My latest exhibition at TPTP Project space in Montmartre Paris, France.

ROOM OF REFERENCES invites artists to share idea-evoking images and objects, and look into the ones of others. The piece can be of any kind (art work, photo, drawing, music piece, book, magazine, letter or other object) as long as it has very special/profound meaning to you, and has worked as inspiration source for you during a longer period.

You can see more about the exhibition at the gallery’s website.

https://sites.google.com/site/roomofreferences/

This is one in a series of shots I took in the underneath
area of an apartment building in Asnieres-sur-seine, Paris 2007.
The image inspired me to create “Meet the Tenant” project.
Since 2007 I have continued the project, had an image
published in a horror magazine in Australia,created a portfolio of photographs,  a video
and sound installation which was exhibited in Melbourne
Australia, 2008. I also developed an art proposal seen here
http://www.outlook8studio.com/2010/01/24/meet-the-tenant-project/

In 2009/10 went back to Paris to photograph and video in
the same space including other other underground areas for future art projects in Paris and Melbourne.

Also ,when I was in Paris earlier this year I was selected to put in 3 of  my paintings into a new publication “Abstractions 2010″ ,New Art Review magazine, MI.USA

You can purchase the book here http://new-art-review.com/bookstore.html

Cheers for now

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All articles in this series

1. Starting Out.

2. Preparing your work

3. Finding a Space

4. The Exhibition

5   The Opening

6    Post exhibition Blues

Hope you enjoy!

4-THE EXHIBITION

Months sometimes years or so before an exhibition I find it’s a good idea to apply for funding, sponsorship, in-kind-support if needed. Yes, it can take that long to apply for grants and sometimes galleries have waiting lists for up to 2 years. All this can come later with experience

In this article though, I will be talking about your first solo exhibition.

The contract has been signed; the day has come to take your work to the space you have chosen. Have you remembered to do everything for it to run smoothly?

Don’t worry there will always be some glitches, even when you have been doing it for years. I like to make a checklist months before an exhibition. I also have a separate folder for each exhibition. I just use the cheap manila folders to put it all in.

For example, Invites, publicity, pricelist to send to gallery before hand, labelling the works, title, name, date , bubble wrap,  cardboard, transport , will you do it ,or will the gallery? Insurance. I’m assuming the gallery is responsible for catering at the opening and taken care of mail outs, help with hanging etc…

Allow time to hang. Sitting in a room with 20-30 artworks in front of you and trying to make them work altogether can be challenge but, a wonderful learning experience. My last exhibition took me 5 hours to work out where to hang things. I’ve been to group ones that took 2 days. My very first solo exhibition I let the gallery tackle it and one of my paintings was hung upside down. They even put it in a glossy art magazine this way. So, now I put an arrow on the back of my work to show the top. I also like to be present at the gallery, if possible.

All the hard work has been done. Its now time to relax, revive and get ready for a new experience. The Opening…

5-THE OPENING

Your opening has finally come…..This can be the most exciting time in your career as an artist. Yes, it can be scary and confronting, but it does get easier as time goes on. Your friends and family will be there and new people have experienced your work, you’ve networked, received feedback, contacts from other galleries, follow ups from other artists, commissions and you may have sold a few.

Remember to follow up clients who were interested in your work. Time to add them to your mailing list for future invites to all your openings.

If works have been sold its time work out the dreaded taxes, gst, if in Australia.

I like to invite clients who have been interested in my work to my studio from time to time to see new works and works in progress. If you have a computer its now time to update your email list.

Opening night is over that wasn’t too bad, but why do I feel empty and a bit sad?

6-POST EXHIBITION BLUES

This is something I didn’t believe at first, but since writing this article it has happened to me. The Post Exhibition Blues

Some of your work has been sold; you’ve received some negative feedback or, your just exhausted and worn out.  The blues set in.

Here are some suggestions that may help and have helped me in the past.

See it as a challenge to get on with a new series of works for your next exhibition, or project.

Always invite your friends or family, so you know you will get reasonable feedback about your work.

Plan a short break, a getaway for after the exhibition.

Keep back one piece of work from the series you exhibit. It’s a reminder of what you achieved

Take time out to connect with nature go walking in the country. Pamper yourself.

Most important Congratulate yourself!!! and give yourself a pat on the back. You have passed your first hurdle. Be proud of you’re achievements. It only gets better and easier. Remember the next exhibition won’t be as overwhelming.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on the series. If you have any questions you would like to ask me, I will do my best to answer them.

Was it helpful ?

Would you be interested in reading more about my experiences as an artist?

Cheers

Jenny Davis

Copyright Jenny Davis 2010. This article may not to be copied, or reproduced in any form unless, you first, get permission from the artist to do so.

