Who's Calling Whom a Professional?

 I received a 'call for artists' this week that said it was for artists of all levels, and it asked the artists to categorize themselves as student, emerging or professionals.

It gave definitions, which were similar to the ones from CARFAC which for a professional are: 

• 1-earns a living through art making;
• I earn much of my living from teaching and selling art, but I could not support myself with it, in any style to which I could get accustomed to. 
• 2-or possesses a diploma in an area considered to be within the domain of the fine arts;
• I have very little formal fine art training from a place of 'higher learning', just lots of classes, and experience. 
• 3-or teaches art in a school of art or applied art;
• I teach (and have an Artist Educators certificate), but not in an 'Art School', applied or otherwise.
• 4-or whose work is often seen by the public or is frequently or regularly exhibited;
• I do exhibit, and my work is definitely seen by the public.
• 5-or is recognized as an artist by consensus of opinion among professional artists.
• The last criteria is tricky, frankly I've never asked the art community for a consensus of their opinion, and I couldn't ask most of my art friends, since they are in the same position I'm in, I'd have to find 'professionals' to ask!
• By this definition I will never be a professional artist. Yet in spite of all of this I do consider myself to be one because;

I get paid for what I do. 

I continually try to better myself, and to learn as much as I can about art, and the business of art. 

I'm very active in the art community, some times too active, when it interferes with the making of art!

I keep regular studio hours, inspiration comes from the work, not work from the inspiration. 

I actively market my work on Facebook, Instagram, mail chimp, and my blog etc

I have a business license, a business bank account, and pay business taxes. 

Most importantly I THINK I am a professional, although this made my imposter syndrome kick in briefly lol. 

Really, isn't it where you are in your heart, head and effort that should matter? 

I'm sure the organizers of the show were trying to keep the competition fair for all levels, but I resist being labeled. 

What do you think?

Work in progress

First step for a commissioned work. 

• 
  

Robin

Artist, teacher 

Sail installation element, done-maybe

I think it's done, except for the top coat, which I have to wait a bit to apply.

Yes the unevenness of the sky is deliberate. My process is dependent on many layers of thin glaze applied over textured layers, I decided right off the bat to use the unstretched  nature of the canvas to my advantage and prep'ed  the sky area with BIN123 to give it a Yupo like tendency. 

I have to thank one of my South Carolina friends, Diane Garry for the use of a photo she took and shared with me. Once the installation is complete I'll post another picture of the whole thing.

The individual sails will be for sale after the event at the Art Emporium 177 Main St Port Stanley. 

Day three: sail installation element

The water especially needs more work, but we're getting there. I have to research out door top coats, anyone have any suggestions?

Day two, sail installation element

This is the start of the second day I've had to work on my contribution to the installation piece for Port Stanley. The finished sail will be one of nine mounted on a frame in The park near the bridge in Port. At lest that's the plan as I've heard it, village council could place it elsewhere.

Because of the size, 63x38x74, I'm working on the dining room table, don't worry, it's an art veteran!

Looking for inspiration

Oh the things we artists get ourselves into.

9 area artists, myself included have been asked to paint 'sails' for an art installation to be ready for Port Stanley's Harbourfest, and the Soiling International Regatta. Three weeks away. 

It seems everyone is doing nautical themes, not as a requirment, but because it's a natural...

I'd rather not, but nothing is coming to me. 

Dear muse help me please!!!

St Thomas Elgin Artists' Guild Show 2010

The opening last night was huge, it was great to see to see so many out for the show. We had wonderful music with vocals by Cara Lee and Jon Jeffery who also plays guitar, beverages from Timmies, and treats supplied by Perfect Bakery (116 Hamilton Rd London-519-432-7931), and of course some of the most fabulous art, by some of this areas best artists.

The show continues Saturday Nov 13, 12-9, and Sunday Nov 14, 12-4.

Let the Christmas shopping ensue!

Mary Louise White is opening tonight (Nov 13) at STEPAC. Mary Louis is not only one of the best artists in North America, but also one of the kindest souls I have every met. When I was just starting to get serious about my art she sat down with me and gave me lots of wonderful advise, that has made important an impact on my art practice.

