Well that was a bust!

Seriously!

I had the bright idea (artists have a lot of those) that I had the tech savvy to make the "What's New" section of my website function as my blog and feed it out to the world like I do with this blog.

Short version, it ain't happening.

But the good news is this blog is dependable (thank goodness) and can chug along just fine with only an occasional tune up. And as a bonus I now have 2 places where friends can see what's going on in my studio: good old blogger and a brand new website.

So the news is I have a New Website

Yes, I've dragged myself into 21st century by updating my website, finally......................... 

The new site is sleek and makes me feel cool and hip. (you're supposed to giggle here) 

I'd love it if you'd look. If anything is not working or you see problems please let me know.

The web address is the same as the old one, but the new site is much prettier and easier to navigate.

www.maggieruley.com

And now on to fun stuff.

There's a great group of Plein Air painters here in Key West that go out and paint every Wednesday.  Now that the town has gotten a little quieter I don't feel so bad about playing hooky and joining them for a few hours of outdoor painting.  I've really enjoyed it.  One week we painted Tennessee William's House. Not his anymore of course, but we all still call it that. The next week we painted in the section of town called "The Meadows".  It's crammed with extremely lovely houses and cottages that are a joy to paint. 

1431 Duncan Street,  oil, 11 x 14"  SOLD
Tennessee Williams' House

Lovely on Olivia 

acrylic, $345, 11 x 14"

Maggie Ruley, 2017

Thank goodness I had a shady spot to paint in.

I like the way the fence comes up to the tree.

Everyone have a good day,

hugs,

Maggie

If you are reading this is your inbox thank you for being a subscriber.  If you want to read it in the original blog format which can connect to other fascinating blog posts click here.

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 Her studio and gallery is located in the historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

www.maggieruley.com

Take the quiz, what kind of art Is best for you?

Original Art vs. Giclee Reproductions

Which is better?

 I was at the Rick Worth opening at Salt Gallery last weekend when a friend asked me how you can tell the difference between a giclee reproduction* and an original.  I answered her question**, but I could tell that what she was REALLY asking was....."is it okay to buy a giclee?  If she bought one would her friends know it wasn't an original?"   She is not the first person to ask that question, implied or explicit, and she won't be the last. And it's a really good question to consider.

And another question that goes along with the question, "is it okay?" is "which is better?"

Answer: Depends, (done with a shrug of the shoulders and a raised eyebrow)
It depends on how you see yourself in relationship to your art.

Take the quiz below.

 When it comes to buying art:

A.  I very carefully choose my art, sometimes going to 10 galleries and not buying anything.

B.  I buy art to decorate my house.

C.  I'm eclectic my art is eclectic.

answers below



Dinghy Duo
original sold, size 20 x 24"
available as a giclee reproduction
see it here
©Maggie Ruley 2015

If you answered A, you probably will be happier with original paintings or art pieces. All the hard work and searching you do will become part of the story you tell about how you found this particular piece. Fine art or not-so-fine art, each one will have a special place in your collection.

If you answered B,  the next question is how often do you re-decorate?  Are you shabby chic this year, but planning to switch to mid-century modern next?  And even planning the redo after that?
If you're a frequent re-decorator then maybe giclee reproductions are for you.  You can use them to turn this year's version of your house into a home you love..........and not feel too bad if you pass them on to others when you decide to redo. 
If you plan for your décor to last for awhile, buy a mix of what works for you.  Whether its original or not, if it fits in and makes you happy, grab it.

If you answered C, you probably don't care about the answer to the question.  You never even asked it in the first place.  You buy something because you like it, period - end of story.

Okay, these, of course, are my answers to the question.  They are only opinions.  You should always listen to your own opinions, and do what feels right. stuff my lawyer would make me say if I had a lawyer.

Both original paintings and giclee reproductions have a place in the art world.  It's just a matter of what works for you.

**I answered my friend's "how do you tell?" question like this. Look at the sides of the painting. A giclee often has the image mirrored on the sides and if you look closely you'll notice a very slight shift in pattern or image.  Not easy to do if the giclee has a frame.
Next get up really close to the painting and look for brushwork and raised paint areas.  A giclee won't have them unless the artist has enhanced it with touches of paint. 

Visit my collection of giclee reproductions here  I work with a small boutique printing company. I'll be happy to add brushwork and details to your giclee, send me an email with your request. 

*What exactly is a giclee?  Read more.

