Art Gallery Prospecting Package

Posted on by BMcElhaney

For your consideration: A more efficient alternative to sending your portfolio to prospective galleries. - More bang for your buck.

Artist's Prospecting Introduction Letter

When you’re seeking representation for your art, I recommend sending a letter of introduction with a rack card (9 x 4 in. postcard) and a business card, instead of sending a “complete” portfolio package to every single prospective gallery.

This is not a “shot-gun” approach, there’s still a lot of research and effort required, but this method will allow you to send out many more prospecting packages with less cost and effort than sending a traditional portfolio package.

Do your homework to pre-qualify galleries.

I recommend making a list several dozen galleries, that are within a reasonable driving distance, and would consider showing your work. Don’t automatically write off galleries that don’t show exactly your type of artwork. They may be looking for something just like what you do to round out their offering! On the other hand, if your work is completely different than a gallery’s collection (for example, if you do digital photo-collage and they only show dead Russian Impressionists) don’t waste your time or theirs.

If a gallery has a recommended submission process, by all means, follow it! They’re telling you what they want. Be respectful and follow their guidelines! (You may want send an introductory letter in addition.)

Rack Card - Front/Back

 

Recommendations:

  • Add prospective galleries to your mailing list for future show announcements and invitations to your open-studios. (snail-mail list only.) Multiple impressions make a better impact.
  • Address the envelope and the letter to the gallery director, by name. If the gallery director is not listed on their website, call and find out!
  • Handwrite the address on the envelope. (This is more personal than a printed label)
  • Sign the letter with a your favorite pen. (Mine happens to be a Bic Velocity Gel 0.7, blue.)
  • Use an (artistic) colorful stamp (no bulk mail, or printed postage)
  • Include your complete name, contact info and website on your material!
  • Make sure your printed materials are as professional as possible.

Artists – What works well for you when looking for gallery representation?

Galleries – What do you wish artists would do when introducing themselves and their art?

 

Gallery at Studio B – New Website

Posted on by BMcElhaney

I am very pleased to announce that The Gallery at Studio B has a brand new look for their website.

 

Next time you’re in North Asheville, stop by and say hi to Patti Bell the Gallery Owner and Certified Picture Framer (and Luke the gallery dog).

171 Weaverville Hwy , Asheville, NC 28804  (828) 225-5200

(By the way, Until the end of May, the Gallery will be offering a selection of framed original prints – archivally framed, of course – and posters at 50% off.)

 

 

Paintings currently available through the Gallery at Studio B:

Green Fields - Fairview NC

Green Fields - Fairview NC - 11 x 14 in.

Singing Creek Trail - Biltmore Lake - 19 x 24

For inquiries, please contact Patti Bell at patti.studiob@gmail.com.

If you’d like to join the gallery’s newsletter, you can subscribe here.

 

 

Art Show – The Design Gallery

Posted on by BMcElhaney
LOCAL VIEW - WNC Plein Air Painters - The Design Gallery

LOCAL VIEW - WNC Plein Air Painters - The Design Gallery

You are invited to an artists’ reception!

The Design Gallery will host an opening reception for an exhibit of small paintings by the Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters group (WNC-PAP).

  • The Design Gallery is located at:
  • 7 South Main Street
  • Burnsville, NC 28714
  • (828) 678-9869

Exhibit Dates: April 22 – May 30, 2011

Gallery Hours: Monday – Saturday | 10am – 5pm

Public Reception: Friday, April 22 | 5pm – 7pm

Please note: Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the reception on Friday, April 22.

A Practically Perfect Portfolio

Posted on by BMcElhaney

As an artist, your portfolio is one of your most essential marketing tools. Everything in an artist’s presentation, including your portfolio, should show off your work. For your consideration, here is my “blueprint” for a very professional, inexpensive, and extremely flexible book. I hope you find these suggestions useful.

The ITOYA I-Series Art Profolio 12 page (24 view) is my first choice. ($4.50 plus shipping. Dick Blick Art Supplies) Do not make the mistake of getting a 24 page (48 view) portfolio. That’s just a few too many images for most folks to take in at one time.

The Spine and Cover Page should simply state the Artist’s Name and “PORTFOLIO”. Additional branding (if any) should be clean, minimal and consistent. Use your best design sense, and don’t be satisfied until the type, leading, kerning – everything is perfect.

Images of your art: This book is about your artwork, after all. Images should be about 4 x 6 in – or another way to think about it is they should take up about 24 sq. in. The center point of the image should be about 4-1/2 in. down from the top of the page. Include the following information: Title, Artist, Media, Size (h x w). Here’s an example:


Price List: I’ve found that the best way to deal with prices is to simply leave them off the individual image pages. Print a price list with thumbnail images on a separate sheet that will be inserted after the images, and before your biographical information. That way, if for some reason, you would like to show your portfolio without the prices, or if you change your prices (increase hopefully), you can do so easily, without re-printing 19 images.

