I've been spending time lately looking at other artists' studios and trying to gather inspiration for organization, space utilization, and productivity tools. I've seen gorgeous 4,000 sq.ft. farm barn lofts, reconverted spare bedrooms, and sneakily-claimed corners of a home or a kitchen table to serve as a working studio for artists who are producing incredibly marketable works.
The 2008 Special Issue of Cloth Paper Scissors features a host of art studios - or spas for the creative soul - and offers storage solutions, studio makeovers, and ways to personalize your creative space. Within the issue, I fell upon wonderful quilting and mixed-media artist's websites and two notable oddities.
The first is an embroidered portrait quilt artist; an oddity in a day where it is rare to find people who have mastered needlework crafts and are working to keep this traditional art form very much alive. The second is the fact that this particular embroidery artist happens to be a man. Michael Aaron McAllister of Saint Louis, Missouri, is producing detailed works inspired by his heroes. Above is featured Salvador Dali, 2005.
Some of McAllister's miniature quilts are prize-winning testaments to a love of color and technique. He holds a BFA and MFA in Ceramics, and like many artists, does not work in the medium of his professional training. Art is a journey after all, and it's a joy to discover bookmaking when one is an oil painter. McAllister says his needlework is the first thing he does in the morning and the last thing in the evening. When you check out his work and his site, be sure to take a peak at the works entitled, Self-Portrait with the Artist's Mother (2007) and Anne Frank (2006). Of course, you won't want to miss his Studio link complete with pictures of highly-enviable authentic DMC bins used to store all skein colors.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Embroidery Portrait Artist & His Studio: Michael Aaron McAllister
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Artists' Pens Updates
Friday, May 16, 2008
Residential & Commercial Mosaic Art Trends
As you may know, we recently gave Mixed-Up Mosaics our thumbs up for its work in tattoo-inspired mosaics. And if you've not seen some of their floor tile casino medallions in person, you've missed out on an opportunity to envision Native American themes in growing mega-entertainment complexes. These collaborations work because they reflect movement. And as Alice Paul said: I always feel the movement is a sort of mosaic.
Beautiful Stationery Papers for Artists
Artists of all genres often seek beautiful and high-quality papers to use in testing tints, application techinques, artists business cards, price tags, and other arts needs. Breathtakingly beautiful stationery, stickers, stamps, notecards, and frames are available through Cavallini & Co. (photo credit above features Cavallini's Bird Gift Tag line). I
In our view, Cavallini's cornered the market on color, style, and design. Many of their products are sold through sites like Anthropologie and the Library of Congress. Other highly notable luxury paper companies are: Crane & Co.; Vera Wang Papers (gorgeous wedding invitations); Anna Griffin (we love their stamp ink); Mrs. John L. Strong; The Wren Press; Smythson; and every writer's standby - Moleskin.
Beach Stones
In keeping with current art trends themes of incorporating the natural world, we saw a brilliant photography book at our favorite Paper Source store last night. Beach Stones is a nice accompaniment to Seashells; both books reflect the free beauty available in seaside locations throughout the world and offer inspiration to artists seeking new creative pathways. The photographer, Josie Iselin, also worked on a photography collections called Heart Stones and Leaves and Pods. Ms. Iselin is an artistically well-trained San Franciscan specializing in photography and installation art. She is scheduled to appear at the Whole Children Whole Planet Expo this coming weekend.
Henna Artists & Talented Musicians
We were honored to be able to help the staff of top recording artist Erykah Badu yesterday. Erykah, with her distinctively earthy vocals, performed at the DAR Constitution Hall and was looking for assistance in finding exceptional henna artists in the DC area. We know the concert was a memorable success, and we hope our art advisory references were helpful. (Photo Credit: Sarboo on Flickr)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
the resurgence of birds in art - part 1
It happens slowly. At first, you notice the little starling who seems to fly out from the roof eaves whenever you open your main door. And then you hear him chirping away just outside your bedroom window at 3, 4, and 5:00 a.m. Finally, you surprisingly notice he's nested just above your entrance wall light in a safe alcove. Built himself a tidy nest with a heat source, easy access, and all in a protected environment. Birds are like that. They kind of well, creep up on you.
