The Studio

Inspiration is everywhere for artists even in our own backyard….at least that is how I feel. (These photos I took a few days ago as inspiration for a new painting.)  I don’t often write about the “how” of operating an art business in a small town.  It’s a challenge…and I love it….but it’s not easy.  When people tell me that I have a fun job and they wish they could work doing something fun all the time like I do I just smile and agree.  Because it is fun. But it’s a lot like making sausage….you don’t want to see what actually goes in to it.  There is so much behind the scenes to get an image that I think people might enjoy painting at a party….so much that no one ever sees.  First I go through tons of photos trying to find something that will appeal to a large number; then I have to paint it; then I usually paint it again to simplify it so that it will look good but be easy enough for beginners to paint it in a 2-3 hour paint party time; next is the promotion, the registration, the ordering of supplies, etc., etc., etc.   I only say all of this to make people aware that when you choose to attend a paint party with an artist that steals another artist’s image that you are hurting someone…the artist that created the work.  You might ask, well how do I know if its original?  Ask!  Find out if the artist leading the party has a business license.  Are they a legitimate business or just a cash business not paying taxes or licensed?  I think most people don’t want to support people who are stealing from others and probably have never even considered any of this….they just see an offering for a paint party and think, that looks like fun and I’d like to paint it.  I’m writing about this today because one of my paintings was being offered at a Paint Party without my permission.  I only knew about it because I saw it on Facebook.  When I contacted the owner of the business offering it she immediately took the image down and contacted the artist she’d hired to do the party to correct the situation.  I appreciate that.  But even more I would appreciate people offering these parties to be inspired by their surroundings or developing images of their own.  The internet has been a wonderful thing for artists to share and sell their work but it’s also made lazy artists lazier because they don’t have to work at it.  They can just lift something to use.  Don’t be lazy….CREATE!  (OK…rant over….thanks for listening!)