Educate Gently

Art galleries should publish basic art buying information for patrons. Things like, not matching the sofa, understanding that art is history, a list of art terms, books on art appreciation could be recommended, a primer on multiples and reproductions, and mainly that art can be paid for on time payments. Oh yeah, forget size. Several works of art on a wall has many stories to tell.
Just some thoughts about art education.

Hard To Get Ink, Etc.

I recently called a NPR reporter, to pitch him on the possibility of interviewing a group of artists, to find out how they are are coping with the economic downturn. Well, needless to say. the idea was greeted with a lukewarm response. Dang!!
It seems that entertainment and sports get most of the coverage. The visual artist is the last person the media does any human interest stories on. Ink is hard to get indeed.

Art Information 101

There is a lack of at 101 acquisition information in many of the art magazines being published these days. New people think all of the art they see will cost them an arm and a leg. I visited a wall accessory business last weekend and I asked one of the sales people what the response was to the copies of paintings that were for sale? The answer was, people buy them to decorate. I mentioned to the person that I was talking to , people could find artists in their community and buy originals for the same price. The clerk said maybe people didn't know that. I agree that many people don't make the effort to get to know artists in their neighborhoods. Oh , another thing, the clerk said that maybe people think the art available in their communities would be too costly. I think many of the art magazines should publish basic collecting information in each issue. Every one could benefit as a result.

Living Good ,But Cheap

In light of the bad news about money, I had to post this. I go to a recycle bin to get copies of the news papers. The papers that I get are out of town editions. I have saved a lot of doughr by doing this. I have been getting these newspapers for about five, yes ,five years. This means more money for the utility bill in the winter, and more adult beverages for my house. I am willing to do what it takes to be an artist, one of the things is to be pragmatic and prudent. So far, sooooo good. I won't panic about making it in the world , as long as there is one alumniun can and some scrap metal to turn in for cash. The sky ain't falling. Resourceful people will make it in the world no matter what the circumstances happen to be. I am one of them , on purpose.

Time Files

I spoke to my neighborhood grocer today.I asked how his day was going??? He said slow. This guy has artistic ability. I suggested to him maybe he could bring in a sketchbook and to use the slow time to draw. The store has all kind of subject matter to draw. I pointed out some of the possiblilties in the store. I am not one to waste too much time these days. I ain't getting any younger, I am using all of my creative minutes to do something with what artistic gifts I have. ime flies, and it ain't comming back. Picasso made 100,000 works of art in his life time. I won't try to do that, but ,I will act as though I don't have all the time in the world to make art.

My Artist In Residence Gig

I have been an artist in residence in many places through the years.I mention this because I have been able weather many a financial storm because of the income A.I.R gigs produce. I have to say I am glad to be able to stay in the art game because of my ablity to to art instruction. Artists In Residence Gigs are good.

No Nobel Again

Dang it! I didn't get a Nobel again. Shooot! No Ferrari for me, no studio in the south of France. I guess I'll have to get by on my greenback prizes for the rest of the years. Yes, I said years. It's good to earn art money anyway. I'll just go green the Ben Franklin way.
Cheers,
Bob Ragland- NON-starving artist in Denver

Lazy Art Dealers Don't Churn

I was having a conversation with a colleague , we were speaking about the way he was being actively promoted and publicized.
There are two million artists in the workforce and not all of them are smart about getting the word out about themselves. Newspaper stories of the human interest kind can help an artist become better known. Turns out that Whistler was one of the best self promoters art careerwise. Art dealers who are savvy know what to do , to get an artist the notice and respect they deserve. I get brochures in the mail on a steady basis from one gallery and it's always a joy to look them over , again and again. Real art dealers churn the waters for their artists, they don't wait for special events, they know how to create excitement and get themselves and their artists paid.

Neglect

I am wondering if any artists have noticed the lack of coverage of visual artists in certain listings? I am making reference to those Forbes magazine top entertainers lists. I think it would be informative to the general public to list visual artists who are making a good living in spite of the economic downturn. No matter how bad times are artists still make art and sell their work. It seems the visual artist can't get any ink, no wonder the lay public thinks we are all starving. Just an observation.

Not So Hot Artist

I attended a museum opening exhibition recently. My work is in the permenent collection , some of my sculpture is in the sculpture garden. I often go out to look at the work, it's just nice to be able to see it. A lady came out and stood looking in the direction of my work. She stood for quite sometime looking. I asked her as she was leaving the garden, what she thought about the sculpture? Well, I got an answer that went like this, the womman said "I wasn't looking at your sculpture, I was looking at the mural behind the sculpture." So I ain't so hot. Reality check time for yours truly. I didn't take any offense at her comment. I told her people like her made me strive harder to be more succesful. Rejection has a way of making me stronger. I did say to the women that my art life would continue on purpose inspite her not seeing my sculpture. When you're hot ,you're hot, when you're not you're not.

My Best Effort

I try to give my best effort to my art life. So far, so good. I am so weary of all of the doom and gloom financial reports. If I spend more than I make , I guess I deserve to be stressed out. I designed a frugal lifestyle for financial times like the present one we are in. Being an artist has different kinds of rough patches, believe me , I have had my share. I am insulating myself from as much of the bad stuff as I can. Yesterday I went and bought me some adult beverages, and I had the dough to do so. My best effort is to do what I need to to have a sound art life. It's working.