February 2019 Newsletter
By Leslie Kell


ARE YOU MISSING OUT by not participate in our Curated Venues program? -- Enter your work in the CAS Artist's Portfolio  
Why are we asking this question? -- Simple, Curated Venues select artists exclusively from the CAS portfolio and if you are not in the CAS portfolio, your work is not eligible for these shows. 

OUCH!  Tell me more!
A description of how the Curated Venues work for the Venue can be found on the CAS website under "Exhibit Services."  For an example, you can view the current portfolio artists here: http://www.creativeartssociety.org/artist-portfolios.htmls
1. The Curated Program was launched last year and has grown to include four (4) libraries, Topaz Salon, Smile On Orthodontics, and Reveal Dental. And the list continues to grow.
2. The program is designed to attract high-end Venues that want a consistent gallery presentation in their space, while offering our artists an opportunity to plan, install, execute, and promote a professional art show.

DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
1. All members of CAS are eligible for inclusion in the “CAS Artists Portfolio" and (IMPORTANT POINT HERE) the Venue owner or manager selects artists to exhibit in their specific Venue from only this portfolio. 
2. Applicants must have a body of work large enough to hang 10-20 pieces, if selected. Your portfolio entry should represent your unique art style and mediums. That's right! We said mediums, with a plural. Some of our great CAS artists are adept at many different mediums. Consistency is the key here. Put your best foot forward and be consistent.   
3. And, are you prepared to plan and install your exhibit, as well as prepare the labels for the wall? No worries on this point, as our team is here to help you understand and execute a great, rewarding show, with ease. 

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME FOR SURE?
1. If you don't enter your work in the portfolio you won't have an opportunity to exhibit in these venues.
2. Inclusion in the Portfolio does not guarantee a show. Yes, you will be added to a group of CAS artists in the portfolio, if you choose to do so. The Venues will have access to all artists' work featured in the portfolio. Though you are eligible for selection, it is ultimately the choice of the Venue for each of these exhibit opportunities.

WHAT AM I WAITING FOR?? HOW DO I GET MY WORK IN THE PORTFOLIO?
Easy as your grandma's apple pie! Download the Call for Art and enter your work; visit the CAS website at http://www.creativeartssociety.org/artists-portfolio-application.html.

February 2019 Newsletter
By Helen Buck


Note: This is what I heard and interpreted and may not be completely accurate. If you attended this or other sessions during the event, please share your notes.
 
Session: Artists Statement / Artist Talks
Presenter: Michael Manchaca, MFA (San Antonio, recently exhibited at McNey)

1. Remember that art is within the field of entertainment
2. Statement should be about 4 sentences
3. A good work of art is what you think of as your unique identity
4. Communicate with as wide an audience as possible. The wider your audience, the better your career.
5. Update your statement every few months: it should evolve and be relevant to current-day culture and terminology
6. Prepare more than one artist statement to communicate to different audiences (academic, professional art world/critics, johnqpublic, etc.)
7. Understand traditional and contemporary terminology

     Art Terminology

• a. Content: idea or concept (not exactly the subject matter/it is “outside” of the subject matter) know the theory behind your content
• b. Materials: what do you have unique access to that may add value to your content from which your art takes shape (What is the connection between Content and Material?)
• c. Subject: the main focus of your artwork
• d. Content / think in terms of poetic and Material / think in terms of Formal (what are the poetic and formal parts to your statement)

Session: Conducting a Studio Tour
Presenters: Jordan W Tucker / Valerie Chaussonnet

• Three points: preparation, flexibility, honesty
• Do not discount your work
• If you show in a gallery or have work priced anywhere else, keep your prices consistent at these studio tours. OK to offer a “to-the-trade” discount of 10 to 20% (interior designers) Discounting does a disservice to your own work and devalues all other art.
• You never know if a person who just pops in or spends two hours in your studio will contact you or see you in the future. Do not judge or anticipate. Just be authentic.

May 2019 Newsletter
By Terri St.Arnauld

We have all heard about the importance of goals, so you might already be regularly writing/reviewing/rewriting your goals. If this is something you struggle with, here is another way to approach it. It is a four-step process that evolves from self-understanding. You work on the steps in order, but when you finish one, you can go back and change others because your self-understanding might change. As you work on them, it might help to talk with those close to you about them, or maybe just some of the goals, depending on the person.

1. Success Inventory
2. Analysis of Skills Assets/Deficits and Endure/Prefer Activities
3. Components of a Goal
4. Goal Setting
   1. Ten-Year Goals
   2. Five-Year Goals
   3. Three-Year Goals
   4. Short-Term Goals – A short-term goal is one that can be accomplished in 1 year or less.

