So you want to support a living artist...
Thinking about supporting a living artist? You've come to the right place!
I am indeed a living artist, and this month some people have graciously agreed to support my work by collecting two pieces. [happy dance] This week, one of the Onyx Fine Arts board members called; the collage "Was It Something I Said?" has been sold.
And at the opening reception of Alki Arts' Black History Month exhibit, a trio of collages found their new owner. I only wish I'd been in the room when it happened!
When I finally checked social media, this was waiting for me
What lovely news to read the next day! If every week this month brings a new sale, I would be JUST FINE WITH THAT.
Speaking of which: I still have work for sale both at King Street Station and at Art Xchange Gallery's "Like Mother..." exhibit. In fact, this weekend would be an excellent time to pop over to Pioneer Square and see one of my other pieces. No pressure.
Next stops: protests, Pioneer Square, Pacific Place
This weekend I'm taking a short break from art, but not for long and not just to chill out. I'm joining several friends to show solidarity with the Women's March on Washington. Watch my Instagram account: I'll be posting images from the march, especially of the more artistic signs and protesters.
Artwork by Ashley Lukashevsky/ @ashlukadraws
Next week: two February art exhibits. I recently got word both my artworks were accepted into the "Like Mother" show at ArtXchange Gallery in Pioneer Square!
I've also been invited to show work at a pop-up art gallery in downtown Seattle. You might remember my work a couple of years ago at Alki Arts' celebration of Black History Month.
Black History Month exhibit at Alki Arts, February 2015
This year, my dear friend (and one-woman cheering squad) Diane Venti is hosting the show at Pacific Place. More details on the shows soon... meanwhile, I'm going to rest up for tomorrow. If you're marching anywhere in the world, tag me on Instagram so I can see what you see!
But what if my art doesn't sell?
First rule of being an artist who sells their work: get into the studio.
I wish I could say my collage portraits flew out the door of Alki Arts so fast that my head is still spinning.
Talking to O. David Jackson at Alki Arts' celebration of Black History Month. Credit: Alki Arts
But no, not true. Lots of lovely compliments, but apparently people don't really know what to do with it. Recently art business consultant Alyson Stanfield blogged on what to do about fangirls/fanboys who love your work, but not enough to buy it. Not surprisingly, my artist friends had some intense discussions on Facebook about it.
Of course, selling art and making it are two different things. And perhaps galleries aren't the way I should go right now: perhaps I would be better off setting up trunk shows at friends' houses, or pursuing museum exhibitions, or making one type of work for festivals while exhibiting work like this elsewhere.
When things aren't going right... go left. Speaking of which, can you give me an example of what you've done when things aren't going the way you want? Leave a comment or tell me on Facebook.