Showing posts with label abstract art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abstract art. Show all posts
MY EXPERIENCE FROM SHOWING MY WORK AT THE ALLIANCE THEATRE
Maybe I should title this piece - "What I Would Have Done Differently" because I learn something every time I show my artwork.
To start with, the Alliance Theatre was presented several artists by Digital Arts Studios - 12 artists were chosen, and 2 will be showing their work one hour prior to the performance opening weekend. I was fortunate enough to be chosen for the season opener which is the world premiere of "Come Fly With Me", featuring the voice of Sinatra with the choreopgraphy and direction of Twyla Tharpe. This is definitely Broadway Bound!
So, Ian Greathead and I were there an hour before every performance, and stayed until the performance was opening during opening week. The Alliance Theatre got such positive feedback they asked if we wanted to come back. We came back the following weekend, and I will return alone for the closing Friday and Saturday nights.
Let me say upfront, it was great exposure, and I didn't really expect record sales. After all, people are cominng to the theater, they are not coming to buy art. AND, the Alliance Theatre shares the lobby with the Atlanta Symphony. Where else could you get a better audience of people that might actually BUY art. The feedback has been very good, and I learned people are starting to recognize my work. While I sold some small things (prints and cards), I feel the interest was genuine and people will eventually seek me out again!
What I would have done differently?
1. Have a professional nametag. I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I don't know why I haven't had one made. When people come to look at the work, you want to be available, but you don't want to hover too closely. I can't tell you how many times I was asked if I was the actual artist, and seen the surprise and delight in their face when they realized they were talking to an "actual artist"!
2. When you don't have control over the lighting, chose dramatic pieces - they will show up better. My artwork has ALOT of detail, so I think those that are interested in my artwork will be very pleased when they see it in proper lighting.
3. Show affordable artwork. You might put up a couple of large expensive pieces to get attention, but I doubt they would sell at a venue where people are going to the theater. However, they will remember them. They are more apt to purchase a piece they can fit in their purse to take home with them.
4. I broke my own rule of showing a complete body of work, and for good reason. I have a series of dresses, and this is what impresseed the Alliance Theatre, so I felt I should include them. Because the production is "Fly Me to the Moon", I brought my series of moons. Because the symphony was also playing, I put some of my musical pieces facing the symphony, which garnered alot of attention. So, if you have work that fits into the theme of the show, use it. If you have time to create work that is specific to that show, then go for it! Ian did a painting using Sinatra;s hat, his cigar, a bottle of Jack Daniel's, sitting on top of the music for "Come Fly With Me". That was perfect and got alot of conversations going for him.
5. Digital Arts Studio supplied the gridwalls and the hangers, and there was a shelf to put our information. Space was limited, so I didn't bring anything to collect names and addresses. BIG MISTAKE! People that actually asked for my card would probably have given me their email address.
Would I do it again? You betcha!!! This was the inauguration of a new tradition. As theatergoers get more and more used to seeing artwork for sale in the lobby - they might start coming prepared to purchase something!
TUNING IN TO TWITTER
What are you doing?
If you have twittered, you have answered that question everytime you twitter. If you are reading this, you know what Twitter is. However, if you are like me, much of Twitter is still a mystery. Twitter allows you to "follow" experts - all in 140 characters. What you get from Twitter depends on what you put into it. I thought I'd post some things I've found that have helped me get followers. Here goes!!!!
1. Be active - post regularly. I try to post something every day just so my name is "out there" regularly. The more frequently you post, the more people will find you.
2. Share - send an interesting tweet you see to your followers. This is done by placing "RT" in front of the message and then it becomes a "retweet". When I don't have anything to say, I "retweet" interesting tweets or quotes that are posted.
