Category: art discussions

What counts as success?

by Amanda, posted in Abstract, acrylic, Animal art, Art, art discussions, Artist, canada, commission, creative, events, female artist, For Sale, Life, Paintings, photos

Well, the shows are finally over.

I don’t know what counts as sucess at one of these types of shows.

If it’s strictly the financial aspect then it didn’t go as well as hoped.

I did get lots of feedback however. Everyone that stopped to look seemed to like my style.

I got alot of “wows” and “cools” and “nices” and “funkys” etc just not alot of people wanting to spend money on it.

It would seem re-usable rags are more purchasable.

I did however get a few business contacts, sold a few smaller things and picked up a commission.

I also had several people interested in my work who took my card or flier so it was by no means a complete loss.

Just one more small step towards my goal and besides, this was my first show and dangit lol I stood bravely beside my creations and presented them to the visible public for the first time which in itself is a success and proof I’ve stepped outside my shell.

So yes, I was disappointed I didn’t sell more but I’m not through yet, oh no, I am going to be a successful semi-well known artist someday and this is just the foundation work.

So here they are. The monumental pictures 🙂

Saturday at the Dow Center

Show #1 Perky and Optimistic 🙂

I had one 6 foot table to work with and arrange my Art work around

and there was probably around 60 vendors.

Needless to say it was a bit cramped.

Oh and I was like the second table when you walked into the room so lots of people got to see me coming and going so that was good.

dow-show

dow-show2

dow-show3

Sunday was a much smaller show at the Legion building

Show #2 Tired and Tired lol

with probably around 20 vendors but there was tons of space.

Again I ended up being out in the lobby so I was the first booth people saw coming and going.tired-me

legion-show

legion-show2

legion-show3

legion-show4

I also did up a new piece as a sample for the show examplifying my hand print art.

handprint-keepsakes

So all in all things went well, I just didn’t make much money.

I also had proof this weekend adding to my theory that I don’t look like or exude an artist persona.

What might that be you ask?

Well even with “Amanda Milke” writen on my sign and business cards several people just assumed Jonathan (my husband) was the artist. lol oh well. I guess I just look too boring comparitively to my work or something.

I also had an interesting experience. I had one little old lady look at my art, specifically my “Unexplained” color abstract painting and say it was “stupid” and “not real painting” to which I naturally shrugged it off thinking “meh, little old lady, what do you expect.”

I then later had two little old ladies come look over all my paintings thoroughly, chatting amongst themselves and stop at the “Unexplained” piece and commented for like 5 full minutes saying how beautiful it was and how they really liked that piece.

Just found that juxtoposition rather fascinating.

Well I guess there isn’t much more to say except I’ve added a “Gift Shop” page to my site for those of you who might be interested in seeing some of the other things I paint asides from paintings.

Cheers and Goodnight,

A

An Interview with Me

by Amanda, posted in Abstract, Art, art discussions, Artist, creative, events, female artist, Life, Paintings, photos

Through my meandering on the internet I had the pleasure of meeting and conversing (virtually) with Maryanne Ventrice a photographer based in New York. Maryanne also enjoys interviewing creative individuals on her blog, be it musically or otherwise and was kind enough to include me among her interviewees.

You can check out her blog and the interview here:

Interview: Amanda Milke

Enjoy & Cheers!

A

WTF is ART issue#5 “Is ART the new Gold?”

by Amanda, posted in Art, art discussions, Artist, female artist, ideas, Uncategorized, WTF Art

I came across this article while I was browsing the net and thought it would make for an interesting read/debate.

Sarah Thornton explains why art is a beacon of optimism as markets tumble.

You can read the full telegraph article here then join in on the discussion.

So what do you think? Is art the new gold, the new safe market investment?

Thornton says that “museum attendance has surged and more people than ever began calling themselves artists”.

But the question I’m asking myself is: Is museum attendance and artist growth a good thing?

On one hand, the increase in artists and art may mean an artistic boom in the art market making this type of investment more widely accessible But on the flip side what happens generally when you get an abundance of something? Well in a market sense if you have 100 stocks versus 10,000 stocks the 100 stocks are going to be more valuable? But when those same 100 stocks turn into 10,000 the value plummets.

How does that translate to the art world?

Does it translate to the art world?

If every artist is a gold bar, then when gold bars(artists) increase will the value drop?

In societies past art was valued and of value because it was a rare commodity but today artists are a growing trend because the internet has helped us/them reach beyond our city or home base making us/them more easily accessible.

But, Thorton doesn’t say artists are the new gold she says ART is the new GOLD.

What does that mean?

Think about it…what does art have the makes it so valuable?

Well, How about the uniqueness of each and every piece?

It’s like no gold bar is alike making each and every piece valuable.

So yes, perhaps ART is the new GOLD to invest in.

But, the question I want to leave with you is this:

Who decides what is “pure gold” and what is “fools gold” when it comes to art?

Isn’t every piece being genuinely unique enough and valuable unto itself?

A