As if life in Boise, Idaho wasn't tough enough already for those who go the non-traditional route with their lives and livelihood....
"As Jacqueline and Charley Crist close their renowned Boise business, 40 artists are left without a gallery"
- Read the full Article
Obviously this is not the most artist centered/friendly town/state that I, or any artist, could be trying to sell art in and I've never had my work in their gallery but I certainly feel for those that lost their gallery. For some artists, galleries are what gives them the feeling of being successful, of having 'made it'. It gives them a place where their work is always displayed and sometimes a strong foundation for careers in fine arts.
I am personally trying to avoid galleries, but that's because I'm nuts and have weird ideals about how I do things with my life and art. ;) I'd rather go a non-traditional route with my non-traditional way of life & chosen profession.
The comments left by the readers of this newspaper are less than diplomatic or sympathetic and it leaves me with a feeling of disappointment of/in people in general. This is the *internet* though - a place frequented by those that take pleasure in leaving cynical, nonconstructive, negative, & hurtful remarks in any area (and most often in areas they know nothing about) that they can.
It's tough being in the art field because of all those 'starving artist' and 'eccentric artist' stereotypes... People tend to think you're insane for trying to be an artist, that it's worthless & pointless. And it's probably the same for any liberal arts careers. Like English... What are you going to do with that? ;)
Luckily, I don't listen to these types people when they try to tell me how to live.
March 27, 2009
Farmer's Market Prep. 1 - Bags & Hang-Tags
So I've officially sent off my written confirmation of participation in the Farmer's Market for this season. The fee for a first timer like myself is $75. I think returning vendors pay $100 so I'm pretty happy that I get to save a little money on that.
Currently I'm working on getting an order ready for all the details I need for my booth. I've been looking at bagging recently and found some fun options that don't seem too expensive. I'm not going to go with your typical flat paper bags because I think they are not very aesthetic and because you really never reuse those kinds of things and I'd rather have bags that can be reused if possible and are possibly recycled bags since I try to be eco-friendly. I also find that those kinds of bags are annoying to carry around because they don't have any kind of good handle on them and I think other people would also agree with that and appreciate ones that do.
I need at least two different kinds of bags. One for putting the purchased item into when someone buys it. The other is for the items themselves, kinda like a protective covering that gives it more of a professional feel to it.
I'm including links of the bags that I'm thinking about below:
Recycled Merchandise Bags
Colored Merchandise Bags (I really like these ones because they can hold bulky objects)
Flap Lock Bags (to put the actual prints in)
Another thing that I'm thinking about getting are hang tags for the prints. These would be similar to the hang tags you find on clothing only better. These would be an interesting version of my business card only it includes more information about what they bought - like the fact that I donate 5% of all profits to the NWF and that the tag itself it printed on 100% post consumer material and is printed by a green-printer with eco-friendly inks and all that fun stuff. I would either have a hang-tag on each print or I would attach them to the bags, I haven't decided exactly how I want to do it. I could also include specific information about the print itself on the tag (which is probably what I'll end up doing).
This is the website to the printer. And yes, they are a green company.
GreenerPrinter
I think it's really nice and their prices aren't too bad. The other printer I'd use (if I had a lot of money to blow) would be a company that uses handmade paper that has wildflower seeds in it. And that means you can plant that paper and see it grow.
Botanical Paperworks - Paper that blooms
How's that for eco-friendly? I love it. Plus, it's a really fun takeaway and would make quite an impression. For now though, I'm sticking with GreenerPrinter to get my tags & cards printed.
EDIT: I just got the bags yesterday(April 9th, 2009) in the mail!
Currently I'm working on getting an order ready for all the details I need for my booth. I've been looking at bagging recently and found some fun options that don't seem too expensive. I'm not going to go with your typical flat paper bags because I think they are not very aesthetic and because you really never reuse those kinds of things and I'd rather have bags that can be reused if possible and are possibly recycled bags since I try to be eco-friendly. I also find that those kinds of bags are annoying to carry around because they don't have any kind of good handle on them and I think other people would also agree with that and appreciate ones that do.
I need at least two different kinds of bags. One for putting the purchased item into when someone buys it. The other is for the items themselves, kinda like a protective covering that gives it more of a professional feel to it.
I'm including links of the bags that I'm thinking about below:
Recycled Merchandise Bags
Colored Merchandise Bags (I really like these ones because they can hold bulky objects)
Flap Lock Bags (to put the actual prints in)
Another thing that I'm thinking about getting are hang tags for the prints. These would be similar to the hang tags you find on clothing only better. These would be an interesting version of my business card only it includes more information about what they bought - like the fact that I donate 5% of all profits to the NWF and that the tag itself it printed on 100% post consumer material and is printed by a green-printer with eco-friendly inks and all that fun stuff. I would either have a hang-tag on each print or I would attach them to the bags, I haven't decided exactly how I want to do it. I could also include specific information about the print itself on the tag (which is probably what I'll end up doing).
