Monthly Archives: December 2010

End of Year Already?

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Can you believe it? Time flies faster the older you get, that’s for sure. I’m still trying to finish up some projects I started at least nine months ago, and it feels like only yesterday.

2010 has been an interesting year. There were some really intriguing shows, a few of which I made through the jury process and got to exhibit in, and some I didn’t. There’s no second-guessing a juror so you just forget that the money was spent and go on to the next one. Art organizations depend on entry fees so I don’t really regret the expense, just hoping that there will be another show to enter the following year because my fees helped them to survive.

I also have some very nice memories from several art leagues that invited me to give demonstrations and talk about printmaking. My continual effort is to educate all sorts of people about the many unique techniques available in printmaking, and perhaps one or more will give it a try. At least I hope that these talks help them identify and understand a little more about the prints they might see in a show, and if it says “Intaglio” on the tag they may remember that I taught them something about intaglio, and they will appreciate the unique effort that went into making that art.

Last February, during the winter school break, I taught some special classes to parents with their children. It was a lot of fun. Kids are so amazing and I think they liked having their parents give it a go as well. I’m scheduling some more classes like that in 2011.

At the end of the summer I took a leap and taught a small class in Encaustic painting. Definitely outside the definition of printmaking, but I have done some wax paintings from time to time and if others are interested then I’m happy to spread the knowledge. It’s a unique painting technique but has historical precedents that make it extra intriguing. And the smell of beeswax is quite intoxicating, making it hard to resist. There will more classes this coming summer, just for a change of pace.

My own printmaking efforts have been in fits and starts… mostly a lot of starts. There were several other events that took over my time and attention. The most significant was applying for a grant from the City of Hartford. Federal and city funds had been earmarked for job stimulus and with the objective of boosting the artists in Hartford who could use some help, survival-wise. I was surprised and very pleased to receive a grant considering all the worthy non-profits and individual artists who applied. It enabled me to hire a computer-wiz, Brian, to design some websites for me… and obviously you have responded to this one. I thought the Watermark Press site was the first order of business but Brian began by creating a data base of all my artwork, and in a very short period there were over 140 images categorized. I really had no idea I have that much “stuff” in here! The data base makes it relatively easy to upload images to both of my new sites, and will be very valuable going forward to keep my art cataloged. Fun.

And I especially wanted this blog. It gives me an occasional ego boost when someone has actually stopped to read it and leaves a comment. Besides giving me a “soapbox” I want this space to help promote printmaking, and to encourage safer studio practices to artists of all kinds, by getting solvents and nasty chemicals out of the creative process as much as possible. If they can’t be avoided entirely then convincing artists to use them more carefully will be ideal.

I participated in several Open House and Art Tour events this year. I met many new people who had yet to discover the fun and possibilities in printmaking, and how prints differ from paintings, what makes them unique. I do think it’s a certain kind of artist who truly embraces the challenges of traditional printmaking, but I also promote the art to novices who can find fun in the process. Hopefully I make it sound easy and interesting to them… and it can be, as evidenced by the cute little 4 1/2 yr. old who made a lovely print of her beloved dog and kitty.

2010 was ultimately a satisfactory year, whatever the day to day difficulties, like lost wallets. Really put a kink in my shopping sprees! I, and those I love, have their health, and we’re optimistic that some wealth will find us. I’m not looking forward to a snowy winter, unless I can just put my feet up by the fire with a good book. Everyone needs a change of pace and scenery once in awhile so we’ll probably take a little vacation, and we’ll work hard the rest of the time… I’ve got those print projects to finish and new things to experiment with, some workshops and classes to teach, and some more cool things to learn.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful Holiday season and a great New Year, and hope that we may cross paths in the printshop!

Yours in ink!
Martha

Advice for the art collector…

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Having just finished a season of open studios and other exhibitions, and getting organized for 2011 shows, I was going through some articles saved from old art magazines. One article was researched by polling art dealers, collectors and auction experts and presented a pretty thorough list of do’s and don’ts for collecting art. As the new year begins perhaps some potential art buyers out there will benefit from this list, or maybe it will encourage some of the faint-hearted browsers to take the leap and buy original art.

If you’d like to discuss one of these points in depth, or can relate one of your specific experiences, I’d love to hear from you.

Do’s:
• Do try to keep an open mind (there’s a lot of different kinds of contemporary art).
• Do take the time to see what’s available (there’s a lot of galleries/shows to choose from… pick favorites and go there often).
• Do take advantage of studio visits, tours, open houses, receptions, etc.
• Do get to know the artwork, intimately (as in up close and personal).
• Do be up front about your budget (find a comfortable level and talk to the artist about works that fit your budget).
• Do treat the artist with respect (and many will bend over backward to help you get what you like).
• If you make an appointment to view art with either a dealer or an artist, then show up, or you just wasted their time and they won’t be very accommodating the next time.
• Do talk to curators and other experts, and even gallery sitters, about a particular work or artist.
• Do try to get the best of an artist’s work, but at least buy something you really like since you’re going to be looking at it everyday.
• Leave telephone auction bidding to the experts. Go in person and see the real deal. Same holds for internet buying… if you can’t see it, then you don’t know what you’re getting.
• Do haggle with care. It’s doubtful a gallery will deal unless you’re a very good customer ($$$), but some artists will, especially if you’re buying more than one piece. Some prefer to barter rather than haggle, so what do you have to offer?
• Do show up and pay for the art you have committed to buying (no one likes to get stiffed).
• Do talk to others about the art you buy. You might find others who like the same artist, or they may tell you about other artists you might like to see. That’s important if you’re trying to build a collection with a certain style or theme.
• Remember that even small living spaces can hold some large works. Many collectors fill all the available space they have because they want to really live with the work.
• Do move the art around in your home. Don’t just put it on one wall and leave it there for 20 years. You’ll see new dimensions if you try looking at in new ways and places.

Don’ts:
• Be wary of trends. Even in Art fads start and fade very quickly… buy something that you really like even if the artist is an unknown. Don’t buy from an artist just because your friends do, or because it looks good on someone else’s wall. Create your own unique art collection.
• Don’t assume you need to be rich. Even the most accomplished and well known artists have affordable works, or you might discover someone just starting a career. And not all “emerging” artists are young.
• Don’t blow all your life’s art budget on just one work of art.
• Don’t buy just because someone is famous, and don’t call art “an investment”, because not everyone will like what you like, especially 50 years from now.
• Don’t let your decorator decide for you. It’s easier to change the paint on your wall, and the decorator isn’t the one who will live with it.
• Some artists will let you take work home to live with it for a specified length of time. Don’t abuse the privilege, and don’t ask an artist to “hold” a work for you and cause the artist to lose a real sale.
• Don’t play games with the artist or a dealer. (remember haggling above?) Don’t think you can get something cheaper if you buy directly from the artist and try to avoid paying a dealer’s commission.
• Don’t let someone pressure you to buy. Stay open to possibilities but don’t buy just because someone makes you feel stupid that you are passing on a “good deal”.
• Pay the sales tax. Don’t assume that the artist will cover it for you in the price of the work unless that’s agreed on before the sale.

Once you have developed a nice little collection, and you’re ready to watch for the next big thing ask your insurance agent if you should adjust your property insurance.

Yours in ink!
Martha