Friday, November 30, 2007
Putting some NEW - OLD Pieces On
Thursday, November 29, 2007
My Squidoo Lenses
Dancing With The Stars
I admit...I did catch a few episodes of the show but, mostly when there wasn't anything else on and I had work to do on the computer. But I saw enough to figure out what was going on. I found myself rooting more for the professionals...rather than the 'stars'. I hoped the little gal who won last year, with Anton Apollo Ono...yes I caught a few episodes of last year's show too....would win with Helio...and she did.
Most of the TV that I do watch is, more or less, just 'company'. I find that I really do not like the quiet...even though I could probably go crazy with new ideas if I allowed it.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Not sure what it's going to take...
For three years, eBay has provided us a fair income. For the most part, we could pay our bills and purchase supplies.
Then, for some reason I do not understand, eBay decided to change the way our listings came up. Our featured listings (yes, I do go on about paying the $25 a pop, don't I) were buried, according to time listed and time ending, in the midst of both features and non-features.
What the hell.....? We were being buried by listings with an average cost of 1.50 per listing....what was the point in featuring????
Then, to top that off...the major power sellers figured out how to further bury the 'also-rans'.
They opened new shops and by doing this, they found that they could constantly 'revise' their items and keep themselves on the front page at all times. They linked their main site into their new one and voila...front page coverage 24/7 for both sites. But, who said life was fair...!??
For the rest of us...we could 'revise' all we wanted and all we got for our efforts was, further buried.
I go on about this...obviously, it is still bothering me. I rather felt like we were 'forced out' by the major sellers..and eBay's disregard for the smaller vendors. I know we chose to leave..but, it probably wouldn't have come up had it not been for the surprise changes and glitches!
With this being our primary source of income...it does create a bit of stress! (Damned eBay anyway!)
Anyway...with that out of my system, once again, I will say that I do enjoy my Etsy Shops. (I really do...though I still have a lot to learn...like when to list, how many items to list...and even, what to list.)
I also now have two Zazzle Shops, as well. I've had the Tuscan Art Zazzle Shop for a year now. I know because I made my first sale there last December. Of course, I've made twelve sales on that site and still haven't reached the minimum for payout. YIKES!!!
But, I'm also on CAFE PRESS...for longer than I've been on Zazzle...and still have never made even one sale there!
I really am 'out there' ... all over the place!
If you don't believe me...just 'Google' Charlene Zatloukal and see how many places I come up!
I don't know if I just need to change what I do...may it is just too 'ordinary'. Certainly I'm sure that I'm not marketing myself very well...but, I'm not sure how in the world to do that either.
On the plus side...Jaime has been approached by a Gallery in Burbank CA. Hopefully she'll have some originals in the gallery there soon! I'm glad one of us is having some success!
Monday, November 26, 2007
I Stay Up Far Too Late...
Saturday, November 24, 2007
It's The 'Little' Things...
Yes, my back yard could use some attention...it seems that, literally, one day the tree in my back yard was jam packed with beautiful yellow leaves, the next day...they were all on the ground.
But, it worked out fine for Simon and Ava...they wanted to 'jump in the leaves'...so they did.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wishing You a Very Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for...
+being married to the same man for 35 years, though he is gone he gave me the best 35 years of my life...
+having the children that I do, each one of them is a true blessing...
+having the grandchildren I have, each with their own individual little personality, with so much love for their families, it's hard not to fall deeply, madly in love with each one...
+that my married children have been blessed to have the spouses they have, each one 'perfect' for that particular child....
+having the gift of creativity, it really helps during the majorly bad times, and with entertaining the youngest of the grandbabies...
+the fortitude to keep on keeping on, even during the most trying times...
+a most blessed life! It has been a truly GREAT one!!!
For these things and so much, much more...I give thanks!!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Clarifying Who I AM
My reasoning for both shops is, that I felt the collectors of my 'dark, sad, surreal, macabre' art would not care for some of my 'happy, cute, abstract, Tuscan, landscape, floral' art... and vice versa.
After losing the 'love of my life' a little over a year ago...I have been mostly sad.
And, though most of the art I have done since then has been very sad and surreal, I try very hard to try to find happy and hopeful moments, as often as possible. When I do find them, I paint them.
Maybe the 'separation' of the art is something I need to do for myself...I don't really know. But...
For now, I will keep them separate...I just wanted to let you know that I am one artist..with many dimensions.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
I've Put a 'Primitive' Piece on Etsy
It is on an 8" x 10" cotton canvas sheet. It's real canvas, primed with gesso, and I've decided to give this a go in order to keep my prices as low as possible for my collectors.
You can find this painting at.....
http://www.cmzart.etsy.com/
And, I've sold my first painting on Overstock.com. I wasn't sure if I liked that site or not...it is quite a bit different from eBay...there appears to be a lot of "paint by number" knock offs filling up the site, but I've got my first bid, so maybe I was a little hasty in my first impressions.
