It was meant to beEver had one of those days when it all falls into place??
Today was one of those days for me. Today was the day of the baby shower as organized by my very good friend, (that’s me and her),
for out mutual friend, that’s her.
The very pregnant lady and her husband own and run a center for alternative therapies, which was the venue for the baby shower. As well as treatment rooms for massage, aromatherapy etc; it has a coffee shop, a gift shop that sells hand made jewellery, cards and candles and a gallery that sells art work by local artists.
I’ve been painting a portrait of the pregnant lady and intended to give it to her today. I ran out of time and it still isn’t finished, but I had a couple of photos of it on my camera to show her and her husband.
I also had a photograph of another portrait I’m working on of two old ladies. This one is from a magazine photo and I copied it because it made me think of ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’. Again it’s not finished.
As I’m showing these photos of my work to different people, the manager of the place, who was also attending the baby shower, and I started chatting. I said how much I like the idea of coffee shop art. I’ve been round all the galleries with my other artist friend and although the gallery market is what she’s aiming for, it’s never appealed to me. To show and sell in galleries the work must be professionally framed, which is very expensive, the gallery take any thing up to 40% or even 50% and the prices charged are out of reach of most people. To me, gallery art seems elitist, its stuff painted by artists for other artists who all know each other and exist in a little bubble of ‘arty people’. Now maybe that’s a bit harsh, and I do enjoy galleries and exhibitions; but for me the coffee shop customer is the preferred audience. I like to think of ordinary people, mums with kids, old men reading the newspaper and grannies with their shopping looking at art and being able to afford it. This manager and I hit it off and … she wants me to take what ever work I can get finished to her and she will hang it in their little gallery. Not only that, she also wants me to take the hand made bags I make and any other bits of craft work I have. We have agreed a rough price range, much cheaper than gallery prices, I don’t need to pay out for expensive framing and her commission is minimal compared to the galley commission.
The baby shower was a huge success, the friends were all happy and I’ve found somewhere that I really like to show case my work………wow what a great day. It all just fell into place. If you want to see what the place is like its here
http://www.facebook.com/TheSerenitySanctuary
You know why? Because you deserve it :))
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
awww thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteLove it when that happens, The portraits even unfinished are great
ReplyDeletethanks and I love it too..............it doesn't happen often but when it does its fantastic.
ReplyDeletekismit!
ReplyDelete:)
how lovely you all are
:)
Good for you - hope it all works out :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does sound like a particularly good day for everyone. How wonderful to have the opportunity to display and sell your lovely art.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have such things as coffee shop art or small local galleries. I know about them because Donna in Australia has been selling her work at a coffee shop and the local Ag fair. The idea is very good, to make items available and affordable to all. We do have gift shops and small boutiques that take crafts and hand made jewelery on consignment, but rarely art.
This is a fantastic post! So amazing that you were able to connect with someone who will showcase your art! Feels great, eh? By the way, the paintings are lovely! You are truly inspiring me. And how fun to see the necklace in the photo...I just showed my daughter and told her that it is far away from here, worn by the woman who made the bag hanging right next to me♥
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a pleasure when things work out that way.
ReplyDeleteA very good day indeed :-)) I think it's a great idea, selling your work through a place such as that. Like you say, it's more relaxed and appeals to ordinary people. I hope it does well. I believe it will, your art is very good. Wishing you every success.
ReplyDeleteI love reading happy news, so I'm very happy for you. Can't wait to see more of your work!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks...............I wore the bracelet as well and I'm sure it brought me luck
ReplyDeleteI've spoken to Donna about her art too, I'm glad you keep in touch with her, I find her art inspirational, I think she's far better than I am, I especially like her animal paintings.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I think, although sometimes I feel a bit torn. I'm sure I don't want to do the 'professional gallery circuit', my friend drives her work all over the country and spend hours contacting galleries and framing specialists. Her work does sell for £500 plus but she doesn't sell that much and I'm sure by the time she adds up her costs, time, travel, commission, etc.. she makes a loss not a profit. Sometimes I think she craves fame more than needs a little extra cash. But then I feel guilty criticizing because i enjoy going to the exhibitions and galleries with her just to see what other people are doing. I just know its not for me, I like the coffee shop idea where ordinary people who never visit galleries see your work.
ReplyDeletewonderful pics, Loretta!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Donna has that 'certain touch' with animal paintings. She is now doing wonderful Clydesdale's.
ReplyDeleteThis is a painting that she did for me. The dog is our Samoyed, Honey, and it is so perfect that it could be a photograph of her.
Painting by Donna Grant, Australia
oh that is perfect, I agree she really is good.especially with animal paintings. I've seen photos of Honey, and you are right, she captured the likeness as well as any photograph
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