would be in touch with ever again in this lifetime. I hear that same thing from so many people. It’s amazing. The Internet is a strange but interesting “thingy”. Who knew?

Through Facebook I’ve also discovered that there is a tremendous amount of loneliness in this world –- a lot of deeply painful loneliness. Sometimes that loneliness is hard to notice in others because we’re all so busy just surviving. It’s not easily detected in the chaos of life, but when we strip down the façade we can see that so many walk in the shadows of empty feelings and hardly ever express it in healthy ways.

On the flip side, we get to be virtual witnesses to stories about miracles, and inspirational events. I'm not even doing justice in describing it.

All I really know is that this “Facebook Phenomena" has also allowed me this absolutely unique way of staying in touch with my kids who live with their father up in Oregon, while I live way down in Arizona. Each and every day my kids have given me permission to take a peek into their lives through the magic of the simple phrase, “What’s on your mind?” …and they choose to respond. And… the icing on the cake is how digital cameras and cell phone cameras give us the ability to record and upload images in just a few minutes time. The downside is that I realize just how much of my kids lives I'm missing, and it hurts in the worst of ways.

This has made me a bit emotional thinking about how much we long to just be close to those we love and to find someone to love us. When I get like this I have to listen to music that helps me pull up the tears for a good cry. I’ve been listening to the same song over and over again the past few days. That’s just crazy “Teenage” behavior, but that’s what it has taken to finally turn on the waterworks. “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison is the song of choice.

Am I all alone in this “replay” malfunction?

Hmmmm?

Where the prison once was...

2010-06-05T22:53:00.002-07:00

Where the prison once was…now there is a garden.

You know those years when you feel like you’ve been sucker punched every single day? Where it feels like “the day after” all year long? I know you know what I’m talkin’ about, because we’ve all had them. If not, then watch out.

I’ve had some years where I looked back in retrospect, on New Years Eve, and said to myself, “Okay, so this was not your year.” In fact I can name those years, 1969, 1977, 1981, 1987, 2000, and 2005. Even to this day when I think about what happened during those years I am drawn back to the sights, sounds, smells, and overall sadness that abounded.

It may have taken me a long time to learn the lessons from those drawn out experiences, but eventually I would “get it”. I’m a bit of a slow learner (I admit).

At least I can say it’s only been six of my 45 years that I would call quite tainted. The rest of the years were…well, I guess a lot of those years were just filled with the daily grind. I feel incredibly grateful to be able to say that a handful of those years were actually exceptional.

Mind you, I’m not complaining - just observing how human nature has played out in my life thus far.

Let's just say, I'm far more alert now as to when the clear blue sky kisses the soil.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

What is it that makes you want to live a passionate life?

2010-05-10T10:26:00.003-07:00

Okay, so the question is...
What is it that makes me want to live a passionate life?

I like questions like this that remind me to reflect on how I’m doing in the passion department, because it’s so easy to get caught up in the hum drum of the daily grind and fall prey to the pessimism and negativity that bombards the senses from all around, and even from inside (that inner critic).

I suppose passion has a lot to do with how you operate in the world from moment to moment. I mean let’s face it we all have good days, bad days, exceptionally great days, and days that seem too difficult to bear.

Yes, we’re living in hard times, the world is changing at an exponential rate and there is no way to put the breaks on. That is a harsh reality. We hear it every day standing in line at the grocery store or at the bank, in conversations with coworkers and colleagues, and our family gatherings are sprinkled with political debates. With that said it is certainly a challenge to find people who are optimistic these days, and yet even in the midst of all this turmoil we still need to find a way to move forward with passion and optimism.

I realized that I had to find a place in my life where I could find encouragement beyond my present company. So hear it goes people. Yes, I believe that place was, is, and will always be through God. Worry not -- I’m not going to start preaching here. I’m just recognizing that God’s passion is the greatest passion of all, and by allowing his passion for us to fuel our own passion then we are choosing to live with positive purpose.

So, how do I answer that question? What is it that makes me want to live a passionate life?

Wow, to publicly pronounce my answer to this question brings up some old fears inside of me – “unabashed commitment”. As I sort through my heart’s greatest desires, my dreams, and my wishes my answer is actually quite simple. The desire to experience “True Happiness” within each day -- whether that comes from helping my teenage children feel more confident in themselves and celebrating each of their tiny & giant successes with loud music and jumping up and down like crazy people, finishing a meaningful painting that inspires others, dancing a romantic two step with my husband, laughing joyfully with good friends, embracing imperfection with a sense of humor, having the guts to admit something that I did wrong and asking for forgiveness, letting go and handing over a heavy burden to our Heavenly Father, making a positive difference (big or small) -- it really doesn’t matter, so long as it’s real.

But I think the real key to all this passion is in taking the time each day to recognize and give thanks to everything that brought me “True Happiness” on that day.

That, to me, is living a passionate life.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Seder, Matzoh, and Kosher Wine, oh my!

2010-03-30T00:43:00.003-07:00

Last night I spent the evening observing a traditional orthodox Jewish Passover (Seder) with a Jewish friend and his non-Jewish wife. I am not Jewish, but at some point during the evening Scott informed me (in joking) that now I am. It’s the first time I have ever been invited to participate in this ritual feast. I really enjoyed the entire experience. I learned a lot. My favorite line in the Passover book was, “It’s better to trust in the eternal than to rely on man.” I think it was on page 33? Anyway, the educational part was interesting, and helped me to understand the simplicity of the practice.

Since I was the youngest in the group last night I was blessed with the opportunity to read the part of the child during the ritual. At least they didn’t force me to search for the unleavened bread, which is the part of the ritual where a piece of matzoh, known as the afikoman, is hidden for a time during the Seder and usually a child is sent to search for it. It is a tradition compared with Christ's burial in the tomb before the resurrection.

It was a lovely evening, the company was fun, the food was wonderful, and the Kosher wine wasn’t so bad either! Wink, wink. It ended a little before midnight, which I understand is fairly early in many cases. It was a beautiful experience and I’m glad Scott and Pia Invited me and my husband to be a part of their celebration.

Dolly Parton - Go To Hell

2010-03-19T07:04:00.008-07:00

Dolly has always had a great way with words both in her songwriting and just generally speaking.

Here are some of my favorite Dolly Quotes...

"I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde."

"I'm old enough and cranky enough now that if someone tried to tell me what to do, I'd tell them where to put it."

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

Dolly Parton talks frankly about her views on plastic surgery and her definitive style.

"I didn't know I couldn't do it til' I had it done."

I just love the lyrics in Dolly's song "Go To Hell". Love all the photos in the video, too.

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." - Dolly Parton

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Induction to Womanhood

2010-02-27T11:32:00.012-07:00

I recently received an invitation to a “Baby Shower–Goddess Party” where the host invited her guests to share one significant story or insight from her own personal experience that makes her most appreciative and joyful about being a woman. I thought, cool, that’s something new that I had never done for a baby shower before. At first I thought it would be difficult to choose which story to tell, because I have many. But, then, one story jumped right to the front of the line. So, I thought I’d go ahead and share it here as well.

When I was thirteen years old I had hippy hair. You know, the long straight hair, down to my waist, all one length, parted right down the middle kind of hippy hair. My cousins even nicknamed me “Hippy”. My hair had been like that for most of my life up to that point. That is until one Saturday morning when I decided I wanted a change. I was ready to take that big step and move into the realm of “style”.

Well, this was big news to my mom. This called for a trip back to the old neighborhood where her longtime good friend Maria had her beauty shop, Maria’s Salon. I had never had my hair cut in a salon before, so this was a milestone event for me in that sense. I was a little nervous. Ok, a lot nervous.

We walked into the salon and it was packed with women. Every hair stylist was busy turning ordinary women into super models – well, at least in their own minds maybe. It was loud with female chatter. Maria walked up and greeted me with a big cheesy smile attempting to make me feel comfortable. It really DID NOT help.

She brought me over to her chair, sat me down and we began our back and forth dialog to determine what I wanted done to my hair. She then began to comb all of the knots out of my hair, which were many, since grooming was not a high priority on my list yet. I was too active with sports to be concerned about that sort of silly stuff. I usually just put my hair in a ponytail and went about my day. Anyway, as she was combing my hair she suddenly gasped and began saying something in Spanish, which I didn’t understand. She motioned to my mother and other women to come over to have a look at what she found in my hair. I just sat there watching these women making a big deal about something in my hair, but nobody was telling me what it was. I kept asking, “What? What is it?!” They were laughing, and making jokes, and patting me on the head telling me, “If anybody can fix this problem Maria can!” Then they all walked back to their stations, and mom back to her chair in the waiting area. I was baffled. Maria proceeded to pluck a hair from my tender scalp and dangled a 15” long, pure white strand in front of my face. “Here you go sweetie, your first gray hair.” My jaw dropped as I reached up and took hold of it.

I was mesmerized by this single strand of hair. I kept staring at it and wondered what could have caused me to have a gray hair at such a young age. My mind wandered off into deep thought about all of the things that had happened to me in my short 13 years of life that could have caused this. Many painful things, things that were more than a little girl should have to bare, things that others new nothing about, things that stole away my childhood, things that I vowed I would carry to my grave. I pondered long, asking myself, “Is this what this gray hair represents?” I looked around the room at the other women and began to wonder what kind of things they had experienced, because there was lots of gray hair all over. Some were hiding it with color, while others seemed to wear it like a badge of honor.

I was so engulfed in my thoughts that I wasn’t even paying any attention to Maria chopping away at my hair, drying it, and curling it. I was stuck someplace back in time. Then I heard this voice calling out my name like it was coming from a long distance away, but it was Maria bringing me back into the present moment to show me my new hairstyle. I snapped out of my dream state and looked up at myself in the mirror. There I was, the new me, with my new Farrah Fawcett feathered hair. My hands immediately cupped my mouth in amazement. I gasped with tickled joy. I loved it! Then Maria called out to the other ladies to have a look. They turned and began to do their ooohs and aaaaahs, and offer their supportive comments. Even the older lady sitting under the loud cone head hair dryer pulled off the giant bowl, walked over and said how beautiful I was.

In that very moment I realized that I had become part of the greater society of womanhood -- The camaraderie of sisterhood, the chums of common ground, the missionaries of goodness. I somehow felt different. I stood a little straighter and looked a little taller, especially with my puffy new hair. I was a young woman.

This is the only decent picture I could find with me and my Farrah Fawcett hairdo. Unfortunately, I have a hat on. LOL!

I didn't quite look like Farrah, did I? LOL!

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

45 things I’ve learned in my 45 years

2010-02-17T16:36:00.004-07:00

Well somehow I have reached 45! Woo Hoo!

I’m fine with my age and thought it would be fun to sit down and write 45 things that came to mind that I have learned in my 45 years. Some are silly and others just might make you go hmmm…

So here goes… 45 things I’ve learned in my 45 years
(OMG, after posting this and looking at how long the list is all I can say is Holy _ _ _ _!)

1. I love being in my 40s! (and I knew I would!)
2. Your mom isn’t always right… (unless your name is Mikhaila or Dakota and I’m your mom.)
3. Things you hear as a child really do STICK in a person’s head for years, so be careful what you say to children!
4. Gray hair looks kinda cool against my brown skin.
5. Being yourself is always the best way to go in the long run! Figuring out who “Your True Self” is on the other hand can often be the big challenge. The sooner you can figure that out the better.
6. Your formal education (or lack of) doesn’t have to determine the rest of your life.
7. Risks are rewarded – sometimes with wealth and other times with lessons to be learned.
8. There is always a silver lining if you are willing to look for it.
9. Having dreams is a wonderful thing. A few of my dreams have come to fruition, and I still have more dreams that I want to accomplish. YAY!
10. Living in this time of exponential, high-speed, rapid change is fascinating and comes with all sorts of interesting things like Facebook, which has re-connected me with some really wonderful people from my past that I probably would not have reconnected with if Facebook didn’t exist.
11. It’s awesome, amazing, and incredibly humbling to do what I do! I give thanks to my Heavenly Father for my gifts, and hope that what I do with my talents helps to open doors to his love.
12. Being a parent is really, really hard work, and full of every emotion on the face of the earth, plus I'm certain there are even a few that we haven’t given names to yet. (But it's so worth it!)
13. Everyone doesn’t always choose the best partner. Pick again. (But not the same person with a different name – lots of people seem to do that too! – I did; lesson finally learned? √ check)
14. Sex is definitely better at this age! No more hang ups there!
15. I really love dancing, and I’ll never stop dancing ever again! (when I did I was not a happy camper!)
16. Having just a few great friends is really wonderful.
17. Shoe size has nothing to do with anything except how big your feet are. LOL!
18. Finding someone who gets you is something to be cherished!
19. Laughter is an awesome way to spend time.
20. Travel to foreign countries expands your perspective.
21. Trust your intuition, even if it goes against everyone else’s advice. You usually know what’s best for you.
22. Due to Social media I can get the word out about what I do for hardly any money, with no special technical ability, to tens of thousands or even millions of people, in a matter or days or even minutes. WOW!
23. “If you don’t ask, the chances of getting a “yes” are slim to none.”
24. “The worst that can happen is they say no.” (I’ve discovered you can always survive that and move on to better things.)
25. I have found a way to make work = fun. Yippee!
26. God's forgiveness and my own forgiveness saved me and delivered me from so much pain.
27. Most of my emotional walls are down, now I only have a few hang-ups (LOL!)
28. Sometimes it really is ok to sit and do nothing… for hours.
29. Sometimes you get what you pay for. Other times you get more or less… be careful how you spend your money.
30. I enjoy a good glass of wine with good friends.
31. Not everyone is meant to stay in our lives forever but everyone that comes into your life serves a purpose or provides a lesson you need to learn.
32. I’m not bitter, vengeful, or regretting my two previous marriages, which is like a modern day miracle! More than anything I just didn’t want to waste my energy on something that would only make me lonely and ugly both inside and out.
33. It’s ok to admit that you were wrong.
34. Our beliefs don’t always make sense – even to ourselves! Keep the ones that work for you and try to change the ones that hold you back.
35. Knowing yourself and being honest with yourself is the key to all things.
36. Success is more than the size of your bank account.
37. Time really does seem to pass more quickly the older you get!
38. I like to know how everything works. Which can cause me to do more than I should by myself. I also have trouble turning it off at night. I’m still working on that one.
39. I’m “micro-social” – I would choose to be with small groups of people over large gatherings.
40. Being able to choose my own ring tone is a fun little feature in life among many others.
41. There is no “right answer” that will work for everyone. (No matter what the question is.)
42. Having kids has turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.
43. I love kind little gestures like the man that always smiles and greets me by my name who owns my favorite hole in the wall Mexican restaurant, Barbudos.
44. The crevasses that time has carved into the landscape of my face have earned me the right of passage into the company of many wonderful women.
45. I’m excited to see what this next year brings…

Letting Go and Holding On

2010-01-16T10:03:00.010-07:00

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of
letting go and holding on".
~Havelock Ellis

Letting Go by Melanie Banayat

Available as:
- Giclee Print
- Notecard

Holding On by Melanie Banayat

Available as:
Notecard

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Bed of Flowers

2010-01-08T20:52:00.007-07:00

Bed of Flowers is
now available
as a Giclee Print!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I'm a little slow getting around to updating my blog since entering the new decade. The delay was partially due to my efforts to get this painting made available as a giclee print to start out the New Year on a good note. Many people have requested prints of "Bed of Flowers", so with some fancy negotiating skills I managed to make it happen. Thanks to my good friend, Teri!
THANKS AGAIN TERI!

