Duomo Grande

So I'm continuing to work on the Murals by Amy project, and it really seems to be coming along! I've made sketches for Dee's mural that I'm emailing her tonight. I'm hoping to start her mural by Monday of next week. I'll make a final drawing of how the wall will look, buy supplies this weekend, and then hopefully start Monday!

Also, I am finishing Steph's mural by the end of July. No more fooling around. In exchange for her mural, she agreed to make me a website, so as long as I follow through this month, I hope to have a professional website as well! Here is how it is looking so far...

That is the original drawing (well, a copy...) on the right hand side that I'm referencing (you can check it out here, along with some of my other works from college). I drew that in pen and ink my senior year in college. The mural is further along now than in this photo, but I had to take a break one day because I made a mistake on an angle. Honestly, not a big deal and won't make a difference once it's complete. It was just a frustrating mistake after so many hours of success. However, it is still looking good!!

Aside from that, I'm still dropping off postcards here and there. My friend, Amy, from high school took a bunch of postcards to leave around Doylestown. Awesome.

Besides that, still working on the plan for Italy. Boccella and Bucci are coming too for however long, so I happily won't be traveling entirely alone. I still plan on doing my painting/art thing, of course, but at least I'll have people there to talk to about it all!

Well Duh.

I can't believe was a goof I can be. I have yet to announce to whoever reads this that I am currently exhibiting 2 paintings and 5 drawings in a small gallery space on Arcadia University's campus. The new space is in the basement of the Landman Library, straight toward the back on the right. It is the first showing the new space has hosted, and it is an alumni show. Last I heard, the gallery was planning to be dedicated to Professor Judy Taylor, the head of the Photography Dept at AU, who passed away suddenly this winter.

Anyways, if you happen to be around Arcadia... or even if you aren't... stop by and check it out! PS-- The photo was taken while I was hanging everything... that is why there is a random folding chair...

New Hope and New Ideas

So today was more officially my first big day of promoting. I dropped off postcards in a few locations (not nearly as many as I had hoped, but I'll keep working on it). I visited Langhorne, New Hope, and Jenkintown. Unfortunately I spent way more time driving than I did talking. Something I SERIOUSLY need to work on. However, you can find my postcards at Langhorne Coffeshop, as well as a few shops in New Hope, and Allegheny Art in Jenkintown.

New Hope was a bit more disappointing than I thought it would be. A lot had to do with the fact that at least half of all the stores were still closed at 11:30. Also, I went into a holistic salon/spa and the woman in charge needed to see a portfolio... which I didn't bring with me. Duhhh. So there is something I should really work on, so I can bring it with me and be way more prepared when asked for it. However, the day was not a total bust. New Hope is as lovely as ever, I found at least half a dozen great restaurants I want to try, and peddle boats! I had no idea you could rent little peddle boats to play in the river! Definitely something to keep in mind. I'm on a tight budget so I couldn't do much shopping, but I would have loved to.

Besides that, I'm still just working on promoting the new mural business. My cousin is interested in a commission for something for his wife, and two other people are interested in murals. I'm still working on getting my practice-wall, and still have a painting in the works in my basement studio.

So, by the end of this weekend I'm hoping to have a fully finished portfolio to bring along with me to different businesses. No point in slowing down now, right?

Sundresses and Sunburn

So today was supposed to be Day 1 of Mural Madness, which I guess it kind of was but not to the extent I hoped. I meant to drop off postcards in coffee shops, salons, and interior decorating locations in Glenside, Langhorne, and New Hope but only made it through Glenside. I have sunburn on the back of my legs so bad that sitting in a car in a dress for so long was agonizing. So, onto Plan B... which is aloe, aloe, aloe and a second attempt tomorrow. However, I did make it to Glenside, leaving postcards in Elsy's and the Keswick Coffee House. If you happen to be in those neighborhoods, catching a train, grabbin' some joe, listening to some live music, then pick up a postcard and consider a hand painted, custom mural by yours truly.

So tomorrow's plan is to getup nice and early, dress nice, and make a whole day out of visiting these places to network a bit. Also, my murals aren't limited to just homes. I'm more than willing to work with businesses and restaurants as well! My prices are reasonable and I am more than OK with working with your budget too. I know times are tough and artwork may not be the first thing on everyones mind, so I'll work with the budget you have to give you a fabulous mural.

