With a Little Help From my Friends..

Wow...what a week and it's only Wednesday!!!

I ended last week thinking everything was in place that I needed for the agreement--that it was over and signed and mailed. NOT!!

We had a new round of emails--and since written text can be read so many ways--let me say that all my friends (new and old) here were very understanding until this newbie got it right!!
Thanks to James Jensen of Solid Air for his understanding as I learned what is typically done with permission to use agreements. Thanks as well to Wayne for his time in reviewing the new agreements. Now to get that agreement signed and in the mail.

This led to some interesting conversation between a musician/producer friend of mine here in Middletown. I was curious how masters are handled today with the record industry so I asked him how he handles this with his artists. I'm not going to share the answer, but it was really interesting hearing how Ray Charles actually lost money controling his masters and what my friend does today. Learning how to deal with all these agreements in the internet world is just as interesting. (How come I keep hearing Leia's voice saying "the more you tighten your grip, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.") What a delicate line to walk--and musicians aren't the only ones walking it. Like a painting on an artist's website--save to your computer and make it a wallpaper without paying a penny to the artist. In the meantime, while you like the art, the artist isn't compensated for their work, talent and for the cost of the supplies as well as thier learning. They don't even get the benefit of knowing that someone liked it enough to want to have it on their computer. However, don't have a presence on the web, you don't get the art in front of people to buy or see. The only thing I can add is that the pictures don't do the artwork justice. To get the depth and feeling (even more than what's invoked by seeing it on the web), you need to see it in person. AHHH...the electronic world!

In addition to working the agreement I stretched a number of canvases and am still battling the first of a number of lighthouses I'm painting for this project. I just need it to not fall off the cliff I have it on!! Now you know why I stretched canvas. This one is going to really kill me!!
But again I enjoy painting and it's a constant learning for me. Tonight is plein air night...if it doesn't rain. Then back to the studio to paint some more...

Also, we are starting to book in acts to 1 Floor Up. Have a meeting today with my musician friend to put some plans in place to make this a great place to play, listen, and socialize. I'm looking forward to pairing Artistic Harmonies with a concert again. A Friday night out---with music and art---sounds good to me!

So, with the help of my friends, we continue on. More later...