Alki Arts reception: so much love in the room
Can I just tell you how much looooove there was at Alki Arts Gallery last night? Maybe it was because there were so many PEOPLE at the opening reception.
I talked myself hoarse about my work with interested visitors, which is a lovely problem to have.
Talking the ear off of O. David Jackson, co-creator of the annual show. Credit: Alki Arts
Like most art walks, it's a little more "walk (and see gorgeous work)" than "(buying) art (on the spot)." But My Wall, as I like to call it, will be up for another 23 days. So we'll see if someone comes back to collect a piece they've fallen in love with.
My fellow EDGE program grad Mary Lamery and me.
Special thanks to the following:
- my artist peeps who came out to show support, including Jennifer Chin, Mary Lamery, Mary Freiburger, Esther Ervin, Al Doggett and Earnest Thomas
- my new friends, including O. David Jackson and fellow artists Robin Weiss and Carol Braden
- and the enthusiastic people who've Liked my art Page.
These are the connections that support artists emotionally. And don't forget financial support: Rembrandt doesn't have bills to pay, but living artists like me do!
The month of gratitude: day 26
Day 26
I'm grateful for a little (more) blogging help from Alyson Stanfield, who had an idea that's perfect for the lull before holiday shopping begins in earnest: take an art road trip.
Credit: Library of Congress
I grew up in Oklahoma City. While there is plenty to see and do in OKC, what was really cool was the proximity to numerous art venues in Tulsa, Fort Worth, Dallas, Wichita, Kansas City, and points beyond. (For those of you on the East Coast and abroad who can’t imagine a three-hour-or-longer road trip, you’re missing out.)
There were a number of times I decided an exhibit or event was not to be missed. Among them:
My first opportunity to write for Fiberartsmagazine. My mother and I loaded up the car and road tripped to Arrowmont in eastern Tennessee. We spent Thanksgiving there–next to Dollywood and all of the outlet stores–and took in a wonderful exhibit of contemporary quilts.
The touring production of “Still/Here” by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company when it made it to Lawrence, KS. This was one of the best experiences of my life.
The Magritte retrospective at the Menil Collection in Houston, TX. WOW! And another chance to see the nearby Rothko Chapel (one of my favorite places on earth).
The Richard Diebenkorn and Sean Scully retrospectives at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Later, I returned to see their newly opened building (fabulous!) and was bowled over by the Philip Guston show.
The Gates–Christo and Jean-Claude’s installation in Central Park in 2005. Okay, it wasn’t a road trip, but it was an event that took us to New York.
A road trip I made by myself to evaluate informal family learning at museums and discovery centers in Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. I came upon–quite accidentally–the City Museum in St. Louis, which was so cool. They had an exhibit with a shoe theme that had a shoe theater (instead of puppet theater). I’ll never forget it!
The day I drove from Lake Eufaula in eastern Oklahoma to see the ancient site of Spiro Mounds.
Don’t stay in your comfortable world. Escape! As an artist, you should explore and experience everything the art world has to offer.
Go out of your way to see more art. You never know when you’ll come upon a life-altering or art-altering experience.
Where are you headed?
Alyson B. Stanfield is an art business consultant and author of I'd Rather Be In the Studio: The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. She helps artists gain more recognition, organize their businesses, and sell more art at ArtBizCoach.com.
The month of gratitude: day 24
Day 24
I'm grateful for permission to re-post a great article from art business coach Alyson Stanfield. As far as I can see, only one might not apply to non-artists, so feel free to take notes...
"Puck" magazine, Thanksgiving Day 1885 cartoon. Credit: Library of Congress
Everyone is focused on gratitude for this Thanksgiving week. I'm sharing 11 ways to be grateful -- not just for this one week, but for a lifetime. If only we could remember these and make them habits.
1. Send sincere, handwritten Thank You notes whenever you can.
2. Send your Thank You notes within a week (two weeks at the latest). But better late than never!
3. Use images of your art on your Thank You notes.
4. Start most of your email responses with “Thank You” as in “Thank you for contacting me” or “Thank you for sharing your thoughts.”
5. Thank people on Twitter, Facebook, and in your blog posts whenever it’s appropriate.
6. Thank people in person by looking into their eyes–even to the clerks at the grocery store.
7. Get into the practice of writing down your gratitudes on a regular basis.
8. Stop yourself whenever you’re feeling bitter, gossipy, complain-y, or just whiny. Remember all you have to be grateful for. This is something I like to tell myself: “If this is the worst thing that happened to me today, I think I’ll be okay.”
9. Enjoy the Thanksgiving meal to its fullest–knowing that it comes around only once a year.
10. Wear pants with an elastic waist on Thanksgiving. Or don’t. Depends on your plans for after the big meal.
11. Take a walk on Thanksgiving day. Get some fresh air and exercise.
Alyson Stanfield is an artist advocate and business mentor at ArtBizCoach.com. This article was originally published in her Art Biz Insider, which is sent weekly to thousands of artists who are elevating their businesses. Start your subscription now and get Alyson's 6 free art-marketing video lessons at http://artbizcoach.com