Transformation
(If you want to skip the personal stuff and just get to the art, by all
means scroll down ;-)
As I indicated in my last newsletter, I had been feeling a little blue
for the last month. There were reasons for that and perhaps I needed to
mourn some losses for a bit. Many of you sent words of encouragement
and I sincerely thank you. Last week I told my sister that despite some
challenges, I would handle it, because that's what we DeLongs do.
The next morning I woke up, looked in the mirror and said to myself
"WTF are you doing moping around, you're Cody DeLong, you rock".
And just like that I snapped out of my funk. I had to remind myself of
where I've been and what I've accomplished thus far.
I've always been my own man. Except for a couple of years right out of
high school when I worked as a machinist, I have pretty much always
worked for myself. Though I was never too proud to take a menial job
temporarily when I needed to.
In my 20s as a small town Michigan boy with only a high school
education I decided to move to Las Vegas. Talk about culture shock. I
taught myself to airbrush. I started my own business though I knew
nothing about running a business. I did good work and people wanted to
do business with me because I showed integrity. Jobs were completed
when I said they would be even if I had to work through the night,
which happened often in those days. I progressed from T-shirts, to
Automotive Art, to Product Illustration (before computers took that
over). I even did some pin striping and sign painting from time to
time, which was an art form in itself.
I worked hard and played hard for about 7 years in Vegas. Then I sold
everything and bought a small class C motorhome and spent the next 4
years traveling around the country. That was 25 years ago, before cell
phones or the internet, (and I did it for 3 years longer than
Steinbeck). It was an adventure. When I needed extra money I stopped to
dig ditches, haul hay or even shovel manure. Yet I was happy, living
free just me and my dog T-bone. During my years on the road I taught
myself to paint in oils. I didn't know then it was called Plein air
painting, I just called it painting outdoors.
On a return trip to Vegas I met Sara who would become my wife. I
whisked her off to Cottonwood where we spent the next 20 years
together. I did some crafts until my oil paintings began to sell and
for the last 12 years I ran my own gallery in Jerome. I did it all,
paperwork, ordering supplies, framing, website, newsletter, social
media, advertising, tent shows, plein air events, workshops, wrote and
submitted articles to newspapers and magazines etc etc.
I didn't have the right connections, or travel in the right social
circles. I didn't go to the right parties. I didn't have a gallery
other than my own. I just kept working on my craft, and my business.
Until the last few years I kept old cars running. I've remodeled two
homes. I've organized river trips through the Grand Canyon. I've been
invited to national events and even won some national awards. I've been
a lifelong athlete. I still work out religiously and place some checks
on my appetite. Mountain biking anyone? Not too long ago I took self
improvement courses in Phoenix (Landmark forum).
And, while exhaustively running my own gallery, for about the last 7 or
8 years I've been studying finance in my 'spare time'. I mean several
hours a day, every day. Specifically the stock market and
Cryptocurrencies. Every time I sold a large painting, or just had a
good month at the gallery, I put a little more into my investments. All
the research has paid off.
The gallery made less in 2020, but even through the pandemic I managed
to turn a small profit.
I'm sure I could continue as I have been, but I'm choosing to go on the
road, and turn the page once again.
I need new inspiration, new adventures.
I'm proud of what I've accomplished and there's more to come.
I'm still Cody DeLong, my lust for life still burns bright.
You can't keep a renaissance man down for long ;-)
I'll keep my website and newsletter going, I'll post some things on
Facebook, and I'll continue to accept commissions while I'm exploring
our beautiful country.
On Monday I hand over the keys of my home to someone else, and move
into my camper full time.
I will close the gallery at the end of February.
I'm super excited to start this new chapter. The camper improvements
are coming along nicely.
My heart beats like a big base drum anticipating the discoveries ahead.
I hope you'll stay tuned as I share my experiences over the coming
year, and a huge thank you for your support.
My Lithium installation
My Lithium installation
Image 3975121
Image 3975128
Private Reserve
These paintings came from my private collection. I've chosen not to
have a storage unit, so literally everything must go. I do have a
couple of galleries who will take some work, but you get the idea,
everything is on sale.
I have to be out of my Jerome studio by the end of February.
_____
Contact me if any of these speak to you - cody@codydelong.com
November Lanes Cove 30x40
November Lanes Cove 30x40
Rockport Autumn 36x36
Rockport Autumn 36x36
_____
Fishing shacks of Seldovia AK 12x16
Fishing shacks of Seldovia AK 12x16
More 'Private Reserve' paintings to come. Stay tuned!
_____
Stay healthy and may art bring you some peace and comfort.
~Cody
_____
As always, you can see more new works at
CodyDeLong.com
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