Artist Demo Day
Recently I was the featured artist at one of Nancy Johns Gallery “Demo Days”. It was an opportunity to showcase my work, demonstrate some of my mixed media techniques and meet other artists and art lovers in the gallery space. As Dianne, the gallery manager said it was a day all about me!
The setup
The gallery space is lovely and bright and Dianne had the generous display area beautifully set up with draped tables and plinths and stands where she had my work thoughtfully arranged. In preparation for this event I completed about 30 new mini paintings on cards and 10 small works on wood panels.
For the demonstration part of the day, I brought with me about a dozen or so unfinished mini paintings to work on to show some of my mixed media techniques. I used scraps of painted palette papers, as well as hand painted tissue papers for collage and acrylic ink to demonstrate my layering techniques.
The people
I met several other artists that day, some of whom are also represented by the gallery and it was really great to talk to like minded individuals about the art making process. We talked about how we unashamedly save all kinds of scraps of paper and fabric because ‘some day I might use this in my work’. We talked about studio space and the importance of good lighting. And we talked about our preferences for working small (me) versus working large.
Non artists came out for the demonstration as well. I’m not usually much of a talker but I can rise to the occasion when called upon. I talked at length with visitors about my process and techniques. I explained that when making art I usually have a very loose idea of what I want to accomplish rather than a clear destination in mind. This approach can be both freeing and frustrating in turn. Talking about my process, at events like this one, always seems to help me clarify what is important to me in my work.
The sketchbook
The most popular item on my display by far was my 100 Day Sketchbook. I remember when I completed it how excited I was about the sketches that I had made. Someone asked if I would take pages out of the sketchbook to sell individually. The answer is a definite “no”. For me this sketchbook is an important archive of what I accomplished during that time. It’s also a source of ideas for my artwork and it was great for me to pull it out and share it with others and be able to talk about my process through the sketchbook.
A page from the 100 day sketchbook.
The insights
Making art is often, at least for me, a solitary pursuit. I retreat into my studio with my thoughts, and rely on my own intuition and actions to create something from the materials at hand. But nothing compares to meeting people, including other artists, and talking about art and the joys and the challenges of the art making process. This too is an important part of the journey.
My 100 Day Sketchbook is a treasure trove of ideas that I generated nearly 2 years ago when I committed to a simple daily practice. Seeing the sketchbook again, with fresh eyes and talking about it was truly inspiring for me. The ideas inside are calling for me to explore them further.
Something tells me I ought to follow this tug of inspiration.
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