Here's some of the rooms which caught my eye as I strolled through the 5th floor art Artomatic... The planet's largest open art show - over 1,000 artists - opens on March 8th from 5-9PM!
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Friday, February 23, 2024
Rejected!
Once again... thick skin ops!
Thank you for submitting artwork to Open Call for Washington Project For the Arts’ Collectors' Night 2024 Benefit Auction! We received over 250 submissions and appreciate your effort and interest in participating. We regret to inform you that we did not select your work for inclusion in the auction this year.
We hope you will stay connected by signing up for our e-newsletter or following us on Instagram if you haven't already. We post opportunities throughout the year including an Open Call for project ideas later in the fall.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions. Thanks again for submitting, and we wish you the very best!
Sincerely,
Emily Fussner
Events Manager & Resident Designer
WASHINGTON PROJECT FOR THE ARTS
2124 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
wpadc.org | @wpadc
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Isla Herida
Just found this online -- it is footprints like this one that make you aware of what you leave behind as an artist.
Monday, February 19, 2024
New Documentary on Artist Jacob Kainen
The Jacob Kainen Art Trust has enlisted the award-winning director Mark Covino (A Band Called Death, The Crest), and producer Jon Gann (Miss Alma Thomas: A Life in Color, Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection) to create a short documentary exploring the life and art of Jacob Kainen (1909-2001), one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
“Jacob Kainen: An Artists’ Artist” follows the life of Kainen, a prolific but often overlooked artist of 20th Century America. From his immigrant upbringing to his rebellious artistic journey in NYC, his leftist ideologies and eventual impact on the D.C. art scene, Kainen’s story is one of perseverance and passion.
Despite facing challenges like McCarthyism and career limitations, he found solace in his art, especially with the support of his second wife, Ruth. His legacy as an artist’s artist and influential mentor endures, shaping generations of artists to come.
Jacob was not only a beloved painter and printmaker, but also as a curator, mentor, teacher, and a major force in developing the post-war Washington, D.C. art scene. His work is featured in major museum collections, including the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Narrated in Kainen’s own voice, unearthed from a treasure trove of recently discovered tapes, the film promises an intimate portrayal of the artist's tumultuous journey. His story will be further explored by curators Jonathan F. Walz (The Columbus Museum) and Seth Feman (Frist Art Museum), alongside perspectives from prominent art historians, artists, and Kainen’s own son, Dan Kainen, audiences will be immersed in the rich tapestry of Kainen’s life and artistry.
While the initial funds have been secured, the project seeks additional support to license archival materials, ensuring the preservation of Kainen’s legacy for posterity. Every contribution paves the way for a deeper understanding of Kainen’s impact on the art world and his influence on future generations of artists.
“Kainen’s role in shaping American modernism, particularly in Washington, D.C., is a narrative long overdue for exploration. This documentary serves as a vital conduit for a new generation of art enthusiasts and historians to rediscover his profound contributions,” remarks Jonathan F. Walz, curator at The Columbus Museum.
More information on the project is online at www.jacobkainen.com/donate
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Pretty on Y'all
Just a little short walk from the Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia, there's a "new" and spectacular little arts & crafts shop on Main Street in downtown Luray!
Immensely knowledgeable retired college professor runs the joint and she's super friendly and a joy!
Also, in the back there's a crafts area where you can make gorgeous stuff! While we were there, about 100 little girls waltzed in and started making arts and crafts! It was precious!
We ended up making a bracelet for the granddaughter, and also got two precious handmade wool sweaters for $35 each!
Most highly recommended if you're in Luray!
 |
| Inside of 'Pretty on Y'all' in Luray, Virginia |
 |
| Making a bracelet for Mila at 'Pretty on Y'all' in Luray, Virginia |
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Hank's Grill - actually "Grille"
 |
DO not be fooled by the Frenchie spelling of "Grill" - this place in McGaheysville, Virginia is the legendary "bomb."!!!
We're staying in Luray, about 26 miles away from McGaheysville, Virginia, but had heard so many great things about this place (via the great "Get Out of Town" TV show in WETA) that we made the scary drive at night through the winding one lane roads that connect Luray to the town where this jewel of a family-owned Southern BBQ restaurant is located.
