Learning from Other Artists and Preparing for the New Year

On December 21st, I participated in the Fantasy Art Land Show at JoMar Visions in Houston. I really enjoyed the day, met some great artists and learned a lot that I can use at future shows.

The first thing I learned - I need more inventory.  I had been concerned about keeping in the theme of the show and so only took the new fantasy art I've created recently - amounting to three framed prints and some unframed prints of the same images.  They did look rather lonely in my display area.

Chatting with the other artists, I asked about this and they told me that generally it's fine to have other types of art available as unframed prints in your print rack, just as long as your main display adheres to the theme of the show.

One of the photographers at the show shared a resource with us that I am definitely going to use in the future - CGProPrints.com - a division of Circle Graphics, Inc., the largest producer of digital large-format prints. They bring together world-class manufacturing expertise, engineering, and materials science to produce amazing products at very low prices, which is perfect for artists building a body of work for sale or exhibition, like me :-)

We also discussed our marketing materials, business cards etc.  I think I'm on the right track with my business cards. I got lots of compliments on it :-)

Another of the artists had something I thought was a good idea.  In among her framed art and canvases on her wall, she had a 10 x 8 canvas with her name, web address and some decorative accents.  So I played around a bit and created three different images that I am getting printed on 10 x 8 canvas to use when I go to more shows.

Here is the first one, which matches my business cards and rack cards, with the web address of my artist website and my email address.

And then I did another one, specifically for my fantasy art, which goes with the postcards I already had printed. It includes the web address of my new store on Zazzle which I opened recently.

And finally, I did a sign for my 3D Designs by Jayne store on Zazzle, with the tag line "Because art doesn't just belong on walls."  The coloring and design match the header for the store and also for my 3DDesignsbyJayne Google + page.

So I think I'm ready for the New Year.  I'll be able to order canvases to take to shows and sales without breaking the bank, and my marketing materials are coming together. 

Here's to a Happy, Creative and Prosperous New Year!

What have you been doing to prepare for the New Year?

"Snap to Grid"

The following is from the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art's Gallery Statement.

Every year for 50 years the L.A. Municipal Gallery has held its "Open Call" exhibit where any artist can show up with their art and an entry fee (to benefit gallery programs) and the piece is shown. The Los Angeles Center For Digital Art decided to launch an international experiment of the same nature where the artists upload images that are printed and hung by the gallery. The hundreds of works are displayed in a grid like installation (reminiscent of postcard art shows of the 1980's) where every work submitted is exhibited.

The usual (less than democratic) selection process where only the precious few are chosen is turned on its head in a curatorial anarchy where everyone gets to participate and the viewer is literally left to be the judge. The show represents a snapshot of a current moment in art history when digital imaging has reached the hands of the many, an age where culture belongs to the "mobblogers" around the globe. From Thailand to Texas, amateur to academic, beautiful to banal and beyond the monumental quantity and variety of "Snap to Grid" becomes an aesthetic experience where each individual piece adds to an agglomerative effect that has a life of its own.

*****

I was rather intrigued when I read this and decided to enter three of my artworks to the show. I don't know if anything will come of it, but I think it looks good on my artist's "resume" to be able to say that my work has been show at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art.

The show runs from December 12, 2013 to January 4, 2014, with an Opening Reception on December 12 from 7 pm - 9 pm, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Downtown Art Walk.

Here's one of the pieces I entered, that I don't think I have shown in my blog before.

Now if I could just get off work for a few days and make my way to the West Coast for the Opening Reception....

For more information on Snap to Grid, visit http://www.lacda.com/juried/juriedshow.html