Amazing month it has been. Rebecca and I have been making all sorts of major decisions recently. Our views on work have changed (sometimes in one direction, other times yet another), and most recently our longer term goals. One of these is the desire to stop paying rent and instead move to a mortgage. This appears to be a seemingly insurmountable task given the cost of homes in Seattle, perhaps even more so given our specific needs for workspace. [Of course, many in the mortgage industry seem to think that it is reasonable and sane to pay a percentage of monthly income high enough to stop one from travel, bill-paying, clothing & art-supply purchasing, and perhaps eating food altogether. It appears that we are in for some additional sacrifices.]

Here in Seattle, where a starter home costs roughly $300,000 - $400,000, finding a reasonable solution, let alone an optimal solution, is tough. I discussed this somewhat last time, only now it has increased in clarity. As artists, Rebecca and I currently use 2 bedrooms of our rental home for storage, office and studio. We additionally have a shack of a garage that we use for cutting wood, building frames, etc. So, not only do we need clean space for studio, but also dirty space for dust-creating and orderly space for business. Tough!

This is not a common combination in homes starting at the bottom range, which often have max 2 bedrooms and little else on a small lot.

Not to say we aren’t thankful that we are (possibly) capable of making this a reality, given sufficient patience, tenacity, and creativity (which I think we have covered at least). We have the mixed-blessing of day-jobs, which currently affords us enough additional income to qualify for a home in excess of the size of a tool shed. We also are able to get a mortgage mainly because of this work history. There is a tremendous prejudice against self-employed people, and were it not for my day job as a software/firmware engineer, we would likely not be able to either (1) paint and build an art career or (2) own a home.

Needless to say, we have been busy, and my painting has taken an agonizingly slow pace given the circumstances. Many meetings, much education. Wish us your luck, please.

In other news, indeed very exciting news, I just received notice that I am a finalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, and have the honor and privilege of both attending and having my painting in the exhibition. I am very thankful that the jury appreciates the work I have been making (a little slower lately) and I am excited to meet everyone participating in and organizing the exhibition/competition. It has been an enjoyable experience so far, and I am greatly looking forward to the next number of months…

Sadly, my wife Rebecca was not chosen, and I as official unofficial (or is it unofficial official?) President of her Fan Club and Marketing division, feel it should be mentioned on the record that I am disappointed. Rebecca and I have had amazing odds of showing at the same galleries and exhibitions, and this was one of the rare exceptions to our streak.

Thus, as Fan Club President, I am including an image of Rebecca’s art. She and I have an ongoing artistic dialogue, and often learn and teach each other things about art, technique, and our own perspectives. Granted, she doesn’t make portraits of people making funny faces – there still are some parallels, I think…

The other image is of a painting in progress of myself as an astronaut. At the time the image was taken, I had built the canvas & support, and was working on the base layer of paint. I hope to be able to show more pictures of the work in progress in the weeks ahead.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to read my entries, to offer your support and encouragement, and for your love of the arts. I hope we will all one day cross paths.

Until next time,

Demi

Website http://demiart.com if you are so inclined...

Image 1: Listening 1 ©Rebecca Raven 2003, 6 ¾" x 5 ¼", oil on copper
Image 2: Demi Raven, NASA Astronaut ©Demi Raven 2006, 4" x 3", oil on canvas