A lot of the things I do or have done take time. That quilt that took me 6 months to do could not have been done in a weekend and look the way it does now. That wedding cake isn't just the decorating. It is the hours spent designing, working with the customer, shopping for ingredients, baking the cake, delivering, and in previous times, practicing. I had heard the phrase "Good work takes time" from a friend who said her grandma would say that. It applies to many things that if they are "worth doing are worth doing well" (not sure who said that).
We live in an instant culture. Many expect things to get done fast and still be quality. We see on tv how a painting can be started and finished in a half hour segment. People go to the paint and drink events in the evening and come home with a finished painting. On the Internet you see somebody blast through their creation using high speed editing and cutting out the down time. Even the Plein Air events have a "quick paint" to challenge you to get a finished painting in 2 hours or less.
GOOD WORK TAKES TIME!
I really hate the phrases, "Artsy fartsy" or "slapping some paint around", because it seems to demean the creation aspects of art. On the remodeling tv shows they show people how "anyone can creat art" by having them slap some paint on a stretched canvas and hanging it on the wall. While there may be some with an eye for balance and color, they are saying that anyone can do it because there is nothing to art and no knowledge or practice is required. I had a framer friend who did not value water color paintings because she thought everything they did was fast and therefore was cheap or low value.
To me, Good Work Takes Time, involves being honest with what was involved to do their creation. Usually there is a lot of practice to be able "to whip something off". There may have been years of practice, observation, mistakes to get to the point where you may be fast because you already have an idea in your mind, have already done the problem-solving, sketches and color studies. Last summer I painted Chippewa Falls, Wi. I think I have 4 paintings of the Glen Loch dam. The first one took a while because I was taking in all the details. After I painted that one I looked at it from different sides so I could see what the trees were covering up. I tried something I didn't normally do - painting with a palette knife. I did a close-up view and then did one abstracted with patterns. The final ones got faster because I had already worked out the problems. I have been painting for quite a few years but had a gap of not painting much because of family issues for about 10 years. I had to spend time getting my skills back. If I had just thought I could do this project and whip things off they would have looked very amateurish.
My bricklayer son-in-law reminded me that the things that are quality now will be quality in the future. Even if a piece of work takes longer than you would have liked it will show that it was not rushed. While there may be some that do not take as long or your purpose was to have broad brush strokes and fill that canvas, it always has that bedrock of your studies experiements and time spent beneath it.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
A Day to Work -Switching Directions
I am still working on getting my things on Daily Paintworks, Etsy and Ebay. It looks like it may take awhile. I have prints from my big event that I want to have online somewhere. When I do have a sale then I can alter my quantity and take them with.
We got socked! We had a big snowstorm yesterday through overnight. We went out shoveling a couple of times and when we went to bed the decks, driveway and sidewalks were clear. This morning there was another 3" of snow. I am not sure what we really got totally - 11-12"? I think that maybe yesterday it was 8-9" but not sure how they count that heavy wet stuff.. That was on the bottom and toward afternoon the light and fluffy stuff came. I wonder if the wet stuff compressed and it would have counted for more. All I know is that it is a lot of snow! While shoveling yesterday you couldn't help be struck by the beauty of the snow blanketing the trees and bushes. I would have liked to take some photographs but like usual here - it was too gray. This afternoon the sun is supposed to be out and I will have to get some pictures before it gets too heavy and drop. Now it looks like a wonderland. I wouldn't feel this way if it were March or April and being totally sick of winter by then, but we haven't gotten much so far this year so it is a treat.
So, I am going back to listing my prints and whatever else I can between shoveling bouts. The photos originally were from when I had the prints made. I am going back and changing the dpi lower. I have read a lot of things online about people stealing designs. I can do a watermark too but those sound like they can be removed. I can disable the right click on my photos on some websites but they can do a screen shot. I guess if I lower the dpi and make sure my name is on the image somewhere that is the best I can do.
