WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE LINEAGE?
"Context begins with other artists-seniors and mentors."~Kenneth Noland
This is part II, a continuation of the thoughts from “Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon. Past artists, teachers and mentors have influenced us all. As Austin Kleon says, “nothing comes from nowhere…nothing is completely original.” He advises that we look further in-depth of who inspired us and how they have influenced us.
Looking back at my influences, I do remember it started at a young age. Picasso was my first influencer, at seven, and I'm sure I didn't know who he was. I was attracted to one of my father's album covers that featured a one-eyed painting of Picasso's. This led me to draw portraits missing one eye for many years, up to and throughout high school. I tended to have an African influence in my drawings, of which through my research I found that Picasso was also influenced by an African statue Matisse gave him. Below is an African motif sculpture I created in 7th Grade.
Gauguin’s influence is also seen in my paintings; not only the color use, but also the flat planes and underlying abstract form. Matisse was always one of my favorites, reflecting the importance of design, color and flat shapes in my work. Wolf Kahn’s influence continues with my fearless love of color. As an added note, Matisse also influenced Wolf Kahn’s expressionistic use of pure color. My desire, like Kahn, is to create a unique use of color.
Then there are the artists that others believe you are similar to. Many see a connection to Edward Hopper. Although I have admired his work, I never thought he was a great influence of mine, but on doing some research I discovered similarities in our loves and life. Hopper’s love of movies, Film Noire, bringing the theatrics in his scenes, his contrast of light and darks, and the theme of life still goes on, perhaps can be seen in my figurative pieces. My past teachers have also seen similarities in my work to Cezanne and Edvard Munch. Neither have I felt were my influencers.
What I have found is that in my research there are amazing overlaps. The artists that I admire have had some connection to the same artists that I am influenced by; “no man is an island”.
I realize that I am not only identifying with the artist, but also the technique. This became more evident as I saw the techniques repeated in many artists that I love. My desire now is to enhance these characteristics in future work giving me a future goal and direction.
This is a great exercise to not only help you understand where you have been, but where you are going.
Who were your biggest influences? Who is in your artistic lineage?
** "Pond of Good Fortune" 36″ x 36″, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, Price $3240, If you would like to purchase this painting please contact me at jvander51@msn.com or call (408)460-7237 Thank you!
"There Is Nothing New Just Stolen"
"What is originality? Undetected plagiarism." William Ralph Inge
Artists pride themselves on their artistic voice. We would like to feel our work stands out in the crowd. Hearing that my art is identifiably a "Vanderhoof" is the highest compliment I can receive.
Austin Kleon, author of "Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative", believes that "nothing is original; nothing comes from nowhere"... He states our surroundings and other creators have influenced our artistic endeavors.
Kleon believes that the secret to being creative is to learn how to steal ideas creatively from others. He doesn't want us to steal the style, but steal the thinking behind the style. He advises artists to take from the best and "remix it". You don't want to imitate or "rip off", but you want to transform the ideas you have discovered and create a new version.
Deciding to take Austin's idea further, I spent the last month investigating my favorite artists and their mentors. It was quite a discovery that I plan on sharing in my next post.
Why not study your artists you love and study them deeply? From where have you stolen your best ideas?
*Please contact me by email @jvander51@msn.com or phone (408)460-7237 for any inquires, on original art or commissions requests. Thank you!
2K14 Art Marketing Tips
Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.~Jim Rohn
Art 2K14 was my third art challenge in a row. I am still learning about myself, my art and the business of marketing as I complete each challenge. My focus was to continue to paint 15,000 to 20,000 square inches for the year, but my biggest focus and challenge was to market and sell more art. It turned out to be a very successful year. In fact, my 2K14 sales was 4 x's the amount that I sold the first challenge, as I consecutively doubled each year. I would like to share some of the things I learned this year and perhaps you can tell me what worked for you this year.
If you don’t make your art public and available for your customers to see your sales will be random.