I also decided to make it available in a new size on heavy duty watercolor paper.
Find out all the details here.

Don't Wait...
If you want a limited edition giclee print of Bed of Flowers I suggest you order quickly, since I also lowered the Limited Edition size to only 30 Prints! That's right...only thirty prints! What?!?!?! :0 Ahhhhh!

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Uncommon Gifts

2009-11-15T09:05:00.008-07:00

Uncommon Gift Ideas . . .
That Save Time and Keep You Within Your Tight Budget

OK, Ladies & Gentlemen, It’s that time of year when many people feel overwhelmed and stressed out about holiday shopping.

Your daily schedule is already jammed up, and your budget is tighter than ever before. Retail stores are not stocking up like they have in past years, so even finding gifts is a challenge. Do you feel like you have the Deer in the Headlights look about you? If so, I can empathize. It is not an easy task to go around shopping for presents let alone deciding what gift to get that will have meaning, be something that the recipient will appreciate and actually use, and not send you into debt.

I decided to compile a Gift Ideas list to help all of you who are in need of some creative gift giving ideas that won’t break the bank! I’ve organized the gift ideas into categories to simplify your search. Most of the gift ideas include links to the online stores where you can easily purchase the gifts online. Many of the online stores will gift wrap the items for you for free, and you can even have the gift shipped direct to the recipient if you want.

I've included gift ideas for women, men, teens, kids, babies, artists, romantic occasions, Christmas stocking stuffers, and more. These gift ideas are great for any time of the year, for any occasion. I will continue to add more gift ideas to this list throughout the year, so bookmark this page as your convenient gift giving resource.

You can find many interesting and unique gift ideas at the MiliGirl Gift Ideas page.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Pop Rocket Article on ACE Art Group

2009-10-05T09:44:00.006-07:00

I didn't much care for the feminist remark in the article LOL! But overall the article paints a nice picture of ACE Art Group and our mission.

To Read Article:
Click on image to enlarge.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

More Beautiful You

2009-09-21T07:39:00.005-07:00

This is such an important video for husbands, and for fathers of young teenage girls. It's the message in the words that matter most. Enjoy.

Song by Jonny Diaz

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Women and Wine

2009-09-20T22:19:00.023-07:00

This series is available on customizable party invitations at www.zazzle.com/miligirl

"See, Smell, Swirl, Sip, Savor"

On a lighter side -- I have wanted to do a women and wine series of paintings for quite a while now. However, I just want to make one thing very clear from the get go . . . I'm not a sommelier, wine snob, wine connoisseur or anything even remotely close. In fact, I don't even play one on TV, but I do enjoy having a glass of wine (or two) with friends from time to time.

The five steps of wine tasting: "See, Smell, Swirl, Sip, Savor" seemed a fitting choice for my first women and wine series. Portraying contemporary women dressed in little black dresses and letting their hair down for a carefree evening with good company.

Three of my personal favorite stories of sharing wine with friends include: Ladies night in Ajijic, Mexico (Spring of 2006) with about ten women, which included dancing 'til 4 am at el-Bar-Co, then hitting Jessica's tacos after hours. Then there was the sidewalk cafe' in mid-afternoon with my friend Bill in Patzcuaro, Mexico when we were hunting for a pair of Blue Boots to escape bigger worries in life for a day -- things like recovering from divorce and dying from cancer. And last, there was the "Choosing of a Name" for my newly formed art group in the course of one evening and six dirty-minded creative artists.

This women and wine series is on exhibit (as of today) at the Raven Cafe' in downtown Prescott, AZ as part of the A.C.E. Art Group's group exhibition, which runs from September 20th, through October 31st, 2009.

The Opening Night Artist's Reception is this coming Thursday September 24th. 5 pm - 8 pm. Come join us for wine, appetizers, live music, a ton of new art (at great prices) and an all around good time at the Raven Cafe'.

Here's the Big Question: Guess what A.C.E. stands for.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Marionette & the Wishing Pot

2009-09-09T10:12:00.029-07:00

"Marionette & the Wishing Pot" by Melanie Banayat
Original oil painting on canvas 36" x 36"
*Click on the picture to see larger image

I just finished this painting yesterday.

Who inspired this painting?

A few years ago I joined a woman's business networking group and met a soft spoken woman in her 50s (whom I will call Jane). Jane briefly shared her story of abuse with me after one of our meetings. I was on my way out to my truck when she called out my name. As we stood in the parking lot and I listened to her story, I was deeply touched by the pain that still brought tears to her eyes. She was no longer in her abusive relationship, by that point it had been a number of years since that relationship ended. With support from a transitional help center for abused women she was able to move on with her life, and is now a much happier, stronger person. But her need to share her experience wasn't about her being stuck in that painful place -- it was about reaching out to other women who need to know that they do not need to stay in abusive relationships. It was at that moment that I finally decided it was time to do a painting that addressed the issue of abuse.

It took me quite a while to come up with the idea of how I wanted to do this painting. Probably about a year went by before I even started sketching out my ideas. Maybe because I really didn't want to revisit that place in my own past.

As I was working on the painting in my art studio many thoughts came to me over and over about how many different situations there are where abuse occurs -- in marriages, in the work place, parental abuse, and the list goes on. Then on a larger scale, I thought about how a great number of people in our society feel abused by our country's leaders. Well, that's a whole topic in and of itself, so I'll just leave that one alone. Usually my first thoughts when I think of abuse I think of physical abuse, or sexual abuse, but mental, emotional, and financial abuse can be just as devastating on a persons life. Then there is also another side of abuse -- addiction; some people view drugs as their abuser. It's really all about control. The abuser's need to control the abused, and the abused needing to take back control over their own life. Recovery from abuse is not an easy road, but it's worth every effort it takes to get there. And it all starts with one decision.

The fact that I like to focus on the positive side of life's difficulties, and offer a sense of hope and inspiration in my work -- the topic of abuse posed as a real challenge for me.

Detail of wishing pot

Here's how the story in the painting plays out in my mind:

She felt trapped like a marionette with her life dictated by a puppet master. "Maybe if I try harder, maybe if I learn to do things better, maybe, maybe, maybe . . ." One day she shared her dreams with the puppet master who then turned and wrote them down for her on a piece of parchment and placed it in a wishing pot upon her request. The puppet master closed the wishing pot and adorned it with a pair of scissors as if to tease her, causing her desire for freedom to grow even stronger. Yet the scissors always seemed just outside of her grasp -- where her freedom continued to elude her. But one night she dreamt of a different life; the dream seemed so real. The next morning she decided she was going to do what it took to live that life -- a better life.

The message on the card will read:

Last night . . .

Marionette dreamt of dancing,
Laughing, learning, living.
At sunrise she did the one thing
She never thought she could.
She rose up and . . .

Note: I left the message unfinished so the reader can finish it off with her own story.

Detail of dancer

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

What is the Spirit of Women?

2009-09-04T11:12:00.007-07:00

What is the Spirit of Women?

That is the question I continuously explore in my art -- one little piece of the puzzle at a time. I offer my insight, not as a trained psychologist or expert on human behavior, but simply as a women, mother, daughter, sister, wife, two-times ex-wife, artist, and businesswoman.

There isn't a simple answer to the question, "What is the Spirit of Women?" Women are complex and fascinating subjects to paint. Even though there are so many different personality types, so many different beliefs, and so many different core values among women worldwide there is such a powerful connection between women that surpasses these differences. It's a sisterhood of empathy, and the ability to see past the invisible walls and directly into the heart.

Often in the eyes of men, it appears as though women can read each other's minds. What is that? How do they do that?

I hope to inspire women through my work and help open the door for communication. My work is based on real people and real life stories. I'm always searching for ways to spark an emotional connection whether it be on canvas or through my greeting cards.

In large part I also hope to offer men bits of insight into the Spirit of Women. What you do with it from there is up to you of course. As I said before, there are no simple answers. The best advice I can offfer to a man is to understand the value in nurturing a woman's true spirit, and that it's an ongoing effort. The key is knowing what that nurturing looks like, acts like, feels like -- well, you get the picture.

On these pages, and through my art I will continue to explore the Spirit of Women and hope you find my insights at the very least . . . entertaining.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Getting Focused

2009-09-04T09:04:00.008-07:00

Today marks a turning point on my blog. I have come to realize that I really want this blog to focus on the spirit of women, which is what my art is all about.

MiliGirl Fan Page on Facebook
I still have a need and desire to stay connected to other artists, and all like-minded creative types, so I have created a new place to do that on my MiliGirl Fan page on Facebook. If you have not already joined my fan page, I invite you to come on over and join me there. That is where I will be talking "All things Creative", and also posting images of my new art.

Click here to join my MiliGirl Fan Page

MiliGirl TV is coming soon!
I've been working on this new project creating a series of videos that I will post on www.MiliGirlTV.com. The series will be ongoing - or at least until I keel over. The site has not officially launched yet, I'm hoping it will launch by the end of this month. I'll keep you posted.

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Follow Me & They Will Come!

2009-09-03T11:39:00.013-07:00

You want to do this! And here's why . . .

This is another cool little gadget that I finally just added.

So now you can click on the 'FOLLOW' button in the side bar to add your happy little mug shot to the box. Then when someone clicks on your picture a profile will open up with all of the links to all of 'Your' sites, which makes it super easy for people to just click through to your sites. In other words, it's another way for people to find 'Your' blog and start following you.

You will need a google account to do be able to use this, but that's FREE and EASY to do at www.google.com. That way you will also be able to post comments on any blogger blog - like mine. : ) Oh Ya!

What Can An Artist Do to Protect Their Career?

2009-09-02T08:00:00.009-07:00

What Can An Artist Do to Protect Their Career?
That seems to be the question on many artist's minds.

Last week I was asked by a newspaper editor for a publication in Scottsdale, Arizona (where many art galleries have gone out of business recently) to comment on four questions for an article she was doing on "the effects of the economy on artists and the art industry". She only wanted two sentence answers to each of the questions. Of course, there was no way that I could answer her questions in a few short sentences. So I simply answered the questions with my full and complete thoughts, and suggested that she pull what she wanted out of my comments, because it's a topic that I'm obviously so passionate about - not to mention knee deep in the muck.

So here are the questions she sent me. (How would you answer them?)

1. As an artist, how has the state of the economy over the past 18 months affected you?

2. As you prepared the Artisan Festivals, you were in contact with artists in all different mediums. What were they telling you?

3. In your opinion, what can artists do at this time to protect their careers?

4. What opportunities do you see for artists and arts organizations at this point?

Here is how I answered her questions:

1. As an artist, how has the state of the economy over the past 18 months affected you?

With so many galleries going out of business it's been hard to find steady brick and mortar representation. And with low attendance at art festivals sales are way down. There were days when I felt distraught and heartbroken over the real possibility of losing my art business.

So I started talking with a lot of other artists to see what they were doing to keep their business alive. What I came across did not offer me much hope -- in general the majority of artists were at a loss for any NEW and innovative ideas. Teaching art classes was a common idea. "So does that mean there is going to be a swarm of artists teaching art classes now?" I thought to myself.

Fortunately I noticed that there were still some artists out there doing better than just holding on by a thread, so I decided to find out what "those" artists were doing, and what I learned inspired me to re-write my business model. In the meantime I'm hustling like most to do whatever necessary to keep paying the bills.

2. As you prepared the Artisan Festivals, you were in contact with artists in all different mediums. What were they telling you?

What I've heard from most of the artists is that jewelry and 3D art, (primarily sculpture, art funiture, or functional art) is selling better than 2D art. Therefore a lot of 2D artists are producing smaller, more affordable pieces to fit within collector's budgets. Reports from artists have been that sales are down about 40% (or more). Attendance is low at art festivals, and many artists had to cut back on how many festivals they participate in throughout the year. Some artists I know have gone the opposite direction and doubled up on how many shows they do in attempt to maintain what their income was. It's all haywire and trickling down.

3. In your opinion, what can artists do at this time to protect their careers?

As an artists who is associated with many other artists I can attest that the majority of artists do not know how to market themselves well. They would rather be in their art studio producing their art, and leave the marketing up to someone else - I know, because that is exactly where I would rather be. However, if artists want to protect their art career in this economy they need to be spending at lest 50% of their time marketing their work and learning the latest marketing strategies. And these days the best place to do that (with the added benefit of very low cost) is on the Internet. Traditional marketing methods are simply not as viable as they once were.

Unfortunately, too many artists really do not understand how to use the Internet as a marketing tool. Many think they are using the Internet to market their work because they have a website, and/or they have posted their art on some Fine Art Marketplace website. Sadly though, most of these websites are set up only as online portfolios, and most of the visitors to those sites are other artists -- very few sales are made that way. Artists need to learn how to get lots and lots of traffic (visitors) to their websites & blogs, and there are some great techniques and tools to do just that.

Fact is, more and more people are spending their time online getting their news, entertainment, and staying connected with other people via email and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. With the development of Web 2.0 technology over the past two years a lot of new marketing tools and strategies have made it possible for business people (like artists) to market themselves effectively and actually sell their products online -- including fine art!

4. What opportunities do you see for artists and arts organizations at this point?

I feel that the art industry has the opportunity to get downright creative, we are knee deep in uncharted territory, but we get to be a big part of breaking ground in this new frontier. I think we are going to see more artists "Getting Real", and developing their "Personal Brands". It's no longer about just making cool art, unique art, or pretty art and then putting it up on display someplace; it's about getting to know the artist behind the art. We have to become more transparent; we have to allow people to really get to know us - the real us. Not the "Us" that hides behind a bunch of clever marketing gimmicks, taglines or fancy designed websites. It means stepping outside of our comfort zones and doing the things that we are unfamiliar with -- things that scare us, like network marketing on the Internet. LOL!

The Internet has opened the door for a new breed of art collectors. Many people feel intimidated by the traditional art gallery environment. Whereas online they don't have the added pressure of someone trying to "qualify them" determining if this person is worth their time and effort. The Internet is a friendlier, non-judgmental arena.

Let's face it, artists and art galleries have been spoiled by the false economy for the past two decades while people were busy living beyond their means, and galleries and art festivals were pushing prices up and up taking advantage of the consumer's luxurious spending habits. We have an opportunity to start fresh, and do things very differently now. Better and smarter.