Speaking of my art practice, I've been working diligently at my commissions list, if you were thinking of having a commissioned piece done for Christmas, I only have a few spots left, so don't delay! Ditto for pARTy bookings!!

gallery news & new newsletter in the works

The gallery set up is getting close to completion. Our doors should be open for our 'soft opening' on Nov 17th, with our grand opening Dec 10th. This gives us some time to work any bugs out, and make sure that the set up flows. This is SOOOOO exciting/terrifying!
We will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Art Gallery of Lambeth is at 2454 Main St in Lambeth Ontario. We are 9 area artists, and as well as our own work we will have associate artists work on display, and a gift shop of locally made treasures.
Our gallery will have a community focus and so we will offer workshops for both adult and young learners in our teaching room. We also plan on hosting community events like after school art programs, art fairs, and speaking/demonstration programs. When we're not using it we plan on renting the room for small groups to have meetings in.

My partners are:

Vivian Tserotas, textile
Robert Reid, watercolour
Sandra England, contemporary
Rose Klein, textile
Catherine Craig, clay and fiber

Annette Martin, contemporary
Brenda Colley, wild life, all media
June-Anne Reid, contemporary
and of course me, Robin Baratta, contemporary

In addition to this I'm still running my own art business, if you're thinking of a portrait for Christmas, or of hosting a pARTy, I'm booking up fast, so don't delay!

As a part of streamlining my own business I've been migrating my newsletter list to a service, so that it won't come from my personal e:mail account any more but from my web site. If you'd like to sign up just put your info into the sign up box, click on the click here spot on the confirmation e:mail...and Bob's your uncle!

The St Thomas Guild Show 'The Art Before Christmas is fast coming up too. Friday, Nov 12 opening reception 6-9pm, show continues Saturday November 13, 12-9pm, Sunday November 14, 12-4pm. It's at the restored Canadian Southern Railway Station at 810 Talbot St, St Thomas. the art will be superlative as always, but it's worth going just to see what they've done with that magnificent old building.

Birth of a website

Have you ever made something way more complicated than it should have been?
Well I certainly did.
I purchased website hosting after perusing through several options. The provider is Costco, so the trust factor was very high when they said 'easy to use, your website can be ready in an hour' I've gotten to know my way around blog building, have learned a bit of HTML...how hard could it be?
They helpfully supply how to video's, with step by step instructions. I spent hours watching the video's and trying to follow along...hours.
And... was totally stymied.
I'm stubborn, and I was not going to let this thing defeat me! So....more hours.
Finally I cried Uncle, and called a friend who does this kind of thing. She came over and said... well there are templates with place holder text, you should be able to just delete their text and replace it with yours, same with the photo's.
I tried it, it worked. Elapsed time... about 2 minutes. So much for the helpful video's.
It took me a bit longer than their hour to build it, but not much, and there are still a few links that I'm not ready to make live, but here it is, let me know what you think http://www.expressivebrush.ca/

Oh, and the portrait has passed inspection, yay! and is being framed. Next up, a commission to paint humming birds and trumpet vine on a wooden mailbox.

Portrait in Charcoal, a couple and their Rottie

The Portrait is progressing, I want to have it done this week.

I know that the client doesn't need it until Christmas, but I said I'd have it done by now, and I really hate missing deadlines, even if they're self imposed.

I've been spending hours on this Business Plan that I have to have done by Oct 4th. We've been told that our plans should be between 30-50 pages, I'm at page 10.

If it was just wordsmithing I'd be fine...

It's all of the research that takes the time, and makes me want to tear out my hair. You have to have facts and figures to back up everything you say, and yet, so much of what I want to do defies quantification.

The stuff for the mural/faux side of the business, thank goodness, is a bit easier to define. The portrait and teaching sides a bit more difficult, the fine art side....anybody's guess. Collectors come from every walk of life, education and economic level. How do you define that in a nice neat equation?

Maybe I'm taking this too seriously? Maybe that's what I have to do, take a best guess using the facts and figures I've been able to gather. ~sigh~

Portrait bride and groom signed, sealed, and delivered!

