It's true! It's been a long time coming, but I finally have an Etsy shop. It's important to me that people outside the Portland area have a way to find some of my available art. It's so aggravating to WANT to purchase something handmade only to hit a road block. I know! I'm an art lover myself...and I've been there! A lot. When I'm ready to buy art it seems too often I can't find the prices or the details or even a way to fork over some cold hard cash without sending an inquiry. In fact, some of my favorite artists have lost out on sales. Not because I said "Well, screw it!" But because I'm just more of an immediate satisfaction, 'purchase on a whim after a glass of wine' sort of gal. I'll try again another time, artists. So be ready! Sadly, that makes it VERY ironic that here I've been on the flipside all this time--creating obstacles for my OWN collectors. Those days are over! What will you find in my Etsy shop? Welp, here's what I can confidently promise for now: You can absolutely buy my art on a whim! Sometimes there might be one item for sale. Sometimes there might 20. But my Etsy shop will be your spot for impulse buys! If you have an Etsy shop, I'd love to see it. If you have tips to make the Amy McLain experience better and like to share, tell 'em to me! Until next time, here is my (totally unofficial) favorite animal video. I can relate! I know we all can. Animals are effin' cool. Over the weekend I went to two great artist talks at Guardino Gallery! Samyak Yamauchi samyakyamauchiart.com I know Sam personally and I know her process well. It was still a joy to see her talk. Because she's a joy. Dave Benz (aka Benz & Chang): benzandchang.com I was familiar with Benz & Chang's art, but not as familiar with the person behind it. I now see Dave’s art in an entirely different way! So that’s always super cool. But what I took away on a personal level are two really basic concepts, one from each of their talks: Sam talked about an instructor she had once who encouraged that if you’re painting intuitively and an oversized head or hand or even a big shoulder emerges...just ALLOW it to be a big hand or a big shoulder! Simple but profound for how and why I paint. I think it's great advice for powering through some of the roadblocks I put up for myself. Occasionally I allow it to become less fun...and no one has more fun painting than Sam! Somewhat similarly, Dave talked about hands. He's one of the rare artists who ENJOYS painting hands. And he's great at it! He added that, particularly while he was learning, he followed the old rule of ‘a bad hand is better than no hand at all’. Whaaaat?!? Why haven't I heard this before? It's now written on my easel in Sharpie. Again simple and profound, which is exactly how I like to keep my art education so that I never lose the fun! That being said, my Linus Pauling piece was the first time I’d ever attempted REAL hands…because realistic hands require a ton of practice that I don't intend to do. BUT... going forward I will aim to never INTENTIONALLY hide the hands just because I don’t 'know how' to do them. I tried to find examples of other hands I've attempted and ...well, I came up short. So here's a cowboy with a cig and a finger gun! (Also a reminder that some cowboys like to wear lipstick.) This is one of my favorite pieces and it's available, email me if you'd like to have it! Click the social media icons above or here are my handles:
Email: amymclainart@gmail.com Instagram: @amymclainart Twitter: @amydoesart Facebook: amymclainart Before I jump in: This is such a big deal for me! I'm excited and grateful and proud. These four pieces of 4'x4' art depicting local legend Linus Pauling are now part of the permanent collection at Revolution Hall...and one of them is MINE! I'm so honored to be included with this batch of artists! This venue is GORGEOUS and the lighting for viewing art is incredible. It's not quite as incredible for taking photos, apparently. You've really gotta see these in person! Linus Pauling is the only person to win the Nobel Prize TWICE. Once for Chemistry and the Peace Prize for his activism. Many people know him (unofficially) as the 'Vitamin C Guy'!
He attended high school at what is now Revolution Hall, a beautifully renovated concert and performing arts venue. Revolution Hall is also home to Martha's Cafe & Bar...AND they've got a rooftop bar with incredible views Portland! So go see a show or eat some food or have some drinks or look at the view...and see some art while you're there! (There's a dog park right outside...so you can probably squeeze some dogs, too.) Big thanks to Chris Haberman for always having faith in my art even when I was just starting out and had a ton to learn! Thanks to Jim Brunberg as well...and everyone at Revolution Hall. Jim built those gorgeous frames for such large pieces! And thank you to everyone who continues to support me. Seriously, thank you. I work super hard and being artist is definitely comes with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows at times! ALL WORTH IT. |