People still want art in their lives -- they always will.

Let me know your thoughts on the topic.

I'm finally on Facebook

2009-08-30T11:20:00.006-07:00

Well, It took me a while to finally get around to starting a facebook page, and I'm so glad I did. Connecting with friends that I haven't seen or heard from in over 25 years is pretty cool.

I also started a Facebook Fan page, which is also pretty cool. Don't have any fans yet. LOL!

I posted my nifty MiliGirl Fan Page widget in the sidebar here on my blog. I love widgets. Widgets are fun little "thingymajigs" aren't they? Oooops, I just deleted it and I can't seem to get it back. Bummer. I'll see if I can figure out the problem.

Well, for now if you'd like to join my facebook fan page it's called: MiliGirl

I Like My Comfort Zone!

2009-08-29T08:00:00.006-07:00

Kicking and Screaming!

Boy I tell you I've had some pretty frustrating moment over the last several months. It felt like I was having a few good old-fashioned "5-year-old" temper tantrums.

Many artists are known for having gypsy lifestyles. Always chasing down the art festivals, always on the move. I, on the other hand, happen to prefer the stable studio. Oh, I have done my fair share of art festivals, and traveling for my opening gallery receptions (blah, blah, blah). I do love the part where I get to meet people. I love that part! Oooops, I already said that. It's the packing up, the breaking down, the unpredictable weather, the damage to equipment and artwork, and the late night trips after the shows. That's the part that I don't care for. I guess it boils down to the fact that I don't like the "M" word. -- moving.

The past five years of my life have not only included chasing down art shows, it's also included uprooting my home base (10 times!) Ten times in 5 years! Where is the stability in that! It sucks! That's been much worse than the art festivals.

Then the economy pummels the art industry and I find myself pounding my head, fists, and feet on the pavement screaming, "What Now!" "How do I hang on to my art business?!" "How much more can I take?" Booo Hooo. Right? That's embarrassing to admit. It's not like I'm alone in this -- most people are in the same boat, Melanie.

Soooo..... I finally took a breather and looked up. When I did I realized I was trying to stay in a place that simply didn't exist anymore. We are in the midst of a major change and I needed to either hop on and get creative or get out! And since I'm a die-hard artist to the end -- I decided to hop on.

I may be a slow learner, but I finally get it. Change opens the door for new and exciting things -- that's how I'm choosing to deal with this recession. Watch out people! There's going to be some big changes goin' on round here at MiliGirl.com! Stay tuned!

Artists who blog

2009-08-27T15:07:00.012-07:00

No S#/t...I Won't Quit!
or is it ...Hell No I Won't Go!?!?!

The last nine months "This Artists" has been on the Behemoth Roller Coaster Ride. Both in my personal and professional life I've had to tend to some things that have required my undivided attention. So my priorities were shifted and "blogging" was simply not a top priority.

Then when I was finally able to get back to blogging -- "it" happened. A glitch. Yup, a yucky, dirty, nasty glitch. I tried to publish a new post and got an error message. Talk about frustration. Ugh!

But I'm back now. : ) :o

Sooo . . . Let me re-introduce myself. I'm Melanie. Welcome to the world of "Melanieville"/

Have a look at some of my newest drawings below. I continue with my fascination with the human figure. This time I did a little manipulation of some gorgeous yoga poses.

Tomorrow I hope to find a victim (I mean a willing volunteer) to let me draw her during the 4th Friday Art Walk in Prescott at the Satori Design Studio Gallery. Maybe I'll do a little manipulation of her hair. Could be fun!

"Scorpion Pose - Thistle" by Melanie Banayat

"Pigeon Pose - Bird of Paradise" by Melanie Banayat

"Crane Pose - Flower" by Melanie Banayat

I love a good show!

2009-06-07T10:15:00.063-07:00

Nudes & Nature Exquisite Art Exhibition

There's nothing quite like a good combination of Nudes, Food, Wine, Music and Fire to make for an exciting inaugural "Nudes & Nature" Art Exhibition.

It was fun to be part of such a refreshingly new exhibit here in Prescott, Arizona. The response was so good -- we look forward to doing it again next year!

We have lots of pictures!
Have a Look . . .

Nudes & Nature Artists (left to right)
Robert Burford, Joy Tkach, Ann Alexander, Melanie Banayat
Michael Colbert, and Neil Orlowski

Nudes & Nature Art Exhibition

2009-05-29T09:56:00.012-07:00

Beautiful Art, Food, Wine, Live Music, and Fire Dancers!

You are cordially invited . . .
to attend the opening artist's reception of Nudes & Nature on Saturday evening
June 6th from 6p - 8:30p. There will be a total of six artists exhibiting at this event:
Melanie Banayat, Neil Orlowski, Ann Alexander, Joy Tkach, Robert Burford, and Michael Colbert.

In addition to my original art works and limited edition giclee prints I will also be selling some of my original charcoal sketches for $25 each! I hope you can make it to this Exquisite Art Exhibition. 10% of all proceeds will go to the United Friends charitable organization.

One Weekend Only!
The show will be open to the public on Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm - 4 pm. For those of you living in the Phoenix area this is a great reason to drive up and get out of the heat!

Location
The exhibition will be hosted in two buildings located next to each other in beautiful downtown Prescott, Arizona. You can click on the following links for photos & directions:
204 N. McCormick St, Prescott, AZ and 208 N. McCormick, Prescott, AZ

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Melanie
www.banayatfineart.com

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Louie Awards Finalist!

2009-04-26T17:34:00.005-07:00

A “Kiss” of Intuition
Prescott Artist Becomes Finalist in International Competition

“I never imagined that my one little note card would be noticed in the sea of greeting cards submitted by established greeting cards companies throughout the world.”

Four years ago when artist, Melanie Banayat, told colleagues, family and friends that she wanted to design a line of greeting cards using images from her fine art she didn’t get a whole lot of enthusiastic support. When she told them that she would be writing words to compliment the artwork, once again she received such remarks as, “Why don’t you let the artwork speak for itself – why not just do blank art cards?” and, “Your going to shoot yourself in the foot, because your cards will compete against your fine art and kill your fine art business.” But in her heart she truly believed in her dream to create inspirational cards that truly touched an emotional cord in people. Melanie wanted her images and words to reach a larger audience on a more intimate level of communication.

“There were many moments when I felt very alone and unsure that anyone would even look at my cards, let alone read them or buy them. So I sought out support, advice, and encouragement from other greeting card artists who helped me face my fears. I tested the market with a few dozen cards that I printed from my home computer and held my breath when I displayed them for the first time at a high-end art festival in Carefree. To my delight – people were buying them. They were buying multiple cards at a time; some even bought the entire line of 24 cards. Festival after festival the cards kept selling like hotcakes. After six months of testing the market I decided it was time to take the plunge and print a large run of the cards. Then a few months after I officially launched my MiliGirl notecard line I received an invitation to participate in the International Greeting Card Louie Awards competition. This competition is equivalent to the academy awards for the greeting card industry. I left the invitation on my desk, thinking that I wouldn’t have a chance at winning so why bother. Eventually the invitation got buried under a pile of paperwork and I forgot about it.”

“A few months later when I finally got around to clearing off my desk I found the invitation again - right where I left it. This time I said to myself, why not? I’ll go ahead and submit one card and see what happens. I filled out all the paperwork, and sent it off in the mail just one week before the final deadline – and then I put it out of my mind.”

“Three months later I received notification that my card was a finalist. I was standing in the lobby of the post office when I read the notice and screamed with joy, “Oh my gosh, you’ve got to be kidding me! This is Great!” There was a gentleman standing a few feet away who looked over at me and said, “Good news, huh? Gee, all I ever get is a stack of bills.” Then he shared a giant smile with me.”

“There were over 800 entries from 140 companies worldwide. Melanie’s card entitled, “Kiss” made it into the top three (3) finalists for the ‘Superbly Stated’ category. Melanie’s card will be displayed along with the other finalists at the International New York Stationary Show in May 2009 where winners will be announced during the awards banquet in New York.”

Melanie originally entered her note card into the "Rising Star New Business" category for greeting card businesses less than 2 years old; she felt this was the right category since she only recently launched her MiliGirl notecard line this past July of 2008. However, the Jurors moved her card into a more appropriate category called: "Superbly Stated", for it's editorial content. The cards were juried based on Imagination, Impact, Artistry, Harmony, Sendability, and Value.

“The cool thing about all of this is that there are nice little perks to becoming a finalist, I have now earned the honor and prestige of placing the Louie Award finalist logo/seal on my card as well as on all of my promotional materials – this is very exciting to me. My single submission was up against many of the big name greeting card publishing companies – I never imagined that my one little card would be noticed in the sea of greeting cards submitted by established greeting card companies throughout the world. Twenty-five of my cards will be distributed to key people in the greeting card industry, who knows, maybe I might get a few phone calls and some orders -- That would be really nice.”

“The image featured on my “Kiss” note card is part of my series of paintings on Motherhood. I began painting these images as an exploration into my personal struggles as a mother and the tumultuous relationship that I had with my own mother throughout my life. I wanted to take a closer look at the mother & child relationship through the process of painting and writing. It was a powerful and healing process that played a key role in the mending of my relationship with my mom.”

“I believe that greeting cards are a wonderful tool for communication. I truly love what I do – combining my fine art with words on greeting cards. And just as I had hoped from the beginning of my greeting card venture, I believe I made the right choice in trusting my intuition (this time), and going for it.”

Melanie’s cards, prints, and original artwork can be found online at www.MiliGirl.com or by calling (928) 239-5656. Prescott retail outlets include: Grayleaf Galleria, The Phippen Art Museum, and Fountain of Youth Day Spa.

What do you consider Art? Video...

2009-02-18T07:52:00.004-07:00

Okay, I'm on a bit of a video kick lately. This is pretty cute though. It's a little over 7 minutes long.

For all you artists out there you've probably heard all of these answers throughout your art career, but the presentation is a riot.

Food Court Musical

2009-02-16T16:32:00.002-07:00

This cracked me up and brought a smile to my face today. Enjoy watching it.

Dancing Freely

2009-02-08T10:10:00.015-07:00

Major Lingo Band

There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. - Vicki Baum

A band called 'Major Lingo' played at Coyote Joe’s last night here in Prescott. This was the first time I experienced this band that has been together for 25 years now. They have quite the following, and understandably so, especially if you enjoy dancing.

My ex-brother-in-law, Gary, from my first marriage (which ended back in 1988), invited me to join him and his wife to come see this band. Since I needed a nice change of scenery from overworking I accepted the offer. I had no expectations of the night, I was just looking forward to a night of escape – and I’m happy to say that is exactly what I got.

At one point during the night as the entire place was hopping I began to look around the room at all of the people dancing freely – no partner dancing – men and women just dancing by themselves wherever they were. I can’t remember the last time I was in a crowd that danced like that. For the past four years I have been out dancing a lot, but it’s mostly been dancing with a partner or a group of women. This was very different.

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be mad by those who
could not hear the music." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

I loved looking at all the people having so much fun, really into the music. Some of the people looked like they would not be the ‘type’ to dance so freely. But the music seems to pull you in no matter if you are young or old, a lawyer, therapist, or corporate executive -- everyone let their hair down. I loved it!

The room was full of great energy. Then I found myself watching the band members and imaging them 25 years ago when they first began their journey as a band. I was imaging them thinner, no wrinkles, and no grey hair, LOL! I wondered how their music and lyrics have changed and matured through the years as well. What a diamond in the rough.

I was caught up in the energy, dancing, jumping, singing, and having a genuinely FUN TIME! I wasn’t worried about anything. For those few hours I was simply living in the moment, smiling and laughing.

Dancing opens the way to the inner self and paves the way for the outer joy.
~ Darina Stoyanova ~

What a great time.
Click here to listen to Major Lingo

Learning to Fall Gracefully

2009-01-25T12:43:00.004-07:00

I haven’t been able to bring myself to write in my blog lately. I’ve been dealing with yet another case of heartbreak. I have never learned to fall gracefully. Is that even possible?

Today I heard a line in a song, “You’ve got to learn how to fall before you learn to fly”. Hmmm? I need to explore that closer.

The tears seem to strike randomly still, though I know this too will pass. Time… Precious time … roll me on through quickly. I cannot bare to shower the backs of my hands and keyboard much longer.

Would someone please say something funny!!! I need to laugh.

Passion & Poetry Night

2009-01-22T07:47:00.008-07:00

Wild Iris Coffeehouse Presents

Coffee, Chocolate & Art Affair to Benefit Eye Research

It’s been 83 years since his passing, yet his masterful impressionistic works of art remain as icons of romance with images of lush gardens and reflective, peaceful ponds. Claude Monet’s artworks and life serve as an inspiration for the Wild Iris Coffeehouse’s first annual “Passion & Poetry Night” Dessert & Fine Art Affaire to benefit Eye Research at the U of A Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science.

Claude Monet is best remembered by his grandiose paintings of his garden, and ponds at Giverny, yet few know of his vision loss and the rare visual defect called xanthopsia that he experienced in his later years, in which objects appear as if they have been overpainted with an unnatural color; In xanthopsia, that color is yellow. In affect, during the last four years of Monet’s life many of his works appear blurred. Two operations helped improve his blurred vision well enough to see his pallette and the brushstrokes but he could no longer check his work by standing back ten or fifteen feet as he was use to doing. As his vision decreased the size of his paintings increased to mural size canvases as a direct response to his need to see his work better.

“Three members of my family suffer with macular degenerative eye disease”, says Julie Gorman, owner of the Wild Iris Coffeehouse. “I have wanted to hold an event like this for a long time, because I know how this disease has affected my family members and I want to do what I can to help raise funds for research. "Our goal is to raise $2,000 to donate for eye research through reserved ticket sales and fine art."

There is a big void in educating the general public about preventative care for the eyes, and treatments for eye disease. Many eye problems can be treated with good results with timely assistance from qualified ophthalmologists. In addition to lack of awareness about the eye, there are many misconceptions and myths. Eye research strives to combat blindness and eye disease every day, while providing support and education for people with impaired vision and total vision loss.

Funding goes toward cutting-edge research to find new treatments and cures for Macular Degeneration. In addition, educational materials are created and distributed with up-to-date, accurate information as well as personalized support for patients.

Studies in large populations show that statistically a person's chance of developing a disease is increased by certain risk factors. Although the cause of age-related macular degeneration is unknown, a number of factors appear to contribute to the development of the disease. Some of them are outside of your control, like family history. Others are related to lifestyle, which can be changed. The risk factors that can be controlled are smoking, High Blood Pressure, Exposure to Harmful Sunlight, and Diet.

This year treat your Special Valentine to a romance filled evening at ““Passion & Poetry Night” at Wild Iris Coffeehouse. Guests can expect to be served at each table a tier of chocolate desserts by Soma Truffles and Wild Iris Coffeehouse, including a choice of coffee or tea to compliment the chocolates.

'Good Morning Latte'
Original oil painting by Melanie Banayat

The Wild Iris Coffee house will be donating 25% of the proceeds to the University of Arizona College of Medicine for the benefit of macular degeneration research in the Department of Ophthalmology.

Live entertainment will include music by Angie Raess (vocals/acoustic guitar), ¡Es Flamenco! Dance Group, including Isabella Dinerman, Sarah Hinson, and Anton Teschner, Poetry by Dan Seaman, and Fine Art inspired by Monet created by members of the A.C.E. Art Group, including the following Prescott artists: Melanie Banayat, Emelina Figueroa, Patricia Carberry, Bill Cramer, and Pamela Dumnire. All of the artwork will be for sale and 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the eye foundation. Visit www.aceartgroup.com to view the artwork in advance, or visit the Grayleaf Galleria next door to the Wild Iris Coffeehouse to see the artwork in person.

Advance tickets are available at Wild Iris Coffeehouse. Date of event is on Valentine’s Day Saturday February 14th. There are two dessert times to choose from: 7p – 8:30p or 9p - 10:30p. Tickets are $28 each or $50 for two, Seating is limited. Contact 928-778-5155 to purchase your tickets today!

An Artists Year in Retrospect – 2008

2008-12-01T13:03:00.021-07:00

I like to do this in December of every year as my way of acknowledging and giving thanks for the blessings that have come my way, and to look forward to a new year of artful adventures.

Working as a professional artist definitely requires a lot of passion, ingenuity, and plenty of endless energy. This career is not for the weak of heart!! And with some luck all that spent energy lends itself to a good night sleep in order to rejuvenate and start all over again.

A.C.E. Art Group
I started out my year in search of other professional artists to join me in forming a new art group – a different kind of art group. This was a real challenge, because I knew that each of the members of this group would need to have similar goals, high standards of professionalism, and each member’s artwork would need to be completely unique from all the other members. I’m happy to say that the group is now six members strong. We will remain a small group (maximum 12 members). Our goal is to exhibit together in various small venues throughout Arizona. We call our exhibitions “intellectual entertainment” where we partner with corporate businesses and/or charitable organizations for their special events. We also exhibit at "invitation only" parties located in the private homes of art collectors.

This is a fun group of artists, and so far the experience has been great! If you know of any business, organization, or art collector that might be interested in such a group for their next event, please have them contact me, or at the very least encourage them to visit our website at www.AceArtGroup.com

The Launch of my MiliGirl Collection Product Line
This was a dream come true! I have dreamt of having my own greeting card line for many, many years, and 2008 was the year this dream came to fruition. I wanted to create a line of cards that were truly inspirational with deep feeling prose. My MiliGirl Collection card line officially launched this past July when my online store went live. www.MiliGirl.com

It took a lot of work to get this project done, but it was worth every frustrated brain cell to make it happen!

I cannot describe in words the feelings I felt when I discovered that people were buying the cards not only to give away, but also to keep for themselves. I was very surprised when people began to open their hearts to me and share their stories about their own journey through recovery - - recovery from divorce, loss of a loved one, cancer, abuse, addiction, and so on. Also, many parents were surprised to find cards that matched up with each of the personalities of their grown children, “Do you know my kids?” they would ask me. One father bought a dozen cards, explaining to me that he had three daughters in their 20's, a girlfriend and an ex-wife, so he was stocking up for those necessary moments when he needed to communicate with them - he felt my cards might help him. All I can say to him is that I really hope they do! LOL!

So many people come into my booth at art festivals and pause in reflection as they look at the paintings on the walls, then they begin to read my cards. They end up reading each and every card on the rack, and when they finish reading them some feel impressed to come give me a hug, while others find themselves in tears, “This was like therapy!” a few have exclaimed. It humbles me in many ways and brings tears to my eyes knowing that the messages are touching people in all the ways I hoped that they would, and even in ways I never imagined.

I am now set up to sell my cards wholesale to businesses. If you have a business or know of someone with a business that might want to carry my card line please contact me and I will send you wholesale information. Any female oriented type business makes a perfect location: Salon, Day Spa, Yoga Center, Florist, Bookstore, Boutique, Hospital Gift Shop, Coffeehouse, etc.

My Fine Art Collectors
One of the best parts of being a professional artist is connecting with the people who experience a heartfelt connection to my art. It gives purpose to what I do. This year was exceptional in terms of all the new people I have met and the people who have supported the arts by investing in Fine Art.

To all of my art collectors I want to say thank you for choosing to surround your life with the beauty of fine art – particularly my art!! IMAGINE ME WEARING A BIG SMILE! LOL!

My Art Giveaway Winner
I held my first Art Giveaway this past October, and gave away a giclee print on canvas of “Mother & Child”. The winner of the print sent me the following response:

I am so excited that I won your wonderful mother and child print. Thank you so much and I want to keep updated with any future art drawings that you may be doing because I adore your work and would love to have a collection hanging in my home. I do not know if you are famaliar with "The Secret". I used the principles of that teaching philosophy of envisioning that you already have what you want and then basically waiting for the universe to bring it to you. I attached one of your notecards which happened to be the mother and child one, to the wall near where I planned on hanging the print once I received it from you. Every time I walked past it I would thank the universe for the painting that was hanging on my wall in a beautiful black or dark wooden frame (had not decided how to frame it yet) and envisioned that I already had it, just a matter of time until the end of the month. I want to thank you again for creating such beautiful work. As a fellow artist and Graduate of The University Of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine art, I truly admire that you create what inspires you and follow your dream. I hope to do the same once my children are a little older and I can finally have the time. I eagerly await my print and look forward to future drawings and hope to be able to see your work at a show again soon. Thank you, Heather

I will soon have another art giveaway right here on my blog. Join my RSS Feed (which is a free subscription to my blog) so that you don’t miss my next art giveaway! Just look in the sidebar on my blog where it says, "Subscribe to this blog" and join - it's FREE! My next art giveaway is coming soon!

Grayleaf Galleria
What a blessing to be represented at the Grayleaf Galleria in Prescott Arizona; I joined the gallery in September. Katherine Koenig has truly added a top-notch gallery to the Area, and Jerry Von Schott has done a great job managing the gallery. A total of three new galleries have opened their doors here in Prescott this year and the new Arts Center is scheduled to open this coming Spring on Cortez Avenue, making Prescott a real destination hot spot for visual art with Seventeen different locations to find a wealth of Fine Art right in the heart of Prescott!

New Arts & Entertainment Columnist
Wow! I just started doing some freelance work for a local Prescott Publication, 'Read It News'. The editor was looking for someone to write an insider's viewpoint column on 'The Arts' in the Prescott area. How cool that she chose me! What I love about this column is that I get to interview other professional artists, art consultants, and art collectors – I love it! Check it out online at www.ReadItNews.com

New York, Here I come!?!?!
A great opportunity has presented itself to me just a few short days ago. If all works well I may be headed to the National New York Stationary Show this coming May. This could open the doors to National Distribution of my MiliGirl Collection card line.

Articles, Interviews & Press
I want to thank The Courier, The Monsoon, and Pop Rocket Press for writing about my work in their publications this year! All of this free press has been one of the greatest forms of publicity for my work. Those articles can be found on my www.MiliGirl.com website under ‘Media’.

Oh yeah, Jerry Barrett from www.inklessmagazine.com has recently interviewed me for his online magazine. Watch The Video.

Coffee Table Book
I’ve been encouraged time and time again to write a book, and believe me I have wanted to do a book for a long time as well. But first things first – and of course it all takes time. 2009 just might be the year for my first book. I’ve been working on it in between everything else. We shall see . . .

New Original Art Work
As always, I have a stack of ideas waiting to be immortalized onto canvas. I look forward to creating more inspired works in my art studio and exhibiting them as often as I can, and in as many places as possible. I thoroughly enjoy being able to go out and exhibit my work in person at different venues, because it gives me a chance to connect with art enthusiasts and gain more inspiration from the people I meet.
View some of my latest works

Thank You!
I’m grateful for my health and the gift that I have been given, which is a passion to be a life long expressionist of the human spirit through fine art. I’m grateful for all the people who have fallen in love with my work and to those who spend their hard earned money investing in it. I’m grateful for the roof over my head and the people in my life that love me, lift me, and keep me going. And I thank God for this intriguing and challenging life!

Live an Artful Life!
Peace & Love,
Melanie

Nursing Mothers

2008-11-29T08:58:00.007-07:00

Quiet Time 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat
Click on image

Recently I’ve received several emails and comments about my ‘nursing mother’ images – all of which were very positive. Hooray!!!!!

When I began painting these images I knew that some people would be uncomfortable with them, but I also knew that there would be a good number of people that would celebrate them (both women & men). I must say that I was a bit surprised that some gallery owners/managers didn’t feel comfortable exhibiting them. Hmmm?

Savoring Life 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat
click on image

I will continue to paint more of these images in hopes to some day find a gallery (or some venue) that would be willing to exhibit these lovely images together and make them the focus of the exhibition.

Mother & Child 36" x 36"
oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat
click on image

My opinion is that anybody offended by breastfeeding is staring too hard. ~David Allen

Nursing does not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances their charm by making them look lived in and happy. ~Robert A. Heinlein

There are three reasons for breast-feeding: the milk is always at the right temperature; it comes in attractive containers; and the cat can't get it. ~Irena Chalmers

A baby nursing at a mother's breast... is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature. ~David Suzuki

Breastfeeding is a mother's gift to herself, her baby and the earth. ~Pamela K. Wiggins

Wild Iris Art Exhibition

2008-11-11T08:29:00.006-07:00

Fine Art Gone Latte Wild?

Yes it has ...

Come Celebrate with the Wild Iris Coffeehouse for their one-year anniversary on November 14th and 15th. As part of the celebration the owner of the Wild Iris Coffee House, Julie Gorman, has invited each of the artists from the ACE Art Group (Artists Creating Excellence) to create their own artistic interpretation of 'Latte' in their respective styles and mediums. The Original Artworks will be unveiled at the Wild Iris Coffeehouse on Friday November 14th. Each of the miniature original renderings will be for sale for $200 a piece.

Original Artworks will be unveiled at 6:30 pm at the Wild Iris Coffeehouse.

Artist Reception & Unveiling of Artworks:
Friday November 14th
5 pm - 9 pm
Live music by Shelby Trishler

Saturday Celebration:
November 15
10 am - 3 pm in the Courtyard
The evening party includes live music

The Art Exhibition extends into the Grayleaf Galleria located next door to the Wild Iris Coffeehouse. The Grayleaf Galleria has on exhibit an entire body of original artworks by each of the members in the ACE Art Group. Friday night there will also be poetry readings in the gallery.

On Saturday the Artists from the ACE Art Group will be out on the Wild Iris Coffeehouse Courtyard with a variety of Fine Art gift items perfect for the holiday buyer's gift giving budget.

This is a Fine Art Affair for everyone!
Enjoy Refreshments, Music, Poetry
and a drawing for beautiful Holiday Gift Baskets!

Location: 124 South Granite Street in Prescott, Arizona
1/2 block South of Gurley Street in the Terra Cotta Court
across from the parking garage

Click here for map and directions

Contact Wild Iris Coffeehouse at 928-778-5155.

www.AceArtGroup.com
ACE Art Group members:
Melanie Banayat
Pia Davis
Bill Cramer
Emelina Figueroa
Pamela Dunmire
Patricia Carberry

Art Giveaway Winner

2008-11-03T08:05:00.005-07:00

And the Winner is . . . .

Woohoo, today is the day that I get to announce the winner of my Art Giveaway. I want to thank everyone who played along. It’s fun to be able to give something away like this; you know, something real, something tangible, something that the winner will hopefully truly appreciate and enjoy for a very long time.

When I think about each person that has participated I wish that each and every one could be the winner. Just keep in mind that if you are not the winner today there is always tomorrow, because there will be more art giveaways in the future.

Ok, enough carryin’ on.

Without further adieu ……….

Drum roll please …………

And the winner is……………

Reaching into my box …………

The winner is……………. Heather Cushman

Congratulations Heather! You get the print of ‘Mother & Child’!

Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. - Thomas Jefferson

Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival

2008-10-29T07:26:00.005-07:00

I'm loadin' up the trailer and headed down to the 'Sun Valley' this weekend.

I love the location of the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. The names of all the streets in Carefree are so fun -- Ho Hum Rd, Easy Street, Lazy Lane, Rambling Rd., Peaceful Place, Meander Way, Horizon Drive, Rocking Chair Rd. . . makes me want to live there!

The Thunderbird Artists Art Festivals are some of the nicest art festivals out there. You can always count on seeing top notch fine art from all over the United States at these shows. Judi Combs and her daughter, Denise Colter do a great job in the jury selection, and also with their selection of locations for their shows, and their entertainment line-up. It's a real classy show.

I hope you can make it.

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Official Website

Directions & map

Phippen Art Museum Exhibition

2008-10-27T09:23:00.009-07:00

I'm tickled pink this morning!

How cool is this . . . I was just contacted yesterday by the Phippen Art Museum and invited to participate in the upcoming exhibit with some of my paintings:

Honor & Prayer 36" x 36" original oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat

Buffalo Soldiers, Vaqueros, and Friends: Cultural Diversity in Building the New Frontier

November 15, 2008, through February 22, 2009

Buffalo soldiers helped the Cavalry and other military groups succeed in their mission to develop the Western frontier. Along with these important guides, scouts and translators, the West also benefited from the contributions of Hispanic cowboys (vaqueros); African American settlers, and Asian-Americans building the railroad and creating new businesses to strengthen new communities in Arizona, California and other parts of the American West. This exhibit will celebrate the cultural diversity of the building of the new frontier. All artists' work for this show will be representational of the historic and modern connotations that this diversity has created in our community.

Phippen Art Museum Website

The Rising 36" x 36" original oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat

The Phippen Art Museum also asked to carry my entire line of MiliGirl Collection note cards in their gift shop -- as my kids would say...SWEEEEET!

We should know that diversity makes for a rich tapesty, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. - Maya Angelou

[People] may be said to resemble not the bricks of which a house is built, but the pieces of a picture puzzle, each differing in shape, but matching the rest, and thus bringing out the picture. - Felix Adler

We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. - Jimmy Carter

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Quad-City Artists Open Studio Tour

2008-10-25T10:36:00.008-07:00

The 1st Annual Quad-City Artists Open Studio Tour begins today. I'm not participating in it, because it runs this weekend and next weekend, and I already had a show booked for next weekend in Carefree. However, since I have this weekend off (Yippy!) I'm going to go enjoy the tour of artist's studios myself! Wooo Hooo!

The tour is four days long -- today, tomorrow, and next Saturday & Sunday. So, if you get a chance pick up a map at any of the art galleries in Prescott and hit the road to check out some great art and art studios!

And, oh yes, Treat yourself to some beautiful art for your home!