The charcoal bride and groom portrait has passed muster, been signed, sealed with fixative and delivered to the framer. The client wants a small calla lily, and the date of the wedding drawn on the mat, and then we're done!
It's always a good feeling when you know that your work has made someone happy.
Catherine, Rose and I have a show booked for September in the Central Library in London, and I feel like I have nothing to hang :( So today I've been working on getting some canvases ready for projects that want to get out of my head and into the real world. I do have two more commissions to do before I can have too much 'me time', but I need to be ready to leap into action as soon as possible.
Recently I've been going back over some old work and deciding if I'm going to keep it, give it away, or re-work/gesso over it. Any thing that is more than 3 years old goes through the gauntlet. It's a tough thing to do, but if I didn't do it periodically I'd be buried in old 'stuff'. Not to say that I don't keep favourites, but after three years, they become part of 'the collection of the artist'.

Charcoal bride and groom portrait almost done

Close, very close. I'm just waiting for the client to look at it, and tell me if there are any glaring inaccuracies.

portrait stages - charcoal

The groom has been roughed in. As you can see the bride is at a much further stage and is approaching completion. You may also note that I've used the pose from one photo, and faces from two others. Awww the advantages of art over photography! Oh I know that wonderful things can be done with photo shop....but this is so much more fun. Chuckle.

Belmont Art in the Park 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy. Both the joy and the curse of show season is how busy a person can get if they (I'm) not careful.

Joy, in that it's great to have so many opportunities to choose from. Curse, in that it's easy to over do.

Last weekend was a classic example of over do. In my own defense, one of the 3 shows had been re-scheduled. I really didn't book to do 3 in one weekend. Lucky for me I have a great and supportive family so Dear Hubby did the dog show, Mom helped at the First Friday, and I did my street portraits in Port. Lest you think I'm complaining, let me assure you that hectic though it was, it was a blast!

This weekend is the Belmont Art in The Park. Belmont Community park -201 Ceasar Rd- is a lovely spot. It's a popular place for wedding photos, in fact a wedding party is coming in right after we pack up to have their photos taken there.

The list of artists keeps getting longer and more interesting. I'm sure you'll love it!

Bev and Howard here is the early stage portrait. It's funny how putting it on the computer screen lets me see what needs fixing. I just keep chiseling away at it.

Canfest, Wienerfest and Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!
I've spent the last week going slightly nuts, getting every thing ready for the weekend. The Wienerfest 'T' shirts are ready, I'm still working on fridge magnets and coasters, but my darling hubby (DH) has been diligently packaging cards and taking care of other details.... I think.... we're almost ready.
Here's the schedule, I'm in Port Stanley, in a tent doing caricatures by the lift bridge 1-8 Thursday, 1-6 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The First Friday Art Walk is in port Friday night, so I'll 'convert' my tent to an art walk tent at 6 and stay until??
Saturday, DH will have my other tent at Wienerfest in Thamesford from 10-4, this event is off Highway 2 (Dundas) behind Tim's in the Riverwalk Park. I've got the above mentioned 'stuff' there, plus I'll be showing off the portraits that I do by commission.
Speaking of which Bev and Howard, things are going well, I'm just at an early stage, so there's not much to show yet, soon.

Charcoal Childrens Portrait Finished

The Portrait has passed muster, and will be picked up tomorrow. I'm back to work on the monarda painting, and on good weather days getting a start on gardening.

The last few days have been more than a little wet, and my garden is under water, so no gardening for me, lately.

Last year I started a butterfly garden, but by the time I was able to plant it, the stuff I wanted to transplant was up too far, so that has been taken care of now, yeah!

Most of the plants in my garden serve to either feed or provide habitat for either birds or butterfly's. Of course there are a few plants that are there simply because I love them, and my garden wouldn't feel complete without them, hosta, roses, and peony's to name a few, but even these are pollen/nectar sources.

The highlight is my pond, the fish and frogs call it home and the birds line up to use the bathing stones, all part of providing habitat.

childrens portrait in charcoal

I'm at a stage now where I have to put the portrait away for a few days, so that I can look at it with fresh eyes. I could keep on noodling away at it, but I'm better of to let it rest. It's terribly easy to ruin a portrait at this point, with paint you can gesso out and re-paint any tragedy. Charcoal isn't so forgiving.

