How should I spend my time… making art?
A question I’ve been asked more than once is how much time I spend in my studio. Sometimes, but not always, this question is coupled with a comment that the one asking doesn’t have the time to make art, but longs for the day when this will be the case. I am fortunate, I don’t need to make a living with my art. I do view my self as a professional, part of being a professional is showing up to do the work. Most artists, myself included choose to share their art. The trick is to find a balance between getting one’s art into the world and making the art itself.
When I began sharing my art the only way I knew to learn about calls for entry for quilts was through advertisements in quilting magazines. Now calls can be found through organizations, galleries, and arrive in my in-box almost daily. Currently, images of artwork accompany calls for entry digitally. Then, one had to submit slides. Every slide was marked with a red dot in the corner specified, an arrow indicating the orientation, and often copious amounts of information, such as the title of the work and your home address.
…Or marketing my art?
The internet has opened up a cornucopia of ways to share artwork. This, too, has evolved with the times. I started with a website. Now, I have a website, write this blog, and post to both FaceBook and Instagram. I could be doing a lot more. That is the point of this post. How does one strike the perfect balance between marketing one’s art and actually creating it. I can’t say I have the answer. Do you?
Sometimes the best way to promote one’s work is by attending artist functions. This is precisely what I will be doing, Friday, February 12th from 6 – 7 pm ET. I am a member of a group of exhibiting artists who live in my town and host annual open studios. Since opening our studios is unwise at the moment, we are hosting Virtual Artist Receptions once a month. I will be one of the three featured artists in February. If you would like to attend, let me know and I will send you an invitation.
I am linking up with Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Fridays.
