The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell

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Episode 260: Downsizing For Artists Jul 22, 2023

Show notes

The contents of an artist’s studio tend to be anything but minimal. Most of us accumulate a lot of art supplies not only for our current needs but for other projects that we have in in mind, or just because we love the possibilities suggested by a new material or tool. Then there is our inventory of older work, sometimes going back decades, as well as lots of miscellaneous items that tend to land in a creative space. Shelves, drawers, and closets become crammed as all this stuff builds up. Whether you are planning a move or just want to clear out some space, downsizing is a major project.

Downsizing a studio requires a great deal of energy and many decisions, and it may be your total focus for weeks or even months depending on the scale of what you’re doing. While the
basic logistics of clearing out a studio aren’t very different from similar work in a garage or basement, personal attachment to what you need to get rid of is stronger when it comes to your artwork and other things in your studio space. Much of what you must deal with is intimately tied to your creative self and part of your personal history as an artist.

Dealing with artwork is probably the biggest challenge you will face when you are clearing out a studio. There are some good ways to sell some of this work, including holding a studio sale or online sale, especially if you put some thought and planning into the logistics of this. Other pieces may be given away or donated to a local art center, hospital, or charity organization. Putting old work or other items from your studio in the common area of a building that houses artist studios with a "free" sign is another solution.

Art supplies, art books, studio furniture, teaching supplies, and miscellaneous things you've collected for inspiration can all be problematic as you sort and decide their destinations. But there will be many items that you realize you no longer need or want. Art studios tend to accumulate decades of your various projects and ideas, many of which you will have moved past.

Downsizing or clearing out living space has been a topic for several years in the general media but as artists we have special challenges due to the highly personal aspects of what we are dealing with, and the fact that in terms of the value of things, the usual categories of what can be given away, sold, or tossed, are less clear. It is a challenging project, but the rewards of finally finishing the clearing process are great.

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What's new at Cold Wax Academy? As Rebecca and Jerry reach the end of their third year of Live sessions they are launching a new phase of programming aimed at reviewing and reinforcing foundation topics--beginning with Color in their Summer quarter that starts on July 5th. This summer's sessions will also mentoring and professional development topics, as well as a painting clinic and a member critique. As always, Members of Cold Wax Academy have unlimited streaming access to over 100 previously recorded sessions. And a table of contents to easily find specific topics in the recordings will soon be available. For more info and to join CWA please visit www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

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The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.

Episode 259: Surviving Your Opening Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

Art openings are fun, right? Your friends and family are there to celebrate, your work is beautifully displayed, you meet new people who are interested in what you do, and you may see some red dots appear. So why do so many artists approach their opening receptions with mixed feelings or even dread? Even if you feel excited about the show and grateful for the opportunity to exhibit, you may feel nervous about being in the spotlight, confused about what’s expected of you, or disappointed by a small turnout. Even openings that live up to your highest expectations can feel overwhelming. Today we’ll take an inside look at how to survive and even enjoy your next art opening.

Although there are challenges, openings can also encompass many positive moments. It's exciting to see your work in its best light when it has been in your studio for weeks or months, largely unseen. There is often an elevated quality to the work to see it in this setting, and it is affirming of all your efforts to have your work appreciated by a wide audience.

Openings can be disconcerting though. It is easy to misread various aspects of what is happening around you, because there is often a party atmosphere rather than serious consideration of your work, and it may seem that no one cares to really look. There are also many unknown factors, for example, you often try to gauge what people think of your work or whether there will be any sales. And a commercial gallery has certain expectations that may be outside your comfort zone, like mingling and engaging with the people there.

To make things easier for yourself, there are various ways to make yourself more comfortable, like choosing the right outfit and having a camera handy to have something to do as you move around the gallery space. But of all the many tasks and business responsibilities artists need to handle, for many of us, our own openings are the among most challenging times. it depends a lot on personality whether you dread openings or take them in stride, but experience is also helpful. Openings do become routine over time, and you find your own ways to make them bearable and even fun.

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Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 258: Making Assumptions Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

As artists we are often in uncertain territory when dealing with the world of galleries, exhibits, and other opportunities, and leaning on assumptions --what we believe you know about a situation --can help you feel more grounded or confident. But when you find out you’ve misread a situation, you may be left feeling angry or frustrated, or blame yourself for not seeing things more clearly. How can you maintain your objectivity and identify your assumptions as you navigate the ups and downs of an art career? There are no easy answers but today we will offer some perspective on this tricky issue.

