Fur In The Paint

Art Fair Insider has once again honored me by re-posting one of my Art Fair related posts on their blog. (thank you) It’s an interesting site with loads of features. Anyone working the circuit or thinking about it, should give the site a looky-see.

Speaking of Art Fairs
So the past 7 weeks have blown by and I am knee deep in inventory and packing for an event this weekend in Waterloo, Iowa. You know from the other side, 7 weeks seems like an eternity to do inventory and replenish stock. And so I wait to do it. And do something more fun like . . . start a new painting. But now I’m on this side of those 7 weeks and kicking myself. (sigh)

As per my usual after a long break, I am looking forward to the money but not so much to all of the hauling and toting involved. But I’m sure, as is also my usual, once there I will be having a great time.

Plus, since we are going to a larger city (by real world standards it is probably considered a really small city, but when you live in a town of 700 . . . .) I should be able to find an art shop to restock some WC Pencils and find some frisket film. Hobby Lobby came up bupkiss. I came home with some re-positionable book covering material but is so low tack it’s pretty well useless.

Once again the gallery has been busy (Yay!) but this also means not much new work has been done on Spanish Gold- Andalusian Stallion. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be far enough along to be worthy of posting a WIP.

Recently, at the art talk one of the members surprised me. I should preface this by saying I may have annoyed her because she opened the conversation with, My name is . . . and I was the one who asked you to come here and talk several years ago and you said “No it was too far.” Ummm . . .yeah. She wanted me to come and talk about my artwork. At that time I always believed my art should speak for itself. This time I was coming to talk about my business . . . and that’s totally different. (This was of course pre-blog. Now all I do is talk about my art.)

I burst out laughing because I’m easily amused and I tend to laugh inappropriately, but mostly because I was surprised she would think that I should feel bad about myself because some other artist was achieving some success.

Anywho, she mentioned she first saw me at an event where this other local wildlife artist was also showing. She then began telling me all about how much press this other woman was getting. I know this artist, though not as well as I know her sister, who is also an excellent wildlife artist. I listened intently as she went on about all of this artist’s honors and write-ups in newspapers and magazines. I nodded and smiled and said I was glad for her (and i was.)

And then she reached out and patted my arm and said with a you-poor-dear look on her face “But you’ve done well for yourself too.”

I burst out laughing because I’m easily amused and I tend to laugh inappropriately, but mostly because I was surprised she would think that I should feel bad about myself because some other artist was achieving some success.

I said “I know I have . . . (looking her in the eye and holding a pause) but thank you.”

The incident got me to thinking. Why is the mindset that if someone else succeeds then you lose, so prevalent? Especially in the arts? Sports I can see. You progress by being better than everyone else. As an artist though, you progress by doing continually better work and getting people to connect with it. Whether they connect with your neighbor’s work is irrelevant to your success.

Why is the mindset that if someone else succeeds then you lose, so prevalent?

Collaborative Economy
So I just agreed to a joint venture with a photographer friend who is opening a studio in a neighboring town. She wanted to offer framing but wants no part in the actual doing of it. So I’ll set her up with some samples, she works with the clients, I place the order and frame them, she delivers. It’s win win. She offers a convenient service for her customers, I get extra framing work. Plus I give her a kick-back. (um . . . I bet it’s called a commission.) At any rate I already have this sort of situation with two other locations. One is an artist and one is an interior decorator.

I have long been in the practice to offer my friends up for services I don’t provide. I take on very few portraits (and then only horses) For everything else including people who don’t want to wait or pay my prices I hand them over to someone who does the job well and in a timely manner. One of my dearest friends is an equestrian artist (Barb McGee) locally that I have sent people out my gallery door off to hers. I also have a couple of other artists who I hand their cards out, in addition to Barb’s. One of whom is Angela Finney.

I know all the frame shop owners in the area by name and have sent work to them when I couldn’t do what was needed. (mostly over-size work.)

As an artist you progress by doing continually better work and getting people to connect with it. Whether they connect with your neighbor’s work is irrelevant to your success.

Could I possibly lose these people I send on, as a customer? (Client, Patron take your pick) Yes. But to me it is more important for them to can get what they need done, than to hold onto them out of selfishness, greed or insecurity.

