Hello to all

Kim Balmain · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:12 pm Post subject: Hello to all

Hey all, Just thought I should drop in to say Hey and let everyone know I am still alive and painting. I have moved back home to Hughesdale to look after mum. As much as I have often thought I should come in and aquaint myself it has been a very difficult 3 years so far trying to get a grip on mums dementia. Not an easy feat and think I will need a padded cell by time it is over. I use the stress as a damn good reason to run away to the studio and paint. So with mumsettled infront of the TV and the baby monitor on - I lose myself in my painting. Oh The best of all is being back at the family studio. Great lighting, Great space and soooo relaxing.

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Wow! You have a lot to deal with, I'm impressed that you can get any painting done at all.
Good luck. Very Happy

amclark · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Canberra

hi, I agree, it shows a lot of dedication. personally I really struggle to paint if I'm not in the right head space. Of course, if you've got a nice studio to escape to... well then.

Kim Balmain · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:46 am Post subject: Re - Hello to all

Thanks . It helps to be a night owl. Even on days that are busy as dealing with mum - I can still retreat to the studio once she's tucked away in bed for the night. I have been advertising the studio this year. The process of picking up students is slowly happening and I now have 19 students. I tried a letterbox drop - heading out early morning before mum woke up. The Hughesdale area is small pickings. I wonder if the economic difficulties is playing a hand.
I did 2 childrens holiday workshops in July and picked up 3 new students from it and they have spread the word. It still amazes me that personal referral works better than advertising.
I have placed an articles ans pic about getting started in the pastels discussion. Do have a read and check out the great results you can achieve.

pugwash · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 1380 Location: Perth

Hi Kim. I printed out 100 leaflets and stuck them in letterboxes in the kennel zone near us. Every house in the zone has multiple dogs yet I didn't get one commission from it. Then I painted a dog for a lady two streets away and got eight referrals from it! Word of mouth works.

ocker1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2008 Posts: 775 Location: NZ

hey Cap'n I did similar with posters in vets and clubs , got nothing
But this year word of mouth has brought me 23 portraits and 8 dog

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Kim Balmain · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 10:38 pm Post subject: Re - Hello to all

Yep - Dont eat the dogs.

Isn't word of mouth fantastic.
Regarding commissions - sometimes when sales are a bit slow and commissions are lacking - I will see someones pet or child and take a liking to doing a portrait. I usually open the conversation with the fact that I am an artist and would love to have the child or pet as a subject. It makes them feel proud. Then I offer them a portrait in return. That done and delivered opens a stream of commissions.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

Hi Kim, WOW. You are Mother of the year/Woman of the Year. Hats off to you for all your family dedication!!! Though I have no dealings with my family member with dementia, I can understand how difficult a carer's job is. I hope you are receiving support for you too (both financially and mentally). Please take care of yourself. As well as being a mum to your own children, and keeping up with your artistic profession, you have more than 3 full time jobs on your hands.

Pop in when you can and keep us informed. I like that you feel like you can escape through your art, I know I am like amclark in that I have to be feeling good internally to create art.

Kim Balmain · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:48 pm Post subject: Re - Hello to all

Oh gee thanks Chrissy, It's nice to hear such support. Yes I receive support for being mum's carer. Once the student level is improved that may change. You know what it's like. Benefits decrease as the income improves.
I am also having councelling to help me deal with the dementia. Not that the psycologist gives me much to work with, but it is good to have someone to vent my frustraltions to.
I am preparing for an exhibition next March at Oakhill Gallery in Mornington. Myself and 3 other artists. Have decided to have some fun with my art and display 4 differnt styles of art - one for each wall and my section in the corridor. Being a realist of the traditonal school I would have to hang a selection of my favourites - a portrait, a pet study - both for possible commission work - a couple of seascapes and a couple of city scenes. I thought maybe a tram or two. Wall 2 will be contemporary florals. Wall 3 is for moderns that illuminate with colour and visual effects - These are close up sections from nature. Wall 4 is my frustration wall - the style is burnt offerings.
I figure that now after so many years of slogging it out with the realism, I can afford to have fun in creating new styles and ideas for subject matter.