The definition of assumption is "something that is accepted or believed to be true, or as certain to happen, without proof." But proof is very hard to come by when dealing with unknown situations. Nobody can have proof of everything in their lives let alone in the variable and diverse art world. We all operate on plenty of assumptions in our attempts to further our art career.

But some assumptions can come from being naive or uniformed about the situation. Many opportunities in the art world are totally legitimate but many are not. Some are basically scams in that you’re being led astray on purpose. This means you can waste a lot of your resources because you trusted that a venue was working in your best interests. But even with legitimate venues and opportunities, we can be led astray by unrealistic expectations and assumptions.

You need to be aware of any assumptions about a situation that are blinding you to what is best for you. And communication is always key in understanding as clearly as you can how to navigate various situations, whether you're dealing with a gallery, arts organization, artist residency program, teaching opportunity, or any of the other myriad opportunities that may come your way.

No matter where you are in an art career you probably grapple with the pitfalls of expectations and assumptions. Because there are lots of different scenarios you will encounter, it's hard to be on track in every situation. Give yourself a break when you recognize you’ve let assumptions play too big a role. Nobody makes the right calls all the time, but we do learn from experience in identifying our own assumptions.

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Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 257: More Than One Direction Jul 01, 2023

Show notes

In the interest of having a consistent style, artists are generally advised to stick to one type of work --both in the studio and when exhibiting. But many artists are experimental, curious, and explore more than one direction—so this advice can seem too restrictive. In our last episode, we touched briefly on the idea that a range of the same artist’s work can be promoted effectively if done with consideration. If you have more than one direction you may have questions about how you can best present your work when exhibiting or in other situations, and today we will address those concerns.

While it is advisable to have one primary focus that you fully develop and go deeply into, there are many good reasons that artists explore multiple directions as sidelines. Working in various media and approaches tends to inspire new ideas, energy, and insights, and helps keep your work fresh. Different approaches may also appeal to different audiences and thus expand your marketing possibilities. But it's important to think about how to present your work when you have more than one direction. Different situations involve different concerns, and you need to consider the audience for each.

For example, when approaching a gallery or applying for a grant or commission, you will make the strongest impression if you present only your main body of work. In these cases, the person deciding about your work wants to see consistency and an immediate visual impression. Other situations, such as when you post on social media, hold an open studio, or do a slide talk about your work, it's fine to show the breadth of what you do. In these situations, your audience has more time to absorb your various directions. If you want to show a range of work on your website, it's best to clearly separate your various directions and provide some written insight into your reasons for pursuing them.

In the best scenario, your work in various media or approaches will have an interesting relationship. Viewers seeing a range of your work will then be able to deepen their understanding of who you are as an artist. If your ideas come from a strong inner source rather than being very scattered, -they will be more worthwhile for you to pursue,and be more likely to enhance how others view your work.

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Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 256: When Art Travel Ends Jun 24, 2023

Show notes

We’ve talked several times in the past about the experience of attending an artist residency program when you are away from your home studio, focused exclusively on your work in a stimulating environment. We’ve also talked about the importance of travel in general for feeding your creative ideas. But what about when that residency or the travel is over? Will the bubble you have been in for weeks, focused on your work or satisfying your travel curiosity, simply burst? Today we talk about that transitional time back to ordinary life and how that plays out in your work.

When you spend time at a residency or doing art-related travel, coming back to your studio can present challenges. Your vision has been altered, and your experiences while away will affect your thoughts and feelings. You may have done work that is quite different in terms of media, scale, or source ideas that what you normally do. You have also probably been free of marketing or business concerns, and perhaps not considering where the work would end up in terms of display or sales.

It's good to take some time once home to contemplate the similarities and differences with your previous or ongoing work. Will the work you did while away simply exist as your response to your time away, a separate project, perhaps a sort of travel journal? Or will it contribute to or integrate with the main body of your work? Will you continue to pursue the ideas you explored while away, or is that work specific to the place where you were? It will probably take some time to process the various ideas that your travel has evoked. Part of that may be inviting others to see the work from your time away. Thier comments can provide more insight and they may see connections to your ongoing work that you have overlooked.

While as artists we are always taking in new ideas when we travel, doing so with an art focus or as an artist in residence is very different from travel as a tourist. When you are able to create during your trip, you can process your impressions in an immediate way. This can enforce your experiences in ways that will have a permanent effect on your work overall, whether obvious or subtle.

