Life swirls and flashes by so quickly that rarely do we have the chance to give back to those who helped you get to the point you are now. Thank You at the moment is fine, but to actually find a way to do more is rather exciting.
Life has handed me a couple of lemons lately and instead of sitting here on my duff I have thought about taking the time to recognize people who directly influenced me and who supported me during some lean hard years. People went on the ride with me just for the sake of being there. They took on a lot and gave me faith and support when I needed it.
I run a co-operative gallery and for several years the location that I maintained wasn't the best to have for the enterprise I was trying to run.
In those years a lot of artists came to me and we exhibited together through the "lean" times. They trusted my idea and wanted to be involved. They could not always stay too long in the gallery because in a co-operative overhead sometimes out weighed the commissions and sales before it became an additional hardship on them. Again location, traffic and capital to promote were not always available and that did make a difference to people and how long they might be willing to give their support.
I now am in a location that drives traffic to our door, we are experiencing some good sales even in this economic down turn for most of the country. I have thought about those who hung in there with me as long as they could, but never got to ride the upside of the co-operative.
I had this "light bulb moment" of how to share with the former members what is happening in the gallery now and I hope it will work out. I am going to invite each former member to have a chance to exhibit in our new home as a thank you for helping me get there.
I am still in the working stage of this idea, but feel that allowing one artist a month to come hang a few pieces of their work in the new space will be nice; not only for me, so that I can see what they are doing, but maybe a little bit for them too. I think they deserve that moment, it may take me years to get to all of them after running a cooperative for 11 years, but it certainly is worth the try. Some have moved on to better places and larger galleries and they probably will not return, but several I think would enjoy the experience of what they helped me do.
Think I will set a date to get this started and just get it done...I think it is very important to give back whenever you can, especially before you lose the opportunity.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Myth's about Vanity Galleries
There has been a bit of rumblings on the Internet art networks about Vanity Galleries. Lots of discussion. First would ask, what do you think of when you hear the title Vanity Gallery? does it come across as negative?
For most artists it does, but if you look pass that first title and look to the benefits, there is some justification for that sort of space.
Now I would ask how many types of galleries do you think there are?
Let's see if I can list them
Commercial Galleries
Cooperative Galleries
Exhibition Galleries
Vanity Galleries
Regional Galleries
Private Galleries
and Internet Galleries
most of the above list are explanatory.
Commercial Gallery would be the standard 50/40% commission gallery that usually deals with their set "stable" of artists. They are comfortable with the work they exhibit and know it's sales value.
Cooperative Galleries are galleries that have a collective of artists who have grouped together to pool their resources for a venue to exhibit their work. The availability of artists at hand to produce work or even commission pieces directly for clients. It has little or no commissions attached to the art work so the savings is passed on to the customer. Cooperative does handle the artists in a creative manner. It allows the artists to expand their thinking processes by helping them to balance some matters on the left side of the brain. If a cooperative gallery is in a well trafficked area, is managed and handled well, the benefits of artists running the show is doubled, everyone benefits- client and artist
Vanity Galleries and Exhibition Gallery are those that have a space with lights that may be rented by individuals for a fee to host their own shows. There is little or no input from the actual owner of the space. Their fees are directly related to the rent of the space and sometimes to a % of sales made during the event. If an artist wishes to be involved from top to bottom then this for them
I am sure the last two types of galleries are self explanatory.Private and Regional.
Though there is some negativity in calling a gallery "Vanity", there are benefits.
some responses from other artists on www.Painterkeys.com
Joyce Fournier, Or.
While some of these galleries do charge artists exorbitant fees to exhibit work that is of questionable quality, many such galleries would be best referred to as Exhibition Galleries, where artists who have work that is of a high calibre are invited to display their work within a specific theme. The Exhibition Gallery offers a great option to independent artists who are tired of waiting for their submissions to be accepted by traditional commercial galleries and would prefer to spend more time creating. Exhibition galleries also meet the needs of independent artists who may not enjoy doing the ART EXPO's at convention centres due to limited funds, excessive workload, etc
Joy Engleman
I am a curator at a commercial gallery as well as an artist with a long career spanning some 35 years or more. Vanity galleries do have a place in the system and are a great place for artists to showcase what they can do. We need more galleries, co-operative, vanity or commercial, regional and private, more galleries
Don Cadoret
I agree in that these galleries have a place. I would suggest though that we avoid the term "vanity" in the future and allow ourselves the honor of being involved in co-operative galleries where the marketing and potential profit is shared. If serious craft artists can do quite well in the co-operative model than why can't other artists succeed in the same environment? Of course they can! Like any business decision (of which there are many for artists), be wary of pitfalls and be willing to learn from mistakes. That's what makes Painter's Keys so valuable for all level of artists.