This is the website to the printer. And yes, they are a green company.
GreenerPrinter
I think it's really nice and their prices aren't too bad. The other printer I'd use (if I had a lot of money to blow) would be a company that uses handmade paper that has wildflower seeds in it. And that means you can plant that paper and see it grow.
Botanical Paperworks - Paper that blooms
How's that for eco-friendly? I love it. Plus, it's a really fun takeaway and would make quite an impression. For now though, I'm sticking with GreenerPrinter to get my tags & cards printed.
EDIT: I just got the bags yesterday(April 9th, 2009) in the mail!
 |
| From Notes from an Artist Boxes of Bags! There's 5 different bags in this photo. |
March 21, 2009
Sometimes, it's just not worth it.
Lately I've been putting together a list of some local galleries and competitions to enter my work into or apply to get my work shown in. I've been pretty selective in this and today I found myself going through the official rules for one of these said competitions.
And decided that it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth what I'd lose if I won any award in this competition. This is the competition website: http://contest.prismacolor.com/.
"As a condition of being awarded a prize, each winner will be required to assign and transfer to Sponsor all rights, title, interest and claim to winner's Entry and Artwork, including, without limitation, all intellectual property rights therein, and Sponsor shall have the right to use, publish, alter, assign, edit, sell, or license such Entry or Artwork in any and all media however it sees fit without approval of, or additional compensation to, winner.
Entries/Artwork may be featured with or without credit given to the entrant on Sponsor’s website (www.prismacolor.com), and may be used in packaging for Sponsor’s product(s) and/or an ad campaign promoting this Competition. "
Oh and
"By accepting any prize, the winner also consents to the use of his/her name, likeness, quote(s), photograph, identity, Entry and/or Artwork for advertising/publicity purposes in commerce and in any and all media worldwide without limitation or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law."
Ya... um.. NO.
I do not personally feel that any award is worth transferring *all rights* of my work to someone else... especially when they don't even have to give me credit for my work, ever. And I will also have to decline letting someone use my work or myself for their own profits however they see fit. I believe that is an area where people make money, by licensing their images for profit and I'm not about to let someone run off with my work without limitation or compensation. I do not care who or how amazingly famous some people/groups/organizations may be, I refuse to be taken advantage of in that way.
Oh and they can alter my work at their discretion?
Sell?
All intellectual property rights therein?
Without approval of?
Even though this is a competition by Prismacolor, who makes the colored pencils I use currently, it feels like a scam. There's just something inherently *wrong* with it. It feels like if I enter and win that I would lose so much more than I would gain. I am not comfortable in giving the soul of my work or myself away in this fashion.
Sometimes, it's just not worth it.
And decided that it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth what I'd lose if I won any award in this competition. This is the competition website: http://contest.prismacolor.com/.
"As a condition of being awarded a prize, each winner will be required to assign and transfer to Sponsor all rights, title, interest and claim to winner's Entry and Artwork, including, without limitation, all intellectual property rights therein, and Sponsor shall have the right to use, publish, alter, assign, edit, sell, or license such Entry or Artwork in any and all media however it sees fit without approval of, or additional compensation to, winner.
Entries/Artwork may be featured with or without credit given to the entrant on Sponsor’s website (www.prismacolor.com), and may be used in packaging for Sponsor’s product(s) and/or an ad campaign promoting this Competition. "
Oh and
"By accepting any prize, the winner also consents to the use of his/her name, likeness, quote(s), photograph, identity, Entry and/or Artwork for advertising/publicity purposes in commerce and in any and all media worldwide without limitation or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law."
Ya... um.. NO.
I do not personally feel that any award is worth transferring *all rights* of my work to someone else... especially when they don't even have to give me credit for my work, ever. And I will also have to decline letting someone use my work or myself for their own profits however they see fit. I believe that is an area where people make money, by licensing their images for profit and I'm not about to let someone run off with my work without limitation or compensation. I do not care who or how amazingly famous some people/groups/organizations may be, I refuse to be taken advantage of in that way.
Oh and they can alter my work at their discretion?
Sell?
All intellectual property rights therein?
Without approval of?
Even though this is a competition by Prismacolor, who makes the colored pencils I use currently, it feels like a scam. There's just something inherently *wrong* with it. It feels like if I enter and win that I would lose so much more than I would gain. I am not comfortable in giving the soul of my work or myself away in this fashion.
Sometimes, it's just not worth it.
March 13, 2009
Now I've Done It... O.O
So I've had a few things going on in the part of my life devoted to my fine arts, which admittedly is a bit neglected at the moment since I've been doing some web design lately.
