Monday, March 11, 2013

Getting Back to Work

"Try to end a day's work on a picture knowing how to proceed the next day." Irwin Greenberg

Marsh House, Katherine Kean, 2013, oil on linen, small, The Great Marsh, Cape Cod
Marsh House ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 6x6 inches

As much as I like the idea of having all things complete and squared away before a break, it seems there is wisdom in coming back to work on something already in progress, especially if it’s something that you know exactly how to proceed with. Then it’s as simple as picking up right where you left off without fuss or hesitation or over-thinking. It’s a way to keep the flow going between starts and stops. I find this helpful on a day to day basis as well as for longer breaks.

Sky, Rocks, Beach, work in progress, Katherine Kean, oil on linen, atmospheric, Hawaii, clouds
Sky, Rocks, Beach work in progress ©2013 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 30x40 inches
 
 Before I leave the studio for the day I know what I’m going to start on the next day, whether it’s new drawings, a fresh under-painting, additional glazes - or sanding down and re-painting.

The paintings above are at a mid point. I can see where they're going, yet they will still have surprises along the way.


Monday, March 04, 2013

Fairing Well: What I Learned, What I Would Do Differently, What I Would Do the Same

All booths are good, all wall space is good – the first piece that sold from our booth was hung in a back side aisle right next to an emergency exit.

 I would bring less work, hang less work; I'm not sure that the works placed higher – above 6 feet - could be seen very well.

 I'd plan a more open booth, use a smaller table, allow more room for people to come in with smaller or no returns on the sides, smaller or no middle wall. Again, the easier it is for people to see the work, the better.

 Norman Zammitt, North Wall, 1976 
Acrylic on canvas, 96 x 168 inches, Installation view


 
Kate Breakey, Las Sombras Series 

 Bright colors sold first. Overall most of the work I saw everywhere was big bold bright. Very few quiet, subtle pieces – they were there, but few, or maybe just difficult to notice.

 Professional art handlers and installers were a godsend, although expensive - but worth it. Would I use this option again, or do it all myself? I don't know....

 Bring only work that can fit in my vehicle – I had one over sized piece and was always aware that it is expensive and time consuming to hire a truck to deliver or one must depend on favors from very busy and often asked busy friends with trucks. That’s partly why I work more these days on triptychs and other modular art. I did manage to fit 23 paintings into my car including, 3 triptychs and a modular piece, one of which is over 10 feet wide installed, of course about half were small to medium sized work.

 Make more use of the provided storage area and of viewing rooms to show work that isn't on the wall. The storage provided was ample and it was pretty easy to grab pieces from storage to show. I can also see possibilities for changing work out every few hours.

 Labeling the cardboard with an image of the work along with pertinent information was really helpful when pulling artwork out of the car and in and out of storage.

 Be comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes. Put gel soles in your shoes, bring your own water, bring protein bars. The food available is reminiscent of airports. It's okay, but rarely vegan and was expensive. Luckily there were vegan and vegan friendly restaurants nearby.

 No need for an electrical outlet if your booth is near a perimeter wall.

 Consider bringing your own table and chairs.

Monday, February 25, 2013

More Fun From the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair


I made a couple of stops at the booth featuring "After van Eyck," 2006, by Devorah Sperber. The first thing I saw walking by are the 5,024 spools of thread, supported by stainless steel ball chain. To the naked eye the blurry pattern of an upside down face is apparent, but not clear, however when you look through the clear acrylic viewing sphere supported on a metal stand, which acts as your eye, the image is upside right and picture perfect. A very fun experience. Also featured was After Warhol - you can see that at this link to her website.


I Stop For Drops, raindrops, rain, landscape rainy street scene from car
I Stop for Drops  ©2012 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 12 x 16 inches

Someone from the George Billis Gallery walked by our booth and when he saw I Stop For Drops he came over and asked if it was a Karen Woods. If you take a look at her website you can see why he'd think so.

One of my favorite things about this event was the chance to meet and talk with other artists. One came by a couple of times and then mentioned that he liked skies and that he was a painter also. When he introduced himself and handed me his card I was delighted that I recognized his name, George Peebles, whose work I've admired for many years.

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Friday, February 22, 2013

Fun Moments at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair


Couple posing in front of Katherine Kean's painting Spooky Action at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Izen Miller Gallery - Booth 211

Lots of photos were taken of the art. I loved this couple posing for photos in front of Spooky Action at a Distance - Left.



This little guy was so tired he refused to take another step - that is until he saw the car in Peter Kempson's Roadside Attractions painting - not unlike his own car.


Peter's paintings were crowd pleasers for all ages.


I said good morning to this guy every day. Although I thought he was a rather quiet, and his uniform didn't match the other security, it wasn't until the last day that it dawned on me that he was a sculpture by Mark Sijan.

More to follow next week.


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Palm Springs Fine Art Fair Opening Night and Beyond


We had some time the afternoon morning before the opening to add last minute details, labels, guest book, and cards. The Fair opened with an evening reception.

Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Izen Miller Gallery, Booth 211, Peter Kempson, Pam Douglas, Deanna Miller, Camey McGilvray

From the left, Peter Kempson, Pam Douglas, Deanna Miller, and Camey McGilvray. All set up and ready.

Woman matches Thomas Downing's Untitled (I) at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair

This woman's tunic matches the painting! She was kind enough to let people take a photo while she was standing in front of Thomas Downing's Untitled (I).


The opening preview party in full swing. 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Installation Day at Palm Springs Fine Art Fair

I'm back from Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair. I'm exhausted, however I had a really good experience. I'll post all about it over the next few days, starting with the arrival and set up.

Meeting up at our booth on installation day.
                         
The first day was a long day. I loaded up my car the night before so I was ready to leave in the morning. It's helpful that everything fit with the exception of one large painting that came in a truck. The truck made stops for the other three artists, so most of us arrived well before the artwork did.

Discussing wall plans while waiting for the truck to arrive.

We weren't allowed to begin until noon and had to leave the building by 9 pm. We wanted to get everything set up on the 13th so that the installers didn't have to stay overnight. The truck also had a two hour drive and three stops to load between 50 - 100 pieces of artwork.

When the truck still hadn't arrived by 3 pm we started getting nervous. At 3:30 it arrived and by 7:30 everything was unloaded, laid out, and either hung on the wall or placed in the storage room. The storage area turned out to be a great benefit. It was easy to get to and retrieve additional pieces to show people and to replace paintings that were sold and removed.

Ladders, crates, and tool kits everywhere, plus the sound of power drills. 

I was happy that the floors had carpeting and that the booths were spacious. Ours was 10 x 24 feet and the walls were 12 feet high. I'm also so grateful we were able to work with professional art handlers that made installing everything look easy. They made quick work of it and then headed back to L.A. while at last we went searching for food!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Art Fair Checklist




All artwork has been cleaned and edges touched up, or picked up from framer. Everything has been wired, inventoried, labeled, padded and wrapped for transport. Support materials are sorted and ready to go: binders, brochures, cards.  

An installation plan has been made, invitations sent out, posted, replied – did I miss anyone? (Email me if you think so…)

Guest book ready, pens ready.

Looks like I’m ready! See you in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs Fine Art FairIzen Miller Gallery: Booth 211  
Friday, February 15, 10 AM - 8 PM
Saturday, February 16, 10 AM - 8 PM
Sunday, Feb 17, 10 AM - 6 PM

Palm Beach Convention Center
277 N Avenida Caballeros
Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.palmspringsfineartfair.com


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