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What's new At Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry launched their spring quarter on April 12th. Sessions this quarter so far included identifying compositional issues in your work, and technical information from Gamblin representative Mary Tevlin. Upcoming sessions include a painting clinic for works in progress, and much more. As always, members can join in on live sessions with questions and comments, and can benefit anytime by interacting with other members on our Members-only facebook page. With 100 recorded sessions in the member library there is always something to learn or review, with topics ranging from technical advice to visual language to guests speakers and critiques of member work.

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 255: Silence, Solitude, and the Creative Pause Jun 10, 2023

Show notes

Many creative people embrace quiet, solitary moments as portals to being in synch with their work. Stepping away from everyday distractions is a way of nurturing your creative self, bringing you more in touch with your emotions, ideas, and the bigger picture of what you want to express. Yet true silence and solitude tend to be rare in our lives, unless we make a conscious effort to bring them in.

Most people are aware of the value of meditation and other spiritual practices like prayer as a way of calming and centering and consider it important, usually as a way of starting the day. But once you move into the main flow of a busy day, most of us never pause to find a quiet moment of solitude.

A purposeful, brief stepping back from full engagement with your work, a pause in which you take a moment to refresh your vision and can enhance your creative process by allowing you to get find your center and purpose again. It's good to take this kind of pause not out of frustration or exhaustion, but during a good flow of activity. If you stay in the moment but simply pause for a moment to look out the window, take a drink of water, or step outside, you are not likely to lose your flow. Working this type of pause into the rhythm of your process can seem counterintuitive, but one way to create this habit is to simply extend a natural pause-- taking a drink a water or washing your hands--and another minute or so to find something else to gaze at.

Solitude and silence are other ways to enhance creativity by bringing your attention inward, whether in the studio or elsewhere in life. Anything that helps you be in touch with your inner thoughts and feelings can be helpful. Consciously making space for solitude and silence in your life can be an important step to going deeper into your work

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 254: Intuitive, Spontaneous, or Random? Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Intuition and spontaneity are important to many artists. But what about randomness? While these words are related in superficial ways, they have very different meanings in the context of art practice. Intuition and spontaneity play positive roles. Intuition can be a powerful guide and a source of new ideas, and spontaneity leads to energy and excitement. Randomness, on the other hand, tends to lead you off track and reduce the meaning and impact of your work.

Intuition and spontaneity have somewhat different meanings although they are very closely related. Intuition means inner knowing or understanding, a sense of rightness. It may evolve slowly and grow over time based on practice and experience and can stand up to analysis and questioning. Spontaneity means being in the present moment, playing, and acting with freedom and energy. It is reactive to the situation and not something to question or analyze.

How do these approaches differ from randomness? Although all three are alike in not being planned, random responses are characterized as being without purpose and based in chance. They have no specific source, while intuition and spontaneity both arise from your core creative self and push you forward in inspiring ways.

It can be very helpful to recognize your own use of these three approaches. Learning to recognize randomness and avoiding it can help keep you on track with developing meaning in your work, while cultivating intuition and spontaneity can provide valuable insight and energy. These distinctions can be hard to identify in the moment but in observing your work over time you can more easily see their impact.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 253: Dealing with Rejection May 27, 2023

Show notes

It’s never easy putting your work in front of others to be judged and scrutinized, but if you don’t it’s very hard to gain a wider audience or grow as an artist. Submitting work to galleries, grant panels, juried shows, and competitions tends to become a routine part of what artists do. But for every time you’re chosen for an opportunity, there are many more times when you are rejected or simply ignored. And despite the thick skins many of us develop, rejection is never easy. Today we’ll talk about coping with rejection and try to gain some perspective on its inevitability

Accepting rejection as part of the process of your development is important. We all try many things as artists that don't work out for us, whether that is a new medium, a project, or a technique. Yet we learn to carry on with the next idea with a positive attitude. Rather than taking rejection as a personal affront, it's helpful to look at it in a similar objective way, as just another attempt that didn't turn out as you hoped.

But although it is basically good advice to shrug off rejection this is also a simplistic approach, because most people have emotional or personality characteristics that get in the way. These include perfectionism, insecurity, inflexibility, a sense of entitlement or being prone to having unrealistic expectations. It helps to try and separate your own personal issues from the reality of how the art world operates. Although there are certainly times when an artist's work is rejected based on a lack of quality or originality, many times this decision has more to do with the goals of the gallery, juried show, venue, or residency program which may or may not be apparent.

