nice..

[msalmon]

Diana
so what do you think so far for a summer show?

[Vermillion]

So I have to get my feet wet with this forum thing. Hopefully it will work.

My thing lately is still doing the restaurant build out but I will hopefully be done with that my March 1 if I don't run out of money. The gallery is open and the floor plan is posted somewhere above. That won't change.

The way I have things slated is two month shows like Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June, July/Aug. I tentatively have someone for the summer shows, especially May/June. July/Aug has potential with you guys. However, as usual my near future is not booked and I really need something for March/April, even for mid-march through April.

I know its short notice but I think with the Blogarians show the theme or concept should be first and foremost that you took the initiative to organize a group of artists together to help each other out. So I would be fine without having a "theme" that you actually had to make art for and just show what you have on hand or what each of you created for a job, project, etc...

Does that make sense? Though I really do like the themes you all are coming up with. We could do a theme show at a later time or if we go with July/August we could pick a theme. I just want to emphasize that themes are pretty common these days and it's a catch 22 because people are starting to *groan*. I like the angle that you all banded together and are succeeding. I personally like themes - makes it easier for me.

The other thing that is super important that I can help you with here is getting a final piece that looks good and ships well. How comfortable is everyone with that? What experience do you have and what do you need to know?

Thanks! Diana

[Vermillion]

Oh I forgot to mention that since I am doing a big grand opening in March, the art will have more chances of getting the kind of "NEW" press that the restaurant opening brings.
Otherwise, the way I have it planned is closed for construction Feb. and then open up with a "conceptual" art show, which is basically photos of the buildout and all the mishaps as kind of a joke on all those conceptual shows that are so popular now with the sculpture and found objects, blah blah blah. But I don't know if I can sustain that for both months. It may get dumb. I want to have real art again ASAP within a month after we open.

d

[Aleko the Greko]

I don't have any problems for doing the show without a theme. I know we all have concepts and ideas that we haven't completed yet. If we were to do the show in 2 months form today that leaves us tops 6 weeks for art completion which is kinda tough for eevryone that works full time. I believe I can get my piece done. Maybe some city scapes from my new trip. Well lets all agree and get this party started. Also I ve been thinking... We are a blog group maybe we could conect a web camera in the gallery and stream th elive footage on the blog somehow. I believe this is a Manuel task, but i am willing to help if the idea goes through. Ok lets see what can be done.


Aleko the greko

[Manuel]

Its already complicated to organize all this to have something like that instaled, and remember I am in Spain, a little too far to do that.

[duncan]

I have a question for Diana- I will try to be ready for whenever the show is, but almost all of the work I have on hand is digital and would be printed. I would like to complete a traditional piece, but If we're going to go forward with a show of previous pieces, mine will most likely have to be printed. What is your opinion on that?

[msalmon]

i dont want to speak for everybody, but i know the march deadline would be tough for all of us to meet. I'm having a group show in march in fl that i committed to and i'm planning on doing a few paintings for, plus other projects i want to get started on. what i think could be done is
who ever wants to, should submit paintings or work for the openning in march. since diana mentioned she needs artists. i know i might be able to send one or too paintings.
the july/aug date for a show sounds perfect to me. it would give us more time to produce good artwork.
what do you guys think?

[msalmon]

as far as shipping goes, i usually bubble wrap my paintings pretty good before packing it to make sure it gets to it's destination safe.
got any tips for us diana?

[Vermillion]

I'll see if I can bounce back and answer all the questions or thoughts:

I'm putting in a camera system (QSee - Costco, digital) It wasn't too expensive but the best part is that if I can figure out the LAN input I would be able to have a streaming feed. I could post that for the show or whatever. It might be a lot of work but it might also not be too hard since I already have a digital recorder and cameras.

Ok, don't get too worried about me stressing out loud about April. If we can't do it, I can come up with something else. The only thing is that its the most likely chance for Blogarians to get the largest share of the gallery. It would be cool to do the whole place with Blogarians but it might be too big and really really expensive for you all to try to fill up the place. So what I would do in the summer is possibly give you the biggest share and then fill in with other groups similar to yours (or a couple people from here or there who are similar). For example,there's ArtDorks, IllustrationFriday, Drawn, etc... who had no other way to do their work except on a blog. Hows that for an idea? Just a backup.

As for all work being digital I have a suggestion: imagekind.com is free and I've been ordering with them - AMAZING quality fine art archival prints. Nobody has to know that you used them but what you do is create your own limited edition run. I would stick to a very small run, like 3-5 if you want to sell your are for a decent amount of money. Or you could just do one. I can help with ideas on this if anyone needs it.

I have a lot of interest in artists who have digital output so this is our solution if it's done right.

I've gotten some insane packaging - plastic Home Depot bins stuffed with pillows, etc... I think the best way is to use a rigid box and ideally another box inside. If not, definitely cut the corners off a box and put them on the corners of your art before you put it in a bigger box. Also, another layer of cardboard on the face and back of the art. I've seen a box with a forklift driven through it (not my fault). Luckily the artist did it on canvas that she could patch. Bubble wrap is great too. Always do one layer around your piece with bubble wrap. I found that the average price was $30-$50 for a box sent Ground. Size and weight matter. More on that for anyone who needs it later.

I'm still going to try to spend more time to go through everyones stuff and see if I can refine what I think would work from everyone. You have different styles and I like what's on the blog itself right now. I'm still open to waiting until July/Aug, just throwing April out there as a barometer and my personal anxiety. No biggie.


Thanks! diana

[emilydove]

Thanks Diana, that information is really helpful. There is a possibility that I could have some pieces for April, as long as there is no theme, but it would be cutting it close. I have a gallery show opening in March that runs for 2 weeks so I'm not sure if I could have everything packaged and sent by that time. So ultimately July/Aug would be perfect.

[Vermillion]

I guess I'm just worried about April because it's going on two months of my "joke" idea to mock conceptual sculpture and I don't want people to get sick of it but it's kind of short notice for everybody, including me.

Ok, I'll be in touch and give updates.

Thanks everyone, d

[msalmon]

thanks for the info on packaging and for the website link.
I have some digital work that would be nice to print out and maybe turn into limited edition prints.
I'm pretty sure i can have some pieces for april.

I would like to hear from the rest of you guys.
if we can't all do it ,the july/aug date would be perfect.

[mirna]

i think i'd be ok with march and april. sometimes it's better to have a little time pressure

[Manuel]

Hi everyone!
i I have no problem on dates if we do digital prints.
but I would like to show off my new work, so summer would be better.

[bgreen]

So....do we have a definite date for the show? Are we still doing it? Are we just putting any piece we want in it, or is there a theme? It seems like the whole idea just kind of flopped.