I'm hoping that I've caught the mischief I sense in the young girls slightly crooked grin and the confidence of what I perceive to be a slightly quieter soul in the young man. There is a hint of the man he's going to be in the squarish jaw and the direct gaze of those very clear eyes. The girl still has a bit of the infant in the curve of her cheek, but here is nothing babyish about the glint in those eyes.

If Mom or Grandma see any glaring inaccuracies please let me know. I see his hair line is wrong, anything eles?

portrait progress

Building a charcoal portrait is a bit like sculpting in reverse. The added material is very thin but layer by layer it gets built up, forming and shaping an image. Resemblance is built by fractions of millimeters. Humans are so hard wired to read those fractions that not only do we recognize people we know, we recognize people we've only seen once or twice.

The artist learns to look for shapes, not just of major features like eyes and nose, but in the fine shadows of the face.

The joy and trial of charcoal is the ease with which it smudges. I use a piece of tracing paper to cover the sections I'm not working on to keep them clean, the transparency of the tracing paper means I can 'see' the whole piece which helps me to keep things balanced.

I work top to bottom left to right moving a couple of inches at a time. My favourite tool is a smudging squib, which on the semi smooth surface of the illustration board gives me good control in creating those fine shadows.

anatomy of a portrait

The first step is to lay out a map, this is a very basic loose step, in it the most important thing is the measuring. As with any map having things accurately to scale makes for an easier trip.

As the map is refined, the lines disappear and the image starts to replace it.

These early stages are done in graphite. Trying to erase charcoal would be messy and not completely successful, so for the sake of my support (illustration board) I use graphite. Next installment will be the beginning of the charcoal.

'Twas the Art Before Christmas

'Twas the art before Christmas is just around the corner. Nov 6,7,8. The St. Thomas Guild always put on a good show, there will be live music and hors d'oeuvres on the opening night, 7-10 pm. with the show continuing Saturday 12-8 pm, and Sunday 12-6 pm.
St T. has the most diverse group of artists, of any group/guild in this region, so you should really check it out.
Port Stanley's first Friday, art walk is also on the 6th, as is the art auction at S.T.E.P.A.C. so it's a busy weekend for art lovers.
Did I say Mother and Child was done.... well the farther alterations will eventually be posted on the 'commissions' page of this site/blog. As I said, acrylics, change as they dry, rats.
For anyone considering a portrait for Christmas, I have just two more pre-Christmas openings, and the time for them is fast disappearing. Remember though, gift certificates are always available, and make a thoughtful gift.
I'm still working on a new piece for the St Thomas show, that I'll' show you next time, it's another piece on pollination. There is so much to say on that subject, that I imagine I'll be 'talking' through my paint about it for a while.
I got this article in my inbox today, about an artist in Michigan who is being taken to court, by a company that has stolen his designs, and is trying to take the copyrights too. That's like a company that makes knock off Gucci's trying to put Gucci out of business so they can have the market to them selves.
Please go to the site and support the artist's fight. If he looses, we could all loose our artist's copy right to our work, which would mean any one could take our work for them selves and then sue us to shut us down, as is happening here.

mother and child done

Done I hope.
After much fiddling around and about 10 hours of banging head against wall.... I'm finally happy with Mom's hand, mostly.
I have to wait for the paint to cure, before I'm sure, but...... here's hoping.
The studio tour was a success. Thank you, to all who helped make it so, and thank you to all of you who came out. I will be putting an accounting on the tour website, just as soon as all of the cheques clear, and the bills come in. It looks like we made approx $149.00 for cancer research. That is just what we collected in fees, after expenses, with the donations the artist's collected added in. The 'attractions' will I hope have put out their jars and I hope they've collected donations too, we'll soon know.
The Relish Elgin Magazine was here, during the tour, in the form of reporter Deborah Bagshaw, and her photographer, sorry I've forgotten his name. They've written a lovely article for their website.
We were blessed with wonderful weather, the only descent weather this fall. What a year it's been, weather wise.
'Twas the Art Before Christmas is fast approaching, just a couple of more weeks... the 'other piece' I'm working on has to be ready for that. I have 6 pieces going into that show, counting the one that's not done, so, back to work!