The place was packed with locals, and the young, pretty waitress was not only friendly, but also super knowledgeable about the food, and also very efficient!
 |
| Alida standing at Hank's Grille's parking lot |
I had my mind on trying their burnt ends, but as advised in the menu, they're usually out and gone about an hour after dinner starts at 5 pm. The waitress passed that they're very popular and sell out every day. "Y'all gotta get here at 5 to get any," she advised.
 |
| Nachos Carnitas from Hank's Grille & Catering |
I ordered Carnitas Nachos, a little part of me wondering when nachos became Southern food, but whoever added that to the menu hit a homerun and went yard, as (and I realize that my Mexican compadres will hate hearing this), but they've improved the dish! This is really nachos with Southern pulled pork and it was GREAT!
The wife had a salad with grilled salmon and I had a combo plate of pulled pork and fried catfish with a side of green beans and ham. The portions were enormous and delicious!
The restaurant is also decorated with some pretty decent artworks... not sure if local art talent or what, but I am always impressed by good art on the walls where good food is served!
Bottom line: Worth the drive!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Zofie King at Fred Schneider Gallery
DMV artist Zofie King has a solo show "Metamorphic Reverie" at Fred Schnider Gallery in Arlington, VA!
The show opens with a reception on March 2, 5-8pm, and runs through April 21, 2024. There will be an artist talk on April 6, 5-7pm, and a closing reception on Saturday, April 20, 5-7pm. Hope I get to see you at one of these events!
888 N Quincy St., # 102 Arlington, VA
301-852-8942
gallery@fredschnidergallery.com
Thursday - Saturday, 12-7 pm, Sundays 12-5 pm.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Artomatic - Registration day
Last Sunday I drove to the District to register for Artomatic 2024. I found street parking about a block from the cool Brutalist building at 2100 M Street, NW - the huge site of this year's Artomatic.
DMV area artist Patricia de Poel Wilberg was working the front registration desk - one of the hundreds of artist volunteers who make Artomatic what it is: the planet's largest open art show!
After a very informative orientation session lead by James Tretick, assisted by Artomatic creator George Koch and DMV uberartist Tim Tate, whose career started at Art-O-Matic 2000.
As my good bud Tate is on the 5th floor, I headed up there and managed to snag wall A in room 5086.
 |
| This is my wall in room 5086-A at Artomatic 2024 |
 |
| These are also part of my wall in room 5086-A at Artomatic 2024 |
Monday, February 12, 2024
The Empire arrived
 |
When the Empire finally arrived to the Earth, she was the first one to post them to TikTok 18x9 inches, charcoal on paper c. 2024 by Florencio Lennox Campello |
Third Thursdays Openings
Studio Gallery is so excited to be partnering with their neighbors the IA&A at Hillyer, The Phillips Collection, ADA Gallery, Washington Studio School, and the Korean Cultural Center this February to offer Third Thursdays!
February 15th 5-8 pm
Meet & Greet with Artist Wayne Paige (Lower Level)
6-8 pm
Free to the public
*Studio Gallery's upper level will only be open from 5-6 pm.
This Third Thursday, Studio Gallery presents HEAL, a Fellows Group Exhibition on the upper level of our historic gallery. Curated by Atiya Dorsey, this show features artists Olivia Bruce, Amity Chan, Skyler Henry, and Omari Wilson. HEAL follows our Fellowship artists as they as they unpack individual identity-centered healing practices through the process of making, as well as collective opportunities to come together.
On our lower level, artists Chris Chernow and Wayne Paige present their duo exhibits Subtleties of Paint (exploring the use, power, and subtleties of paint) and Figments of the Untamed (black and white dreamscapes). Wayne Paige will be at the gallery from 6-8 pm to meet visitors and answer questions.
In the Garden Gallery, Iwan Bagus presents his photography show WHAT HUMAN RIGHT IS THE RIGHT TO FOOD? and Suzanne Goldberg presents her Grief, featuring paintings and collages.
 |
| The Good One by Wayne Paige |
Studio Gallery | 2108 R Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Opportunity for Miniature artists: show at a New York City art fair!
