Rockin' the Art World

At least once in your life you've fantasized about being a rock star.  Right?  Go ahead, I promise not to say a word.   Of course, you may have turned that fantasy into your reality, but if like many others you found that rockin' out in a more visual style was more your groove, then this post is definitely for you.

Dan Johnson of Right Brain Rock Star has put together a survey that's meant to connect artists who are earning their keep through their creative efforts (and folks who aspire to do the same someday) with information about who they are, how they get things done, and what up-hill battles they fight in producing and marketing their work.  It's a competitive world out there, but as artists we can start working to support each other's efforts by sharing knowledge. 

The survey will work for you whether you make art  full-time, or are still working another job to pay for your art materials.  You can be involved with any art form -- from architecture to textiles.

After you complete the survey you will receive a summarised copy of the results once the designated time of the survey is over.  By filling in the optional personal details section, you will get a mention in the results roundup post on Right Brain Rock Star, with a link to your Twitter account and/or website.

So what are you waiting for?   Start Rockin' the Art World!  Just click on the link below.

http://rightbrainrockstar.com/starving-artist-survey   

Note: All answers will remain anonymous. Email addresses will be used only to send a summary of results to all participants. Name, website and Twitter details will only be used to list all of the people who took part.  If you don’t want to be listed, just don’t leave your details. 

Are You Enterprising?

Ever wonder what fellow creatives are up to as they go about their business of adding innovation and that "aha" element of surprise to life?  If you are reading this and happen to be an individual who devotes all or much of their time to artistic pursuits, you can start linking to others and find out a little more about what informs their practice, by taking part in an up coming survey -  The Enterprising Artist Survey.

Check back on February 20, 2012 and I'll explain more about how you can take part and how it can benefit your own enterprise.

The New Art Patron - You!

I started off this series of posts asking a question about whether patronage of art and creative pursuits belong only to the very wealthy 1% of individuals or, if the other 99% per cent of citizens have a role in supporting the arts. My last post looked at the historical state of affairs around art patronage - one that involved the wealthy and powerful and supported a few select artists while leaving many other artists of great skill tied to a life of struggle.

Yes, there are modern artists, who have also found wealthy patrons, but artistic pursuits have over the past century been acknowledged as important to the overall well-being and level of satisfaction for all citizens in our society.  Governments at the local, provincial, state, and national levels have recognized the need to support a variety of creative endeavors. This usually takes the form of funding contributed to arts organizations, such as museums, schools, and less frequently to individual artists in the form of grants from agencies like the Canada Council or the National Endowment for the Arts.  Unfortunately, government funding is frequently influenced by politics and the importance that politicians place on the value of the arts.  Case in point, the severe cuts experienced in British Columbia, Canada in the past two years when much of the proceeds from gaming grants was no longer available to arts-oriented and non-profit organizations.  Many organizations have had to severely limit the services they provide or have been forced to shut their doors completely.  Of course, in a democratic society, governments change with the passing of public opinion through the elective process.  Private foundations are another avenue of funding, but often have a specific focus on the type of art they will support.

So where does that leave the 99% -- in between elections?  Individuals who appreciate art can become more involved on a local level by participating in arts councils, supporting local museums, volunteering their time in projects that support the arts in venues from daycares to seniors’ facilities.  Purchasing or commissioning work from artists in your own locale just because you like their work is also a good way to make a statement about being an art patron.  Many artists offer their work at costs which allow you to own art that speaks to your personal tastes without needing a bank account akin to that of the Medici’s.

But what about the creative projects artists wish to produce that have a grander scale in mind?  Are we left with hoping that government, foundations, or a wealthy benefactor will support these?  The information age has changed the way many systems operate and art funding is no less affected.  Kickstarter is an new innovative way for artists to raise funds, while maintaining creative control of their projects.  Anyone can contribute to a project of their choosing and the average donation is about $71.00 according to the information on the Kickstarter website.  So, yes, if you are a member of the 99%, you, too, can be a patron of the arts! 

http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/

http://www.nea.gov/

http://www.allianceforarts.com/blog/reality-check-arts-funding-cut-bc-budget

http://www.artsadvocacybc.ca/

http://www.kickstarter.com/start

Art Patrons

The term "patron" derives from ancient Rome and denoted a citizen who protected a recent immigrant to Roman territory.  This idea of protecting and fostering gradually became associated with the arts as powerful and wealthy individuals and institutions sought to exhibit works showcasing and supporting their own world views.   Families like the Medici in Renaissance Europe are well know for their largesse in commissioning works by such artists as Donatello and Fra Angelico.  Within 37 years Cosimo de Medici spent the equivalent of 10 million dollars on artistic commissions - many of which were gifts to the Catholic Church.  Patronage of the arts on a similar scale has also been a part of art history in cultures such as Japan, China, and India. 

Portrait of a Man Holding a Medal of Cosimo de Medici

Sandro Botticelli

about 1474-1475

Tempera on panel, 57.5 x 44 cm

Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi

Materials used by artists both past and present tend to be expensive and this is, of course, even more cost intensive for those who produce large scale work.  Expansive undertakings, such as the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, required the work of many hands.  A master artist became the "project lead" as we would refer to it in today's corporate terminology.