3. Say something interesting - do your followers want to you know you are doing your laundry or brushing your teeth? Unless some laundry detergent or toothpaste is following you (and brands do follow you), chances are they don't care. Think about sharing information that your followers will find interesting. I found I get retweeted the most when I say something about my painting process. I posted a tweet that said "i need to keep a record of what I'm layerng in paintings. right now gesso, then soot, coffee, run a comb through it, dry, start again" - it got retweeted several times. I also post the link to my blog and my Facebook fanpage when I have a new posting. This always results in more followers and fans on Facebook. Ask questions too - I often ask if anybody knows what is going on in #atlanta art (more about the # later).
4. "Shrink the Link" - Back to the link mentioned above - shrink it! I do this by going to Tinyurl.com which gives me a much smaller link. You don't 1/2 of your 140 characters be the link.
5. Getting Retweeted -a good rule of thumb for retweeting is to post around 110 characters. When you are retweeted, your name, becomes part of the 140 characters. That is one of the reasons you shrink your name. If you are using a name with 20 characters, it makes retweeting an entire post tough. I learned this and finally adjusted my name on Twitter to @vmartinart
6. Interact - comment on other posts. Think about the old Dale Carnegie model to listen to your customers (followers - and don't get a big head because you have "followers", everybody on Twitter does).
7. Be searchable - if you are reading this, chances are you have an interest in art. To find other artists - use the hashtag (#) in front of key words. In Atlanta, both Art Relish and Creative Loafing use the hashtag for #atlart. I was able to read a book with a group of artists by using #dekooning. To find these people, go to search.twitter.com and type in the # - with whatever keyword you are interested in. Of course, put this in your post so you can be found by those with the same interest.
8. You want more followers? Use #follow Friday (#ff). Tweeters post the names of their favorite twitters with #ff in front of it. Look to see if they are of interest to you and follow them and they will generally follow you back. And, post your own favorite twitterers on Friday too.
9. Before you follow someone back, make sure it isn't a spammer or a porn sight, unless that is what you are looking for. They are lurkers and are always looking for new twitterers hungry for followers.
I'm still learning. I have found some amazing artists around the globe. Ok, some of them are from another globe, or planet. I have had success with connecting with artists. So, if anybody knows how to connect with COLLECTORS, let me know.
I'd like to know how you find Twitter, and how it has helped you. And, I'm sure I left much out, so tell me what else we should all know!
CONNECTING INTERNATIONALLY WHILE READING ABOUT DE KOONING
If someone had suggested to me a month ago I'd be reading a biography of an artist with people around the world on Twitter, I wouldn't have known what they were talking about. I had heard of Twitter, but I didn't know what it really was, or that people connected there. To start at the beginning, this began when I took a blogging class from Alyson Stanfield and Cynthia Morris. Alyson is known to many artists are the "ART BIZ COACH". Well, after several weeks of working on my blog and reading fascinating blogs by other artists, we were told to subscribe to Twitter. At first I resisted. Understand, I don't text, IM, or have any phone apps. But, I succumbed and dutifully signed up. At first I was totally lost, but I slowly started getting the hang of it. Alyson thought it would be a good idea to use Twitter to read a book as a group. This helped me learn to navigate through Twitter, interact with people internationally, and read a great book - all at the same time.
The book, De Kooning, An American Master, is 600 pages long. The intent was to read 100 pages a week and discuss it for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, once I began, I couldn't put it down and completed the book in less than two weeks. We use #dekooning to connect through Search/Twitter.
The book is rich in detail, the world De Kooning inhabited is alive within the pages of this fascinating story of a fascinating era in American art. Heavily researched and ten years in the making, it deservingly won the Pulitzer Price.
It begins with Dekooning's childhood in Rotterdam; his mother beat him with wooden shoes, he was trained in old school portraiture, he arrived in the US as a stowaway, and then made his way to the bohemian art world of New York. It covers his marriage to Elaine, his womanizing, his ascent to being one of the most important artists in the 20th century, and his descent in alcoholism and finally Alzheimers.