One thing that I'm excited about is that my collages that are up at the Civic Center have been moved up front and center in the main hallway. It has my new display materials (biography, business cards, and price cards for each piece. I'll be getting some new photos of that this weekend and I'll post them as soon as I can.
The other thing that some of you are aware of is that I applied to sell my work at the Boise Farmer's Market. The meeting was on the 3rd and a lot of people showed up, both artisan and ag. vendor-hopefuls. I figured I had a shot so I went for it. On the application there were a bunch of different venues listed that I could apply to sell my work at and I applied for all of them except for the Holiday Market (the one in December because it costs too much and plus it's like FREEZING and I'd rather not have to use all my profits trying to heal my sick body from it). We'd find out in 10 days if we are accepted and they stressed that not all applicants would get in and that it's not personal because there's only so much room.
Well... I got in. !!! O.O Well crap... That means I have to actually order things and wake up early on Saturdays, and sit in a booth for hours, and, and... hopefully become rich and famous in the process.
The venues that I'm accepted for are:
CCPM Saturday market, runs April 18th through October 31st
Edwards Greenhouse on Tuesday nights
Art Under the Stars every 1st Thursday starting in June through October
Harvest Festival, a 2-day event on Labor Day Weekend
For some reason they didn't catch the fact that I'm wanting to sell my reproductions and prints along with my originals so I need to clarify that cuz there's no point in doing this if I can't sell my prints. I would be selling the Giclee reproductions as well as cheaper photographic prints in smaller sizes and also prints on fabric for those that are quilters at heart.
Things that are required for the market are:
You are required to carry general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 with CCPM named as an ‘additional named insured’. Due April 18th before set-up.
You are responsible for obtaining a State Tax ID number. A copy is due April 18th before set-up. (ID State Tax Commission, (208) 334-7660.)
You are responsible for your white, 10’ x 10’ canopy, signage, tables, display risers, etc.
You as the producer must be present at your booth at all times.
You must make 75% of each product sold at the Market
You can ONLY sell a product of which you have been juried-in for. No other products can be sold in your booth.
I have the tent and some tables (I need to buy some grids) and the tax id and I think I can manage having me at the booth. I need to get the insurance which I'm told isn't really all that expensive. And as long as I can sell my prints then I should be all set.
Except for the how am I going to set this all up by myself?
So I've had a few things going on in the part of my life devoted to my fine arts, which admittedly is a bit neglected at the moment since I've been doing some web design lately.
One thing that I'm excited about is that my collages that are up at the Civic Center have been moved up front and center in the main hallway. It has my new display materials (biography, business cards, and price cards for each piece. I'll be getting some new photos of that this weekend and I'll post them as soon as I can.
The other thing that some of you are aware of is that I applied to sell my work at the Boise Farmer's Market. The meeting was on the 3rd and a lot of people showed up, both artisan and ag. vendor-hopefuls. I figured I had a shot so I went for it. On the application there were a bunch of different venues listed that I could apply to sell my work at and I applied for all of them except for the Holiday Market (the one in December because it costs too much and plus it's like FREEZING and I'd rather not have to use all my profits trying to heal my sick body from it). We'd find out in 10 days if we are accepted and they stressed that not all applicants would get in and that it's not personal because there's only so much room.
Well... I got in. !!! O.O Well crap... That means I have to actually order things and wake up early on Saturdays, and sit in a booth for hours, and, and... hopefully become rich and famous in the process.
The venues that I'm accepted for are:
CCPM Saturday market, runs April 18th through October 31st
Edwards Greenhouse on Tuesday nights
Art Under the Stars every 1st Thursday starting in June through October
Harvest Festival, a 2-day event on Labor Day Weekend
For some reason they didn't catch the fact that I'm wanting to sell my reproductions and prints along with my originals so I need to clarify that cuz there's no point in doing this if I can't sell my prints. I would be selling the Giclee reproductions as well as cheaper photographic prints in smaller sizes and also prints on fabric for those that are quilters at heart.
Things that are required for the market are:
You are required to carry general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 with CCPM named as an ‘additional named insured’. Due April 18th before set-up.
You are responsible for obtaining a State Tax ID number. A copy is due April 18th before set-up. (ID State Tax Commission, (208) 334-7660.)
You are responsible for your white, 10’ x 10’ canopy, signage, tables, display risers, etc.
You as the producer must be present at your booth at all times.
You must make 75% of each product sold at the Market
You can ONLY sell a product of which you have been juried-in for. No other products can be sold in your booth.
I have the tent and some tables (I need to buy some grids) and the tax id and I think I can manage having me at the booth. I need to get the insurance which I'm told isn't really all that expensive. And as long as I can sell my prints then I should be all set.
Except for the how am I going to set this all up by myself?
Note: It is confirmed that I can sell my prints at the market! Hurray!
And here is a new photo from the Civic Center display.
