Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Gallery At Midtown
The art community is booming in Dallas. One of the largest art communities is located in Valley View Mall at Preston and LBJ. New studios and galleries seem to open daily housing a variety of incredibly talented artists.
The area between Preston and the Galleria is scheduled for a major transformation within the next several years, and these talented artists are part of the movement to bring the public back to the area, which has experienced some downturn during the past decade.
You wouldn't know it by visiting the Gallery at Midtown along with the other 30 plus studios and galleries. Every third Saturday of the month, they host a Gallery Walk featuring beautiful art, wine, food, and entertainment; which is free to the public.
The next time you want to enjoy the arts, come to the Gallery Walk on Saturday night. You won't be disappointed.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Gallery customer service
Today I visited several art galleries in Key West,Florida. It was a wonderful experience learning about new artists and techniques. I couldn't help pondering about how good customer service sold the art. While visiting one gallery, the sales associate tagged along with us but never offered to tell us about any of the artists, and then began presuming which works we found of interest. When he decided that we were not interested in buying his paintings, we were summarily dismissed. Both of us commented about how we felt from that experience as we walked away from that gallery. Now compare that to how we were treated by Theresa at the Wayland Gallery. Theresa spent time talking about each artist that we found particularly interesting. She was very informed but never pressured or intimidated us from asking about a painting or glass sculpture. We watched one of their artists paint a lovely oil seascape and watched it to completion. Which experience do you think sold the art?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
2012 Fine Art in Dallas Exhibition and Sale to Be Held at The Artists’ Showpla
2012 Fine Art in Dallas Exhibition and Sale to Be Held at The Artists’ Showplace
Event Showcases the Work of 52 Local Artists Featured in the 2012 Fine Art in Dallas and Includes Book Signing
Dallas, November 25, 2011 – The first major exhibition and sale highlighting the work of more than 50 of the 72 featured artists will include a book signing with several artists. Books will be available on site to purchase or by going to http://www.fineartindallas.com
Since 2006, CityArtCal has produced Fine Art in Dallas, a fine art engagement book featuring the work of up to 100 local artists. A portion of the sales of the book help to provide funding for art and music education in Dallas area schools serving lower income families.
Exhibition Dates: December 2nd through December 30th
The Opening Reception and Book Signing will be:
Friday, December 2, 2011 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Artists’ Showplace
15615 Coit Rd, Suite 230
Dallas, TX 75248
Dallas, TX 75248
A variety of wines and delicious hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Some additional plans for the exhibition and sale include:
Gallery Talks
Live Demonstrations
Media contact:
Andrea Davis
CityArtCal CEO
214.263.5918
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
Does Art Impact Emotions?
I've been asked, "What were you thinking when you painted that picture?" I have to admit that this question has caught me off guard. Was I suppose to be thinking of something? Sometimes I've wondered how my art impacts others. Is it just a pretty picture? Do the colors dance in their eyes? Does the painting evoke emotion to the viewer?
Last weekend I experienced something that solidified in my mind how art impacts our emotions. I had a print on display of one of my favorite paintings. It's an abstract which is not my typical style. Maybe that's why I love it so much...it pushed me out of my comfort zone. A lady stopped and spent quite some time studying the print. I could tell she was really interested and intrigued by it. It was displayed lower than my original paintings and she got down at eye level and really took time studying it. She even brought her husband over to see it. She seemed to really like it. I could see her interest so I began telling her about it. I was sure I had a sale.
The name of the painting is "Unborn Souls." You can see it here on my blog and on my website http://www.beckydeed.com. As soon as she heard the name of the painting, she had a very visceral reaction. It was as if the title of the painting brought forth emotions that she didn't know how to handle. I'm not sure why she was so impacted when she heard the title, especially since she so obviously liked the work, but I became acutely aware that I had just lost the sale. Why the name of the painting could so completely change the feeling about it, is a mystery to me.
A short time later another lady came by and also studied the print. She absolutely fell in love with it. She said that while the colors did not "go with" anything in her house, she had to have the print and would paint a room to compliment the painting. I loved that my painting made such a positive impression on her. So much so, that she could not walk away.
