Baren Digest            Wednesday, 12 December 2001    Volume 17 : Number 1650


----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniel Dew <ddew@tampabay.rr.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 08:18:20 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16445] Re: technical question - snow 


> Ray wrote:
> 

>> Has anyone experimented with hammering away with a stiff
>> wire brush or some similar instrument?  Do those punched holes swell up
>> too much when printed with waterbased inks?  Thanks for any suggestions.

Dave replied:


> A sheet of heavy-grade sandpaper placed face down on the wood and then
> bashed with a hammer (or perhaps rolled through a press?) might give a
> pretty good snowstorm!
> 


Depends also on whether you are attempting Hanga or western style (i.e.
brayer).  I have used the sandpaper method western style with great success
(just don't accidentally hit the hammer where you don't want it, I did, what
a mess).
I wanted the look of real bricks in this one, so I used the sandpaper and
other instruments.
http://www.dandew.com/proverbs6_9.htm
For a more uniform look, use an awl and a ruler to create dashes _ _ _ _ _ ,
mixing them up a bit though of course....


Daniel L. Dew
http://www.dandew.com/
ddew@tampabay.rr.com

> 



------------------------------

From: "April Vollmer" <april@aprilvollmer.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 09:21:56 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16446] RE: Baren Digest V17 #1648

I wrote to the Sheffields about clicking the "send unformatted text" button
in their e-mail program.

Each program is different, but most have this option. Thank you all for
paying attention to this, it makes a big difference.

Thanks!

April


------------------------------

From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 23:18:16 +0900
Subject: [Baren 16447] Process photos ... 

Earlier this year, I posted an on-line series of images showing the 
step-by-step printing sequence of one of my prints.  This month's print 
is (I think) particularly interesting and suited to such a series of 
images, so I'm doing it again this time.

The process has started, and will continue for around a week or so I 
guess.

Here's the page:
http://woodblock.com/surimono/process/4

Dave

P.S. And good luck with the contest!


------------------------------

From: Graham <gscholes@shaw.ca>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 07:39:37 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16448] Re: technical question - snow 


>I am planning to do a snow scene with a gabillion snowflakes nearly
>obliterating the landscape.  I will be using cherry rather than the
>shina plywood.  Has anyone experimented with hammering away with a stiff
>wire brush or some similar instrument?  Do those punched holes swell up
>too much when printed with waterbased inks?  Thanks for any suggestions.
>
>Ray Hudson


A gabillion snowflakes you say......
White paper comes to mind ... thus the end of your problem.

You will have to experiment with this.  So much will depend on the
consistency of the paste/pigment mix.  You will also have to experiment with
the texture instrument as well.

Graham

PS
For 5000 bucks I will tell you exactly how to handle this..... as a matter
of fact, I will come direct to your studio and show you.  (<:

------------------------------

From: Mike Lyon <mikelyon@mlyon.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 10:14:44 -0600
Subject: [Baren 16449] Re: Baren Digest V17 #1649 

At 10:00 PM 12/11/2001 +0900, you wrote:

>From: "bemason" <bemason@concentric.net>
>Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 16:25:25 -0800
>Subject: [Baren 16437] selling art
>
>Hi all,
>Warning, long windy post to follow:
>If you really want to sell artwork, you have to think of it as a product and
>divorce yourself from the emotional attachment we all have to our work. 
>You <...>


Very well put, Barbara!  Thank you!

Mike Lyon
mailto:mikelyon@mlyon.com
http://www.mlyon.com 


------------------------------


From: Bobbi Chukran <bobbi.chukran@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 10:25:50 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16450] wa Baren Digest V17 #1648 now selling work 

Hi Sharri,


>One of the best ways to meet your public and other printmakers & artists in
>general is to have an Open Studio sale. Advertise everyplace you can think
>of, send personal invitations to anyone you can think of - send to all the
>gallery owners in your area.>


The problem with that is that I live out in the sticks!  I don't think
gallery owners from Austin (which is the closest large town and about 28
miles away) will come out here for an Open Studio.  I had thought about
having one for my neighbors, most of which are professionals--thing is,
they all buy their art at Pier I <g>.