One thing that I'm excited about is that my collages that are up at the Civic Center have been moved up front and center in the main hallway. It has my new display materials (biography, business cards, and price cards for each piece. I'll be getting some new photos of that this weekend and I'll post them as soon as I can.
The other thing that some of you are aware of is that I applied to sell my work at the Boise Farmer's Market. The meeting was on the 3rd and a lot of people showed up, both artisan and ag. vendor-hopefuls. I figured I had a shot so I went for it. On the application there were a bunch of different venues listed that I could apply to sell my work at and I applied for all of them except for the Holiday Market (the one in December because it costs too much and plus it's like FREEZING and I'd rather not have to use all my profits trying to heal my sick body from it). We'd find out in 10 days if we are accepted and they stressed that not all applicants would get in and that it's not personal because there's only so much room.
Well... I got in. !!! O.O Well crap... That means I have to actually order things and wake up early on Saturdays, and sit in a booth for hours, and, and... hopefully become rich and famous in the process.
The venues that I'm accepted for are:
CCPM Saturday market, runs April 18th through October 31st
Edwards Greenhouse on Tuesday nights
Art Under the Stars every 1st Thursday starting in June through October
Harvest Festival, a 2-day event on Labor Day Weekend
For some reason they didn't catch the fact that I'm wanting to sell my reproductions and prints along with my originals so I need to clarify that cuz there's no point in doing this if I can't sell my prints. I would be selling the Giclee reproductions as well as cheaper photographic prints in smaller sizes and also prints on fabric for those that are quilters at heart.
Things that are required for the market are:
You are required to carry general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 with CCPM named as an ‘additional named insured’. Due April 18th before set-up.
You are responsible for obtaining a State Tax ID number. A copy is due April 18th before set-up. (ID State Tax Commission, (208) 334-7660.)
You are responsible for your white, 10’ x 10’ canopy, signage, tables, display risers, etc.
You as the producer must be present at your booth at all times.
You must make 75% of each product sold at the Market
You can ONLY sell a product of which you have been juried-in for. No other products can be sold in your booth.
I have the tent and some tables (I need to buy some grids) and the tax id and I think I can manage having me at the booth. I need to get the insurance which I'm told isn't really all that expensive. And as long as I can sell my prints then I should be all set.
Except for the how am I going to set this all up by myself?
So I've had a few things going on in the part of my life devoted to my fine arts, which admittedly is a bit neglected at the moment since I've been doing some web design lately.
One thing that I'm excited about is that my collages that are up at the Civic Center have been moved up front and center in the main hallway. It has my new display materials (biography, business cards, and price cards for each piece. I'll be getting some new photos of that this weekend and I'll post them as soon as I can.
The other thing that some of you are aware of is that I applied to sell my work at the Boise Farmer's Market. The meeting was on the 3rd and a lot of people showed up, both artisan and ag. vendor-hopefuls. I figured I had a shot so I went for it. On the application there were a bunch of different venues listed that I could apply to sell my work at and I applied for all of them except for the Holiday Market (the one in December because it costs too much and plus it's like FREEZING and I'd rather not have to use all my profits trying to heal my sick body from it). We'd find out in 10 days if we are accepted and they stressed that not all applicants would get in and that it's not personal because there's only so much room.
Well... I got in. !!! O.O Well crap... That means I have to actually order things and wake up early on Saturdays, and sit in a booth for hours, and, and... hopefully become rich and famous in the process.
The venues that I'm accepted for are:
CCPM Saturday market, runs April 18th through October 31st
Edwards Greenhouse on Tuesday nights
Art Under the Stars every 1st Thursday starting in June through October
Harvest Festival, a 2-day event on Labor Day Weekend
For some reason they didn't catch the fact that I'm wanting to sell my reproductions and prints along with my originals so I need to clarify that cuz there's no point in doing this if I can't sell my prints. I would be selling the Giclee reproductions as well as cheaper photographic prints in smaller sizes and also prints on fabric for those that are quilters at heart.
Things that are required for the market are:
You are required to carry general liability insurance with a minimum of $1,000,000 with CCPM named as an ‘additional named insured’. Due April 18th before set-up.
You are responsible for obtaining a State Tax ID number. A copy is due April 18th before set-up. (ID State Tax Commission, (208) 334-7660.)
You are responsible for your white, 10’ x 10’ canopy, signage, tables, display risers, etc.
You as the producer must be present at your booth at all times.
You must make 75% of each product sold at the Market
You can ONLY sell a product of which you have been juried-in for. No other products can be sold in your booth.
I have the tent and some tables (I need to buy some grids) and the tax id and I think I can manage having me at the booth. I need to get the insurance which I'm told isn't really all that expensive. And as long as I can sell my prints then I should be all set.
Except for the how am I going to set this all up by myself?
Note: It is confirmed that I can sell my prints at the market! Hurray!
And here is a new photo from the Civic Center display.
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