Silvia Forrest
I like to think about the changes in the business model we are living through as similar to what occurred in Europe when the Impressionists first organized their own show in response to the rigidity of the "Salon" system which then controlled who could and who could not exhibit and what works of art were considered acceptable.
Change is always unsettling but also unavoidable.
Those of you who are looking for venue's to show your work, heed these words and get out there any way you can.
For most artists it does, but if you look pass that first title and look to the benefits, there is some justification for that sort of space.
Now I would ask how many types of galleries do you think there are?
Let's see if I can list them
Commercial Galleries
Cooperative Galleries
Exhibition Galleries
Vanity Galleries
Regional Galleries
Private Galleries
and Internet Galleries
most of the above list are explanatory.
Commercial Gallery would be the standard 50/40% commission gallery that usually deals with their set "stable" of artists. They are comfortable with the work they exhibit and know it's sales value.
Cooperative Galleries are galleries that have a collective of artists who have grouped together to pool their resources for a venue to exhibit their work. The availability of artists at hand to produce work or even commission pieces directly for clients. It has little or no commissions attached to the art work so the savings is passed on to the customer. Cooperative does handle the artists in a creative manner. It allows the artists to expand their thinking processes by helping them to balance some matters on the left side of the brain. If a cooperative gallery is in a well trafficked area, is managed and handled well, the benefits of artists running the show is doubled, everyone benefits- client and artist
Vanity Galleries and Exhibition Gallery are those that have a space with lights that may be rented by individuals for a fee to host their own shows. There is little or no input from the actual owner of the space. Their fees are directly related to the rent of the space and sometimes to a % of sales made during the event. If an artist wishes to be involved from top to bottom then this for them
I am sure the last two types of galleries are self explanatory.Private and Regional.
Though there is some negativity in calling a gallery "Vanity", there are benefits.
some responses from other artists on www.Painterkeys.com
Joyce Fournier, Or.
While some of these galleries do charge artists exorbitant fees to exhibit work that is of questionable quality, many such galleries would be best referred to as Exhibition Galleries, where artists who have work that is of a high calibre are invited to display their work within a specific theme. The Exhibition Gallery offers a great option to independent artists who are tired of waiting for their submissions to be accepted by traditional commercial galleries and would prefer to spend more time creating. Exhibition galleries also meet the needs of independent artists who may not enjoy doing the ART EXPO's at convention centres due to limited funds, excessive workload, etc
Joy Engleman
I am a curator at a commercial gallery as well as an artist with a long career spanning some 35 years or more. Vanity galleries do have a place in the system and are a great place for artists to showcase what they can do. We need more galleries, co-operative, vanity or commercial, regional and private, more galleries
Don Cadoret
I agree in that these galleries have a place. I would suggest though that we avoid the term "vanity" in the future and allow ourselves the honor of being involved in co-operative galleries where the marketing and potential profit is shared. If serious craft artists can do quite well in the co-operative model than why can't other artists succeed in the same environment? Of course they can! Like any business decision (of which there are many for artists), be wary of pitfalls and be willing to learn from mistakes. That's what makes Painter's Keys so valuable for all level of artists.
Silvia Forrest
I like to think about the changes in the business model we are living through as similar to what occurred in Europe when the Impressionists first organized their own show in response to the rigidity of the "Salon" system which then controlled who could and who could not exhibit and what works of art were considered acceptable.
Change is always unsettling but also unavoidable.
Those of you who are looking for venue's to show your work, heed these words and get out there any way you can.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Running as Fast as I can
Whew!!!!
