A new start

Happy New Year Everybody! I had every intention of sitting down to write this post this time last week. In fact, Monday night I made my mental to-do list of all the things I was going to accomplish in order to get 2011 off to an organized and enthusiastic start. That was until I woke up on Tuesday morning with a raging sinus infection that has completely knocked me flat for the past week. I rang in the new year huddled under a blanket on my couch, clutching my box of tissues in one hand and a glass of sparkling grape juice in the other.

That rough start aside, though, I am excited about the prospect of 2011. 2010 was a year of choices and balance. The choices mainly centered around choosing to give up a portion of my free time for a bit more guaranteed income, and learning to balance all the new things I had taken on board. Some days felt like a mad dash from one job to another, getting home at night with just enough time to rest up and start again the next day.

But 2011 dawned with a clearer idea of the work that has to be done and a lot of hope for the future. I already have some exciting projects in the works, and a few others in the planning stages. I have plans to experiment with a few new media in the coming months, as well as to continue to master my current one. And, I am hoping to make some much needed updates to the blog, website, newsletter, and other areas of my business as well. Thanks for sticking around through the past few years, and here's to many more exciting adventures to come! I leave you with a few of the commissions I completed for Christmas. Enjoy!

Have you seen Fete?

Have you seen the new Fete Magazine? It is a new online magazine celebrating downtown Greenville. And the new December issue just happens to have one of my paintings on the cover. Go to http://emag.fetegreenville.com/ to check out this great new mag (and flip over to page 11 for a little bit more about me.)


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A Weekend for Art

There are so many art events happening this weekend that you could fill every minute with amazing local art. Below are a couple of events I will be participating in. I hope you will get a chance to check out all the great art, music, and more!


The 2nd annual Winter Art Market at Art Crossing is this weekend. The event includes over 50 local artists, local musicians, tea garden provided by O-Cha Tea Bar, and more.

Art Crossing is located in the heart of downtown Greenville along the Reedy River in Falls Park. Check out http://www.artcrossingwam.blogspot.com/ for more details about this exciting event.



































And, while you are out, check out the Small Works Show at The Artistry Workshops and Gallery. This is an amazing selection of local artists, and these pieces are the perfect size for gift giving. Visit http://www.TheArtistryGallery.com for more details.

Wish you were here

Getting ready to send some mail...


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Lillies and lessons

A few more background touches and details, and I think this one will be done. The woman in the middle presiding over this unruly crowd is my Grandmother. Although I don't know much about what is going on in this scene, I am guessing it is Easter. I love how only the kids right in front of her are praying or paying attention. My favorite part, although it is hard to see in this little photo, is the boy just to the right of my Grandmother. He seems to have realized he is in the middle of a bunch of girls, and is peering around them to the group of boys at the end of the row.


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All in a row

Continuing to work on this colorful row of children. I love how you can get a sense of their personalities in this moment, just by their poses and gestures. A little more about the inspiration photograph later.


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Making strides

Just sitting here painting and chating with people. Open Studios ends today at 6pm, so be sure to stop by.


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In Progress

I started this piece last night, and will be working on it through the weekend. Come stop by the studio and see what progress I have made.


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Floor to ceiling

The artwork is hung from floor to ceiling in preparation for Open Studios. Hope to see you all this weekend!
Friday, Nov. 5, 6-9pm
Saturday, Nov. 6, 10am- 6pm
Sunday, Nov. 7, Noon- 6pm

Commissions for Christmas are now being accepted, and you can also purchase Emily Clarke Studio gift certificates. These can be used towards the purchase of original artwork, commissions, prints, and art lessons. Layaway plans are also available.


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Something completely different

For the past 7 weeks, I have been teaching a beginning oil painting class at the Greenville Museum of Art. I have learned a ton from having to explain what I do to someone who has never done it before (a lot harder than it sounds), and have been so impressed with my students. I did this piece as a demonstration, and am particularly pleased with how it turned out.

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The List

The start of Open Studios is a mere 4 days away. My to-do list includes things like "hang additional artworks" and "print gift certificates"- so far so good. It also has "buy chairs and Velcro"- in my head it makes perfect sense. But the list ends with "make art." I don't quite know what kind of stupor I was in last week that I condensed my entire career and the work I put in to it into the phrase "make art." Plus, it's last on the list! Any good list maker knows that it is highly likely that I won't make it to that last item.

I truly hope you all will come out for Open Studios this weekend. It is one of my favorite weekends, with artists all over Greenville opening their doors and welcoming you into their worlds. And, rest assured, if you come by my place, there will be plenty of places to sit, Velcro holding things together, and just maybe, I'll have a chance to "make art."


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