>About the education in the art of business - there are some things you must
>do for yourself, rather than blaming the art programs. >>


I'm not blaming them, really.  I just think the professors were wrong in
discouraging us from selling.  All the marketing I know I've learned from
experience, and from books and articles.  My marketing library takes up
about four shelves--I've read all the books--that's the only way I learned
anything about marketing.


>For anyone who is hell-bent-for-'lection on selling their work - probably
>you should have been a potter. Functional work sells.  So, thinking along
>those lines, I have one friend who is a printmaker who has supported herself
>& a husband and father-in-law and put two daughters thru college, for many
>years on her work alone. >


LOL.  I've been a fabric artist, and around here, there are too many people
trying to do some of the same stuff, and undercutting prices.  It just
doesn't work around here.

 She does all the best shows around the country and

>sells fabric goods that have been block printed.>>


Well, that's one of my problems.  I can't travel around the country doing
shows.  I've done huge shows, and it never paid off for me.  I know people
who are making good livings with their websites, and I've chosen to put my
energies into that.

<<

>Her garments are in such demand now that she finally has time and the luxury
>to even do some fine art now and then.>>


It's wonderful that she was able to do that.  But I've already been there;
now it's time for me to try something new.  I'm not being pessimistic;
believe me, my attitude is based on twenty plus years of good old
experience.


>Okay - message long enuf - get back to printing  :>),


Thanks, Sharri!  Back to printing for me, too.

Bobbi C.



------------------------------

From: "Elizabeth B. Atwood" <elizuno@midcoast.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 11:35:00 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16451] Correction 

Bareners........
My post about "garbage" in the digest form which I receive has to do with
the computer generated stuff that muddies it up.
Gayle made reference to the method of eliminating it. I have a Mac and
don't use HTML so do not know those answers.

I find any subject that relates to what we do worthy of my attention. But
keep it clean!........ElizA



------------------------------

From: Sunnffunn@aol.com
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 13:05:28 EST
Subject: [Baren 16452] Re: Baren Digest V17 #1648 

Please continue including items about marketing.  It is wonderful to produce 
art for the love of it but even better to have it at least pay its own way.  
If everything I make in the art world sits in a drawer and is not seen, 
shared, given away or purchased than why create it?  As for craft, yes I 
think printmaking is more technical than painting.  I have a degree in 
painting and there are many who say , " I paint", and they do indeed.  They 
have gone to a local craft store and painted a picture off of a calendar, 
they were shown "how to" by some "teacher" whose credentials are a how to 
method, not a way to put out what comes from your heart.  
Certainly I will take Grahams workshop to learn method, but the art comes 
from my heart and my life and my observation, not from a calendar picture.  
So all art has craft and method, we need to teach the public that art is not 
just the picture of a mountain or an Indian or a Kinkaid scene, but rather a 
reflection of heart, mind and soul as well as a reflection of the society we 
live in.  It is not just about the hand pulled print but rather about the 
original content and creative processes.  So perhaps if we do market copies 
of our work at least they are copies of original work and not copies of 
copies.
I get the digest and I get annoyed as well.  Often it is not the contents of 
the messages put the fact that they are repeated and some times repeated in 
several different forms.  I know I solved the problem on my new server at the 
coast but please let me know if my messages come in repeated and with a long 
list of stuff, I for one would like to correct it all so Baren is easier to 
read.
Thanks
Mariilynn

------------------------------

From: barebonesart <barebonesart@attbi.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 10:46:19 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16453] Re: Baren Digest V17 #1649 

Ray,
Carving is by far the best method for those snowflakes, however, having said
that, I have used a hole punch - the kind of thing carpenters use to mark
where they want a screw to go. It puts a pretty deep hole in the wood and
has worked very well for me on both wood and metal.  Good luck!

