Getting Involved in Your Arts Community
Mar 17, 2010 Art General
There are many myths about artists, one of them being that the artist is an isolated shut-in, madly working on his masterpiece without a care for the outside world.
For some of us, this myth might sound tempting, and for some of us some of the time, it might even be a reality. But the truth is that there is much to be gained by getting involved in your arts community.
By getting involved, you get your name out there. The more people recognize you, the more authority you will have in the art world. When you apply for that exhibition, the curator will look at your proposal and think, “Isn’t she the one who was involved in (fill in the blank) last year?” This gives you a bit of an edge because now you have created a small connection between the curator and you. It’s like the difference between e-mailing your resume to apply for a job and walking in to submit it in person.
Getting involved in the arts community also gives you better access to the opportunities available to you. Just by mingling and talking to other artists, you will hear about what’s going on. You will also find that people go out of their way to fill you in about things you might be interested in.
I’ll be the first to admit that there are a lot of snobby artists who hold to their elitist persona and won’t help other artists out. For every one of those, though, there are probably ten other artists who will go out of their way to share their knowledge, to offer support, and to pass on information about various opportunities.
My Experience
One of my goals in the last year or two has been to get more involved in my arts community. I started volunteering at the local art gallery and looking for teaching opportunities, as well as reaching out online.
Volunteering at the gallery has been a great experience. I’ve gained a lot of insight into how a gallery works, what it takes to put on an opening, and ways to integrate exhibitions with art activities for children. I’ve become familiar with many of the people working at the gallery, and they have become familiar with at least my name.
As a bit of an introvert myself, I find that making the commitment to volunteer at openings is a great way to make sure I actually go. Openings are the perfect opportunity to network and get to know other artists in the community.
Last year, while working an opening, I was able to re-connect with one of my professors from University. That contact has led to an ongoing professional relationship, including several critiques of my work and an invitation to possibly exhibit at the University next year. All opportunities that I would not have had if I hadn’t been pouring wine at that event!
In the online world, I began by getting in touch with other artists I had met briefly at openings. It was through one of these connections that I learned of a teaching opportunity at another art gallery. I now have a semi-regular gig there, doing art workshops for kids. It’s a small thing, but that too has led to other opportunities. I have developed a professional relationship with the director there, and she has recently invited me to submit a few small pieces to their gift gallery.
Twitter is another amazing resource for artists. I have been able to connect with local artists who move in completely different art circles than I do. I first became acquainted with the talented Julia Trops, who was kind enough to refer me to a friend of hers who was looking for a portrait artist. That portrait turned into two when the client’s co-worker also commissioned a drawing. All thanks to Julia! I’ve also gotten to know Kendra Smith, an amazing landscape painter, and through her I’ve become familiar with the work of Carrie Harper and Nikki Balfour. While this is a professional network it is also, I hope, the beginnings of friendships with other like-minded people!
As I read through this, it sounds like a self-serving list of my accomplishments. I apologize if this sounds like I’m bragging: that’s not my intention! The point is that I wouldn’t have even been aware of these opportunities if I hadn’t gotten involved.
Now that I’ve convinced you that it pays to get involved, what are some ways you can do it?
- Volunteer: most galleries have a variety of volunteer opportunities, find one that suits you!
- Attend openings: mingle and talk to people.
- Go to workshops: you get to know the instructors and students, as well as learn a new skill!
- Look for teaching opportunities.
- Keep in touch: don’t let those connections fade away, maintain your network.
- Join an arts group.
- and don’t forget…
Pay it Forward
If you want people to be helpful and forthcoming with you, do the same in return! When you hear of an amazing opportunity, pass it on to others who you know might be interested. This is where it all comes full circle and you get to help out those who help you.
What kind of experiences have you had with getting involved in your arts community?
PS: The photo today has nothing to do with art, but I wanted to share with you guys the amazing view I had as I wrote this post. What a beautiful day!
Tags: artists, motivation, promotion
If You Think It, Do It! – Advice for Artists
Jan 28, 2010 Art General, Creativity
A common misconception about artists is that they can see things in their minds. They can envision colour combinations and imagine the way different patterns and textures go together. While this is true to some extent, we shouldn’t always make creative decisions based on these visions. As artists, we are visual and it’s essential for us to see.
As a teenager, I did a lot of sewing. The most difficult part of that process for me was choosing the fabrics. I would be overwhelmed by the choices and, to my poor mother’s frustration, would have no idea about what colours and patterns would work with each other. I relied mostly on her judgement for this, and it wasn’t until my garment was finished that I was able to see that she had been right.
People seem to think it’s really strange that an artist can’t tell what colours and patterns should go together, but without actually seeing them in a composition, it’s impossible to know how they will relate to each other.
This is the reason that many artists do thumbnail studies. It allows them to see several different compositions before choosing the one that is right. Some artists even do colour studies before starting on a painting to work out the best colour combinations. How many times have you gotten deep into an artwork and realized, “that yellow is the wrong yellow.”
And that’s not a bad thing! A big part of the artistic process is identifying and fixing problems, which is where today’s advice comes in: if you think it, do it
Sometimes, as the artist, we become so attached to a piece that we are afraid to change it. The artwork becomes precious to us and this limits our creativity to the point where we avoid anything that we think might “ruin” it.
Have you ever finished a piece and had a niggling thought in the back of your mind that something should be different? That an area needs to be darker or lighter, that there should be a splodge of blue somewhere? A thought that just won’t go away no matter how many times you tell yourself the piece is done?
