If you haven't already heard, I have my first gallery show in July. That's right, I have a gallery show! As I was sharing the news with a friend the other day, she said "it seems like the stars have aligned and everything is falling into place for you." And she's right. Getting exposure and selling art takes a fair bit of luck. I am so thankful for the combination of support and luck that has fueled me so far. But getting a spot in a gallery show wasn't all luck. In addition to learning about color and design I have fully embraced the business side of art and how I can make it work for me.
When people suggested I try to sell my work, I had zero idea how to go about it. So I figured it out. I did a little research on marketing and pricing and took a stab. I was clueless about preparing a portfolio or writing an artist statement, but I figured it out. Nothing a quick google search couldn't address. When I saw an open call for artist submissions at a local gallery I was prepared. I did a quick scrub on my artist statement and portfolio, took a deep breath, and hit send. And guess what? They accepted my submission and asked me to show my work this summer. Super exciting!! So now I am learning how to pull together select pieces to develop a cohesive installation. And I'm learning the best way to work within commission pricing structures. If you're thinking about selling your work I highly encourage you to do some research and figure out what works for you. Write your artist statement. Determine your pricing structure. Put together an electronic portfolio. You never know when Lady Luck will knock. If you're ready when opportunity strikes the stars might align for you too.
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I tried keeping a blog several times before, but I wasn't very good at it. In all honesty, my blogging skills sucked.
I enjoy writing but found it difficult to maintain my initial enthusiasm. After a period of time my interest would fizzle and the blog would eventually die a slow and painful death. I have a short attention span and am attracted to bright, shiny objects so my tendency to abandon past blogs is no surprise to those who know me well. I was also not completely comfortable sharing my blog with others, so there wasn't much motivation to create new content when I was the only one reading it. I have been known to have conversations with myself, but blogging to myself was a little ridiculous. I tend to be my worst critic when it comes to failed attempts, but I am giving myself permission for a fresh start at blogging. And this time it's different. This blog has a specific purpose, a reason for being, which I hope will inspire me to regularly post new content. What is this special reason for being, you ask? The thing that will hold my attention where other blogs have failed? Paint. And paper. And getting my hands dirty making beautiful, creative messes. About two years ago I took up painting to keep my sanity while I recovered from a serious injury. I had no idea the impact it would have on my life. Making art has a therapeutic quality that goes beyond my original desire for an activity to pass time while my body was on the mend. Creating art makes me happy, and I hope to share that joy with others. I plan to blog about finished and in-process pieces, mixed media techniques, and artists who inspire me. I might also blog about my kids or my spouse, gardening, my cats, a new favorite cocktail, interesting books or movies, or any number of bright, shiny topics that strike my fancy. I tend to be pretty direct in sharing my thoughts and opinions, and you can expect the same style (aka lack of filter) in my blog as you would in a live conversation with me. If my blog is not your cup of tea, that's totally OK. If you like what you read, I encourage you to leave your feedback in the comments. If there's a specific topic you're interested in hearing about, let me know! If you really like what you read consider subscribing to my blog so you never miss a post. Cheers! Adele |
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About the ArtistI am a self-taught mixed media artist with a passion for vibrant color and lots of texture. My hope is that my paintings will inspire joy, and encourage others to connect with their inner artist. Archives
March 2020
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