Professional Practice part 5

Continuing the answers to most commonly asked questions, here's part 5

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I am essentially a process artist - i enjoy painting, want to do it as often as I can, love to experiment with what paint does. That's my real inspiration, and somewhere along the line, I realised that landscape provided me with the structure to hang the paint, so that's what i do now. (I love the landscape as much as most people do). I am also interested in expressing the spiritual, primal, monumental - and landscape seems to provide the device to do this.

As for the day to day - best way to get inspiration, for me, is in the studio painting. Just start and see where it takes you! I am lucky to have had a residency in Bundanon and internalising that landscape structure over the 5 weeks I was there (working every day!) has provided a great base, so I can remember it and call on it at will. (I need to get back out there now, as I am waning in inspiration! ie I need to fill my soul again for the next lot of work.) I often start from a drawing, then draw from that drawing, then paint from the drawing, then let the painting talk to me as to what it needs. Thus, I waste a lot of paintings, but the good ones reflect something in me that isn't on the surface, that i can't get to otherwise (the "other" in art) and is unique (I hope).

Where do you draw your inspiration from? What is your process?

Do you have Professional Practice questions that need an answer? Post your comments here

Image: Cherry Blossom 2009 Oil on Ply 30 x 30cm

Professional Practice part 4

Here's Part 4 which answers the most common questions regarding professional practice I have received.

I am interested in the relationship between the gallery and the artist. What benefits/drawbacks are there in being represented by a gallery?

Gallery usually takes at least 40% + GST- some are 50% and others, apparently are going to 60% for emerging artists. That's the financial drawback, along with their restrictions on where you can sell your work. Top galleries may ask for exclusive dealing in Australia, but most are exclusive for the state, some only for your city. When starting out, there isn't a lot left after commission from your sale price, so restricting your selling elsewhere has severe financial consequences - and some lesser galleries are restricting sales as if they were top galleries - don't let them. Unless you get a top gallery -which is worth it no matter what (they build your name quicker than you can, get your prices up etc - for which you should be forever grateful to them because they have just saved you a bout ten years work) - it's financially better to start independently so you can build your name quickly by having more shows and increase your prices gradually (this isn't what I did, just what i learned).

Independence requires dedication - there's a lot of work in doing your PR, mailing lists, photography, hanging the work, ads, arranging grog, plinths, d rings, transport etc etc. And you risk a lot, financially - you may not sell anything, whereas a gallery usually does (tho' not necessarily in today's climate). Thus you should work out a "self promotion" budget and stick to it, so that it is money you are willing to invest in your art career; and not do it if you are not an organised person and willing to dedicate yourself to your art career.

Is this the same as your experience? What do you think are the rewards and drawbacks of exhibting with a gallery?

Do you have questions you would like to see answered? Post your comments and questions here.

Image: Gabrielle Jones "Sunset" 2009, Oil on Canvas 110 x 83cm