Free Shipping on my Greeting Cards this weekend!

Personally, I love to receive snail-mail. There is something quite charming about randomly getting a handwritten note from family and friends. This holiday season make someones day by sending them a custom art card created by VanCannonArt.

Inside Reads:

 Also choose "Happy Thanksgiving" or Blank

Pick from two different designs:

or

All greeting cards are also high quality fine art prints made with archival ink. That means they not only are pretty to mail a friend, but they can frame it when they're finished! Pretty cool, huh!

 This weekend I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all greeting card orders. Offer starts now and ends Monday evening(Nov. 10) These orders will ship Tues. morning.  Purchase Now. (click here)                    

just a fly on the wall (part II)

I got up early to walk the beach. I love combing for shells and things... I couldn't believe it but those painters were already out there! They must take their painting very seriously. Maybe it was the crisp morning air that gave me the courage, but I started to talk to the one in the pink jacket. She mentioned that they were going to paint in Pacific Grove later and that they paint often all over the state. She had a special name for her painting - plain air? I assume its a fancy word for painting outside or something?

Call me a stalker, but I totally went to Pacific Grove that afternoon. It was part because I am intrigued by the painters and part because of the way they described that area. It did not disappoint! There were all these craggy rocks jutting up from the shoreline. Waves breaking on some and spraying blasts of water into the air.  Gorgeous orange and red ice plants covered the grounds surrounding the beach. 

I did find my painters, but decided to watch from a distance this time. Amazing how quickly they can describe a place with paint. I loved all the pieces! 

I enjoyed sitting along the shoreline for a few hours. I even saw this adorable sea otter playing among the rocks! The sun was shining and wind calmly blowing. Before I left I approached the artists hoping they had websites. Lucky for me they did and they mentioned that they sell their works too. (www.vancannonart.com, www.natalielundeen.com, www.artist-patris.com)When I get back home I'm going to check them out. It would be nice to have something hanging to remind me of this retreat. No matter how crazy life gets I can just look at those beach scenes and let the memories take me there. 

just a fly on the wall (part one)

The three women trudged through the sand with big back packs and weird shaped boxes in hand. Their pace quickened as they reached the shoreline. After they dropped their things in the sand they wandered around the beach - almost like they were looking for shells or something... Soon they retrieved their boxes and wandered off. I soon realized that they were painters. Those weird boxes were portable easels. I sat at the top of the sand dune for a while and watched. The wind started to pick up and temperature drop, but they seemed determined to stick it out and paint. My curiosity  got the best of me and I wandered down the beach to take a look. Why can't I be a fly on the wall?

As I approached I couldn't believe how much they had accomplished in such a short amount of time! The one in the pink mixed beautiful pastel colors and added the people walking on the beach. The one in the hat was painting the sand dunes. How cool that they both were facing the same direction and took such different approaches! Another painted the waves rolling in. She used a variety of brilliant blues and greens to capture the essence of the magnificent ocean. The wind was blowing through my hair, I could taste the salty air on my tongue. The constant repetition of the waves was soothing. I came to the beach to get away, to retreat. These artists captured my moment on their canvases - a perfect reflection, impression, and desire.

I overheard one artist say they were coming back tomorrow. Maybe I'll come back too. They didn't seem to mind me watching and it was fun to see them in action. 

Don't miss out - Part II coming soon to an inbox near you. 

Visit www.vancannonart.com to see more works from Plein Air Monterey 2014

Frisco Plein Air Day

I dropped off my paintings for the Alumni Auction at Academy of Art on Friday. It was fun to be in the city during all the World Series hype. Go Giants! After dropping off my work I made my way to North Beach (my old stomping grounds) and found a spot to set up my easel. It was a gorgeous fall day - Perfect painting weather.

North Beach, San Francisco is a wonderful place to plein air paint. Just start walking up a hill and look backwards to find a spot. This one was perfect for me since I found parking :), found shade, and most importantly was captivated by the view. 

Plein air pieces are quick impressions, a response. I used a limited palette and payed close attention to the values. Palette knife in hand, I finished up the buildings with some thick strokes of paint. It really helped bring volume to the layers of city buildings. 

The day was young so I made my way to Crissy Field. This is another great spot with Golden Gate views, Mount Tam in the background, and lots of adventure seekers getting out their kites and getting in with their boards. Did I mention there is also free parking?

The best part of painting this small 6x8 was watching the moody clouds roll in and out while I worked. It kept the piece fresh and me working fast. Sail boats, barges and kite boarders skirted around in the water as I worked.

Sitting by the Bay could be one of my favorite things. I love the wind, people watching, fresh air, and God / man made beauty! 

Happy Day - I am thankful to be so close to San Francisco! This city got into my heart and I feel energized every time I visit. Maybe you'll join me next time to #pleinairSF #pleinaircalifornia

To see finished works please check my website (www.vancannonart.com)under the Gallery Tab. I will be posting them soon. Works will also be for sale under Storefront Tab. 

Art collector and enthusiast?

