Openings Necessary Evil?

The opening for the Square Foot Show at the Westland Gallery is tomorrow, Wednesday at 7:00pm.

It's one of those common knowledge things, that is  touted as being a truth, in the fine arts business; you have to attend openings to advance your art career. The assumption being that it's all about building a brand and having the 'right people' get to know you.

Is there any truth in that?

At most of the openings I've attended 70% of the crowd are artists, the rest are family, friends, and a few serious art patrons.
The artists talk to each other or their family/friends, the patrons talk to the gallery staff. Occasionally an artist and patron are introduced, but that is not the norm, at lest not at the openings I've attended. People like me hide in a corner and leave as soon as they decently can.

I hate crowds.
Even when I know some or most of the people in the room I feel like snakes are crawling under my skin in a crowded room, and the older I get, the worse it gets. If I have to go to an event I make sure I have a job to do, for example I'll volunteer to serve the refreshments. Being able to focus on a task makes it easier to ignore my discomfort, but it never goes away.
It's the reason I won't go to a mall, and I find every excuse possible to get out of social engagements including...openings.

 This is not a poor me moment intended to elicit a 'there-there' response. The confession is because I think that many artists are to varying degrees in the same boat.

So I ask, is it true, how important is it to attend these things?

Lets get a conversation going, I really want to know what you think.

Priorities

The weekends I have my grand kids I often don't get to post, they take priority. We wore them out yesterday and they're still sleeping so I have a few minutes to spend with you.
A close friend recently posted on her facebook wall that she would no longer be sharing all of the 'scare posts' about the apocalypse of the day. Instead she was picking one cause, it didn't mean that she didn't care about the others, just that she was setting her priorities.
A common theme in art business advice columns is to find a style and subject matter and stick to it, make it your priority. Multi arting, like multi tasking, doesn't work for most of us, according to the 'experts'.
Priorities.
What a loaded word.
For the last 15 or so years I've had the thread of an environmental message running through my work. My focus has shifted and become less specific, currently habitat loss is my inspiration .
I think with maturity I've realised that one priority can be applied to all of the things that concern me, it doesn't mean I'm less dedicated, I've just distilled my focus to the one common link that all of my concerns share.
What about you, do you have one over riding priority that motivates your behaviour?
Set aside some time this summer to think about the things/people/causes that mean the most to you, define your concerns, hone your focus.
How do you express it?
What actions are you able to take, small things do count.
If you pick up a few pieces of garbage every time you go for a walk, if you inspire someone else  to do the same. and they inspire someone.... it does't take much to start a grass roots movement.
As long as at lest one person makes it a priority.  

Just Down The Road #6, Helkmara Line, Glazed Acrylic, 12x12, Robin Baratta, $180.00 contact for info

The Lorax, one of my favourite books, by one of my favourite Authors, the very wise Dr. Suess 

The How's and Whys of Buying Art According to Chatalaine

In my last post I talked about Big Box store art, vs 'real art', who buys what and for what reason.
Interestingly, right after I wrote that I read this article in Chatelaine and it's second part.
The best advise the articles give is very simple.
 Buy art because you love it.

These two paintings are on their way to the Westland Square Foot Show.

Nature's Still Life, glazed acrylic, Robin Baratta, 12x12, $180.00

The Chutes, glazed acrylic, Robin Baratta, 12x12, $180.00

And this one too, assuming it gets done on time!!!

work in progress: the initial sketch, tentatively called Just Down The Road #3