And while its true that birds have been prevalent in art since before the 1800's and not just in the United States (the drawing above comes from Germany), it's also true that their resurgence in today's art is unmistakable. This is no new revelation to Wisconsin's Woodson Art Museum and their annual Birds in Art program which has been in effect as a major fundraiser since 1976. Or take worldwide nature art lovers and conservation proponents (such as Artists for Conservation) who have focused on various natural elements since the cows started jumping over the moon.
What I see in review of tons of art magazines, websites, gallery openings, and new museum acquisitions, is a resurgence of bird images, bird life related themes (nests, eggs, feathers), and birds presented in ad hoc methods through paint, collage, murals, and sculpture. Who can argue that the depiction of both the owl and the raven have grown substantially in past years? Or that birds have held a steady place in Asian art for centuries? But we notice a new art trend with the bird being presented in a not-so-flighty way. The birds in art today are somewhat of a pseudo psychological element - the carriers of secrets, the communicators of thoughts, a dancing and lively presence in dark fields, or perhaps memories of little things long forgotten.
In this four-part series, we will review bird art as it appears in traditional art, contemporary art, altered art and new media. We'll show you some examples, we'll pose questions about meaning, and we'll try to demonstrate in a small way, how birds in art are enjoying a healthy and robust resurgence today.
I know a place, in the ivy on a tree
by John Drinkwater
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
danielle muller - the vintage dragonfly
Dragonfly art, especially art encompassing nature and all its elements, is hot, hot, hot. Match it up with some poetry or individual words or musical scores as background motifs and you nearly have a sure seller for craft fairs and festivals. Although the work has to "speak" and have its own "voice" - the right combination of muted tints, fabrics, and interesting little odds and ends will help the artist create a solid market presence. Dragonfly addicts will love these sites: Art.com; The Nature Store; and Webclipart.About.com. What we love is Muller's commitment to sharing works of other like-minded artists with visitors to her site - that's a true cool art trend we hope continues for decades.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Jackie Hoysted's Cigarette Art: A Year Later
Hoysted is a Maryland artist who explores the psychology of smoking and quitting. She smoked for over 20 years and has been smoke-free since July 9, 2007. Her blog posts her smoking related art and writings on how her "quit" is going. In an effort to chronicle her journey, she began an art project designed to enlist others in the shared experience of "the last cigarette." She sent a call to the public. Smokers could participate in the project by mailing their Last Cigarettes along with their plan to quit. She hoped to immortalize the effort in a work of art.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
post beauty
10th Annual Business Philanthropy Summit
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
successfully advising artists
We knew of a Chelsea gallery wanting to host an opening on a particular subject, and although this painter claimed not to want to be a pigeon-holed "type" of artist, we encouraged her to immediately submit her works. You can see where this is going, right? Yes siree, not less than a month later, this painter who couldn't get placed in a gallery will now show in New York City's esteemed Chelsea gallery row.
Even if the piece doesn't move (which we believe it will), and this artist generates NO interest (which we KNOW she will), it's a success for the gallery, for the painter, and for us. And that's why we love advising artists. It works, it's successful, and when the effort is timely and well-researched, it's like putting a round peg in a round hole. Beautiful.
an interesting tale of arts collaboration
There's a lesson in loss and it may just be that all loss has a purpose. We were very disappointed to learn we lost a much loved public arts project bid for which we had expended a tremendous amount of research and legwork. Our intuitive reaction, that the organizers wanted permanent sculptures and local townspeople to construct them, proved dead on correct when the final results were published.