I have had a website a couple of times and I have had my Ebay store since 2006? and Etsy store since 2012. I haven't been good at promoting anything but have still had sales - but only on Ebay and Etsy. Since 2012 I have been selling my mother-in-law's paper dolls and vintage sheet music. I always meant these stores to be for my art. Now I am adding them but wonder if I should have a separate art store for each. Time will tell and sales will tell too.
There are a lot of things I think about with promotion, sales, seo etc. Hopefully I can discover some of these things along the way and then share them with you.
We got socked! We had a big snowstorm yesterday through overnight. We went out shoveling a couple of times and when we went to bed the decks, driveway and sidewalks were clear. This morning there was another 3" of snow. I am not sure what we really got totally - 11-12"? I think that maybe yesterday it was 8-9" but not sure how they count that heavy wet stuff.. That was on the bottom and toward afternoon the light and fluffy stuff came. I wonder if the wet stuff compressed and it would have counted for more. All I know is that it is a lot of snow! While shoveling yesterday you couldn't help be struck by the beauty of the snow blanketing the trees and bushes. I would have liked to take some photographs but like usual here - it was too gray. This afternoon the sun is supposed to be out and I will have to get some pictures before it gets too heavy and drop. Now it looks like a wonderland. I wouldn't feel this way if it were March or April and being totally sick of winter by then, but we haven't gotten much so far this year so it is a treat.
So, I am going back to listing my prints and whatever else I can between shoveling bouts. The photos originally were from when I had the prints made. I am going back and changing the dpi lower. I have read a lot of things online about people stealing designs. I can do a watermark too but those sound like they can be removed. I can disable the right click on my photos on some websites but they can do a screen shot. I guess if I lower the dpi and make sure my name is on the image somewhere that is the best I can do.
I have had a website a couple of times and I have had my Ebay store since 2006? and Etsy store since 2012. I haven't been good at promoting anything but have still had sales - but only on Ebay and Etsy. Since 2012 I have been selling my mother-in-law's paper dolls and vintage sheet music. I always meant these stores to be for my art. Now I am adding them but wonder if I should have a separate art store for each. Time will tell and sales will tell too.
There are a lot of things I think about with promotion, sales, seo etc. Hopefully I can discover some of these things along the way and then share them with you.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Trying to Get Seen
I think the goal of almost every artist is to get seen and sell art. There may be some content to give it
away, but I think that deep-down you want somebody to like your paintings enough to buy it. Even
my granddaughter at age 6 wants to have an art show and sell her art. I have tried different things for
exposure and while I am still working at trying to get myself out there and things sold, these are a few
ideas I have done in the past. Very few are free. Some are juried.
1) Join and art group. There may be member shows, art crawls, different opportunities that you might not have alone. Sometimes they have contacts with hospitals, contests, coffee shops etc. You may enjoy the social aspect meeting and networking with other artists.
2) Check into membership at an art museum. Here, in Hudson, Wisconsin there is The Phipps. In July they have a call for artists for their museum but also for the local hospital and other things. They also promote the big art fair in the fall on the shore of the river. There are other opportunities through them - their member shows, Holiday shows. They may have fees and commissions but they are cheaper than if you are not a member. They also are a nice place to find out about other opportunities. They offer space for classes also.
3) Fairs - County and State. - dependending on the state, to get to that level you might have to pass a lower one first. I think everyone can apply to the county fairs. Our country fair also has a market on the Saturday. While some things may be craftish, I may try that with art.
4) Libraries - some have galleries so they may have contacts to share and contests and calls for art.
5) WRAP - in Wisconsin there is the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program. It is with the Extension service through the UW system. They have groups that have a WRAP event that is meant to help you build your art,business and network. You have 3 pieces of art on exhibit (# depending on location and room) for a month.There is a seminar by somebody and also it is judged and critqued to help you improve. I have participated in River Falls, Tomah, and Barron County in Rice Lake. The top ones go to the Annual event for competing.
