Well, the 3rd Firiday art walk in Siler City was pretty well attended considering it was FREEZING COLD. I, of course was in a hurry to get to the gallery there that carries my work and ran out the door without my coat. So, I toured the artwalk with chattering teeth, but had a great time. If you are in the area, check out the NC Arts Incubator Gallery. A great artist I know, David Nance, has some absolutely incredible paintings at the gallery. I spent much time just studying his work. I learn so much by studying the work of artists I admire.
I am still doing my daily watercolor sketches and will post some soon along with some new oils and acrylics.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
3rd Friday Art Walk - Siler City, NC
Hello friends! Tonight is the 3rd Friday Art Walk in downtown Siler City, NC. Come by Raleigh Street Gallery to see my work on display or just to say hello. Be sure and visit the other galleries and hear the great live music in the coffee shop courtyard. See you there!
For more info about this and future events, email me at paintinglandscapes@yahoo.com
For more info about this and future events, email me at paintinglandscapes@yahoo.com
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Acrylic Painting Trees & Water
"Riverside Impressions"
18" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas ( Work in Progress)
I have been painting and sketching, but have not really finished anything lately. Life gets in the way sometimes! This piece I have signed, but I might still make some changes to it. I sometimes let works sit in the studio for awhile if I don't finish them right away. I look at them as I pass by each day and sometimes I will see some changes that can be made to enhance the painting.
I used a loose, impressionistic approach for this piece, but I will have to study it for a few days to see if I need to refine it a bit more.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Some new Ebay auctions
Hello friends,
I have re-entered the Ebay market after a year long abscence. I started listing paintings last month again. Ebay is not what it once was in sales, but the pieces I offer there are generally small studies and miniatures that I do not send to galleries. They are great for the entry-level collector because they are more affordable than my gallery work due to their small size. Click on the link below to view my current auctions. Enjoy!
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZHoldrenQ20artQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ
If you have trouble with the link just go to www.ebay.com and search "Holdren Art" from the homepage.
I have re-entered the Ebay market after a year long abscence. I started listing paintings last month again. Ebay is not what it once was in sales, but the pieces I offer there are generally small studies and miniatures that I do not send to galleries. They are great for the entry-level collector because they are more affordable than my gallery work due to their small size. Click on the link below to view my current auctions. Enjoy!
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZHoldrenQ20artQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ
If you have trouble with the link just go to www.ebay.com and search "Holdren Art" from the homepage.
Monday, February 02, 2009
The business of being an artist
Most people think an artist's life is nothing but painting and enjoying doing what you love. While it is true we must paint often to have work available, and it is our passion, it is not all that is involved in the business of being an artist.
I would venture to say that most people would be suprised at the amount of other work that is involved. Just this week I have been catching up on some of these things. I show in only two galleries at the present, so I have less paperwork than most artists who are full time, but there is work that must be done. This consists of not only creating the work, but pricing, making inventories of items in the studio and items at galleries. I also have to keep sales records of sold work, new work must be photographed before it leaves the studio so I have a record of my work and hi-res images down the road if I want to make prints, postcards, etc. I must maintain my website and blogs and keep them updated in order to keep marketing my work.
It's not always as easy as making a work available and then it automatically sells. An artist has to constantly study to improve their skill set, and constantly market their work to collectors. Some gallery reps will do this for you, but it is important for you to get in the habit of marketing your work.
Pricing is not always an easy task either. I still hold a full time job in addition to my painting sales, so my work is really affordable at present, but many people wonder why artists price work the way they do. Being an artist gets really expensive, especially when you use archival and quality materials and framing. Then there are marketing costs, website costs, taxes, and many other expenses. If you sell through a dealer, they may take anywhere from 30% - 50% of your sale price, then your expenses come out of what is left. So when you see a price you think is high, just remember - it is a one of a kind original, and artists don't sell paintings everday, and they need to put food on the table as well.
Anyway, just a rambling post today, but I thought some insight into the life of an artist's business, might be of interest to some. I will have some more paintings posted for you here soon!
I would venture to say that most people would be suprised at the amount of other work that is involved. Just this week I have been catching up on some of these things. I show in only two galleries at the present, so I have less paperwork than most artists who are full time, but there is work that must be done. This consists of not only creating the work, but pricing, making inventories of items in the studio and items at galleries. I also have to keep sales records of sold work, new work must be photographed before it leaves the studio so I have a record of my work and hi-res images down the road if I want to make prints, postcards, etc. I must maintain my website and blogs and keep them updated in order to keep marketing my work.
It's not always as easy as making a work available and then it automatically sells. An artist has to constantly study to improve their skill set, and constantly market their work to collectors. Some gallery reps will do this for you, but it is important for you to get in the habit of marketing your work.
Pricing is not always an easy task either. I still hold a full time job in addition to my painting sales, so my work is really affordable at present, but many people wonder why artists price work the way they do. Being an artist gets really expensive, especially when you use archival and quality materials and framing. Then there are marketing costs, website costs, taxes, and many other expenses. If you sell through a dealer, they may take anywhere from 30% - 50% of your sale price, then your expenses come out of what is left. So when you see a price you think is high, just remember - it is a one of a kind original, and artists don't sell paintings everday, and they need to put food on the table as well.
Anyway, just a rambling post today, but I thought some insight into the life of an artist's business, might be of interest to some. I will have some more paintings posted for you here soon!
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