Aside from all of this, beach weekend was lots of fun and long overdue. Besides the sunburn covering the back half of me, I loved every bit of it. Now, onto the next thing!

only moving forward

So I have done a lot of thinking lately. Lots. And I've come to a lot of really important realizations (some on my own, some with other peoples help) and made some decisions. Here goes...

1. It's time to let go of the people who have decided to let go of me. Why mope over old friends and relationships when the only way you can move is forward. If these people have chosen not to have me in their life, then why would I want to be around that anyway? More importantly, NEVER let go of the ones that have stuck by through it all, and the ones that you can catch up with so easily even if it's weeks or months since you've seen each other. They are the keepers.

2. It's time to be more proactive with my art. No... really. I've bought a bunch of new brushes and paints for painting in my basement. My dad and I are working on a space switch so I can have a real studio space in said basement. There are a few things I need to make it totally successful in there (a table for my palette and brushes to sit on, an electric tea kettle, some spotlighting...) but it's happening. Besides these plans forthcoming, I've started another painting and I think I like it so far. I'm quickly and semi-unconsciously starting an Italy series (please see #4 for more about Italia).

3. It's also time to be more proactive in my career as an artist. I really like my job. It is creative, fun, stressful, demanding, and I learn a lot. But my career is as an independent artist and I have to start acting like it. So I recently made a facebook page to advertise myself with (Murals by Amy Facebook), ordered 1000 postcards to soon be distributed in coffeeshops, salons, and interior decorating businesses throughout southeastern PA, am making flyers to be hung anywhere else, and am networking the crap out of all of this. My parents and I are working out a space/wall I can turn into my mural-practicing/experimenting wall. And I have a few people willing to mentor me in this, and two already willing to give me a shot at this. Things are ONLY moving forward.

4. It's time to go back to Italy. For several weeks. My way. I don't know if I'll be living alone or if friends will come along or what, but it's happening regardless. And I have only one item on my agenda while I'm there... paint. That's all. Paint big pieces, small watercolors, even pen or pencil sketches... and sell them. And if I don't paint that day, I will take lots of pictures of things I want to paint. Also, to cook. And to see some new places, and some old places. But, without a doubt in my mind or any more excuses, this is going to happen. This spring. This is the one thing that hasn't left my mind since I graduated. I've changed my mind on what paths of art I want to take a dozen times, thought and rethought about grad school, changed and added jobs, made new friends and lost old ones... but throughout all of these different decisions and paths, Italy has stayed as one. And if I don't go now (soon), I know I never will. So it is literally now (soon) or never.

I guess that's it. There are three things on my serious list: paint, murals, Italy. And they can all be summed up by me moving only forward.

Well that was a bit deep and serious... so let's end on a lighter note. I will be at the beach allllll weekend coming up and I am MORE than excited! Bring on the vitamin D rays, the ocean, and the margaritas!!!

Oh, also as of 20 minutes ago, it is my birthday!! What a good day to make resolutions and decisions. 24 is going to be a good and eventful year... I am sure.

Important stuff forgotten....

I almost forgot... well, I did forget for about 12 hours until I woke up this morning. If you ARE interested in a mural, and WOULD like to contact me, here are a few ways to do it...

Murals by Amy on Facebook

Email: kitzmurals@gmail.com

website soon to come...

New goals and ventures

So once again, several months later, I post another entry. Things have gotten more hectic, but also less hectic... strange how that happens. However, I am even more focused and determined to work on home murals professionally. I finished one in my parents kitchen, am working on a mural-on-canvas for a friend in exchange for a real website, and am starting one in my bedroom (which I plan on painting over and over again, depending on what I feel like seeing... a fake window to other lands... pretty cool, right?)

I'm rather pleased with how the mural in the kitchen turned out. It's simple and cute. Mom already wants more in other places around the kitchen. I'm 99% finished this one... two bottles need corks in them and it's done. Steph's mural is coming along too. I'm planning to have it finished by the end of June (and hopefully my website by then as well).

Here are some photos to enjoy

** If you are viewing this page because you're interested in having a mural in your home, I'd love to hear from you. I'll send you as many references and photos as you'd like.

Not much else new. Still at Trader Joe's makin' signs. I've actually been awake for so long I'm going to sadly cut this entry short. I'll post again soon though.