Okay so here’s the thing. Many of the artists (including Barb) and shops in the area, send people to me as well. And that my dears, is my definition of a collaborative economy and how because of it, we better all our chances for achieving success.

What is success anyway?
It’s completely different for everyone. Personally, success is paying my bills while doing something I really enjoy. AND (here’s the part I need to get too) having enough free time to explore my other loves like my horse and the outdoors.

If Barb becomes an unbelievably wealthy equine artist, it will have very little effect on whether I achieve my personal success goals.

I would love to hear from any of you who wants to share your personal idea of what success means to you or any incidents regarding success, competition or how you participate in a collaborative economy, Please comment.

I apologize for the length of this post but when I chopped it in two, it just didn’t make as much sense.

First and Foremost there is more art coming, (hopefully next post) Just not today. For today we have a rant.

So it figures as soon as I commit to recommending it on my blog, things go a little sideways. “It” being that lodging Card (which in this post shall remain nameless and be hereafter referred to as the CARD)

A few weeks back we got an email from CARD saying (paraphrasing here) “Hey we renegotiated new lower rates. blah blah blah.” I’m thinking “Sweet!” and then thought nothing else about it.

So when checking out of the hotel the other day, they refused to give us a receipt because of the new CARD policy.

I’m like “what the . . .”

What’s that saying . . . Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.”

So I called the number on the card and the CARD lady is all “Of course they can give you a print out, (in a way that suggested the hotel staff are just a little slow and should be dealt with like children.) just let me talk to her.”

Feeling smugly victorious I hand my cell over to the very nice hotel woman (I’m not being snarky here, she really was.) They talk and she begins to make a copy while saying “Oh, but we got an email saying. . . ” .

I loose interest at this point and my mind wanders, since clearly I am getting what I wanted. I don’t feel the need to listen in on all the superfluous details. It is enough for me to know that I was right and she was wrong. Phone gets hung up and I get handed a receipt.

I go from smug to annoyed as soon as I look at my hard won receipt. Not only does it not have my name on it, all the pertinent information (like the amount) has be blacked out. Hotel lady looks at me going “Sorry.” I realize I have just been played.

Mike is getting tired of all this and barks at me to just check the website when we get home. (No brownie points for him on that one.) But I let it go. Since I am tenacious he often gets annoyed at me about making a fuss. Unless it saves us money and then he’s all “Awesome!”

What’s the deal?
When home, I look through the CARD website to see if I can figure this out. They have a non-disclosure policy which is so top secret that they can’t really talk about it with their members because that would be violating it. (I’m getting the distinct feeling they are telling the hotel people that us members are a little slow and must be dealt with like small children.)

Seriously? Does this scream hidden fees or what?

So here’s the skinny according to a phone call with the CARD. They renegotiated rates and so (those sad, left-in-the-dark) hotels don’t know the rate they are charging (um . . . wha?) and therefore may well be giving us faulty information.

You can still check the CARD website to see the rate before taxes and then CARD adds their fees on top. But the hotel is forbidden to give out any rate information to us.

This is purely speculation on my part.
Perhaps had I not been getting real receipts from hotels for years (and somehow they managed to know what to charge me then) this new policy wouldn’t bother me so much. It’s not the money. Because the rate was still good. (not nearly as good . . . but good) But it smacks of deviousness. I feel like perhaps I can no longer trust them when they have to be so secretive.

Bottom line, we were charged more than the last time we stayed at that hotel a few months back. Since we stay at the same hotels in every city, I plan on watching things closely and seeing just how many ” new lower rates” we have in the hotels we stay at. And I’ll keep you posted because maybe . . . just maybe I’m all wrong on this.

We got back today from our trip to Sioux City. To find out why we were there you can click here or then again . . . you can just scroll down to the previous post.

Kathy Audus was a wonderful host and took us to see the Siouxland Artists Inc gallery. The artists there are doing some really nice special event (art auction) charity work. The gallery is still in it’s first year and it is lovely.

I think . . . I think
Despite being anti-social, I don’t have much fear of speaking in front of people. Probably because of art fairs I talk to thousand of people and artists every year. (Not that artists aren’t people.)

I think we did okay despite only putting in a few hours prep time. We presented a handout based on the blog posts that you guys helped me with earlier this year. (Thanks for that BTW it was invaluable.) which included

Caring for your prints,
How to choose a giclee publishing house,
the difference between a giclee and a lithograph
and questions to ask yourself about whether you should make prints.

