Saturday, 29 September 2007

Free Success Course of the Arts


"Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work.
Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art.
Have more than enough equipment and supplies.
Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress.
Think of your work as exercise, not championship play.
Explore series development and exhaust personal themes.
Work alone with the benefit of books and perhaps tapes.
Replace passive consumption with creative production.
Use your own intuition and master your technology.
Feel the joy of personal, self-generated sweat.
Fall in love with your own working processes.
Be forever on the lookout for the advent of style.
Try to be your own person and claim your rights.
Don't bother setting yourself up for rejection.
Don't swing too wildly and damage the well-being of others.
Don't jump into the ring until you're feeling fit.

If you can stick with this regimen for a couple of months, I
can pretty well guarantee your progress. If not, then at least
the exercise will let you know the job's not for you.
"

Source: Robert Genn Twice Weekly Letter

Friday, 28 September 2007

Collecting Art


SuperLiving Magazine has an interesting article entitled "Paint by Numbers" by Lynelle Johnson, about collecting art.

She says: "...Art is a funny thing. It gains significance and beauty because influential people say it is significant..."

&:

"Today, according to Anne, if you are looking at collecting an artist you would be looking for significance in these ways:

They are represented by a major dealer
They have had solo shows
They are represented in public collections – state and national art galleries
They win major prizes and get grants
They get lots of media attention
And even better they had a life cut short!
Then you would look at the significance of the work within the artist's career
..."

Top artists to collect now, according to Bonhams & Goodman's List of Living Artists Under $10,000 are:

Stephen Benwell
Lorraine Connelly-Northey
Peter Cooley
Emily Floyd
David Jolly
Amanda Marburg
Noel McKenna
David Noonan
Gwyn Hanssen Pigott
Lena Yarinkura

Click on each of the above to read about each artist/see examples of their work.

Which is your favourite?

Saturday, 22 September 2007

Helpful Posts

Today I've serendipitously found lots of Helpful Posts from "Artist, Emerging" (Deanna's art blog):



Deanna's generous articles include:

Writing an Artist's Statement
Writing an Artist's Resume
Pricing Your Artwork
Creating an Art Brochure
Creating an Exhibition Proposal
Calls for Proposals
Hanging Artwork
Rejection
Juried Shows
Types of Galleries
Alternative Exhibition Spaces
Tax Advice (US)
Postcards
Packing and Shipping Artwork
Writing About Art
Rejection Letters
Putting Images on CD
How Galleries Choose Artists


Let's benefit from Deanna's experiences!

Monday, 17 September 2007

Acknowledging other artists

Yes I know, I've been missing in action. I'll let you believe that I was so submerged in Etsy that I have only just come up for air. ;-)

I was just reading one of my favourite art blogs, Painting My World, by Lindsay Brackeen:



In her September 1, 2007 post, Lindsay writes:

"...By acknowledging my work, this woman gave me confidence & the shove I needed to pursue something I love. So almost 400 sold paintings later, I'm thinking of my beginnings, where I started, where I've come thus far, and where I plan to go...Where did your artful journey start?"

I'd like to ask you, dear reader, a similar question: regarding the first painting (or other visual artwork) you sold: who bought it, & under what circumstances?

Also, which artists do you support (by purchasing their artworks)?

The first painting I sold was to our music teacher of over a dozen years, Joan, a lady who is like a grandmother to our daughter. It was a commissioned pastel portrait of her late daughter. I am grateful to Joan for having such faith in me.

On my walls I have (original) paintings by: Sarah Larsen, Judy Vander-Have, Auda McLean, and Cathy McLean (Auda's daughter).

Your turn!