3 Big Mistakes Emerging Artists Make before and after a Show...

The following are three of the Biggest mistakes emerging artists make before and after their first shows: This information is for artists who wish to show in galleries or have an interest in taking the next step in promoting yourself as an artist.

1. You delivered your work to the gallery, had a great opening night party and now... you wait.

WRONG

Now you work. You now have a limited time while the show is up to try to get collectors or potential gallery people, art buyers, writers, art consultants, interior designers, etc. to come to the gallery and meet you there and see your work and your potential. Buy them a cup of coffee. Also how many of your friends did not make it to the opening? Invite them.

Many artists will say "I have to work, it's inconvenient, I have other plans…etc." But let me ask you this... How often do you have a show? Make time, carve out 45 minutes for your art.

2. There is some interest in your work from a family friend, relative, friend of a friend. You tell them to wait until after the show and you will give them a better deal or they suggest they wait until after the

show so you will make more money.

WRONG

This is the worst thing an artist can do and it is like shooting yourself in the foot. Artists need to establish a sales history with a gallery. In- Gallery sales are proof that a given artist is worth the risk of taking up valuable real estate on their walls. If an artist has no sales history with galleries, you will always have to "pay-to-show."

3. You delivered your work for your first show, had a great opening night, you did everything in your power to get people there to buy and nothing sold and now you think less of your work and you have lost inspiration.

WRONG

You just got a small taste. This is just the very beginning and since you received so much buzz about your work, it's time to start new work and continue the great momentum, building on the body of work you have started.

What we do at Kline Academy of Fine Art like with our recent Contemporary Show is find a community of artists whose work shows really well together. Together with other emerging artists you can climb the ladder.  Together you can garner a large crowd, together you can inspire each other and create even better shows than the last. 

You can make an impact in the art world. Your work deserves to be seen, it deserves editorial and it deserves sales! We hope these times will help you!

Check out our art community which is "by artists and for artists" at Kline Academy of Fine Art.

Another benefit for doing art... Less chance of getting dementia

We already knew art was great for us not only as a way to express our passions but also as a tool for working through many of life's challenges. We hear from our students all the time that they used their art class as a means to over come the loss of a loved one or depression, anxiety etc., but now we hear that creating can also combat dementia.

According to a report in CBC News (Click here for article) "Neurologists at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto found that artists suffering from vascular dementia may still be able to draw spontaneously and from memory, despite being unable to complete simple, everyday tasks.

"Artists compared with non-artists are better protected, he added. "Due to their art, the brain is better protected [against] diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and even strokes. They have more reserve in their brain in order to give functions."

"So [we know], based on other neuroscience studies, that art in any of its forms uses different neuronal avenues inside the brain to do their work. And the activity, the talent and the art per se gives reserve when the brain requires that reserve."

Kline Academy Featured in Art LA Magazine

Click the Images below to Read!

Exciting News!

Kline Academy Founder, Cheryl Kline was selected to participate in the International Guild of Realism's 8th Annual Juried Exhibition which will be held at the Tempe Center for the Arts in Tempe Arizona.

The pieces selected are: "Midnight Walk" and "A Note from Cassandra"

The exhibition Dates are October 5th through November 30th, 2013

Ask an Artist about Art with Deda Jacobsen

Dear Artist: What is your process when you begin working on your art and does the space you work in inspire that process at all?  -Anon

Dear Anon: Well, first I begin with a glass of wine and a cigarette, since facing a blank canvas causes creative anxiety... Picasso said that was the only time he felt anxiety.  I have already done my homework on an idea with thumbnail sketches, which is something I have yet to inspire many students to try... though I won't give up on encouraging it.  

I usually respond to and derive inspiration from nature, a photo, another artist's work or an article in the newspaper... in other words, something interesting.  Concepts in the play of light are especially engaging to me. 

As far as my space goes... it has nothing to do with my inspiration. In fact, the only things clean in it before I start working are my canvas, brushes and palette. Despite this mess, I take notes, make sketches and do my best work inside... bathed in contentment. While nature does inspire me, working outdoors does not... instead, my vision of what I want to bring forth transports me to another place and allows my creativity to flow.  

Painting by Deda Jacobsen

When creating, comfort is important... So is a nap. 

Learn more about Deda and her class at www.klineacademy.com 

Mixed Media Artist and Kline Academy Instructor Yvette Gellis Explores India...

I had the honor and privilege of accompanying some friends to India. This was a Pilgrimage / work research exhibition and my first trip to India. We attended the Kumbha Mela and I did the traditional dip into the Ganges - a beautiful experience.

 We visited many fascinating and beautiful places including Dharmsala in the Himalayas where the Dali Lama was in residence on retreat. India is a place of of extreme contrasts with immense misery and immense mystery. 

The spirituality permeates everything - even the dust taste on your tongue. The greatest feeling was waking up at 5 AM to the sounds of millions of people chanting and praying. The vibration is one I will carry with me always. As an artist I can only say that every face, every color witnessed, is a work of art in the making. Now the real work begins...

Yvette is back and more creative than ever... find out about her class HERE

Student Aylssa Moffitt, with the help of instrcutor Brianna Lee, is spot on in her Academic Drawing Class.  