It is a page turner, with people like Jackson Pollock, Gorky (his mentor), Franz Klein, Rothko inhabiting the pages. (Paul and Linda McCartney make an appearance, as does David Bryne.) The book is both chatty and educational as many chapters end with a lengthy dissertation on a particular important painting of the era.
DeKooning put his work above all else, and it took him a long time to get a body of work. He never learned to drive, he didn't have a checking account until he was in his 40's, he was always worried he would be deported, as he entered the US illegally. He was both charming and abusive to his friends and lovers.
I highly recommend this page turning biography!
(above painting EXCAVATION)
ECLIPSE
This piece was started in a class and finished it at home. It began with collage of dress patterns in the shape of a cityscape. After layers and layers of acrylic paint and ink, I would mask certain areas and paint over it and move the masks around. This was entered into a show and I am happy to say it won an honorable mention. The judges remarks were "sophisticated with rich colors, great textural quality, really draws you in". However, it was suggested I hang it vertically. Personally, I like it better this way, but knowing it can hang differently let's me know there is balance in the painting.
AN INTERVIEW WITH FINE ARTIST LANCE CARLSON
Lance and I have not only painted together for years and we have even shown our work together many times.I was intriqued about his new "Face" series and I wanted to learn more about his process. I knew he began by seeing a face in an inanimate object (i.e. the more obvious ones are seeing a face in a house or the front of a car), but I wanted to know where he went from there, so I posed several questions to him.Read on and see his answers to his interesting approach to art.
I know you are an architect by trade, but when did you begin shifting over to fine art? I took a painting class about 15 years ago and was hooked immediately. It brought back alot of memories of creating art in my youth. (Painting to the left is FAMILY+REUNION)
Has your style changed from when you began as an artist? I don't think I really had a style to begin with, it was just a matter of putting paint on paper. As I progressed, a certain style emerged. For a while, I vassilated between abstract and something more representational. But, I have pretty much adapted an abstract style. However I make personal connections to literature, music and pop culture.
Can you explain this series? This series began with finding a face (of sorts) in the still life (basically a grouping of objects). I find a rudimentary face and base my initial composition on that. As the painting progresses, the face may appear and disappear and the composition that remains becomes the most important thing.
What medium are you using? For the face series, it was back to basics for me. I had become enamored with mixed media where I could throw together a bunch of varying media and then solve the final composition with a little drawing. I wanted to see if I was using the drawing (on top of paintings) as a crutch. So, I limited myself to acrylic paint on canvas for this series. There was some collage in a few, but this was from "painted over" previous paintings.
Of the 4 images displayed here, I see the palette is very similar. How did you choose the palette? Because I work on several pieces at the same, I am using the same colors on all when I'm finalizing the image.
I see the relationship between the titles and the paintings, except for the one titled "Without at Name", will you explain this? That is the name of a song by Kisschasy. I know it is pretty obscure, but it held meaning for me. (Painting to the left is WITHOUT A NAME)
What visual elements do you repeat in this series? There are alot of curves, to make it lyrical. There is also a good change in values, and I use some form of stripes and bands in each one.
How do you know when a piece is finished? I like to get outside the critique, because for me, an internal knowledge or satisfaction that I know it is complete works for me.
Do you have any plans to exhibit this series in the future? Sure, any ideas? I have submitted it to competitions and galleries. I will keep you posted when it is up somewhere.
Who is your favorite artist? I don't know if I have a favorite, as there are several artists that speak to me. I get an adranline rush out of Ann Hamilton, but I was super excited when I recently saw the back of a Rubens/ I am also influenced by great architecture for le Corbusier to Graves to Calitrava
Who do you consider your biggest influences in art? My mom and dad and brother had plein air outings when I was a kid. They all had easels while I did somersaults in the grass. I think in some ways Franz Klein and Rodin. Wierd combo, eh? But, their work both dealt with human figures and also drawn to bodies and faces.
