MINDFUL ART

© 2004-2006

By Eugenia Algaze Garcia

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Please click on an underlined question to go to the answer.

 Artist Statement

1.

What is a Giclée?

 About the Artist

2.

How long does it take to paint an original?

 Artworks

3.

What is your definition of mixed media multiple original?

 Exhibitions

4.

What is your definition of a "limited edition"?

 Other Display Locations

5.

Do you offer your originals for sale?

 Vote for your favorites

6.

Why do you offer most of your work as giclées?

 Creative Writing Spotlight

7.

Do you take commissions for acrylics and watercolors?

 Guestbook

8.

Why do you gather feedback?

 FAQs

9.

Why don't you always remember what you painted?

Fundraising Programs

10.

Are you on drugs when you paint?

 Contact Information

11.

Where do you get some of your ideas for paintings?

 Home

12.

Why is there a "thumb's up" hidden in your artworks with hidden Longhorn type of cattle?

13.

Is your art like Bev Doolittle's or Highlights Magazine?

14.

Why do you hide people's interests in their portraits?

15.

Do you copy other artists' work?

 

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What is a Giclée?

A Giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) is a high quality archival print that looks like an original using archival quality surfaces and inks that are sprayed at a rapid rate with a special machine. Giclée quality is only as good as the materials used. Therefore, you will find varying degrees of quality between different giclée producers which list different lifespans. (The printer we use, David Arts in Friendswood, uses materials that resist fading for 200 years, as per manufacturers of the paper and inks, if properly cared for as you would any other fine art under museum conditions).

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1.

2.

How long does it take to paint an original?

For a picture totally from scratch, the main concept can take anywhere from an hour to develop to over a year depending on the research required. My mind turns it over and over until the right idea develops with just the right amount of inspiration. The time it takes to paint the original takes anywhere from a few hours (for a small painting) to over 6 months to a year, depending on time available, number of draft concepts, size of painting, materials used, etc.. --- plus over 30 years of subconciouspreparation.

Please allow for a 1 to 2 week turn around on pencil portraits from a photo as these are worked into my schedule.

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3.

What is your definition of mixed media multiple original ?

(Also referred to at times as an original mixed media multiple). This is when there is more than one original of the same image.. Some of my artworks are offered as mixed media multilple originals. These incorporate 2 or more types of media for producing multiple originals of the "same" design. On some of these I have taken one of the signed and numbered limited edition Giclées and added to it artistically by hand in some way with another media, such as watercolor, acrylic, or gesso. Thus, although no 2 are exactly the same I include them in a numbered limited edition so that the art lover knows how many similar artworks may be produced.

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4.

What is your definition of a "limited edition"?

A limited edition artwork is an artwork offered in a particular format. Once the number of items in that format is "sold out" it will never appear in that format again. A certificate of authenticity is included with each Mindful Art limited edition giclée which states the details of the limited edition and is signed by the artist.

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5.

Do you offer your originals for sale?

Sometimes. Most of my paintings offered now as giclées were inspired by family members and close friends and are part of private collections around the world. They represent my paintings spanning around 20 years of gifts given for special occasions to close ones. My children are young and painting time is limited. I am hoping to have more time to paint now that the youngest is in school. . Also, some artworks are very difficult to part with. Be on the lookout for my "Sneaky Fish" new series of originals, some in pencil and some in watercolor. Original explorations are also available on occasion.

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6.

Why do you offer most of your work as giclées?

a. See answer to previous question above (#5).

b. In 2003 I was trying to get several original art pieces framed for a fundraising silent auction when the staff at the frame shop told me I was out of my mind to be giving away this kind of artwork. They introduced me to the concept of giclées. When the frame shop recommended a place, David Arts, I quickly researched the concept in depth and shopped around. I was very impressed with the quality and the options. Instead of waiting to start my art business a year later as anticipated, I decided to start it immediately by offering giclée reproductions of my original artwork and help the school's fundraising efforts in the process.

c. It helps keep the cost down to those interested in sharing the joy of looking at Mindful Art. Some paintings require a large investment of time in research and creating the concept and would make for a very expensive painting limited to only one purchaser to enjoy.

d. A few of my earlier works were neat paintings on not so great paper. Many of these could not even be captured for presentation as a Giclée. Some of these have been saved by this archival quality preservation system. I have learned a great deal in over 30 years of creating art - especially the value of good quality acid free archival quality surfaces for paintings and drawings. And I am still learning!

e. They look like original paintings. (Good thing I sign and number them and include a certificate so that you know what you are getting).

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7.

Do you take commissions for acrylics and watercolors?