You can find me there quite easily...just type CMZart in the search and you'll find me.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A New Day...
So, today is a new day and my attitude is much improved. I will admit, my leaving eBay was not without some regret, but one must do what is best for themselves in the long run.
With that said, I am excited about my plans for my future paintings. I want to go back to my 'roots', so to speak. More primitive pieces, more figurative art...
I hope to start listing some of those tomorrow, on Etsy. I plan to concentrate on that site in particular.
I will list very little on Overstock...and somewhat more often on ArtByUs...the price is quite right on that site, but my main focus will be on my Etsy sites.
This little piece is a print I have listed on Etsy...from my 2005 Tuscan Folks series.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
CMZ Art Now on ETSY...and MORE
Saturday, November 10, 2007
My Artist's 'Statement'
'Nebraska native, Charlene Murray Zatloukal, has spent much of the past 35 years, creating. In her creations she has found that life is a lesson in communication.
"Painting is a dialogue that allows me to express myself without words. It is a silent witness of who I am and how I am feeling. I often find freedom in expressing myself in this manner, since I believe that more is said in silence than in words. Many things in life just "are."
It is my feeling that art does not need to be explained. If a painting does not speak for itself, no amount of explanation will convince the viewer of its value or justify its existence. I feel that a painting is a statement... good statements and bad statements and consistent with the 'inner' person.
My art is an opportunity for me to be myself without explaining myself. I am what I am. It is a personal statement of who I am and how I feel about the world around me."
For the past three years, my livelihood has come from online sales of my art.
For anyone interested in learning more about me, or my art, go to one of the following sites...
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
My First Sale on Etsy
Monday, November 5, 2007
I'll have art featured in the Art Showcase on Nov 6th.
I am going to have one of my paintings featured on the Art Showcase on Etsy tomorrow, Nov 6th. The only problem is, I'm not sure which painting to feature...I'm thinking about featuring this one here..but, I know that my yellow Tuscan Landscapes are so uniquely mine, I'm considering one of those instead.
I know I'd better figure it out soon...decisions...decisions.
Check out my paintings at CMZart.Etsy.com.
Thanks.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Please Check Etsy Daily....
I will be listing something new on Etsy daily. Here is a little preview of a few new prints and ACEO limited edition prints.
I am just getting this site up and operational and it gives me a freedom that I have longed for since becoming part of my second group.
I need the freedom of deciding what I want to list...when I want to list...how much (or how little) I want to list. Now it looks like I will finally have it....YAY!!!
Ebay hasn't 'artist friendly' for quite a few months, so it is nice to find a site that seems easier...and much friendlier.
Time will tell, and I suppose I've become a little 'gun-shy' after eBay.....but I do look forward to a long and happy relationship with Etsy:)
It's already off to a really good start!
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I have also set this blog site up as 'my signature' in my email. Cool..huh!
It Needs Repair
Contemplating Life
Dimensions = 10" x 10 x 3/4"
Medium = Oils and Acrylic
Original and unique...directly from my studio...not a print or giclee.
Signed and dated by the artist on back of painting.
High quality gallery wrapped canvas wrapped around stretcher bars, with staples free sides.
Finished with a protective coat of high gloss varnishThe sides are painted black so framing is not required unless desired. (Shown framed in one picture, for example only. Frame is not included with purchase.)
High End Upscale Artwork from an established highly collected artist.
About the Artist:
Charlene Murray Zatloukal...a self taught artist whose paintings can be found in corporate and private collections worldwide. Painting styles include abstract, pop surrealism, Tuscan, and others.
"I consider myself multi-dimensional, which is reflected in my art and my styles."
"I paint 'possibilities' and 'impossibilities'... 'dreams and nightmares'... 'what is and what might be.'" Want to more of my paintings.... check it out at
A Bit About Me
I am also a professional artist.
I have been painting and selling my creations for almost thirty years.
I have received no secondary or formal training in the study and development of artistic education. Everything I have learned about the creation and expression of art I have learned on my own. I frequently categorize my art in the genre of Outsider Art for this reason.
My art can be found in collections, homes and offices throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Australia.
I am entirely self taught and draw the inspiration for my art from everyday life, from the recesses of my imagination and quite often from an accidental slip of the hand or an experiment gone awry.
I have created and sold original art, directly as well as commissioned, since 1975, with much success. I am committed to offering work that is unique, interesting and entirely my own.
I have neither the interest nor the time to follow or emulate what others are doing, as I am too busy trying to follow the visions and the 'voices in my own mind'.
I love to create art of all kinds and in all mediums and I hope others enjoy looking at my work as much as I have enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for your interest.