What do you see in your future as an artist? My future is so bright. I will just continue to create art and see where it takes me. I am taking paths as they come, but not really forging new territory or looking for wealth of fame. I wouldn't turn it down if it came. (Painting to the left is WISE AND DEEP AS THE SEA)
Thank you Lance for taking the time to answer these questions thoughtfully and honestly. However, I have to disagree on your last answer. I think you are forging new territory by continuing to learn and explore new techniques in art.
After reading this, if you think I have left anything out, please leave a comment. And you can continue to follow this series with Lance on his blog.
I know you are an architect by trade, but when did you begin shifting over to fine art? I took a painting class about 15 years ago and was hooked immediately. It brought back alot of memories of creating art in my youth. (Painting to the left is FAMILY+REUNION)
Has your style changed from when you began as an artist? I don't think I really had a style to begin with, it was just a matter of putting paint on paper. As I progressed, a certain style emerged. For a while, I vassilated between abstract and something more representational. But, I have pretty much adapted an abstract style. However I make personal connections to literature, music and pop culture.
Can you explain this series? This series began with finding a face (of sorts) in the still life (basically a grouping of objects). I find a rudimentary face and base my initial composition on that. As the painting progresses, the face may appear and disappear and the composition that remains becomes the most important thing.
What medium are you using? For the face series, it was back to basics for me. I had become enamored with mixed media where I could throw together a bunch of varying media and then solve the final composition with a little drawing. I wanted to see if I was using the drawing (on top of paintings) as a crutch. So, I limited myself to acrylic paint on canvas for this series. There was some collage in a few, but this was from "painted over" previous paintings.
Of the 4 images displayed here, I see the palette is very similar. How did you choose the palette? Because I work on several pieces at the same, I am using the same colors on all when I'm finalizing the image.
I see the relationship between the titles and the paintings, except for the one titled "Without at Name", will you explain this? That is the name of a song by Kisschasy. I know it is pretty obscure, but it held meaning for me. (Painting to the left is WITHOUT A NAME)
What visual elements do you repeat in this series? There are alot of curves, to make it lyrical. There is also a good change in values, and I use some form of stripes and bands in each one.
How do you know when a piece is finished? I like to get outside the critique, because for me, an internal knowledge or satisfaction that I know it is complete works for me.
Do you have any plans to exhibit this series in the future? Sure, any ideas? I have submitted it to competitions and galleries. I will keep you posted when it is up somewhere.
Who is your favorite artist? I don't know if I have a favorite, as there are several artists that speak to me. I get an adranline rush out of Ann Hamilton, but I was super excited when I recently saw the back of a Rubens/ I am also influenced by great architecture for le Corbusier to Graves to Calitrava
Who do you consider your biggest influences in art? My mom and dad and brother had plein air outings when I was a kid. They all had easels while I did somersaults in the grass. I think in some ways Franz Klein and Rodin. Wierd combo, eh? But, their work both dealt with human figures and also drawn to bodies and faces.
What do you see in your future as an artist? My future is so bright. I will just continue to create art and see where it takes me. I am taking paths as they come, but not really forging new territory or looking for wealth of fame. I wouldn't turn it down if it came. (Painting to the left is WISE AND DEEP AS THE SEA)
Thank you Lance for taking the time to answer these questions thoughtfully and honestly. However, I have to disagree on your last answer. I think you are forging new territory by continuing to learn and explore new techniques in art.
After reading this, if you think I have left anything out, please leave a comment. And you can continue to follow this series with Lance on his blog.
Atlanta 1970 - how to organize a page
I was looking for a way to organize a page and chose to take a picture of the skyline of Atlanta in 1970. I took the shapes it created and collaged the background. The collage included my airplane tickets to various places and Atlanta memoriabilia, such as coke labels, CNN and such. Oh - and I also used failed mono-prints I had (don't throw anything away, you will use them someday!).