Out of site out of mind.
Not every venue is the best venue for your work.
You need to know who your customers are.
The more you try different venues, restaurants, country clubs, wineries, galleries, etc. the easier it will be to find out what is more effective and productive for sales.
Build a relationship with your customers and reward them for being your customers.
Great customers love your work and are great promoters of your work, use it to your benefit and their benefit.
Brainstorm and be creative with new ideas and venues for your art.
If a venue was very successful, try to line up the next year with duplicate venue that can either be the same or evolve into something bigger.
It's important that your art is sold by people who love your work.
Keep in contact with your customers, through newsletters, email, snail mail or visits; let them know what you are up to.
Remember your customer’s taste. When you paint something you know they would like, personally contact them and give them first choice.
Make sure you know what your dollar goal is for the year. Keep track of your sales monthly, to figure out your pace for the year.
If you succeed your goal, please keep up the momentum and take advantage of the sales.
Sales come in spurts.
Always be building inventory because without inventory there is no sales.
Have a variety of art to fit all your customer’s needs.
Make sure you save enough of your money from your sales to cover your supplies and extra costs.
Be willing to invest in high quality materials, including framing; your customers will notice.
And lastly, if you start becoming really successful, don’t sabotage yourself. You deserve your success, because you worked hard for it. Keep up the momentum.
*15,000 square inches completed for 2K14
** "Lost Horizon" 36" x 36", acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, Price $3240, If you would like to purchase this painting please contact me at jvander51@msn.com or call (408)460-7237 Thank you!
Is Bigger Better?
Changing my challenge this year to paint 20,000 square inches, Art20K, instead of amount of paintings, as in last years goal, #Paint 52, has been quite thrilling. I have found myself painting much larger and in turn experiencing much more freedom and joy painting. Creating a body of work feels more substantial painting larger and more conducive to preparing for a show. Although, I love painting larger, I have found myself asking questions about the upside and downside of painting large vs. small.
Is it easier to market smaller paintings than larger, due to their affordability?
As an artist, should you make sure you have a balance of sizes available for market?
Does certain subject matter demand a larger format?
What are the advantages of painting larger or smaller?
What are disadvantages of painting larger or smaller?
What tools are needed when painting a large painting, that may not be needed when painting small?
Is studio space an indicator for size selection?
Does painting large equal being a serious painter and more appropriate for gallery representation?
Is intimacy affected when painting larger?
What are your feelings about painting large vs. small?
Thank you for your responses always love hearing from you and hearing your perspective.
*ART20K footage completed 3,540 square inches
*Painting above, Title: "A New Balance", measures 36" x 36", Atelier Interactive Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $3240.00 SOLD
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
There's No Such Thing as Luck
"There's no such thing as luck. There's only preparation meeting the moment of opportunity.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
There is no turning back, as I glance at the materials being shipped to my house in the last week one by one in preparation for my Art20k project. Large boxes have met me at my door, almost daily this past week. I am already imagining what will be discovered on these blank canvases.
No excuses Janet, you have the materials, the tools, everything is “ready to go right now”. The excitement is palatable, as I tally the canvases: six 24”x 36”, six 36”x 36”, three 30” x 40” and three 36” x 48”. Total available square inches equates to 21,744 square inches, more than enough inches to cover my goal to accomplish painting 20,000 square inches for this year.
Sometimes, you have to work backwards towards your goals. Meaning, first I set the goal, thus I know how many canvases to purchase and materials. Taking the leap and purchasing the materials all at once is very motivating. I trust the universe to help me fill these canvases. I’m ready. I’m determined. I’m excited. I’m inspired. I’m prepared for opportunity. Wish me luck ;)
**Art20k total square inches accomplished so far: 2244 square inches
*Vintage Kauai, measures 30" x 40", museum wrapped canvas (no need to frame), Oil and Acrylic, price $3000.00.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!