I have been day dreaming about a spot on Main Street to open up that we can afford. This week was the week! So I am plunging in without much of a plan. I could never do this if I had to make a living at art so I am very thankful for the support and interest that Gene gives me and my art work.
Anyway, back to my news. Today, I signed a contract for a studio/gallery in downtown Bastrop. I have the front space with a window facing Main Street, a very nice place. The building is all art. The Bastrop Fine Arts Guild occupies most of the back area. One other space is a photographer printer who is also in the Guild. (If you go to the home page of the Guild, you will find a photo of the building. My studio will be the window under the corner of the red canopy -- it was an eye glass shop)
I had a studio downtown Bastrop a few years ago in this same building. My studio did not have a presence on the street, it was in a back room with no outside windows. I really enjoyed making art there. I loved that people walked in and were so interested to find me painting there.
I was a member of the Guild at that time and I spent way too much time on Guild business instead of my own. I was a founding member of the group and very involved. I'm pretty sure I spent twenty hours a week on Guild activities. I did the website, all e-mail, mailing lists, printing of any Guild name cards, painting tags, receipts, publicity, etc. Ah, I was Treasurer and Secretary for a while, too. I really did like doing that, but it was taking all my time and artistic energy. I did that for about 6 years.
The Guild was very good for me in many ways. I improved as an artist and learned about the business end of art, publicity and made some very dear friends. When I finally resigned, we moved my studio to our home where I had a much better place to paint with windows! It has been a while and now we shall see if I can put twenty hours a week in my studio and art work!
I will post some photos soon. We will travel to New Mexico to be with Gene's Mom for Easter Week. It will give me time to make some plans! I will let you know when the grand opening will be. I hope you can come!
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About Me
- Jo Castillo
- Bastrop, Texas, United States
- I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill
16 comments:
Wow! That is exciting. I have thought often of doing something similar. Let us know if you have a gallery opeing.
I hear you on the art guild business.
This is great Jo! I am very happy for you and wish you the best of luck! A gallery opening sounds good too :)
JO!
That is awesome! I'm so happy for you. I remember you saying a few years ago that you would really like a studio somewhere - and look there it is! The building looks great.
I think you'll be having so much fun in there that you will definitely be in it for 20 hours or so a week! :D
Congrats!
So happy for you, Jo, you deserve this wonderful treat! You've put in beaucoup hours for Austin Pastel Society, probably as much as you did years ago for the Guild, so I'm sure you must be ready for some time to JUST PAINT!!!! Let us know when you're open so we can all come see you.
Bag Blog, thank you! I always think of the Guild when I read your guild stories, too. Ha.
Johanne, thank you so much. I will let you know!
Rose, Thanks!! Spur of the moment is not always a good plan, but I will work on it!
Susan, thank you. APS duty was not nearly as involved. I think of Libby for APS!! Hope to see you soon. Come out and paint!
Wonderful news!!! Congratulations! Now I'll have to definitely push my hubby for a trip to Texas. I checked out the building and it looks super...I can just imagine you in there creating.
Thank you so much, Joan. I look forward to your visit.
Looking forward to the opening. 'Hope it doesn't conflict with Longhorn baseball, though! :)
Joanna, you are so funny. I have my priorities! Hook-em Horns! See you at the opening.
JO!!!! I'm so excited and happy for you! This is great. I wish you every success.... and many happy hours painting!
Thank you, Teresa! I'm excited. We are traveling for a week so maybe I can make some plans. Ha.
Whoo Whoo!! Congrats Jo, you deserve it, have fun and schmooze those clients.. I know they will love your work.
I think a showcase area for it will be just the shot !
Rae
Oh yay Jo!! I'm so happy for you!! I know that you will truly enjoy it.
What exciting news!
Hi Rae, thank you so much. You will have to come out to the country one of these days and paint with me!
Kasie, thank you. Maybe it will get me organized again. Hugs.
Jo, what fabulous news! Congratulations! The building looks great! I am so happy for you! Good luck and best wishes! Will be looking for the grand opening announcement!
Jo, this is great. A proper studio space with windows and facing street all for your own enjoyment. !!! I am so happy for you and hope one day I can pay a visit. Looking forward to the photos of the studio.
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