My show went really well! It was my first experience watching the public reacting to my work. It was also the first time I was a dot.com (www.heatherbraman.com) and walked around packing fancy business cards with my info printed on them. First time I experienced having to “sell” myself. Not a fan. I doubt any artist would say they love having to self-promote. I was encouraged when, at the end of the night, the dean of the school (purchaser of my painting) told me that he thought I had done a good job with the crowd. Guess I’ll have to take his word for it!

In the month my painting was hanging up, I met a vast list of friends at the Community Arts Center on a variety of occassions. It was so fun getting to see my friends react to my work as well as get the chance to see the show many different times. In some ways, it made me feel a little more at ease with the idea that I was hanging in such an important show. And for my first, it’s going to leave a serious impression. Basically, I’m spoiled now.

Here’s a picture of me and my painting at the opening:

Hoping this is the first of many!

So the last week or so has been full of shopping for this busy bee. I’ve been trying to find the perfect dress to wear to my art opening this Friday. For those of you that don’t already know, the school purchased one of my paintings and it will be showcased in a city-wide group exhibition. Interested in attending the reception, click here for show information.

I’ve been perusing countless shops and today started the dreaded shoe search. I’ve taken my browsing online since my feet and back have finally tuckered out. In my hot-linking, I’ve found quite an array of fun, fashion forward items that really make me wish for an endless bank account supply. A few of my favorites below:

NYC Vintage Subway Map dress

Cotton Dress from Topshop

I’m actually planning on saving up for this one:

Walk-A-Ways Dress from Anthropologie

My beautiful, perfect niece arrived on June 17th, the day before Dad’s birthday. It was such an exciting, eventful day and we were lucky enough to be in East Texas to meet her on Friday once the adoption was final. My sister-in-law has started a blog to share their awesome story and also to keep everyone caught up on their journey now that Georgia Claire has become part of their family. If you’re interested, here’s the link: Bountiful Blessings.

As an already proud Aunt, desperately in love with this little girl, I have to share a couple of pictures from the weekend.

Me holding Georgia on her first night home!

Baby Georgia, awake and alert!

She’s gorgeous and I cannot wait for many more moments with her. It’s been overwhelming to have that kind of love just plop in my life out of nowhere. The journey from now on will be fun all the way! Congrats to the new proud Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. And to me! Cool Aunt Heather!

My friend recently informed me that when the weather gets hot, people become MEAN! I have been reduced to tears a couple of times this week over mean comments from people and today I decided to recognize that maybe they are just reacting to their own stuff. I’m not going to let it get me down any more!

I am so excited about my paintings right now! I finished my second in the Little People series and I’m making plans to start my third one next Monday. The plan is to finish six of these before school starts in the Fall and I am starting to feel like I could be done with that goal far earlier than expected! I haven’t emailed the new one to my mentor yet. Still feeling “not quite done” and it’s still existing in the studio without a signature. Maybe soon I’ll feel ready for the criticism. And hoping he won’t say something involving the word “redo”. I’m currently planning about three hours work on this one. For now, here she is:

For those of you that don’t know, my brother and sister in law are adopting a little girl and she is due in TWO WEEKS! I cannot explain how excited I am to meet her! I’ve already decided that I’m going to be the “cool” Aunt. We will visit art museums and I’ll be the one she calls from her dorm one day when she is too scared to call home. But until then, I got her a pink hoodie and tiny pink converse to wear. Also planning on giving a couple artistically inclined gifts when she arrives. It’s going to be awesome.

Happy Summer, friends!

Greatest moment in the last few days:

Me:  “I may be subconsciously in love with Jon Stewart.”

Him:  ” I may be consciously in love with Jon Stewart.”

So many reasons why I would gladly elope with Mr. Stewart. I will post a few below.

Cleaned up my office tonight in an effort to clear the room for painting. Unfortunately, all that ended up happening was me stumbling upon mountains of unfinished projects, memories and gifts I never got around to sending out at Christmas time. But at least it’s clean. Tomorrow, it will be all painting, all night. I swear.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my productivity issue that seems to be slowly infecting my brain. With school over for the semester and another week before it starts up again, I find it nearly impossible to get work done in my own home. I wonder why that is? On the day of our final critique in painting we discussed each others work and the subject of conciously controlling our work environment came up quite a bit. There was encouragement for two of the painters in the room to get theirs under control and I couldn’t help but feel that perhaps that’s part of my problem.

