Death of a Patron

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Bill-Shawcross-Remembrance-168770336.html

I just found out that William (Bill) Shawcross died! This happened in September but I just found out by email from someone handling his art collection and asking me for names of some of the pictures he has of mine.

Back in the 1980's Bill was my Patron, he bought more of my work than anyone else. He also commissioned a few pictures and was a supporter and friend. He at one time had more than 100 pieces of my work (I do not have an exact count but I am sure it was 100 or more).

He was always happy to critique my work, to give advice and to promote my work. Though I have not seen him in person in many years, he will be missed.

Quick Stained Glass

This past weekend was Darkover Con, I sold 3 pictures, not bad for this con.
I also got a commission to do a Blue Rose stained glass window and was inspired to do it ASAP, so here is "Blue Rose Window", 8 1/2 x 9 1/2, Acrylic on black Canson board. Picture 70. Prints available.

Cyber Monday Special

2013  Limited Edition Calendar
Only 20 have been printed and 5 are already gone. For Cyber Monday I will pay shipping myself so you only pay $20!!

This calendar would make a great gift and if you order now I will ship them out Saturday!

This is an 8 1/2 x 11 professionally printed calendar. The cost is $20 + shipping ($2 for regular shipping, $5 for priority).

Remember the shipping will be covered by me IF you order today!!

Another Gem from Jim

http://www.stonekettle.com/2012/11/its-racism-stupid.html

Prices

I have been asked about prices. The Snow leopard couple I am doing are $200 each and most of my larger (15 x 20 and larger) works sell for $200 to $500 on average.

Simple Picture - smaller than 8 1/2 x 11 start at $30 and go up. Badges - 4 x 5 (simple start at $15) More detailed are $20 (these can be with or without lettering).  Detailed pictures - 8 1/2 x 11 start at $50 and go up. 15 x 20 detailed pictures start at $100 and go up.

Victorian/Steampunk Christmas

Trying to get some new small things done for Darkover http://darkovercon.org/ This is "Santa's Balloon", Acrylic and Micro pen on 3 inch wooden round. It is a Christmas ornament. Original SOLD, prints for sale. Picture 69.

Commission Continues

This is an early step on my next set of commissions. There will be a male and female snow leopard picture that are a set. This is just the early grey scale of the male figure. 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canson board. 

2013 Calendar Now Available

I just got the calendars from the printer, they look great! Another word of praise for Endeavor Printing, they did a great job as usual and got them to me in a week!
I only have 20 of these available and 3 are already pre ordered, so if you want one, order soon!

http://vampyre-nmp.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-calendar-almost-ready.html
This gives you pictures and prices!

New Card Done

I now have the second design for our Christmas cards done. This is very inspired by the works of Brian Froud. This is  "Frost Sprite", 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on blue paper. Original SOLD, prints available. Picture 68.

Next Card Please

I am still trying to get a second Christmas Card design done so I can get them printed in time to send out to people. Here is the Work in progress for the new card . "Frost Sprite", 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic on blue paper. 

This is NOT My Hobby!

I am a professional artist! I do this for a living NOT just for fun!

The reason I am making this post, which I hope most of you think should be unnecessary, is because of comments like these;

"That price is pretty steep for my wallet. I'll wait until the new year and pick one up for cheap."

 "OK I can wait till Feb. $5 is OK for what I can spend. Tnx."
I explained that is less than what I pay to have them printed so he says;

"OK. Well that's just too much for my pocketbook. I'm a musician who don't make a lot of money. Can't you make an exception for a poor guy just this once?"


THEN he asks for a FREE ONE!

"Well could you sell me one of this years calendars for cheap? We got less than 2 months left so maybe you can make me a deal."

I sell my calendars for $20, I just started doing the "normal" year calendar, but I have done one for Pennsic from Aug. to Aug. for the past 10 years or so and I have charged $20 for it for as long as it has been in color! I have not raised my prices and I have done my best to improve quality and reduce my costs so I CAN leave the price at $20!

I do NOT do this as a HOBBY!! I am an artist and I sell my art to make a living. I appreciate EVERYONE who likes my work and I even charge less than I should to my friends or people I feel are not able to pay for originals at the price I should charge...BUT I do this to make money so I can buy things and live and I will NOT lower my already cheap prices on prints! They cos me to make and I can not sell them for less without losing money!

If you think my work is to expensive, good luck getting this quality cheaper from another artist! 

Marriage Equality WIN

28 years ago, 3 days before Christmas, I moved from Illinois to Maryland to be with my "partner" Don. Now, finally, as of January, we will be allowed to be legally married here in Maryland! Now if the Federal Gov. will just recognize that Gay or Straight, ALL marriage is valid and should be recognised we will have a sensible policy in this country!

I am SO happy to be wrong, since I was sure Maryland like all the others states that had voted on Gay rights to marry, would vote against it...but not only did they not vote against it, Maine and a couple of other States voted for Equality!! So I publicly and happily say I WAS WRONG!

Now to figure out when and how we will make the 28 years officially legal!

Holidays Are Here Again

If my other half agrees, this may be one of the Holiday Card designs I use this year. "Reindeer; Winter' Breath", 8 x 10, Acrylic on Canson board. This was inspired by  http://ishaway.nabyn.com/. Their versions of this style are way more complex than what I did, but their art is what inspired this picture. Original and prints for sale. Picture 67.

Swimming New Work

It is another not on my to do list pictures, but at least I did something! Finally finished the merboy picture. I am still not happy with the title, but unless someone gives me a better idea, this is "Smiling Merboy". 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic and Prisma Colors on Canson paper. Original and prints for sale. Picture 66.

2013 Calendar Almost Ready

Since last years calendar sold well I am doing one for 2013. I am taking preorders now! Again I tried to do a nice cross section of my work, all G or PG at worst. This will be an 8 1/2 x 11 professionally printed calendar. The cost is $20 + shipping ($2 for regular shipping, $5 for priority).