Sharri



------------------------------

From: "Maria Arango" <maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 13:27:57 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16454] art vs other stuff 

A couple of people have now mentioned that pottery or copies sell better
than art. Sometimes at these festivals I wanted to make jewlry out of my
prints, those folks sell constantly.
But it all came down to something David Bull said a long time ago in another
context, which makes me say to myself:
"I am a printmaking artist, I make prints."
If I wanted to sell stuff for a living, I would make stuff that sells
better. I don't want to sell stuff for a living, I want to make art and have
found that it is perfectly possible to make art and make a living as well.
There is a huge difference.

Re: galleries, you gotta love them, don't you? What other business gets
their entire inventory for free, packaged to their specifications? What
other business has the potential, as many do, to charge their suppliers for
space without any obligation to deliver an income? What other business preys
on their suppliers with offers of reproductions, framing, publications, and
other "services"? Gotta lov'em!
How many galleries are left that purchase outright?

Re: Web only sales while you eat popcorn and watch soap operas...not a
chance. Web sales after you trod half the surrounding states making yourself
known to the public...you betcha! But still only about 15% of my income
comes from the web and usually from previous customers that just couldn't
get out to the festivals, or someone that saw my work somewhere and
preferred the artist-direct communication. A web site is a portfolio/catalog
which will serve you well when people are trying to find you and to show all
your work. An agent, a wholesaler, three galleries and an invitation-only
festival found me through the web. All have resulted in income.

Re: Staying close to home for festivals and galleries, I would say unless
you live in one of our premiere art friendly states you need to get out. NY
and Florida come to mind immediately, both conveniently located across the
country from yours truly. Which doesn't deter me any  [;-)] If I can find art
venues in Las Vegas, there are art venues anywhere. Texas is a big state.

I, for one, don't think that it is the job of academia to teach how-to-do
life, so I disagree that we should learn this stuff in Universities. I just
don't think it is the place of academia to baby-sit art students into
productive businesses. You learn the basics in school, you suck all the
knowledge off the brilliant minds there, you learn history, self-critique,
the value of doing things over again, the subtleties that distinguish better
art from good art, the hard lessons of learning and of failing, the fact
that you never know if you are good enough or ever will be...if all that
doesn't prepare you for the world then you missed the point.

I highly recommend, like Barbara, some books on art marketing. And stay away
from formula based, ten steps to getting your art sold type of stuff. Study
the many ways of marketing art and then choose your path. There are many.
How to become a successful artist takes so much blasted work that it is
impossible for someone else to give you the know-how and the self-motivation
to set off. There isn't a tried-and-true path, there is only a tough
self-guided tour with no signs to indicate the right way and, hopefully, no
end in sight.

The best advice that sticks in my mind after reading about a dozen art
marketing books was given by a painter: "paint them, pack them and peddle
them." Translated to the printmaking world: "print them, pack them and
peddle them."

Maria

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Maria Arango
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
maria@mariarango.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>


------------------------------

From: ArtfulCarol@aol.com
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 21:29:38 EST
Subject: [Baren 16455] New Woodcuts 

These are new woodcuts which are on exhibit at the Westchester Jewish Center, 
Mamaroneck, NY through mid-March and will travel thereafter.

During a local TV interview about the exhibit I was able to talk about 
"Baren" The interviewer showed much interest.   I hope the complete interview 
will be aired.

Size;   14"x9"
Water based ink
Shina
Hand printed-Baren
Paper- Johannot
 <A HREF="http://www.rst-art.com/carolnewart.htm">New Art-woodcuts</A> Carol Lyons
Irnington, NY



------------------------------

From: Bobbi Chukran <bobbi.chukran@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 21:11:27 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16456] Re: Baren Digest V17 #1646 

Marilynn wrote:

>I have gone through some stuff here and wondered aloud to a friend who is
>supporting himself with his art.  He flat told me never sell an original if
>you can help it.  He thinks of the hand pulled print in the same category as
>all other copy mediums, here we had an argument for sure.  >


I'll bet!  <G> I see what he means, though.  It's like writing a
book....you write it once, and then sell copies, and you keep the
copyright.  But that's because in that, there's no value in selling the
original; with art, there is.


