Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar
Saturday, November 20, 9 AM – 4 PM
Three Rivers Memorial Building
Free Admission
Hot Food
Drinks
Bake Sale
Door Prizes
Handmade Gifts
50 booths
Auction
Rummage Sale
I can help with that!
2 comments I hear from people over and over are “I’m out of wall space” and “I’m trying to be careful with money”. Here are my responses to the first: “You can rotate your art” or “Look! Small paintings on little easels look nice on a bookshelf, lamp table or fireplace mantel!” To the second, “Look at these little bitty paintings, hand-painted ornaments and packages of cards – all $20 or less!”
Here are a few more 4×6 oranges in progress – they sit on easels and are $30 each
And these little bitty paintings are $15 each:
So are these ornaments:
Getting Ready for another show
It is Show Season – one per weekend through December 11! This is what it looks like to prepare for a show after doing 2 already (or was it one and just feels like 2?) Packaging prints and cards, pricing everything, getting the right mix of merchandise for the crowd (anyone have a crystal ball I can borrow??), remembering all the little hooks, hangers, bits and pieces of the display systems. . . you’d think I would have this all figured out. The truth is that every single show is different. Repeat shows also feel brand new each time because sometimes we are placed in new locations and merchandise varies from year to year. I am a bit spoiled since doing more Three Rivers shows than any other town. If I forget something, I race back to the studio and get it!
A Day in the City
Stop laughing – Visalia is a city to me. Remember, I grew up outside of Ivanhoe, lived in Lemon Cove for 11 years and have lived in Three Rivers for 12. When I left for college, Visalia had a mere 35,000 people. Now it has over 100,000 and not one, but two (count ’em – one, two!) parking garages! I couldn’t decide whether the stairs or the elevator posed the least danger (cities are scary and parking garages are really scary – all those chases on cop shows!) The amount of porkadelia I was hauling to the gallery caused me to choose the elevator, but next time it will be the stairs. Anyway, here is the view from the parking garage:
Doesn’t that look like a city to you? Oh hush!
It was an interesting time at Main Gallery with lots and lots of people passing through. They were friendly, interested, and interesting. Met a guy from New Orleans, a woman from Alaska, quite a few artists, and lots of people who said “Visalia needs this!” Very encouraging, very positive feedback. If you haven’t yet stopped by, here is the link for the address and hours: http://www.maingalleryvisalia.blogspot.com/
First Day at School
Not really. It sort of feels like it, but instead it is my first day working at Main Gallery. I don’t even know if it is called “Main Gallery” or “The Main Gallery”. There is no phone to answer, so I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’ve worked in more retail positions than I can list but never had my first day at a job without supervision! Guess I’ll put on my big girl pants and go after it. . . sometimes I love being a grown-up and other times I’d like to just let someone else step into that position. Today, the verdict is not in as to which attitude fits. Maybe if someone else would do the grocery shopping then I’d like the other parts of being a grownup. The best part of being a grown-up is doing whatever I want, which is sort of what happens while working in (the) Main Gallery. You know how at “real” jobs you have to act busy even when you aren’t? This “job” allows me to knit in between customers or work on my ‘puter or just sit. Maybe I do really like being a grownup today!
Thinking and planning and learning
In a perfect world, an artist would make art with her favorite medium of her favorite subjects when she felt like it. When it was almost finished, people would be clamoring to buy it, and she would rejoice in a sure sale. Dream on, Toots! In reality, if an artist wants to earn a living, she has to make art with the medium that sells best, choose subjects that people love, and be in touch with those people. In addition to making art, an artist has to be able to do a zillion other things. Want cards? Better learn what the best sizes are, where to have them printed, how many to order in quantities that might sell, how to package and where to find the materials, and how to price both resale and retail. Want to teach? Better be able to find, connect with and keep students. (Plus have a place, materials, a plan, and the flexibility of a pre-teen gymnast!) Need more than some paintings, cards and a few students? Better research the world of art and retail to find out what people are buying, gather seeds of information to create something new, practice like crazy, actually make art, and at the same time, learn how to market it. Need places to sell your work? Better get out there and discover shows, shops, galleries and other venues for promoting your work. Want commissions? Better meet people, listen to their wishes, have a price list, know how long it might take and have some samples to show.
Have a look at a recent commissioned piece:
This was fun to paint – new subject, new colors to mix, neat-o square shape, and a happy customer awaits!
From Dreary and Cold comes Bright and Cheerful
It was a very busy weekend. The opening at Main Gallery was very very well attended – it was hot, crowded, noisy and exciting. First Saturday in Three Rivers was also exciting – I got blown away! Well, almost. Don, Paula, Leslie, Wendy and Kristi all came to my rescue and helped me secure my stuff. In addition, several paintings sold! Today is dreary and cold. Our propane tank is empty and the pilot lights in the workshop and studio are not lit. There is a fire in the woodstove in the house, and I have a laptop. Instead of using the excuse of cold and dark so I can justify sitting around and knitting, I have spent a large portion of the day learning about self-publishing, marketing, art business and self-promotion. I’m hoping the phone isn’t ringing off the hook in the studio (Wait a minute – I’m hoping it is and that the answering machine is full!!) and I’m still not convinced that Facebook is for me, but my excitement over writing, drawing and publishing a new book or two is growing! More will be revealed. . . or not, depending on how the ideas mature. Here, let’s look at something bright and cheerful:
Persimmon Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
Black Oak Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
Chinese Pistache Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40
A little further
Today I added a bit more to this painting:
Can you see any difference?? (last shown on October 29)
Peculiar Sights #11
In Three Rivers, it is common to watch the river. We cross over certain bridges, or take certain walks and always check out the river to see how it is changing with the seasons. When one frequents the same routes, one comes to accept the sights as normal. I’ve been walking across the Dinely Bridge regularly since January 1999, and I am used to the views. However, there is something rather curious there- it is this vase of flowers, regularly updated and replaced.
The story is that someone’s Mom’s ashes were scattered from the bridge, and her son keeps fresh flowers there in her memory.
Main Gallery!
I’ve joined a new art co-operative called Main Gallery at 209 West Main Street in Visalia! (For you locals, this is in the same block as Brown’s Shoes and Pacific Treasures) Our grand opening is Friday, November 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Have a look as it was being set up on Saturday:
This is where Cross-Horlock used to be.
I don’t remember Cross-Horlock having such a beautiful atrium (not that I even knew the word back when CH was open!)
It is a wonderfully large and well-lit space with room upstairs for workshops.
Customers may enter from Main Street or through the atrium doors.
My work is on screens and is visible from the atrium.
Expatiation:
There is something to be said in favor of working in one’s home town – the convenience, the casualness of getting to work and the familiarity are just a few of the benefits. On the other hand, there are several somethings to be said in favor of working in the largest town in the county, namely Visalia. The expanded population base means increased exposure, increased visitation and increased sales. In addition, there are 22 other artists with whom to interact and from whom to learn. Granted, Sierra Subs is not next door nor is there a river out back. When I feel the loss of those 2 things, I will simply remind myself that I am here to earn a living, not have a mini get-away!