Today's postings

  1. [Baren 32042] Update of woodblock prints ("Harry French")
  2. [Baren 32043] Re: art festivals long post (L Cass)
  3. [Baren 32044] Re: Update of woodblock prints (Diane Cutter)
  4. [Baren 32045] Re: Update of woodblock prints (Charles Morgan)
  5. [Baren 32046] Re: Baren Digest (old) V36 #3658 ("Marilynn Smith")
  6. [Baren 32047] Baren Print show in Sacrmento ("carol wagner")
  7. [Baren 32048] 29a exchange ("Lori Biwer-Stewart")
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Message 1
From: "Harry French"
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 14:50:52 +0100
Subject: [Baren 32042] Update of woodblock prints
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Greetings Bareners,
I have just uploaded my latest woodblock prints and hope you have time to view them.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/h.french1/NEWWORK.htm
Regards to all,
Harry
Lincoln
England
UK
h.french1@ntlworld.com
www.harryfrenchartworks.co.uk
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Message 2
From: L Cass
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 11:38:37 -0400
Subject: [Baren 32043] Re: art festivals long post
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Can't resist telling a little heartwarming story re Maria's comment
that "Nobody will spend their food-money on art..
A number of years back when I was living and painting/teaching, etc
in Ottawa, a new acquaintance who was 'mad about art'
and admired my work at the time, came to me saying 'I've had to sell
my car as I'm hard up just now but I want to cheer
myself up by buying a painting..." Obviously someone like this is one
in a million and she went on to collect more (of mine
and much other art) If only really wealthy people did the same - of
course some do but they insist on 'gilt-edge' stuff by
'superstars'.
As far as trying to outguess what buyers want, it's difficult and
time wasting BUT I have found that one can do this with jurors if
one is willing, which makes me very cynical re the whole business of
exhibiting. I'm also fed up with commercial galleries
who take 50-60% of the selling price forcing artists to raise prices
unrealistically. So..... Maria you are in an enviable position
having the energy and urge to travel and set up displays, etc but
you are in an area where it's possible - this approach isn't practical
in cities where there are huge art fairs which are very costly to
enter - I think that the artists who do are already making good money,
perhaps from something else.??!!

Does anyone have thoughts on the pros and cons of spending money you
may not have to promote art which may or may not sell?
Also, I see an upsurge in 'vanity' galleries - one person I know in
Toronto actually makes a good living acting which he spends on making
and exhibiting his art!

re criticism of Mike Lyons' show - it's maddening to have a reviewer
miss what you feel are important aspects of your work but we must
remember that it it is still only ONE person's reaction - he's not
speaking for the world at large even if he thinks he does. A long time ago
a gallery I was showing in tried very hard to get a review in the
local newspaper - I was devastated when it finally happened.. as I
recall the gist of it
was that everything was very nice and pleasant -which I had to admit
was true but I'd hoped for something to be seen beyond the 'niceness'.

With so many people 'creating art' these days and wanting to sell,
Marilyn is right in suggesting that we all work to please ourselves
however when one's daily bread really depends on selling, it requires
much soul searching and hard work to make this happen.

cheers,
Louise

>

www.lcassart.com
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Message 3
From: Diane Cutter
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:07:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Baren 32044] Re: Update of woodblock prints
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Very nice, Harry. I especially like your 'mini beasts'... Very simple and very, very effective!

Diane

www.dianecutter.com
www.theitinerantartist.blogspot.com
www.DCutter.etsy.com
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Message 4
From: Charles Morgan
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:17:03 -0700
Subject: [Baren 32045] Re: Update of woodblock prints
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Hello Harry,

I really like your cathedral beasts ... In a way they are like
petroglyphs, which also appleal to me a great deal. I take it the
colors are your artistic touch???

Cheers .... Charles
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Message 5
From: "Marilynn Smith"
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:20:13 -0700
Subject: [Baren 32046] Re: Baren Digest (old) V36 #3658
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Ah Maria, first off I am hardly offended by a good discussion. At least
our list becomes very human at such moments.

Sorry if I made it sound like art shows were all negatives. Not at all, but
it is a life that is definitely not for everyone.

As for selling ones art oneself, that is a terrifc bonus. We have at least
2 art studios within walking distance of my house here and I plan next year
to be #3. The husband and kids were a stumbling block to me traveling and
doing weekends, not a time clock.

Yes Maria real art does sell and you do create real art. You have remained
true to yourself and your work shows it totally. I most certainly did not
mean that because an artist sells that his or her art is not good art, not
at all. Sorry if that came across. I do not think that you create in the
style that you create only to please the buying public. Quite the contrary,
I think you have stuck it out, remained true to yourself and found a
lifestlye that is for you.
I think those who are copying and trying to please only the public do not
last out the long hurdles to make it to the best shows and the return
customers who decide to collect your art. Because they are only after the
money and not being themselves. Of course there are compromises. You do
have to think on how to present your work so it is apealing, that is not
anything but an asset. As in any business if you are a selling artist you
have to be practical about appeal. That does not mean you have sold out or
that your work is cutsie. You are one of my favorite artists on this list,
I think your work is truly beautiful and very one of a kind. I simply meant
who can out think the public??? Remain yourself, learn how to present your
work and hope people like it. Sure hope it works for me when the tourists
do finally end up here at my place. I am betting I have a lot to learn!

Good discussion!

Marilynn
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Message 6
From: "carol wagner"
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 18:06:36 -0700
Subject: [Baren 32047] Baren Print show in Sacrmento
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Hear ye, hear ye,

This is to notify all that a select number of Forum exchange prints are
now on display at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co- op, here in Sacramento.
They will be up for the rest of the month and an estimated 2000 to 3000
people will see them. Robin Morris, who is responsible for this show will
be sending further details as soon as he is back on line.

Best regards,

Carol in Sacramento.
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Message 7
From: "Lori Biwer-Stewart"
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 08:29:38 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Baren 32048] 29a exchange
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Hello bareners,
I just recieved the 29a exchange in the mail (my first exchange). What a
beautiful collection of work! It is so great that we have an opportunity
to view and study, first hand, so many different techniques. I'm looking
forward to my next!

Lori Biwer-Stewart