>He told me how to put my work into card form and some marketing strategies.
>He said i already had the start to make a living I just had to do it and that
>do it is through copies, like the giclee or even the copy machines or my own
>printer. >


Well, it depends on what you want to do--what your goals are.  I see
nothing wrong with doing cards, and might do some of my own.  But they
won't be hand-pulled.  You have to differentiate between the originals and
the copies, whatever they are.


>So I came away feeling either i sell  and market like this or I get a job
>doing something else.>>


I thought that too, and then realized--what else will I do?  Work at the
Taco Bell down the street?  Don't theenk so....


>I think I will do the saturday market this summer and listen to the public
>and learn more.  Maria is silent here and she markets well!!!


Yes, she does.  I'm watching that Maria like a hawk....LOL

Bobbi C.



------------------------------

From: "bemason" <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 19:18:37 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16457] Re: New Woodcuts 

Try this for Carol's work...very thoughtful work Carol, I'll bet it gets a
lot of attention.
Good Job.
Barbara

http://www.rst-art.com/carolnewart.htm

> Carol Lyons
> Irnington, NY
>



------------------------------

From: Bobbi Chukran <bobbi.chukran@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 22:10:26 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16459] Re: New Woodcuts 


>These are new woodcuts which are on exhibit at the Westchester Jewish Center,
>Mamaroneck, NY through mid-March and will travel thereafter.
>


Those are really nice, Carol.  I like the way you incorporated the "text"
(not sure what to call it?) and the borders.  Very simple, but elegant.

Bobbi C.


------------------------------

From: Bobbi Chukran <bobbi.chukran@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 22:14:00 -0500
Subject: [Baren 16460] Pricing question 

Hi guys,

Now that I've opened the marketing "can of worms", I figured I'd go to the
next step and ask about pricing!  LOL

I have two finished prints here, lino-cuts, that are 5x7", hand-pulled and
hand painted on heavy archival watercolor paper.  They are matted to
8x10.....I'll probably limit them to less than 100 each...

They are the same images I used on several of my collages, the pear and the
rosemary pot:

http://www.BobbiChukran.com/newwork2.html
See Pear Monoprint Collage Two at the bottom left for best example of these.

I'd love some general ideas on how to price these....given that I'm a
beginner and all.

Thanks so much!

Bobbi C.


------------------------------

From: "bemason" <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 22:30:19 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16461] Re: Pricing question 

Bobbie,
What do you sell the collages for? Price the prints at half that price as
multiples sell for less until you get famous. Or say to yourself, what is
the absolute least I could sell a piece of work for???double this price as a
gallery will take half and there is your price. Add the cost of the frame.
This is not very scientifiic, but it is what I did when I started and
gradually raised the prices. I still sell them pretty reasonably as I would
rather sell them than stack them up under the bed. Others probably have
their own way of figuring this out. I really like the collages!
Barbara


> http://www.BobbiChukran.com/newwork2.html
> See Pear Monoprint Collage Two at the bottom left for best example of

these.

> I'd love some general ideas on how to price these....given that I'm a
> beginner and all.
> Bobbi C.


------------------------------

From: Graham <gscholes@shaw.ca>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 23:23:00 -0800
Subject: [Baren 16462] Promotion 
Bobbi C wrote.....

>Well, that's one of my problems.  I can't travel around the country doing
>shows.  I've done huge shows, and it never paid off for me.  I know people
>who are making good livings with their websites, and I've chosen to put my
>energies into that.


It is OK to put some of your energies into the websites.... but be 
careful the amount of money you spend. You'll note I did not say 
invest....  I have stated my position about web sales for fine art 
and noted there was no comment. So be it.  My site 
http://members.home.net/gscholes/ stated right from the beginning ... 
PORTFOLIO ... and that is the long and the short of it.