We also included a print sample and both the gallery card and the giclee website card.

Not that I don’t enjoy hand grenades, rocket launchers, assault weapons and snipers rifles just as much as the next middle aged woman. . .

Since we were bringing handouts I asked how many to expect and was told 15-18 is their usual attendance (despite being a group with over 60 members.) So to be on the safe side I brought 20. Well, somewhere between 25-28 people came.

We were told to talk for 15-20 minutes and then allow questions for 10-15. The whole thing should be wrapped up in about half an hour. The plan was I would talk about my work and how the business got started and then Mike would talk about the printing. We each would talk 7-10 minutes. Well . . . they started asking questions before we were done and didn’t stop until well over an hour later. All in all we are calling that a success.

There’s nothing more relaxing than shooting rabbits in the face with a plunger.
To celebrate I got Rayman Raving Rabbids. (yes, that is spelled correctly) which for those of you not in-the-know is a video game. Upon returning home we peeked in the gallery to make sure the cat hadn’t destroyed the place and spent the rest of the day at home playing the new game.

What a hoot. I seriously looked at Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, but chose a much sillier game. Not that I don’t enjoy hand grenades, rocket launchers, assault weapons and sniper rifles just as much as the next middle aged woman, but as some of you may have noticed, I’ve kinda lightened up a lot lately. . . . and so has my gaming.

Somehow shooting rabbits in the face with a plunger (and occasionally whacking them with a shovel . . . and once or twice with a hammer) until they explode seems so much less violent. Probably not though, huh?

Today we leave for Sioux City, Iowa to address the Siouxland Artists Inc. group there. They are a good sized group with over 60 members and their own gallery.

We were asked to come and talk about how I became the towering entrepreneurial artistic success that is Mona of Wild Faces Gallery. (umm . . no.)

We were asked to come and talk about how I turned my passion (and by passion I mean hobby) and a $500 start-up into a fully functioning and successful art business. (still not quite it. Too infomercially. That’s right you too can become an artistic success and all you need to do is makes some prints! . . . Yeah, I don’t think so.)

We were asked to come and talk about who I am, what I do artwork-wise, and how with the help of my husbands computer wizardry we created a successful art business through print sales and a seriously tenacious attitude. You know like a Pitt Bull. (I think that works as well as anything.)

At any rate, since Sioux City is a 3 hour drive and the speech takes place in the evening, we will be spending the night there as well. On the upside it’s a paying gig (Sweet!) So we’ll see you all on Wednesday. Or if you’re in the area feel free to come to the meeting. It is open to the public and from what I’ve heard there’s food.

Here are a few trends I’ve noticed in the events I’ve done throughout the Midwest in the summer of 2009.

They are killing their market
This really should have been it’s own post but since I didn’t have all that much to say on the subject without falling into some lunatic crazed rant it simply gets it’s own special section.

Note: I truly believe we are about to return to an upswing in sales. When Carol Herden and I were heading for Kentucky we were talking about the recession. Her resources said at least a year of recession, mine said at least 18 months. We are almost at that point. It took awhile for the downturn to affect art events and I imagine it will also take awhile to affect it positively as well.

That being said, the killing their market thing is still true. 10 years ago artists had to do perhaps 10 events a year to make it. Now they do 30-35 and that was before the recession. In order to make art fairs pay for themselves and the effort you put in them, choose them wisely.

While in Omaha last weekend an artist friend (Randi Hunter) from the Hot Shops Art Center of Omaha stopped for a visit and reminded me of an art competition they have going. Randi created this very cool painting and anyone wishing to participate should interpret this scene in your style and media.

The deadline is right around the corner so if you’re interested you better get after it. For more information or to download a prospectus you can visit www.HotShopsArtCenter.com

UPDATED These guys have started a new policy which may or may not change how I feel about using this group. Here is the updated post regarding the new policy.

I want to preface this by saying that I am in no way affiliated with this organization. This seems like a good thing to me so I thought I would share

Corporate Lodging Consultants
This is for anyone who spends a lot of time in hotels for business. The Program is CheckInn Direct and is a direct bill pay card that is good at certain hotels for a discounted rate on your room. You use it like a regular credit card. The hotel charges the CLC and then the CLC charges your card a couple of days later.

