I went to a wonderful class last night at Artmart as a refresher course on the business part of being an artist.  This excellent class was taught by MySLART.org's own Executive Director, Jenny Churchill.  It was only $15, and in my humble opinion, well worth it!  I think as professional artists we can sometimes be guilty of shying away from anything that takes us away from our studios.  However, we have to remember that the business part of being an artist is equally important and worth our just as much investment on our part.  One aspect of this class that I thoroughly enjoyed was the modernization of my business practices.  While I always think it is a good idea to brush up on this stuff, too many books and articles discuss only topics related to showing your work.  While that is important, (and Jenny went over this too) topics such as social media and having a QR code for your website are topics I am less familiar with and need to consider as part of my practice as well.  So, do you have a QR code for your artist website? That's mine in the corner. :) Have you made an artist Facebook page yet?  These are all things I am busy working on this morning.  I would encourage your taking the class and considering what parts of your art business you could be working on and modernizing today.  

Pledging just $1 and asking a friend to do the same can support the next phase of this wonderful project.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedreamrocket/wrapping-the-real-saturn-v-moon-rocket

I was recently working with a group that is putting together a group show.  There was no contract with the hosting gallery.  Now the gallery is backing out of publicity.  There is no contract so no way to hold them to what was prior understood as part of the agreement.  What are your thoughts?  Would you do business with a gallery without a contract?  Do you consider it unprofessional?  What standards do you hold yourself and a space to when showing your artwork?  Thanks in advance for your feedback.  

Went to the Sheldon last night to hear the results of the Artist's Count survey. It was a little too crowded for me at the reception at the end. However, I am glad I went because the results were pretty amazing. It seems they are responding with things that make sense like artist funding with a shorter turn around time than say a traditional grant. I was impressed to find how much we were listened to, respected, valued, etc. With schools cutting the arts due to a lack of funding all over America, nonprofits and galleries closing their doors for similar reasons, it can feel like maybe art doesn't matter anymore. I am glad to know there are so many places in St Louis where it still does!

Please go to artists count.com to learn more.

Here's a link to a related article:

http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/agency-gives-grants-to-keep-artists-in-st-louis/article_131fda1c-588a-5d09-8a69-1a87e372bc03.html?fb_action_ids=10200394063509859&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B555637101127276%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.recommends%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

- George Bernard Shaw

"An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all."

- Oscar Wilde

"...There had to be laughter, for laughter is the most beautiful form of boundary transgression."

- Anna Tilroe on Leigh Bowery

I am happy to have been chosen to be the featured member artist this month for the Women's Caucus for Art - St Louis Chapter.

Please see:

http://wca-stl.org/wca-stl.org/Home.html

for more details.