This experience showed me how much art impacts our emotions. While the first Customer loved the painting, it was unfortunate that the title of the work affected her so deeply that no matter how much she loved the painting, she could not own the work. But the second Customer so loved the painting, that she had to have it even though she didn't immediately know where it would hang.
Knowing that what I create can make such a lasting impression on someone's emotions is very rewarding. Next time I'm asked what I was thinking when I created my work, I will put more thought into how to respond, and my own emotions during its creation knowing that I am affecting others' emotion through my work.
Last weekend I experienced something that solidified in my mind how art impacts our emotions. I had a print on display of one of my favorite paintings. It's an abstract which is not my typical style. Maybe that's why I love it so much...it pushed me out of my comfort zone. A lady stopped and spent quite some time studying the print. I could tell she was really interested and intrigued by it. It was displayed lower than my original paintings and she got down at eye level and really took time studying it. She even brought her husband over to see it. She seemed to really like it. I could see her interest so I began telling her about it. I was sure I had a sale.
The name of the painting is "Unborn Souls." You can see it here on my blog and on my website http://www.beckydeed.com. As soon as she heard the name of the painting, she had a very visceral reaction. It was as if the title of the painting brought forth emotions that she didn't know how to handle. I'm not sure why she was so impacted when she heard the title, especially since she so obviously liked the work, but I became acutely aware that I had just lost the sale. Why the name of the painting could so completely change the feeling about it, is a mystery to me.
A short time later another lady came by and also studied the print. She absolutely fell in love with it. She said that while the colors did not "go with" anything in her house, she had to have the print and would paint a room to compliment the painting. I loved that my painting made such a positive impression on her. So much so, that she could not walk away.
This experience showed me how much art impacts our emotions. While the first Customer loved the painting, it was unfortunate that the title of the work affected her so deeply that no matter how much she loved the painting, she could not own the work. But the second Customer so loved the painting, that she had to have it even though she didn't immediately know where it would hang.
Knowing that what I create can make such a lasting impression on someone's emotions is very rewarding. Next time I'm asked what I was thinking when I created my work, I will put more thought into how to respond, and my own emotions during its creation knowing that I am affecting others' emotion through my work.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
An Artist's Christmas
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Organization is key for an Artist
I'm not organized! OK...I finally admit it. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I've always considered myself fairly organized, at least about most things. Sure, there were always those little black holes of clutter that no one really knew about like stacks of art magazines in the corner of my studio.
As a little girl I remember going over to a friend's house and being envious that Kay had all her jewelry organized in baby food jars. That was my first "aha" moment about organization. My mom was very organized, and everything was neat and tidy but in an unlabled, not Martha Stewart sort of way. My father's tools and personal items were also very organized. Sadly, I did not inherit that gene. My mind does not immediately see oganization. If you are naturally organized, you will not understand that statement.
My mother and husband died within a year of each other, and all my normal routines and organizational skills fell apart. That's when the clutter happened! I've watched a few episodes of Hoarding and I laughingly tell my sister...I hope I don't become one! Most of those people have experienced some kind of loss which triggers their hoarding. For the last couple of years, I've been slowly going through things fom my parent's house when we closed their estate, and my husband's editing studio/office. It's been an emotional roller coaster. I'm making progress, but feel that I still have a long way to go.
Now, it's time to tackle my studio, and I need your help! What suggestions do you have for me to organize my studio? What seems to work well for you? How do you track your inventory and contact files on the computer? How do you organize your art supplies? I will keep you posted on my progress. That will ensure that I'm accountable to myself and you for my success. Once I clear the clutter and get my studio organized, I know that I'll be a more productive and focused artist.
As a little girl I remember going over to a friend's house and being envious that Kay had all her jewelry organized in baby food jars. That was my first "aha" moment about organization. My mom was very organized, and everything was neat and tidy but in an unlabled, not Martha Stewart sort of way. My father's tools and personal items were also very organized. Sadly, I did not inherit that gene. My mind does not immediately see oganization. If you are naturally organized, you will not understand that statement.
