Sometimes, when I have trouble falling asleep, I use a trick for relaxing.  Looking with my mind’s eye somewhere in my consciousness, I let colors and patterns play across, like a kaleidoscope. 

The colors are usually brilliant yellows, golds, and reds, and the fluid patterns are breathtaking as they pass my “eye”.  The patterns change and churn and I cannot recall the pattern once it passes.  No pattern is ever duplicated, nor can I re-imagine them.

Before I know it, once the patterns are forming freely without interference from my conscious mind – Wahlah!  I fall asleep.

The patterns formed from working with fluid acrylics and the techniques of “pour painting” remind me of this process.  There’s a spontaneous and organic method to the painting.  And no matter how planned the result or how closely a formula is followed, each painting is unique – never to be duplicated.  The images created seem to be infinite in their possibilities.  They are (almost!) always pleasing and draw you in with wonder.

Each of my fluid art creations (on tiles, earrings, canvases) are one-of-a-kind because they are made from these dream-state, never-to-be-repeated patterns.  I also use them to form backgrounds for animals and other scenes of nature by embellishing a dried “pour”.
 
I make the realistically rendered portions of the painting subject part of or emerging from the organic under-painting.  The result takes on an added quality that seems to touch people in a special way. In this blog, I’ll explain my technique of abstract realism using fluid “pour painting” and targeted realistic over-painting.
 
Please comment below: Are you interested in learning about this dynamic painting technique?

From what I've observed at art shows and online sales, the following seem to be the primary buying motivators (at least for women):

• Pretty
• Color
• Subject matter that
• Touches the heart

Pretty appeals to women.  Now, it's true, beauty is in the eye of the behold, but we all know pretty when we see it.  What makes something pretty? Whether it's a face, a room, a painting, a car, etc., the "elements of design" of the object observed is pretty if it obeys most, if not all, of the "principles of design".  I'll do a post on these "elements and principles" next.  Bottom line: Pretty sells.

People buy color. Some colors are more popular than others. Some color  combinations are currently in style while some colors never go out of style.  Blue has always been the most universally popular color.  Pink and gray combination was popular  a little while ago.  Gray is still hot, but turquoise and mustard seem to be having a moment 
Study current trends, recent past trends, and popular colors when choosing your color palette.  I know, this is cravenly commercial.  But, come on, everybody just wants to sell, right?
If you're going to a show, have as many color choices as you can to increase sales.  Some people specialize in one color palette and there's merit in that.  In this case, make sure the show you're going to has a BIG attendance. Otherwise, I think it's best to have a variety of colors, with special emphasis on current tends.  And lots of blue.

Know someone who collects owls?  They can't pass one up.  Live on the beach?  Beachy scenes, critters, and objects are your decorating choices.  People are drawn to certain themes, objects, or animals and they buy them (if they're pretty and the right color. See above.)  Studying online shopping sites and catalogues will give you lots of clues as to what people are buying.  For easy sales, paint stuff people are collecting.

Whether people are collecting or not, if your art touches their heart, they can't resist it.  Animals, children, and certain scenes pull at the heart strings and is something they'll want to take it home with them or give as a gift. Paint what people love or in such a way as to make them love it.

There you have it.  My little take on making what sells.  Now, go make some art.

Today finds me feverishly preparing for the Mt. Dora art festival next weekend.  This show has always been considered one of the top shows in the country, so I'm honored to have been accepted.

I'm taking prints of my acrylic equine paintings, but due to some glitches (one of many!), I won't have all of them available.  Getting back in the swing of art shows has been a long slough and I think I was overly optomistic about what I could get done. 

The thing is, you just start and do what you can.  If you wait until you're ready, you'll never get there.  I really didn't expect to get into all the shows I applied for, but that's what happened.  Whatever I don't get done for this show, I'll be way ahead for the next one.  By the time the season is over, I'll be farther along that when I started, that's for sure!
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Check out this link for my art show schedule so far for this year. I'll be posting updates here and on my FaceBook page FYI.