I think we all have! The question is: do you act on these persistent urges?
If you don’t, you could be missing out on something new and exciting.
When you have a thought that just won’t leave you alone, when you get that urge to do something dramatically different, act on it. Don’t worry about ruining your piece. You need to have the confidence that if you’ve done something once, you can do it again. If whatever change you make detract from your work, you need to know that you will be able to fix it.
Don’t rely on your imagination to make aesthetic decisions. You need to do it, see it, and evaluate it.
If you’re really and truly concerned about making any permanent changes to something, consider using an alternative method. With the painting above, it started out as all reds and pinks. I had this thought that it might look more interesting with some bits of blue peeking through. Instead painting over my piece, I painted blue on some paper, then glued it in different places on the painting. This allowed me to find the places where the blue would be most effective.
Also consider using digital means. With a program like Photoshop, or Corel Draw, or Gimp, you can edit and make changes on the computer without affecting your finished piece. This lets you change colours, change composition, change whatever.
The bottom line is this: don’t ignore those persistent ideas in the back of your mind. Run with it and see what happens because it could be the thing that sparks a whole new series of work. If you always do the same old, you’ll always do the same old! Art is about change and growth, so don’t hold yourself back. If you think it, do it!
Art Marketing Tidbit – Your Mailing List
Jan 24, 2010 Promotion and Exhibition
This is something I wish I’d known five years ago!
I’m reading Alsyon Stanfield’s book I’d Rather be in the Studio. It’s a great resource for art marketing and self promotion, full of simple, easy to accomplish ideas. One of the things Alyson emphasizes is the importance of having a mailing list. I only wish I’d read this book sooner!
If you’re an artist wanting to sell your work, whether it’s part time, full time, or on the side, you need a mailing list. Your list should include anyone who’s purchased a piece from you, anyone who’s expressed an interest in your work, and pretty much all of your friends and family. Give everyone you know a chance to be on your list; you never know where your next commission might come from!
What do you mail? Anything you think your audience might be interested in! Definitely anything about you and your work. If you have a new series on your website, if you are featured in a newspaper or magazine, if you have an upcoming exhibition, let everyone know! Consider using both e-mail and snail-mail. Get creative!
Right now I’m wracking my brain trying to remember anyone who’s ever commissioned work from me, searching my records for contact information and putting together a tentative list. My advice for anyone who is in the very early stages of their career? Save yourself the trouble and start keeping track now!
Here are some articles from Alyson’s blog that will help you get started:
Include Prior Connections on Your Mailing List
Resources for Your Mailing List
Tags: art resources, artists, promotion
Top 5 Websites for Artists
Jan 3, 2010 Art General
I’ve already shared with you ten artist blogs that I love, and now I’ve picked my 5 favorite websites for artists. These are more collective sites, with various artists sharing information. If you’re trying to find ideas and inspiration, learn a new technique, or tips on being an artist and marketing yourself, you will be able to find it on one of these sites. If all else fails, you can always ask at the forums and get advice from a variety of other artists. As artists, we are continually learning, and whatever it is you want to know, you’ll be sure to find it here!
This site has a collection of articles separated into the categories of drawing and painting. Each of these categories is quite broad, however. For example, drawing covers pencils, coloured pencils, charcoal, etc. The articles range from tutorials on specific techniques and subjects to general lessons on how to get started.
Fine Art Views is another blog with a group of artists submitting content. I’ve found the articles to be very well written and helpful. You can scroll through the most recent articles, or take a look at the extensive categories on the left-hand side to browse through the archives.
I’ve mentioned this site before and will again because it’s such a great resource. I’m a member of the forums and have gotten a lot of good advice over the years. Wetcanvas is a large site with a huge list of articles to read, a very active forum and also a reference image library full of pictures taken by WC members.
I’ve only recently discovered Art Bistro, but it looks like another great site. It focuses on a broad range of art and design careers and has advice on becoming an artist. There are also “how-to” articles, a discussion forum, and an option to create an online portfolio of your work. Another thing that looks interesting are their quizzes for artists.
This is another great site with a plethora of how to articles ranging from art tutorials to art marketing. Empty Easel is easy to navigate, its articles divided into categories and subcategories.
The great thing about all of these sites is that they are a collection of information from a large group of artists. This means that you get different points of view and different areas of expertise.
Another thing to consider is that many of these sites accept article submissions. Whatever it is you do, perhaps there is something you can share with other artists!
Tags: art resources, art tips, artists
Introducing… Me!
Dec 1, 2009 Art General, Special Bulletins
Hello everyone!
This is a happy announcement to let you know that I’ve added my picture to my “about me” page!
At first I was a little hesitant to plaster my image all over the internet. I couldn’t tell you why, other than it seemed like a private thing made too public.
Since then, I’ve discovered a world of artists and creative peoples that I never knew existed! I’ve made new friends, I’ve found a wealth of information and I’ve learned more than I can say.
This weekend I actually met a Twitter friend in person! I visisted Kendra at her painting exhibition downtown. It was so cool because had it not been for Twitter, I never would have met her!
I’ve learned that a large part of blogging is about trust, and if I want you to trust me, I need to trust you as well! Therefore, you now get to see my face on my site and on my Twitter. If you’re not following me, please do! I look forward to chatting with you.
And just for fun…
Things I LOVE about Blogging (that I didn’t expect)
- Meeting new people
- Making friends
- Getting new ideas
- Discovering new artists
- Finding awesome art resources
- Finding great blogs to follow
- Having a support network
- Feeling like a part of something
Tags: artists
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