Moving Right Along

Hello!  It's festival season, spring, and whatever else.  It all equals busy!  My first trip to Festival International was last weekend and I enjoyed it.  Many of the artists are the same that I've seen at Three Rivers Art Festival in Covington, but there were some other artists I had never seen before, too.  If only I had access to a screen printer....

My lease is up at Redoux, and I've decided to take my art down.  It's a neat shop, but as I heard an artist say today, "art isn't selling anywhere...it's the economy".  It's sad, yet true.  A new gallery near my work never seems to have any foot traffic either, and while Redoux does always have customers, I think my stuff just gets lost in there.  Next paycheck or so I'll get my business license taken care of so I can sell wherever - like the farmer's markets.

In the meantime, I'll just keep doing art for arts sake and not be overly concerned about making things to sell.  I'll get the sewing machine set up in the studio and start learning how to use it, continue making art for work (a comic strip, library decorations - National Library Week and now summer reading, & whatever else they ask for).  Maybe new ideas will work their way into my psyche during this downtime.

Justice Head in Lafayette - want it to be a tea mug

How Do I Get Ideas?

The simple answer to that question is: by looking at other art.  I get books from the library, attend gallery openings, look at Pinterest, magazines, and advertisements.  Nature always inspires me.  When I'm feeling really creative, can get ideas from supplies.  An example of that is a friend of mine offering me several sets of dice.  Do I have an idea yet?  Nope, but I'm confident I'll think of one.  It's a tricky conundrum, just taking things people offer, however, because storage is always an issue.  Another friend offered me about 200 wine bottles.  While I'm sure someone could think of something creative to do with them, I was not able to come up with anything, so I had to pass on them.  Am I limited to what I'll work with?  Sometimes.  There are things that I am much more comfortable with using, such as driftwood instead of plywood.  Last week was pretty busy, so I didn't have time to create much.  Hopefully, this week I'll be a little more productive in that realm ;)  

Spring for Art 2012 - I'm the left-most painter with the small audience

 

Growing Up?

It worked out swimmingly that I paid my rent for another month at Redoux because the gallery I had talked to said my stuff wasn't what they had in mind for their shop.  It wasn't a total rejection though.  They recommended - coincidentally, so have at least 3 other people in the same week - that I try the Mandeville Community Market at the Mandeville Trailhead because my stuff would do really well there.  I am totally down with that idea BUT on the application it says I have to remit taxes to the city.  That means I'm supposed to be an official licensed business.  I was always hoping to have sold more stuff before I applied for a license and all, but it is the only thing blocking me from expanding my vision with Cool Beans Art at this point in time. Luckily, I work right next door to the library's Business Resource Center, so I'm going to meet up with someone from SCORE soon to see what all I need to do, how much it costs, taxes, et al.  If everything happens for a reason, this certainly seems to be guiding me in the direction of opening my own store front (part of my bigger art business idea I mentioned here) sooner - like in the next couple of years - than later. 

Also, there will be an art event happening in May at Redoux - where I'm currently selling my upcycled art - so I will keep you all posted on that as soon as more information is available.  Cheers!

Letterpress drawer containing my insect collection and some craft supplies

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Finances have become more of an issue lately. Insomnia has been a constant companion as a result. This calls for a few decisions to be made in Cool Beans Art world. First, the Green Geeks website I purchased about a year ago will be cancelled. No need to have something laying around that I know I won't ever use. Note: instead please use my free website (that I need to update) here! 

Second, I have a month or so left at Redoux; however, I've only had one sale. There's more of a gallery type shop that's just opened that's even closer to where I work that offers a lot more advertising and face time with artists. I would have to consign there. They don't have the option of renting space, so my prices would be higher to cover the split, but the greater exposure seems worth it. For now, I'm sticking with my upcycled sculptures to display/sell. The great shop owners at Redoux said I can get my stuff anytime, or pay another months rent. I should hear from the other shop tomorrow letting me know whether or not they want my stuff. It's juried by the owners.

That's where things stand at the moment. If you're looking for something to do this weekend - and that's free - the Covington Wine Stroll and Jammin' on Julia are both happening Saturday night. Just choose which side of the lake you want to be on. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

Playing with Pixlr Express - repainted trivets in my kitchen