Danielle Calabro

As most of you know I have decided to hold off on selling any of my artwork, I need to make sure I am completely legit before I make the move. I need to get a business structure and a business license, which of course both take money. If you have read any of my other post and my about page you will know we lost our house a few years ago, well we our getting a little closer to being home owners again. It has been a LONG drawn out process but hopefully worth it we, still have to get the inspection and praying that all will be good. Of course with every new home there are things that need to be purchased and thing that will have to wait. I have choose to wait on the business license until I know where we are with the house, if it passes inspection and we get the right loan then the business license will have to wait, if it does not pass inspection then I will probably go ahead and get my "art" business set-up. Either way  I will continue to create, this is just another test in ...

I have set a goal for myself, my  plan is to have enough paintings done by the end of the year and apply for a few of the local art festivals that we have here in Florida. I am not sure how much work will be involved in this besides dedicating myself to my goal. I know I need to have a portfolio, if anyone has an idea of how to get one together with out spend a butt load of money please let me know, I am all ears. I have also been playing around with the idea of going to some of the local art districts and see if some of the café or stores will allow someone to hang their painting. What better way to get myself out there and get out of my comfort zone.  It's funny, my husband and I were talking about where we are and wishing we could get a break, and I wish the same thing.  I told him if we keep going in the same direction we are, something is bound to happen. I said it before,  I honestly thought if I painted it, they would come, I could not have been more wrong ...

This sketch was created on my tablet using Sketchbook Pro. If there is one thing I struggle with when it comes to art it is faces. It took me a couple of hours to create  but I like the finished product.

Nothing is worse then having a job that just doesn't make you happy and knowing it is going to take a lot more time to do what you love.  I have been in customer service type jobs since I started to work when I turned 16. What makes it worse is that I have a goal (to make a living from my art) and I am  pursing it but I am not a patient person,  all you have to do is ask my kids :). I know this is going to take time, probably years and I can honestly see why some artist fail. It gets so depressing when you create something and it just collects dust, while your wallet is empty from buying the art supplies (which is not cheap for better materials). What I know is, I need to market myself, create more and step out of my comfort zone. I am a shy person, I am always afraid of what someone will say. I remember that great saying "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one" and that is the problem. REJECTION, another scary word for me. Finding time to paint or draw seems almo...