I had meant to blog about my students' art show earlier, but time got away. (Some weeks are just like that.)
First, I'd like to thank University Art Supplies Store for hosting the students' art reception on Saturday, March 12th to kick off the exhibit, which will be displayed in the window for the rest of March and all of April.
University Art is a marvelous art supplies store that provides several programs for young people, as well as classes for all ages. They are located at the corner of 26th Street and J Street. You can learn more about their products and programs
HERE, (and please "like" them on Facebook
HERE. )Next, I'd like to thank the South Natomas Community Center for being so supportive of the after- school art club. They purchase materials for me and store them at the center. All I have to do is go in and teach, and students already love art before they ever come in. The center offers a variety of services and classes for the community. You can learn more about their programs
HERE Now -- on with the Second Saturday art reception and exhibit. For those who don't live in Sacramento, "Second Saturday" each month is when art lovers go from gallery to gallery, enjoying receptions for new art exhibits. The receptions often feature wine and munchies, but our artists served punch and cookies. Below are the 17 pieces of art displayed, along with pictures of some of the students and their families. Enjoy.
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Students range in age from 6 to 14, although the class is mainly set up for 8-to-12-year-olds. But some are returning students and go farther with the lessons, and some have older siblings in class, which keeps the class from becoming geared to 1st or 2nd-graders: The younger ones simply keep up and constantly amaze me with their grasp of what are basically lessons for older kids. Below are pictures of some of the students who came to the reception (in shifts, between noon and 2:00 p.m.) and their proud families. It got pretty hectic at times, so I didn't get a chance to photograph everyone who came.
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| This artist is seven. |
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| Her cousin, artist on the right, is nine. |
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The artist on the left just turned eight.
Hopefully her brother will join one day. |
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| Another seven-year old artist. |
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| This artist just turned seven. |
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The artist on left is ten. Shy sister on
right is too young for the class.
Her thirteen-year-old sister, a fine
artist, was sick and couldn't attend. |
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Two artists, sisters; the one on left is
seven; the one on the right is eleven. |
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I didn't get a photo of these two artists
before they left, so this is last year's
photo: The artist on the left is nine
this year; on the right, fourteen.
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The artist, eleven and dedicated,
is almost hidden by her two
younger siblings in this picture.
Being involved with these students gives me a special boost each week. I always come home rejuvenated by their energy. We have two more classes this year, and then the art class is over until November. While I have other projects that need tending to, I'm going to miss them.
How about you? Are you an art lover? Do you do any volunteer projects that give you special enjoyment?
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I haven't entered very many juried art shows. I was thrilled to get my Twix Mini piece into the
CPSA International Exhibition 5 years ago, then didn't enter anything again until the
UArt Show here last year. Not sure why exactly, just not motivated I guess, or unwilling to get on that merry-go-round, for whatever reasons.
OK, wait, maybe I do know. Its expensive.
I know its gauche to talk about money. But if you're trying to make a living as an artist, and you want to do the 'show circuit', you need to know what you're getting into.
First, there's the entry fee. That's typically $20-$35 per piece, with sometimes a discount if you enter more than one piece.
Then you have to get the piece framed (not everything needs to be framed, but I'm talking about drawings, which definitely do).
Then you have to ship the art to wherever the show is (if you get in), and arrange to have it shipped back.
That all adds up!
I was excited to have my Fried Egg on Sourdough Toast piece accepted into this year's
CPSA International Exhibition. Its the only piece I entered, and the entry fee was $25. I took the art in to be framed the other day, and that will cost roughly $250 (simple but elegant natural wood frame with plexiglass, for an 11" x 17" drawing). Next I will have to ship it, and have no idea what that will cost. I will do FedEx, and will have to arrange for the return shipping as well. $100 maybe? (That might be a little high, or not. I can't remember what it cost last time.) Then there's the shipping box itself. I have a special
Airfloat Systems box that I'm hoping I can use again, if its the right size. I think the one I have cost $45 or so - its probably more $ now. And in addition to all of that, there's a $40 cartage fee required for the show. So lets' add that all up, shall we?
Entry fee: $25
Framing: $250
Box: $45
Shipping: $100 (estimated guess)
Cartage: $40
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Total: $460 (or so)
Lets' just say $450 to make it easier. That's not cheap, is it?
And if you enter more than one show a year, with different pieces of art, that can really add up fast.
On a whim, and at the 11th hour of the entry deadline day, I decided to enter my Berry Tart piece in the
CA State Fair this year. I have no expectations whatsoever of getting in, since this is a state-wide show, with so many different kinds of art being entered, but I decided to go for it.
Notice the Sale/Price Value I put on the art: $2,000.
This piece is already framed, since I had it in the
UArt show last year. The entry fee for the State Fair is only $20. And if it gets in, I can just hand deliver it because I live right here, a few miles away. So that will cost me way less than the CPSA show.
Also, I'm thinking 'gallery', someday, maybe. You have to consider the gallery fees (usually 50%), so a $2,000 piece will automatically only net $1,000. Subtract the framing, and that leaves $750. Not bad, but not $2,000. So even though $2,000 might seem high, it really isn't.
Ideally, we'd all win the big $$ awards in these shows, and that would offset the costs of entering!! Last year I did win a nice little sum in the
UArt show with my Molasses Cookie drawing, and that definitely paid for the costs associated with entering. But you can't count on winning. You have to just enter, and hope for the best.
Its serious business being a fine artist and going this route. Its easy to get discouraged if you don't get accepted, let alone win anything. But I'm giving it a bit of a go, and we'll see what happens!
I love plaid! It must be my Celtic roots. I don't think I've ever met a plaid I didn't like (unless it was shiny, cheap fabric). I'm a big fan of the show
Outlander on Starz - men in kilts, lots of plaid and also some nice knitted things.
This little drawing is an artistic interpretation of the Chisholm clan tartan. Doing a pattern like this is kind of like meditation. Once I get the color pattern worked out, I can kind of zone out and think about other things while I do the coloring. Its a good way to keep my mind what I call "passively active" - I think its sort of like when you're in the shower, and some idea comes to you, or when you're driving, or knitting . . . your brain is working on the task at hand, but also open to receive thoughts or creative ideas or whatever. I'm not explaining it well, but you know what I'm talking about.
I also love chocolate! This is a Milky Way Dark Mini candy. Its wee tiny - a little more than an inch square. But its packed with lots of chocolate and caramel goodness! These are pretty addictive, because they're so small.
This is 5" x 7", and a little larger than life. I used all Prismacolors, on Fabriano Artistico paper.
I have prints in the
shop. I may list the original too at some point.
And then . . . drumroll . . . my little Molasses Cookie drawing has won an award! It won 3rd Place - Best of Show in the
UArt Open 2014 competition! This is a regional show, sponsored by University Art. They have art stores in Sacramento, Palo Alto and Redwood City, CA. All the accepted entries will be on display in their Redwood City store - 2550 El Camino Real - from October 25th through November 8th. If you're in the area, please go have a look!
I was especially proud of this little drawing because its so small and kind of quiet. Its only 8" x 10", and not showy or colorful. My Berry Tart drawing was also accepted into the show, and to be honest, I figured if either drawing had a chance at winning something, it would be that one - its bigger, and 'prettier'. Just goes to show, you never know with these things.
It doesn't feel very much like Fall here yet, with 90 degree temperatures still keeping things too warm for my taste. But its getting dark earlier, and I love quiet evenings, working on my art or knitting, while the kitties come and go, stopping in for a snack, then going back outside to lounge on the porch or explore. Soon it will be time to buy the Halloween candy - more chocolate to draw!
