The Disarray at the Artist’s Studio

Normally, an artist’s studio is a reflection of the artist’s personality. If the artist tends to be somewhat unkempt – so goes the studio and usually their living space. This is true if you are a painter or in one of the messier mediums like sculpture. This goes double for shows if one person is in a show. If a couple is involved, the mess can be exponential. Fortunately in our home there is a counterbalance.

Jody is a very clean painter. She can wear a white sweater while painting and never get a paint splatter on it. If only I could be so graceful. Me, I tend to attract dirt like a vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt. My studio, never a paragon of neatness and order is considerably dirtier than normal. I figure in two weeks I can worry about the niceties of dust collection and rigid, military-like order. In two weeks the opening reception for Jody’s and my show will be done. Time enough later for order and cleanliness to make an appearance. That being said, I have instituted a rudimentary order, on the tools I use in the studio, recently which is paying some great benefits. Do not think that will extend to keeping the sculpture studio hygienically clean.

The wonderful thing about a show is that it attracts other positive events. Most of my work is usually funneled through a gallery. With the advent of the show, I have picked up two commissions. Neither commission knew about the show. Getting one commission at a time is great. Two is almost unheard of – but welcome. Jody has also got a commission coming in. Note to self – Is there a correlation between being in a one or two-person show and more work rolls in? Will have to try this as an experiment.

copyright 2007 Carl Wright

Art Show Angst

It has been a very busy 2 weeks since my last posting. We are finishing up all the loose ends of the artwork for the show on Dec. 15th. Ordering bases for sculptures, checking paintings and sculptures for damage and repairing it, mailing invitations, sending final press releases, etc. Starting Monday, we will start some new artwork for the show knowing that all the other details are cleaned up and we can move forward confidently.

The show date is finally becoming tangible. Looking forward to getting out of the studio (something we have not been doing much of lately), and seeing old friends, new customers, and renewing acquaintances at the show. Sounds kind of like we are bears getting over hibernation. Does seem like it though.

Art Shows for artists are really a love/hate thing. Shows are great for getting the artist out of the studio and forcing them to use social skills. Some artists would rather stay in their studios and create. Not me. I like seeing people, getting feedback on my work, seeing who my customer is, breathing in air not filled with stone dust, and best of all selling my wifes' and my work. Simple things really. Also gives me an excuse to talk with friends (after the show) and also evaluate the gallery the show is being held at.

Part of being self-employed as an artist is to enjoy some of the benefits of self-employment. Shows, selling, friends, and also the solitude of the studio all are part and parcel of the package. Got to love all of it. Fortunately I do most of the time.

copyright 2007 by Carl Wright

Think Fine Art for Christmas

Thoughts on Christmas Shopping

Ruminating on Black Friday and excruciating shopping expeditions makes me think that there is a solution for holiday shopping blues. (Now that is a record – two colors mentioned in the same sentence as adjectives without trying.) Instead of enduring the crushes of humanity to get the next “latest and greatest” present that will be forgotten in a drawer in a month – think art.

There are several reasons to think art for the holidays. Fine art and fine crafts are a great way to get a beautiful, well-made gift for a pittance when bought from an artist direct, compared to what a department store would charge. The artwork/present can be personalized by a dedication that is written on the back or in an inconspicuous place of the artwork. You would have the opportunity to get a present for a loved one that is made domestically and with great care and thought. Getting a present from an artist would also show that you put a lot of time and thought into the gift; which is true. Finally the clincher: little or no crowds like there are in major malls etc.

Sounds like some convincing arguments. So when it is time to get the gifts for the special people in your life, think local – think art.

copyright 2007 by Carl Wright

How to keep your art fresh

Branding Your Artwork

There are some truisms in life. Artists want to be known. Artists want to sell their work. Preferably artists would like to do both: be known and sell their work. That is where the conundrum comes in. To become a salable quantity to an art gallery requires consistency. Namely, as an artist you produce consistently salable artwork in a timely fashion so the gallery and you can make money. Art gallery clients appear to value consistency and to some degree trends. The art gallery and your clientele accumulate your work on the premise that your style or “brand” of artwork will stay the same or evolve slowly over time.

This is a fine working system until one of two things happen. One, the public becomes saturated with the particular style that you work in. The second is possibly more ominous: you are bored with the work, but need the “boring work” to sell while you transition to a new style. Both are indicative of a change is in the air.

One evening, we invited a couple to dinner. The guy, Mordecai, was a 40 hour a week outside salesman. His dream before marriage was to be a bass player. His dream was to play bass and “mine the groove” of bass playing for his entire bass playing career. The reciting of the bass playing dream was recounted with due reverence. It would never occur to Mordecai that one day the groove would be tapped out. It was incomprehensible just like it is to a large segment of the population that dreams of “one day I will quit my job and pursue my passion”. What happens after the passion dims?

