Monday, June 1, 2009

Gallery blog idea--tell me what you think!

Hi all...I've been thinking I might try to include a mini-tip when I post a painting, just a bit telling how it came about, or what technique was used where. Would this be of interest to you?

Maybe I'll try to find a place to do a poll on Blogger, but meanwhile, please do leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Best--
Kate

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought you already did this so very well on your creative process journal---I LOVE to read what you have to say Winna

Leigh said...

Yes, that would definitely be of interest to me. thanks

Shirley said...

I'd love it! But I must admit that I get confused by your multiple URLs, so it would need to be clear when and where this is being posted.

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Hi Winna! Thank you...all I mean to do here is give a quick tip on whatever painting I've put up. I won't try to do step-by-steps here, just a very quick thing like "I wasn't happy with the trees on the right--they'd gotten too heavy and dense--so I used a sharp blade to open up some lights in the winter branches." (Which is what I'd have said on the painting I just put up that sold already!)

If I HAVE a detail photo that shows what I'm doing a tip on, I'll show that, otherwise, just text.

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Thanks, Leigh! It won't be a big step-by-step, just a quick tip or explanation...

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...
This post has been removed by the author.
Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Shirley, I get confused too. I will try to make it simple to find!<;-)

Maybe it would work best if people just bookmarked this site, but I'll post when (and where!) I do one!

Owen said...

Absolutely. Process is always interesting.

MaryO said...

I'm sure that would be valuable to a lot of us!
MaryO

marancat said...

I would be so pleased!

Sandy said...

Oh Good Lord Kate, I hang on every work and stroke you post!!

Leslie said...

I'm with all of the above! I love the tips you share and appreciate every one! Thank you for being so generous with your tips.

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Thanks, all! (Sandy, you're a hoot!) I guess I've been writing and teaching so long I can't help but pay attention to what works, where. I almost habitually take detail shots or step-by-steps, if I have a camera handy. If they work, I tuck them in my Demo folder. It just seemed nice to share a few of these...

Oma3 said...

I love your tips, you are so very generous to share and I learn much from you. So GO FOR IT!

MARA PRICE said...

Great idea Kate. Your tips are much appreciated! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

A tip is always a bonus. It explains just one aspect of the painting and, to me, it makes it easier to absorb it and remember it later

Trish said...

Kate,
I would love to see your tips posted with the artwork. I know you have a class going right now with watercolor pencils, when will you do the next one, where should we watch for the announcement of it?

Joan said...

Your posts are so valuable to beginners like me.
Every technique you share is extrememly helpful, making note of the "quickie tips" would be appreciated.

Joan

freebird said...

Do your buyers see the comment? Because that may make them not want to buy the picture. If it's just where other artists get to see the note, then yay, do it!

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Thanks, all. Yes, buyers will see the comments too, but I've found that people are fascinated with the process--even buyers. They like to know a bit about what they're buying, how it came about, what you did, etc. The one I just put up as a trial balloon began as a demo at one of our art crawls--people watched me create it, then a completed it later in the studio. I've sold several of my demos--seems as if people enjoy feeling a part of the process.

I don't know if that would be true of buyers who want the artist to be mysterious, but...I'm not. *G*

Bonny said...

Most of us think you do a wonderful job with teaching your on-line classes and we all LOVE your ART TIPS onyour primary site!! Smallr tips that are pertinent to whatever project you post here would be wonderful!

You certainly have my vote :))

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Trish, I really don't know when the next one will be; I don't seem to be good at keeping to a tight schedule, so maybe I'll just announce it or hope people bookmark the site! You're right, right now I'm a bit swamped, but sometimes I sneak in little things when I have a few free moments...

makingofafiberartist said...

Kate, that would be a WONDERFUL idea! Tips are always greatly appreciated. I recently received 2 of your CD's (watercolor and watercolor pencils) as well as one of your books! FABULOUS! I'm hoping to take one of your online classes in the very near future.
Thanks for everything!
Geri Ann

Carolyn Ann Pappas said...

I love tips and demos. This makes me feel that the artist isn't concerned about keeping their knowledge a secret and wants to empower others.

vickylw said...

Absolutely it is a great idea! I've found in my own limited experience that others are fascinated in the process, even those who would never pick up a brush. Seems to me like it would make the work more personal to potential buyers.

Donn said...

Great idea. Any type of tip, mini or an in depth step by step is most welcome in this household! I always look forward to them in hopes I can come half close to doing it for practice here.

annie said...

You bet,Kate.
Every time.
Any time.
Any place.
annie

WATERBABY CHRISTINE said...

Just adding my two cents: OH YAY!

Balaji said...

Thank you. That would be wonderful.

Not only are your paintings and sketches brilliant, it is very generous of you to share your tips and techniques with all of us.

lynfeudner2 said...

Your tips are great!The one thing that is missing is the time and timing involved that is sooo important in WC. Often the most brilliant work is done very fast, wet into wet (where the amount of water on/in the paper is essential as well. Also very hard to understant just looking at the finished painting.) When details are added after a certain amount of drying etc.... all contributes to the final look. I espicially enjoy step by step demos that show that timing. Paper size and type of paper important too. Thank you for sharing all that you do.
continued success

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

Thanks, all! Lyn, maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to do an actual video and edit it! (I can shoot with my camera, but there's something missing between there and MovieMaker and I can't edit or add captions. Can to a slide show, though!)

quirkyartist said...

I think it would be great also. Another thing that would interest me is that I'd like to see a photo of the scene you're working on. It would be interesting to see how much 'artistic license' you take to maybe do a great drawing from an average scene. Or what you emphasise.
I recently sold an urban landscape painting of the back of a house, and I sent the buyer a photo of what I was working from. She thought it was amazing to have got the painting I got from what I started with, so I am interested in seeing how other people handle that. How you might simplify a complex landscape and so forth.

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

I probably wouldn't do the photo thing on this particular blog...for one thing, I often work plein air, and I don't want to give the impression I work from photos much. And for here, I just mean a VERY quick little tip, not a step by step or how-to demo. I do that other places, and I only mean to add a little something here.

But I know you're right, people DO often like to see what you were painting! I hope to do more how-to stuff at my original blog, at http://katequicksilvr.livejournal.com/!

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