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Posted on 4/14/2017 9:29:08 AM
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I recall a time when I found myself speaking with the owner of a venue about art. Specifically original paintings vs prints/giclee. The owner immediately shared the belief , as a statement of fact, that if I make prints of my orginal work, it devalues the original. I felt uncomfortable with this comment for a whole host of reasons, not least of which, I was showing giclee. As we spoke, the owner back tracked a little bit, but not much and then went on to say it was a fine line. It felt like the conversation was more about the owner's need to be top dog, than it was about truth.
Why is it that I always think of the thing I should have said, two hours after the fact? I tend to be polite, and intially find a way not to take umbridge at unpleasant remarks, reminding myself that the statements made are telling me about the beliefs of the person who shared them, nothing more. That said, two hours later a humorous thought crossed my mind: "I wonder if anyone has told Renoir, Van Gough or Monet that their work is so devalued by virtue of reproductions, that is now essentially worthless?". I somehow doubt it.
I've learned not to believe everything I hear, particularly those old worn out ideas that members of the art establishment would have me believe as a matter of self interest. I don't like the saying "that's the way we've always done it" when it makes little or no sense. I believe that originals will retain their value as long as I continue to be productive, producing more and better work, and never lower my prices.(lowering prices does devalue the original work!). Limited edition prints/giclee can add to the value of original work by virtue of it's popularity. Again, I look at the Master's and Impressionists. Their work has hardly devalued as a consequence of reproduction, and while I'm not a master, I work at it daily, and my work does reflect that fact, both in the price of originals and prints.
Posted on 4/5/2017 9:19:43 AM
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As I was going through my email this morning there were art ads suggesting that if I just
clicked on their link, it would reveal a "secret" about how to be a better artist or become a "master".
My instinctual response is "there are no secrets".
In my experience it is no "secret" that everything I need to know is
within me and available to me....I just need to take the journey, uncover and discover it. To me, it means showing up in the studio every single day for a minimum of 2 hours, but preferably more. I spend 8 hours or more each day in my studio these days. I have to do
various tasks aside from painting. I "arrive" in the studio no later than 8am, and begin my day with writing in my journal to "download" what is on my mind. Then I do chores.....administrative, marketing, cleaning, packing, email, fullfilling orders, planning, etc. At noon,
I turn to my art and I work at it, usually until about 5pm. That is 5 hours of actual artwork with intermittant tea breaks. Sometimes I take an hour workshop online, and then work on a piece I've already begun. Some times, I try new things and experiment. At the end of each day, I feel "full" and satisfied. I learn something new every day. I have also learned to take the weekends off when there are no show's or festivals going on. Everyone needs down time to refresh, digest and spend time with family and friends.
There are plenty of tools, local workshops, artist groups, books, online workshops, other artists, and classes where I learn more about my craft every day. It takes work and none of these are "secrets". These tools and learning are available to anyone who truly wants to grow in their craft. It is a matter of showing up in the studio or class or event, learning and "doing". It means working at it every day and understanding there are no "secrets".
