"Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art, working is art & good business is the best art."
- Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987), Painter, Printer, and Film Maker
from Scott Fox's 365 Success Quotes
What do you think?
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I listened to William's,Larry's, Michelle's, Ron's and Connies take on this subject. You all have valid points. Here is my take on it. When you get into a show, it is a venue for you to do several things. First off, like Ron says, you are going for the moola. So you want the body of work that will produce that. This is especially fruitful if you are doing a show like the Grove, or Saint Louis or myriad others of the top 100. They deliver the crowds, you deliver the work that will make you moola. That is one level--a very important vehicle that keeps us going in this biz. BUT, consider this. When I shoot images with my Nikon D-80, I shoot on three different levels. First, I am always looking for that next great one that will express my concept of art. I make this image for art's sake. I do not worry whether it sells or gets me in shows, I just need it to feed my energy for art. Next I am always looking for imagery that will fit in with my ongoing portfolio of work that I jury shows with. Ergo, good work here gets you into the better shows, where moola is sure to follow. Also on this level,some of these images end up getting me a cash award. On the average, I win 6-9 awards per year while exhibiting at 30-35 shows. The prize money usually runs from $100 to $1000 (Virginia Beach, Gasparilla). In the 35 years of my doing shows I have won nearly 300 awards. So hunting down that prized image is always on my mind. And, the next show is like a motivator for me. I want to have something new to show. When I go to Pensacola in November, I am going to show 6 new images, and you better believe I am hoping to win money with them, sell some, but most of all be happy to display them in a welcome format that the show allows us to do. I can' think of a better venue for we artists at the street level to showcase our works. It keeps me motivated, I am always looking for the next great one. And in my short life, I have found about 20 of them--Aloha, Nels
I will be honest, when I took art history/art appreciation in college, we debated this topic for 2 weeks straight and it was enough to make you cry as it was beaten to death and could have taken a full semester, easily, to explore.
No matter how you look at the word art - it means anything many things they way someone does something - like a graceful ballerina to a way a cook prepares a scrumptious dish. The important factor when thinking about what is art is also asking yourself is it pleasing to the eye - from various points of view. Just because you may not think something is beautiful, you can't rule out the next person who comes along and think "it" is a master piece. For example, work painted by an elephant - and that can be debated until the cows come home. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is art and can't really think of a way to disprove that. Anyone want to take a stab at that? - Michelle
Anyone catch the PBS program this week, Craft in America? It is a series about about the origins and techniques of American craft. It shows the work and talks with many contemporary artists, some of whom do exhibit at the nation's fine art fairs and craft shows. I'll bet a lot of you know Roberta and David Williamson, jewelers from Ohio, who've been in this business a long time. In my area it is on on Tuesday nights. Here is the website for more info: http://www.pbs.org/craftinamerica/tv_series.html
I met the gal who organized the whole show(she is out of L.A., CA.) and FAILED miserably spreading the word about it on here. I had every intention of doing so. There are past "episodes" and supposed to have 2 more episodes to boot! The only thing I can say is check PBS show listings for times and dates. It also helps if folks call their PBS stations and request to see more of that programing too. The whole thing (how she got started doing the project to the way the shows are put together) is amazing and well put together, makes my heart warm.
It's easier to say that when you're successful. But in that respect, everything can be art, or everything can be a game. Just like art shows are about money, not art. The successful art show artists are thought to successful by how well they sell. And as for defining art, you can't because each person sees it differently.
From neither one, Ron. Yes, I know art shows are about selling -- but it the art didn't come first it might as well be any kind of venue that was selling just about anything: antiques, motorcycle swap meet, farmers market, culinary items, any old buy/sell...right? The fact that it is an "art show" means the essential premise is that you will find art there.
So, you make the art, you bring the art - and then, and only then, you sell the art! Sell if like crazy, I hope.
Replies
I definitely second this, Larry.
No matter how you look at the word art - it means anything many things they way someone does something - like a graceful ballerina to a way a cook prepares a scrumptious dish. The important factor when thinking about what is art is also asking yourself is it pleasing to the eye - from various points of view. Just because you may not think something is beautiful, you can't rule out the next person who comes along and think "it" is a master piece. For example, work painted by an elephant - and that can be debated until the cows come home. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is art and can't really think of a way to disprove that. Anyone want to take a stab at that? - Michelle
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
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http://JuryImages.com
412-767-8644
So, are you writing this from the perspective of a promoter? Or an artist?
So, you make the art, you bring the art - and then, and only then, you sell the art! Sell if like crazy, I hope.