If it doesn’t work for you.please e-mail me if you’d like to buy something. Apparently it works if your name is Vicki, but not if your name is Bob. Technology. Sigh.
Learn, Schmearn
That is what Drawing Student Megan said in response to 2 possible solutions to a drawing problem. Still makes me smile!
When figuring out a path for my business of art, it seems that I am constantly learning, whether or not I want to. Take these Christmas ornaments for example: last year I was so excited to paint little Big Trees (tee hee hee, that sounds odd) on wooden disks. They sold okay, but not great.
This year I evaluated the sold ornaments versus the unsold ones, and there was a definite pattern. I repainted the remainder to resemble the sold ones, and they haven’t done so well either.
In addition to the Big Trees, a friend suggested that I paint little scenes on the remaining zillion blank disks. I tried a few, and although they sold very well, they take way more time than the price can handle. Here are the final 2 of that variety (sold, of course, and to the friend who made the suggestion.):
There are 10 Sequoia ornaments remaining. What will become of them? How about this: I will offer one each as a gift to the first 10 people who respond to this blog entry. Ick, that sounds ungrateful! If they won’t sell, I’ll just give them to you? But they are kind of neato! And adding the word “FREE” without strings attached often makes a thing look better. So does pricing it for lots and lots of money, but that isn’t my style. My style is honesty and generosity; hence, this blog and this offer!
You can either email me at cabinart@cabinart.net or comment on the blog. The first 10 get an ornament. If no one bothers, it will most definitely be a learning experience!
Green apple
At the show over the weekend, a nice lady (with impeccable taste, of course) asked me to paint a little green apple to accompany her pomegranate and orange paintings. (I mean the painting is little – not to be confused with the Roger Miller song!) I was eager to begin, so I went to the local market and bought a Granny Smith. That was the only variety, which eliminated an unnecessary decision. Morning light is better for still life photography at my house, so this a.m. I took the apple outside. As I hunkered down with my camera on the very cold porch, Perkins wanted to know what I was doing.
Presentation is Everything
Having just finished another weekend show and sale, I’ve been thinking about the truism “presentation is everything”. During set-up, I was done quickly so I had time to help Ginny Wilson, photographer extraordinaire. She brings so much inventory to shows that it takes 2 vehicles to transport all her support materials and the merchandise. Together, we hauled tables, scooted display screens, unpacked boxes, and constantly discussed which pieces should go where – both the display pieces and the photographs. There was a great deal of adjusting and stepping back to survey the scene from a visitor’s point of view. Her space looked bright and inviting, and a side effect was that I brought lights for my own area the next day.
On Friday, my fellow artisans told me that they had been studying my work and decided the ice cream cone (called “Worth It!”) was in the wrong frame AND should be displayed at “lickable” height! I pulled it from the frame and replaced it with the wreath painting. BOOM, the wreath sold!
On Saturday, I rearranged my paintings. This time, instead of isolating the bright little fruit/vegetable/leaf squares onto one screen, I clustered them in groups and used them to surround some of the scenery. This is how it looked partway through the day:
Those bright little squares began selling themselves. I rearranged several times, trying different groupings. My hope, of course, was to sell scenery AND little squares, but sales are sales. If people want those little pieces of fruit, I want them to have those little pieces of fruit. There is no photo at the end of the day because I hadn’t planned on writing this post and the screens looked too bare to bother photographing. Bottom line: presentation is everything. There is no One Right Way, but there is definitely something to that arranging thing that causes people to notice and be drawn in.
I can help with that!
2 comments I hear from people over and over are “I’m out of wall space” and “I’m trying to be careful with money”. Here are my responses to the first: “You can rotate your art” or “Look! Small paintings on little easels look nice on a bookshelf, lamp table or fireplace mantel!” To the second, “Look at these little bitty paintings, hand-painted ornaments and packages of cards – all $20 or less!”
Here are a few more 4×6 oranges in progress – they sit on easels and are $30 each
And these little bitty paintings are $15 each:
So are these ornaments:
A Day in the City
Stop laughing – Visalia is a city to me. Remember, I grew up outside of Ivanhoe, lived in Lemon Cove for 11 years and have lived in Three Rivers for 12. When I left for college, Visalia had a mere 35,000 people. Now it has over 100,000 and not one, but two (count ’em – one, two!) parking garages! I couldn’t decide whether the stairs or the elevator posed the least danger (cities are scary and parking garages are really scary – all those chases on cop shows!) The amount of porkadelia I was hauling to the gallery caused me to choose the elevator, but next time it will be the stairs. Anyway, here is the view from the parking garage:
Doesn’t that look like a city to you? Oh hush!
