And you’re invited:
Regina Federation of Artists
Fall 2008 Art Show and Sale
Wscana Place - 2900 Wascana Drive (across from The Willow and marina)
Friday, November 7th, 1:00 - 9:00 pm (meet the artists - includine me! - from 7:00 - 9:00 pm)
Saturday, November 8th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, November 9th, 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm
Free admission and parking.
Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Alas, Reflections is over again for another year *sniff, sniff* I really enjoyed myself again this year:
- I entered three scratchboard pieces in the Open Level
- I entered one work in a Special Competition
- I was one of three judges for the Juniors and Novice Levels
- I organized the QuickDraw competition
It was a busy, busy weekend. I won a few ribbons, didn’t sell anything this year (actually, come to think of it I never saw one red dot on the whole show?) but do have a lead on a possible scratchboard workshop next year, so that’s something.
Here’s a quick peek at my ribbons:
Honourable Mention, Open Level, Mammal: Full Body Class. Shiver: Grey Wolf. Scratchboard and acrylic ink, size 20 x 16 in. Copyright Tania Nault, 2008.
Second in Division, Open Level, Monochromatic. Hanging On: Koala Bear. Scratchboard, 14 x 11 in. Copyright Tania Nault, 2008.
First in Division, Open Level, Monochromatic. Waiting for the Sea Ice: Polar Bear. Scratchboard, 24 x 18 in. Copyright Tania Nault, 2008.
All in all, a good weekend.
White-tail doe, Work in Progress. Scratchboard, 14 x 11 in. Copyright 2008, Tania Nault.
Just popping in quickly to show you an early progress shot of something I’ve been working on for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association Reflections of Nature Show 2008. One of the special competitions is a “Saskatchewan Big Game” series: last year the subject was Pronghorn Antelope, this year, White-tail Deer. Now, I’m pretty sure my deer will be something of a long shot: she’s not a big, well-antlered buck, and it won’t be in colour. But it she is a lovely young deer and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show her off.
Autumn in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Photograph, 5 x 7 in. Copyright 2008, Tania Nault.
Happy Turkey Day, Canada! Hope you can take a moment today to stop and think of at least five things for which you are thankful - make it a daily habit and you might even increase your happiness… My list?
My children: they’re happy and healthy, and just enough of a challenge to keep me on my toes.
My husband: his support means the world to me.
My family: my parents have always been there for me.
My art: what is it Stephen King wrote? “Life isn’t a support system for art, it’s the other way around.”
My day job: it pays the bills.
One can hardly go five minutes these days without hearing or seeing the words “recession”. Over the past several days I’ve been reading and reflecting on several posts on Katherine Tyrrell’s blog: Making a Mark. Katherine has been providing unique commentary since January about the economic slowdown, however over the past couple weeks, her posts have become more pointed, declaring, “The Art Economy is in an Economic Slowdown.”
Katherine’s posts are unique, I believe, because in her earlier life she was senior finance manager and business advisor. And because I have to work hard to make sense of money matters (I’m a stereotypical math-challenged artist) I’ve been paying extra attention to her art economy posts, in particular one post titled “10 good habits for good times or bad“:
1. Clear identity - Be able to explain who you are, what your art is about and how it’s developing in a clear and confident manner to anybody who asks - or looks at your websites.
2. Focused - Have a clear set of objectives each year which are written down, specific and measurable (eg I want to produce x paintings for y series in time for z exhibition in December).
3. Market-orientated - Know your market, know your buyers and spend at least 50% of your time on marketing your art.
4. Efficient - Save time and frustration by keeping good accessible records of all art produced - from photos to spreadsheets to digital files.
5. Presentation matters - remember that applies whether it’s framed artwork, how it’s wrapped for shipping or emails.
6. Managing the money - Keep on top of what generates the cashflow - both receipts and payments.
7. Work as a team - Make sure you check and don’t assume people can help out when you need them.
8. Time management - Double the time you think you need to get ready for an exhibition.
9. Business records - Make sure you keep records which give you all the information needed for your tax return.
10. Don’t be stupid - Archive important records - and ALWAYS remember to do your computer back-ups.
I think Katherine’s top 10 habits would make an excellent lens through which to re/view one’s own art business goals and in December I intend to do just that: look at them as they impact my own art business heading into 2009.
In the immediate future I’m going to concentrate on number 8, time management, by heading back into the studio to put the finishing touches on work I’m entering in two shows: Reflections of Nature 2008 and the Regina Federation of Artists Fall Show and Sale.