My new ad came out this week.
I am excited and hope that the possibilities I perceived through getting my name out there will actually come to fruition.
It would be interesting to hear from others and their attempts on getting recognition and how it turned out for them. Sort of a networking of ideas and outcomes.
Well, guess now is just my turn to wait and see.
My new ad came out this week.
I am excited and hope that the possibilities I perceived through getting my name out there will actually come to fruition.
It would be interesting to hear from others and their attempts on getting recognition and how it turned out for them. Sort of a networking of ideas and outcomes.
Well, guess now is just my turn to wait and see.
Monday, March 16, 2009
strangeness of planning
Last weekend I went over to Huntsville Al to participate in the Alabama Clay Conference. They had several topics that I seriously wanted to listen to.
The first was HOW TO CONNECT WITH URBAN ART PROJECTS....interconnections.
Architects, Designers, Sub Contracts and an Artist talked about how to get your work involved. It was a good meeting. I have submitted several times to Urban Art Projects and after listening to this symposium I will continue on, I am going in the right direction. More information about this in future blogs.
The second day I had to make a choice....
Photographing your art work
Web set up and design
Your Art as a Business.
Can you guess which one I selected?
Ah yes, the reason for my title strangeness of planning.
Of course I went to Art as a Business, this is the part which was the planning.
I did not realize that the entire presentation would be based on my very favorite author Alyson B.Stanfield,I found it was interesting to see the whole package in action.
I ordered the book about a year ago from Alyson "I Would Rather Be in the Studio"(you can find a link on www.pakcraig.com) and I have followed several of the helpful guidelines published there. The strangeness part was to be involved, seeing the reactions and actions of others in listening to the suggestions from the book that I have been reading; yes that part was fun.
The strangeness once again is I found I am all ready on track in solving my own problems and finding solutions. The best part of the weekend was the chance to find validation.
The first was HOW TO CONNECT WITH URBAN ART PROJECTS....interconnections.
Architects, Designers, Sub Contracts and an Artist talked about how to get your work involved. It was a good meeting. I have submitted several times to Urban Art Projects and after listening to this symposium I will continue on, I am going in the right direction. More information about this in future blogs.
The second day I had to make a choice....
Photographing your art work
Web set up and design
Your Art as a Business.
Can you guess which one I selected?
Ah yes, the reason for my title strangeness of planning.
Of course I went to Art as a Business, this is the part which was the planning.
I did not realize that the entire presentation would be based on my very favorite author Alyson B.Stanfield,I found it was interesting to see the whole package in action.
I ordered the book about a year ago from Alyson "I Would Rather Be in the Studio"(you can find a link on www.pakcraig.com) and I have followed several of the helpful guidelines published there. The strangeness part was to be involved, seeing the reactions and actions of others in listening to the suggestions from the book that I have been reading; yes that part was fun.
The strangeness once again is I found I am all ready on track in solving my own problems and finding solutions. The best part of the weekend was the chance to find validation.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Right Brained?
Can a right brained individual really move over to the left side.
Being a business owner I know that I have to, no doubt about it, but it is a hard transition especially if you are wrapped in "blue".
Robt Genn of Painter's Keys talked about blue being a color that inspires creativity.
I guess I need to wear "black" when I wish to think numbers....I believe numbers in black is a good thing...at least that is much better than "red'.
So this week has been decision making points and counterpoints with the left side. I need to swing back soon, I like being right brained creative much more than left brained logical.
I have had trouble downloading my camera after taking pictures of the rings I have been making. I will work on that this evening. I do like making rings.
Being a business owner I know that I have to, no doubt about it, but it is a hard transition especially if you are wrapped in "blue".
Robt Genn of Painter's Keys talked about blue being a color that inspires creativity.
I guess I need to wear "black" when I wish to think numbers....I believe numbers in black is a good thing...at least that is much better than "red'.
So this week has been decision making points and counterpoints with the left side. I need to swing back soon, I like being right brained creative much more than left brained logical.
I have had trouble downloading my camera after taking pictures of the rings I have been making. I will work on that this evening. I do like making rings.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Two in a Row
I been very busy today at the gallery.
I brought in the new display case and set it up.