Friday Art Walk - Oct. '08

2008-10-24T08:04:00.005-07:00

I'm still feeling wiped out.

The Friday art walk is tonight. I'll get it together by then.
Hope to see some of you out on the town, perusing the galleries. I'll be at the Grayleaf Galleria.

Maybe I just need a little more of this . . .

A Day of Rest

2008-10-23T18:34:00.003-07:00

Sunday I slept and slept and slept. I still can’t believe how much I slept. It was a marathon.

I’ve been so incredibly exhausted lately, so the last few days I decided to step back and take a little time out. I didn’t realize how much our world’s events have been affecting me – emotionally, financially, and physically…

Fortune of the Day

2008-10-14T07:50:00.007-07:00

La Siesta by Melanie Banayat

"Your small gift will mean so much to someone today"

"The greatest gift is a portion of thyself."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The best gift you can give is a hug: one size fits all and no one ever minds if you return it.

Controversial Art

2008-10-13T08:31:00.017-07:00

What are your thoughts on
Damien Hirst’s
“Conceptual Art”?

Damien Hirst is one of the most prominent artists referred to as the "Young British Artists" or "YBAs". He is famous for creating controversies like putting dead animals in formaldehyde and presenting them as art. Hirst mostly explores the themes of life and death.

It's no surprise that Damien's 'shock factor art' is so popular in Britain, and yet it still fascinates me what gets people with that kind of money to reach into their pockets. Much of what Damien does with the money he acquires from the sales of his "art" goes to children's charities, aids research, or toward things like a giant solar system that generates power for half of his country.

I guess if you have the guts to do it, you can afford to do it, get away with it, and manipulate those few wealthy suckers to buy into it then who am I to say if it's art or not. It's all subjective anyway. However, I must say, in light of our world's economic situation this auction is bothersome to me on many levels. On the other hand, hopefully some good will come of it in terms of charitable donations.

This is one of those events that gets me to scratch my head and say, "hmmmm?"

I just wanted to find out where the boundaries were. I've found out there aren't any. I wanted to be stopped but no one will stop me.
- Damien Hirst

$198M Hirst art auction defies global gloom Read story

Damien Hirst's Auction Gamble Watch Video

Damien Hirst at Sotheby's: The actual sale of the Golden Calf Watch Video

Damien Hirst's Shark at the Met – how it was created - Watch Video

Damien Hirst - The Agony and the Ecstasy Napoli Watch Video

Damien Hirst Sick of His Own Art Read Story
"Hirst says he will no longer be producing any of his famed formaldehyde works, such as the shark and cow series, nor will he continue with the spot and spin paintings he's so well known for. "

Aaron said…"So in other words, Damien Hirst is going to start actually making art again."

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Favorites

2008-10-10T09:20:00.005-07:00

When I had Cable TV one of my favorite shows to watch was Inside the Actor’s Studio. Most of the interviews were pretty interesting and revealing. Then there was always the part at the end of the show when James Lipton would ask random questions.

So here are my questions to you:

What is your . . .

Favorite Texture?
Favorite Scent?
Favorite Sight?
Favorite Flavor?
Favorite Sound?

Least Favorite Word?
Favorite “Curse” Word?

Top Ten Favorite Words (Not in the Dictionary)
1_ginormous (adj): bigger than gigantic and bigger than enormous
2_confuzzled (adj): confused and puzzled at the same time
3_woot (interj): an exclamation of joy or excitement
4_chillax (v): chill out/relax, hang out with friends
5_cognitive displaysia (n): the feeling you have before you even leave the house that you are going to forget something and not remember it until you're on the highway
6_gription (n): the purchase gained by friction: "My car needs new tires because the old ones have lost their gription."
7_phonecrastinate (v): to put off answering the phone until caller ID displays the incoming name and number
8_slickery (adj): having a surface that is wet and icy
9_snirt (n): snow that is dirty, often seen by the side of roads and parking lots that have been plowed
10_lingweenie (n): a person incapable of producing neologisms.

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Grounded

2008-10-09T07:38:00.011-07:00

Grounded 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat

Grounded is a very spiritual piece to me. I created ‘Grounded’ when I was at the beginning of a major transition in my life. I was in search of inner peace and a sense of groundedness at a time when everything was so chaotic throughout every part of every day.

I consider myself a spiritual person (not religious). I began to write this post with references to my varied religious experiences, but then I chose to delete all of that, because I choose not to get into religious banter or criticism. Instead I choose peace, understanding, and acceptance.

The following is an excerpt from my journal regarding Grounded:

October 2006 - It’s the morning after the art exhibition in Ajijic. I want to write down my thoughts while the feelings are still fresh in my body. I’ll start out by describing my favorite guest of all – a moth. Yes, a giant moth. I’ll call the moth, Marrón, because she was this beautiful Burnt Umber brown. She was one of the early guests to the show. The front door was wide open during the entire show, so Marrón just flew right in and fluttered around for a few minutes. She caught my eye, and my first thought was I hope that moth doesn’t bother anyone. Then she landed on one of my paintings. The painting she landed on is titled, “Grounded”. The painting is of a woman who is sitting in lotus position with vines growing out of her core, and roots coming out of her feet into the ground. Well, Marrón landed on one of the vines on the painting and remained there for about 15 minutes. I could hear some people commenting wondering if the moth was real or part of the painting, because it was so still. Other people were wondering if it was stuck to the paint because they knew many of the paintings were still wet. The painting was hung high on the wall, so I went to get a broom to shoe it away. Marrón immediately flew off and fluttered around the room again, then promptly returned to the same exact spot on the painting. The comments were in awe….”Wow, did you see that!” people were saying. So again, I shoed her off, and once again she came back to the same place. I then decided to leave her there. I realized she brought positive energy to the painting and for the moment – she was truly apart of the piece. She kept landing on the vine as if it were real. It made the painting feel even more earthy, which is what that painting was all about. I’ll always remember Marrón when I look at that painting. She is now part of the painting’s story.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.
- Denis Waitley

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.
- Albert Einstein

The especial genius of women I believe to be electrical in movement, intuitive in function, spiritual in tendency.
- Margaret Fuller

The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself.
- Anais Nin

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MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Is the glass Half Full or Half Empty?

2008-10-07T08:26:00.012-07:00

"Half" 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat

A few years ago when I was driving in my car listening to a talk radio station there was a story about a church that started a project to put an end to complaining. The idea was to order one of those stretchy bracelets from their church, place it on your wrist and every time you complain about something you were suppose to switch the bracelet to your other wrist. This was meant to bring attention to how often we complain about things throughout each day. The ultimate goal was to see if you could go for 21 days straight without complaining about anything – being that it supposedly takes 21 days to break a bad habit.

The talk radio program received a lot of calls. Some people thought it was a great idea, others felt it was pointless, or they pointed out that complaining was a form of release & relief from stress.

Anyway, it got me thinking about how people view their lives – half full or half empty. I began to wonder how I could create an image on a painting that would pose such a question “How do you view your life – half full or half empty?”

It wasn’t long after that when I came across a beautiful piece of artwork – a clay pot with irregular shaped holes throughout. It was visually intriguing, but I do remember thinking to myself, “this pot is not a very practical vessel now is it?” The vision of that vessel stayed in my mind for a long time for some reason. After a while it dawned on me that this was the answer for my painting. The body is a vessel! Is the glass half full or half empty?!?! That’s it. This is how I will expose what’s inside the vessel.

At my art exhibitions some people look at ‘Half’ and are immediately put off by it. They make comments such as, “Eeeew, that’s creepy!” Or “Oh! I can’t look at that!” It gives them the heebee jeebeez, and they don’t want to know anything about it. While others are drawn to the painting; they seek to learn more about it. I often wonder what’s going on in the minds of the people who are put off by it, but they scurry off so quickly that I never have the chance to ask them.

I enjoy telling people about the meaning behind this painting, because it brings forth a lot of ‘Ahhhhs’. The painting is a good reminder to me to put things into perspective when life becomes overwhelming at times.

“Is the glass half full, or half empty? It depends on whether you're pouring, or drinking.”
- Bill Cosby

Researchers have discovered that pessimistic people are socially rejected because individuals feel that pessimists are hopeless, sad, and depressed - Hewleg-Larson et al., 2002

"Feeling is the language of the soul" — Neale Donald Walsc

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Sedona Arts Festival - the day after

2008-10-06T09:00:00.010-07:00

What is the only job where you can be wrong 100% of the time and still keep your job?

Answer: Weather Reporter

The forecast was 30% chance of rain Saturday & Sunday in Sedona. No mention of wind. Here’s what actually happened.

Early Saturday morning as I was driving into Sedona to get ready for the Sedona Arts Festival the sky looked ominous. As I made my way through all the white top tents on the field I could here the artists attempting to shun away the oncoming change in weather by talking positively – I joined in on the rally – why not? “Oh I think it’s just going to pass us right up.” But it wasn’t hard to see through to the doubt. Things went well during the morning hours of the show. The sun was shining between the heavy, darkened clouds. Some people were dressed for 100-degree weather in tank tops, shorts and sandals. Then suddenly it hit us – a crazy wind out of left field. You could see the sea of tents rising, shaking, and leaning hard to one side. I ran to grab a corner post of my tent and Greg grabbed another. The wind was catching my 4-foot awning and lifting the canopy. Two of my paintings began swirling. I reached over to hold them down, but they wanted to take off like kites. I looked at the other artists around me who were struggling to hold down their tents as well. Art was falling, and breaking all around. I glanced inside my tent as my greeting card rack fell to the ground, brochures and business cards taking flight, and then the hard rain joined in on the fun pelting us at just the right angle to get everything wet inside. It lasted about 10 minutes – it felt more like an hour. The wind finally died down enough to take down the awnings and zip up the tent.

What a mess.

The festival quickly became a ghost town, so we cleaned things up and then decided to go have a margarita! Hah! Hah!

Sunday was perfect weather! The day was bursting with sunshine and blue skies all around, comfortable temperature, tons of people, and good sales.

What a crazy business.

If you are looking for something to be brave about consider fine arts.
- Robert Frost

There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends. ~Arnot Sheppard

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. ~Patrick Young

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella. ~Pepper Giardino

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Sedona Arts Festival

2008-10-04T06:15:00.004-07:00

Yesterday was set up day for the Sedona Arts Festival. It was a tough one, since I was a bit under the weather. Today is much the same, but the show must go on. Have to be ready for the VIPs by 8:30 am. Chance of rain today and tomorrow, but at least it doesn't look like nasty weather.

I'm just rambling - fighting off another migraine.

Love Letters

2008-10-03T07:12:00.009-07:00

Who writes love letters anymore?

What is a love letter anyway?

Ahhh…….. A love letter is a deeply personal communication that has the power to make us blush. A love letter has a way of “turning a bad day to good”, and creating heat in our bodies on a cold winter night. A love letter even has the ability to comfort ones soul for decades, upon decades.

Here we are in the year 2008 where I now write my thoughts onto a virtual diary, a blog as they call it. My words are magically stored onto a collection of digital circuitry that forms a gargantuan parallel universe – a web that is worldwide. In ten years or so there may not be any evidence of my words having ever been written here. This ‘blogging’ is a vulnerable whisper in this digital cacophony.

But what about hand written letters (especially love letters)? They are often cherished and saved like precious jewels more valuable than diamonds or gold to be pulled out from an old box stored in a dusty old chest years down the road. And in a moments time the words on that wrinkled, yellowed, old piece of paper pull you back to the sounds and smells of those yesteryears.

It’s been over a year now since I wrote my last real, good old fashion love letter - on a piece of paper handwritten with a pen. Far too long!! I use to write letters the old fashion way quite a bit before the invention of email. I often took the time to go shopping for the perfect card, then I would carefully hand write a wordy love letter full of fun descriptive words in long hand, spray my favorite scent upon it, tuck it inside the card, place it in an envelope, stick a 'spendy' stamp on it and send it off in the mailbox. WOW! What a chore.

Nowadays its common to key "luv ya" on the cell phone. OMG who now has time to sit in passionate solitude intent on our dearest of heart while inking letters one by one? Who has time for free imagining?

As of late, dealing with four kids, one pre-teen and four full-blown teenagers, we’re all vying for our turn on the computer to surf the internet, check our e-mail, and do our online banking. Who has time to write a love letter?

Well, I suppose fear could be a factor - Fear of looking foolish? Is this how we become shallow -- in the name of saving face.? We do many things to avoid embarrassment like conjure up excuses -- my penmanship lacks grace, or it’s just not my style.

Here's another one: “I don’t have anyone to write a love letter to”. A love letter does not necessarily have to be for a love interest. ‘Letters of love’ can be written to our children, our friends, or pretty much anyone who we have loving feelings toward. I received a beautiful letter from my sister-in-law last year after a close friend of hers past away. It was the first letter I had ever received from her like that, and we have been in-laws for 25 years. She expressed that life was so fragile and she wanted me to know she loved and cared for me. My eyes welled up.

Here’s one for the die hard Internet mongers: “I’ll just send an email, it’s quicker, and easier to edit, plus it has spell check!

By Golly…Write a Love Letter. It doesn’t need to be a special occasion, and it doesn’t need to be ‘Shakespearean’ – it just needs to be real. If you need a reason – come up with one. Don’t be afraid to go there and be honest. Use words that are descriptive and deep. You're allowed to take your time. Peer at a picture, stare into space, it's not against the rules.

Write a love letter to your sweetie as if you are seeing him/her for the first time. Send it to them via snail mail even if you live with them (very romantic!) .

Pull words from the physical images of life. Worlds like wild, aura, momentary, paper & ink, and the flavor of red.

Interject lovely phrases such as: you changed my life forever, this is the kind of love that makes you think anything is possible, yes - we’ve been down a few roads, let’s let the storm bring us closer, it struck me, like a fool, I hear nothing but your voice, I have been a half-hour writing this thing – and still my words fall short of describing what burns in my heart, I never thought I had any more to give, I enjoy finding you over and over again in my life, You are my confidant, my voice of reason, my voice of sanity.

Of course, one thing leads to another and things could even get juicy! (giggle)

WOW! I need to go write a love letter!

"I have just unlocked my little box and found your letter -- and the world has drifted off a thousand miles and left me alone with you again," - painter Dennis Miller Bunker (1861-1890) wrote his beloved Eleanor not long before he died.

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MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Bed of Flowers

2008-10-01T07:26:00.013-07:00

NEW. Bed of Flowers 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat

Giving Yourself What You Did Not Get From Your Parents

‘Bed of Flowers’ is one of my more Ethereal looking pieces.

The inspiration behind Bed of Flowers comes from the many stories I’ve heard from adults who are grown children of parents whose parenting skills fell short of perfect, which pretty much fits most people’s childhood experiences.

I know that sounds pretty deep – like "lying on the sofa talking to a therapist deep".

