Jay Zerbe's Blog (6)

well, of course this is a nice thing to get to talk about. since i have now been picked up by 2 galleries (Modern Arts Midwest in Lincoln, NE and AMMO in New Orleans, LA) i find a lot of my time goes for documenting my work, and presenting it to the galleries in a format they can use and understand.



i have been fairly good about keeping my website updated (zkartz.com). i am really happy that i am in control of my own website! (advice: learn how to build and maintain your own…

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oh boy. this is a hard one. now that i have weekends free (restricted to only painting 5 days a week - very sensibly - by Dallas) i need a hobby! although i have moved collage making and computer "stuff" to the weekend. still. lots of free time. so. strange. ;)



knowing that i SHOULD (parental message) have a varied life, thinking of learning bridge from Dallas (he would be thrilled), reading SF more than just on trips, and sitting in a church pew more than once a… Continue

week 2 of painting full time. wow. really a change. when i don't have to think about anything else, the painting goes much more smoothly! also, i have time to sit and look a LONG time to decide when/where to place a mark/shape. what a luxury! or maybe a necessity...



i am getting used to the 3x4' format. really hated it for awhile. this week something clicked, and now i like it. the downside - i looked at the two pieces i finally finished this week (after months of work) and although… Continue

well, i had to give up my old studio. i had gotten used to not seeing the oven just behind the easel i worked on most (because it got more north light). and to not see the sink and fridge behind the other easel. since i am now a full-time artist, conserving money is much more important. shock! so i have moved my studio into the "storage bedroom" of a generous friend's place. (see the photos). again, the background against which i see the paintings is totally cluttered with stuff. in addition,… Continue

well, one week after the (sorta) bomb. a bumpy ride the first few days. ridiculous highs, scary lows... but leveling out and on an upward trend since monday afternoon. in fact, i have to restrain myself from being TOO happy at work!



3 weeks and 1 day to go (and 7 round-trip bus rides). not that i'm counting!



i am also starting to uncoil. i didn't realize how tense i have been at the office. the prospect of not having to do that anymore feels so NICE!



plus, i had… Continue

I have wanted to be a full-time artist since I was 16. Now, at 60, I am being laid off from a good job. Getting by on what will be available to me financially is very scary. But I am taking the risk of trying to make it work.



Last weekend at the studio, facing my canvases after deciding to paint full time, I was riddled with doubt. Am I really good enough? Even if I am good enough, will I be able to survive? A recipe for creative constipation. Of course, I painted anyway - that is… Continue