Put ceramic pieces on it and a new jewelry case and it looks good.
Now that I know this design is suitable I will be building more.
Makes the place look good, though there is more emphasis on jewelry and small items than the larger paintings right now.
I think it is a good shift at the moment, when the economy settles down the larger items I know will start moving again.
Took photos of the rings that I am putting into the gallery
Will post this evening.
Have 3 new artists who wish to sign up and join in.
Two are jewelry artists and the third is a painter.
I look forward to having them come in.
I brought in the new display case and set it up.
Put ceramic pieces on it and a new jewelry case and it looks good.
Now that I know this design is suitable I will be building more.
Makes the place look good, though there is more emphasis on jewelry and small items than the larger paintings right now.
I think it is a good shift at the moment, when the economy settles down the larger items I know will start moving again.
Took photos of the rings that I am putting into the gallery
Will post this evening.
Have 3 new artists who wish to sign up and join in.
Two are jewelry artists and the third is a painter.
I look forward to having them come in.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Changes
Laughing out Loud.
I see that my dedication to blogging is not a strong point.
Though I do believe that blogging is one of the newest communication ports.
So to keep with the theme of this year's political agenda of Changes....I too will be considering changes in all areas of my life.
I have all ready begun a few.
I have thousands of ideas running around in my brain and now it is time to start setting them into action.
I have taken action in my time management. Whoot...that is a surprise, me on schedule, now that is funny.
I have taken action in the gallery and have set up new schedules and new events and agendas. With the economic temperature, art is not necessarily a priority; so to keep all the artists happy and satisfied with sales, I will be putting new steps into place.
I am venturing out further in my own artistic realm, moving to a radius of 450 miles or further.(had a few pieces accepted in Atlanta, GA)
I have Incorporated a new media...jewelry...I am making rings with sterling silver and semi precious stones. Even in this economy who can resist a ring.
I set up an ad for my own work in national magazine.
So after tripping lightly through the tulips...I am off to make further changes.
My website along with the gallery website and even here on the blog pages, I will continue to update, move around, attract, delete anything and everything until people can really see the changes that are taking place.
So thanks for visiting...and staying faithful.
www.pakcraig.com
www.rivertowngallery.net
I see that my dedication to blogging is not a strong point.
Though I do believe that blogging is one of the newest communication ports.
So to keep with the theme of this year's political agenda of Changes....I too will be considering changes in all areas of my life.
I have all ready begun a few.
I have thousands of ideas running around in my brain and now it is time to start setting them into action.
I have taken action in my time management. Whoot...that is a surprise, me on schedule, now that is funny.
I have taken action in the gallery and have set up new schedules and new events and agendas. With the economic temperature, art is not necessarily a priority; so to keep all the artists happy and satisfied with sales, I will be putting new steps into place.
I am venturing out further in my own artistic realm, moving to a radius of 450 miles or further.(had a few pieces accepted in Atlanta, GA)
I have Incorporated a new media...jewelry...I am making rings with sterling silver and semi precious stones. Even in this economy who can resist a ring.
I set up an ad for my own work in national magazine.
So after tripping lightly through the tulips...I am off to make further changes.
My website along with the gallery website and even here on the blog pages, I will continue to update, move around, attract, delete anything and everything until people can really see the changes that are taking place.
So thanks for visiting...and staying faithful.
www.pakcraig.com
www.rivertowngallery.net
Friday, November 14, 2008
Back at it.
Well I have been busy doing this and that....mostly that...and haven't had a chance to blog lately. So will post a new pic of something that I was working on. this item is for the Memphis Orpheum Art Auction which is happening this weekend.
Yeah I know....a painting of a chair upon a chair......anyway...that is part of my being busy.
thanks for looking
Saturday, September 20, 2008
sunsets
We stayed in Seaside for eight days. Every night another beautiful sunset. This painting does not do justice to what I saw. I will keep trying to capture the essence of that amazing sight and colors.Sunset
6x6
acrylic on canvas
price sold
available for purchase on website or contact pakcraig@bellsouth.com
Inside the wave
I learned a lot about the gulf and the ocean this trip. I learned that the lovely flags flying on the beaches had meanings. Double red flags meant stay out of the water. Hey...looking at the waves, I could tell without flags that I didn't want to go in there. Each day brought something new to this trip. The water was high on the beaches and in fact there wasn't much beach available to stand on. I would walk down the stairs to the lowest platform level and watch the waves crash across the sand where we had been the previous day. I saw rip tides pull the sand right off the beaches and I saw the sand smooth out the next day as if nothing had happened. Nature is something to see in action.
