My Secret Signature

When I was in first grade my teacher taught us how to draw animals using letters of the alphabet. I really only remember that we made a whale out the letter W ... and then there was the S-Duck. Since my name began with S, I quickly had a natural affinity to this letter.  Who knows, perhaps this is where my love for drawing birds also was birthed. I started drawing the S-Duck on every piece of paper I could get my hands on. I even drew it on sidewalks with chalk...and on a shirt sleeve...and maybe on a basement wall. (Not on a basement wall if my mom is reading this.)

The S-Ducky, which it affectionately became known as, needed scenery and a lovely, utopic world to live in. My drawings began to portray S-Ducky floating on top of blue ocean water filled with seaweed, clams, fish and rocks. The sky was always blue and the sun was shining. 

A bit embarrassing is the evolution of S-Ducky drawings after this point.  I'm not sure when I became so obsessed with love and marriage, but my six year old brain thought this must be the measure of pure bliss... so, of course Mr. S-Ducky met Mrs. S-Ducky and they expressed their love with marriage vows on the Sea of Love.

Years ago, when I was getting started down my professional painting path, my sister said I should put some sort of personalized signature on the back of my original paintings. She then said, "You need to put the S-Ducky!" We both laughed, and it definitely seemed fitting. For several years now, the S-Ducky has been my "secret signature" on the back of my paintings. So please know that if you own one of my paintings, you actually own two pieces of my art, and the S-Ducky is my love stamp.

Share Something With Someone Today

My request is that you share something about yourself with someone today that you normally wouldn't share, or with someone that normally you wouldn't share yourself with.  I promise, the result will be freeing for you, and it will open up communication with the other person that you never knew could exist.

Openly Sharing, 16 x 48, Sold

Recently inspired by a FaceBook campaign to get artists talking about their work, I realized how much we artists have to share and often forget the road we traveled, getting us to where we are currently.  This campaign has created the opportunity to see my artist friends work and hear their stories. Causing me and others to know them newly and in a richer context of who they are as people and artists. Artists often have to come from a vulnerable space to create, then they have to have courage to put their work in front of an audience, knowing that human beings will always be judging and assessing... that is just what we humans do.

This makes me think about how we human beings, in general, don't share ourselves enough in an authentic way. By authentic way, I mean exposing thoughts and feelings in a way that is real with no fear or concerns of being judged. Why don't we share? We don't share for so many reasons;  we want to be liked, we don't feel like what we say is important, it can be uncomfortable to share, we want others to do the work, we don't have confidence, we feel embarrassed, we are afraid of what others will say or not say, we think we are stupid ... And it goes on and on.

Creating A Community, 40 x 30, Sold

When we don't share, we forget our own greatness and rob others of our contribution.  It is freeing and can be the greatest gift to ourselves to be known.  We also forget that it is in us sharing that other people can be inspired and called into action about what they can have for their lives.  To have no constraints in being able to express ourselves, leads to love with no constraints in all of our relationships. And for those of you, like myself, that tend to want to withhold their feelings, have the courage to be open and straight with people. Remember, people like a straight shooter, they know where they stand, and you get to the experience of being true to yourself. 

The Artist 3x5 Challenge on Facebook consists of artists nominating other artists to share 3 of their works for 5 days. I think it has been beneficial for getting to know artists better and also created a sense of community with artists. 

Some of my artists friends that I have enjoyed getting to experience their work during the Artist 3x5 Challenge on Facebook are: Rip Caswell, Buzz Siler, Flora Bowly, Martin Burch, Theresa Andreas-O'leary, Juliette Crane, Jeni Lee, Katherine Treffinger, Paulette Insall 

Hand Embellished Prints with great Quality

Getting ready to hand embellish giclee canvas prints for a client.

My canvas giclee prints are in limited editions, they are printed with 100+ years archival ink and laminated with a UV protective finish in gloss or matte.   I do hand embellish a small number of prints in each edition, which are labeled as artist proofs.  Prints come with a certificate of authenticity and all are signed by yours truly.

When embellished with paint, the print really has an extra punch of texture and color, making it look more like an original piece of art.  As in the case of the above embellished prints, they are all being tweaked to meet the color palette the client wants...bringing down the pinks and reds and adding more rust and peach tones.

Many artists these days are making prints of their work, it has truly leveled the playing field for people being able to have affordable art.  I love the idea of art being available for everyone to enjoy.  Although I have been approached by several licensing companies over the last couple of years to produce my work on a mass scale for retail chain stores in open editions,  I have decided not to go this route.  I find it resonates with me to keep my images special to the people that really want them by limiting the quantity to a small number.  The pricing of my prints reflects their originality and limited quantity.   If the giclee print is embellished by me, although still a print, it is a one of a kind piece of art that will look like no other. 

Love Story, Sarah Goodnough Painting

Love Story - 36 x 48 Acrylic Painting on Canvas - Original Sold - Giclee Prints Available

Love Story was a romantic piece that came about because of my passion for roses. I have had the idea to paint roses for awhile and decided to add the birds in a tree to this contemporary impressionist painting. I can just imagine looking up at the moon while sitting with my loved one in this old English garden.