Bottom Line Up Front: An opportunity for DMV area miniature artists to have their work curated into a world-class art fair in New York City this coming Fall.
Summary: I have been retained by Ramsay Fairs, a British-based art fair empire that runs art fairs in the United States, Asia and Europe to curate a wall of miniature art to be exhibited and sold at the Affordable Art Fair New York City this coming Fall.
Ramsay Fairs is one of the biggest art fair organisers globally, running 19 fairs a year with over ¼ million visitors. Through a portfolio of art fairs that includes Affordable Art Fair, VOLTA and British Art Fair, we inspire people to collect and enjoy art at every level.
 |
| Preview Night of the 2023 Affordable Art Fair NYC |
Definition of miniature art: I am educated by this Council for the Arts website that a:
"commonly accepted American guideline among many of today's miniaturists is that subjects do not exceed one-sixth their natural size. Exceptions are permitted for abstractions or tiny subjects not lending themselves to the "one-sixth" application provided they Embrace the delicate essence and spirit of miniaturism."
Our own Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS), which has been around since 1931 adds:
This unique art form, based on a minute scale, traces its roots back to the book paintings and illuminated manuscripts set in the 7th century. A work of fine art in miniature is a particularly personal object that draws the viewer into an intimate, concentrated little world that is breathtaking in its execution. Every single detail is miniaturized -- the scale of the subject matter, the brush or pencil strokes -- so that only with high magnification can one behold the immaculate details of the artist's technique which may include stippling, hatching, or pointillism. These techniques are a specialized means of producing a perfect balance of color and detail in a series of thinly applied layers of exquisite color intended to reflect light. The miniatures show a high standard of design and the artist's mastery of the chosen media and palette.
For this exhibition, no 2D framed work shall be larger (including frame) that 8x10 5x7 inches and any 3D work cannot be longer than six (6) inches in any direction.
I plan to have two rounds of jurying:
1. Initially I will selecting semi-finalists from digital images - either emailed to me, or available online once a link is provided. Each artist can submit up to three works for consideration.
2. I will then review all round one selected artworks for in-person review of the actual work to ensure that the actual artwork meets professional presentation standards as demanded by the art fair guidelines.
3. This round two review will be done at a local art gallery or space (to be announced later) with ease of access and parking, etc. This means that the work will have to be brought in - not shipped for this round of final review.
At this point I will sign for and keep all selected works and pack them for transportation to the fair. Each work will be identified by:
- Artist's name
- Title of work
- Media
- Year
- Price
All work must be for sale. 50% of all sale proceeds will go the artist and the remaining 50% will go to a local New York City charity to be selected by the art fair staff at a later date.
Cost to enter the process: Free
Selected work will be driven to the fair by me, installed by me at the fair, and all sales will be run by the gallery at the fair. Artists will be paid within a week after the fair and provided with the full contact details of the purchaser.
Unsold works will be returned at a selected date after the fair, and must be picked up in person; there will be no shipping back to artist options.
More later... I will design and upload an entry form which artists can use as a reference once the delivery/pick-up locations have been solidified; meanwhile if you have any questions, please send me an email to lennycampello@hotmail.com
Friday, February 09, 2024
REJECTED! Shot down!
I applied to become a mentor/consulting artist in my own county - and just got rejected!
Another example of why artists need to have thick skins!
How do I feel? I wish whoever they picked 1000% congrats and a load of success!
Parts of me do wonder... cough... cough...
From: Flannery Winchester Flannery.Winchester@creativemoco.com
Fri 2/9/2024 2:06 PM
Dear Florencio,
On behalf of AHCMC, we would like to thank you very much for your submission to our Request for Qualifications for the Consulting Artist position. While our selection committee appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your artistic practice and were impressed with your credentials, your application was regrettably not selected for this position.
We hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with you on future public art projects in Montgomery County.
Thank you for your time and efforts during this process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Warmly,
Flannery
Flannery Winchester
Public Art Program Manager
1511361269793_image002.png
801 ellsworth drive, silver spring, md 20910-4438
Arts & Humanities Council | Blog | Twitter | CultureSpotMC| Facebook | MontgomeryTraditions
You like cows?
Back in 1994, I was living near a farm in Virginia with lots of these...