I found this soft pink macrame cord and really liked it.  So I added one of my new dream catcher pendants as an accent piece.  Do you like the addition?  If you don't, it's easy to remove, or change out for a different one.  
This precious piece is for sale now on my Etsy shop.  Check it out and share via Pinterest or other social media.

​Just listed on my Etsy shop in time for Valentine's Day:  One of my heart-shaped, hand painted mini-art pendants in metallic pink, metallic amethyst, and pearlized white.  Comes with a black cord, but you can also change it out to your own chain. 

The shimmering metallics sparkle and glisten (so hard to photograph!).  Makes a great gift for a sweetheart, daughter, mother, sister, or friend.  Or yourself! 

​I have these necklaces in various colors.  Each mini-painting is unique and one of a kind that can't be reproduce because of the painting method I use.  Painting is protected by a glass cabochon, which magnifies and intensifies the colors.  They are selling fast so, check out my Etsy shop to see what is still available.  They're ready to go!

Been giving my hands a rest from the macrame by working on painting again.  As a bonus, the technique I use gives me these micro-art pieces to set in pendants.  It's so much fun!

Pour painting is very popular now but it wastes a lot of paint.  Luckily, you can save  some of it by catching it on wax paper.  After drying, I look for interesting shapes and color.  Kind of like "fractals".  Very zen.  I cut out these little micro-art areas and glue onto cubacons.  Add a glass dome and you have some very pretty, one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, keychains, etc. 

This jewelry set is a pink/gray/gray-blue color combination with a heart-shaped pendant necklace, teardrop earrings, and a heart-shaped keychain.  What's so special about it is each individual piece is  unique and one-of-a-kind,  never to be repeated.

I'm adding more jewelry everyday to my Etsy shop, because, I have to admit, it's a little addictive.  Like, share and enjoy!

I named this dramatic hanging after my late, great Arab mare who passed a few years back at the age of 36.  She was so beautiful and graceful, as only Arabian horses can be.

This three-layer hanging has a lot going on, but it's still geometric and simple.  The open weave in the center gives it cohesion.  The tassel from a half-hitch spiral "necklace" focal point adds spice with grace.  The fringed third layer softens the geometry.  And a V-pattern bottom provides drama.

Size: 26" wide X 32" long
Available now on my Etsy shop. Won't you pin or "heart" this special-to-me macrame wall hanging?  Thank you!

I've created a page on this website to offer fans of Cat Zimmer, youth mustang trainer, a reduced price on my macrame feather art - or "Horse Feathers".  All profits go towards the care of her latest Extreme Mustang Makeover filly, Sunni.

This amazing young lady is  becoming a legend in the mustang horse world, and for good reason.  She's a natural and gets fantastic results with kindness and patience.  Her CZ Mustang Rescue is also providing homes and second (sometimes, last) chances for abused, neglected, or difficult mustangs.  Some of these mustangs, once they are rehabilitated,  will be available for adoption.

Taking care of horses is expensive.  That's why I'm donating these horse feathers sales to help in some small way.  Cat and her mom, Sara Price, work hard day in and day out for the horses in their care.  It's the least I can do.  You can help by sharing this page with your horse friends: go to  Cat Zimmerman and Sunni
​Thanks!

The new softer cord is such a blessing!  So much easier on my hands and the design possibilities are beautiful.  I've put this macrame hanging on my Etsy store recently and it's getting a lot of interest.  

The  fringe gives this piece a soft look and I think it would work great in a nursery or bedroom.  Bathrooms would be a perfect place to hang this little gem, too.  Measurements are 13" wide by 17" long.  A piece of one of our fire-cured, hand-polished bamboo with a substantial diameter serves as the mount.

I've added a feather just for fun, although it looks just as good without it.  For boho decor, it's a sure bet.

Wont you please share or pin  and visit my Etsy shop to ♥ this new hanging? Thanks for visiting!
                                                                                                                              - Kayce