Capturing a Moment in Time
Frances Lee Pineda, from Arvada, Colorado, didn’t plan to become a self-taught artist. Her background, education and life experience were in technical fields that didn’t inspire or nurture her creative spirit. But that all changed when she retired from business and took a good look for a meaningful endeavor to fill her time.
Artist, France Pineda. (FAR® Registered Artist)
“I retired at the age of 50 as the General Manager and CEO of an engineering firm which had been contracted to help clean up a plutonium facility. After so many years in technical work, I really needed a break and wanted to do something completely different. I started a property management business, but it didn’t keep me very busy.
“I felt a huge need to use my creative side. My son suggested that I take up painting in order to exercise the other side of my brain. Once I decided to concentrate on art, I went out and bought every art book I could get my hands on and started from there to teach myself as much as possible. The first year was tough, but I’ve stayed with it. I look at this as a joyful, never ending process – painting and sculpting are so completely fulfilling, I can’t imagine doing anything else!”
Frances has a clear idea of what she wants to achieve with her art. “I’ve always admired Monet. I hope to one day see what he saw and attain the skills to emulate that kind of beauty.
Mom at 18, by artist France Pineda. (FAR® ID #26784)
“I’m trying to capture a moment in time and express it with vibrant colors and shape, whether it’s an expression on a face or the gleam of light on glass. I suspect that I am no different than any other person who expresses themselves in clay and paint. It’s quiet and serene.
“I have many days where I get in the zone and feel completely satisfied, liberated and peaceful. I feel as though I’m growing in this field and I’m doing what makes me feel good. One day I expect that I will break outside the lines, so to speak, to get to where Monet was.”
Blue Glass Collection, by artist France Pineda. (FAR® ID #29107)
Although she has explored various subjects in her art, Frances stays fairly consistent with still life and portraits. “I have sculpted animals and busts of members of my family and also work in oils, pastels, air brush and sketch, but mostly work in acrylics. I will eventually explore landscapes and branch out into different styles.
Butterfly on Flowers, by artist France Pineda. (FAR® ID #28265)
“All I want is to perfect my painting and sculpting skills. I paint on a daily basis, I share my work with family and friends and I will continue to register each piece in my Fine Art Registry® portfolio and post them on eBay. I want to be around people who have the same interest, and develop a co-op.”
In just two years, she has achieved a great deal and her persistence is paying off – she has sold five paintings so far this year.
Bouquet in Green Vase, by artist France Pineda. (FAR® ID #28271)
The Fine Art Registry® Solution
Because Frances maintains a diligent painting schedule, her collection is impressive and growing.
“The house is full of paintings, every room, everywhere. My walls are full, family members’ walls are all well decorated. So what to do?
“At first I couldn’t stand the thought of selling any of my pieces (I’m sure every artist says that), but I started separating them off and putting them into categories: keep forever, give away, private collections, re-do, touch up, sell. This is where the search began for an easy method to achieve my goal: record every painting.
Through Time, by artist France Pineda.
“Once I made the decision to lessen the load of paintings around the house, I started the search for a way to document my work. I searched on the web and found and compared various sites. Fine Art Registry caught my eye. FAR® was the only one that had all the elements I was looking for, and I didn’t have to devise my own numbering system. I don’t have to document sales. All of this is attainable for a very reasonable price, and with loads of credibility built in. How could one go wrong?”
Frances tags and registers her work in her FAR portfolio as soon as she completes it. To date, she has registered nearly 40 pieces.
“I want all my work to be organized. I think it’s an advantage to the buyer to know that these works are protected, that they can get to know the artist through the biography, and can trace the artwork from its inception. Provenance is very important.”
In fact, a couple of her buyers noted that they felt better because of the tag and certificate of authenticity, knowing that their piece was created and sold by the original artist.
Eclectic I, by artist France Pineda. (FAR® ID #26773)
Frances has become an outspoken supporter of the FAR system. “Some of my early works were given to family and friends. When I told them about FAR, they immediately handed back the paintings and wanted them registered and a certificate of authenticity printed!”
Frances is grateful to FAR for simplifying the process of recording and organizing her work and will continue to register each new piece. Visit Frances’ Fine Art Registry gallery.
