Tuesday, April 28, 2009
News From the Studio
Read my latest newsletter from my studio here. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter updates if you don't already receive them! I look forward to seeing you this Saturday May 2, from 6-8pm at GRACE.
Solo Exhibiton at GRACE: Opening Reception this Saturday, May 2
Sitting Still 97oil and acrylic on birch panel
10"x8.5" - 2009
Don't miss the opening reception for my solo exhibition at the Greater Reston Arts Center this Saturday from 6-8pm (Artist Talk at 7pm). The show runs April 25-June 6, 2009.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
New Paintings Posted on my Website
Sitting Still 87Oil and Acrylic on Birch Panel
10"x8.5" - 2009
Last night I posted 23 new paintings from the Sitting Still Series (There is a link from the home page directly to the new work) on my website. Many of these will be in my show at Greater Reston Art Center, which opens this Saturday, April 25. The opening reception will be held Saturday May 2 from 6-8pm.
Monday, April 20, 2009
More on Gallery/Artist Relationships
Referencing this post of mine (here). Lenny at Daily Campello Art News posted a reaction to my thoughts on DC Art News (here) - he has some good advice and thoughts. It is worth the read.
Press Release: GRACE Solo Focus
Sitting Still 67oil and acrylic on birch panel
10"x8.5" - 2009
Click here to read the Press Release for my show at Greater Reston Arts Center.
April 25-June 6, 2009.
Opening Reception: Saturday May 2, 2009, 6-8pm, Artist talk at 7pm.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Gallery/Artist Relations
Lenny, over at DC Art News posted something that struck a chord with me. He posted an excerpt of a comment by Gallery Owner Carrie Horejs (scroll all the way down to see it, and this is an excerpt of a comment she posted on another blog called Art News Blog, this blogging thing may be getting out of hand, I can't keep up with all of the links):
"I often wonder how other galleries are dealing with artists who have gallery representation but continue to self-promote. I have been known to secret shop gallery represented artists. I contact them through their emails on their personal websites and inquire as to whether they have any studio pieces available. Not once has an artist directed me to his or her galleries for purchases.
I fear galleries will dry up if they don’t smarten up. Then where will collectors go to see art in person?”
Below is the comment I posted on Lenny's blog:
"She has good point, but I have a few questions about her perspective.
I checked out the gallery website, and it is a "membership gallery" - where the more you pay per month, the more you get to show. That doesn't seem to indicate that it is traditional commercial gallery representation, and yes you have to be accepted, but it does seem to be more of a vanity gallery. Why would the "rules" of traditional gallery representation apply to them if its a pay to show situation? As an artist, it seems strange to "pay" for exclusive gallery representation.
My first question is what does their artist contract look like? Does it state that once you join, that all work sold from any venue must include their commission?(It does look like that from their website) That does not seem like a good deal and far from the norm of most exhibition contracts.
In addition, they have over 100 artists on their site, so really how much effort are they putting forth to promote each artist, other than putting them on their website or hanging a piece of artwork in the corner of a jam packed gallery? That's not real promotion. Artists work incredibly hard to publicize their own work. In the bulk of the places I have shown, I brought in the crowds, They are my connections and patrons that have been following my work for quite some time. I have looked around the gallery and realized that 95% of the people there were people I emailed, sent postcards to , etc. These are the people who buy my work. Now I don't undercut or by-pass the gallery that is showing my work, I want to sell it there. (my experience has mostly been with non-profits and art centers). Most Artists would love to have gallery representation with a Gallery that actually did all of that promotion, I would.
I can understand why she is ticked off and no doubt in a "traditional" gallery representation setting that kind of behavior is just wrong and undermines the artist/gallery relationship, but really, given the structure of her gallery, if someone actually found the person's work in another venue that has nothing to do with her gallery, would the artist be so far off base(once again, I would like to see the contract)? I would never undermine a gallery owner if I had traditional representation, or created a bunch of work for a show at a venue but then sell the work behind their back, I would of course direct them to the gallery, it only makes sense. Any thoughts? "
Now, after that, let me say that GRACE has done a great job promoting my show, including setting up the interview with Elan, and of course, if any body out there is interested in my work, please head over to GRACE, the show opens on April 25!
