Robert Genn Inspiration

One of my Italy paintings from a sale many years ago.  This is it's home! Lovely, huh? Today, I received Robert's latest newsletter, and it inspired me and told "my story" of my creativity to a tee! Enjoy!  Also, see his site and subscribe to his Twice-Weekly thoughts.  They are great to ponder.... A noble dependency November 1, 2011 Dear Carole, Recent studies of teenagers' use of cellphones and other electronic devices have revealed some interesting results. Apparently, if you deprive kids of social networking for a week or so, a high percentage become significantly depressed. They also lose efficiency, will, enthusiasm and sleep. Their marks go down and their lassitude goes up. For many artists, something similar happens when "the work quotient" is taken from their lives. A couple of unproductive days can send some creative folks into the dumps. They may not even be aware of what's happening to them. "Fear of restart" and permanent creative catatonia can set in after long-term abstinence. Fact is, good easel time is a noble dependency that makes you a happier, more generous person--better able to enjoy an enriched family and social life. Here are a few ways to promote these glad tidings: Self control. While spontaneity is vital in the studio, monitoring easel time and work zones is also valuable. Work periods can be restarted with a gong or the change of a radio program. The "four o'clock reboot," where you begin something new in the late afternoon (normally a slower time of day), accumulates bonus points, tops up the psyche and makes you more brilliant than Voltaire at the dinner party. Serendipitous bumping. When you put in significant time in the work area, work automatically emerges. Creative tools, studio clutter and half-finished works conspire to attract your attention. Ideas breed and things need to be done. Rather than making a decision to get on with something, merely bump into opportunities. Creative exhibitionism. Just as the boy and girl get their thrills texting across a classroom, connecting your work with others is good for art and life. I'm not talking about dealer action or green feedback. The work itself, in progress or completed, in exchange or not, can be sent by jpeg to global friends in nanoseconds. A critique or approval may be forthcoming, but more often than not it's just the simple human joy of sharing. "Electronic interdependence," famously said Marshall McLuhan, "recreates the world in the image of a global village." While we may operate as independent workers, we are not islands unto ourselves. The Brotherhood and Sisterhood is alive and well and living in cyberspace. Best regards, Robert PS: "It's a great time to be alive." (George Lucas) Esoterica: Another way of thinking of art dependency is in co-dependency. Your work needs you as much as you need it. Your work begs your expression. You need to materialize it on a daily basis, from your enriched life--the better side of your nature. Without your personal focus and action, your magic cannot and never will exist. Think of all the great work you have left to do. Think of how necessary it is for people to see good work. "Work," said Kahlil Gibran, "is love made visible." Current Clickback: A rough day on the Board describes a surreal nightmare of jurying and putting a price on things. Your further input will be appreciated. Read this letter online and let us know how you bring on "good easel time" and how it makes life worthwhile for you. Live comments are welcome. Direct, illustratable comments can be made at  rgenn@saraphina.com  One great big fat FREE book!! Yep, a totally free copy of Robert's most celebrated book, The Twice-Weekly LETTERS--960 pages--mailed post-free anywhere in the world, simply by signing up for a  Premium Listing before November 30, 2011. If you have work you think the world should see, please check us out. While our listings are mini-websites in themselves, we are particularly good at sending volumes of visitors to websites you may already have. Our service costs $100 per year and we do all the set up, including changing work, etc., as you see fit. If you are thinking about it, please feel free to drop Robert a note at rgenn@saraphina.com "I'll be happy to pass along an opinion as to your work's suitableness." The Art Show Calendar: If you or your group has a show coming up, put an illustrated announcement on the Painter's Keys site. The longer it's up, the more people will see it. Your announcement will be taken down automatically on the last day of your show. Please take a look here The Workshop Calendar: A selection of workshops and seminars laid out in chronological order that will stimulate, teach, mentor, take you to foreign lands or just down the street. Many of these workshops are recommended by Robert and friends. Incidentally, if you are planning a workshop and you have photos of happy people working, feel free to send them to us and we'll select ones to include in the workshops feature at no extra charge. The Painter's Post: Every day there is new material going into this feature. This online arts aggregator has links to art info, ideas, inspiration and all kinds of creative fun. If a friend is trying to subscribe to the Twice-Weekly Letter via Constant Contact, please let them know that as well as subscribing they must confirm their subscription. You can also follow Robert's valuable insights and see further feedback on Facebook and Twitter Featured Responses: Alternative to the instant Live Comments, Featured Responses are illustrated and edited for content. If you would like to submit your own for possible inclusion, please do so. Just click 'reply' on this letter or write to rgenn@saraphina.com Yes, please go ahead and forward this letter to a friend. This does not mean that they will automatically be subscribed to the Twice-Weekly Letter. They have to do it voluntarily and can find out about it by going to The Painter's Keys website.