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Please see all my articles

1. Starting Out.

2. Preparing your work

3. Finding a Space

4. The Exhibition

5  The Opening

6  Post exhibition Blues

3-FINDING A SPACE

I mostly find my galleries and other places on the net, art fairs, openings and from friends. If you don’t have a computer most libraries do. Also, looking in a phonebook, or art publications like  Art Almanac and Artguide in Australia can give you an idea of whats around.There are websites that list art galleries in your country like Australian Art Galleries .

Artist Forums are a great source of information and  for networking They can be found worldwide.  Other artists who have shows can give you an idea of spaces that may be suitable. Connect to artist co-op’s in your area and your local arts councils.

I don’t think the traditional gallery is the only way to go. Thinking out of the box is the way to go because, today there are just too many artists, for traditional galleries.

Alternative spaces are popping up everywhere. Creative Spaces is a Melbourne based website full of alternatve and traditional spaces. When I was living in Paris,I noticed the local artists opened up their apartments for a weekend or many days to show their work. Its very hard and quite expensive to have a an exhibition in most traditional galleries in Paris and most cities worldwide. In Barcelona the home is used for art installations. I created Outlook8 a virtual space in Secondlife to show and sell my work.These are just a few ideas.

Nothing beats going to a space to check it out. I like to get a feel for the environment where my work will be hung. It also helps in me decide what pieces and how many will go in the space.

Choosing the right type of gallery for your work is very important. Many years ago I entered an art exhibition. I was the only Abstract artist amongst 100’s representational artists. My work was put up in a tent at the back, where the work was not visible at all. I didn’t do my research and I was devastated. I didn’t paint again for 2 years after that. Today though, I would tell them where to…you know? if they did the same thing.

Anyway its great fun getting a bunch of friends together and going on a gallery crawls….

*My next blog entrys in this series - The Exhibition- The Opening- Post Exhibition Blues

Copyright Jenny Davis 2010. This article may not to be copied, or reproduced in any form unless, you first, get permission from the artist to do so.

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1. Starting Out.

2. Preparing your work

3. Finding a Space

4.The Exhibition

5  The Opening

6  Post exhibition Blues

2-PREPARING YOUR WORK

If you want to exhibit your work you only want to show your best work. It must be presentable. In other words does it need to be framed? Are there any marks on the work that are unintentional? Fingermarks, smudges, dog or cat footprints. This happened to me once when I left wet work on the bench overnight, my cat jumped up followed by my little dog Spud…. I think it added to the work, but my teacher wasn’t too impressed…

Canvas on stretchers does not need to be framed but some artists like to neaten around the edges with paint, though I sometimes like to leave my edges raw and messy. I like to show the working process. I have used boards as well. These do need framing.

Please also see “How to stretch a canvas”

I use a simple plain frame on all my pieces as I want my painting to be seen, not the frame. It is also more economic as I can change paintings in the frames when required for exhibitions etc….I hate matching a frame to the colour of the painting, its not interior decorating….that’s my gripe anyway.

You can do your own framing if you don’t need glass. Oils and Acrylic don’t need glass.

A wonderful frame that looks professional can be made at home with the right tools. At a fraction of the price of going to the framers. (I used to do this myself until I got lazy and now I use a great framer who doesn’t charge a fortune). You will need a good mitre saw, some moulding from the local hardware is all that is needed. Many Hardware’s also have pamphlets to show you how it’s done, or look online…

Try it at least once!

*My next blog entry in this series -Finding a Space

Copyright Jenny Davis 2010. This article may not to be copied, or reproduced in any form unless, you first, get permission from the artist to do so.

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Fresh from my temporary studio in Paris…..  It has been an interesting challenge creating  from my make shift studio in Paris .Ive had to work differently from my usual  larger pieces. Pieces have become more intricate and detailed.I even created some more hand made books and collages using whatever I could find .I am enjoying re-cycling everything I can get my hands on….I just sent back to Australia 5, 7kg. boxes of junk ,collected from the streets and stuff that lovely people have  given to me to re-use in  my art.

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MEET THE TENANT PROJECT

Over the past 3 months I have been living and making art in Paris. I came here to  finish off an arts project I started  2 years ago.

Meet the Tenant project began in in the Summer of 2007,when I ventured down into the underground area of an apartment block in Asnieres sur seine. I sensed the presence of past lives lurking within the walls and this became the starting point for my project.

Within days I had massed hundreds of images, video, photos and drawings. I took them back to my studio in Australia and have been working on the project ever since. I edited the videos into an 18 minute piece and printed out some of the photos. Developed a storyline which keeps changing, and created a proposal ,to be performed . (See 1st draft below)

Today back in Paris 2010 I’m still no closer to resolving this project its forever ongoing and not sure where it will end up and its driving me mad. Why am I an artist???.

