January 18, 2012

winter wonderings

winter song
Winter Song 8" x 24" oil on wood panel

Since I posted yesterday I've been trying to figure out what direction I want to take this print business. (By the way, where are all you printmaking pedants? I was hoping someone would take me to task for saying 'print' rather than 'reproduction'. That's what social media is all about isn't it?) Since she's smarter and less impulsive than me, I asked Ellen for advice and she pretty much told me what I already knew/needed to hear again: focus on your real art raison d'etre. Schlepping prints in an oversaturated/undervalued market is a lot of effort without much reward unless you have an unusual style or angle, presented in an inexpensive and unique product.

So it's back to the drawing board ... where I belong. My compromise is here and here. If I can sell without having to exhaustively 'work it' (I'm tired of networking) then great. If I can't, that's fine, too. In any case, I'll just keep doing what's been working so far.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very much like writing in that regard which is why I have three unsold and complete manuscripts kicking around. I just love that piece of work as I believe I said before.

Anonymous said...

Well, you've already explained in the previous post what your "prints" are. And regulars know you're not a printmaker.
If I were to "print" some of my work I'd have to say something like: fine art print of original etching/woodblock/linocut...etc
It's a shame that while such repros make art more affordable for the buyer, the cost to the artist, in money and time, is greater than the savings/return.

Indigene Theresa said...

I can so relate to this! Just never stop creating your amazing paintings! :)

valerie walsh said...

yeah, it is another cool thing to have though! When people ask you what do you have available you can show them prints, drawings and paintings :)

Kathie Brown said...

Andrea, I suppose that is the hard part of being an artist. I would hate it also. I have tried to sit through "craft" fairs before. For me it was like being in prison. I HATED it! I love your "Solitude" painting. it makes me think of another blogger I know named Christine. Her blog is called Quiet Paths. She live somewhere in Montana I think and loves to canoe and kayak. Just keep being yourself. Do what you love and share your passion and joy with the world. If it becomes work then all the joy will go out of your paintings and your heart. Your buyers will come.

andrea said...

Thank you all and Kathie: that's excellent advice. I am taking steps to re-focus right now and it's working!

Patricia said...

Hi Andrea, I am a fan of your blog and your work; I am also an intaglio printmaker. As such, I have had to recognize that the word "print" has been stretched so thin that it is virtually useless on its own. I have noticed that most artists add at least one more modifier... intaglio, digital, giglee, photographic, etc. I tend to think of giclee prints as being reproductions created by someone other than the artist of the original. Whatever the case, it doesn't seem that the main issue here is what to call them, rather, it is whether or not to offer them at all. All you have to do is figure out the real reason you create art in the first place and whether earning a living from its sale is a high priority. Simply said but a constantly evolving question. Best of luck; don't lose sight of why you lift the paint brush, pen, camera.....

andrea said...

Thanks, Patricia, and yes: I think the word 'prints' definitely needs a modifier. I'm as guilty (more, actually, because I should know) as anyone about laziness and default writing. The thing is that once a term, however erroneous, enters mainstream usage it's hard to return to more correct terminology, and unlike most people who revere the written word, I actually applaud that change because it reflects the organic nature of language. (Just trying to explain my flippancy. Did it work?)

Patricia said...

Andrea, I certainly didn't mean to sound like I was judging your use of the word "print". I was trying to express the confusion I have found around the word in connection with my work in intaglio. You didn't seem flippant to me but sincerely concerned about doing the right thing and the thing that is authentic to your practice. The important thing is that you keep on creating -- no matter which word(s) are used. All the best:)

andrea said...

Thanks again, Patricia. And I sometimes wonder if my occasional use of acetate stencils (see the deer skull above) doesn't also make my paintings fall loosely into the print category. What we need to do is toss the word 'print' altogether!

Laughing Doodle 2022 said...

They say, do what you love and the money will follow. You clearly love your creative self, because it reflects in all of your work. I love followoing your blog!

andrea said...

Thanks, Sharon. In spite of irregular postings I still love blogging after almost 7 years.