Last week, for the first time, I sold one of my drawings. It was spontaneous and (to put it nicely) with much encouragement from Jon. (Jon and I are different in this way. When he gets an idea, even before he’s done thinking about it, he writes about it on his blog. I’m a bit more…well…. some may call it methodical some may call it procrastination, but whatever, it takes me longer to move ahead with something new.)
I sold that first drawing for $10 but quickly realized that if I wanted to sell more drawings I would have to charge more. If I sold them for $10 I’d be making about the minimum wage. So, nervous at the idea of raising the price of my drawings after selling one, I decided to deal with it the way Jon would, by being honest and writing about it. Which I guess, is what I just did. (Woosh, that wasn’t so hard, I’ll have to remember that.)
So I have 4 different drawings that I’m selling. They are all sold. They are $25 each + $5 shipping. They are 9″x 12″, pencil on archival paper. If you’re interested in any of them, just email me here or at [email protected]. I take checks and paypal.
I made “Heal” after visiting Jon’s sister Jane in Western NY. Her giant Newfoundland’s and Leonberger’s were impressive. Being around them was like being in a sea of dogs. I found them to be healing in their affection and just in their presence. Some of the imagery in this drawing comes from Jane’s house, some from our house and the rest are the pieces that hold the story together.
This drawing is called “Home” and began with the flying girl. It’s about having a safe place to step off from. About having a foundation and strong enough center to be able to fulfill my potential. To do what I choose, to fly.
I did this drawing after walking in the woods with Lenore. I’ve become so familiar with the woods behind our house that I feel comfortable enough to wander through them without worrying about getting lost. I realized that before meeting Jon and doing my art, when I would walk in nature, I was always looking for something. Something that was missing in me. But now when I walk in the woods, it’s just about being in nature, experiencing it, being present. It’s a whole new relationship. It was cold and by the time I got home and I was happy to be there, with my love and a cup of hot chocolate.
I did this drawing while walking around the house and looking out the windows. So most of it was done standing up. I was appreciating what I have, acknowledging the ordinary and seeing the beauty and magic in it.
Is “safe” for sale Maria?
Great fun. have you thought of raffling them? You could charge less and would thrill the winner. But of course there may be all sorts of rules and regulations with doing this.
Best wishes for a very Happy New Year and fruitful months to come for both you and John.
Thanks for the idea Erika, it could be a fun thing to do.
Hello Maria!
This is my first comment to your blog! I just wanted to tell you how much I look forward to reading it and how inspiring it is. I started sewing only recently, mainly making curtains and pillows, sticking to straight lines I guess. But your work makes me see and think about new possibilities and areas for growth. Your drawings are beautiful and uplifting, like the rest of your work. Thank you for sharing your work and your process for getting there. With love,
MKW
Thanks MKW. I’m so glad to know you’re out there!
I love all of these, and had it not already found a home, I would have loved to have “Heal” for my own. I love the cheerful pops of yellow, and the chain of stars. They are all beautiful, though, and I am sure the lucky people who bought them are going to so enjoy having them and looking at them every day. The thing about your work that I find the most intriguing and compelling is that every time I look at even the same piece, I notice something different that I didn’t notice before. It’s like each one is a box full of secrets, and depending upon my mood or what’s going through my mind at the time, I notice different things.
Thanks Brooke
Hi Maria,
I absolutely love your drawings! They are so full of truth and whimsy and movement. I would like to have the one called “My Woods” and I can send you a check. I know Jon has a post office box but I did not save it. Is that where I should send it and could you post it again?
Thank you.
Peggy
Thanks so much Peggy, but I’m sorry it’s already sold. I’ll be doing more maybe you’ll see another you like.
I like the drawings. They remind me of The Hobbit for some reason.
Love your sketches!! I really should start drawing again myself..you obviously get so much pleasure from it..it is reflected in your sketches!!
Do start drawing again Chris! It’s nice to know you can see the joy I feel when I’m drawing.
You have a very sweet way of telling a story, or more likely, expressing what is inside. My daughter is in art school and I often tell her she would be a wonderful book illustrator. She shrugs and treats it like a “last’ option, as if it is the “I wasn’t good enough” idea. BUT, I remember as a child, how comforting illustrations were to me. Of course, that is back in the day when playing a record and paging through the images was a that. Imagine, learning Disney only from a book!
Well, this is a one rambling way of saying I think you would make a wonderful book illustrator (and I mean that as a compliment 😉
Thanks Margaret, I take it as a compliment. I know how you daughter feels though. I once felt the same. Now I’m thrilled to be able to do my art in any form I can.
Maria, these drawings are so interesting and beautiful, I love all the different aspects and textures, not to mention the little spots of yellow here and there. Quite lovely really.
Thanks Jean.