My mother and husband died within a year of each other, and all my normal routines and organizational skills fell apart. That's when the clutter happened! I've watched a few episodes of Hoarding and I laughingly tell my sister...I hope I don't become one! Most of those people have experienced some kind of loss which triggers their hoarding. For the last couple of years, I've been slowly going through things fom my parent's house when we closed their estate, and my husband's editing studio/office. It's been an emotional roller coaster. I'm making progress, but feel that I still have a long way to go.
Now, it's time to tackle my studio, and I need your help! What suggestions do you have for me to organize my studio? What seems to work well for you? How do you track your inventory and contact files on the computer? How do you organize your art supplies? I will keep you posted on my progress. That will ensure that I'm accountable to myself and you for my success. Once I clear the clutter and get my studio organized, I know that I'll be a more productive and focused artist.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Learning Creativity
In keeping with my posts about being more creative, I want to share some thoughts with you. Since this is an artist website, it's natural to think about being creative in art, but I use creativity in business as well. I try to be creative in problem solving and in how I approach my projects.
Here are some thoughts I use in my approach to creativity. I find barriers to my creativity every day, so I'm on a quest to throw out all the uncreative learning I've had over the years, that promotes roadblocks in my path, and find the creativity that I had as a child.
1. The idea doesn't have to be big.
Sometimes you just need to try something new. Think outside the box for a new approach to the same problem. There is no right or wrong answer, just a new approach to finding a solution.
2. Keep trying.
Thomas Edison said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." It took Thomas Edison two years and many failed attempts before he would discover success. A reporter asked Edison, "How many times are you going to fail at creating the light bulb?" Mr. Edison replied, "Son, I haven't failed! I've simply discovered another way not to invent the light bulb!" What separates successful people from failures is endurance and stamina. Keep trying.
4. Everyone is born creative.
School started this week and I remember being excited to get a new box of crayons for school Eventually, they take the crayons away and replace them with books on history, math, and English. All very practical subjects to learn; however we unlearn how to be creative. You have to practice being creative. Take time to use the crayons again. You'll have fun and increase your creativity.
5. Creativity is important in business. Companies have to be creative to compete with companies that champion creativity.
You may never go to the Olympics and get a gold medal; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don’t make at least one serious attempt to accomplish your goal, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness.
7. Plan Your Career and Work Your Plan.
Once you develop your business plan, you need to keep focused on working your plan. Your plan has to be as original as your work, perhaps even more so. The work has to create a totally new market. There’s no point doing the same thing as every other hopeful artist, waiting for the miracle of success. Be creative with your business model and work your plan.
8. What are You Willing to Sacrifice for Success?
Thinking about this one provoked me to give it some serious thought. Was I really willing to sacrifice my time, my fears, and do the effort to be successful? That being said, doing something seriously creative is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in your lifetime. If you can pull it off, it’s worth it. Even if you don’t end up pulling it off, you’ll learn many incredible things. It’s not doing it when you know you had the opportunity that hurts far more than any failure. It's the journey of learning that makes the sacrifice worth it.
9. Sing with your own voice.
A Picasso always looks like Piccasso painted it. Pavarotti always sounds like Pavarotti. Part of being a master is learning how to sing in your own voice. Finding your voice is a journey, but you'll know when you find it.
10. Finding Inspiration.
You've heard the saying, "Fake it till you make it." When you don't feel inspired, just start and the inspiration will come.
11. What is success?
Each of us has to decide what success looks like. Is it money, or doing what you love? Only you know what success looks like for you. I do know, it's not comparing your success to others. Just like your work is unique to you, your idea of success is just that, yours. How will you know if you are successful if you haven't defined success for yourself?
12. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.
Everybody is too busy with their own lives to care about your book, painting, or music, especially if you haven’t sold it yet. You don't need anyone's approval. Do it for yourself.
13. Facing Your Fear
I think as artists, we all have fear. Fear of failure, fear of what others will think of our work, fear that we won't be successful. Fear can inhibit your creativity. When you were a child, you didn't fear what others thought about your work. You were proud of it, and couldn't wait to show it to others. Over the years, we have endured rejection and at times misunderstanding. That's when we learn to fear failure. If you continue to practice creating your art, there is nothing to fear. You will create a wondeful work that others will appreciate. Overcoming your fear is important in finding your creativity.
