Black Friday: put a little love in an artist's pocket
I used to go full Scrooge on all this holiday cheer… but these days I try to be a little more supportive. Really, I think we could all use some encouragement to keep going.
When you purchase my work, here’s what I hear from you: I’m telling a story in your life that needs to be expressed. I need to know that someone needs my work. And every purchase literally gives me more room to make new art. So I’m offering you a 10% discount on your first order, until December 31st. Use the code FIRSTTIMER at checkout. Oh, and if you subscribe to these posts and my newsletter you always get free shipping too. Like, forever.
Many of my fellow artists depend on the holiday shopping season to make it to the new year. So I’ve put together a short, totally-biased list of creatives you can support. (Nobody’s paying me to mention them — I just love them and their work.)
PAINTINGS, PRINTS & SCULPTURE
Juan Alonso Studio: paintings and sculpture. Check out the brand-new small bronze pieces, based on his most recent desert drawings.
Liz Tran Studios: paintings, and now accessories printed with her work in the Bookstore at Chihuly Garden & Glass.
Troy Gua: fine art prints and photography. Troy is best known for the LPP series honoring the late musician Prince. BTW, his online shop is having a big sale.
JEWELRY & WEARABLE ART
Evolve Revolt Repeat: handmade upcycled denim jewelry by Eve Sanford. To find her work at holiday markets, check this Instagram post.
Magpie Mouse Studios: handmade enameled jewelry by Sarah Meranda. You can also find her work at these gift shops.
Chief Seattle Club: selling indigenous-made jewelry and wearable art online. They’re also vending artwork at the Punk Rock Flea Market on December 7th.
STATIONERY & WORKS ON PAPER
Cat Snapp Studio: letterpress cards and fine art prints. For a limited time, your online purchase will also help support youth and families experiencing homelessness.
Studio Four Corners: stationery, collage and photography by Amy Duncan. She’s already had a studio sale, but you can still catch her work at Holiday on the Bay on December 7th.
Setzer Studio Arts: prints and original paintings on paper via her Patreon account.
Do what’s right for you: I encourage you to support one, a few, or all the artists I’ve mentioned. No one needs to go broke this season. But you know what they say about giving and receiving…
Artist talk: Inside the minds of two black Northwest artists
How could you miss a chance to hear from the photographer who created this portrait?
Vin & Harlowe Shambry, by Intisar Abioto/The Black Portlanders
I mean, if you've visited You're Not From Around Here, Are You? you might've heard and seen some of what goes on in my head...
Now imagine those minds connecting, and sharing what goes on to make and show these artworks! Intriguing, huh? Please join us for our conversation at the Northwest African American Museum on February 25th. Details:
Hope to see you soon!
When your artwork is a pain to photograph
Hi, my name is Lisa, and my artwork is a nightmare to photograph.
BFAR staffer Amanda considers the challenges posed in photographing my art.
I know it's a pain. And I warn/remind the photography staff of it when I come in the door.
Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction generally needs three days to shoot my work. Not because they're too busy, although they are busy. It's because my work, like me, is complicated. The surfaces vary in depth, for one thing.
At least three different depths, just in this view of the work. But wait, there's more!
For another thing, my work features a lot of small details. On top of that, I also tend to incorporate shiny surfaces like transparencies, mica or glass. So the shoot has to be set up to reduce glare and unwanted reflections.
Reflective surface? Check. Multiple depths? Check. Photo shoot nightmare in 3... 2...
But sometimes glare or other issues can't be avoided, so there's the post-production editing.
BFAR's owner Scott somehow shoots & edits my multi-layered work without losing his mind.
Yes, I could shoot my own work, and I used to (results were okay). I could take classes, and I know of some good resources. But my priority right now is making more art; I'm the only one who can do that. I have the luxury, at the moment, of having someone else document my work. (No, I'm not being compensated in any way by Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction. I just like their results.)
The three pieces I brought in this time should be ready next week. Check back next Friday!