Auburn Prints - Licensed And Ready!

Hey, Auburn Family! What better way to lick your wounds today by expressing your continued love and support by adding to your Carole Foret Auburn Art Collection!
See all available prints now on my site:

Carole Foret Auburn Art Gallery

"Dancing Samford" now available!  Download price list / order form!

War Eagle!!!! I'm still ALL IN!

Puttin' on the RITTS! Herb Ritts Exhibit at HMA

Who can forget this shot of the "Supermodels"????

Join the Huntsville Museum of Art for Puttin' on the Ritts Oct. 14 Preview Party kicks off Herb Ritts exhibit  Please join the Museum on Friday, October 14, as we celebrate the opening of the exhibition Herb Ritts: Celebrity and Fashion with a preview party fit for a star! Be the first to take in the magic of Herb Ritts (1952-2002), one of the most influential celebrity and fashion photographers to work in the late twentieth century. Ritts produced iconic portraits and editorial fashion for Vogue,Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone; created successful ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, CHANEL, Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani; and directed music videos for Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Michael Jackson. Party-goers will also enjoy live music, a full bar and chilled martinis, and hors d'oeuvres by Narvell as they take in this prestigious exhibit, especially arranged for HMA by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets NOW, call 256-535-4350 ext. 203

Portrait of Herb Ritts

Madonna's CD cover

MM! Fred--wow.

Dizzy

One of many VOGUE covers

Don't miss this amazing exhibit! We are so lucky to be having such a notable photographer to show at the Huntsville Museum of Art.  It is going to be a fun party to open the exhibit.  Support your local museum too and enjoy a grand time!

Working in Auburn This Week

In Au Bon Pain planning it all out!

That is the Starbucks portion of the Student Center in that rounded part.  Mm!

My college of Human Sciences--lovely Spidle Hall

Got to roll Toomer's while there after our win against South Carolina!

I had a great time last week meeting with Auburn people about my licensing my Auburn prints-Susan and Jennifer in the Trademark office, President  Gogue, Cliff Hare of AuburnArt. What a process it's been the past year to get this done! But I think it's all going to be worth it! By week's end and next week I'll have prints ready to sell! Just visit my website to choose one you would like! I'll get your payment and then it will come to you ready to hang!  Soon, AuburnArt at Toomer's  will have my latest ones. Stay tuned for more info on that! And War Eagle!!!!

Vignettes Show at Huntsville Museum of Art

The Museum Showing Vignettes was a success! I was so happy to have sold 2 of my pieces! My Dad and daughter Sarah were with me to enjoy it. Thank you to the museum for a fun night. The jazz was AWESOME and so romantic :)

Please Help Artist Carol Marine

I just learned that a fellow artist friend of mine lost her entire home, studio and belongings in a fire in Texas!  She has done so much to inspire so many artists around the world with her daily paintings and workshops.  Please find it in your heart to donate a few dollars to help fund a relief effort for them to get back on their feet.  The family is all well.  You MUST read this blogpost about how it happened! Below is Carol's beautiful face! See her own blog where you can still buy her paintings that are up for auction--she DID make it out with those...

Vignettes Show Preparations at Huntsville Museum of Art!

I am honored to be showing at the Huntsville Museum of Art now! The showing is titled "Vignettes" and I am among 7 other fabulous artists who have 10 pieces each in the show. Join me September 22nd, 6:30-9:30 for heavy hors d'oeuvres, full bar and jazz to celebrate this exhibit! This will be right after I return from Italy, and I'll be anxious to see you!

The other amazing artists:
Vicki Sawyer
Sloane Bibb
Sam Barnett
Cal Breed
Nelson Grice
Jim Madden
Robin Roberts