Another Book in my Studio

"Exhibiting Work


Question: How can I get my work out? Answer: Find new sources for exhibiting. Don’t rely on the old power structure. Find new sources in the community. All artists cannot exhibit in New York City. Where you are is good. Build up your own area, particularity if there is a weak cultural community. They need you for their vision. All Italian artists did not go to Rome. There were Venetians, Florentines, Umbrians, Sienese. Regionalism is important."

The above quote found within this little gem of a book saved my life as an artist.  I had just returned to my hometown after living in New York for a few years.  Home where there was beauty, artists and an art market for 'genre' paintings.  I felt as if I had left the 'art market' behind me and was starting all over again from the beginning.  This book came to me and this quote gave me courage to remain here.  I didn't give up on art, I just gave up the idea that the only place to make great art was in the city.  I don't know where the epicenter of the art world is now.  I rarely read art magazines. I don't know who the 'it girl' or the 'it boy' is.  What I do know is that my art keeps me busy, I have helped a few artists along the way, and have grown roots right here in my hometown.

You can get this book for a penny!  a penny!  it is worth a million more.

best,
deb.

$200 art

My friend Tom had a show last month and sold a lot of work, small drawings reminding me of cherries: one cherry, two cherry, four cherry. if not fruit, fruit like. very well executed. overheard: "the presentation is excellent" "which one did you buy" "this is mine, i call it the asshole" "that gives new meaning to freudian slips" "hell, that gives new meaning to the show" and i looked around.

yup, cherry red twists.

so, he made a few thousand, and this will get him through the winter.

just before i left
and
re-iterated to me
over and over

that is what you should do. you should put up a show, $200 artworks.

i could. i will close with a $250 artwork. i have a lot of these 'drawings'. "they seem to only make sense to me" i told Susan. 'maybe this is not my market. people say: your glasswork. so i make smaller glasswork, no sale. people say: more gold, so i do more gold, no sale. people say: harbor scenes, so i do the harbor, no sale. people say: have a show, i have a show, no sale. people say: to expensive, not big enough, not this, not that and i say: the Hell with it and just do what i want. after all, if i'm not going to get the high of the sale, at least i will have some fun.'

'

will exchange studio visits with Susan Erony soon. it will good to have fresh eyes on my work.

portfolio returned from another gallery. no note.

still waiting to hear from New York.

need to print up new portfolios, will mail 10 out before my 55th birthday on the 29th.

still in the boat, going with the stream,
enjoying the view.

as always, do whatever it is that gives you, and perhaps a few others some joy.

de b.

The Trapper John, signed

It must be done; I signed it yesterday and put the painting in the stacks.
"The Trapper John" 30x32"
copyright debbie clarke 2008
egg tempera, chalk and metal leaf on canvas.

portfolio selection: drawing, 10x10"

June said: You gotta see this artist's house!

it is so inspiring!

i replied.

and i should have shown them that one.
and elizabeth said i should hang that one.

David said: Why didn't you show them this one?

...oh, he means the one on the right.

oh,

and
I must send off thank you notes.
will do.

fitting all of the pieces together

i'm re-doing my portfolio, smaller images, more reference information such as:
where is the work now?
year, media
consistent titles on all portfolios
sending a copy to update my files at the museum and any galleries that used to show my work.
will send the up-dated version to new york

wow.
pats self on back.

New York City bound

going to the city this week
taking my book
gonna have a look around
thought about the ferry
maybe not
not much time to knock around
re-visiting the holy ghosts
gonna take a look around
see some work
take a gander at the Dali
The Balthus
some Joan Mitchell
la vie en rose
the big pink
near the Diebenkorn
gonna take my book
size things up
place the
book
in some hands
for eyes to see
nyc,
maybe

a call
will
come
back
or
not
but gonna try.