6) Online shows and events. Right now I am trying out Daily Paintworks. They have a spot for your gallery but also offer an auction area that you can list in and also contests. I am new to this and stlll need to list more. I have had my art on Etsy along with vntage items and may tweek that to a separate site. I am just starting some on Ebay. I know there are other contests, and events out there that you can find and research.
7) Art Crawls and Fairs - The fairs tend to be expensive. Some of the Art Crawls are through a group or location so it may not be as much to participate. The fairs require the photos of your work, display, etc and mostly a jury fee and space rental. Besides the fees you have the equipment,tents,and racks to display things. I would like to do this for hopefully better sales but the jump is expensive. Right now I have been doing more inside things because I do not have a tent and and know cheap ones are just that - cheap. Some also require insurance.
8) Art and Craft Shows - This gets into the iffy area because people may not be looking for art. I have done craft shows for homemade paper and honey but may try a couple of the larger ones with a few paintings but some of my prints, postcards and cards. At those I can bring my lotion bars and it would be find if I let them know. I just need to decide if I want them touching my art stuff with still greasy hands. This is a maybe but only for a select few.
9) For painters - the Plein Art events. Not everybody likes to do this, but it is a way to meet people, paint, get known. There are awards and prizes, and often gallery showings and sales. Some people like going to see plein art. There also is the contact with possible customers as you are painting.
10) Flea Markets - don't go there if you are wanting to sell your nice things at a big price. They are looking for deals.
11) Open House at Home. I list this last for me because I have bees and that might put shoppers off. I may have to do the City Garage Sales with my granddaughter at her house because she wants a sale to sell her art.
Anyway, as I am getting back into it, it seems like once you get on some lists, people send you more opportunites to show your art. It makes it encouraging.
away, but I think that deep-down you want somebody to like your paintings enough to buy it. Even
my granddaughter at age 6 wants to have an art show and sell her art. I have tried different things for
exposure and while I am still working at trying to get myself out there and things sold, these are a few
ideas I have done in the past. Very few are free. Some are juried.
1) Join and art group. There may be member shows, art crawls, different opportunities that you might not have alone. Sometimes they have contacts with hospitals, contests, coffee shops etc. You may enjoy the social aspect meeting and networking with other artists.
2) Check into membership at an art museum. Here, in Hudson, Wisconsin there is The Phipps. In July they have a call for artists for their museum but also for the local hospital and other things. They also promote the big art fair in the fall on the shore of the river. There are other opportunities through them - their member shows, Holiday shows. They may have fees and commissions but they are cheaper than if you are not a member. They also are a nice place to find out about other opportunities. They offer space for classes also.
3) Fairs - County and State. - dependending on the state, to get to that level you might have to pass a lower one first. I think everyone can apply to the county fairs. Our country fair also has a market on the Saturday. While some things may be craftish, I may try that with art.
4) Libraries - some have galleries so they may have contacts to share and contests and calls for art.
5) WRAP - in Wisconsin there is the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program. It is with the Extension service through the UW system. They have groups that have a WRAP event that is meant to help you build your art,business and network. You have 3 pieces of art on exhibit (# depending on location and room) for a month.There is a seminar by somebody and also it is judged and critqued to help you improve. I have participated in River Falls, Tomah, and Barron County in Rice Lake. The top ones go to the Annual event for competing.
6) Online shows and events. Right now I am trying out Daily Paintworks. They have a spot for your gallery but also offer an auction area that you can list in and also contests. I am new to this and stlll need to list more. I have had my art on Etsy along with vntage items and may tweek that to a separate site. I am just starting some on Ebay. I know there are other contests, and events out there that you can find and research.
7) Art Crawls and Fairs - The fairs tend to be expensive. Some of the Art Crawls are through a group or location so it may not be as much to participate. The fairs require the photos of your work, display, etc and mostly a jury fee and space rental. Besides the fees you have the equipment,tents,and racks to display things. I would like to do this for hopefully better sales but the jump is expensive. Right now I have been doing more inside things because I do not have a tent and and know cheap ones are just that - cheap. Some also require insurance.