It was an interesting time at Main Gallery with lots and lots of people passing through. They were friendly, interested, and interesting. Met a guy from New Orleans, a woman from Alaska, quite a few artists, and lots of people who said “Visalia needs this!” Very encouraging, very positive feedback. If you haven’t yet stopped by, here is the link for the address and hours: http://www.maingalleryvisalia.blogspot.com/
First Day at School
Not really. It sort of feels like it, but instead it is my first day working at Main Gallery. I don’t even know if it is called “Main Gallery” or “The Main Gallery”. There is no phone to answer, so I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’ve worked in more retail positions than I can list but never had my first day at a job without supervision! Guess I’ll put on my big girl pants and go after it. . . sometimes I love being a grown-up and other times I’d like to just let someone else step into that position. Today, the verdict is not in as to which attitude fits. Maybe if someone else would do the grocery shopping then I’d like the other parts of being a grownup. The best part of being a grown-up is doing whatever I want, which is sort of what happens while working in (the) Main Gallery. You know how at “real” jobs you have to act busy even when you aren’t? This “job” allows me to knit in between customers or work on my ‘puter or just sit. Maybe I do really like being a grownup today!
Thinking and planning and learning
In a perfect world, an artist would make art with her favorite medium of her favorite subjects when she felt like it. When it was almost finished, people would be clamoring to buy it, and she would rejoice in a sure sale. Dream on, Toots! In reality, if an artist wants to earn a living, she has to make art with the medium that sells best, choose subjects that people love, and be in touch with those people. In addition to making art, an artist has to be able to do a zillion other things. Want cards? Better learn what the best sizes are, where to have them printed, how many to order in quantities that might sell, how to package and where to find the materials, and how to price both resale and retail. Want to teach? Better be able to find, connect with and keep students. (Plus have a place, materials, a plan, and the flexibility of a pre-teen gymnast!) Need more than some paintings, cards and a few students? Better research the world of art and retail to find out what people are buying, gather seeds of information to create something new, practice like crazy, actually make art, and at the same time, learn how to market it. Need places to sell your work? Better get out there and discover shows, shops, galleries and other venues for promoting your work. Want commissions? Better meet people, listen to their wishes, have a price list, know how long it might take and have some samples to show.
Have a look at a recent commissioned piece:
This was fun to paint – new subject, new colors to mix, neat-o square shape, and a happy customer awaits!
From Dreary and Cold comes Bright and Cheerful
It was a very busy weekend. The opening at Main Gallery was very very well attended – it was hot, crowded, noisy and exciting. First Saturday in Three Rivers was also exciting – I got blown away! Well, almost. Don, Paula, Leslie, Wendy and Kristi all came to my rescue and helped me secure my stuff. In addition, several paintings sold! Today is dreary and cold. Our propane tank is empty and the pilot lights in the workshop and studio are not lit. There is a fire in the woodstove in the house, and I have a laptop. Instead of using the excuse of cold and dark so I can justify sitting around and knitting, I have spent a large portion of the day learning about self-publishing, marketing, art business and self-promotion. I’m hoping the phone isn’t ringing off the hook in the studio (Wait a minute – I’m hoping it is and that the answering machine is full!!) and I’m still not convinced that Facebook is for me, but my excitement over writing, drawing and publishing a new book or two is growing! More will be revealed. . . or not, depending on how the ideas mature. Here, let’s look at something bright and cheerful:
Persimmon Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
Black Oak Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
Chinese Pistache Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
Main Gallery!
I’ve joined a new art co-operative called Main Gallery at 209 West Main Street in Visalia! (For you locals, this is in the same block as Brown’s Shoes and Pacific Treasures) Our grand opening is Friday, November 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Have a look as it was being set up on Saturday:
This is where Cross-Horlock used to be.
I don’t remember Cross-Horlock having such a beautiful atrium (not that I even knew the word back when CH was open!)
It is a wonderfully large and well-lit space with room upstairs for workshops.
Customers may enter from Main Street or through the atrium doors.
My work is on screens and is visible from the atrium.
Expatiation:
There is something to be said in favor of working in one’s home town – the convenience, the casualness of getting to work and the familiarity are just a few of the benefits. On the other hand, there are several somethings to be said in favor of working in the largest town in the county, namely Visalia. The expanded population base means increased exposure, increased visitation and increased sales. In addition, there are 22 other artists with whom to interact and from whom to learn. Granted, Sierra Subs is not next door nor is there a river out back. When I feel the loss of those 2 things, I will simply remind myself that I am here to earn a living, not have a mini get-away!