I graduated in art in 1973 from Oregon State University. Married soon after, we started a family, and any art took a back seat to raising three children. To help with the bills, I taught art classes at a local junior college, taught aerobics, as well as participated in some retail shows with my art and art prints. Years later, when finally empty-nested, we opened an art gallery in Bend Oregon, with my art, and art from my favorite artists. We were living in Olympia Washington, and decided to move to Bend two years later, as also had older parents that needed some assistance. A retail store, even with an employee, takes all the time one has, and I was frustrated at not having time to paint (or have a life!) When our lease was up, we closed shop, and it was wonderful! However, I jumped back on board to make my art "work for me" so eventually could have an income while painting.
I had sold wholesale to art and framing galleries for years, and went to some retail art shows, but still needed to expand to make a decent living that afforded me some free time. As a professional artist, I discovered that the "art" that was wanted by museum, high end galleries, was"serious" art. I complied, but wasn't having much fun, and really liked painting my friends, drinking wine, eating chocolate, going on diets, and even romping through and slurping oysters. I know what it's like to be on endless diets, fight grey hair, drink lemon drops with girlfriends, be silly, and dance mindlessly to old rock and roll.
Women, regardless of background, race, economic status, etc, all share common traits. I like to paint these....the female "woo hoo!" factor if you will... When attending an art show, I would sell circles around everyone else, elicitng belly laughs and shrieks of "FINALLY!" I had an agent in New York that loved my work, but said it was too "sexy" for mass market or licensing. But women ARE sexy! After years of requests, I decided to fly to China and start my own giftware company, using my "wild tasteful women" art. The company there is run by women, which I find a plus. We came out with a line of dessert plates, mugs, coasters, and tapas plates. I toured the factory to make sure it was clean, good to the workers, and did good work. That was exactly one year ago, which meant I was starting my company during the biggest recession we've had since the depression. BUT, we are doing well, selling well, and I am now supporting my husband who was a building contractor. (NO work in central Oregon!) Not being a "business" person, every new step is a learning experience.
