It’s almost time....

3rd Annual Artists-4-Autism Auction
to benefit the new Autism Center Building Fund for the Center for Development & Disability at the University of New Mexico.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2010
Embassy Suites ballroom, Albuquerque, NM

VIP Champaign Reception & Auction Preview with the Artists, 4 PM
Silent Auction, 6 PM
Live Auction, 7:30 PM

For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Rita Crozier at 505-272-4715.




Red Berries With Snow
10 in. by 10 in.
Acrylic on artist board
$60.00

I’ve known Ryan Goodwin since I was 18, and now he will be having his first exhibit in New Mexico! It will be this Sept. 17, at Palette Contemporary Art & Craft, 7400 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.

Saturday night at 6:30 pm! Come and join us for “The Straight Story”, a film by David Lynch!

Discussion and refreshments to follow.

The address is:

Christ The King Anglican Church
5300 2nd Street Northwest
Albuquerque, NM 87107-4011
(505) 345-1450

Thanks to everyone that came out! It was a great time!

Recently, at Palette Contemporary Art & Craft, we had an exhibit & opening for the artist Daniel North. In his honor and just for fun, I made a cake to resemble his painting, Correspondence! This is an enamel and glass painting on artist panel. His exhibit is currently on display in the gallery and please drop by if you are in Albuquerque. Otherwise visit www.palettecontemporary.com.




This is the cake that I made:

Mark your calendars now, for July 3rd!

My first exhibition in over four years and my first since moving to New Mexico, will be held at Christ The King Anglican Church, starting July 3rd, Saturday. There will be an opening reception at 7pm that day. The majority of my new works in The Garden series will be on display, created 2008-Current. I should have some never-before-seen pieces too!

The address is:

5300 2nd Street Northwest
Albuquerque, NM 87107-4011
(505) 345-1450

If you search on the web, you will probably find even more useful advise, but in the end, everyone searches out and finds out what works best for them and their business. This is just a list of a few things that I have gleamed by experience and talking with people:

1. MAKE SMALLER PIECES, at an affordable price. There is marketing sense in making something small, and then people can collect more if they want.

2. KEEP PRICES AFFORDABLE for the market in which you are selling your work. I use the formula experience level + time + materials + costs related to selling (shipping and/or booth fees.) On the other hand, don’t price too low either...you may regret it if it sells. More about pricing in general later, because this is a tricky topic.

3. KEEP OVERHEAD LOW. This is really important, and I especially see young artists making big mistakes with this.

• Trade with other artists for services like photography or web design (especially works out if you are both starting out in the biz). Maybe somebody you know needs your graphic design knowledge or really wants one of your paintings in exchange?
• Avoid paying a lot for a website. Invest in “Rapidweaver” or other useful, low-cost, web design programs.
• Use Facebook if you have to, to create a gallery of your work (but don’t rely on this very long because not everyone is into Facebook and will have access to your stuff.)
• Go to manufacture and trade shows to buy discount art supplies.
• Sign up for free newsletters from art stores to find out when paint goes on sale.
• Some paint manufactures have free samples or contests for free supplies...sign up for anything that will give you a discount.
• Buy in bulk.
• Search Craiglist for people getting rid of an easel or paint.
• If you can, make your own stretcher bars.
• Canvas for paint is CHEAPER if you buy it in the fabric section of Hobby Lobby, rather than the arts section. Be aware that some items can be purchased cheaper in other areas and are marketed up for artists, while keeping the quality, while other items (like paint) differ in quality by cost. For example, the quality of the canvas is the same but paint is more expensive as more pigment is added to the medium. The higher cost of the paint = more pigment = brighter colors = less paint to use.
• If you need postcards, consider VISTAPRINT. You get 100 free, and you only pay for shipping + uploading a design. They also have inexpensive business cards, which are a MUST for anyone!

4. NETWORK. It is just plain easier mentally to have friends that are pursuing similar goals. Not only will friends help pep you up with failures, or give you tips on an art gallery, they may also remind you to have some fun!

5. FIND LOW COST AVENUES FOR EXHIBITS. People will try to talk you into things, so beware! My father, who spent many years selling my mother’s art, always told me that if you are thinking about doing a show, visit it first. Then you will know if it brings in people and if those people are buying. Carefully examine the content of the show and if your work would fit in. If it is an antique show and you sell duck sculptures, DON’T DO IT!

If you are just starting out, don’t spend a great amount of money on shows unless you know something about it first. That is a long-term investment in your business, and you don’t want to just spend money without a return.

Other ideas for exhibits:

• Be a member of a local arts coalition. This will most likely give you networking and exhibiting experience.
• Prepare your art to present, professionally, to art galleries. A GOOD GALLERY WILL TAKE COMMISSIONS FROM YOUR SOLD WORK AND NOT ASK FOR MONEY UP FRONT.
• Beware of scams.
• Beware of what you see on Craiglist.
• There is nothing wrong with having your art hang in a restaurant or bar. Many do not ask for for a percentage of the profits.
• Brainstorm different places that might be interested in your art: would it fit with a community center? Local birding store? Bookstore?
• Join national art organizations. This can be more expensive, but some offer artist directories or “call for artists” newsletters, that can be an added benefit.

Good luck! If anyone has any success with any of the things I have listed, I’d love to hear your story! Please write me or post your experience below!

In the six weeks or so since I was employed at an art gallery, I have already gleamed many insights into how an art gallery works and what artists need to know. Unfortunately many art schools do not have classes in the business of art, so the details involved in approaching a gallery, making a living in art, and bridging the gap between the art maker, seller, and buyer are often left to word-of-mouth conversations or trial and error.

A few tips when approaching an art gallery:

1. Make sure that you are ready. Develop a large body of consistent work.

2. Take good, color-corrected pictures of your work and have it available online to view. The pictures should accurately represent your work and be neatly cropped. Make your own website. If you can’t do that, you can upload pictures to a Facebook page or, better yet, hire a graphic designer to create your site. If you are a student, you may be able to trade with another student in exchange for portfolio pieces.

3. Whether you present yourself in person or online, make it professional. Dress up if you have an appointment with the gallery.

4. Approach a gallery at the right time. DO NOT approach during an opening or art event. It is better to send an email with pictures, or a postcard or letter. Some galleries have submission guidelines on their website. Check the websites first before contacting anyone.

5. Research a gallery to see if they have art similar to what you make and visit in person. If you walk in and say “I like your space” it is often a tip-off that you are an artist looking for representation. It is better to be interested first in what type of art they have, and secondly notice the gallery space.

6. When the right fit is found, think of the gallery representation as a long-term relationship. Work with the gallery if they have special requests and be in contact often.

I’ll write more later on tips to survive and thrive in the economy...I’m learning a few pointers from artists that are still making and selling during a rough economic time. I would also like to hear if anyone else has learned anything on either of these topics. Your comments are appreciated!