Demonstrating at a show

[Jean Kelly]

Hi all,

Recently I was accepted into "Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors" so am beginning to get my feet wet in the local art scene. May 7th and 8th is the spring "Gallery Night" here and they will be renting space for WP&S members to show their work. They also asked for artists to demonstrate their specialty during the show. Of course, I jumped at the chance, and now am realizing how crazy I was!

If anyone has any suggestions on pitfalls, organizing, set-up, etc. etc. I would certainly appreciate it. There will be enough room for lights and a model if I want and the area has numerous windows. I'm assuming that I should have my canvas ready to paint and the composition planned; should I have a good start on it before I get there? Paint, pastel, or charcoal? Encouragement welcome also.

Jean

[Michele Rushworth]

You should demo the kind of work you want to be known for. If you want oil portrait commissions, demo an oil portrait. I also set up one or two other completed portraits, in frames on easels, beside the one I'm working on.

I have found at public demos that people only start getting really interested in what I'm doing when it's almost finished, so I bring a piece that is pretty far along to work on. If you're nervous about likeness and accuracy in such a high pressure environment, bring a piece where the face is done and you can work on the clothing or background.

I also found that it's an acquired skill to work in a noisy environment with lots of distractions, and that I didn't get much done on the painting. No matter, I was there to meet people and hand out lots of cards. Be sociable.

I ask for a set up that keeps kids away from the wet paint (with a table between me and the crowd, etc). I put my portfolio book on that table, along with my cards.

Have fun!

[Jean Kelly]

Hi Michele,

Thanks for the advice, I never would have considered a table, or the fact that people are more interested at the end stages of a portrait. Now to pick my model--- male, female, child, or just give up and paint a dog!

Jean

ps, I think I'll have the portrait almost finished, I doubt that I would be good under pressure. I also am going back to Mike's thread on his dream portrait show, maybe I'll try some "education". Madison is notorious for experimental art. Lots of strange stuff out there.

[Chris Kolupski]

Jean, I read your post and have a suggestion. For some time now my wife and I have had dinner guests from our congregation over once a week. Then, after dinner I paint one of the guests. Aside from the buzz this has generated, it has helped me paint faster and more powerfully than I ever dreamed I could. It has also helped my confidence level so that I actually enjoy the rush of painting as performance art -not that I dance around or anything! My suggestion is that you round up a bunch of friends and paint them, forcing yourself to paint under the same time constraints as your demo. If you can fit 8 or 10 portrait sketches in beforehand, you

[Jean Kelly]

Chris, you made me laugh! Sargent? Not a chance!

Anyone who comes to my house knows that they may become one of my "victims", it's usually my camera though. I never considered bribing them with food. I do like your idea though and will try it. I always seem to be able to find willing models, maybe a loaf of bread.

I am a notoriously slow painter; your exercise would be good for me.

Jean

[Jean Kelly]

Well things are all set for the demo, and the show. This new organization, "Wisconsin Painters and Sculpters", is extremely well organized and very active in promoting Wisconsin artists. I'm glad I am getting the chance to participate and will be on the exhibit commitee for the next year. It's time to learn something about the business of art first hand.

Noah will be coming to the show with his hat and #18 shirt so I can give him his freckles. I have a good detail ref of his face so will try to memorize where his freckles are before the show. That way he can bounce around and be a little boy too. I'm the first demo, which is good cause he won't be tired and cranky! The painting is doing fine, now if I can make it through this without driving myself nuts I'll be happy.

Jean