Original Art: Taking the Risk to Do What You Love

When I was approached by Gilroy Patch to be their art blogger, I had to take a few days to think it over. My plate is already pretty full because I split my time between taking care of my family, my home and my art business. There isn't much time left over. 

When I decided to become a full-time working artist I was excited at the thought of blissfully painting all the time. I soon realized that, 'Oh wow. I have my own business.' With that realization came the requirements to maintain it. I had to learn how to market myself, show and sell my art at festivals and online. Owning my own business also entails keeping up the financial part, my inventory of supplies and of course carving out that very precious time in my studio to create the paintings I sell.

I often think, as I grumble over something that isn't art but is important to my art business, that the bottom-line reason I do all of this is so I can paint daily. So, I decided to accept the offer and blog about my experience of being my own art representative.

As artists, we live in a time that frees us from having to rely solely on art galleries to sell our art. With our own efforts using the Internet we can actually make a living at it. I think writing this blog will help me to stay focused on the true reason why I do what I do, and that's to paint, express what I think is beautiful and  create. Hopefully this blog will inspire others who are thinking about, or who have already taken, the risk to do what they love to do.

In addition to writing about my experiences as an artist, I'd also like to take the opportunity to shine light on another artist who lives and works here in Gilroy. 

My first victim is Julie Franco. Some of you may know her as your yoga instructor, but Julie is also a very talented artist—one of the many things she does well. She attended the San Francisco Academy of Arts where she earned her bachelors with a concentration in illustration. She is proficient in many mediums: gouache, watercolor, acrylics, oils and printmaking. As an animal lover, she decided—lucky for us—to concentrate on painting animal portraits. She recently showed her work at Satori Cellars in Gilroy and, not surprisingly, came away with quite a few commissions.

Julie's stunning art can be viewed on her website. And if you're interested in having Julie paint a portrait of your favorite, furry family member, Julie will do an amazing job of capturing their personality and creating a beautiful painting.

As far as my artwork, I paint a variety of subjects that range from sceneries to holiday icons. Interested readers can view my art on my website and at Daily Paint Works, where I post my paintings daily as a member artist. Collections of my miniature paintings are also available at the Gilroy Center for the Arts and at the FastFrame in Morgan Hill.

JoAnne Perez Robinson is a passionate, local artist. She has received praise for her work, and was the winner of the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival poster contest. She will share her "Original Art" with Gilroy Patch readers every week.