Comments on: Get Your Art Out of the Studio

By: mitra

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:45:55 +0000

In reply to Marilee Stockman.

i m reallly happy hearing an iranian name over there.. so good luck jila hakimi and touraj and u Marilee 🙂

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By: Snow paintings finished « Cath Sheard

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:44:47 +0000

[…] see my name. You can read what Alyson at ArtBizBlog says about getting your art of of the studio here. […]

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By: Kaitlyn

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:34:03 +0000

One of my favourite things about having people over to my place is that they get to see my pieces on the wall. Whilst my focus for generating finances initially is in my functional work, I take huge pride in the large canvas paintings I’ve done. They don’t often get the same exposure as my other work, so visitors are always welcome.

I like perusing the net for ideas other artists have used. My favourite by far is public art installments either for promotional reasons or as an integral part of the artwork. An example would be the Little People Tiny Art Street Project done in London.

I’ve personally begun making a ‘zine, which I leave around the city at my favourite haunts, including a lot of tea/coffee shops and art spaces.

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By: Philip Koch

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:56:48 +0000

Alyson,
I think the price an artist has to pay for showing their work under optimum conditions (i.e. clean smooth walls, good spot lighting, a large attractive space, and a significant number of viewers who are actively interested in visual art) is the engage with “the art world hierarchy.” Many people in the commercial gallery world are decent folks, also true with people running nonprofit art spaces. ( I just had a show this year at Maryland Institute College of Art and had came down with pneumonia just when it was time to deliver and install the work. The Exhibitions Dept. staff swept in and did everything for me perfectly. They couldn’t have been nicer ).

Of course every artist has to test the waters for herself/himself and see where it works best for them. Honestly, I confess I’ve sometimes seen better art exhibited at some run down coffee shops than at some of the toniest Chelsea art galleries. A difference is the “high end” spaces can sell work at far higher prices.

None of us are in this for the money, but surviving economically so you can continue being an active artist has to be a key goal for each of us. In many ways the career side of art making requires as much inventiveness and creativity as the art making itself.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:04:46 +0000

Debbie: Thank you for your input. As I said, you don’t want to exhibit in poor conditions. I honestly don’t know the arrangements that you made, but I do think it’s important to talk about the situation up front so that everyone agrees on what must happen. I still err on exhibiting over holding out for prime space.

Jackie: You know, I never thought of that. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Christy: I couldn’t have said it better myself. I will just add that my sister-in-law has sold 180 paintings in 3 years–mostly by exhibiting at restaurants! It’s all in how you play the game.

Patricia: There will always be exceptions. And as long as it doesn’t hurt you or anyone else, I still believe it’s better to have your work in those offices than in the corner of your studio.

Philip: I used to think this, too–until I ran into artists who just wanted to sell directly to people and not mess with the art world hierarchy. In my eyes, I’m with you on your assessment, but I know this isn’t every artist’s goal.

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By: Philip Koch

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:52:02 +0000

Restaurants, coffee shops, libraries, hair salons etc. are places to START in the long process of getting your work out there in front of the public. It is a perfectly good place to begin. After time, an artist ought to move on to commercial galleries (where the focus is on turning visitors into collectors), or at least to non-profit art spaces where the work can be presented in a professional setting. And gradually you try to raise the bar with the sort of places you’re exhibiting. Of course not everything you try will work out, but its always better than keeping your art a complete secret.

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By: Patricia

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:45:13 +0000

A friend and I used a vacant storefront one weekend this summer during our community’s local festival. It was amazing how many people came to our exhibit, and truly appreciated the opportunity to experience our temporary venue. And the landlord was pleased as well, as more people were exposed to the possibilities of his building.
I’ve also exhibited in coffee shops and have had positive experiences there as well. Folks can view the art without feeling like they’re under pressure to purchase. As for business offices, I must agree with Debbie. They don’t have ‘customers’ who are relaxed and have time to look like the other spaces.
You never know until you try! Excellent post, Alyson.

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By: christy gray

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:42:14 +0000

I would also tiptoe into this scenario. A thorough understanding of what the expectations for both the artist and the venue are makes for a successful experience. I have found that the venue that is seeking artists is happy to have the *free* artwork from the artist. The artist is responsible to install and market the work. Unless the venue is providing additional marketing effort, helping to sell the work on your behalf, and otherwise representing the artwork in their course of business, this is free artwork for their walls. Exposure does not always pay the bills. Rarely, if ever, have I walked into a restaurant, hair salon, professional office and said I love this artwork, I must have it. I am there to eat, have my hair cut, or do business. Will the restaurant provide an honorarium to the artist for the month that their artwork is on display in the form of gift certificate to their restaurant? Is the venue taking a commission from artwork sold? What are they doing to earn their commission? I don’t think our artwork should be sitting on the shelves in our own homes, nor do I think alternative ways to market are not worthy, but an understanding of the expectation and what can be gained should be explored prior to jumping in with both feet.

I have a similar rant about art auctions for benefits.

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By: Marilee Stockman

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:55:28 +0000

Hi! Jila Hakimi and I(Marilee Stockman) are alumnae of your Salon workshops. We are currently showing our work in an exhibit at the Corner Gallery in the Huntington Beach Main Library in Huntington Beach, CA. We will be there until Sept 30. My focus is my horse sculptures and portraits. Jila has glass art work and paintings. Oh yes her husband, Touraj, has a few pieces of his work in the exhibit also. We are know as the ‘dynamic trio’.

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By: Miranda

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:50:16 +0000

These are great tips. So many artists create in a complete vacuume and never put themselves out there. It’s definitely a risk, but you’ll never accomplish anything without taking that risk! Another good way to get exposure and feedback is to participate in group critiques, which are often hosted by galleries or schools. It’s not really a commercial venue, but who knows where that king of networking could lead, plus you get critical feedback on your work!

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