The Super Secret September Special is still going on.

If you lost the link, here it is.  Take a look and see if the painting you love is still available.

Everyone have a great week.
super big hugs,
Maggie

P.S.  Let me know if you are A, B, or C, I'm curious.

P.P.S. I'm a C


Read about Rick Worth

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 Her studio-gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

maggie.ruleykw@yahoo.com

Find more things to love on my website: www.maggieruley.com

Connect with me on FACEBOOK

Aloha Moon
an oldie but a goodie
giclee available by email
original sold, size 30" by 40"
©Maggie Ruley

One Extra Large Tropical Key West Cottage Painting, coming right up!

Beebo and Walser
acrylic 30 x 40"
©Maggie Ruley 2015

 

I recently taught a one-day workshop based on my

20 Minute Painting Technique. One of the attendees was from Naples, Florida. During the workshop, which was on a Thursday, she commissioned a 30" x 40" painting and was very specific about a number of items and colors.  She wanted a colorful, tropical Key West cottage painting. And by the way, she needed it by noon on Saturday.  Since I was teaching

a 20 minute painting technique I should be able to whip it out, Right? So I put a hustle one it and I had it finished on time. When she picked it up she loved it so much she commission two more. But no sweat I had 6 days to finish those and then ship them to her over night.

 

313
acrylic 20 x 16"
©Maggie Ruley 2015

 

 

Beebo
acrylic 16 x 20"
©Maggie Ruley 2015

 

 

Under painting for Beebo and Walser

By the way a shout out to my very good friend Janet Burner of Sabino Pottery for lighting a fire under my ass to get me posting.  To see Janet's wonderful pottery click HERE.

906 Seabreeze Lane, Day 9, 30 Day Challenge

906 Sea Breeze Lane  6 x 8", acrylic on paper
Day 9, 30 Day Challenge
SOLD © 2013 Maggie Ruley

Fellow blogger Maggie Latham lived in this little pink cottage on Pohalski  Lane in Key West awhile back.  I told her I would try to work it into the 30 day challenge.  I have painted this house before in a small painting called Sea breeze Lane.  I just couldn't title it Pohalski Lane, now could I?

Here are the photos of the lane, cute cottage but strange roof line.  The area on the right might have been a later addition, which is very typical of Key West architecture.

And in other news, the give away is still going on the information is below.

I am having a give-away!

Here is how it works.  Leave a comment on my post and you will be entered to win.  I am going to give away one painting a week for the duration of the 30 Day Challenge, (the month of September, 2013). If you comment daily on my posts then you can be entered up to 7 times to win.  The winner will have their choice of any unsold painting of the week. 

Those of you who subscribe by e-mail to this blog can either reply to the e-mail, or comment and you will be entered.

Please note this drawing is going to be casual.  I am not hiring any fancy auditing company to do the selection.  It is going to be a plain old pieces of paper in a bowl thing.

If you are the winner your painting will be shipped to you after it has dried, which can take one to two weeks with oils.

To see other paintings from the 30 day challenge click here.



Day 8, 30 Day Challenge, Smathers Beach, Looking North

Smathers Beach, looking north,  5x7" oil on paper.
Day 8, 30 Day Challenge
$40 ©2013 Maggie Ruley

I learned a lot the first week of this challenge.

1.  It is fun to offer a give away and get people to look at my blog.

2. I should not have gotten so enthusiastic about palm trees in the very beginning.  I still have about 7 starts that need to be finished.  But I did take some cottage photos today that I can use for reference this week.

3. It is easy to do a small painting everyday when I am working in the pottery studio, but when I am focusing on a larger piece it is hard to break away from that to do a smaller piece.

4.  I have wonderful friends in blog land and on Facebook.

I will give away another painting next Sunday, here's the info:

I am having a give-away!

Here is how it works.  Leave a comment on my post and you will be entered to win.  I am going to give away one painting a week for the duration of the 30 Day Challenge, (the month of September, 2013). If you comment daily on my posts then you can be entered up to 7 times to win.  The winner will have their choice of any unsold painting of the week. 

Those of you who subscribe by e-mail to this blog can either reply to the e-mail, or comment and you will be entered.

Please note this drawing is going to be casual.  I am not hiring any fancy auditing company to do the selection.  It is going to be a plain old pieces of paper in a bowl thing.

If you are the winner your painting will be shipped to you after it has dried, which can take one to two weeks with oils.