Fact is children are dependent little buggers, they depend on their parent(s) to feed them, cloth them, and take care of all of their basic needs to sustain their life. But it doesn’t stop there. Children look to their parent(s) for more than just their basic needs. They pine for their approval and acceptance. They watch so closely studying how their parents walk through life until one day they find themselves “all grown up”, but still feeling like that little child “pining”.

A therapist once told me that as an adult ‘I’ can give to myself what my parents weren’t able to give me. That sounded sort of strange and funny. It took experiencing a number of years as a parent myself to understand what she meant.

Thank goodness as a parent I can admit I’m not perfect! I’m so glad I can admit that! Perfection is too high of an expectation for anyone. There is simply no way that I can give my children everything they need and want from me, because I’m still learning “how to be” in this world myself. When they become adults they will continue to grow, change, need and want, and they will have to get much of what they need and want from others, or they too will have to learn how to give themselves what they need and want (emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, etc.). Hopefully they will seek for mentors that inspire them, and surround themselves with the type of people that feed their spirit, lift their souls, and encourage them in just they right way that helps them become the happiest person they can be. More importantly, I hope they will be willing to surrender any pain that I may have been part of in their life and hand that burden over to their Heavenly Father – as often as necessary.

‘Bed of Flowers’ is a sweet piece that represents the parent child relationship. We know that there is so much life to live ahead of the little baby and already she is looking at her mother, admiring her, watching her so closely. And the mother, so young, still growing and learning along the way.

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
~Joyce Maynard

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.
~William D. Tammeus

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories.
~John Wilmot

* Click Here for Instructions on how to post a comment on my blog without a Google Account. It's easy!

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Art Giveaway Reminder!

2008-09-30T09:02:00.009-07:00

October is upon us, which means registration for my
Art Giveaway Begins Tomorrow and Lasts All Month!

You can win this Giclee Print on Canvas just by posting a comment on my Blog.

Learn all about the art Giveaway and the Rules at www.MiliGirl.com/media .

* Remember . . . Only post a comment on a 'New Post', because if you post a comment on an a post that is older than one day I might miss your post.

Good Luck and Happy Commenting!
Peace & Love, Melanie

Psssst.... My Boxed Note Card Gift Sets are on sale this month for 20% Off!!!!

* Click Here for Instructions on how to post a comment on my blog without a Google Account. It's easy!

How to Post a Comment

2008-09-27T10:19:00.011-07:00

How to Post a Comment without a
Google Account or a Blog

I’ve come across a number of people now who have tried to leave a comment on my blog, but didn’t when they were under the impression that they had to have a Google Account or a Blog.

So I decided to post some instructions here.

First of all you can find the 'COMMENT' link to open the comment form at the very bottom of each post that looks like this:

Western Yoga

2008-09-24T16:01:00.012-07:00

New. Western Yoga 36" x 36" Original Oil Painting 2008
by Melanie Banayat

WESTERN YOGA

"Western Yoga" is obviously a bit of a gentle satire; a light parody if you will.

The painting is highly textured, which is hard to tell on the internet. This painting along with other new works will be on exhibit in my booth (#718) at the Sedona Arts Festival next weekend - Saturday & Sunday October 4 & 5th. These paintings are so new that they're still wet!

Along with my original oil paintings I will have Giclee Prints, Art Prints, and my MiliGirl Collection Note Cards.

The Sedona Arts Festival is Sedona's most popular fall showcase of fine art and craft featuring over 100 of the country's finest visual artists and craft persons, entertainment, and food vendors. No pets are allowed at this event. For more information please visit the Sedonal Arts Festival Official website at www.sedonaartsfestival.org.

Hope you can make it to the festival!

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

Trusting Your Instincts

2008-09-24T09:05:00.020-07:00

Click on 'Letting Go' note card

“Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts.
And never hope more than you work.”

- Rita Mae Brown

Over the course of this past year, ever since I created my MiliGirl Collection note cards, the following three questions have been coming at me quite a bit . . .

“Melanie, why did you decide to create a line a note cards using your artwork?” Why not just print ‘Art Cards’ with no written messages on them, because your art is so beautiful in and of itself that it doesn’t need words?” Aren’t you afraid of competing with yourself against your ‘Fine Art?”

Click on 'When A Woman Flies' note card

For years I have gone against my instincts when I took heed to the logic, reasoning, and fears of others who tried to influence my life in the direction they felt my life should go. Ultimately it was always my own decision to deny my personal instincts by allowing myself to be influenced to go in a different direction. In doing so I found myself involved in many things that were un-natural for me, stressful (in a bad way), and my spirit was in pain – I often found myself saying, “I feel like I’m drowning”. Though I am truly grateful for those experiences because I learned more about myself - these days I am trying to do better at paying closer attention to my 'personal ' natural instincts.

The decision to create the note cards came after I returned from my hiatus in Mexico when I transitioned my life after my divorce. First, I felt a need to try to make some important, though simple, needed changes in my everyday life in order to improve the quality of my life and my kid’s lives. Simple things like doing things that I love – things that I feel instinctually drawn to. For instance, I love dancing, because it is a natural expression of who I am and it brings me great joy. Yet, for almost 20 years I didn’t dance because neither my first husband nor my second husband danced. It was like a huge void in my life. Now I get it - when you trust your instincts, you're trusting your heart. It’s a way of celebrating who you are.

Click on 'Latina Baila' note card

The desire and the need to address female issues in my note cards, regarding self-esteem and trusting your instincts, is something that grew from my own personal experiences in life. These note cards offer a way for me to awaken dreamers, who are stuck in the dream stage, so they may move forth in following their true path and radiate light from their very core.

Click on 'Holding On' note card

Through my note cards it’s a simple way to reach many people in quiet, yet affective ways. Not shouting, “Change! Improve! Fix!”, instead, softly sending a message into a soul, “You are an amazing being…let love into your heart, and into your mind; let yourself trust and love who you are -- that is where peace & joy in the world begins.”

I also find that note cards are a great tool to rouse communication and conversation, so that we can come to understand the common threads between us, and become active toward bringing forth thought and reaching out to others one person at a time. We may never know how far our small efforts reach in exponential factors - we just have to trust that the process works.

Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's. ~Billy Wilder

Trust your hunches. They're usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level. ~Joyce Brothers

Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.
~Florence Scovel Shinn

(I especially liked this quote! LOL!)
An artist's instinct is more refined than the typical mortal's.
~Holden Rinehart

Now - here is a little 'ad' about my MiliGirl Collection Product line:
These 'anytime' cards are prefect to send to any woman in your life! Friend, Girl Friend, Mother, Daughter, Wife, Co-worker, or the Woman you just met who could use some encouragement. The cards are sold individually and in gift sets.

The MiliGirl Collection is growing. Soon (very soon!) there will be an entire line of MiliGirl Collection eco-friendly, organic gift products that compliment the MiliGirl note cards. All of the products are based around lifting the spirit and relaxing the soul. The Products include: All natural soy based candles, natural handmade olive oil soap bars, organic handcrafted candy drops, and MiliGirl ‘Eco-Chic’ re-usable canvas tote bags.

I like the way things are shaping up around here!

ACE Art Group

2008-09-23T08:07:00.014-07:00

The ACE Art Group has just launched their new website!

The ACE Art Group
Artists Creating Excellence

An Association of Professional Artists
bringing art connoisseurs and fine art together
in ever changing intimate venues

The ACE Art Group (Artists Creating Excellence) was formed by a group of professional artists in the Prescott, Arizona area who are devoted to their mediums and determined to advance their careers. The group -- a unique combination of artists -- focuses on the business of art, networking, organizing shows and expanding their list of collectors. Each artist contributes his or her experience and talents to benefit the group, sharing knowledge, information, opportunities, challenges and successes. The members of the ACE Art Group are all accomplished artists who exhibit a wide range of talents in various mediums. Melanie Banayat - contemporary figurative oil painter – creates bold & colorful images of women in peaceful, sensual, and whimsical poses reminiscent of the Fauvism movement, Pia Davis – fine art photographer - focuses on the incredible and mysterious world of ‘macro’ found in blown glass, Emelina Figueroa – Urban Organic Mixed Media Painter – utilizes natural elements such as marble powder, wood, volcanic lava, seed, coffee fibers and grains in each of her renderings, and Bill Cramer – Plein Air Oil Painter – captures the desert landscape of Arizona on location and completes his impressionistic paintings in one sitting. The ACE Art Group chooses to remain a small group (maximum 12 members) in order maintain their unique purpose and mission with integrity. Their mission is to bring art connoisseurs and fine art together in ever changing intimate venues by partnering with businesses and art collectors. They create a different art exhibition theme for every new venue making each event a ‘Unique and Intriguing Art Experience’.

Join our Mailing List
We invite you to join our mailing list
Come Enjoy the Art Experiences of the ACE Art Group.

www.aceartgroup.com

artists@aceartgroup.com

SNAP OUT OF IT!

2008-09-18T09:04:00.004-07:00

It’s Crunch Time . . .

I spent the summer hangin’ out ‘a lot’ with the kids -- Lazy Sunday afternoons canoeing and swimming in the lake, camping, and letting my daughter, Mikhaila, drive me everywhere so she could get lots of practice driving. I didn’t want it to end. But now that school is back in session and a few art festivals are right around the corner I’ve got to snap out of it. Go ahead and say it . . . MELANIE, SNAP OUT OF IT!

I’m finally shifting gears. The countdown for the Sedona Art Festival is on, I have wet paintings all over the studio, and a few others on the kitchen counter in repair, just discovered a flat tire on the trailer, got ten other irons in the fire, and no time in my schedule to color the gray hair that is taking over the not so easy to hide areas around my forehead near my temples! What is this? I’m starting to look like Lily Munster. AAAAAH! What to do, what to do?

Actually, I’m having a ball! It’s all so fun and exciting to me. Well, maybe not the flat-tire part.

Check out my schedule of events at Banayat Fine Art. Plus, Don't forget about my upcoming Art Giveaway! at my MiliGirl Collection online store. Please spread the word!

What is RSS?

2008-09-17T08:11:00.008-07:00

Soooo.....What the heck is RSS FEED anyway?

In the shortest and simplest layman terms that I can come up with to describe RSS it’s like creating your own customized daily newspaper that contains only the content you want to read, and it all gets delivered directly to your computer for free.

I found two different links that show you how it all works – in terms that common everyday folks can understand.

RSS explained the Oprah way
RSS in geek & techie terms = "Really Simple Synidcation"
RSS in Oprah terms = "Ready for Some Stories"

Watch the YouTube Video on RSS

* If you would like to subscribe to my RSS Feed -- Just look for the subscription button in the side bar.

Fortune of the Day

2008-09-08T10:09:00.010-07:00

Fortune of the Day:
"How fortunate: "You are free to invent your life."

When looking for simple things in life that bring us joy I think of things like a smile, a hug, or receiving a card in the mail. I love that kind of stuff! Call me corny, I don’t mind; I’ve been called worse things.

I’m the type of person that looks forward to opening those little pieces of paper that come out of the funny shaped cookies that we get at Chinese restaurants at the end of a meal, that we know are not true, and yet, in a lot of cases, we wish that they were!

After eating the cookie we sometimes save our favorite ones. We put them in our wallets, pin them to our bulletin boards, tape them to our computers, or hang them on the refrigerator door. They can predict the mundane or the outrageous, and chances are they are funny as all get out (especially if you add the words ‘in bed’ to the end of the phrase).

Definition of Fortune: often a hypothetical, personified force or power that favorably or unfavorably governs the events of one's life:
a. fortunes: The turns of luck in the course of one's life.
b. Success, especially when at least partially resulting from luck:
c. A person's condition or standing in life determined by material possessions or financial wealth:
d. Extensive amounts of material possessions or money; wealth.
e. A large sum of money:
f. Fate; destiny
g. A foretelling of one's destiny.

Here are a few fortunes that I’ve saved…

Do you have a favorite fortune that you've saved?

Finding the Right Words

2008-09-05T09:04:00.007-07:00

"Sometimes finding the right words can be like finding the key that opens the prison door."

Words are Powerful - Very Powerful!

Some people are never short of words. Some people seem to have a plethora of interesting and intellectual words that spill from their mouth as easily as stating their name. I’m amazed and dumbfounded by the natural gift that some people posses. Some have a gift with words in profound and poetic ways, while others have a gift of slighting and damaging souls with just a few choice phrases.

I am not so gifted. Yet, I am determined. I have been searching and searching for years (YEARS!) for the right words to describe certain experiences and events that happened to me in my past, yet time and time again my pages have been left with gargantuan blank spaces. I simply could not conjure the elusive words.

While doing some research for a book that I’m writing I came across an abundance of helpful information. Words! I found magical, wonderful, fruitful words that have brought about answers to my half drowned soul.

Isn’t it incredible when you put the energy out to do something and you receive a response? I’m on cloud nine! The prison door has been opened. It’s true that the right words can set your soul free.

The On/Off switch

2008-08-31T10:49:00.005-07:00

Does anybody know where the ON/OFF Switch is?

Art Giveaway!

2008-08-26T14:12:00.007-07:00

This is a heads up, so MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Art Giveaway!

It's True . . . I'm clearing out my Art Studio to make room for more art!
I'm giving away a 'Mother & Child' Print on Canvas!

This print that I am giving away is a second. I've been wondering what to do with all the beautiful reproductions prints that do not make the "A" list simply because they are a tad too bright or too dark, maybe slightly flawed to a highly skeptical eye, or the colors aren't up to par. Nevertheless they exist in limbo in my art studio storage room, and I don't believe in throwing them away. There is nothing wrong with these prints, except that they are seconds and don't meet the standard I have in place for retailing at the regular price. Some of them I will be donating to charity, and some I will be listing for sale as seconds on my online store, so be sure to watch for those listings. But I thought I would have a little fun by holding a few Art Giveaways as well. This will be my first Art Giveaway in a series of Art Giveaways.

This is A REAL SWEET DEAL! I'm telling you I'm giving away some good stuff here!

All you have to do is post a comment on my Blog during the month of October and your name will automatically be entered into the drawing! Click here for the guidelines.

The press releases go out today, and the email blast goes out next week. Be sure to tell all your art loving friends!

Happy Commenting!
Peace & Love,
Melanie

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat

I Paint and Write...

2008-08-19T22:23:00.013-07:00

...Because I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

There are seasons in our life when we make decisions based on circumstance, where we must tuck our dreams away in a safe place in our hearts to protect them. That way when the time is right we can bring them back out again. Unfortunately, sometimes they get stuck, and we need a little push or pull to get them loosed.

In my studio in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

Despite circumstantial situations, I for one believe there always remains an underlying dream that awaits patiently, and sometimes not so patiently. I’m guilty of being one of those early idealists who just assumed that everyone was born with a gift, a talent, and a dream that was simply apart of who they were. Is that fact? As I get a little older I hesitate to answer that. I’m much more comfortable these days being willing to admit that I don’t know the answer. But if you were to ask me in confidence, just between the two of us, I would tell you in a punctuated whisper… Yes!