This work just showed up today at a local, DC area auction house - bid for it here.
Thursday, February 08, 2024
Lou Ann Collins' Art Reception at Watkins Nature Center
|
|
Wednesday, February 07, 2024
Wanna go to an art opening this Friday?
Waverly Street Gallery Presents
2024 Invitational Show
Featuring work by members and their guests
On display through March 2nd, 2024
Come to the opening reception! Friday, February 9th, 6-8pm. |
An exhibition of over 30 artists! Come see the vibrant work of a community of creators. Ceramics, Paintings, Fiber Arts, Sculpture, Glass, Drawings, Jewelry, Prints, Photography and More! |
Waverly Street Gallery 4600 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301)-951-9441
waverlygallerybethesda@gmail.com
Hours: Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 1 – 6 pm, Fridays 3 - 8pm, and by appointment
Gallery Artists: Barbara Bickley, Rachel Carren, Dennis Crayon, Geoff Desobry, Bruce Paul Gaber, Mariah Gugel, Wanjin Kim, Keith Kozloff, Barbara Mierau-Klein, Matthew Nance, Jan Long, Grace Peterson, Michele Rubin, Marc Schneiderman, Pat Silbert, Kanika Sircar, Claire Wright
Tuesday, February 06, 2024
26th Bethesda Row Arts Festival
Get ready for the 26th Bethesda Row Arts Festival, happening on September 7-8, 2024! We are thrilled to announce that artist applications are now open. Situated in the vibrant heart of Bethesda, Maryland, our festival spans five bustling blocks and has been hailed as one of the top 30 Fine Art Shows in the country by the "Art Fair Sourcebook.
Expect to engage with 25,000 discerning attendees from the affluent and educated communities of the Washington, DC Metro Area, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Upper Northwest. The sphere of influence of the festival extends to a three-mile radius, known for its high average household income of $196,910.
We employ a comprehensive marketing plan that encompasses a wide range of platforms, from a robust social media campaign to traditional print and radio ads. With the support of our PR firm, local chamber of commerce, and urban district, we continually strive to involve the community and reach new potential attendees. Notably, our visibility has been amplified by appearances on NBC, FOX, WTOP (news radio), and WAMU (public radio).
Due to the late timing of the Jewish holidays and other events in Bethesda, we are moving the festival to new dates.
SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2024
Monday, January 29, 2024
Jacob Kainen: An Artists’ Artist
New Documentary on Artists’ Artist Jacob Kainen Slated for Spring Production, Fall Release!
Award-Winning Director Mark Covino tagged to helm film spotlighting one of America’s most influential, under looked 20th century Modernists.
The Jacob Kainen Art Trust has enlisted the award-winning director Mark Covino (A Band Called Death, The Crest), and producer Jon Gann (Miss Alma Thomas: A Life in Color, Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection) to create a short documentary exploring the life and art of Jacob Kainen (1909-2001), one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
“Jacob Kainen: An Artists’ Artist” follows the life of Kainen, a prolific but often overlooked artist of 20th Century America. From his immigrant upbringing to his rebellious artistic journey in NYC, his leftist ideologies and eventual impact on the D.C. art scene, Kainen’s story is one of perseverance and passion.
Despite facing challenges like McCarthyism and career limitations, he found solace in his art, especially with the support of his second wife, Ruth. His legacy as an artist’s artist and influential mentor endures, shaping generations of artists to come. Jacob was not only a beloved painter and printmaker, but also as a curator, mentor, teacher, and a major force in developing the post-war Washington, D.C. art scene.
His work is featured in major museum collections, including the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Narrated in Kainen’s own voice, unearthed from a treasure trove of recently discovered tapes, the film promises an intimate portrayal of the artist's tumultuous journey. His story will be further explored by curators Jonathan F. Walz (The Columbus Museum) and Seth Feman (Frist Art Museum), alongside perspectives from prominent art historians, artists, and Kainen’s own son, Dan Kainen, audiences will be immersed in the rich tapestry of Kainen’s life and artistry.
While the initial funds have been secured, the project seeks additional support to license archival materials, ensuring the preservation of Kainen’s legacy for posterity. Every contribution paves the way for a deeper understanding of Kainen’s impact on the art world and his influence on future generations of artists.
