STARTING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARTISTS

Hi Paul;  can I sum up your thoughts this way? -  the finished product, or work of art, is less important than the act of making it, because in the making, you are exploring "elements and principles" involved in "creation".  Part of this exploration for you, (and many others) involves the search for symbols  ( of something [?] )  The creative act has a language that allows dialogue with others.  Finally, you say that the evolution in your creative process, is the real "art", NOT the technique that is used.

   If we are to compare the creative act against the end product,  I would say I know what you mean.  The creative act is nearly everything.  If it weren't for the satisfaction generated by creating a work of art,  I wouldn't be doing it at all, because, unless you're "famous" and sell to pay the rent, your creative "acts" come to a natural conclusion and then thereafter tend to pile up as you move on to the next creation ( which  of course, is going to be the best thing you have ever done!)

   I think it all boils down to whether you are a personality that likes to communicate or not.  And even the finished product ( when the high of creating is over )  does or should communicate some of your process of creation to the Viewer, ( who also brings their own thing to this means of communication, the "work".)
If you are strongly motivated to communicate, as for example with a good teacher, or writer, or musician,  the end product  ( the idea, the story, the song) is important to the author who wants to communicate ( let alone make a bit of cash.)

  Getting positive feed-back is one way of having a dialogue.  Artists who have on-going dialogues, like the Impressionists, the Group of Seven,  Painters Eleven, etc. certainly help to keep the creative juices flowing, and can be very positive at the "creation" stage of development where it involves discussion of nebulous ideas,  ambiguous principles, and even technique,  but it is rare to find someone who  truly wants advice, and also someone who is able and willing to give good advice.   So these are some of my thoughts for today.

PORTFOLIO OF ARTISTS

I need to say, "WOW!!!" The 2011 effort is proving much more productive than 2010.
As of today, 26 Jan 2011, 27 of 46 artists have completed their Portfolio Page. Not counting the new members (5), there are only 4 artists who have not replied to my e-mails. Don't worry...I'm onto them :)

Before the Gladstone Exhibit Opening, we will have a comprehensive Portfolio of Artists for display.

Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Now, in the words of the infamous Dennis Campbell "Let's gitter done!!"

COMMITTEES for 2011

Greetings Blog Members;  I thought I would make you a list of the newly-activated Committees for 2011, so that you will know who is working on what for the good of the Gallery this year.  If you ever have something you want to "discuss with the gallery", probably the Chair of a specific Committee would be a good place to start.

FINANCE:  Rick Vince (C) Barb Mann, Linda McBurney, David B Johnson
GRANTS:  Linda McBurney (C)  Harold Elston,  Caroline Routh
MARKETING:  Jim Stacey (C)  Corey Finkelstein, Paulette Dennis, Eleanor Brownridge,  Juliet Jancso
eSTORE:  David B Johnson (C)  Corey Finkelstein, Linda McBurney,  Kevin Maclean
COMMUNITY Events & Shows:  (C) Gail Caswell,  Jim Stacey, Barb Mann, Juliet Jancso,
MEMBERSHIP:  B.Mann + C.Routh (co-C)  Gail Caswell,  Juliet Jansco,  Liz Eakins
STRATEGIC PLAN:  Caroline Routh (C) Peter Adams, Linda McBurney, Barb Mann,  Gail Caswell
FUNDRAISING:  the whole board ?

That's the news for now;  there may be adjustments to this list in the near future.   Stay tuned.

BIDDING ON CREEMORECENTRIC

  The Show is hung and looks just fine.  A wide variety of themes and media and talent.  But take note;  - the bidding sheets are starting to fill up, and there are definitely bargains to be found there.  So if you haven't been in yet, do come in and have a look, and you may find something to your advantage, as they used to say!

PORTFOLIO OF ARTISTS

Hi All,
So far, as of Jan 16, I have completed (with confirmation ) the Portfolio Page for 10 of 46 artists. Thankfully, I have received acknowledgement from several other artists but not input which would allow me to complete their pages.
Still and all, progress is being made.
I'm looking forward to your input as soon as possible.
Let's get it done! Please!
David

PORTFOLIO OF ARTISTS

Hi All,
We are definitely making progress. Thanks to Dennis Campbell for his support as a witness to the fact that CUSTOMERS really WANT to have more information about THE artist for whom's work they are paying $$.
As of January 14, I have 17 of 46 pages completed. BUT, I have received responses or acknowledgements from....well, OK, a few more....the response hasn't been overwhelming.

We definitely are making progress.
"YAY!!!"
More later,
David

Board Meetings

   The new executive board for 2011 met in December, and are due for another meeting soon.  At the December meeting, the Strategic Planning Committee reported on progress made under the guidance of our facilitator SueAnn Wickwire.
   Rick Vince, our new Treasurer, reported that his first dip into the financials has shown him that he has his work cut out for him, but felt very positive.
  CreemoreCentric was discussed as well as the Gladstone project, which is a huge endeavour.

  The next board meeting aims to establish complete and effective Committees in many areas, with the hope of involving more artist members on an ad hoc basis.
   Staffing the Gallery for 2011, including the month of January, was examined again, and much discussion centred on computer tech challenges, record-keeping and cleaning up of archival material.
   This is how your Board members spend their "free time".   Stay tuned!

Making the Blog Work

 We have perhaps 17 artists who have registered onto this Blog.  If we could get it up to say 25, we would be over the half-way line.  Suppose each of us as "old Authors" ( bloggers ) approached one (only 1) other member who is not here, and sat down at the computer with him/her, and showed how it is done.  I believe that might bring us in some new bloggers.  It would be great if this became THE place for finding out what is going on at the Gallery.  I personally am going to work on Gail !

artist profiles

I was in the gallery on Sunday to see Creemorecentric only to witness a paying customer ask for more information on the artist. He had just purchased one of the artist's pieces. The gallery volunteer could not give the customer anything since there was nothing to give. David Johnson is correct in asking all of us to put together something about ourselves to give to the public. I was somewhat embarrassed since I have not completed David's request for information. I am now working on a profile and suggest we all "gitter done".

Art is an Essential Element of Interior Decor

   With the current Trend in art as interior decoration,  it's not surprising to find on Thornbury's fashionable main street, the local Benjamin Moore Paint Store is now stocking artists' stretched canvases, good name brand artists's paint tubes of all kinds, brushes, papers and other paraphernalia, for the fashionable home-owner.  Artists can now quickly colour co-ordinate their works to the very latest "in" colours in home decor.  We are making such progress!