I recall a conversation with my mother in the kitchen when I was in seventh or eighth grade. I knew that my mother had become bitter, and built up walls around her after the death of my father. Though she would not admit it back then I can only imagine that her love for him was deep. In fact it wasn’t until she was in her 70’s that I finally caught a glimpse of her fondness for my father … so many years; so much heartache and fear. That day, back in the late 1970’s in our sun drenched kitchen with yellow countertops, I somehow found the nerve to ask mom if she had a dream. If there was something she always wanted to do in her life. Mom was not prepared to answer that question for me at that time, so she hid behind angry words. Anger was her escape. I didn’t understand it back then, but I learned.

Life has a way of repeating itself. This I discovered, like most of us do, in the school of hard knocks. I, too, had packed my dreams away on a number of occasions. I even became angry and bitter about it. But, just like clockwork, my dreams would periodically pop their little noggins out and look me straight in the eyes with hopeful encouragement, and my heart would melt. “Yes, ok, come on out, I think it’s safe.” But with so many years past, and time ticking away, my dreams seemed shabby and out of shape. And self-doubt would set in. “Did I lose them?” So once again I would pack them back in the their little crib, which was well worn and use to their presence.

Then…as life would have it, I got the big PUSH! It took 25 years for before those dreams were fully released once again. One of the boldest things I did in my life happened after divorce #2; I took a trip deep down into Mexico to find myself. I wanted to take a hiatus to for a while in order to transition from old life to new. I know that sounds so “New Age funky”, but it sums it up so well.

Before I made the big trip alone I needed to calm some nerves with my family. So I invited my mother to come check out this place with me in Mexico. We stayed for nine, wonderful, healing days. Every morning mom and I would wake and have breakfast in the hotel restaurant that we stayed in. We sat on the patio, under a giant Rubber Tree with an amazing view of Lake Chapala. Our breakfasts were leisurely. I loved it. It was the first time I had ever done anything like that with my mother. In fact, we hardly knew each other. Mom worked two, sometimes three or four jobs when I was growing up – I hardly saw her. But during those nine days, we learned more about each other then I ever imagined we could in such a short amount of time. It was a truly healing time. I learned about mom’s dreams – simple, yet authentic. I also learned to appreciate that she was now at a place in her life where her dreams are being realized in her roll as Nana (grandmother). I can appreciate that.

I love to see that my mother can finally, finally, finally, smile, and laugh, and tell me things about her life and her journey that she never could talk about before. I think it’s partially because she sees that I am now a woman who has had a few rough road experiences under her belt. We can finally talk woman to woman. It’s amazing to talk with her and see tears run down her face without trying to hide them anymore.

I’m especially tickled in how mom seems to be living vicariously though me these days, cheering me on, hoping that I can make my dreams come true. I may fall flat on my face, but I know I can get up, brush off, and find another way to live it.

Psssst! I still believe that dreams are discovered or revealed early on in life for some, and late in life for others . . . Don’t be afraid to fail, we all do it.

I paint and write because I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love it with a passion. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it.

The Road Less Traveled

2008-08-17T18:04:00.006-07:00

Pondering

When I reached a major turning point in my life well into adulthood I remember being completely anticipatory about trudging on especially after many years of living under an oppressive thumb -- I felt like a teenager getting a taste of freedom from my parents for the first time. I was cautioned by a number of well meaning people that I need to remember I will also have to face the consequences of my choices, so choose wisely.

Those words began to haunt me over and over again in my mind. I pondered upon these words of caution for many months. I began to worry about making wrong decisions. I was moved to investigate further this “Pondering” process in order rid myself of this growing fear.

That’s when I painted “Pondering.” For me, painting is a form of meditation, yet not always a peaceful one. Often times painting is an intense, and exhausting process. I engage my thoughts – “what am I trying to convey with this image?”, and these thoughts stick with me the entire painting session.

When I finished painting ‘Pondering’ I felt like the process taught me something very valuable. I will never REALLY know what my choice is until I have lived it.

“There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.” – Robert Frost

Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. - M. Scott Peck

The Road Not Taken (The Road Less Traveled)
By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Schedule Bumping

2008-08-12T09:17:00.005-07:00

The Never Ending "List"!

A good friend of mine, Michael, always talks about his list. He’s a list maker, so that’s what list makers do. He’s always commenting how his list never gets any shorter despite the fact that he’s always plugging away at it. “I know what you mean”, I tell him. But I’ve come to the conclusion that the list will never go away. There will always be a list.

I was a big time list maker in my 20’s. I used sticky notes, the back of business cards, napkins, receipts, or whatever I could get my hands on. I still suffer with occasional relapses of my list making. But now in my 40’s I don’t talk about my list so much anymore, now I notice that I do a lot of Schedule Bumping. I like it. It seems to be a healthier approach to my daily tasks. If I don’t get it done today, I’ll just bump it over to another day.

I use my iCal calendar on my iMac to manage my daily schedule. It has a lot of cool functions on it. For instance, I can send myself an email reminder to my cell phone direct from my calendar; it’s like my personal secretary. Then on my cell phone I can set my alarm to Vibrate, Voice Alarm, Melodies, or Ring Tones. I chose the voice alarm, because the voice sounds like that obnoxious character from the animated movie, Monster’s Inc – you know, the secretary with the drone voice. “Check Your Schedule!” the voice exclaims. It cracks me up. I haven’t come up with a name for the voice yet. She needs an appropriate name. Got any suggestions?

I suppose the only way the “List” ever ends is on the day we part this life. But who knows what’s waiting for us at the pearly gates. Another “List”? And will it be possible to do a little Schedule Bumping?

"Life is Too unpredictable to live by a schedule." - Life Quotes

"I am definitely going to take a course on time managment...just as soon as I can work it into my schedule." Louis E. Boone

"There cannot be a crisis today; my schedule is already full" - Henry Kissinger

People Who Inspire Artists

2008-08-06T07:47:00.010-07:00

Seventy is the New Forty

I’m constantly on the lookout for people with stories that inspire me . . . As I talk with people, just casual everyday conversation, I’ve discovered that most everyone has a very interesting life. Yet most people think their life is boring and uninteresting. Seems that the majority of people believe that the most interesting part of their life was in their youth, their “glory days” back in high school or college. You know, all the crazy shit that we managed to live through and tell about later. The stories that somehow become more and more embellished as the years go on. Those stories are certainly great at parties and help us laugh at ourselves.

I, however, like to look deeper into people’s souls for the stuff that has depth, purpose and real meaning. Things like those so-called “mistakes” that we made that we feel shameful about and tried to sweep under the rug, or the stuff that causes us to pause in silence and stare out the window with a deep, long sigh.

Seventy is the New Forty by Melanie Banayat
Click on image

Two years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful women, whose name I have changed for this story in the name of respect. At that time Cynthia was 74 years old and I was 41. We became instant friends, and we spent much time together for about six months when I was living in Mexico. Cynthia is like the energizer bunny reincarnated into this lovely woman with long salt & pepper hair, and signs of living a full life strategically sculpted on her beautiful face. She wears her emotions on her sleeve, and holds nothing back. She is magnetic; her six marriages are proof of that.

We shared a common courtyard with a lush garden and a swimming pool that looked out over Lake Chapala. Just three days after we met she was out on the sundeck sunbathing in the nude. No shame, no worries. Of course, her husband felt a bit differently. I thought it was great. I wanted to get to know this person who, at her age, could stand before a complete stranger naked as the day she was born and hold an expression of peace in her funny little grin.

Over the months we spent many hours just talking about our lives and the many stories that helped mold us into the people we had become. We shared a lot of tears and had many good, hard laughs. Through her stories I could see into her heart, and feel the pain that she still carried in her pocket. It was manageable now. She left an impression on me that inspired me to put fear in its place and embrace life in the moment.

The painting I did, Seventy is the New Forty, in honor of her interesting and inspirational life is not a portrait of Cynthia, but it carries a likeness of her spirit.

Artists Helping Artists

2008-07-30T09:20:00.015-07:00

30 Minutes A Day

The one thing I have loved about the art industry (from the artist’s standpoint) is how supportive the majority of artists are toward one another. It’s a real challenge making a living as an artist, but it can also be one of the most rewarding, intriguing, and fulfilling experiences of your life. I have met many wonderful people, and made some lasting friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life for sure. These people helped me, mentored me, and offered me the kind if encouragement, support, and advise that I was unable to find through family and friends.

I am a member of The ACE Art Group artist co-op. Members pictured from left to right:

Pia Davis, Bill Cramer, Emelina Figueroa, David Romo, and Melanie Banayat

I, too, enjoy returning the favor and passing on what I have learned thus far to emerging artists.

Here are some ideas on how to spend 30 minutes a day marketing your art career.
Click here to Download file

Apply for a Business Tax Registration certificate and Sales Tax permit that allows you to purchase supplies wholesale and charge sales tax.
Purchase your domain name (register.com) and establish an internet presence. (either your own site or an artists' co-op site). If it’s your own site consider using ‘your name’ for your domain name to increase your name recognition. And it’s best to stick with a “.com” Address instead of .biz, or .net. because people are use to addresses ending in .com
Hire a professional photographer, or assembl the photographic equipment necessary to properly document your work (emphasis on properly!)
Document your work with properly labeled slides and organized digital files at 300dpi, and 72 dpi
Do the necessary research to come up with a target list of places (galleries, museums, consultants) that may be receptive to your work.
Subscribe to relevant art publications such as, ArtCalendar, Artweek, ArtNews, Art in America, etc. and whatever other publications will keep you posted on the activities of the contemporary art world in your community and elsewhere.
Make a commitment to yourself to devote at least ‘X’ number of hours per week to the business aspects of your career...sending out slides/digital images, visiting galleries, making follow up phone calls, researching opportunities, talking to other artists.
Read your local art reviews and visit exhibitions
Organize files for yourself to keep track of in coming and out going correspondence, emails, phone calls, and contacts. (A contact management program, such as ACT, or Entourage can be invaluable.)
Send out at least one package per week that will familiarize a gallery, private art consultant, curator or collector with your work.
Agree to spend at least 1 hour per month online checking for new websites, e-commerce sites or art sites that may be of value.
Email your website link to at least 3 people per month
Assemble a personal mailing list of friends, target galleries and potential collectors that may be interested in your work for use when you send out exhibition announcements. I strongly suggest collecting email addresses to utilize email blasts!
Have simple business cards printed with your name, address, phone number and email address, to distribute to anyone potentially interested in your work. If possible, include an image of your work on the card.
Create an updated bio that outlines all your previous exhibitions, education, collectors, and awards.
Write an artists' statement, not only for distribution and publishing on your website, but also to help you talk intelligently about your work, should someone ask.
Create a simple consignment receipt and bill of sale for future use.
Determine pricing parameters for your work.
Prepare a referral list of resources for future use: framers, photographers, packers and shippers, printers, etc.
Come to terms with the possibility of rejection and feel confident you can handle it.

Remember, this checklist is just a beginning. You will need to personalize it and adapt it to your specific needs. But, if you commit yourself to devoting time to all the activities listed above, you will have accepted the responsibility of seeing yourself as a working professional artist. Over time, the results you see WILL give you the exposure you want and your work deserves.

Employee of the Month

2008-07-23T08:26:00.017-07:00

What is the best gift a customer can give you?
(or in this case, fellow artist)

Hint: It’s not money.

It is an act that shows that a customer REALLY cares about you . . . Like a referral, help, or even a simple gift or words of support & encouragement.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog about being “unemployable” (in reference to myself). Then yesterday I received a bulky letter in the mail from my dear friend and fellow artist, Lenny Mazzo (from California), along with this funny, but awesome button and the following note:

“Found this at a garage sale & thought of you. Since you might never get one of these from an employer, I thought you might want to give it to yourself sometime you feel worthy of it.”
Take care, Lenny

Lenny,
This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received! … A good laugh, and a fun day at work. I love it! Thank you!

So, with my awesome button proudly pinned to my shirt I decided to take you all on a tour through A Day in the Life of the Employee of the Month. Of course, being an ARTrepreneur, I wear many hats. Today I was wearing my ‘Gal-Wednesday’ hat out running errands. Sorry, no art studio work today.

Packaging an order for a Giclee Print.

Here I am with Sandy at the Prescott Post Office.

Now I’m with Rachel at The UPS Store

614 Division Street,
Prescott, Arizona
Phone: (928) 445-2226

As soon as I walked into the Division Street Frame Shop Clementine noticed the big red button and immediately looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked, “Employee of the Month? Who are you working for ?!?!?”

Clementine does the matting for my
'Strength of Women" art print.

Dodge Dakota 39x70x20 by Lenny Mazzo
Click on image to see more of Lenny Mazzo’s artwork.

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Miniature Series

2008-07-22T14:13:00.014-07:00

It's the Little Things That Matter

'Kiss' by Melanie Banayat
Available as a limited edition giclee print

Sometimes artists need to change things up a little to add some spice to their routine, and sometimes they need to change things up out of necessity. Lately I’ve had requests for more note card designs, which is exciting to me. However, most of my original artwork is created in a semi-large scale, which takes a lot more time to create. I have a long list of ideas for note cards just waiting to come to life. I often wish I could create as fast as the ideas come to my mind. Wouldn’t that be a trip!

So in order to address this issue I’ve decided to work on a series of smaller scale originals. The side benefit for my customers is that I will soon have some smaller scale original artworks available, which is going to be a first for both me and my customers. I’m looking forward to exhibiting some of the works from my miniature series during the up coming fall art festival season.

"To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being" - John Lubbock

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way." - Napoleon Hill

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.! - Mother Teresa

'Quiet Time' 36" x 36" original oil on canvas
by Melanie Banayat

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Nasty Gas Prices

2008-07-15T08:49:00.012-07:00

My Bike vs My Truck

Lately these outrageous gas prices have me trying to conjure up some clever way to use alternative means of transportation for my art business, and my life in general.

I went camping with my kids last week (LOVED IT!). We dusted off our mountain bikes and brought them along . It was so fun. I took the kids onto a trail through the woods, and we all had a blast. It had been many years since I’ve done that. Back in my 20’s I use to mountain bike ride a lot (back when I was a lot thinner and in much better shape, of course.) I forgot how much I loved bike riding.

Yes, that's me, half hidden behind my daughter's big feet.
I'm with no make up, day three with no shower, looking pretty scummy,
kickin' back by the campfire . . . I loved it!

Then later that evening as I sat around the campfire mesmerized by the flames I began having silly delusional ideas about hauling my artwork, my pro-panel portable walls, and my 10'x10' canopy via two wheels and a bicycle trailer in tow to my art festivals saving tons of money, and getting in really good shape to boot! Yeah right! Then it began to rain and my fantasy was washed away with reality.

