An Artist's Journal: Tweedy Sketch Link
Copyright:JeMs2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Seeker
I sketched this from a post card donkeys ago. One of those sketches that sits in my drawing files for ages until a pique of inspiration hits me to actually paint it. The pique this time is a guy from Canada who runs by the yahoo id of Soulstealer. He is a man of honour just like my warrior here so the painting is dedicated to him.
It is my first work on canvas paper and I have to say probably my last too as I found it incredible unkind to the paint. Its worked in watercolour shades of burnt siena, mixed with a little gum arabic due to the canvas.
Copyright:JeMs2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Pirates Cove
The Inspiration
gem sent me this picture months ago and I just love it and wanted to work something similar.
The Sketch
The sketch came direct from the picture but I wanted it less busy and more tranquil so only put one ship in when it came to the sketch for the painting.
The Painting
I have learnt a new technique for making a water wash so decide Pirate's cove was the perfect picture to try it out on and I have to say I love the result. Thanks Frank Clark.
copyright:JeMs2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Waya Watching
The Inspiration
This lovely painting of a wolf is one of many prints I have of Wolves.
The Sketch
My first attempt at drawing a wolf
The Painting
I adore wolves and this is my first attempt at creating a painting of one thus combining two of my passions. Happy with the body face is sooooo wrong!!!
Artists Beware
Lately I've noticed a lot of "consultants" and "promotion" people trying to make a buck off a new wave of artists and galleries that do what is called pay-to-play. Some are even galleries that say they are looking for new artists, and then come back and say, "we love your work, the annual fee if you want to show here is $" and so forth.
It has really been bothering me lately, as I did my time at a very old blue chip art gallery in Los Angeles, and at a non-profit space. My best friend works for the Art Dealers Association, and I've been around enough to know that all of this isn't good. If anything, I'm noticing these sharks circle around inexperienced artists and gallerists more and more to the point where it is starting to resemble the music industry in the way people take advantage of talent to make a buck.
Anyways, I just want to state: Never pay-to-play. Ever. Sure you'll get guilted into it, they'll tell you their time is valuable or that running a gallery costs money etc. etc. But if they truly like your work, they will not charge you to show it and take a % on top of it. It also makes you look unprofessional and you get labeled as "that person" that has to pay in order to have a show. Agora Gallery is a notorious pay-to-play space that wants artists to front $2,000 for showing with them. That's insane. And critics and dealers KNOW it is a pay-to-play space, hence they don't take any of the artists seriously. Running a gallery is a wealthy persons business, it always has been, even the best galleries lose money on shows or spend it unwisely and take a loss at times. And if they don't want to take the risk on you to just hang stuff on a wall, then it is obvious they are just out to take your money. PR people, same thing, anything they can do you can do. With the internet it is easy, and press contacts are not hard to find. You don't need to pay someone to write a bio for you, believe me. To be honest, the money you would spend giving it to these "consultants" and galleries is money you could spend renting out your own space, printing your own materials, and taking out your own ads. Don't entrust someone else with you money when there is no way to measure the results.
Anyways, here's a few recent examples of what I'm talking about:
"FOR AS LITTLE AS $60.00 , "blank" will write an impactful and personalized, informative and stimulating - 3 part , artist biography, statement and press release- which also includes release to all of "blank"'s personal press contacts.
Experienced consultation and career strategies , along with full representation are also available through the ART SURVIVAL SEMINAR Myspace page. "blank", is also a well known artist representative, Art Survival Seminar speaker and innovative artist media relations expert, is now offering a multi-tiered PR service for both the internationally renown , as well as emerging artist too. From artist biographies to full blown press releases and promotion strategies to help facilitate both media coverage and gallery interest.
Giving you a fighting chance to promote your work."
IMPACTFUL is not a word! Sheesh. Here's someone I asked about a group show, nowhere on this person's site do they state they are a consultant or that you have to pay to be in the shows, unless you are ALREADY somewhat famous. Then there's no charge, because, you know, if you are already famous they will only gain from it...
"Thanks for the interest. I want to help everyone who's work I think is good, but these days so many artists have contacted me making it impossible to help them all. So...what I am offering is more of a consulting service. For a flat fee of $500, I help you put together your portfolio and submit it to several galleries who show your type of work. Depending on the gallery we may switch things around a bit and create a presentation specific for each gallery. I also offer to put you in at least one group exhibition, that I curate, no later than one year from the date we sign our agreement. Along with that I will help you to land other exhibitions which are curated by other galleries. Also, you sit down and write out any and all questions you have about the marketplace, the artists, the galleries and anything else, and I answer all your questions to the best of my knowledge. Lastly, I create a "realistic" mini-business plan for you, specific to what you want to do with your artwork and where you want to be in your career. The fee of $500 is just a sign that you respect my position as an art professional who can help you and you understand that my time has value. I promise that $500 for all this is not much, and I am not getting rich (nor am I trying). I am just trying to find a way to weed out those less serious and help those who I believe have a real chance at success. If you have any interest in this, let me know. Thanks again for the interest and take care. "
I know how to make my portfolio specific to each gallery. Go to their website or go see what's hanging on the wall. Gee, what a mystery eh? Do you know how many galleries pick up artists just based off a MySpace these days? Sheesh.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Audrey
The Inspiration
The Sketch
The Painting
Audrey Hepburn has been a iconic Diva of mine for at least 30 years and it is always a pleasure to spend time with her as I try and fail to capture her beauty. One day I’ll get it right until then it is pure pleasure to paint her.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Imprisoned
The Sketch
I suffer from bipolar and when its bad I feel like a prisoner within me. I sketched this during my most recent episode triggered by a big kick from post traumatic stress disorder. I have put off painting it but maybe doing that will give me a little closure.
The Painting
Imprisoned is a bit self reflective and I seem to be doing a lot of that right now. That's not really a bad thing as I believe we all need to do a bit self spring cleaning occasionally to be able to survive this world.
Copyright:JeMs2007
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