14. Power is never given. Power is taken.
Creativity can be learned. Remember...all children are creative, and our creativity was stifled as we learn more practical things through the years. What is more practical than creativity? So get out your crayons and have fun, and practice your creativity.
Here are some thoughts I use in my approach to creativity. I find barriers to my creativity every day, so I'm on a quest to throw out all the uncreative learning I've had over the years, that promotes roadblocks in my path, and find the creativity that I had as a child.
1. The idea doesn't have to be big.
Sometimes you just need to try something new. Think outside the box for a new approach to the same problem. There is no right or wrong answer, just a new approach to finding a solution.
2. Keep trying.
Thomas Edison said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration." It took Thomas Edison two years and many failed attempts before he would discover success. A reporter asked Edison, "How many times are you going to fail at creating the light bulb?" Mr. Edison replied, "Son, I haven't failed! I've simply discovered another way not to invent the light bulb!" What separates successful people from failures is endurance and stamina. Keep trying.
3. You are responsible for your own experience.
Nobody can tell you if what you’re doing is good, meaningful, or worthwhile. You decide for yourself.
Nobody can tell you if what you’re doing is good, meaningful, or worthwhile. You decide for yourself.
School started this week and I remember being excited to get a new box of crayons for school Eventually, they take the crayons away and replace them with books on history, math, and English. All very practical subjects to learn; however we unlearn how to be creative. You have to practice being creative. Take time to use the crayons again. You'll have fun and increase your creativity.
5. Creativity is important in business. Companies have to be creative to compete with companies that champion creativity.
In today's environment, companies that approach their business with creativity are the one's who survive. You must be creative with your business to thrive.
6.Go for the Gold. You may never go to the Olympics and get a gold medal; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don’t make at least one serious attempt to accomplish your goal, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness.
Once you develop your business plan, you need to keep focused on working your plan. Your plan has to be as original as your work, perhaps even more so. The work has to create a totally new market. There’s no point doing the same thing as every other hopeful artist, waiting for the miracle of success. Be creative with your business model and work your plan.
Thinking about this one provoked me to give it some serious thought. Was I really willing to sacrifice my time, my fears, and do the effort to be successful? That being said, doing something seriously creative is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in your lifetime. If you can pull it off, it’s worth it. Even if you don’t end up pulling it off, you’ll learn many incredible things. It’s not doing it when you know you had the opportunity that hurts far more than any failure. It's the journey of learning that makes the sacrifice worth it.
9. Sing with your own voice.
A Picasso always looks like Piccasso painted it. Pavarotti always sounds like Pavarotti. Part of being a master is learning how to sing in your own voice. Finding your voice is a journey, but you'll know when you find it.
10. Finding Inspiration.
You've heard the saying, "Fake it till you make it." When you don't feel inspired, just start and the inspiration will come.
11. What is success?
Each of us has to decide what success looks like. Is it money, or doing what you love? Only you know what success looks like for you. I do know, it's not comparing your success to others. Just like your work is unique to you, your idea of success is just that, yours. How will you know if you are successful if you haven't defined success for yourself?
12. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.
Everybody is too busy with their own lives to care about your book, painting, or music, especially if you haven’t sold it yet. You don't need anyone's approval. Do it for yourself.
13. Facing Your Fear
I think as artists, we all have fear. Fear of failure, fear of what others will think of our work, fear that we won't be successful. Fear can inhibit your creativity. When you were a child, you didn't fear what others thought about your work. You were proud of it, and couldn't wait to show it to others. Over the years, we have endured rejection and at times misunderstanding. That's when we learn to fear failure. If you continue to practice creating your art, there is nothing to fear. You will create a wondeful work that others will appreciate. Overcoming your fear is important in finding your creativity.
14. Power is never given. Power is taken.
People who are confident give off a different vibe than people who aren’t. Remember "Fake it till you make it"? Be confident in your ability, work your plan, and you take your power.
Creativity can be learned. Remember...all children are creative, and our creativity was stifled as we learn more practical things through the years. What is more practical than creativity? So get out your crayons and have fun, and practice your creativity.
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