About Show RSVP's

In a recent show, an RSVP was requested for guests who planned to attend. Not many guests bothered to RSVP but lots of clients showed up. This caused some problems beforehand and during the show.

Beforehand, since so few people had RSVPed, there were some potentially sour moments between the galleryowner and the artist involved.

Both the gallery owner and the artist harbored thoughts that the other had not done as good a job of mailing invitations or pumping the publicity for the show. This is a problem since the gallery/artist relationship is based on trust to a large degree.

RSVP’s can also be used as an arms race. From the gallery owner’s viewpoint – the last artist show had lots of RSVP’s and the current show has very few. Means the current artist either: has no clients coming, is relying solely on the gallery’s drawing power, or the artist ranks so low in the clients mind that if there is nothing better to do they will go to his/her show. All not real comforting from the gallery owner’s view.

The artist has similar concerns. The gallery has no clients coming, they are relying solely on the artist’s mailing list, or the gallery is a very low priority for the client. Problem is that neither the gallery owner nor the artist can or should address this issue because of it’s volatility. Not a great way to engender warm fuzzy relations between a gallery owner and an artist.

During the show was the other problem. The RSVP’s give the gallery owner a feel for the logistics involved. Such as should the band be outside because a crush of people is expected? How much wine and cheese to order? Should there be police involved to direct traffic? Does the gallery owner need extra sales or cash/wrap help?

So what to do? Be kind, RSVP. Yes it does commit you to being someplace but what better way to spend a night – seeing great art by an artist that you enjoy, breaking out of the mold of staying home or going to the movies (doing different things than normal), meeting new people and renewing old friendships, and perchance buying some art. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Your RSVP is a small item with larger ramifications. Just think, because of your thoughtfulness, you have indirectly helped make a relationship stronger (gallery owner/artist). This leads to less tension between the gallery owner and artist ergo a better evening for the client. Such a small gift with large benefits.

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

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