Of course, not all artists have had the fortune to be under the protection of a Cosimo de Medici.   Johannes Vermeer often struggled to financially support himself and his family.  He luckily found a supporter in a local art collector, who appears to have assisted him with various loans.  Still, due to a disastrous economic slump in 1672, Vermeer found himself requiring his mother-in-law to furnish surety for a loan he negotiated in Amsterdam.  He died shortly thereafter, and his wife was left to sell some of his paintings to pay a previous debt for bread.

Although the term "starving artist" was not coined with Vermeer, his life exemplifies the struggles common to many artists not blessed with strong and powerful patrons.

Hard Times for Artists ...

Since the 2008 economic downturn, otherwise known as financial nightmare to many, there has been lot of discussion in the arts community about its effects on the ability of fine artists to earn a living from their efforts.  Artists comprise a rather rare breed of entrepreneur in that they have to navigate all the perils attached to any small business venture, but are usually driven far more by their need to make art than to successfully market it.  Artists have for this reason historically relied on patrons to support their creative endeavours.

What does it mean to be a patron of the arts?  Is this label only to be applied to the 1% of those with wealth identified by the Occupy (fill in your favourite town or city's name here) movement?  What about the other 99% percent of individuals and their relationship to supporting the arts?  I'm going to explore these ideas in the next few posts -- so stay tuned and feel free to add your own comments.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/best-occupy-wall-street-photos_n_1093245.html#s460556

About one thousand people gather and form a largeAbout one thousand people gather and form a large "99%" in the middle of Freedom Plaza during an "occupation" of the plaza October 6, 2011 in Washington, DC. Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement that began la

Roaerie Studio Artworks

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Sign-up for e-mail updates from Roaerie Studio Artworks and receive a discount code good through February, 2012 on all Roaerie Studio reproductions and art cards.  Go to the Contact Page, enter your name, email, and the word, SUBSCRIBE in the "Comments" section.  Check your inbox for a message with your discount code.

Sold!

It's gratifying to know that the art one spends time making is appreciated enough that some one else wants to take it home with them.  I don't think about whether or not a piece will sell when I'm painting it.  I do think about whether it's turning out as a good painting.  I sometimes feel a little sad when I finish a piece because it means the bonding process between me and the painting is over.  Then I get to put my critic's hat on and decide if it's going to get shown to anyone else but me!  This one passed my self-critical eye and it's new owner will have lots of time to bond with it.

"The Dispute"

16" x 20"   acrylic on canvas

Opening reception "A Gesture of Pears" Feature Show

If you missed the opening reception, you can still view the show until November 30th, 2011.

Nanaimo Arts Council Gallery

Nanaimo North Town Centre off Rutherford Road

Feature show

Tea and left over Halloween candy never tasted as good as this afternoon.  My feature show, "A Gesture of Pears", at the Nanaimo Arts Council throughout November, was hung this morning.   Lots of work to get it right but,  I am so grateful to both Ed Chan and Audrey Verhaar, who took time to help arrange and position the paintings.   This afternoon I was around town distributing posters to help get the word out.  Nice to know that there are so many business owners who are willing to support our cultural community.  Thank you to everyone who offered to display a poster on their premises.  I'm posting a few photos of the display.  Look forward to meeting you at the opening reception on November 10th between 7 to 9 p.m.

Nanaimo News Bulletin - Pears symbolize body language

Nanaimo News Bulletin - Pears symbolize body language

Thoughts from Georgia

Georgia O'Keefe is one of my heros.  Not only as a artist, but as a measure of what we can aspire to as human beings.  She had the strength to follow her own heart and others followed her, or not -- she still kept to her own path.  In these troubled times, these are powerful words to remind us that whatever our situation in life, we can be true to ourselves.

"I found myself saying to myself… I can't live where I want to… I can't go where I want to… I can't do what I want to. I can't even say what I want to. I decided I was a stupid fool not to at least paint as I wanted to…. That seemed to be the only thing I could do that didn't concern anybody but myself"    Georgia O'Keeffe Georgia O’Keeffe, Series I—No. I, 1918. Oil on composition board, 19 3/4 × 16 in. (50.2 × 40.6 cm). Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas. Purchase with assistance from the Anne Burnett Tandy Accessions Fund 1995.8. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum/Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York

A little sample

Where did Thanksgiving weekend go?  I've been getting ready for the 3rd annual Art Sale at the Nanaimo Golf Club for a few months -- making sure I would have a good selection of small pieces just right for holiday giving.  It felt like there was lots of time and now --- it's just two weeks away!  I was in a sort of Halloween mood after seeing the moon rise through my neighborhood trees when I did this painting in watercolor pencil on canvas.  It will be on display at my table.

Hope to see you October 23rd, 2011.

10 AM  to 3 PM

Nanaimo Golf Club

3rd Annual Art Sale