Business Plans

In my 7th week of unemployment/being an artist I have started to get over the initial shock and nasty  depression. I apply for jobs but companies aren't hiring in visual effects, not cg hair groomers with little knowledge of commercial software anyhow.  On top of that, the lovely Los Angeles summer will start to fry my brains soon so I better get some things done before that happens. Los Angeles in summer is hell and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.  I need to pull myself together and go for it, basically. I need commissions, sales, workshops, marketing....I need a business plan.

So a lot of ideas have been gathering steam. Ideas to save money (materials, framing!,  website and marketing would be good places to start, not that I do that much marketing at all but I need to start.)
Ideas to make money. Ideas to promote myself. Ideas to educate myself.  In the meantime, I've been painting, applying for events, doing some commissions which I can't post because the people that commissioned them haven't given them as gifts yet, sigh.

"Eden Roses" painted at Roger's Garden's. 12'x9"

Options:

Framed $700.00 USD Unframed $600.00 USD

Options:

Framed $700.00 USD Unframed $600.00 USD

One thing I've done is visit two local artists that I admire a great deal. Junn Roca and Eric Merrell. Junn Roca makes a living out of painting, period. His wife Frannie is his devoted promoter and cheerleader. They have put 4 kids through college. All on art and scholarships mind you. That , I think, is being a professional artist. No arguments. On top of that Junn and Frannie are extremely nice people and Junn makes a coffee that could wake up the mummies in Egypt. My visit to his studio was eye-opening. We talked about the business and hard work of art.

Eric Merrell. Well, I'm seeing him tomorrow so I'll just say that he is an awesome artists that builds his own frames and seems to have quite a calm and well tuned demeanor that I admire. It shall be interesting to know a bit more about him.

I also befriended Ezra Suko. A young artist recently back from Iraq where he was stationed. He already has three galleries representing him and is painting full time. Now that's the way to go. 

Some good news as well. I got a  big nice commission I'm working on and I became a signature member of LPAPA and I finished my series of classes at Willard Elementary as part of the "My Masterpiece" program of PSUD and the California Art Club.  That was a very satisfying experience. So not all is waste and wow-is-me.


In the meantime, I did paint. Here are some things that I produced. I scheduled a few shows locally and I'm keeping busy.

"Jacaranda Glow" 8"x10" Pasadena

Options:

Framed $500.00 USD Unframed $400.00 USD

Options:

Framed $500.00 USD Unframed $400.00 USD

"San Pedro Bluffs' 8"x10'

Options:

Framed $550.00 USD Unframed $450.00 USD

Options:

Framed $550.00 USD Unframed $450.00 USD

"Garden Gate" SOLD.

I've even decided I might need to start my own business with a friend. But that's also very preliminary so I won't talk about it. What I have decided is to make a Business Plan so that everything is taken into account as much as possible. And to stir things up a bit I am reading Leslie Saeta's 30 marketing ideas in 30 days  to get things moving. She is a slick operator Mrs. Saeta.

"Mauve Clouds" 8"x10"

The essential part is this: My art adventure is now real. Whether I fail or succeed is entirely up to me and what I am sharing in this blog now is "the thing", not tips, not digressions on composition and beauty. Like Voltaire's Candide, I'm over this being the best of possible worlds but I'm leaving Eldorado. (what did I just say about digressions?, I guess I can't help it.) BUT, the first thing I'll share is my new spanking business plan for everyone to tear apart. Keep you posted.

Friends and Quotes.

I met a few very good artists at a show in the Municipal  Art Gallery of Los Angeles. The show was "Saving Paradise. The Symbiosis Between Landscape Painting and Environmental Awareness." A mouthful. Organized by the California Art Club and curated by Jean Stern  of the Irvine Museum of Art.

I met again with one artist I admire. Junn Roca. Almost invariably I tell him how much  I admire not only his beautiful work but the fact that he transitioned form a job in animation (painting backgrounds fro Nickelodeon) to a career in fine art. With two kids in tow and a mortgage, Junn, who is also a Filipino immigrant, decided to pursue his dreams of being a full time artist. It wasn't easy. He almost faced foreclosure, not to mention the pressure o two college-bound kids. His wife Frannie wins the award for supportive spouse in my book.

Junn Roca in front of his "Tejon Ranch" piece.

Friends invariably tell me that at least I have good benefits through my job . It is true. I like my job also.

I don't think I have the nerve to do what Junn did. Even with no kids or a mortgage. (Because I have no kids or a mortgage?) . I told Junn I really wouldn't want my tombstone to read "He had good benefits" however. Then again the jury is out on whether I'll get to that tombstone earlier rather than later without the medical insurance. I might not afford the darn thing anyway.

I think artists have an arsenal of quotes they draw from when it comes to facing one's fears and doubts. Invariably , many of them  highlight the paradox of leading a safe life instead of  connecting with the groove of your heart.  I like the funny ones. "Many are ready to suffer for  their art but only a few are ready to learn how to draw."

For good conversation, plenty of fun, quotes and rebellion, my friend Molly Lipsher   is another staple. I always tell her that doing art "keeps her off the streets". She is feisty and incredibly talented with her pastels. I am so happy I get to see her from time to time. Here she is in front of a beautiful piece by David Gallup with the lovely and talented  Debra Holladay .

Molly Lipsher (in orange) and Debra Holladay with the luxuriant hair.

And here a picture of the boisterous Alexey Steele just for fun. 

Alexey Steele.  Startist extraordinaire.

  Talking about quotes, I recently read  The Art Spirit " by the wonderful Robert Henri. That book is nothing but printed encouragement and good advice. "Don't worry about your originality. You couldn't get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick to you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do." Amen.