After I had my interpretation of the skyline of Atlanta, I began painting over it. Many people living here in 1970 will not recognize it. The Polaris at the Regency was the highest point, at least to me. If I could find it in the sky, I could get to Peachtree and get home. So - notice the building with the circles that is painted blue, it is the Polaris with the color inverted.
Not only do I paint, but I have given historical tours of Atlanta, (i.e. Fox Theater and Druid Hills) so sometimes the city pops up in a work!
PICTURES OF MY SHOW AT TROY PEERLESS LOFTS
I really like the space, and it was a very successful show. I decided it was important to show what my work looks like when it is actually up on a wall!
BLOGGING ABOUT ART
I am taking a four week blogging class. Today's assignment was coming up with 20 topics to blog about in the future. So - here goes:
Gallery Happenings in Atlanta;
How My Rhythm of the Series is evolving right now
The Importance of Learning Art History
Who are my ancestors in Art?
The importance of having an organized studio
Are we ever going to install the flat files in the studio? Or are they going to stay in the dining room?
Spring Cleaning is late, Atlanta skipped Spring this year
Festival Happenings in Atlanta
Are Salons making a comeback
Everything in my kitchen is fair game to be used as art materials
Should I stop collecting junk mail for collage materials, and jar lids for circles?
Review of a movie about art - maybe Who The *&%* is Jackson Pollack
Why I love my Critique Group - Shadowline Artists
the National Collage Society national show is in Atlanta this year
I know How important it is to do blind contours, so why don't I do them?
My dress series is evolving into men's clothing
I have a google alert for Atlanta Artists, and Atlanta Collage Artists, and my recent posts are popping up in there!!!
Gallery Happenings in Atlanta;
How My Rhythm of the Series is evolving right now
The Importance of Learning Art History
Who are my ancestors in Art?
The importance of having an organized studio
Are we ever going to install the flat files in the studio? Or are they going to stay in the dining room?
Spring Cleaning is late, Atlanta skipped Spring this year
Festival Happenings in Atlanta
Are Salons making a comeback
Everything in my kitchen is fair game to be used as art materials
Should I stop collecting junk mail for collage materials, and jar lids for circles?
Review of a movie about art - maybe Who The *&%* is Jackson Pollack
Why I love my Critique Group - Shadowline Artists
the National Collage Society national show is in Atlanta this year
I know How important it is to do blind contours, so why don't I do them?
My dress series is evolving into men's clothing
I have a google alert for Atlanta Artists, and Atlanta Collage Artists, and my recent posts are popping up in there!!!
So - Here's to a New Beginning
I have made a commitment to building a more vibrant and interesting blog by signing up for the 4-week Blog Triage class with Alyson Stanfield and Cynthia Morris . Today's assignment/homework is to post a description of the people I want to reach with my blog, and what I want to accomplish. Another part of the assignment is to write about what I want to get from blogging.
I have decided to start with the 2nd step. I want to make my blog more interesting, to both readers and to myself. I don't want it to be just the place I post my most recent artwork and where I will be showing my work. I want it to include information about other artists that inspire me and have a interesting story to share. It will have some educational articles, especially articles of interest to other artists that pertain to marketing and eventually selling their artwork. I want to start enjoying blogging, and not look at it as a tedious chore. Hopefully, it will eventually help me network with artists, collectors and students. I am inspired artistically when I am around others.
I'm going to sleep on the first part - who I want to reach with my blog.
I have decided to start with the 2nd step. I want to make my blog more interesting, to both readers and to myself. I don't want it to be just the place I post my most recent artwork and where I will be showing my work. I want it to include information about other artists that inspire me and have a interesting story to share. It will have some educational articles, especially articles of interest to other artists that pertain to marketing and eventually selling their artwork. I want to start enjoying blogging, and not look at it as a tedious chore. Hopefully, it will eventually help me network with artists, collectors and students. I am inspired artistically when I am around others.
I'm going to sleep on the first part - who I want to reach with my blog.
