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The learning and sharing...

10/16/2015

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The learning and sharing:

Despite all the good intentions in the world I have not written another blog post. Even though there is much to share, a lot of doing and learning as an artist that might help a few people out there starting their journey.

What I have learned about prints…

This month I decided to do prints of my artworks leading up to my exhibition and leading up to Christmas. If you ever try to do prints of your artwork, there are a few things to learn;

How to photograph your artwork.
That there are printers out there that will scan the artwork for you - so getting the perfect photograph is obsolete.
Picking sizes for your prints (so that they fit in generic affordable frames for your customer) - From experience there is nothing worse than buying a lovely print and not finding a frame for it, and being too stingy to have a frame made.
Promotional material - how to write about yourself and your work honesty but without being modest.
Investing money into your work - taking good risks.

I work hard as an artist but honestly, it is my husbands hard work that is getting us by at this early stage. There is something to be said about being studious with money HOWEVER, spending ZERO DOLLARS on promoting work that you KNOW others are connecting with is a shame and as an artist I dare say it is a sin.

So how do you make decisions around where to spend money?

That is a killer question that I can’t answer right now and I am sure in my next blog I will be able to let you know what has and has not worked for me for the limited stuff I have done.

What I can say…

Photographing or scanning your best work for print is entirely worth while.
Taking bulk orders for prints (before booking a print run) is a smart way to offer prints. I have provided huge discounts to my small Facebook group for prints. They know they have 2 weeks to order together and that that they will receive their prints, signed, in a month. - This has been a better option than an online shop for me. (lower overhead, postage, merchant accounts etc) AND I get to sign the print, which for some reason is important to me. If someone connects with my work I feel like I should sign it to acknowledge that connection - but that’s just what I feel is right for me right now.
You’re an artist. Not many people know or are connected with artists (except other artists). If you consider that and convey & respond to being ‘their’ artist they will forgive waiting times, trust them in return. Maybe it's not ideal, but it is essential if you are trying to get stuff out there at an affordable price point for the people who have supported you and who you trust to continue the connection.
It’s your business, you are the boss. If your work is personal, if you value authenticity, if you value people connecting with your work, if you value the essence of what you are creating. Don’t compromise it. Not even for the dollar, not until you have tried... Of course find a way to make a dollar. Please strive for that because it is crucial! But hold true and continue to find a way to keep doing what feels right to you. There is nothing to prove, shake off old expectations - You are now the boss. You choose what is important.
A little on friends - My god, good friends can make all the difference. Their faith in you that trickles through the work that you share with the world. Learn how to appreciate it. Don't brush it off with modesty. Appreciate it, recognise it and don't take it for granted.

Hmmm…
Why I haven’t shared or blogged? Well.. I’m trying to solidify these ideas for myself as well (hence the preachy tone, it is not directed at you :). I certainly have not mastered anything here... nothing I have written or done has come without uncertainty and doubt. Life often gets in the way, and so it should… hopefully we can accommodate that too. For me, art is about trying to reconcile the beauty of the world with it’s cruelty, vice versa. It’s not easy but every moment of it is worth while.

I’d love to hear your journey! Thank you for reading mine… :)

Jana

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2015 - Becoming an Artist

8/25/2015

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I once heard a radio interview where a singer/songwriter said that they had always found comfort in their own voice and song, it was something they could rely on and gave them strength. I remember thinking ‘Gee, I wish I could sing like that…”

It has taken a while for me to realise that my voice is heard through art. Painting is like trying to string together a melody out of the silence, but the reward is hearing the song played back to you when it is complete. There is something so deeply satisfying and comforting about getting it all out. The unexpected thing has been watching it resonate with others..

Starting the journey

I started out as an artist by accident initially. Seven months ago I painted a gift and posted it on social media. It had a positive response and an enquiry about a commission. I have a habit of trying to be a professional and expert in everything I do so I treated the commission like work. I met with an art friend of mine and quizzed them on composition and tips on how I could make the painting something special. On her advice I went to the location of the setting I was painting and sketched out a composition. I went home and toyed with colour and ended up painting something that I didn’t know I could paint. The work paid off and the satisfaction was a really great feeling.

I started researching artists and I dissected the things that I liked about their work, the things that resonated with me. I bought ‘Painting in Acrylics’ - The indispensable Guide by Lorena Kloosterboer . I painted a lot, I posted on social media, I started receiving commissions by people I knew and people I didn’t know. But I was still pretty private about painting.

The local Art Scene

Then there was a sale on canvas and I had cash from my commission work. I spent the whole lot buying a car full of canvas, big canvas. While I was at the store I asked the ladies working there about how one might be involved in the local art scene. They gave me a list of groups to link up to. One of which was a group called ‘From the Easel’ it was very inclusive, encouraging and exactly what I needed. I painted and started sharing my work here.

Exhibition

I heard about an exhibition called 5 Lands Walk. I entered the exhibition and attended the open night. I met people from the Facebook group and other artists and this week I saw my work on a gallery wall for the first time. Friends and family came to support me.

Something clicked in seeing my art in a gallery setting. I was proud of my work. Again, I had a positive response however I didn’t sell anything.

The Wonderful People

I started to question myself a little bit after here. And almost bailed on another exhibition that was coming up. I finished the painting I was going to enter and it resonated with a lovely lady on the Facebook group. I was blown away by their connection with the painting. As it turns out this lady owned the gallery space I was to enter the artwork in. So I followed through with a late entry and placed it in the exhibition. It sold! It went out into the world and someone connected with it.

I painted more commissions, It turns out I have a knack for translating idea to canvas. Even if the idea is not my own. I think a lot about who I am painting for and what they might connect with. The faith they have in my ability to create something worth paying for. I put together some marketing material and a website. I started posting on forums offering commission work focusing on making art accessible, authentic and affordable. I received more commissions.

I went on a gallery trip with another gorgeous artist, it totally enthused me to knuckle down and paint. I met with an art coach and gained some direction. I appreciated the people around me and their strength I sought ways to engage and encourage.

8 months in...

I had a phone call this month from a gallery. The organiser had seen my work at the 5-Lands walk exhibition months ago and suggested I rent a space with them and exhibit there. The very next day I received a message about collaborating for an exhibition of 3 artists. I was surprised people actually knew my work and what I was doing.

Today I received a message regarding a commission I had painted. It was given as a gift to a very special lady going through a rough time. They loved it and it reminded them of a place and time that meant something special to them. This is why I do what I do. The way art resonates and the nature of it will constantly surprises me, it’s a worthwhile and rewarding journey to find that inner voice and strength that you connect with and share it, if only to remind others that they have one too.

GO TO ART http://www.janamcleod.com/art-for-sale.html

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Jana Mcleod entered the art scene in June, 2015 after being a private ‘commission only’ artist. In a few short months of making her work public she has exhibited in the 5 lands walk exhibition, Ruby Tuesdays ’Love’ exhibition, is represented in the Horizons Gallery at Killcare and is currently working on a piece to enter the Gosford Art Prize. Jana Mcleod was born in Manly, NSW in 1985 and now resides on the Central Coast. Her artworks focus on themes of subtle beauty and cruelty expressed through evocative landscapes.

The learning and sharing...

2015 - Becoming an Artist

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