The CLC has a website that tells you what hotels accept the card in the places you are going. So far many of the hotels we stayed at anyway take the card. (Super 8, Days Inn, AmericInn, Heartland Inn and most recently Ramada.)

I have been using this card for over a year now and we’ve had no problems at all. Most of the artists I’ve talked to about it are already using it also. (I found out about it through an artist friend who herself had been using it for a year.

So that’s it. If you’re interest check out their website.

Kindred Spirits - Oil Pastel 10 3/4 x 30 1/2
Copyright by Mona Majorowicz

Today I received a call from a couple wanting to stop at the gallery since they’d be in the area. (as in, I was only an additional 2 hours drive - in one direction - out of their way.) I was like “Ummm . . . you want to come today?”

Okay, so normally I don’t hesitate at something like that, but I was almost packed for the art fair we are doing this weekend. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and of course I welcomed them. I mean really, how rude am I to even hesitate when they had so far to come to see me.

They already have one of my paintings and today added two more to their collection (whoohoo!) One was Kindred Spirits (image above) and the other . . . well the other was Soul. (image right) Yes the same Soul that I just finished and had framed and hung on the wall less than a week ago.

They are very nice people and when I told them it was my horse they immediately said “Oh, then of course it’s not for sale.” Giving me an out if I wanted. Despite being emotionally attached to the piece yet, (it’s just so darn bran spankin’ new) I told them “My horse has got to eat this winter.” So yes, I parted with it.

Plus I had already told them no, on buying Working Girls (image below) and could have, but did not sell the Cowgirl original earlier this year. (currently I keep Cowgirl hid in the gallery. I don’t want to be tempted by the lure of money and hand her over to someone.)

So here’s the thing. Nice fat checks are sweet. (really, really sweet) They make me happy. (very, very happy) But then you pay some bills and all of a sudden you are exactly where you were before, but minus a painting.

So I truly do have mixed emotions about seeing my Soul painting go. But then again it’s good for the artistic juju to part with one’s work. Plus I tend to think of that quote from Picasso that goes something like “I am too poor to own any of my own artwork.” While luckily that is not technically the case. I am certainly not wealthy enough to own all of my own artwork.

Here’s the follow-up to the first post of 20 things I’ve learned. The first 10 dealt with people and selling. This 10 deal with traveling and tents.

11. If the event allows prior day set-up, do it. I usually don’t hang any work though. Not so much for fear of theft. More so weather and vagrants.

12. Be ready early. If the event begins at 10 am be done setting up by 9am. Most events have loads of early buyers trying to beat the heat and the crowds.

13. Driving and maneuvering a large van is easier than using a trailer.
No matter how big the van or how small the trailer.

14. Outdoor events are more profitable than indoor events. This is illogical, but despite the fact that indoor events are climate controlled, usually superior artwork jurying and on the whole a more classy look, they never pull in the huge crowds. My best indoor event nets me about the same as a mediocre outdoor event.

15. Never use a cash box. Always carry your money on your person. (I generally use the totally unfashionable fanny pack.) Cash boxes are easy to snatch when your back is turned.

16. Dog Stakes (corkscrew style) are the best way to secure your tent on grass. Straight stakes and weights will do in a pinch. But they aren’t nearly as secure

17. Rain is not the enemy (wind is.) Getting rained on is not as bad as you might think. Be prepared because it will happen.

18. DO NOT remain in your tent during a thunderstorm. It is a 10 x 10 lightening rod. Also if the storm is major enough abandon the tent instead of trying to hold it down. Remember Omaha 08, a woman tried to hold down her tent during that storm. She broke her arm and still lost her tent.

19. When someone offers you some free thing, always say “yes.” and more importantly “Thank you.” This is usually water or donuts. You may not want it now but later you may not be able to pop away for something. Following this train of thought be sure to bring snacks (nothing too messy,) water (or diet Coke. I like to keep myself on a Caffeine drip the entire event) and lots and lots of ice.

20. And last and most importantly in regards to keeping me from being crabby the entire event . . . Always request the top floor of the hotel you are staying in. At the end of the day climbing all those stairs is a pain. But not as big a pain as having people stomping around overhead all night long. In a like manner, avoid hotels with wedding parties.