Taos/Santa Fe Road Trip

Over the spring break, I went to one of my favorite states, New Mexico. I had a great research trip in Taos and Santa Fe. I go to galleries to look and to see what I can do better in my city of Denver. My art life ain't too bad in Denver, because I take charge of it. I market as if my art life depends on it, and it does. I found acres of well made art in New Mexico, the thing I didn't see in galleries, except one was, terms available signs. I think galleries lose business to new people if the payment plan data is not posted. I come across NEW people to art on a regular basis, who do not know that art can be purchased on the time payment plan. Many gallery people say that they tell people about the e-z pay plan. I wonder what they do when there's a bunch of people in the gallery at one time? Payment plans need to be posted, that way new people won't be shy about asking. The end result is, the gallery makes money and the artist does also. I just had to get this off my brain. This trip was very special, I am energized. No art,no life.

Artists/Marketing/Business

I learned early that if I wanted to heat and eat from my artistic effort, I'd better learn the basics about selling my work. I have put together a good set of tools to be able to live the kind of art life I want. I treat marketing and promotion the same way I make a work of art, it's always a work in progress. I shape it, correct it until I get what I want from it. The financially successful artists I know, are very good at the promoting and selling part of their art life.Even as I am writing this , I realize that some one some where is marketing their art. The artist that doesn't want to do the business part of their art careers, makes it better for those of us who do.

Disbelief

I run into so many people who don't realize that there are large numbers of artists who, are able to make a living from their artistic effort. There are I would guess, thousands of artists of every discipline who , are going to the bank and paying their bills with proceeds from their sales. I know I am. I will hazard a guess that the people who don't think artists are able to make it in todays economy must not read the papers and publications that talk about successful artists.

Creative Fire

I have a roaring creative fire going.Since my visit to Las Vegas I have had boundless art making energy. I have about nine art projects going at the same time. My creative channels are open. I hadn't seen my brother and sister in seven years, so I am thinking that once that mission was accomplished my head cleared. Art making is difficult as it is, so when mental hurdles are removed creativity can proceed unhindered.

Tamayo Art in the trash

What a story , A Rufino Tamayo painting was found in the trash. See the PBS FYI Antiques Roadshow site for info. The NYT had a good story. Approximate date 11/22/07 or The Rocky Mounain News-11/22/07. I'll bet hundreds of people passed by the painting sitting on the sidewalk between two trash bags. Just goes to show, people in a hurry,on the cell phone,being sooo busy miss out on big money.PEOPLE GET THE ART THEY DESERVE!!!!

Good Life, Art Life

Well the art life continues and it is very good. I saw several art exhibitions here in Denver and believe it or not, artists are selling very well. The recession talk is so much" sky is falliing stuff "/ Dang!!!! I intend to have a great art life no matter what the rest of the world says or does. But hey, that's just me. When I go out and survey shows an see that artists are going to the bank,and I am one of them ,coooool. I aint even worried. As long as there is one empty wall or space, I will find it. Cheers and art. Bob Ragland -NON starving artist on purpsoe.

Picasso Works

I went to Las Vegas over the holidays and much to my pleasent surprise, I was able to see over three hundred works by Picasso. What a treat. I am a Picasso scholar, I like the artist's work ethic. My own work isn't anything like his. It's just that he's a good model for me when it comes to producing. I try to make art on a consistent basis. I read somewhere that Leger approached his art with the same kind of commitment. I think art making is a good way to show how one spends their time. Many artists that I have read about have been productive, and I intend to be the same way as long as I am able to.