How you experience rejection tends to change over a long art career. In the beginning, you probably apply for more opportunities, and hence receive more rejections. When you are more established you are probably more selective about where you submit. After all, your needs change, and every application requires focus, time, and sometimes cost. In deciding where to place your resources, consider your true goals and how an acceptance would contribute to your growth as an artist. It is never wise to apply out of a sense of competition or regard an acceptance as a "win" or to prove yourself. With this attitude, it is easy to see rejection as invalidating your work and can undermine your confidence.

There is a danger in letting rejection affect you too much, in becoming discouraged, or allowing it to affect your self-image as an artist. Knowing how common it is for artists at every stage to be rejected may help, as does insight into the way art venues operate and to understand that your work may simply not align with whoever is deciding the outcome wants. In the end, it's up to you to push forward according to your own goals, despite rejections.

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 252: Personal or Formal? May 15, 2023

Show notes

We tend to think of artistic expression as being very personal, as coming from the artist’s experiences, emotions, memories, and responses. But there are also many works of art that are not focused on personal expression. Instead, the artist is motivated to explore a more impersonal realm of ideas, patterns, and more universal concepts. For most artists, there is a balance between sources that are more and less personal, a balance in working between the heart and the mind. That individual balance is basic to the artist’s voice and unique expression. Today we’re going to talk about these two different approaches to making art and the balance in your own art practice.

In looking at art history in these terms it is easy to see the differences, and to recognize the ways that artists have drawn from both personal and formal sources. These divisions, although they tend to overlap in any one artist's work, are useful in understanding your own preferences and tendencies, and what is important to you. Do you prefer a more intellectual, structured approach--one that is removed from pure emotion? Or is expressing your personal experiences in a freer way important to you? These divisions are simplistic, however. Even the most formal work may have emotion behind it, and the most informal relies on formal concerns like composition and the use of the visual elements.

Both approaches are equally valid, from pure abstraction to the most expressive ways of working. But in getting started, formal concerns like developing technique, and understanding the visual elements are an excellent starting point for finding your personal voice. Personal expression tends to emerge from this kind of exploration, but without a firm formal grounding it is difficult to develop powerful work.

It's important to develop your appreciation for the approach that feels less natural to you, and to recognize that any weakness in your own work may have its roots in that other approach. If your work is strictly formal, could it benefit from letting a little more of your more personal experience and sources come through? If strictly informal, is there enough structure to allow the viewer a way in, or a universality that allows their engagement with the image?

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Episode 251: Travel Tips for Artists May 08, 2023

Show notes

The ideas and energy gained from travel are important to many artists, and when you travel, you seldom leave your art self behind. The stimulation of travel and new experiences tends to create strong impressions and bring on the urge to create while you’re away from home, no matter the overall reason for your trip. This means bringing along at least some art supplies, and lots more if the focus of your trip is a residency or workshop.

It's hard to know ahead of time what environments or situations you will encounter, and what you will want to respond to. So, this makes planning your materials a challenge. But you can make some general decisions about the type of materials you want to bring, and how much time and space you will have for your work. Are you traveling as a tourist, or is your travel more focused on your work? If it's a shorter, busier, tourist type of trip, it may be that simply collecting ideas, photos, and quick work to reference later will satisfy your creative needs.

But there are many other situations when you may have a studio of sorts,--at a residency workshop, or self-catered set up, and you are planning a longer stay in which you focus on your work. If you will be delving deeply into your work while away, and you are using public transport to get there, do the best you can to anticipate your needs as you pack,and consider the option for buying supplies at your destination. But an attitude of accepting your choices of matrials once they are made and doing what you can with what you bring can be a creative portal. Responding in the moment to what moves you is the most important consideration.

Packing, shipping, weight restrictions, toxicity, and other factors are all factors, but often the simplest solutions are sufficient and may present exciting challenges. If you typically work with oil, why not bring only a small selection of inks, watercolors, and other water-based media, along with some drawing media? Our listeners contributed many experiences and tips for this episode about materials and packing, so please have a listen to hear what they had to say.

This is the website mentioned in the podcast for travel materials related to watercolor and drawing media:
https://arttoolkit.com

www.messystudiopodcast.com/blick

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

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