In case you’re unaware, I’m currently sitting with four unfinished paintings in my office, all at about 90% completion. My mentor said the other day while looking at my final painting, “Two hours more and you’re done.” He said it with such matter-of-fact assurance that it almost made me cry. He’s been giving me pep-talks involving metaphors for the art world. Pumping up my confidence by talking about my natural ability and all the while, smiling at me when I feel like I’m not worthy of any of the praise. I’m convinced that most of this is a mind game that I’m playing with myself. Because really, the only person who decides whether or not I’ve got what it takes is me. Plain and simple.

Hmm. Interesting. I think I just decided to paint for an hour before bed. Here’s a picture of all my paintings up at final critique. The one I’m painting on now is the Fisher Price one on the top right. Enjoy!

I updated the pages on my blog so make sure you check them out! I’m going to try and keep this thing much more updated this summer. Of course, I would be much more inclined if some of you lurkers would comment and make sure I know you’re still reading!

The semester is officially winding down. I had my last painting class today and my drawing final is tomorrow morning. After next Wednesday’s painting final, I will be done! It’s been great and for the first time ever, I’m really sad to see it all end! The good news is that I will be taking painting this summer as continuing ed. That way, I can use the facilities and benefit from the artists and teachers input.

Went to see Star Trek tonight with Mom and Dad. It was great! I highly recommend it. My love for JJ Abrams abounds. If you see/have seen it, can you spot the Slusho easter egg? Genius.

I’ve got a bit of drawing reviewing to do before tomorrow so I’m signing off. Have a good weekend!

Hello, fair readers! It’s been forever, I know. If it makes you feel better, I’ve been busy at school, creating art. I miss having the time to catch you all up and reflect on life in general but I have good results to share! Four pieces of my art were featured in our student art show at school!

I had many friends show up on the day of the artist’s reception in support. It was so fantastic. And since then, many friends have traveled to the school to check it out for themselves! The other day, my friend Nancy took a car full of us from work up to check it out in person. She was even kind enough to write about it on her blog! She took some great pictures. Check it out HERE.

The semester is winding down, I’m getting a little bummed and finishing my final painting. This summer I’ve set a goal for myself to complete six paintings, all based on my final painting – photographs of Fisher Price Little People. I wish I could explain my idea in words but right now, it’s just coming to me in pictures. I’ll let you know the progress. It’s going to be a great summer. I can’t wait!

So my laptop is back! And badder than ever! I’ve been living without the “real” internet for the last month. If I did not have my iPhone, I swear I would have lost my mind. I have been reeling over the all the things I missed! Flash websites! Real Facebook! ACTUAL video, even if it’s not youtube!! I’m just glad to be back.

The only real news I have to share is that school is going incredibly well. I’m getting the kind of encouragment from my teachers that I really only ever dreamed about. I keep pinching myself and remembering that I had nothing to worry about. At this point, my only struggle is that I have to be patient and complete all the steps I have before me in order to get what I want. It’s honestly not helping to know that I’m ABLE and it’s still not time. But the good news is, I’m in love with painting. And it’s all I think about. Spring Break is, therefore, torture.

I’m away from my camera but I’m going to upload a pic from drawing class. A self-portrait. Apparently “WHEN” I’m famous, self-portaits will be important to my body of work. Did you see that? When. From the mouth of someone who just got back from New York City where his paintings were featured in The Armory Show. After my double-take, I’ve decided to deal with things like that by simply saying, “Ok.” Crazy.

I have a feeling Spring Break (which actually adds up to two weeks to get tons of work done) might actually be super inspiring. I’ve been leafing through a Van Gogh book all night. Our current painting project is to paint the subject of our choice, using the color scheme of a master work. My color scheme will be from his Seascape at Saintes-Maries.

The subject is a photograph I took of Merlin in Colorado last August.

It’s gonna be sweet! See you soon!