8) Art and Craft Shows - This gets into the iffy area because people may not be looking for art. I have done craft shows for homemade paper and honey but may try a couple of the larger ones with a few paintings but some of my prints, postcards and cards. At those I can bring my lotion bars and it would be find if I let them know. I just need to decide if I want them touching my art stuff with still greasy hands. This is a maybe but only for a select few.
9) For painters - the Plein Art events. Not everybody likes to do this, but it is a way to meet people, paint, get known. There are awards and prizes, and often gallery showings and sales. Some people like going to see plein art. There also is the contact with possible customers as you are painting.
10) Flea Markets - don't go there if you are wanting to sell your nice things at a big price. They are looking for deals.
11) Open House at Home. I list this last for me because I have bees and that might put shoppers off. I may have to do the City Garage Sales with my granddaughter at her house because she wants a sale to sell her art.
Anyway, as I am getting back into it, it seems like once you get on some lists, people send you more opportunites to show your art. It makes it encouraging.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Finding Your Niche (Where do I belong?)
I have been working on my art for a long time. I began painting in High School. When I went to college it was with a major in Studio Art. I have taken printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, 2d and 3d Design. I love it all. Then you add all the needlework on top of it. I felt like I was spinning. In Art they taught you that you should do one thing and stick with it which is pretty hard. I have done different careers - cake decorating and floral design - besides my arts and crafts looking for my niche. Sometimes the reason I went the way I did was because of finances.
In the last 20 years, finding and getting into shows has changed. When I began, you looked in magazines and had to do things through the mail. If it was Art, you needed to submit slides. That meant taking a lot of pictures, having the film developed into slides and praying you have at least on or two usable ones (the cameras were not what they are today). If you had money you could have somebody else take photos of your art. Then you had to submit your entry by the deadline and wait by the mailbox for your acceptance or denial. What hasn't changed is that a lot of shows are "pay to play". I don't know of any other industry that charges the hopeful entrance jury fees. If I were to go for an audition anywhere, I don't think I would be charged. These entries are essentially auditions of your art. For an artist to get into anything you have to apply and most of the time pay. There are sometimes the jury fee and also other fees such as space fee, advertising etc. Some places, like galleries and some shows, they take a 30-40% commission on your work that they sell for you. Some shows take commissions even if you are there selling it yourself!
So when times were tough I relied on the craft show route. I did crafts - crocheting, plastic canvas, quilts, homemade paper and at the end just honey, lotion bars and bee related items. It started out about just costing $20 but has gone up from there. There was no comparison to the Art Show route. I just could not afford to lay out hundreds of dollars for a show that might not happen for six months. I have done this besides the floral design at LeeWards and the Cake Decorating - wedding cakes and DQ looking for my niche. I really enjoyed doing all sorts of creative things but it didn't feel like my niche - somehow that didn't feel like what I should be doing.
So, I now I am painting. And making prints. I think of myself as an eclectic artist - does many different things. I get an idea and think about how it might work best. I am working toward exposure for myself and art in a community that I didn't grow up in and do no know that many people. You are getting to see part of my journey and I will be sharing my experiences with you. We are lucky to have the Internet and the ability to find and contact others. We are able to find the calls for art and network with like-minded people. I hope my experiences help you too.
In the last 20 years, finding and getting into shows has changed. When I began, you looked in magazines and had to do things through the mail. If it was Art, you needed to submit slides. That meant taking a lot of pictures, having the film developed into slides and praying you have at least on or two usable ones (the cameras were not what they are today). If you had money you could have somebody else take photos of your art. Then you had to submit your entry by the deadline and wait by the mailbox for your acceptance or denial. What hasn't changed is that a lot of shows are "pay to play". I don't know of any other industry that charges the hopeful entrance jury fees. If I were to go for an audition anywhere, I don't think I would be charged. These entries are essentially auditions of your art. For an artist to get into anything you have to apply and most of the time pay. There are sometimes the jury fee and also other fees such as space fee, advertising etc. Some places, like galleries and some shows, they take a 30-40% commission on your work that they sell for you. Some shows take commissions even if you are there selling it yourself!
