Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Artist Anonymous - 7 Symptoms

You know who I'm talking about!

  1. You can't go a day or two without painting otherwise you start to twitch.
  2. When you get down to your last canvas you have a panic attack.
  3. You'll drive down to Victoria and back to save a couple of dollars at Opus.
  4. You'll take your kids piggy-bank money and buy more paints.
  5. You sign up for workshop after workshop...but it's never enough.
  6. You make your spouse move his 'stuff' out of the garage so you can turn it into a studio.
  7. You get excited when you see the Island Arts Magazine!

Sound familiar? If you have any of the above symptoms, then you are truly an art-addict!

There is no cure. So best to just dig in and enjoy the ride!

Till Next Time...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

We do Whatever it Takes

Because of the Island Arts Magazine I get out and about quite a bit. I talk to many artists, I go to a many art shows and art venues and visit artists studios. What I am finding is that most artists have a strong spirit and will do what it takes to make a living doing what they love.

Some are opening art galleries while others have opened coffee shops with art for sale. Some are making DVDs and marketing their work that way and giving up the conventional gallery exhibitions. Others are organizing workshops - while some are getting out of organizing workshops and spending more time painting and marketing their own art.

Whatever it takes. Try different tactics and see what works. Somethings may only work for a short time. That's O.K. You have to know when it is time to move on and try another avenue.

Some artists are marketing their works out of province and others even go out of country with great success.

I find it very interesting and I love hearing about the new directions. One things remains true - that is the love of art and the creative process.

We do whatever it takes in order to keep our passion alive!


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Be Careful what you Wish For

Driving around last week, while on deliveries, I had a lot of time to do some thinking. Ever since my early teens I had dreamt of being an artist and living on a tropical island. My parents bought me my first oil colour paints. I still remember them saying, "Make sure this is what you want, as they are VERY expensive."

Moving off to Edmonton in the late 70's after graduation, I started my art career by taking night classes at the University of Edmonton. I dreamt of being an artist.

Moving back to Sask. in the 80's I became a free-lance artist. I approached different businesses and asked if they would like me to paint murals on their outside walls. One of my clients was a funky denim store. Payment was by means of some cash, some cloths. I dreamt of some day being an artist.

Off to Toronto in the late 80's I started a graphic design company. I worked with artists and art galleries helping them with their marketing.

Back to Sask. in the year 2000 I bought a house and started a magazine. I turned part of the house into a studio where I could have art shows and openings. The shows were a big success with paintings flying off the walls.

All the while I dreamt of living on an island and being an artist.

Now here I am, living on Vancouver Island, painting, and running an art magazine. Guess what? My dream has come true. I am living on an island and living the life of an artist.

Be careful what you wish for!

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan