"Promises to Keep", soft pastel on self-prepared board, 8 x 12 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Plans For a New Year

"Promises to Keep", soft pastel on self-prepared board, 8 x 12 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

“Promises to Keep”, soft pastel on self-prepared board, 8 x 12 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

My last year ended and new year began with sales of a few original paintings and sketches, including “Promises to Keep”, above, which I decided was a very fitting image to announce three plans for art and merchandise in the coming year.

Selling an original painting opens up space in my studio, gallery and my heart for new works, even as I send off a beloved little work to a new loving home. With all that happened last year I didn’t create a single new elective work aside from commissions. I miss expressing those moments that inspire me. That won’t happen this year, though.

Plan No. 1

January 2017 30 Paintings in 30 Days Gallery

January 2017 30 Paintings in 30 Days Gallery

To be certain I won’t let ideas pass me by I’m setting myself up for a personal painting challenge in February, similar to the painting challenges I’ve participated in in past years. I aspire (but don’t expect) to create a painting or sketch every day in the month, to be posted on my blog each day. They’ll be divided just about evenly between cats and nature/wildlife, and maybe some other unusual ideas like abstracts. Working on one for more than one day and sharing my progress will count. I hope that will set me up for working on a painting or sketch all the time so that I have new works all the time, as I did in the past. I’ll have many new images for greeting cards and holiday cards, and gift items, some detailed, some impressionistic, some whimsical.

Plan No. 2

I won’t be attending as many smaller vendor events this coming year, but I’m looking at two permanent weekend markets to attend once or twice each month, and possibly an “I Made It Market” during the year, and two or three open houses. Here is what I have so far.

Upcoming Events in 2020

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The Homeless Cat Management Team and Pittsburgh C.A.T.’s
4th Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Sunday, May 17, 2020, 3:00 to 7:00
J. Verno Studios South Side
3030 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Valet parking available

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Hearts and Paws Pet Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church’s
Hearts and Paws Pet Adoption and Care Fair
Sunday, June 22, 2019, 9:30 to 3:00
South Park Fairgrounds Agricultural Building Area
3734 Buffalo Drive, South Park, PA 15129
Admission is FREE
At least 40 vendors and animal rescue organizations attend.

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Christmas in July Open House
Usually the last weekend of July, 10:00 to 5:00
I don’t publicize my open houses like my other events because I don’t want total strangers showing up at my house! But you are more than welcome to bring friends and family. If you’re local and would like to join me, please sign up for my Open House newsletter so I can send you the details.

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7th Annual Seasons Along the Panhandle Trail Exhibit
Usually the third weekend of August, Friday and Saturday
I’m on the trail committee and we haven’t met yet this year to confirm the date with the township, but I will announce that here once we have.

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Holiday Open House
I am loosely planning a holiday open house in October when I can still display things outdoors and schedules aren’t so full, and possibly another in December.

Plan No. 3

At the last minute just before my Open House I decided to make four things I’d been planning all year, and their introduction was a success. I am planning more of the same in other designs. Click the images to read the posts about them.

Four New Items

I tried to be happy with what I already had for my holiday open house, but in the days just before the event I “printed” some of my own fabric, dug out my sewing machine and decided to make a few things I’d been planning all year but couldn’t get to. I’m really happy I did because they worked out well, I’ve already made more of the same designs.

Small Handmade Accessory Bags

Small Handmade Accessory Bags

Handmade holiday ornaments

Bella! Accessory Bags in Housepanther and Ginger Kitty

Bella! Accessory Bags in Housepanther and Ginger Kitty

Bella! Dishtowels

Moving Forward

I’ve always been a list-maker. My creative mind is constantly coming up with new ideas and it’s the best way for me to keep them all organized. I’ve already made up my lists of the art I want to create and the things I’ll be making, and I’m a little overwhelmed, but excited! I’ll be posting a few new things here very soon because I’ve already begun some of the new projects. I just can’t wait to share them.

Other items with the same art or design To find all items on this site with the same art or design, use the search box for the name of the artwork and you'll find all that's available.

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Friendship Friday.

Friendship Friday.