 
1. Success Inventory
Imagine you have achieved success, maybe even at the end of your life. What does that look like for you? Does it mean money, family, home ownership, travel, health, creating artwork, spirituality, etc? What do you want to have accomplished in your lifetime? Write out those components as an inventory. In this inventory, it’s important to be clear. (Travel might mean around the US, to specific places, countries or continents, or to visit friends and family.) Keep your list with you and add to it as you think of things. When you’re ready, or at least in a week, review your list and regroup your ideas, if necessary, to help you think about them more clearly. Remember, you can always change your list.
 
This is a list of goals, in the broadest sense.
 
2. Analysis of Assets/Deficits and Endure/Prefer Activities
First, spend some time thinking about what work and business activities you are good at – Assets – and which ones are not your strong suit – Deficits. (You might be good at talking with people one-to-one but not at speaking to a large group.) Don’t downplay your strengths and don’t beat yourself up for the things you’re not as good at. Make lists of each of these.
 
Then, spend some time thinking about past work experiences and types of activities, situations, schedules and people. What did you like – Prefer? What did you dislike – Endure? Make lists of each of these.
 
Again, these activities and experiences do not have to relate to your art practice or even to paid work.
 
3. Components of a Goal
A well-written goal is measurable, achievable, worthwhile, identifies potential difficulties, and states strategies or action steps you can take to achieve the goal.

1. Measurable – What will be accomplished? When will it be completed? How will you know it is done?
2. Achievable – Is it in your power to do this?
3. Worthwhile – Does this goal relate to one of your long-term ideas of success?
4. Difficulties – Is there anything that might get in the way of achieving this? (Deficits, endured activities)
5. Strategies – What can you do to prevent or minimize the difficulties? (Use your assets and preferences.)

 
4. Goal Setting

1. Ten-Year Goals – at least one
2. Five-Year Goals – at least two
3. Three-Year Goals – at least three
4. Short-Term Goals – at least five

 
While you are not required to write your longest-term goals first, it can be helpful. After setting a 10-year goal, you will likely see shorter-term (5-year, 3-year and short-term) goals that need to be reached to get you there. Try to develop multiple goals for each category, especially the shorter periods.
 
A goal might relate to an achievement on your Success Inventory; ways to make the most of one or more of your Assets, incorporate Preferences; improve a Deficit and/or avoid or minimize situations you’ve had to Endure.
 
As you write each goal, follow the criteria in number 3, paying attention to Measurability, Achievability, whether it is Worthwhile, as well as potential Difficulties and Strategies.
 
SET A DATE TO REVIEW AND UPDATE YOUR GOALS AT LEAST ANNUALLY!
 
This is information I learned in a professional development seminar called ArtistINC. The program was developed by Mid-America Arts Alliance and offered by the City of Austin to teach artists the business of art, an important aspect that is often overlooked in formal training.
​

​November 2019 Newsletter
By Terri St.Arnauld & Betsy Denny
We attended a BigMedium Coffee Chat in early November. Jordan Gentry of Big Medium asked Susannah Morgan, a private art advisor (SKM Art Advising, Austin), questions related to the business of art, followed by audience questions. Here are some points we picked up.

• The Austin art community is inclusive and accepting. Tip: If you want to visit a studio, your chances of making that happen are very good.
• Collectors lean toward art that has a story or meaning. Tip: Do NOT change your art. It is better to be able to explain it.
• Your Artist’s Statement should tell the reader who you are, what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. If you are clear on this, you should be able to explain your work clearly. Tip: Do not use jargon or filler.
• You need to educate collectors and your artist’s statement is the best way to do that. Tip: Save the details for in-person discussions.
• Overall, abstract sells better than figurative, but there is plenty of room for both. Tip: Consider stylized figures in your work.
• Pricing should include all materials, your time (rated by experience and exposure), framing (if supplied), profit, and markup (if sold by someone taking a commission/fee). Tip: If your prices are on your website, a representative doesn’t have room to adjust.
• Pricing should be consistent, but variations can occur based on your career stage, resume, size, materials used, etc. Tip: Be able to very clearly explain why two works might vary in price, if it’s not obvious by looking at them.

You can hire an Artist Consultant to advise you in your career as an artist. That consultant might help you set goals, provide direction or put you in touch with someone who can advance your career.
An Art Advisor works with private and/or corporate collectors. That person uses their knowledge of art and artists to present work to these collectors, in the hope of selling it to them.