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What an interesting week! I decided that I needed to put more effort into social networking for the studio, and am I being kicked into this century! Michael keeps us up on Face Book with family and friends, and I have started pursuing avenues of presenting our art to the world.
So, here's an amazing piece of biz info: (don't laugh that I haven't gotten it quite right before now), YOUR WEBSITE IS YOUR BROSHURE TO THE WORLD. It's the "hard-copy", it's the center. All else revolves around it. Your front page will be where people step over the doorstep, or turn away.
So today I changed our front page on our website. I never did like it, but was too lazy to fix it. I am proud to say it is now clean and business-like. Much thanks to the folks at <http://www.prosperousartist.com> for the insightful explanations of social networking. And I welcome feedback if anyone has a moment to pop over for a look....
<http://www.artavenuegardenstudios.com>
I plan on blogging every good idea I try out, so stay tuned....
Cheers, Susan
Metamorphosis 2010 Art Avenue
Strong new works from Art Avenue at Corner Gallery in Ukiah, CA.
After recovering from the 3-day Open Studio Tours up here at the studio, we are happy to be back at work creating new pieces and updating our exhibits around the county.
Wanted to share Michael's new work, "Engine Block Princess" even though it was quickly snatched up after a couple of days in public. Sorry, we didn't get a chance to set up the photo, but c'est la vie, eh? Here's the only pic available:
Thanks to all who supported the tour! We enjoyed visiting with all of you!
Happy Summer
Susan
Michael and I find ourselves once again at the charming Flockworks Gallery in Mendocino, California for this 2010 show of local artists from Anderson Valley. This show is running now through April 26th, in the village proper on Kasten and Ukiah Streets. If you happen to be in the area stop by and enjoy an eclectic show of diverse artists from the North Coast.
A work by Michael, "Principia".
The opening for the show is April 10th, with the usual fun and frivolity that follows this bunch of artists around, complete with food, wine from our renowned valley, and music to lighten the soul.
"Bukowski's Nose" by Susan, and graced with a poem dedicated to the work by Joe Smalakis.
Art Avenue continues to be viewed at the Corner Gallery in Ukiah, California, and at the tasting rooms of Breggo Cellars in Mendocino, and Husch Vineyards in Philo.
Happy Spring!
Susan
January brings a busy studio- Michael is launching new stuff including the large piece (above is detail from a portion) called "Red Cross."
The show at local eatery "Lauren"s" was great fun and a chance to debut the "toy" series that Susan has been continuing to add to over the past year. Great thanks to Lauren for her hospitality.
Ukiah Corner Gallery continues to be our venue for what is new from our studio. At this time the show "Dynamic Duo" with watercolor works by Susan, and ceramic works by Alexis Moyer is being showcased at the front of the Corner Gallery, with the official opening being set for Jan. 22nd to coincide with the "Crab and Wine Days" activities at the gallery. Music and good eats and local wine will be available that evening as well.
New Years Resolutions? More time for art, new areas of explorations, more exposure to great art, and our continuing support of all artists everywhere!
With Love-
www.artavenuegardenstudios.comThe busy season is upon us!
Art Avenue is staying active at The Corner Gallery in Ukiah, California, with Michael's "Wheel on Fire" and Susan's "Gizmo", two favorites that usually bring in the comments from viewers. Susan has thrown in a few "Cranky Pots" (pictured above) and ceramic sculptures for the season.
Out on the coast, Breggo Cellars continues to show assemblage pieces along with watercolors and tile works. You can find Breggo in the town of Mendocino.
In Anderson Valley, Susan is currently showing ceramic works at Lauren's Cafe. Lauren is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Dia de Los Muertos, the large tile/asssemblage piece, is on view at Husch Vineyards in Philo, California.
In the works, is another spring show at Flockworks in Mendocino, with the Anderson Valley Art Guild. Last year's show was great fun and hopefully we can revist that venue.
Also in the works is another Dynamic Duo Show, with Susan and Alexis Moyer, at the Corner Gallery, Ukiah, Alexis will feature ceramic sculpture with Susan backdropping the pieces with watercolors.
And Michael is finishing a large assemblage several months is the making! Hopefully we can post it on the blog soon.
Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving
Susan
www.artavenuegardenstudios.com
For all local and visiting pals, First Friday Art Walk in Ukiah, CA is tonight. With Art Avenue as new members of this gallery, several new assemblage works by Michael and Susan will be showcased "up front". We are looking forward to this evening, and hope anyone in the neighborhood stops by to see some fun works that follow the "old school" tenets of assemblage art.
An interesting note to this assemblage subject: you wouldn't believe how many people see our work and start offering "stuff" to us! I don't know of any other art medium where your materials are not only free, but people will bring them to you! The local Michael's Store never does that when I'm in need of paper and brushes! I think we're on to something here...
Yesterday, Art Avenue vacated Scharffenberger Cellars gallery so friend Marvin Schenks could put up his show there. Much thanks to Sharon and the gang for their kind welcome to all of us local artists. Susan will be showing watercolors from that show at Husch Vineyards Tasting Room for August.
Hope you can make it by the gallery tonight, on State Street, Ukiah,
With Love,
Susan
Well, that was a great opening! Thanks to the many friends who came to wish us well. Undoubtably one of the best openings ever. And thanks to Michael for his great keyboard work, and to pals that brought extra food! We went through it!
And that gets me to the reflections on this successful event. It doesn't just happen. You can't expect to just throw your work up and expect the world to attend. A great opening takes a little effort. I came across an article somewhere (drat, old age) that talked about the steps for a successful art opening. We covered our bases and then some. Here's the general plan:
If you are going it alone, be able to fill the space.
Have your agreements together with the facility manager.
If you are partnering up with someone, make sure your work complements each other. And fill the space. (Alexis and I did the front room, and there was enough space in the bar area for Michael to show assemblage-and that was good, there was something there for everybody)
Advertise. Postcards were sent. PERSONAL emails were sent. We even put up posters in town. Send postcards to clients. I was surprised at how many emails I received from people regretting they couldn't make it. Personal is the key here. If I wouldn't have personalized those emails I wouldn't have gotten any responses back. (Plenty of people did come, though)
Provide food, (usually hors d'ourvres) provide drink, (water, and juice, too), provide MUSIC. People will love to linger and that makes an event that will be talked about.
Provide your business cards, and a guest book. (Hopefully, you will gather emails for your newsletters)
And my own additions:
Say thank-you in writing to your helpers and gallery people.
Be grateful. Sharing your art is a gift to your viewers, and a gift to the giver: you.
With Love, Susan
"Cafe" 2009 Susan Spencer SOLDIf, as an artist, you ever need to make a leap in creativity, be it in inspiration or technique, agree to an exhibit. Preferably an exhibit with a tight deadline. Preferably an exhibit that you have absolutely nothing for. I did that 8 weeks ago.
I was expecting to be able to exhibit my recent assemblage works. Wrong. I was to exhibit with a friend of mine who does large, brilliant, bright ceramic pieces. I just couldn't see my rather dark pieces next to her work. However I did know that my watercolors looked good with her stuff. (A client had purchased from both of us and had the pieces near each other in her home, and they looked great together.) So out came the paints and brushes I hadn't used in almost a year.
I am happy to say, within 8 weeks I have 12 pieces matted and framed and ready to hang tomorrow. (I even made the frames myself! and hope to post on that process later)
My technique has improved. My understanding of my palette has improved. And I have a cohesive body of work ready for the public. (Maybe another post on the "cohesive" aspect of an exhibit...)
So, I would recommend the process to other artists. Even if you weren't feeling brave enough to do a solo show with all the hoopla, committing to a private showing of your exhibit at a dinner with a few friends, or an afternoon brunch with pals could strengthen your technique and push your creativity to another level.
PS...The exhibit will open Friday, June 26 with opening reception early that eve at Scharffenberger Cellars in Philo, CA, and will run through August 6. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, we look forward to seeing you!
With love, Susan
Working Women 2009 Art Avenue see us at: www.artavenuegardenstudios.com
Been gone many weeks... Art Avenue is busy delving into all things assemblage. I humbly encourage all artists (and you all are...) to stay the path and keep the faith. Anybody out there interested in sharing favorite ideas for hunting and gathering "junk" for assemblage pieces?
I submit the yardsale section of the Lyton Springs Salvation Army headquarters in Geyserville, CA. You can carefully pack a shopping cart of good junk for about $7-$12. Also a favorite blog: FineArtViews Blog by Cint Watson.
Peace, Susan