Inside the Wave
6x6
acrylic on canvas
price sold
available for purchase on website or contact pakcraig@bellsouth.com
crashing waves
We stayed in an area called Seaside...charming area and the condo we were in was beautiful What wouldn't be beautiful when it is valued at 1mil....We had the second floor condo that went up three levels. We had to go down stairs to get out to the ground level and then down more stairs to get over the dunes and to the beach level. There were 20 steps to the ground level...and there were 52 steps to the beach level....it was good exercise...and a total of 72 steps...not bad....of course going back up after walking and playing in the sand and water...it felt like 200 steps. LOL. I miss the steps...now that I am back home...or maybe I just miss the fresh air and the beautiful water from our balcony.
Crashing Waves
6x6
acrylic on canvas
price sold
available for purchase on website or contact pakcraig@bellsouth.com
beach sand
I had a wonderful trip to Florida this past week. It was during the passing of the hurricane IKE that landed in Galveston. I loved the area and had a really great time watching the waves. I did not have an opportunity to see the gulf waters turn to their true colors because of the churning sea. These colors are suppose to be crystal clear and beautiful and give the area it's name of Emerald Coast. I guess I will just have to go back when the water is smooth.LOLBeach Sand
6x6
acrylic on canvas
price sold
available for purchase on website or contact pakcraig@bellsouth.com
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Daily Painting
Whoa!!!!!!! I am feeling better and today's choice of shoe is a bit more sedate.I love this one...it took 40 minutes. Like the attitude...LOL
Sassy Feet #11 or Patent leather...
acrylic
12 x 12
canvas
available to purchase
$150
contact pakcraig@bellsouth.net
more views of shoes can be seen on webpage
http://www.pakcraig.com/REdHatsrideagain.html
Hey if you have sassy feet....would love to get email or picture of them. Just click contact and send them on over. Thanks
Sassy Feet #11 or Patent leather...
acrylic
12 x 12
canvas
available to purchase
$150
contact pakcraig@bellsouth.net
more views of shoes can be seen on webpage
http://www.pakcraig.com/REdHatsrideagain.html
Hey if you have sassy feet....would love to get email or picture of them. Just click contact and send them on over. Thanks
Daily Painting
jumping ahead by a few days. Sept 5th 2008
I kept the series of skyscapes going and posted them in the daily thread on wetcanvas.There are 3 more skyscapes posted on that thread.
This is the first shoe in a few months.
I picked some really contrasting colors and wonder if it is partly do to my having dental root canal work done on me that morning. OUCH!!!!!
I can't think of any other reason to select such vivid colors other than Pain made me do this...LOL
this is Sassy feet #10
12 x 12
acrylic
canvas
available for purchase
$150
other of the shoe series can be viewed at http://www.pakcraig.com/REdHatsrideagain.html
I kept the series of skyscapes going and posted them in the daily thread on wetcanvas.There are 3 more skyscapes posted on that thread.
This is the first shoe in a few months.
I picked some really contrasting colors and wonder if it is partly do to my having dental root canal work done on me that morning. OUCH!!!!!
I can't think of any other reason to select such vivid colors other than Pain made me do this...LOL
this is Sassy feet #10
12 x 12
acrylic
canvas
available for purchase
$150
other of the shoe series can be viewed at http://www.pakcraig.com/REdHatsrideagain.html
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Daily Painting
Seems I am enjoying the stretch every morning...awakens my energy and my passion for painting.
Going to do a small series with skies
Tuesday Sept 2ND
Afternoon Skies
6x6
acrylic
canvas
10 minutes
available
$45
contact pakcraig@bellsouth.net
update on the new gallery space. It has been fantastic. If ever in Memphis I hope you drop by.
Going to do a small series with skies
Tuesday Sept 2ND
Afternoon Skies
6x6
acrylic
canvas
10 minutes
available
$45
contact pakcraig@bellsouth.net
update on the new gallery space. It has been fantastic. If ever in Memphis I hope you drop by.
Working Again
Well I have adjusted to my new way of looking at things. A lot of it is like looking through a veil of organdy, but I am getting use to it.
I decided to try some small pieces every day to warm up for larger works.
Sometimes when I have been away from painting for awhile it takes me a couple of moments to find the grove. I need to have less down time and more painting time so these little studies get me going.
So working quickly and on small canvases allows me;well, I guess stretch a bit before tackling the major exercise.
so here is my first stretch...lifting brush..poised to dip and flow...lol
Monday Sept 1
Morning Skies
6x6
acrylic
canvas
if interested in purchasing one of the daily works please contact me through email pakcraig@bellsouth.net
price: $45
I decided to try some small pieces every day to warm up for larger works.
Sometimes when I have been away from painting for awhile it takes me a couple of moments to find the grove. I need to have less down time and more painting time so these little studies get me going.
So working quickly and on small canvases allows me;well, I guess stretch a bit before tackling the major exercise.
so here is my first stretch...lifting brush..poised to dip and flow...lol
Monday Sept 1
Morning Skies
6x6
acrylic
canvas
if interested in purchasing one of the daily works please contact me through email pakcraig@bellsouth.net
price: $45
Friday, August 08, 2008
Losing Sight
It's finished.
They loved it...all of it....not just the painting but even my story about how I found focus and the title for the piece. I got to see it hanging in their home and it was fantastic to see a piece from beginning to the end.
All my worry was for naught over being able to complete a satisfying piece. I learned one way to get to the finish line was for me to please myself. If I was pleased, then I was certain they would be pleased as well. So worry and agony over decisions should never have been in the equation, then of course I found something else to worry about.
I lost the sight in my left eye.
It happened while painting the commission piece.
A couple of weeks earlier I had noticed some strange stuff going on in my right eye. I thought it was because of the intense sunlight outside and my possibly being effected by the sun that day. The black streaks that ran through my eye at that time eventually faded but not completely. During this time I also seemed to be having my very own lightening storm in my eye. I could see flashing lights whenever I was walking in the dark. I thought wow...wonder what's going on. I kept my right eye covered whenever I went outside and things seemed to be clearing up. Then wham.....while painting on the commission piece there was a bright halo and then blackness in my left eye.
Scared the you know what out of me. I went immediately to the family doctor and though my bp was high at the time (mainly because I was so scared) the doctor didn't think it was high enough to be the cause of the problem. I had a referral to an opthomologist for later that day. I sat for 3 hours for the opthomolgist to work me in his schedule, I probably would have sat all day, I needed to know what was happening.
Ok, I will tell you having your eyes dilated is not a fun deal, and at some points I thought the doctor had climbed inside my eye to see better, it hurt so much. It seems the vitreous gel in my eyes is shrinking and as it shrinks, it pulls away from the retina. This causes little cells to pop off and float in the gel, sometimes the pull is so severe that it tears the retina. The black lines and streaks are blood vessels that have popped; and the white lights and ligthening I am speaking of, is the actual moment that the gel pulls away. I could go blind. How about that....all my life I have said I could stand anything as long as I could keep my hands and my eyes.
I am adjusting to the situation, and learning to look past the junk in my right eye and hopefully find that the left eye will gradually gain its vision again. Not much hope for this; but, why not think positive.
I have been told to take it easy...lol.
I have been told to rest. Yeah.
I have been told absolutely no jarring head bumps. HUH!
and I have been told not to pick anything up. OH MY .
What causes this....lol...the opthomologist says OLD AGE....I say "but I haven't gotten there yet". JEEZ LOUISE.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Trying to meet expectations.
I need some honest feedback on an abstract work and find everyone I usually turn too is busy today.I have a commission to paint. Commissions come and go,some are easy and some are very hard,
either way trying to meet their expectations throws me off kilter.
In our first meeting I showed the couple a few of my abstracts and among those pictures they saw something they liked and they asked me to do something for them that is similar. I talked with them more so that I could get an overall picture of their particular interests and found one word that kept coming back to me when I thought of the couple. Opposites attract but there is BALANCE.
They both like color and lots of it.
She likes circles and smoothness with drama.
He likes architectural lines and subtleties.
He is strong and shows strength with a gentle kindness underneath.
She is soft and kind with a determination underneath that shows leadership.
Right now I am lost in the transition of finding a way to express what I think they are wanting. Does the painting lean to far to fit only one personality? Is it too round, does it have too many harsh lines. Are the colors bright enough.....mostly does it say anything to anyone about balance?
So blending these thoughts brought me to another crux, how do I bring these ideas into a painting and please both? I thought I would add subtle Remarque’s to the work with their initials intertwined so that this abstract becomes distinctively theirs without it being right in your face that the initials are there. Is that a bit too cute to work?
either way trying to meet their expectations throws me off kilter.
In our first meeting I showed the couple a few of my abstracts and among those pictures they saw something they liked and they asked me to do something for them that is similar. I talked with them more so that I could get an overall picture of their particular interests and found one word that kept coming back to me when I thought of the couple. Opposites attract but there is BALANCE.
They both like color and lots of it.
She likes circles and smoothness with drama.
He likes architectural lines and subtleties.
He is strong and shows strength with a gentle kindness underneath.
She is soft and kind with a determination underneath that shows leadership.
Right now I am lost in the transition of finding a way to express what I think they are wanting. Does the painting lean to far to fit only one personality? Is it too round, does it have too many harsh lines. Are the colors bright enough.....mostly does it say anything to anyone about balance?
So blending these thoughts brought me to another crux, how do I bring these ideas into a painting and please both? I thought I would add subtle Remarque’s to the work with their initials intertwined so that this abstract becomes distinctively theirs without it being right in your face that the initials are there. Is that a bit too cute to work?
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Letting it go
BALANCE an abstract painting I am working on for a commission. Interesting title, maybe as I work on this; I too will learn balance.
Don't you just have to laugh over the idea that things change but still stay the same.
My last post I talked about learning a new way to cope with various conflicts that arise in my life.
Well, I haven't learned anything new, I still bury bones and still dig them up to renew the interest in the problem. I can't seem to let it go. I cannot tell you the number of people who tell me to move on. To let it go, but no one seems to know how to actually do that. Saying "let it go" is so easy. My mind says it over and over "Let it Go", but there it is, like a shadow or a ghost waiting to remind you that things aren't so perfect. Is the letting go part of actually dealing with the conflict? once you dealt with it will it go away naturally? Is hanging on or digging the bones up part of not really resolving the conflict. Oh me....I feel a headache coming on. Maybe I am just trying too hard.
Having the gallery I realize I will always run into problems outside of the norm. I realize that as artists we are not necessarily business people and mistakes happen. It is somewhat of a challenge correcting the various things that I encounter with the "artist staff" and it keeps me hopping. I do have excellent support from most of the artists and with each step we all learn from the various things that happen. Sometime in the future, maybe we will even be able to look back and laugh.
But there are other changes that come in running a gallery or in life in general and these are not as easily fixed. Conflicts on a personal level seem to be the ones that do me in. These are the ones that keep taking on a life form in my head and end up with me taking way too much time dwelling over them. Head talk. Confidence lost. These are the times my energy level is depleted and trying to "paint" them out sometimes ends up with some really lousy paintings. Let it go, yeah right...would someone please explain in detail how to go about doing that. If I knew the answer I would share with you. LOL.................
Don't you just have to laugh over the idea that things change but still stay the same.
My last post I talked about learning a new way to cope with various conflicts that arise in my life.
Well, I haven't learned anything new, I still bury bones and still dig them up to renew the interest in the problem. I can't seem to let it go. I cannot tell you the number of people who tell me to move on. To let it go, but no one seems to know how to actually do that. Saying "let it go" is so easy. My mind says it over and over "Let it Go", but there it is, like a shadow or a ghost waiting to remind you that things aren't so perfect. Is the letting go part of actually dealing with the conflict? once you dealt with it will it go away naturally? Is hanging on or digging the bones up part of not really resolving the conflict. Oh me....I feel a headache coming on. Maybe I am just trying too hard.
