APS Demo and Artists Notes for Success

I attended a demo by Claudia Seymour on Friday night before her workshop for members of the Austin Pastel Society. Claudia is a wonderful presenter and was very giving and sharing with our artists. She is also a very good artist and fun to be around. I truly believe that contributes to her success.

Claudia works in a very detailed way. She works on Wallis paper mounted on mat board. She does a detailed sketch with vine charcoal and works in color after that. She uses fixative at various times and builds up the color in stages. Claudia does a considerable amount of blending with her fingers in the beginning and blends with the pastels near the finish. I really enjoyed watching her work and listening to her commentary as she goes. She falls into the great artist category and I want to be like her when I grow up!

Claudia at work near the end of her demonstration.

I was reading Alyson B. Stanfield's newsletter today, Give to Get on Your Blog. She is so right. I notice that the artist's that I respect, and ones I aspire to be like when I grow up, are so giving and sharing. It makes a difference in how your art is perceived, I think.

This also prompts me to mention how I think sharing helps in your groups, shows and coop situations. When I was in the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild and showing at the Gallery here, I always noticed that the most sales happened when certain artists were working. These were the giving and sharing artists.

When a potential customer would come in, these artists would greet them, ask if it was their first time in the Gallery or if they were shopping for something special and then recommend the artists' work that best fit the situation. They would let the customer shop on their own, then offer help again with recommendations of their own or OTHER ARTISTS' work. The other artist recommendation is so important. The customer would remember and perhaps say to someone else, "I met the nicest artist the other day. She/He paints landscapes which you might like. I was looking for a still life and she/he was so helpful. I found the perfect gift. You should look at his/her landscapes."

Some of the other artists just put in their time and when someone came in they would barely acknowledge them. Then, if asked any question, they would try to emphasize only their own work. Customers did not open their wallets on those days ... and perhaps never came back.

At group shows it is great to answer questions about your work and experience, etc., but never run down the other artists and their work. You need to be happy and proud that your work is in the exhibit. It shows and rubs off!

Ah, I have some videos, demos and extra stuff on my sidebar to share with you! Have a look.