Drawing is the foundation of Art and is an essential practice for every artist. I have a firm belief that anyone can learn to draw and "talent" is really just another word for "dedication and passion"! - Cheryl Kline

Check it out here.

 Congrats to our Kline Academy Student, Marilyn Rothman on her group exhibition at...

 DanielakArt and The Women’s City Club of Pasadena 

are pleased to present

LA CUISINE!

A Celebration of Food & Wine, Cafes & Restaurants

RECEPTION THURSDAY, OCT. 4, 2012 6:30 - 9:00 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

ONLINE CATALOG HERE

The Women’s City Club of Pasadena

At the Historic Blinn House (built 1905)

160 N. Oakland Avenue

(Free parking behind the building off Madison Avenue)

Pasadena, CA  91101

Club Phone: 626-796-0560

Margaret Danielak, Curator of Exhibitions

                                          www.danielakart.com

DanielakArt Information: 626-683-9922 - Email Margaret.danielak@gmail.com

Art Viewing Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 4 pm

                       Events Listing and Calls to Artists Listed on Blog:                       

                 http://gallerywithoutwalls.blogspot.com

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN’S CITY CLUB OF PASADENA

VISIT  www.womenscityclub.com

Uncovering a Time Capsule of Art in Paris

We just came across an amazing story in the art world. A magical Parisian apartment, abandoned shortly before World War 2 was recently re-discovered after it had gone untouched for the better part of a century.


via The Telegraph, photos by GETTY.

Discussing the finds in the dusty apartment, a blogger mentions, "There is a further twist to the story. In the apartment a painting of familiar style was discovered of a beautiful woman in pink. One of the inventory team members suspected this might be a very important piece of treasure. Along with the painting, they also found stacks of old love letters tied with colored ribbon."


via The Telegraph, photos by GETTY.

She continues, "With some expert historical opinion, the ribbon-bound love letters were quickly recognized as the calling card of none other than Giovanni Boldini, one of Paris’ most important painters of the Belle Époque. The painting was his. The beautiful woman pictured in the painting was Mrs. de Florian’s grand-mother, Marthe de Florian, a beautiful French actress and socialite of the Belle Époque. She was Boldini’s muse. And, despite him being a married man, she was also his lover. The art world went a bit nutty for the whole story and the painting was later sold for $3 million at auction."

Art can be so magical sometimes that it grips the world and at the same time the heart. I think this is another great example. 

You can find more on this story here and here.

When undertaking an art study such as life drawing, there are a few, not so obvious, but basic tips that help foment important habits that become a foundation for each new level of skill.

THE ALL IMPORTANT PENCIL.

The experience of sketching and drawing the human figure has many components.  The most basic tool is the pencil.  Graphite or charcoal each have their properties and characteristics.  Each one ideal in specific situations.

  

Graphite is easier to control and, for most people, gives a certain confidence.  It doesn't powder, is less messy and can be sharpened in a pencil sharpening device.  It works beautifully in sketching out ideas and rough concepts in smaller sketchpads and is a terrific instrument for fine drawings.  In a figure drawing class, where one is exploring value depths, very few graphite pencils can go truly black.  If not careful with keeping a light touch and sharpening often, it can leave a reflective shine, flattening areas while also increasing the danger of slicking the drawing surface losing the texture of the paper underneath. The graphite pencil also encourages one to hold the tool always as a writing instrument with the wrist being the only radius to arc and pivot from. 

Charcoal can leave charcoal marks on other than the paper, can flake off in the softer varieties, can be dusty and most often, must be sharpened with a razor.  However, it creates a great matt line and rich dark values increasing the gamut in range of light to dark. Sharpening with a razor one can chisel a fine custom point and long side for a variety of marks. The point is for refined and delicate lines and the side is for laying in wide swatches of darker value. There is also a stronger sense of tack that is picked up from the paper when using charcoal. Texture from paper lends a bit of tactile feel that can slow a mark down for refinement or, with increased pressure, allow a bold, value layered swipe all in one stroke.  The analogy towards painting is clearer in using the charcoal pencil as a brush with a point and a broad side

REFINED DRAWING MUSCLES

Drawing, also, requires a little bit of muscle training that directly influences how smooth the strokes you put down are. Drawing from the wrist, only, doesn't allow for complete freedom of an arm swing that places a nice fluid and clean gesture line on your paper.  Holding the pencil as if holding a brush to paint begins the habit.  The pencil is held underneath the hand, wrapping the fingers around it as if holding wand  The thumb and index will hold it in place. 

Drawing with the pencil held this way, in a life drawing class, allows the pencil to become a part of you, an extension of your arm.  Experiment by creating a foot long arc on your paper using just your wrist or even pivoting from the elbow and then again from the shoulder. The freedom of the stroke will be unencumbered in the latter. Drawing from the shoulder also trains you to sweep the strokes in a painterly manner.  Also, it exercises hand/eye coordination, where later one is using a brush that is longer than a pencil.

Drawing can be an end to itself or part of a deeper experience and foundation that carries over seamlessly into painting.  In any case, it is an avenue of expression that    opens the creative doors and enriches the spirit.