Proposal No.1 $10,000 – Jenny Davis 2010

“Go to Paris, from Australia & live in an underground space for 7 days and document everything that happens.Video, photographs,drawings, whatever, all things created become yours, you own the experience, everything including my clothes, shoes, food containers ,implements etc…I will deliver them to you. The art piece is… The whole thing…. you can do with it what you want”

(Due to sub zero temps. this project was canceled and may be performed at a later date)

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Every  artist has their own way of preparing before creating. In this blog entry I would like to share with you what I  do, before creating a site specific artwork.

A BIT ABOUT MY CREATIVE PROCESS

Capturing the wholeness of a space is most important for me.

For creating the work, or idea, I need to physically spend a lot of time in the space where I will be creating the work. Not only, do I need to consider the site visually, I also have to feel it, hear, the silence, the noise, touch the textures, and take in the aroma of the surrounding layers of the environment . This helps me to capture the realness and essence of the space.

All random ideas and thoughts are recorded. This may take the form of written notes, quick drawings, paintings, photos, taken at different times of the day and night. I may also use video and sound.

Sometimes my response is so strong, I will have a basic idea working around in my head before I get back to the studio. I then work out how Im going to take my idea into reality. Working with the creative process allows me to be more spontaneous in my approach to the making of the work. The materials I use can be randomly chosen as I go along or, I will purposely choose a material that will express my ideas.

How do you kick- start your creativity?

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I re-use all my jotting and doodling paper I keep beside the computer so when I get a pile I create a book. In my books you may come across scribbles an idea a thought budgets old exhibition invites artist postcards catalog covers pages botched print- outs advertising materials junk mail magazine cut-outs-stickers wallpaper tags and baguette bags from Paris computer keyboard keys old cheque  butts and more……I wire bound them with my binding machine and sometimes I join them with punched holes with ribbons , wire,cord just whatever is around.

They can be used for doodles and sketching to jot things down ideas thoughts lyrics words travel or artists journal whatever u want…..

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How to Stretch a Canvas Materials and equipment

Pre- made stretcher frame

Canvas material cut 10cm approx larger than your stretcher frame

Canvas staple gun

How to Stretch a Canvas

First of all lay your canvas on a flat surface wrong side up then lay your stretcher right side down on top of canvas. Pull the sides of your canvas up and round to the top of your stretcher.

DIAGRAM 1 Secure the 4 points with staples or tacks to create a diamond shaped wrinkle in the canvas. Check diagonals and adjust the stretcher for squareness before going further. DIAGRAM 2- Secure the canvas to the stretcher with staples approx. every 6 cm. around the edge, working from the center points outwards. Pulling the canvas as you go. Continue working out to the corners in this pattern. DIAGRAM 3-Do not overstretch the canvas. When applying tension, the canvas pliers should not be forced to pull the canvas in place. The tension of course will become greater as you work towards the corners. FOLD- the corners under; leaving no exposed tab that maybe caught and damaged. Staple or tack excess canvas that wraps around to the back of the frame. HINT- Once finished and your canvas and is not as tight as you would like, fill a small spray bottle with luke-warm water and spray the canvas on the back. Once dry your canvas will be as tight as a drum. Happy painting!

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The highlights in your hair are from your palette and not Clairol.

The only piece of new furniture you have in your home is a $2000 easel.

You butter your toast with your fingers, just to feel its texture.

You think about taking a picture to a show.

You go to a show where the pictures dont move

You are over 50 and still have no health insurance.

Your family takes out a life insurance plan on you for less than $5000.

You know what shade of green the lichen on the trees is.

You can’t find a nice outfit for your date because everything has paint smears on.

Your date ends up with paint smears on her/him.

You’re late for the date because you suddenly knew exactly what that detail of your latest painting needed and just had to fix it while it was fresh in your mind.

You chose to buy that new Russian Sable No. 6 Round instead of a Big Mac, a Large Fry, a Milkshake, Desert, and five litres of petrol.

Your favorite home repair store refuses to work with you to repaint your house, because you rename all of their paint swatches and you get upset that they don’t carry the exact nuance of raw umber you had in mind.

You purchase a ton of books, and most are blank inside.

When viewing a sunset, you think in terms of cadmium yellow (light hue), salmon and gold, a tinted teal mixed with gold for the water….

” There are Prussian blue fingerprints on your phone.

You stay awake late at night wondering how to render on canvas the dimly lit shapes and the shadows in your room.

When you go out, you are always stopping and gazing at the world around you.

You travel far to sketch a place of scenic beauty.

You clean your brushes in your coffee.

You carry pencils instead of pens.

You have watercolor swatches on cardboard in your pocket.

You explain your deplorably bad housekeeping by saying, “it’s a work-in-progress..

.” You do judge a book by its cover.

You bought paint instead of food!

You paint more than you talk.

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