So when times were tough I relied on the craft show route. I did crafts - crocheting, plastic canvas, quilts, homemade paper and at the end just honey, lotion bars and bee related items. It started out about just costing $20 but has gone up from there. There was no comparison to the Art Show route. I just could not afford to lay out hundreds of dollars for a show that might not happen for six months. I have done this besides the floral design at LeeWards and the Cake Decorating - wedding cakes and DQ looking for my niche. I really enjoyed doing all sorts of creative things but it didn't feel like my niche - somehow that didn't feel like what I should be doing.
So, I now I am painting. And making prints. I think of myself as an eclectic artist - does many different things. I get an idea and think about how it might work best. I am working toward exposure for myself and art in a community that I didn't grow up in and do no know that many people. You are getting to see part of my journey and I will be sharing my experiences with you. We are lucky to have the Internet and the ability to find and contact others. We are able to find the calls for art and network with like-minded people. I hope my experiences help you too.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Credit where Credit is Due
Every person have their interests and dreams. Mine has always been to create and make things - especially Art. I could not do this without the support of my family and friends. Special acknowledgement goes to my husband who supports me in my craziness and my friend, Terri, who always was there for me and took me to see Art that otherwise I would have missed.
My thanks also goes out to my Grandmothers. Even thought they may not be aware of it, they have influenced my life in a profound way. My Great-grandmother B was painting in North Dakota during the early to mid 1900's. I never met her but would study her paintings that hung on the walls at my Grandparent's house, my aunt's and also my parent's houses. When my Grandmother B moved into an apartment she gave me her painting so I still get to enjoy it. My grandmothers taught me the needle arts - crochet, sewing, and embroidery, quiltmaking - and other domestic arts baking, canning, cooking, gardening. They encouraged me to try things that I might not have without a little help.
When I worked at various creative jobs, co-workers shared their skills and knowledge with me. While working at LeeWards I was able to add to my skills - knitting, various needlework, framing, floral design and cake decorating - the last two I have gone on to do professionally.
Many people have helped me to get where I am today. I wanted to acknowledge them and how priceless their encouragement has been. I can only go forward from here.
My thanks also goes out to my Grandmothers. Even thought they may not be aware of it, they have influenced my life in a profound way. My Great-grandmother B was painting in North Dakota during the early to mid 1900's. I never met her but would study her paintings that hung on the walls at my Grandparent's house, my aunt's and also my parent's houses. When my Grandmother B moved into an apartment she gave me her painting so I still get to enjoy it. My grandmothers taught me the needle arts - crochet, sewing, and embroidery, quiltmaking - and other domestic arts baking, canning, cooking, gardening. They encouraged me to try things that I might not have without a little help.
When I worked at various creative jobs, co-workers shared their skills and knowledge with me. While working at LeeWards I was able to add to my skills - knitting, various needlework, framing, floral design and cake decorating - the last two I have gone on to do professionally.
Many people have helped me to get where I am today. I wanted to acknowledge them and how priceless their encouragement has been. I can only go forward from here.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
First Post 1/10/2018
Years ago, I tried to do a beekeeping blog. It didn't get very far and didn't have any viewers. Frankly, I didn't know what I was doing. This is different. This what matters to me. Art. Creating. Promoting. Teaching. Enjoying. I have a lot of information rattling around in my brain that I want to share and to encourage others with what I have picked up along the way (usually the hard way). I have met people that for various reasons have given up their Art. They enjoyed it, felt good about creating etc but ended up leaving it behind. I had about 10 years where the only painting I did was on beehives because I didn't like them plain. Life got in the way. I am hoping that I can be an encouragement to those that think about creating again but don't know if they still can or if they should. I am giving testimony that they both can and should.
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