THIS WEEKEND
I will have a booth at the Sweet P Festival in Marietta this weekend. I'm still in my "dress rehearsal" phase - trying to get my tent to look professional and enticing! I have had greeting cards, as well as bookmarks printed - so I'm ready to go sell!!!!
Sweet P's is locatd at 1975 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta Ga. at the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and Paul.
THE UNIVERSE WE KNOW
This consists of 4 canvases, each measuring 20x24. I started with the sun on the left, and moved to Mercury, then Venus, Earth and Mars, complete with the moons each one has. All of the planets, and the sun contain collage material that pertains to them. For example, the sun has a tarot card with a sun on it. Earth has a picture of my house from google earth. I used a lot of layers to create a very tactile environment. This was done with collage, as well as modeling paste and paint. I did this as part of my TRANSFORMATION show at Georgia Perimeter College in October. Maybe someday I will go back and finish the entire universe as we know it - but I have to admit, I quit when I got to Jupiter, it is just SO BIG!!!!
PASSION OF THE DANCE - ABSTRACT DRESS
Because Valentine's Days is coming up, I thought I should post a painting that I believe shows the romance and passion of the holiday. This is a large piece - 24x36". I built the texture with paint, and added paper. All of the paper has references to the dance of the tango, either how to dance it with the footsteps, or narrative in both English and Spanish.
Enjoy - and feel free to leave a post!
MY NEW DRESSES!
This is the direction I am heading in with my new dress paintings. These are made with multiple layering, to get the background a deep rich earthy tone. I have used white and black gesso, inks, coffee and tea - as well as layers of colors. I am working on getting the texture to be lacelike to give them a mysterious quality.
REPRESENTATION WITH MICHAEL JOSEPH GALLERY IN FT. LAUDERDALE
Below is the press release that was sent out by Michael Joseph gallery. I will be sending 6-8 pieces down there this week to be exhibited in a group show, with an opening on 11/14. Read about the gallery by clicking on the following link. All of my pieces are available as prints too.
http://michaeljosephgallery.com/
VICKIE MARTIN
Award winning abstract Atlanta artist Vickie Martin uses a variety of material to create her mixed media work. Among them are acrylic paint, ink, pastels, charcoal and collage. She is inspired by different themes including music, geometric shapes and architecture.
Vickie’s art has been described as a dance of shapes, textures and rhythms. Being the daughter and grand-daughter of piano tuners, using rhythm is natural for her.
Textures are created using several things, many of which are found around the house. Collage is one of things used to create texture. Some of the things she regularly uses are old maps, dress patterns, insides of envelopes, old books (in any language), newspaper, stamps, tissue paper, produce bags, or anything that may attract her attention.
Some of the things she uses to create a tactile tecture are sand, coffee, tea and salt (from table salt to rock salt). Not afraid of experimenting, she has also used baby oil, alcohol, even miracle grow, and has been known to set canvases outside during a rainstorm. The layering of all of this creates a depth and the more one looks at the work, the more unexpected things being appearing.
TRANSFORMATION SHOW AT GEORGIA PERIMETER COLLEGE
WELL, the time has finally arrived for us to hang the show at Ga. Perimeter College's Dunwoody campus. Donna and I have been working on this since April, and I think the hard work is going to pay off. I have 24 pieces that I have completed for this. This is the debut of both this work and using this space in the library for a gallery. My work consists of multi-layered mixed media, using everything in my studio from ink, pen, pencil, pastels, acrylic, to salt and coffee. I hope people will come out to see the work. Located on Womack Drive in Dunwoody (off Tilly Mill), the show will be in the library.
Abstract view of Atlanta in 1980
Here is a fairly new piece of work. Once again I used collage to organize the page and was inspired by a photograph of the skyline of Atlanta in 1980. Of course, I took some artistic license and moved some of the shapes around to suit my composition. I painted on top of the collage with acrylics. This measures 20x24" and is on paper.
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