Perhaps in the Spring of 2005 I will if the price is right. For now, I have a lot of catching up to do with the long list of paintings I have committed myself to paint. Sketching Custom Pencil Portraits is my way of staying connected and providing a personal touch with a small investment of time compared to the lengthy research some of my paintings require to achieve their creative uniqueness. See Portraits. Collecting feedback from those interested in my work will help me prioritize future paintings as I make my way through my list.

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8.

Why do you gather feedback?

To help me prioritize future paintings as well as give those interested in my work a more interactive role in my art;

To improve;

To get a better feel for what people would like to see in the future;

To share the joy of art!

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9.

Why don't you always remember what you painted?

When I paint I go into a trance. I can usually remember what I planned to incorporate into the painting. However, I don't always remember what came out of my subconscious mind while I was painting that relates to the topic or relates to the interests of the person for whom the painting was intended -- Especially after a number of years has gone by after painting the original. Also, MINDFUL ART is created in a way to provide interaction with its audience and to reflect their subconscious minds as well..... Like looking at clouds. Thus...The More You Look.....The More You See....

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10.

Are you on drugs when you paint?

NO WAY! Life is too precious to take those kinds of risks. When I was 7 years old I had a near death experience due to a ruptured appendix. I learned how to appreciate the exhilarating effects of life. I can be happy drinking water. It is all about attitude! However, sometimes I do need to listen to a music piece by Vivaldi to get me in a painting mood.

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11.

Where do you get some of your ideas for paintings?

Many of my paintings to date originated from my desire to paint something special that is full of meaning for those whom I care about. Others were created by inspiration. There is always some kind of story behind every painting.

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12.

Why is there a "thumb's up" hidden in some of your artworks along with hidden Longhorn type of cattle?

I am a Texas Aggie (went to Texas A&M University) and I have friends who went to the other school, (University of Texas), who I don't want to offend. They are both good University's, as are others. The thumbs in my artworks are sketched from real live thumbs from fellow Aggies who have given their consent to have their thumb drawn. A "thumb's up" is also an international symbol for "GOOD". Only a few artworks have these symbols.

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13.

Is your art like Bev Doolittle's or Highlights Magazine?

Fall of 2003 I would have responded with "Who is Bev Doolittle?" I was a little out of touch with the art world, focusing more on my kids. I looked her up. I now realize that I have seen a couple of her pieces here and there. Her art is very good. Many artists have "hidden" items in their work at some point or other, so no "one" artist's name had stuck in my mind.

 My art goes beyond a hidden image. Mindful Art is designed to be enjoyed on the surface (just because you like the picture) and then has a bonus when you need more than a picture: meaningful concepts to ponder hidden in the art.

Mindful Art is thought provoking - if you want it to be. Sometimes, the hidden items are so subtle, you don't even realize that there is anything hidden. The items hidden are usually symbolic, relating to either the theme of the painting or to the person for whom the painting was intended. Often the two are intertwined with feelings and interpretations of the subject.

 Mindful Art is also designed to be interactive. On occasion, viewers find additional hidden items that go along with the theme that I don't remember consciously hiding. These are usually mixed together with some more obvious hidden items, providing different levels of challenge and FUN! Hence, the name: Mindful Art.

I invite YOU to exercise your imagination and look closely at what You see or think you see in relation to the title of the artwork.

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14.

Why do you hide people's interests in their portraits?

 

Teaching as a volunteer in an art program through the Galveston Art League's "World of Art" at the Shriner's Hospital Children's burn unit in Galveston has created a greater awareness on my part of seeing beyond the superficial features of a person. There is so much more to a person than what meets the eye. Hiding a person's interests in their portrait is but an extension of the art I already create that is full of meaning.

This creates a unique custom portrait that is particularly special to the customer. 

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15.

Do you copy other artists' work?

I prefer to create unique artwork. However, two that come to mind, Ballerina Orchid and Ripe Prickly Pear, utilized photographs that have caught my inspiration and I sought permission from the photographers before incorporating their concept into my unique artwork. Many of my artworks are originally conceived in my brain, inspired by the world around me, or utilize my personal photos. I may reference photos or life around me from time to time to study lighting, color, perspective,or shape, but I generally do not copy from other artists' work. That said, I will have to admit that I do copy occasionallyfrom this world's best unrestrictedpublic domain artist, "Mother Nature". Her Art is all around us. Her lighting effects and compositions are "divine" and very inspirational.

It is very important for art students to know that artwork and photographs are generally protected under copyright laws.

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If you have a question, please send it to mindfulart@yahoo.com.

www.mindful-art.com