"I often wonder how other galleries are dealing with artists who have gallery representation but continue to self-promote. I have been known to secret shop gallery represented artists. I contact them through their emails on their personal websites and inquire as to whether they have any studio pieces available. Not once has an artist directed me to his or her galleries for purchases.
I fear galleries will dry up if they don’t smarten up. Then where will collectors go to see art in person?”
Below is the comment I posted on Lenny's blog:
"She has good point, but I have a few questions about her perspective.
I checked out the gallery website, and it is a "membership gallery" - where the more you pay per month, the more you get to show. That doesn't seem to indicate that it is traditional commercial gallery representation, and yes you have to be accepted, but it does seem to be more of a vanity gallery. Why would the "rules" of traditional gallery representation apply to them if its a pay to show situation? As an artist, it seems strange to "pay" for exclusive gallery representation.
My first question is what does their artist contract look like? Does it state that once you join, that all work sold from any venue must include their commission?(It does look like that from their website) That does not seem like a good deal and far from the norm of most exhibition contracts.
In addition, they have over 100 artists on their site, so really how much effort are they putting forth to promote each artist, other than putting them on their website or hanging a piece of artwork in the corner of a jam packed gallery? That's not real promotion. Artists work incredibly hard to publicize their own work. In the bulk of the places I have shown, I brought in the crowds, They are my connections and patrons that have been following my work for quite some time. I have looked around the gallery and realized that 95% of the people there were people I emailed, sent postcards to , etc. These are the people who buy my work. Now I don't undercut or by-pass the gallery that is showing my work, I want to sell it there. (my experience has mostly been with non-profits and art centers). Most Artists would love to have gallery representation with a Gallery that actually did all of that promotion, I would.
I can understand why she is ticked off and no doubt in a "traditional" gallery representation setting that kind of behavior is just wrong and undermines the artist/gallery relationship, but really, given the structure of her gallery, if someone actually found the person's work in another venue that has nothing to do with her gallery, would the artist be so far off base(once again, I would like to see the contract)? I would never undermine a gallery owner if I had traditional representation, or created a bunch of work for a show at a venue but then sell the work behind their back, I would of course direct them to the gallery, it only makes sense. Any thoughts? "
Now, after that, let me say that GRACE has done a great job promoting my show, including setting up the interview with Elan, and of course, if any body out there is interested in my work, please head over to GRACE, the show opens on April 25!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Elan Magazine Article - April 2009
This month's issue of Elan Magazine has an interview with me about my work. Unfortunately the magazine has not updated their website to reflect the newest issue (but hard copies are out and available), so I took it upon myself to reproduce the article here until they update the website. You should be able to click on each image to be able to read the text. The color of the images is a little off, but remember this is a scan of the actual magazine, so bear with me. Enjoy.
There is only one error in the article, which states that I have been the visual arts department chair at my school for 5 years. I have been teaching there five years, but this is my first year as department chair.
There is only one error in the article, which states that I have been the visual arts department chair at my school for 5 years. I have been teaching there five years, but this is my first year as department chair.
Back at the Studio
As you can see from the photo I took at 6 am Tuesday morning, we got more snow than we bargained for and our trip was cut short, and not exactly what I needed (it continued to snow all day and we made and emergency evacuation from Cranberry Wilderness to sit by the fire at my buddy Aaron's house).I am back in the studio now, working on email promotions and updating the website and blog before dropping my work off later this week, so expect a few emails soon and mark your calendars for the opening reception of my GRACE solo show on Saturday May 2 from 6-8pm.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Done
The Cranberry RiverIt will be great to get away from the studio and the day job for the better part of a week, so don't expect any emails from me. I hope that when I get back I will be able to see the work with fresh eyes when hanging the show April 15.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Finished for the show today?
Not quite, I think I have nine new paintings totally finished, and I am going to take a half day at work to come back here. I may have to spend part of tomorrow tweaking things, but then that has to be it.
I'll be rambling into the wilderness for a few days returning next weekend. I wanted to disconnect myself from the work before I hung the show, so I am returning to an old haunt in the Monongahela National Forest.
But for now, I better get to work.........
I'll be rambling into the wilderness for a few days returning next weekend. I wanted to disconnect myself from the work before I hung the show, so I am returning to an old haunt in the Monongahela National Forest.
But for now, I better get to work.........
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