I'm happy to have the opportunity to post blogs here on Wan. I've been posting for a while on my own site, about my about my journey as a working artist. For the backstory, you can find me here: http://mmutrux.blogspot.com.
I’ve been working at a manic pace, painting 5-8 hours a day. My poor brushes are disintegrating at an alarming rate. The first results of my mini painting series are finished.

more on the way
There’s a wonderful flow to this process, since my very first paintings were small ones just like these. They are fun to explore, enabling me to purge all the images built up in my consciousness. So many times, I see something that just begs to be painted, but working as a professional artist, the “serious” paintings take precedence.
My last large painting, Marilyn, went into photo-realism more than usual. Painting this way is technically challenging, but leaves me feeling stifled. It’s nice to have a break from all that, and explore. There’s nothing I love more than a bold brushstroke, unusual color mixing, or the odd drip. The big canvases are benefiting, and I'm having fun again.Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned.~Mark Twain
Part 2
Not Without a Fight
As many of you know, it’s been a difficult few months. In fact, the last nine months have been some of the most trying in my life, but I’m determined to make this work. In betting terms, I’m all in. Despite all the hardships, it’s been my best year yet as a full-time artist. There is no turning back, so I keep pushing, hoping for better times. A few weeks ago, I was accepted to the Marin Art Festival. This is one of the top shows in the county, billed as “the most beautiful art festival in the
nation”. With just 92 spots available, and over 900 applications, I was accepted!
I’m struggling right now just to pay rent, and can’t afford booth fees. The folks at Marin were kind enough to give me two weeks to raise the funds. There are even more acceptance letters coming in, and I'm doing everything I can to do these shows.
To help me accomplish my goals, I’m turning to my Internet friends and family, and creating mini oil paintings to post in my Etsy shop. They are reasonably priced at $55 each. If you have a request, I’ll make one just for you.
I’m also offering a $25% discount on prints and necklaces (discount refunded after checkout). Just make sure you mention the blog.
Thanks for reading folks, and I won't hold it against you if you don't get a painting. :)