Having the gallery I realize I will always run into problems outside of the norm. I realize that as artists we are not necessarily business people and mistakes happen. It is somewhat of a challenge correcting the various things that I encounter with the "artist staff" and it keeps me hopping. I do have excellent support from most of the artists and with each step we all learn from the various things that happen. Sometime in the future, maybe we will even be able to look back and laugh.
But there are other changes that come in running a gallery or in life in general and these are not as easily fixed. Conflicts on a personal level seem to be the ones that do me in. These are the ones that keep taking on a life form in my head and end up with me taking way too much time dwelling over them. Head talk. Confidence lost. These are the times my energy level is depleted and trying to "paint" them out sometimes ends up with some really lousy paintings. Let it go, yeah right...would someone please explain in detail how to go about doing that. If I knew the answer I would share with you. LOL.................
Saturday, February 02, 2008
It's Been awhile but here I am again
Looking back over the last 3 months, I see that blogging wasn't one of my main interest, I seem to get bogged down with the small things and between Thanksgiving and Christmas things changed tremendously.
The gallery I own and run moved location. The space is now on Main Street in downtown Memphis.I didn't get much notice that we needed to move and it took us a little while to actually begin the move; but when we finished, the results have been really worth the time and effort. Actually the move isn't totally finished I still have organizing to do in our drastically reduced storage area. But surprisingly all things were done in rapid time, the major part of the move was completed within one week. It involved painting the walls, building a small storage space, scrubbing the wood floors, moving the equipment and then finally getting the art moved and sorted. Nothing was broken and nothing was lost, so I feel really good about this.
The first two weeks after the move were right before Christmas, so the push was hard to get everything done and still think about the holidays. I had been ill around Thanksgiving and barely got better before the move began and I kept getting sick off and on while so much needed to be done. Now Christmas was coming and no decorations were up around the house and I am a big decorator, I love the color and little items that I have collected through the years; and of course with everything else there was no gift buying as yet and no time left; so pushing again to get that done with only two days before company arrives.
We made it, and company came but as luck would have it or possibly the unluckiest part, our company became ill with a stomach virus. So I had a bit of down time and rest time until after a couple of days had past and finally we were able to celebrate Christmas with everyone feeling up to being sociable.
Then no sooner did one set of company leave more company came in right before New Years and instead of resting and getting my own health back, we kept on going. When I should have been resting and trying to figure out where I was and how was I, instead of resting we decided to go on a short trip and then finally back home and back to running as fast as I could. To say the least I am tired
My plans for this year are to try and quit pushing myself. To take time to enjoy things around me. The last few months I was up and down in my emotions along with my health, and even saw changes in my sleeping patterns. It was becoming difficult to deal with the real and or even with some things that might have been imagined. So I am taking the time to just be, and learn more about who I am and what I can do, without being crazy; this is the major part of this year's agenda. I am not going to schedule any major shows this year, but have decided to enter competitions and submit for projects.
I am going to try and be a little more reflective this year as well and figure out where all the conflict comes from. I have learned that even when people tell me to let it go; that letting go is very hard thing for me to do, and I feel that I really need to learn from my mistakes and I need to take a few minutes to understand what brought on the conflict. I hope to be dropping some distractions so that I can try to get more organized and have less pressure on me all the time. I am always running full tilt and need to slow down. I need to see where I am instead of where I am going or where I have been. In other words, I need to take it easy.
The reflective part: I think I once posted that I am like a dog with an old bone when it comes to worry. I bury it...but soon dig it up again, examine it, sniff it, and chew on it for a bit to see if there is anything left of the taste of it. When I am satisfied I bury it again and sometimes if I am lucky it stays buried. I hope I learn from these exercises in "bone burying",but usually it is just revisiting the whole problem with nothing really solved. Again, like they say I need to let it go.
Maybe it would be better to not dig up these bones, but I don't think I can stop myself, as I think about my life and my coping skills, I realize there may be some truth to the saying " can't teach old dogs new tricks"......some day...maybe someday I will learn a new way.
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