“Kainen’s role in shaping American modernism, particularly in Washington, D.C., is a narrative long overdue for exploration. This documentary serves as a vital conduit for a new generation of art enthusiasts and historians to rediscover his profound contributions,” remarks Jonathan F. Walz, curator at The Columbus Museum.
More information on the project is online at www.jacobkainen.com/donate
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Guerrilla Framing Techniques
This post from well over a decade ago is still a good lesson -- the prices and estimates have gone up, keep that in mind:
A strategy for saving money on framing costs...According to some stats I read a few years ago in a framing trade magazine, the average cost of framing in the Greater DC region was $67 an hour. It’s probably more than that now.Other than time, framing two-dimensional work is often the most expensive step in organizing an exhibition (to the artist), and it’s astounding how little most art schools prepare students (and faculty) for avoiding the trap of spending a lot of money on framing.There are some steps that artists can take to significantly reduce the cost of framing. Here I will try to list the most common mistakes, how to avoid them, and more importantly, how to get your artwork framed for a lot less than taking it to a framing shop to get it framed.First and foremost: Prepare! Do not leave your framing to the very last minute. Having said that, I know that most of you will leave the framing to the last minute and then panic – go to your neighborhood framing shop, and drop way too much money to get custom frames made for your artwork. If you can afford it, and the price history of you artwork can sustain it – then skip this posting. But if you want to save a lot of money on framing, then prepare!Do not, under any circumstances let the gallery or a second party take care of your framing unless you have the full costs ahead of time and in writing. Otherwise you will get stuck at the end of your exhibition with a framing bill rather than a commission check.First of all: If (and only if) you can, work in standard sizes. Most photographers and painters already do. But unless your compositional demands call for it (like mine do), avoid working in one of a kind sizes. American and European standard sizes are different, but US sizes cover a huge range of sizes, such as 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 12x16, 20x24, etc. If you can work within one of those sizes – i.e. do your watercolor on a sheet in one of those sizes, or print your photo on paper that size, etc. then half the battle is won, as then you should be able to buy ready-made frames that will automatically accommodate your matted work. This is important, as a good frame from any craft store, or from any art catalog, is usually a lot less than having one built from scratch! For example, a 16x20 metal molding frame, back metal brace/clips, wire, glass, pH-balanced acid free mat, hanging wire and acid free foam core backing is anywhere from $20 - $30 in any art catalog or locally (in the Greater DC region) from Apex in Alexandria. Having the exact same frame hand-made in a frame shop is around $100.If your work, because of composition or whatever, doesn’t fit into a standard size mat or frame, then another tactic is to go and shop for a ready-made frame that is larger than your artwork – at least three inches all around the diameter of the artwork. Then take that frame and your artwork to a frame shop and have them cut the mat for you. Now you are only paying for the labor and materials to cut a mat – not to build everything from scratch.If you can’t find a frame in a shop that fits your unique sizes, then shop through art supply catalogs and have them make you one. The savings over storefront framers is still significant. I personally buy a lot of frames from this place. Once you sign up, you get their catalogs as well, and then I hit them when they have a sale going on! From any supplier you can order moldings in one inch increments, so if your work is 18x30 inches, then you'd order a set of 18 inch molding, a set of 30 inch molding and it will be delivered with the hardware needed to assemble it - all you'll need is a screwdriver. Then visit your local glass shop for a piece of glass.Because most solo shows involve a larger number of works, you should start thinking way ahead of time as to the number of frames that you will need. If you can decide that you will need twenty frames for your show, and you know what size they will all be, then go shopping for ready-made frames in any of our local area arts and crafts stores, or other stores that stock frames, such as IKEA or Bed, Bath and Beyond. Once you find a frame that you like, turn it over and see who makes them. Write the manufacturer’s information down, and when you get home, call the manufacturer of the frame and place an order for the number of frames that you will need. You are now buying the frames wholesale and saving yourself the entire store mark-up!Don’t let the process of establishing an account with the frame manufacturer scare you. They may require an Employee Identification Number (EIN) – you can give them your social