Tonight, my first solo exhibition. Granted it is at a chiche beer and pizza joint, but it is a nice establishment. When I drove by there 2 days ago at 3 in the afternoon the place was packed! That is good news! Anyway, back to tonight. I am excited and nervous. But it should be fun. My daughter wanted to go and she stayed in town with me and a friend of hers is going this evening too.
I am not sure what I am supposed to do or say or how I am supposed to act so I shall just wing it and be myself. I wish I have been to someone elses opening so I know what to expect or do, but I have never been to one. So...maybe I will be a breath of fresh air and break all the rules, which will either offend or inspire. I suppose it really doesn't matter, although I am finding that our city has a rather fickle Artist Group, with all the politics and powerplays of Peyton Place! ha ha! But that's okay, it makes life interesting.
I was so worried about having enough pieces to put up in the gallery and it turned out that I not only had enough pieces, but I had 8 pieces left over to put up in a gallery at an office complex that requested me to put up work and the chamber of commerce is meeting there next week, so that should be good exposure!
Now if I could just sell a bunch of them. I truly have that tragic starving artist thing going on and frankly I am tired of it! In the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the author describes how being broke was good for him because it made him use his brain as to how he could make money, I am working on that. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing....being an artist means marketing your work yourself, because you are your own best promoter. I am going to go to the library and get a book on marketing yourself.
I also may have found a scholarship for a new camera since I mine died, and I don't have the money to get a new one. I have felt very bereft the last 3 weeks without my camera working.
Another bit of good news....I thought I was working for my BA in Computer Art and Design and discovered (in my Senior year) that I am actually getting my B.F.A in computer art and design. It carries a little more weight.
I have also decided to get my M.F.A and it seems the only place nearby is in Bowling Green Ohio.....sigh.....I can't find any place online.
I need to come up with $30 for the application fee (cheaper than IUPUI) which was $100! I am hoping that I can do it part time, and possibly do some of the classes here and transfer the credits over. We shall see.
I do have to take a GRE test, which I have test anxiety so I am not real thrilled with that prospect but there is an online practice test you can take. Someone told me that an M.F.A. is the equivalent of a doctrate in the arts field and is considered the end. I am not sure I would want to do a PHD....although it would be fun....Dr. Lisa hmmmm nice ring to it! ha ha!
So more on the blog later about how tonight goes! Wish me luck!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Fast Approaching.....
My first solo show, it really hasn't sunk in until the last two days. Making preparations for an opening, has really made it a reality! I have designed Postcards to send out, pass out, and set out, everywhere so that people will either come to the opening or at least come see my work sometime during the duration of the show.
I think the postcards look pretty cool if I do say so myself. I will be ordering the prints the first of next week, I would rather have not waited that long but the company I get my prints from don't take the credit card that was given to me to use, so I had to have the money paypal'd to me and that takes a few days to get. I think it will all work out fine. I have frames for the 14 - 16x20 prints (I bought them at Hobby Lobby on sale a few months ago for $5 each. I had no idea why I bought so many, but I did and I am glad I did). I have 4 large prints framed, and 3 large prints that need matted and mounted. A seasoned artist that I really admire suggested putting a piece of glass on front and attaching it to the matte and mount with mirror mounts! I hadn't thought of that but it sounds like a good idea and it will cut down on cost.
It helps as an artist and not having much money, to have friends that believe in you enough to invest in your artistic endeavor to get your work out and have people purchase it. I don't know what I would do without my friends that are helping me get this show off the ground. If I sell one print I will be able to pay them back. I am hoping to sell quite a few more than one.
I must admit I have a bad case of butterflies. I have never been very good at hostessing, and my one friend said I should at least have a bowl of grapes and some 7-up or something basic to serve those that come to see the opening.
As I am writing this it has dawned on me that it might be a good idea to send a postcard to everyone that I have made a Kscope of their place. The Parks Dept. for the Lakeside Garden piece, the Funeral home for their piece, it would be good advertisment. I just wish I could have all of those pieces printed and framed!! The ones that are printed anyway, I will invite those people. Maybe they would come to see it! Maybe they would buy it!
Marketing, it is all about Marketing and Networking.
More as the date grows closer. I am getting excited/anxious! My first solo show!
oh..Here is my postcard...
I think the postcards look pretty cool if I do say so myself. I will be ordering the prints the first of next week, I would rather have not waited that long but the company I get my prints from don't take the credit card that was given to me to use, so I had to have the money paypal'd to me and that takes a few days to get. I think it will all work out fine. I have frames for the 14 - 16x20 prints (I bought them at Hobby Lobby on sale a few months ago for $5 each. I had no idea why I bought so many, but I did and I am glad I did). I have 4 large prints framed, and 3 large prints that need matted and mounted. A seasoned artist that I really admire suggested putting a piece of glass on front and attaching it to the matte and mount with mirror mounts! I hadn't thought of that but it sounds like a good idea and it will cut down on cost.
It helps as an artist and not having much money, to have friends that believe in you enough to invest in your artistic endeavor to get your work out and have people purchase it. I don't know what I would do without my friends that are helping me get this show off the ground. If I sell one print I will be able to pay them back. I am hoping to sell quite a few more than one.
I must admit I have a bad case of butterflies. I have never been very good at hostessing, and my one friend said I should at least have a bowl of grapes and some 7-up or something basic to serve those that come to see the opening.
As I am writing this it has dawned on me that it might be a good idea to send a postcard to everyone that I have made a Kscope of their place. The Parks Dept. for the Lakeside Garden piece, the Funeral home for their piece, it would be good advertisment. I just wish I could have all of those pieces printed and framed!! The ones that are printed anyway, I will invite those people. Maybe they would come to see it! Maybe they would buy it!
Marketing, it is all about Marketing and Networking.
More as the date grows closer. I am getting excited/anxious! My first solo show!
oh..Here is my postcard...
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