Get It Together

Organization  & The Reluctant Coordinator

Visual reminders of Deadlines for the art group!

My friend is an organized and informed artist whom the rest of us rely on for art motivation and information.

She makes art and encourages and coordinates our art group shows. If you have ever entered a show you know how much work it is: paperwork, paperwork drop off, artwork that must be fresh and framed and priced, then drop off and pick up times (if accepted) - it is a lot to keep up with -- many deadlines and dates to remember.

And, here's the thing, I would never volunteer to be the Art Coordinator -No Thank You! And yet our Art Coordinator emailed me from the hospital; she has chosen me to be the contact for our group show. Oh no! I don't want to be in charge! Is this because I am organized?

Our group show is in August and there are many deadlines for the venue and for the artists. It is much to coordinate. Each Artist will have to print and sign their inventory and their insurance waiver. I will sign the contract for the venue for the group. Each Artist will have to provide a Bio/Artist Statement and a jpeg image of their work. Thus far I have emailed the show timelines and deadlines to the artists. I have created a Cork Board Information area for the artists which includes a printed month by month calendar (deadlines written in). I have designated folders for signed paperwork and all will be displayed prominently for artists to see. And still I know there will be stragglers who don't check their emails/whose printers don't work and who will miss the deadlines.

Wish me well & wish me patience,

 - The Reluctant Coordinator

Be Brave - Take the Chance

I belong to a studio portrait painting group and we meet every Wednesday which is exactly when a local landscape group meets --so the choice is one or the other (portrait or landscape). Oh how I would love to do plein air painting, why can't it be on another day?

A One Hour Quick Study - Up North Fall 5x7

I did find, on the plein air website, a very reasonable plein air "Spring Retreat" paint out that will occur in April. When I emailed asking for more information, I learned that I was emailing with the Wednesday Plein Air Contact. I have a new art friend simply from a few emails. Aren't Art Friends wonderful?

In our email exchanges the Plein Air Contact invited me to meet with them on one of their regular Wednesday paint outs - which I cannot do because of the schedule conflict. However, I did suggest adding a "Bonus Tuesday" to the plein air schedule. Guess what? We are going to coordinate a few Bonus Tuesdays this Spring -and all I had to do was ask! Be Brave!

WOW! It was so easy to ask for and create what I hope will be a fun experience with new art friends!

The other item that I wanted to mention was be sure to share challenges and ideas with your art colleagues too. I mentioned a few months ago that I wanted to paint 1 hour quick studies each week. And, I mentioned it to several art friends. We now paint 2 quick paintings per week, each one hour (small) and the results which we post online are amazing. I am surprised at how much can be accomplished in an hour and also how many people have joined the group! I really feel that the quick painting and fast decision making are helping me improve my painting skills.

So, my advice to you is to be brave--ask the question, talk to your friends, organize and coordinate! Take the Chance!