Not unexpectedly though was the fact that the finalists for this particular competition were all extremely insightful, talented individuals with unique ideas, and giving of their time and efforts. We were well pleased to be in such great company. So it turns out that one of our top competitors, a woman I can only describe as literally having had thought about every single available facet of her proposal, also lost.
You know when you hear a competitor's proposal and you're thinking to yourself, GULP? We couldn't understand how her idea could be passed by. Well, where the door was closed, the window opened. This woman (an events coordinator) and her truly fantastic public art festival not only secured an alternate site for her event, but graciously invited us to bring our loved luminaria proposal along with her.
That's collaboration at its best, and the winner in this case will be the families who attend our breathtaking evening event in July. Stay tuned for more about Starry Teller Festival and our Luminaria highlights.
interview on art purchasing trends
We were thrilled recently to be contacted by one of the most interesting trend management companies to come around the block lately, http://www.thefuturelaboratory.com. Editor Miriam Rayman is associated with a division known as http://www.lifesignsnetwork.net. Seems they're working in part on understanding, qualifying, and quantifying art acquisition and the growing use of art consultants and art advisors. In some circles, personal art buyers are akin to personal shoppers, personal assistants, or personal concierge services. We feel the root cause of this growing trend is the necessity for arts specialization as opposed to generalization. Understanding trends in art business just makes good sense and great reading.
spring's yard art
One of the reasons we love yard art is because once the weather breaks, you can actually get out of the house to see it. This winter we were missing the smell of fresh cut lawns and the site of madonnas in the bathtub. Here's a few great web places to check out truly creative yard art in all its independent glory.
http://www.narrowlarry.com
http://www..literate_lemur.com/yard_art_project
http://www.unusuallife.com/richarts-yard-art-ruins
And here's a few finer publications available covering the origins, status, and future of yard art.
Yard Art and Handmade Places: Extraordinary Expressions of Home
Detour Art: Outside, Folk Art & Visionary Environments Coast to Coast
Self Made Worlds
Sublime Spaces & Visionary Worlds: Built Environments of Vernacular Artists
testimonials
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Hooray for Artomatic in May
Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic transforms an unfinished indoor space into an exciting and incredibly diverse arts event that is free and open to the public. In addition to displays and sales by hundreds of artists, the event features free musical, dance, and theater performances; holiday celebrations; films; educational presentations; and much more.
This year’s Artomatic, occupying 200,000 square feet at Capitol Plaza 1, will be the largest to date. Designed by renowned architect Shalom Baranes and owned by an affiliate of The Polinger Company, Capitol Plaza 1 offers 293,000 rentable square feet of Class A office space, with dramatic Capitol and city views from the upper floors.
“We are thrilled to partner with Artomatic in an event that will bring tens of thousands of people to NoMa,” said Elizabeth Price, president of the NoMa BID. “It is a great opportunity to showcase the transformation that is underway in NoMa and infuse it with the energy and creativity of the artistic community.”
"Artomatic has come back to its roots in D.C. with our largest event ever,” said George Koch, Chair of Artomatic. “We are excited about our partnership with the NoMa BID and their help in bringing this new space to our attention. Artomatic 2008 will have an abundance of exhibit and performance space that will be open to all — from recognized artists to undiscovered talents.”
Registration for artists and performers who wish to participate in Artomatic will be open soon. To stay up to date on the event details and schedule, visit http://www.artomatic.org/ and sign up to receive the Artomatic newsletter.
###
About the NoMa BID:
NoMa is an emerging mixed-use neighborhood north of the U.S. Capitol and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Private developers have invested almost $2 billion in 2007–2008 alone, with plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space in the 35-block area covered by the NoMa BID over the next 10 years. For more information about the BID, including an interactive development map, see the BID Web site at http://www.nomabid.org/.
About Artomatic:
Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow our creative economy. The nonprofit Artomatic organization is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit http://www.artomatic.org/.