What to Do?

Finding an answer what direction to take your style next is challenging. There is no right or wrong. Usually there is no one to help you with the answer. It is a voyage of discovery.

When your style of art feels flat and dead you need to innovate not completely discard it. For instance if you paint delicate lilting florals; it would be jarring to your audience for them to see you painting screamingly bright and colorful abstracts. It stuns your clients who would then wonder that if you were doing a commission for them what would they receive? The client who asked for a subtle wafting floral – would they get a hard-edged geometric in riotous colors?

Innovation can mean using different colors. Using the same colors in your palette differently. Using larger or different shaped canvases. Maybe even introducing different elements into the art. For stone sculptors it could mean introducing some brass or steel into your work. Also if the sculpture has been monolithic up til now try a grouping of stones (think Stonehenge for an over the top grouping).

The wonderful part of exploring is that one of two things can happen. First you will be overjoyed with the result. The joy will show in your work. Your clients will wonder why you stuck with the old style so long. This is a Duh! moment.

The other result could be that the innovation tried was okay but not as good as you thought. Another innovation will need to be tried. But, in the meantime, going back to the old style is like coming home again. It is always nice to go back to the people that love you and your current work.

You can have it both ways!

copyright 2007 Carl Wright
Sculpture in Upper Right Hand Corner - Crescendo by Carl Wright 12" x 12" x 16"

Art Gallery Show Etiquette

Or the Do’s and Don’ts of Attending a Show

With the advent of Jody’s and my show at Ed Chasen Fine Art coming up, it occurs to me that we have not covered what it is like for an artist to be at their very own show. Believe me it is somewhat nerve-wracking. Even more so for the gallery owner.

Do you remember long ago when you had to stand up in grade school in front of strangers and perform? Or better yet, still in school and throwing a party? Yep that is similar to what an art opening is like. The nervousness and anticipation. The gallery owner asks him/herself questions like: Will anybody come? If they do come will they buy anything? Did I advertise enough? Did I forget someone?

The artist(s) asks all those questions plus: Did I take to long talking to that person? Am I missing an opportunity by not talking to that person? Who is that person? Have I already talked to them? Am I sounding like a recording of myself – just push the “play” button and the elevator pitch comes out? Why did I not just become an office worker with a steady income, lots of free time, company benefits, paid vacation, and always an abundance of work to do – like my parents encouraged me to?

Now both the gallery owner and the artist(s) have all that in common, in addition they have to smile and act like it does not matter. Think of the Dial commercial – “Never let them see you sweat” is very appropriate. What a recipe for being or having some kind of psychological “ism” wrong with you.

What to do?

As an appreciative and supportive person of the artist (presumably you would not be there if you were not), be nice and gracious to the artist and the gallery owner. Even if you know the artist, come up and introduce yourself casually along with your date. Believe me the artist will be somewhat relieved. You have just taken off some of the pressure of a social encounter.

Talk with the artist for a minute or two or maybe a little longer if you have a question. Then mingle with the crowd. There are probably a lot of other people that want to talk to the artist that evening, but are too bashful to cut in. This is a selling event for the artist and gallery owner. Their job is to get people interested in buying art tonight and in the days ahead. Not just talk politics.

If you are interested in getting a custom artwork from the artist – make an appointment to see them a day or two after the show. An appointment after the show is a kindness. Just write your name and phone on a business card and possible times that would work for you. It allows time for the client (you) and the artist to discuss custom work in a less pressurized environment. Better art results from this.

If another question occurs to you that you would like to ask the artist – go ahead. That is what they are there for. Just remember that the artist may have forgotten that he(she) talked to you. You are not forgettable at all. Just reintroduce yourself and ask your question. Opening receptions are hard work for artists. A lot of them do not get out much – their solitary work environment gets in the way. For a lot of artists it is rather like a reception line that you shake hands at. The politician shakes your hand and moves you to the next person. You are important; there are just a lot of important people to see. Politicians also have an advantage – they have a political minder who reminds them of all the people’s names wanting to shake hands. Most artists do not have that advantage.

Enjoy the opening reception. Have some wine. Talk to the artist and also the gallery owner. The gallery owner does get lonely. Ask questions. If possible – buy some art. Have the artist personalize the art for you with an inscription. Above all have fun. It is a great night for a show and to meet people. You just might meet someone interesting or better yet find a ravishing piece of art that you just have to have now.

copyright 2007 Carl Wright