Do you love to surround yourself with beautiful things? Do you try to express yourself through your surroundings? Collecting art can tell a lot about a person, like fashion, its a projection of oneself. There are so many reasons to collect artwork. Sometimes the pieces I gravitate towards are bright in color and mood. Having these paintings in my surroundings make me happier on a daily basis. Other pieces I collect because they seem to touch a chord in my soul - like the piece was created just for me.

I snapped this photo in Washington DC this summer at The Museum of Fine Art. John Singer Sargent is one of

 those artists that takes my breathe away and elevates me to a higher place. 

Often, this is my goal when I create a painting. I want others to be able to relate, reminisce and have introspective thoughts and feelings.

Dancing At The Sock Hop, Oil on Canvas (click to view in store)

Although I often try to convey uplifting emotions with my figurative work, sometimes they come across more reserved. As we all know, life is not a bed of roses. These pieces we can relate to because they are rooted in our humanity.

Day Dream, Oil on Canvas (click to view in Store)

www.vancannonart.com - vancannonart@gmail.com

5 tips to keep going when the going gets tough

There are times as a professional painter that I don't always feel like getting into the studio and creating. This could create a problem since I rely on new paintings to sell and show. The longer I stay away the further behind I get on my projects and deadlines. My experience however, has helped me learn a few tricks that keep me on track in the studio. 

1. Get into a routine. 

Everyone knows how hard it is to start a workout routine and stick with it. Those who succeed at working out regularly usually refer to a daily routine. They get up in the morning or after work and immediately work out. For artists its no different. Make a schedule of when and how long your going to work, then set your alarm and get into the studio. 

Set your alarm and get into the studio!

2. Plan ahead. 
Sometimes the lack of an artists production is due to the lack of projected ideas. You have to think ahead! I always have at least 4-5 ideas for a painting brewing. I also have the photo references ready so I can jump into a work once I finish another. I keep a few sketch books lying around so I can jot down ideas as they come. When my ideas are getting low or I need more photo references, I set aside a day to take photos, visit a museum or gallery, and or hit up the library for some quite research time. 

I also have photo references ready so I can jump into new work once I finish another.

3. Make a daily to-do list
Make a list of everything you need to get done related to creating art and the art business for the next few weeks. Include deadlines, teaching engagements, client calls, printing, marketing, etc. Then number them in order of importance. Mark out what your going to get done each day of the week. At the beginning of each day, refer to the list and work your way down it. When you complete your tasks for the day make sure to take a little time to have fun (however it looks for you). This will help keep your art business in balance. Taking time to meet your relationship, physical, and mental needs is important for you, your family and friends. They will be more supportive the times you have to work late and you will be more energized to get back in the studio the following day because you took time to re-energize. 

4. Set a deadline and stick to it
Be realistic and fair, but give yourself a deadline. As it approaches evaluate your progress. You may need to cut out a few social calls or rearrange other obligations to complete the deadline, but its important you do! Not only will it give you a sense of pride, but it will also keep you on point with your goals. You will be showing galleries, museums, curators, and collectors that you can deliver while also increasing sales opportunities. 

Galleries will see that you can deliver on time, increasing sales opportunities.

5. What is it all for?
When is the last time you evaluated why you are creating? Why do you create? Do you have a series your working on, if so how close are you to completion? Is this series going to a gallery? If no, will you approach  a gallery with the series? Write down a few questions and answers that will help define your reasons for creating. With the big picture in mind and end goal in site, it will be easier to push through and continue to be productive.

What are your goals and reasons for creating?

Upcoming Class Opportunities

As I talk with my students many express frustration and a bit of fear when it comes to finishing a painting. I hear, "I get to a certain point and don't know how to proceed." Some of those emotions are just part of the art process....The key is to keep painting, find a place to learn and receive feedback, and learn from your mistakes.

I've organized a set of classes that help students learn key steps in the painting process. I don't just step up to the canvas and start slapping paint on - I do a lot of thinking and planning ahead of time. This planning time, in my opinion, is just as important as the painting time. From Start To Finish helps students work through these steps with guidance. As they work through a project of their own interest, I am there to help them climb and make it to the other side of the hill.

Classes meet on Thursday's from 10-2 at Patris Studio and Gallery - 3460 2nd Ave. Sacramento, CA. We will be meeting October 23, November 6, and 13. Please email me for registration and to receive a supply list. Also mark your calendar. I will be teaching a figure class this winter. 

Still a few spots open in my Speed Studies Workshop with Folsom Art Association. Please read more and sign up with Folsom Art Association -Click Here

"An extremely talented artist and teacher with a formal art background, Abby is able to provide the guidance needed for her students to advance in each of their styles. She devotes a good deal of time to each easel giving helpful critiques and suggestions in a supportive, friendly way. Abby's classes are always a great learning experience and a lot of fun." - Alison Bligh

"If you want to paint faster with confidence, Abigail VanCannon is the teacher for you.She has a gifted way of coaxing her students to lay on paint with speed and confidence! A talented, kind and giving artist who knows how to teach!" - Ann Larsen