Washington DC Art Gallery Retailing: In the Know
Did you know that from Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD, over 150,000 acres will be paved over with new construction, infill, and residential and commercial growth by the year 2030? Or that inflation from 1999 to 2006 alone rose over 25%, while the Median Family Income rose about 52%, and more than 39% of residents had incomes exceeding $100,000? These statistics seem to bode well for gallerists who hoped to increase their retail sales.
Less than two years ago, Washington as a whole had more than 49% single person households and less than 14% of households were families with children younger than 18. Detached housing prices rose 165%, town homes 180%, and condos 240%. And if you're wondering if this inflation preceded the recession, or whether there is a recession in gallery sales, consider the upcoming unveiling of the promising National Harbor this April.
You and your art patron clients may be keeping a keen eye on rising utilities, property values, labor costs, fuel costs, and changing spending habits, but regardless of these sometimes unpleasant factors in our daily lives, remember the mindset that the Washington DC area art galleries are doing GREAT! BUSINESS IS GOOD and just keep saying it.
Because right around the corner, your potential new customers will consist of locals, visitors to the area, tourists, and conventioneers from the National Harbor. So this is the time to reassess your gallery's market analysis: where's the local buying power; what's the competition and how is it grouped; who is walking through your doors; are there any sales gaps; and have your demographics changed - or how are they likely to change?
It's also the time for DC area art galleries, museums, community organizations, and art non-profits to reassess your storefront's appearance. Does the average shopper see financial stability, store pride, something unique happening, interest in entering the store, and motivation to return? The small details make up the impact of your store's traffic flow and end sales. Check your signage to make sure it's helping to develop a memory, extend the recall of marketing efforts, attract new customers, and maybe alter customary purchase decisions.
Remember the statistics too, in why people shop elsewhere. A better product takes away 15% of your customer base, a cheaper product will also steal away the same. Lack of service and attention will drive away 20%, and your rude or unreliable help may turn away 45%. An art gallery typically will experience 100% penetration in the first 25% of the store's floor space. This is why it's crucial to have good materials, versatility, great lighting, colorful displays, and merchandise in every direct line of sight. There is a science to retail sales which includes studies on retail walking traffic patterns. Do you understand how and why clients are moving through certain areas of your gallery?
Or let's take a look at how the Internet is impacting your end sales. Estimates claim that approximately 82% of consumers will research a product on the Web and 39% won't buy or visit at all if you are without a Web presence.
The bottom line is we must continue to keep an eye on changing economies, loss prevention (80% of shrinkage IS internal), and competition forces. For many gallerists, June is our peak season and although you may not be able to control the foot traffic coming through your doors, you can control what goes on your four walls. Are you maximizing sales and space? Are you selling add-on products like art t-shirts, books, and mugs? What are you doing for the "give" - the complementary thank you take away items you want to use to encourage return visitors?
If your gallery is struggling (and let's face it, we've all experienced crunch times), remember your local Business Development Center may be able to help you at little to no cost. Also, if you're looking to see what the Small Business Administration had to say about the growth of small businesses in 2000, you may want to take a peak at the White House Conference on Small Business. Lastly, we hear from a very reputable source (see below), although we haven't yet read the text, that the international bestseller "Why We Buy" by Paco Underhill has over 30 years of retailing expertise embedded within.
Shauna Lee Lange Arts Advisory monitors and studies many aspects of art business, including economic trends specific to the arts world. We are extremely optimistic about the current climate and always welcome further inquiries or consultations on your gallery needs.
The source for this material is Mr. Casey Willson who has over 35 years experience in retail and tourism related small businesses. He has assisted high-end organizations and diverse companies in attracting and retaining customers and in examining organization and operations. Mr. Willson is currently with the University of Maryland and the Maryland Small Business Development Center. He is noted as a premier speaker in Main Street Development seminars and has presented more than 50 town meetings to over 800 enterprises.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Impact of Gifts
Kindness is the sunshine in which virtue grows. - Robert G. Ingersoll
