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Why Paint a Series?

February 7, 2022 By Carol McIntyre

Have you ever thought about painting in a series? If not, why not? …And what is it?

A series is a cohesive collection of paintings whereby the viewer has no doubt the same artist has created each piece. A series communicates a common thread that connects the paintings. Every painting can standalone, but together the visual impact is greater.

The series’ common thread can be established in a number of ways, including: technique, color palette, subject, medium, size, etc. This theme or thread is stated and restated in different yet interconnected ways. This facilitates the viewer’s ability to understand more easily what the artist is saying visually.

One of my first series, back in the early 1990’s, incorporated musical instruments and flowers. They were painted in watercolor and each was a full sheet or 22″x30.” Notice the unique edge on each piece and that the flower’s petals are strategically placed as if they are playing the instrument. There were 12 in this series. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Art Material & Painting Tips, Creativity & Painting Concepts, Selling & Buying Art Tagged With: abstract painting fused with realism, art marketing, art tips, artistic process, Painting Process

My Studio Show Lists Include Chocolate, Does Yours?

November 12, 2015 By Carol McIntyre

This year I am participating in the Pikes Peak Studio Tour for the first time. It is exciting be exhibiting with 4 outstanding jewelry artists. The studio show tour itself includes 22 artists in 12 studios located throughout Colorado Springs, CO. I will be in Studio #1 located on the south side of the city.

Preparing for an art show of any kind, in any venue requires some organization. Check lists are necessary, at least for me. Since I will be packing and transporting my art to another studio, the studio show lists are even more important. Here you can see the beginnings of my packing.

studioshowBelow is the general check list I am using for my larger items.

studio show [Read more…]

Filed Under: Art Material & Painting Tips, Art Travels & Preparations Tagged With: an artist's musings, art marketing, artistic process

Art is a Speculative Business | Are We Gold Diggers?

September 3, 2014 By Carol McIntyre

Because we artists operate a speculative business, I thought I would ask, “Are we gold diggers?” digging

During the past few years, I have been struggling with the correct words to describe to non-artists how our business of making art is different from the model of most small businesses. Most people do not understand that our ‘product’ is one-of-kind, sometimes successful, a process, it changes/evolves constantly and that it is a deeply emotional and intellectual expression and interpretation of a concept. It also takes years to learn the technical skills to offer these expressions and interpretations – our products – to the world.

Finally, the word speculation surfaced and I realized that we operate speculative businesses. I wondered, “How could I learn from this insight?” I started to do some research.

What does speculation mean in the the business world. Here are a few definitions:

  1. Investment decisions based on the hope and expectation there will be a profit, but no firm evidence that this will be the case. As a general rule, the more speculative the venture, the greater the reward should be, commensurate with the risk taken.
  2. A company with a large number of assets tied up in projects with uncertain returns.
  3. The taking of above-average risks to achieve above-average returns, generally during a relatively short period of time. Speculation involves buying something on the basis of its potential selling price rather than on the basis of its actual value.  ©Wallstreet
  4. The term speculation implies that a business or investment risk can be analyzed and measured, and its distinction from the term investment is one of degree of risk. It differs from gambling, which is based on random outcomes.

As you can read in these definitions, there isn’t complete agreement in the definition of speculation. While I was researching the concept, I noticed that sometimes speculators are considered gamblers whereas some believe a speculative business can be analyzed and measured.

Let’s look at the first definition of speculation as it relates to an art business.

We artists invest our time, energy and money “based on the hope and expectation there will be profit, but no firm evidence that this will be the case.” (I know that not all artists have this aspiration. In this post I am referring to those of us that do.) Essentially, we expend our blood sweat and tears in the hope that others will want to purchase our ‘products.’

We offer the world the opportunity to view the world from different perspectives. Often we bring humor, beauty, color, distaste and intellectual challenges for viewers to consider and experience. Personally, I strive to create visual experiences that can impact how people see themselves and the world. carol mcintyre speculative business

My main question is writing about speculation and how it relates to fine art businesses, is: Could we not benefit from the business knowledge of other speculative businesses in being more effective in operating our businesses? Are there MBA’s out there who could share their expertise?

Examples of Speculative Businesses:

  • Oil companies are an example of a speculative company, since they are continuously committing a large number of assets to exploration projects. These companies often experience many failures before a project succeeds. However, should they find oil, potential returns are huge.
  • Building contractors who build spec homes. The home is built as an investment with the intention of being purchased upon its completion.

In definition #4 above, a speculative business can be analyzed and measured. I would like to learn how that could be done for my art business.

Let’s extend an invitation to owners of speculative businesses to offer their valuable experiences to artists. How could we artists connect with these people?

Are we gold diggers? Perhaps at some level we are. I believe that our work is worth the risk and brings great value to the world.speculative business

Do you not think these business experts could be of assistance? I would love to hear your thoughts and input.

Please share and comment. Thank you!

Filed Under: Inner Artistic Journeys Tagged With: an artist's musings, art marketing, Colorado artist

When Sally Met Harry Was it Scary? | Going Public With Your Artwork

August 29, 2013 By Carol McIntyre

Do you remember the first time you exhibited your artwork? Remember what it felt like when you delivered your precious painting/sculpture/pot? Or walked into a show to see your work amongst others? Did you feel like you were exposing yourself?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

“No Time for Idle Hands” show at the University of Nebraska

 

Preparing for or dealing with the anxiety of seeing your work in public is different for everyone. Some of us are nervous and want to avoid the situation all together. Whereas others are looking forward to the engaging with art patrons and fellow artists.

Perhaps your first time was in a gallery, an exhibition venue, your studio or with other artists in an art fair. We all have those memories. Please share them in the comment box.

When I prep myself before a show, [Read more…]

Filed Under: Inner Artistic Journeys Tagged With: abstract painting fused with realism, art marketing, Colorado artist, Creative Process, Painting Process

It’s Easy to Show Your Paintings on a Wall! A Digital Approach

April 4, 2013 By Carol McIntyre

How can artists assist collectors and potential buyers in purchasing our paintings?

show your paintings on a wall

Art marketing gurus offer us many options about how to sell our work and, of course, several do work, but I want to help buyers with a more realistic visual tool. I want to inspire their imagination to envision one of my paintings in their home or office. I thought it would be intriguing to display my work in various interiors so that they could ‘see’ a painting on their wall. Some people call this putting your art ‘in situ.”

How was I going to do this in our digital world? In the ol’ days, people saw paintings on gallery walls and that made the visual transition easier. I wanted to create a separate page on my website similar to one I now have. View here to see my current in situ page.

My first attempts involved taking photographs of paintings in our home and friend’s homes. This seemed okay for awhile, but I found it unsatisfactory and I was not receiving the response I was hoping for from my website visitors.

To no avail, I had even asked owners of my paintings to take photographs of my paintings in their homes/offices.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Art Material & Painting Tips Tagged With: abstract artwork, abstract painting fused with realism, art marketing, Colorado artist, Paintings on a wall

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