security number -- and they will have a minimum purchase (usually $250) – but by the time that you purchase 20-25 frames, that will be easy to meet. All you are doing is ordering the frame directly from the manufacturer rather than buying them through a store – it’s perfectly legal and saves you a considerable amount of money.If you work on canvas, you may not even need to frame them. Ask the gallery owner – a lot of galleries will be happy to hang canvasses that are “gallery dressed.” That means that the edge of the canvas wraps to the back and that’s where it is stapled – rather than the side. We actually prefer to show canvas paintings that way.Do not cheapen your artwork by choosing cheap materials. At all costs avoid using acidic mats (use only pH-balanced, acid free mats) and do not use cardboard to back the work – use acid free foam core. Using cheap materials not only damages the work eventually (as the acid migrates to the artwork) but also tells a potential collector that you are not serious as an artist to properly display your work. I am shocked at the number of badly hand-cut mats in acidic mats that I see in galleries all over the country – a lot of time is just plain ignorance of the business side of the fine arts – and the importance of presentation of artwork in a professional environment – such as a reputable fine arts gallery should be.If you are an artist that moves a lot of work a year, then you should seriously consider learning how to cut your own mats. A sheet of museum quality archival 32x40 inches mat board is around $6-8 and you can get four 16x20 inches mats from it. To have one 16x20 archival mat cut in a frame shop will be around $20. You can buy a decent mat cutter for around $150, and it comes with a video to teach you how to cut mats.The bottom line is that minimizing framing costs not only reduces the amount of money that an artist has to invest in offering a show, but also reduces the price point of the artwork – a very important issue, especially for young, emerging artists without a sales history track.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Lessons for Artists
An artist has a show and someone steals a piece of art. What happens next? With a signed contract, the artist would know ahead of time that either (a) the gallery has no insurance, in which case the theft is a full loss, or (b), the gallery has art insurance, in which case (a) the gallery puts a claim in with the insurance company, or (c) the artist deals directly with the insurance company. And, by the way, in the event that there’s insurance, don’t expect to get the full value of the stolen work, but in most cases (and policies) only the 50% commission that you’d have received in the event that the work had sold instead of being stolen.
Talking about commissions; how do you know, other than a handshake, what the gallery’s commission is? Let’s say that you are told that the commission is 50% (the general standard for independent commercial fine arts galleries around here). Is that 50% of the price of the piece or 50% of the final sales price? I know of at least one (now closed) major DC area art gallery that has a record of really screwing artists by giving them 50% of an agreed price for a piece; however, the gallery also often sells the piece for a lot more money to its out of town collectors and keeps the difference. Here’s how it works. The artist agrees to sell the photographs for $500 each and thus expects a commission of $250. The unethical gallerist sells some for $500, and some to its out-of-town clientele for $1000, but gives the artist the same $250 commission on those sales.
But let’s say that you have approached a gallery, and show them the works, and discuss representation, and the gallerist agrees to hang some of your work in his next group show. You are not sure if you are “represented” in the sense of the word as you understand it, but shake on it and prepare for your first appearance in a well-known gallery and invite all of your family and friends. At the packed opening, your second cousin-once-removed is admiring one of your huge watercolors, which are tacked onto the wall in a really cool post-post-post-modernist style. He leans forward to admire your brushwork and accidentally spills his white wine onto your watercolor, immediately making your representational work of art into a messy abstraction. What happens next? Does insurance cover damage? Is there insurance? Is that the guy who spilled the wine making a dash for the door?
Having learned your lesson, at your next opening you resign yourself to getting your new work framed and spend a ton of money getting them framed at the most affordable (in other words cheapest) possible way, but still spend a considerable amount of shekels -- because as everyone knows, framing is very expensive (unless you attend the Campello Boot Camp for Artists Seminar and learn how to cut framing expenses by 80%). When you deliver the works to the gallery, the gallerist goes into fits about your gold leaf rococo frames from Target and silver acidic mats and refuses to hang the work. A good contract would have specified ahead of time all issues dealing with framing and presentation standards.
