Art and Serendipity

my studio window

Being an artist means more than painting pretty pictures.  Ideally, one must possess the skills of an entrepreneur, a salesperson, and perhaps, be a person who can read body language all in the aid of selling work.  First, one must get work out there in the public view.  In the past, I have applied to shows listed on Craisglist, done searches for local and national shows on the Internet and tried to make local connections (coffee shops)  in order to show my work.  One of the worst experiences was answering a call for exhibiting art at a Bank of America
Disappointment and then...
It's funny how things work out.  I answered a call for exhibiting art at a Bank of America which turned out to be an awful experience.When I wrote about it on my blog, it caught the attention of someone who used to be the curator of the collection at the Bank of America.  When she asked me if I was interested in showing work at 455 Market, I jumped at the chance.  It was a beautiful venue and she treated the work with respect.  The show was up for 3 months and after that time, someone who worked near the lobby contacted me and I sold him a painting.  Later, he bought a second, larger painting from me.
Another time, someone who brings work to high end restaurants asked me if I would be interested in showing work at this particular restaurant.  I didn't have appropriate sized work so I painted new pieces to fit in this restaurant.  Because restaurants usually have soft, dark lighting, I thought about paintings that would still "pop" in that setting.  That's when I began my "Edges" series in earnest.  When I finished the work, I sent the images to her but never heard back.  It was an "oh well" moment and I moved on.  Two paintings from this body of work was purchased  at this last Open Studios by a very nice couple and they have asked me to do a  painting based on the color of their front door.  In fact, I've sold quite a few smaller "Edges" paintings and I probably wouldn't have pursued this if it hadn't been for the push initiated by the potential restaurant gig.

Edges at Renaissance Marin

I must spend 15-20% of my time on the computer, updating my website, writing this blog, answering queries, applying for shows, and looking for opportunities to show my work.   I haven't applied to many shows this year - I am finding them to be a waste of my time and have been a source of frustration on many levels. I generally avoid the "opportunities to show" where the organizer wants money for "hanging the work".  I don't mind compensating someone for hanging work but sometimes the fee does not reflect the amount of work.  For example, I was charged $100 for the privilege of showing work in a rather undesirable situation and the "help" entailed the organizer bringing this gummy tack to put behind the paintings so they wouldn't move.  I did the hanging of my large work (4 ft X 6 ft) and she stood and watched.

Did anyone ever think that being a painter was glamorous?  It is a solitary existence that requires a tough skin and once in a while, something goes your way.   I wouldn't trade it for the world.