I launched my business a month ago but haven't marketed it beyond my family and friends. For some reason, I’ve been hesitant and fearful. As a result, I’ve avoided major marketing efforts, like posting on LinkedIn or Facebook, using excuses like "I don't have enough products yet" or "the shop's not ready." At this point, anxiety has won over and I decided to get the marketing over with starting with this blog post. Even if I am still quaking in my boots.
Anyway, let me introduce myself.
New Artist on the Block
Hey there! I'm Trisha Aguinaldo, a Filipino-American living in Somerville, MA. I started an art studio in my apartment this year. I sell original artworks, reproductions, stationery, and such. I recently finished four commissioned pieces and wanted to show you the project's I'm currently working on. Some of them are epic failures and won't be sold. Regardless, I can't express how much joy it's been to learn from each brushstroke! I hope you find some joy in my art.
Current Projects
Commissions
A client commissioned this piece a couple of weeks ago. It's a work in progress. I started with laying down midtones. I've got a list of things to work on this piece. I think the hardest part will be making the knit hats look fuzzy and soft as well as making the tiny hands look realistic. Painting hands has always been a challenge!
Master Copies
Frank Cadogan Cowper (1877-1958) painted "Venetian Ladies Listening to the Serenade" c. 1908-1909. I started painting this piece a couple of months ago. I wanted to learn how to work with his color palette. I didn't realize there was a cute dog on the original photo! I can't wait to finish this piece. It'll look different from the original since I'm focusing on exploring color and not composition accuracy.
Have you heard of La Belle Dame sans Merci? This artwork, by Frank Bernard Dicksee (1853--1928) is based on the original poem. I've always wanted to paint a knight so I fell in love with this painting. I wanted to focus on the composition this time. Really nail the hardness of the knight's of the armor versus the softness of the fairy's billowy sleeves. There's a ton of things to work on this piece and I'm taking my time with it. I recently went to the MET in NYC and saw a bunch of knight armor in real life. I took the time to study each set and to get familiar with their shapes. I took reference photos!
Hobby Paintings
I have never painted cats. And it shows in this piece. I used acrylic paint and I think that was a mistake. I also used a bigger brush that I should have. Lessons were learned. In the future, all cat portraits will be painted in oil.