Getting my Group On - Finding Tribes

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have secured an hour-long spot with Alyson Stanfield from Art Biz Blog. She is to artists what the dog whisperer is to.. well, dogs. If you don't know her book "I'd Rather Be in the Studio" you really have some catching up to do in artist marketing. She is a guru and she is fun!

We artists kicked it up

After the hour, many of the artists that consulted with her came back for dinner and a little bonding. We completely debunked the stereotype that artists prefer to be alone! Someone commented during our evening that it was great to be with her tribe. We had all just met, but we shared similarities and felt connected (tribe). It was glorious to be in each others company for a few short sweet hours.

My point is that seeking supportive tribes is important to your growth and having many overlapping tribes, like ripples in a pond, creates a supportive network.

I savor time with my tribes, even if they aren't in person as often as I would like.

If you are shy I encourage you to go out to different groups and meet people across a wide variety of interests. Some of my longer friendships are from both non-artist groups and artist groups. One of the most helpful group has been for me has been the FSU Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans-Families group.

How many different tribes do you have and have been the most helpful or mentoring to you? Please share in the comments below.

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Auction Benefits Red Cross, NFAC Heron at DeLeon Springs

Finally entering the Nibblefest (Themed) Art Contest! It's held on Ebay every month.. Just do a search for this month's theme "Trees" take a look around and then come back. I'll wait.



So I've entered... it's exciting because every auction starts at $0.99! (Those of you who didn't search eBay for NFAC, go on, do it now!) Click on this direct link for my auction!

"Heron at DeLeon Springs", Giclee,©VictoriaPageMiller, eBay auction

Okay... so there are a lot of entries! They all can start on the 20th of the month but must complete by the 27th. That's really it. I've entered a reproduction of my "Heron at DeLeon Springs" oil painting. Before you get all persnickety about it being a Trees theme versus a Bird theme... might I just say that the heron is walking amongst the trees. Well he is! Looking for his breakfast. It could have been a Breakfast theme. Or an Omelet theme and I would have been fine. He could be having it his way. Or he could be lovin' it.

The important part is that any money (even if it is $0.99!) raised by my auction will be directly donated to the American Red Cross. They've been busy lately. They are always busy and I want them to continue to do the important work that they do.

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"Lasting Impressions" Oil Painting Full Reveal

Lasting Impressions, Oil on Canvas, 40 x 30", ©Victoria Page Miller

You can see some of the progressive steps to get to this final stage here, here and here. This is a close up of the two figures in front. This is the most complex scene I've attempted so far. I wanted to push myself and this painting is the result of that effort.

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"Lasting Impressions" Close Up Oil Painting Preview

My former work in progress painting ,featured progressively here, here and then here has been finished, dried and titled "Lasting Impressions"! It is currently sitting in the 1350 West Art Gallery waiting to be installed for the Americana Realized opening this Friday night. I do hope you will come and enjoy.

I'll reveal the complete complete painting once post-processed.. but in the meantime, here is a closeup of a key portion that was previously in undertones.

closeup detail in Lasting Impressions, oil, ©Victoria Page Miller

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Untitled Work in Progress Oil Painting Day 3

I worked on developing some of the dark values, over which mid- and light values will go. You know, working from back to front. You can see this playing out in the hose, little structure, and the foliage to the right in the mid-ground. I also adjusted some of the dark values in the background.

Work in Progress, Untitled, Oil, ©Victoria Page Miller

Link to Work in Progress Untitled Oil Painting Day 2

Link to Work in Progress Untitled Oil Painting Day 1



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Untitled Ranch Oil Painting Part 2 Work in Progress

This is how I started this early afternoon. I got off to a later start than usual, but I was reacting to unimportant emergencies. You know, the house wasn't burning, but I had to put out some fires in a manner of speaking unrelated to art. Since Part 1, you can see that I worked mainly on deepening values in the large shadow in the foreground and developing some more depth in the main tree. I also started laying in beginning washes for the girl and the dog.

Work in Progress, Untitled,Oil, ©Victoria Page Miller

Link to Untitled Ranch Oil Painting Part 1

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"Americana Realized" Exhibit at 1350 West Gallery Save the Date 4/12

Pleased to announce that I will be exhibiting at the "Americana Realized" Exhibit at the 1350 West Gallery at Carey Hand Ross Parker in Orlando, Florida. The opening reception to meet the Artists, enjoy live music and Hors d'hoeuvres will be on Friday, April 12th from 5pm to 8pm. I hope to see you there!

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