Out in our stairwell, we have a set of windows with a wide windowsill. Over the years, all manners of small rocks, trinkets, shells, small pieces of driftwood and more have found their way into that windowsill, perhaps because it's one of the few places in the house that doesn't get visited by our cats.
Not THE first, but one of the first painted stones I did; circa 2009
One of the things on that windowsill is the very first Alchemy Stone — or perhaps I should call it a "forerunner" — which I painted some 15 years ago.
I noticed it as I passed by today, and reflected on just how far this whole project has come! Then I thought about how I have been drawing these same mandala patterns for almost 50 years... just last week, I came across some of them in the margins of an old journal I used when I was in therapy, back in 1994.
And a stone painted in 2022
Aside from being an artist, I have also spent many years in the art sales business... and one of the things I noticed about the artists who reached some level of commercial success was that they often were very patient and would stick to their guns for many years, typically regardless of whether or not they were becoming "successful."
I suppose that lends some credence to the old truism that Art is the wrong business to get into if you're hoping to make money!
In another week, we will be uncorking another year... and at least one of my ambitions for the next year will be to work harder on the commercial end of Alchemy Stones.
So far, we have done a pretty decent job via face-to-face sales events like shows, conferences and festivals... but I have been pretty lax in pursuing social media marketing, and my wife really hasn't much time for it, either... even though she's unofficially the "marketing department."
Online sales continue to present a great challenge, but it's one of the places where I need to apply more of my perseverance and explore new ways to make the stones interesting/attractive to an audience that can't actually pick them up and hold them... which is the strongest selling point we have.
It's a tough nut to crack, but I have a feeling we'll figure it out... so that's definitely a "goal" for 2023!
Thanks for stopping by and reading; Do leave me a comment if you feel so inspired — interaction and engagement are always welcome!
If you enjoy painted rocks, do check out The Hive Rocks Project and help spread the word about Hive, while also being creative!
Because I am trying to make some semblance of income — a part time living, even — I now add this footer to all my posts, in the hope that someone, somewhere, might decide to take a further look at my work, and perhaps consider supporting independent art.
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2022.12.26 AS-TXT-136/104