As I see it I have everything in my favour with regard to sales.... 
experience, age, images that have been accept by curators, age, 
images now considered to be a worthy contribution to the Canadian art 
history, age.... and yet I do not get sales from the web.  Books they 
buy, art they don't. Nobody on this list has indicated any worthwhile 
(livable income) from sales through their site....so caution is 
advised.... again.

My father-in-law, a professional, had an expression...
"Charge for your advise and they will damn well listen"  !!!!  (<:

I have preferred to be a slow plodder and maintain consistency in my 
approach to P.R.  Let me suggest my approach to the age old problem 
of marketing if you chose not to hire an agent to handle your 
affairs.... which to me has to be the best of the worst methods.... 
Oh, by the way Maria, you darted the Galleries... and rightly so.... 
You forgot to mention the gallery that wants your work and will only 
accept it unframed.   They frame it and when you want it back ... 
guess what .... you have to pay for their framing.   Don't get sucked 
in. Have a contract that states clearly you will not buy frames.  You 
won't have to open the door on the way out .... they will open for 
you.

On a regular basis have your studio/home exhibitions. Or rent high 
end conference rooms in Hotels or convention centre or where ever. I 
endeavoured to do this twice a year for at least 20 years in 
Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria. and gradually built a data 
base of names of 2500 people broken down into prospects and 
customers. I always produced coloured invitations mailed to 
individuals. Now days no big deal. 20 years ago we spent $2000.00 to 
$3000.00 for them.

How do you announce the show when you don't have a data base of 
names.   Here is the most effective method I found.

Make up a 4 x 5 white card stock with copy in a formal font, 
something that exudes confidence and prestige. It's the kind you may 
expect to see for an announcement of a profession person such as a 
Dr, Lawyer, Dentist, etc. Set out the particulars about your upcoming 
exhibition.... do not call it a show.... unless you are a performer.

Drive around the different district of your city and pick the middle 
to high end areas.  Go directly to the post office....(do not collect 
200 bucks) ... sorry I digress.... and see what postal code these 
area fall into.  Check with the authorities and ask what it cost to 
mail out a single card (check that the standard card size recommended 
by the post office)... (no envelope and no addresses to be written), 
to all the address within those postal codes.  This the most 
inexpensive method of mailing announcements which have a very 
professional touch.

You then bundle the number of cards for the given postal area, (pick 
three or four) and the post office will deliver them to every 
household.  Each time we did this we sent out 5000+ cards and the 
return was about 3%. Make sure you have a guest book for the attendee 
to write in the address information. Do this three times at least and 
before you know it you will have a data base for very little spent 
energy and a most reasonable cost that will choke a gallery owner.

Eventually you will resort to the conventional (you need to represent 
your best piece) invitations using your data base mailing list. I 
have found this beats packing all the stuff up going to mall or 
where-ever fairs/shows, which I personal find not at all 
professional. I recognize that there are high end shows i.e. Victoria 
Art Gallery has a street exhibition by invitation which I can muster 
up enough energy to attend. It draws 30,000 bods.   Do we sell there? 
Yes, if you consider one or two small pieces sales. We get about 30 
people, by having a little sign stating... "If you wish to have an 
invitation to Graham's next exhibition please sign the guest book". 
How many show up at the next exhibition.... maybe 1%.  Go figure.

Now having said all this sometimes the exposure at these places can 
be beneficial providing you have the energy, patience, and gift of 
the gab to flog your own work.  I spend 20 years in the 
sales/marketing field and know all the tricks, BUT, I am not 
comfortable flogging my own stuff. Different strokes for different 
folks.

The secret to this whole procedure is consistency and building buyer 
confidence.
Keep putting your name in front of them and they will come.

Regards

Graham/Sidney BC
An Island in the Pacific
Home of the Boot Camp

------------------------------

End of Baren Digest V17 #1650