Having calmed down, the gallerist then offers to re-frame all the work for you. You accept with a sigh of relief, and at the opening your 20 newly framed watercolors look great in the 8-ply pH-balanced, acid free mat board, under UV glass and Nielsen mouldings and backed by half-inch, acid free, pH-balanced foam core. You sell four pieces and are happy that things worked out in the end. A few weeks later you get a huge bill in the mail from the gallery; it is what remains of the framing bill after the gallery applied all of your commission to the total framing bill. A good contract should also specify the economic who’s and what’s of any framing done by the gallery.
Your relationship with the gallery is now seriously on the rocks, but then you are told that a review in DC Art News will come out soon. Three months after your show has closed the review finally comes out in DC Art News and it’s a good one. A young computer geek in Bala Cynwood, Pennsylvania, who is waiting to see his doctor for his annual physical reads that DC Art News review in his phone while waiting in the doc’s office, sees the nice reproduction of your work and after he goes home, looks you up on the Internet and contacts you directly and tells you that he read the review of your gallery show in DC Art News and wants to buy the painting reproduced in the review. You sell him the painting and put all your money in the bank. Sixteen minutes after the painting is delivered to Bala Cynwood, the gallery gets a call from a collector in Spokane, Washington who has also read the DC Art News review and wants to buy that painting. The gallerist calls you and tells you the good news. You are ecstatic that two people want your painting, but then you tell the gallerist that someone else in Bala Cynwood read the review and that you sold the painting to that person. The gallerist congratulates you on the sale and then asks you to make sure that you send him the gallery’s commission. You are confused because you had no idea that you owed the gallery a commission.
Your review in DC Art News has opened a few doors for your artwork and you are invited by a non-profit art venue to have a solo show at their space in a year. You are pleased and tell everyone, including the gallerist, who informs you that because his gallery represents your work, you are not allowed to exhibit anywhere else in the city, or maybe the area, or maybe the state, or maybe the US, or maybe the world.
Then your alma matter, impressed with your artistic prowess, invites you to a group show of alumni artwork in the school’s gallery. Since you attended art school in another state, you are pretty sure that it will be OK to show there, because after the last confusion, you discovered that the gallery had exclusive representation for your work only in DC, MD and VA (known to locals as the DMV - an acronym that I invented decades ago), and your art school is in Brownsville, Texas. You tell your gallerist, and because he has never heard of Brownsville, Texas, he looks it up in the Internet and then he informs you that if you exhibit your artwork in “certain places” it will bring the reputation of the gallery down and thus the gallerist doesn’t want you to exhibit in Brownsville, Texas – or anywhere in Texas, Arkansas, and Nebraska for that matter... or any state that voted for Trump, because as everyone knows, everyone in the art world is a left winger.
You beg and plead because you really want to impress your ex-girlfriend in Texas, and the gallerist allows you to include one piece in that alumni show, but makes it clear that he needs to be consulted on any and all exhibitions of your work. And so you exhibit your best piece in Brownsville and a New York gallerist, who happens to be a Robert Ervin Howard admirer, visits Brownsville to pay homage to REH's birthplace and decides to check the local yokels show at the art school.
Because your immense watercolors are the largest works in the show, they catch his attention and he jots down your name. Weeks later his intern calls you and tells you that they want to show some of your work in their next group show. This is really hitting the big time, and you announce to your gallerist that a big shot New York gallerist is including you in his next group show. He congratulates you and reminds you that you owe him 10% of any sales made in New York, or in Brownsville, Texas, or anywhere for that matter. You rant and rave and ask why, and he tells you that the reasons for your recent success all lead back to the exposure that he has given you. You demand to know why none of this stuff was made clear from the beginning. The gallerist answers that “everyone knows this,” and that he “likes to operate on a handshake and without a contract.” You then realize that you have him by the balls, since you have no signed contract with him or his gallery, and tell him that you are leaving. He says some threatening stuff about verbal contracts, but you walk away anyway, wondering how you are going to get back the six paintings of yours that your soon-to-be-former gallerist still has in storage.
Nonetheless, New York is New York, and you go visit the big shot New York gallerist and meet with him, and over a handshake he agrees to put you in a group show and tells you that his commission is 60% - You are not sure if you are “represented” in the sense of the word as you understand it, but shake on it and prepare for your first appearance in a New York City gallery and invite all of your family and friends...
Go back to the top of this post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