Click on image

Practicality

After giving it more thought I realized that "my world" during a common weekday outside of work simply does not lend to a pedal pushing lifestyle. First of all I live 5 miles outside of town, on a two lane country road with 55 mph traffic, and no designated bike lane, which is a pretty inconvenient obstacle.

The next big problem is family life. Even if I had a tandem built for six it would be pretty tough to chauffer the ‘family’ around to their endless schedule of school, activities, sports, friends, shopping, and make it back home in time to make dinner, do homework, check emails, etc… I'm not Superwoman - and I wouldn't want to be.

However, it’s certainly not difficult to see the value of bicycling. "There's health costs, there's social costs, there's planetary costs and there's quality of life issues."

The ugly fact is I drive everywhere, and the more I think about it, the more disgusted and frustrated I am about it. The maintenance, insurance, gasoline, oil, emissions, registration, licensing, taxes, repairs, parts, tires, parking fees, government fees, societal costs, safety and injury factors.

Call me whatever...
Comparing the pros and cons of a car versus a bike, to me the bike just sounds like the right thing to do. Whenever I think about how bikes and cars fit into the bigger picture, that really gets to me. I’ve set my life up in such a way that I’m cornered. The answer isn’t lower gas prices – the answer lies in my daily choices, and my long-term choices. Who I (we) elect at the voting booth, where I choose to live, what type of work I do, etc. I know, I know, that’s a pretty broad answer with many aspects to consider, but in reality – that’s the bottom line.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as peeved about the high gas prices, the Government BS, and the greedy people who control it all just as much as everyone else.

What to do?
Do you have the answer? Best that I can tell is that it’s going to be a long, uncomfortable, and winding road.

. . . And I don't know about you, but I’m pretty tired of hearing myself complain!

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So, it’s in the Genes!

2008-07-07T20:14:00.016-07:00

More Pieces Are Coming Together

When asked if I get my artistic talent from my mother or father I’ve always said neither, since neither one showed any artistic interest that I know of. But now I can answer that question differently from now on.

Patches 36" x 36" oil on canvas by Melanie Banayat
Click on image

Yesterday I received a very wonderful surprise -- An email from my Uncle Eloy, whom I’ve never met in person before, I’ve only spoken with him once on the phone, and corresponded by snail mail and email for a few years after; he lives in the Philippines. We made contact for the first time about 15 years ago when he called to inform me that my grandmother had passed away. The last contact we had was about 10 years ago. Then.... I moved, or he moved, I’m not sure which it was. And now....all of a sudden, out of the blue he's come back into my life. I’m so glad he found me again, especially since I’ve moved 11 times since our last contact.

Here is a portion of Uncle Eloy’s email:

“i had browsed over your paintings and they are impressive. the rillera genes are working well with you. rillera is the maiden family name of your grandma. the rilleras here in the philippines are very good in arts. the late uncle med rillera was an instructor in a trade school (he was very good in plaster of paris sculpturing. his son cousin rodel rillera (nephew of your late grandma) is also an artist like you. he paints in oil and made sculptures. most of his works are abstracts. you know, you have to be an artist to interpret the said work of art. yours truly is also an artist by heart."

"i was able to see your interview with AM Arizona and its the first time ever that i saw you and heard you talk. its a wonderful feeling."

Thank you so much for letting me know about the artistic family ties, Uncle Eloy!

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Following Your Dreams

2008-07-05T10:31:00.018-07:00

Isn’t following your dreams
living the American Dream?

Maybe it doesn’t always pan out, but the journey
sure does make for an interesting adventure.

Made in the USA greeting card by Melanie Banayat
Click on picture to see more details

I received a message from a fellow Prescott artist, Tony Reynolds, who posted a very cool comment on his blog about me. In reference to his blog he made the following statement, “can’t be depended on to hold a single thought long enough to be a good employee!” I completely related to that! I have been "unemployable" since about the age of ten. LOL!

I can laugh at that now, but only because I've finally accepted that my heart was simply elsewhere. I kept avoiding doing what my heart desired, because I was trying to please everyone else who felt that a career in art wasn't going to make me much of a living. Not to mention the fact that it also put fear in me where I believed that any attempt for a career in art would only end in failure. When I finally decided to define what "a living" was for myself I realized I wasn't "living" when I was doing what I thought everyone else thought I should be doing. Hmmm? What a wicked, twisted, cycle of dysfunction.

Now a days I can see more clearly. "Making a living", from my perspective, is doing that which brings you great joy, peace, and purpose in life. The part where we have to pay our bills will naturally follow suit; I believe and trust that in my heart. And if I'm not making as much material abundance as other people feel I could or should be making by doing something else -- that's their issue, not mine. I 've experienced both sides. I've tasted great material abundance as well as nothing but two suitcases of clothes, a few dollars in my wallet, and a car (no home). Neither side brought me joy. Years ago I managed to build a rather comfortable life filled with material things by pleasing others, but I never seemed to feel fulfilled. Because of my unhappiness, I was forced out and left to start over from ground zero.

When everything that I had built up in my life was suddenly gone I realized I had just been given a clean slate, a blank canvas and a great opportunity. So I went for it... 'My' American Dream.

Happy Independence Day Everyone!
I hope you are living 'Your' American Dream, or at the very least in the midst of the adventurous journey on your way there!

Click here to visit Tony Reynolds blog.

Click on the picture below to
visit Tony Reynolds website.

Sentinel by Tony Reynolds

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Art Reflects Life

2008-07-02T14:54:00.015-07:00

Current Events
Recorded on Canvas

In high school I couldn’t stand History classes -- US History, Arizona History, World History … whatever. I’m not positive if it had more to do with the subject matter or the presentation…but I would venture to lean toward the presentation, because I remember being more preoccupied with the teachers psoriasis on his forehead than with the lesson he was teaching. And……his drone voice got me doing the head bob thing. Very embarrassing!

But that all changed in college when I discovered that I could take “ART” History to meet my history requirements. I was so into Art History! Of course, we were still studying the same stuff as we did in World history, except with a twist. The whole “art” aspect of the class kept me interested and attentive. I loved seeing how artists recorded life & history on canvas, or whatever medium they worked in. They recorded everything from major historical events that happened around the world, to the small but meaningful events that happened around their own lives.

click here to see more details about the 'Green Goddess' notecard

My latest painting, Green Goddess, is a record of my small but significant life. Well, the more I think about it I suppose it’s really about more than just my small life, because it’s really about what’s happening in our world these days. Green living.

We often do things unconsciously, and discover later the coincidence. I wanted to do a painting about Green Living, and how inundated my little world (our big world) has become trying to live a green life (which is not a bad thing). So, I did the painting, had it photographed, designed and wrote the words for the notecard, and posted it on my new miligirl website. That same day my daughter, Mikhaila, walked in my office and looked over my shoulder at the “Green Goddess” notecard on my computer. She read the words on the card and stated, “oh my gosh, that me!” I took another look at the card and the image and replied, “Oh my gosh, you’re right!”

The color green has been my favorite color ever since I discovered that it was my father’s favorite color. Then it became my daughter’s favorite color when she discovered it was mine and her grandfather’s favorite color. Mikhaila rarely goes a day without wearing something green. Her friends even tease her about it. Furthermore, I did this painting before Mikhaila got her hair cut and styled just like the image in the painting. The weird part is that she didn’t realize that the hairstyle she chose was just like the image in the painting. Once again, art reflects life. I love it!

Click here to visite the MiliGirl Collection Website

"There are two ways to live, you can live as if nothing is a miracle' you can live as if everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

MiliGirl Note Cards make unique gifts for women. Find and send the perfect "Just Because" greeting card at the MiliGirl Collection online store.

Please share this post with others - Thanks! Melanie Banayat
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Behind the Scenes

2008-06-28T08:26:00.025-07:00

We're Not in Kansas Anymore!

There is so much we don’t know about all the details involved in any business, or undertaking. It isn’t until we literally get behind the scenes ourselves before we can truly come to appreciate what goes into the final presentation.

For a good chunk of time in my life I owned and operated, of all things, a fishing resort up in the Cascade Mountains with an amazing view of Mt. Jefferson right across the lake.

Back in the mid 90’s my husband (at that time) and I came across this piece of Heaven on Earth that was for sale.

I remember walking around the resort glancing at the dinky, half emptied store, the beat up boat dock with about 40 rickety wooden boats, 10 shabby cabins, and numerous other funky out-buildings, plus all the surrounding campgrounds all located on this picturesque lake straight out of an outdoor adventure magazine … and getting caught up in the excitement that I heard in my husbands voice, and the expression of a wishful little boy on his face. Less than a year later there we were – the new owners of a rustic high mountain resort.

Of course, reality hit faster than a New York minute on our very first day. WE WERE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE, DOROTHY!!! It was intensive work to keep that place operating like all was peachy keen to the customer’s eye.

Over the many years of working the resort I discovered that at least once a week during the busy season some new customer that I had never met before would come into the store and tell me that they almost bought that resort when it was up for sale a few years back. Of course they thought they were just talking to the hired help not knowing that I was the owner. They would carry on about this and that in a cocky, bragging fashion all the way up until our discussion revealed that I was the owner. It never seemed to fail -- their reply would usually begin with a deep clearing of the throat, and big, long, OOOOOOOH.

I would venture to guess that most of these men, who almost bought the resort, more than likely didn’t buy it when they realized that it wasn’t the dream business they imagined it being. Maybe they actually came to their senses knowing that they really weren’t going to have any time to pursue their passion for fishing, or hiking, or any other outdoor hobbies or interests.

Being an “ARTrepreneur” is no different. It’s a lot of work, the marketing, the office work, the bookkeeping, the preparation for the exhibitions, the packing, the shipping, the traveling, the ordering, the constant search for representation at art galleries and with other art dealers, the meetings with printers and other various vendors, the set up and break down, and, oh, did I mention the marketing and office work (uhg!), etc, etc, etc… and the art studio becomes quite illusive even though it’s right in front of you – whispering loudly, “What are you so busy doing? Get in here, would you!”

A dear friend of mine once commented to me that she imagined my life as an artist being trendy and romantic -- Leisurely mornings at the local cafe', late night inspirational painting sessions, etc. Then when she helped me break down, re-package and load up my art work and cumbersome display equipment into the back of my truck after a 'low attendance' exhibition I think the expression on her face said it all. She finally saw that the life of an artist wasn't all she imagined it being. Bless her heart.

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How to Collect Art in a Recession

2008-06-23T07:46:00.009-07:00

I just love it when people pull together and think outside of the box, especially when the economy has everyone tightening up their wallets. I discovered a wonderful group of young art collectors who have come up with an affordable, creative, and social way to collect art.

If you think you could never afford to buy fine art – READ ON!

thecollective
Buying, sharing and living with contemporary art.
http://www.the-collective.info/

The Collective is a new, entry-level approach to collecting cutting edge contemporary art for the domestic setting. Enabling its members to share and enjoy works of contemporary art in their homes and tap into stimulating artistic scenes that have traditionally been open to more wealthy collectors.

The Collective aims to:

Nurture the collection of contemporary art in a domestic setting as a more affordable and socially inclusive activity.
Encourage adults, young people and children to build their knowledge of contemporary art by living with it, meeting artists, visiting exhibitions etc.
Build bridges between new audiences, the art market and artists.
Help to grow a larger, more culturally diverse population of collectors.
Encourage direct support for emerging contemporary artists and curators.

Art is generally the last item added to someone's list of discretionary expenditures when times are good, and the first to be lopped when times turn tart and those discretionary dollars commence to curtail. Meanwhile back at the ranch, hardcore art lovers will continue to love art and will stay in the game regardless (they'd rather buy art than eat)-- impending events leaving them more art to choose from, and at better prices than they've enjoyed in years. They couldn't be giddier. – www.artbusiness.com

Click Here to find out about starting your own art collectors group.

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Sweet Child O' Mine

2008-06-19T20:03:00.007-07:00

I love my daughter. Sweet Mikhaila.

I love watching her grow into a beautiful young woman right before my eyes. She just got her driver's permit about two weeks ago. Eeeek! As she's been driving me around everyday I can't help but glance over at her from time to time in amazement. She's now taller than me, and so much more confident than I was at her age. It's her summer break, yet she gets herself up at 6 am every morning to go for her morning run, and she approaches her art with such freedom. I love this. Watching her. Even though she's a young woman now, she will always be my little girl. It made me think of this song.

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Start a Salon

2008-06-19T07:16:00.013-07:00

During this economic crunch I've been online doing my homework like a lot of other people. What to do and what not to do? Don't cut back on advertising & promotion! Do keep yourself out there in the public eye. Etc... etc... etc... There is a lot of good advice to be found. The one piece of advice that I really liked was to join forces!

When I was living in Central Oregon there was a group of artists who joined forces as a co-op with a twist. They didn't have a gallery - instead they partnered with different businesses, galleries, events, and organizations to exhibit their work. So when I moved to Prescott, I figured I would look for such a group to join. No such luck. Ohhhhh. . . .There are plenty of art associations, and gallery based co-ops, but nothing like the group up in Oregon. I didn't want to be tied to a gallery with a large overhead. And I didn't want my focus to be on volunteering a lot of my time on community based charity events. That's all good, and I enjoy donating my art to charitable fund raisers - but I simply can't afford to spend half my time putting those events together. That's a lot of work! And I commend people who do it. Maybe that sounds a bit trite, but I'm trying to make a living here! I'm a full-time artist - making and selling art is what I do.

So I decided that I would form an art group myself. I have never done such a thing in my life. I was apprehensive about it, and wondered if other artists would even understand what I was talking about, since it was an "out of the box" concept -- not your typical co-op. I was right. Most artists didn't really get it. Hmmm? a traveling, nomadic group of artists? No solid foundation? Surprisingly, it has taken quite a while to find artists with quality work and similar professional goals; artists who are devoted to their mediums and determined to advance their careers. I mean, I've discovered that there are a ton of "artists" out there, but most are just part-timers or hobbyists. So, a year and a half later and I have finally formed an excellent group of artists. We are five members strong now, and we plan to remain small (maybe 8 members at most).

What I love most about the group so far is the social aspect. Artists are alone a lot of the time in their work. I hate to admit this, but I've been caught having conversations with myself, or my computer, or with my canvas many times -- the jokes have become commonplace. That's how I know I need to get out more! I have really enjoyed the Salon style meetings that we have. If you don't belong to a group like this already, I would highly recommend it.

Literary Dictionary: salon

salon, a French cultural institution consisting of a weekly social gathering at the private house of an aristocratic lady, at which social, artistic, and scientific questions are discussed. From the early 17th century to the early 19th, several important literary and philosophical salons provided a social base for French writers. The term can also refer to an exhibition of paintings by living artists, so that in a second literary sense the title Salon has been given to an essay on contemporary art and related matters: Diderot in the 18th century and Baudelaire in the 19th both wrote important Salons.

A large room, such as a drawing room, used for receiving and entertaining guests.
A periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction.
A hall or gallery for the exhibition of works of art.

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