Design and Printing: I use Adobe Illustrator to layout the portfolio pages. Placed images are about 200 pixels per inch. Type is set using Myrad Pro, 12 point. Print on high quality photo paper, using a high quality photo setting.

In summary:

  • Book: ITOYA I-Series Art Profolio, - 12 page (24 view) 8-1/2 x 11 in.
  • Spine – Artist’s Name, “PORTFOLIO”
  • Cover Page - Artist’s Name, “PORTFOLIO”
  • 19 images – one image per page, aprox 4 x 6 in. (Strongest two images on first two pages.)
  • Below the image print the Title (bolded), Artist (that’s you), Media, Size. (no prices)
  • Price list – One page, two columns, with Thumbnails - include same info on pages (except Artist) and price.
  • Biography and Artist’s Statement – on one double page spread.
  • Printer: Epson Workforce 610 – (High Quality Photo settings)
  • Paper: HP Laser Photo Paper 220g (Heavy “Brochure” paper – can be printed both sides)

There are many portfolio formats that “work”, but I’ve found that this “recipe” seems to smooth out a lot of kinks and produces an excellent and economical book that shows off my art in a way that I am proud of.

What’s your formula for an amazing portfolio?

 

Why I’ve Switched to WordPress

Posted on by BMcElhaney
Green Fields – Fairview, NC
Acrylic on Canvas – 11 x 14

This is will be the last post on Blogger. I’m moving on to greener pastures.

My blog, Art Working, is now integrated into my fine art website through WordPress.

Why, might you ask, am I switching from Blogger, to a WordPress platform?

In short, it’s better.

I’ve drunk the Cool-Aid.

Check it out and see what you think!

My Artist’s Statement

Posted on by BMcElhaney

Below is my Artist Statement which has been developed, tweaked and revised over years of painting.

*******

My paintings are a personal record, a visual journal of scenes that have caught my attention. My goal is to document the beauty that I see in the landscape, and create a record of my impression for others (and myself) to enjoy.

My artistic process relies heavily on observation — that is to say I trust my eyes to “tell” me what to put on the canvas, how to paint it, what is important, and what is not.

Recurring subject matter in my landscapes are mountains, trees, rivers and lakes, cityscapes and architecture.

My current work is optimistic, reflecting a sense of contentment with my home in Western North Carolina and my appreciation of the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Tennessee River from Lookout Mountain - Chattanooga TN

My artist’s statement is posted on the suggestion of Alyson Stanfield who has many useful insights into self-promotion for artists.

Artist’s Business Cards – Mini Portfolio

Posted on by BMcElhaney

A business card is a handy little thing. But for a visual artist, it presents a unique opportunity – and challenge: How do I design a card that gives a representational sample of my artwork without compromising clear communication of basic contact information?

I think that I’ve finally landed on a solution.

Business Card - Mini Portfolio

Business Card - Mini Portfolio

Having a mini-portfolio of images on the back of the card gives a taste of my artwork without competing with the clean and graphic text based design on the front. Each image is cropped to show half (or less) of the original painting. This allows for uniformity but also sends the message that ‘this isn’t the whole story; there’s more to see.’ The images have been artfully arranged with consideration of color and design. My signature is both a nice graphic element, and adds credibility of authorship.

The design of my business card fits the branding of my website, and collateral material (post cards etc.) – clean, straight-forward, lots of white space.

(By the way, if you’d like to receive invitations to art shows etc. in the mail, please email your name and mailing address to me at gallery1@mac.com. If you’d like to receive notifications by email, sign up for my email newsletter here.)

Comments / questions welcome.

Wilmington: The other end of I-40

Posted on by BMcElhaney

Five years ago, we packed up our Plymouth Voyager and set off on a great adventure. We were moving from Southern California to Asheville, North Carolina. As we got on interstate 40, in Barstow, CA, there was a sign that read “2,554 mi to Wilmington, NC.”

Well, to celebrate 5 years in Asheville, and a couple of other big milestones we took a family vacation to Cape Fear – to the other end of “the forty”.

A good time was had by all. We visited the USS North Carolina, went to the Aquarium, the Cotton Exchange, and treated ourselves to leisurely afternoons at the beach.

From my sketchbook – a drawing of the fisherman’s wharf at Carolina Beach.

We stayed on the north end of Pleasure Island, (Carolina Beach). You can expect to see some paintings of boats, harbors and the island in the near future.


Paint-out at Pinchot Forest

Posted on by BMcElhaney

The paint-out at Pinchot Forest was a fabulous success! Thanks to Wesley Greene, the event coordinating team, the 12 artists from the Western North Carolina Plein Air Painters group, and all the folks who dropped by the event!

I set up my easel under a large shade tree with a southern view of the Meadow and Mills Gap. Here are four pictures of the painting in progress. (12 x 24, acrylic on canvas.)

Scott Boyle gives an impromptu demonstration. It’s always inspiring to see another artist at work.

Two of my paintings on display in the gallery: