The Beginning - a Kick in the Pants!

Originally written in '09...
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I had been talking to friends and family for a long time about my desire to establish an Art Gallery. One day in late Fall "08, I was talking to one of my friends and the subject came up (again). She looked at me and said - "So, when do you start?". It took me by surprise, but the question invigorated me! It also scared the *%&$** out of me! How could I think of such a thing? The economy is horrible? A new venture at this time is a HUGE risk! I don't know anything about starting a small business in a corner store or on-line! Every unstabling emotion slipped into my nervous system within 30 seconds. So, I raced back to my desk and jumped on Google looking for 'Art Gallery Consultant' (at least that's what I think I typed in). And I waited. Tons of links came through for Art Gallery, Art Representative, Art School, etc... and I paged through posting after posting, scanned the contents, linked to references.... And then, I found a site that was just what I was looking for...an Art business consultant/teacher that could help guide me along the way. The real deal! This would turn into a positive turn of events over the course of the next several months. Stay tuned...I'll continue with the story next time...

Andrea's Art Tip for today: Check out your local newspapers for Gallery showings -- at Middle/High schools in the area, Art and Craft Shows, Commercial Art Galleries and Museums. There's a surprise around every corner!

Your Insecurity is Showing

Found this which I had saved as a draft and never posted back when I began this blog journey in 2009. So, I'm adding it now. Seems that life always presents moments when I question my path, and my insecurity shows through. But, the joy is being able to march through it and discover again:-)
Happier days are always around the bend.
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So, I took the first step, now what? I was meeting with my mentor once every two weeks, had discussions with potential artists that were unsure about being represented by anyone, was reading all the material I could find about starting a gallery, establishing an online presence, developing business relationships. Met with the Small Business Association at City Hall, was provided references to a number of artists and galleries. At the same time, I was working full-time and dealing with life's events. The list of 'part time' evening activities grew longer and longer. It became overwhelming to me! My insecurity started slipping into my lap, and seeped into my skin. AAARRRGHH! Could I really do this??
So, I stopped. Awful response, but that's the way it was. I made efforts to reconnect with my plan, but nothing happened...
And then these strange coincidences began...found an old high school friend on facebook who happens to be an artist, received mail from art galleries that I frequently visited inviting me to gallery showings, received email from my mentor who asked how I was doing, got a phone call from my domain company asking if I needed any assistance enhancing my domain...
After each event, my confidence started building again - my dream was tapping me on the shoulder and reminding that it was not going to let go until I started again. So, I did. With a few alterations:
I decided to establish my community presence through a blog hosted by my website, and started to focus on my story (which you've been reading) to let people know who I am, why I'm here, and that a journey can present obstacles that force you to stop sometimes. I also realized that I have to physically BE in my community volunteering, interviewing gallery owners and artists, looking at other artist blogs to see "how the other half lives" and find ideas and marketing techniques that will help me transition into a quality Art Rep when the time comes. I also have to be an ardent blogger myself: reading other blogs, and writing my own.
For now, this is what I am doing: learning how to establish my name, website and credibility in the Art world. The Representative can wait until I've built a firm foundation.
Stay tuned for my next Post...I'll be looking at new artists and artistic happenings...
Till then, Stay Happy!

Andrea

Andrea's Art Tip: One of the undiscovered avenues I found while searching for information was City Hall. Check out your city or town to find options for marketing, selling, establishing contacts. In my case, I found that all of these are free! You just need to go online, call or stop in to find what's available. Enjoy!

A Springtime Art Show in the Hedges

A burst of sunny yellow caught my eye as I stepped outside last week - the  forsythia had bloomed! These blossoms precede their green leaves, so it does take a focused eye to catch them at the right moment when the blossoms are solo. Although I didn't catch the blossoms early enough (you can see the green leaves beginning to show), the shrub is still a welcome sign of Spring.  Since I know how quickly these blooms disappear, I grabbed my camera to snap a picture to share on my blog.

Springtime is one of the seasons that artists thoroughly enjoy. Whether it's a flower, a shrub, a springtime vegetable, buds on trees and in hedges, it's all new and colorful after a long winter has passed. It's a new awakening with a new perspective offering artists a wide range of subjects, and offers each of us a reminder that life goes on to bring another day of beauty and possibility.

I'm hoping your day is a colorful snapshot!

Andrea

Andrea's Art Tip: Carrying a small camera in your pocket, car, briefcase or purse is a wonderful way to catch these dynamic moments that may not be available tomorrow. So, grab a snapshot if the subject moves you and use it as a guide for a future artistic presentation from you.  

Art in the Grass!

I saw the first blush of Spring at my feet yesterday. Delicate crocus petals that opened with the sun while nestled in a bed of mulch and groundcover. I know that these tiny teasers will be gone soon, but it was so nice to find them as reminders that Spring does return after a long winter;-)

Have a wonderful, mahvelous day!

Andrea's Art Tip: Stopping to 'smell the roses' can provide you with opportunities to snap a stunning photo, sketch a quick representation, inspire a watercolor, oil, or sculpture. Nature delivers so many creative ideas for each of us to gather and use to develop our creative side. Take advantage of the free gift!

Art Blog Interrupted;-)

Sometimes life's events step into our paths and push us off the trail unexpectedly. That was what happened to me last week. The more I tried to get back on track, the more these unexpected 'to do's' stepped into my stride and swayed me to a different direction. I guess the expression, "Always be prepared" would be appropriate at this time;-)

I was able to jump 'back on the road again' yesterday and catch my stride. My focus zeroed in on Art Marketing Materials: business cards, correspondence, visibility tools (magnets, brochures, etc.), presentation portfolios, Search Engine Optimization (OSR). The primary point was to ensure that the newenglandartspot.com name and website is being seen quickly and easily on a web search, and by the community and art community at large. 

First off, Business Cards. I made a trip to my local printer and found that the business card designer was not available; however, I could stop back next week for further consultation. So, the next stop for me was to 'go online' and try it myself! 

I found an online service and was able to design my own card with my own artwork. Of course, it took me much longer than expected: choose the right font, choose the right colors, choose the right content, choose the right format, colored stock vs. white stock, print on one side or both sides of card, add business message or no message, upload the correct background image...whew! The site did have standard business card formats to choose from, but I wanted to keep the look consistent with the look of my web page/blog site. In the end, I liked what I created. I think I may still stop back at the local printer to make sure that this creation of mine is balanced and appealing to my target audience (very important in any marketing venture). 

I'll talk more about OSR and presentation portfolios in another post.

Have a great day! Plan for the unexpected;-)

Andrea

Andrea's Tip: Online print services have a large number of services to help any artist or small business owner get their corporate identity, marketing tools, promotional materials setup. Your local print or office supply store can also provide these same services. You have the option to choose what works for you and your target audience (customer, supplier, etc.) In the end, you make the call. Go for it!

Taking the First Step to the Dream

It was many years ago that I decided that I wanted to open an art gallery. I loved the galleries I visited, the artists and gallery owners I met, and the paintings, sculptures, glassworks I was able to take in on weekends and vacations. Many years later, the internet is blossoming and the game has changed - art is available at the tips of my fingers, and I can roam with no mileage. Someday that online art gallery will happen! This is my first step...come along for the ride:-)