Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Painting-a-Day--should you do it?

"Southwest View (near Abiquiu)", Oil on Panel, 6x6 inches
Jerry Lebo, 2007

I worked on some commissions over the weekend. The client for the above painting requested a southwest view similar in style to my painting titled, “North of Espanola”, which is a large painting (30x30 inches). Needless to say, it was a real challenge trying to pack a similar landscape into a 6x6 inch panel. I also wanted to do something slightly new with this commission, so I changed the rock formations and sky based on some photos I had from up in Northern New Mexico from our vacation last summer. It brought back a lot of memories to be painting a summer scene, while the weather in DC is turning cold.

Earlier in the week, I had a chance to go down to the JMW Turner exhibit showing at the National Gallery of Art. I have never really been a big Turner fan, but there were a few pieces that were worth seeing. There is a lot of work at the show from the Tate in London that was collected from his studio after his death. That is the work most worth seeing. I think the same was true of Corot, I have also seen many of his little studies he made for his own use in the studio, and I find these to be the most interesting work. It makes you wonder sometimes—are all these little notes and studies that I am doing in the studio going to end up in a museum show after I die? I’d better pick them up off the floor and dust them off a bit.

Anyway, leaving the exhibition, I noticed they were selling copies of the 2001 biography of Turner by James Hamilton for $10 (half-price), so I bought a copy and have been reading it on the train and in the evenings. Reading about Turner got me thinking about the business of art—and in particular about the current “painting-a-day” movement (PAD). Turner was a very astute businessman, who never let an opportunity to make money off his art pass him by. One could argue that he invented the “painting-a-day” approach. Not only did he paint nearly everyday, but he would churn out little watercolors for his collectors at the drop of a hat. He used to keep detailed list of scenic views people had requested, and next time he was in the area--he would rattle off a quick watercolor and send it out. He even offered to hand out small paintings to the Royal Academy in order to get elected as an Associate (art as bribery!). In fact, Turner started out as a youth selling his small watercolors off the walls of his father’s barbershop—for about the price of a haircut—to the wealthy patrons who came for a trim. He was a businessman and an artist. Perhaps, that is why he was so successful—he painted a lot—and understood that to keep painting, he needed to sell his work regularly by whatever means available.

Is “painting-a-day” a fad? I think it depends on how you look at it. From the artists personal point of view, for many, I think the answer maybe “yes”. I have been surfing around the blogosphere and web lately, and it is not hard to find numerous abandoned PAD blogs—with a couple, or even months of postings—but then nothing. As I said when I started this blog, I think the PAD approach is actually very hard to keep up as a practice—sure for a month, or a year, but 10 years? How many artists have the stamina?

As for myself, I have never professed to be a member of the PAD movement, simply because I have painted long enough to know that it is not possible to do it with the time I have available. Even five paintings a week would be a big order. But, in my view, the main benefit of the PAD approach is not sales or being able to make a painting a day—it the consistent effort and practice that it requires to even try. As you know, I have proposed a more modest approach--a minimum of an hour per day in the studio. I think it is reasonable to produce 2-3 small paintings per week this way, if you are able to put some consistent time on the weekends—say, around 10 hours per week total. But, the goal should be to develop as an artist through a consistent effort--not output.

So back to the selling of paintings. I am not "anti-Gallery", in fact, I think you should have your paintings in Galleries, on Ebay, at art shows, wherever you feel comfortable selling your art. However, having personally taken a 10 year hiatus from selling, I think there is nothing wrong with not selling your art--the goal is to paint--not to sell. To me, it was a luxury to take a decade long break from selling--and just paint for myself--and take a day job. Before getting a full-time job, art was my only source of income for a while and if I didn't sell, I didn't eat. Talk about pressure--it is a quick way to lose your artistic freedom. I think artistic success has other potential downsides. If you are successful, you will be under incredible pressure to paint, "more like that you did for your last show". Or, your gallery will want you to paint in a certain way, like another painter that sells well. I am not kidding here, my artist friends have been asked by their galleries to do just these sort of things--more than once.

So what is the point of this post? Well, I wanted to make some suggestions for those who are thinking about whether they should join the PAD movement, get a gallery, or to paint a certain way. My first recommendation is that you should not be afraid to not sell your art. I find it useful at this point in my life to sell my art, but if you have a job--you may have your plate full and may not need the extra workload. It is more important to paint, than to worry about selling. On the other hand, if you want to try it--go for it.

My second recommendation is that you should not be be afraid to approach galleries, but be prepared for hearing a hundred "nos" for each "yes". Also, don't think that getting a gallery will solve your problems or make you enough money to quit your job. More than likely, it won't. But then again, Ebay probably won't either. The way to sell enough art to quit your day job is probably not what you want to hear. Here it is: Paint everyday for twenty years--and use every moment you are not painting to build people's interest in your art. Repeat every twenty years, until death. If you are lucky, somewhere in the first 10-20 year of doing this you will be able to paint full-time. However, the same effort will be required until the last step, death, regardless of how much money you make in any one month. The effort required to keep it going does not diminish.

My last recommendation is that you shouldn't get too worried if you are not part of the PAD movement, it is a good practice if you want to give it a try--but 365 paintings a year is quite a lot. It is more important to have good work habits and a consistent practice--not output. One painting a week would be a good start. Anyway, the PAD movement is certain to fade away as the art market and consumers lose interest. Although, I think the main attraction is not the fact there is a painting everyday--but the fact that artist are reaching out, sending paintings around by email, drawing attention to their work in new ways, etc. In any case, all art trends fade away, and this one will eventually too. That does not mean direct sales, blogs, and the Internet will not be essential tools for artists for many years to come. They will. It is just that the PAD movement may not be the underlying concept. There may be other approaches and ideas that will come along and replace it (maybe the sixty minutes a day approach!).

So there you go, some thoughts on keeping focused on what is important--a consistent effort. Forget the trends, painting has been around for centuries and artist with good work habits and some luck--are the ones that people remember. History is littered with talented artists that failed to apply themselves--no one has ever heard of them. Which one will you be?

All the best, sixtyminuteartist.

38 comments:

Victoria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marsha Stopa said...

Jerry, Thanks for this post. I agree wholeheartedly with several points. I started my blog with the expectation I would do about two paintings a week, not to sell, although that would be nice, but to give myself more structure and accountability in my art. Now I have a small group of people willing, and sometimes, waiting to see what I've done. It is helping me establish better work habits. It's also helping me get over the mindset that says everything has to be perfect before I show it to someone. Thanks again for the perspective. Marsha

Unknown said...

Marsha, I like your phrase, "structure and accountability in my art". I have found the same thing coming into my artistic process as the result of blogging--and find it very rewarding. Thanks for tuning in--send me a link by email to your blog so we can trade links.

Jerry

Nat said...

I have to say, in trying to do a postcard drawing a day for November's nablopomo, I'm getting a little burnt out. And I'm unconsciously raising the bar on each one to the point where it's siphoning off my painting time for the stuff I am trying to get ready for shows. I see how people start of with a manic blaze and then peter out over time. I keep starting around the kitchen for something to draw, 'cause you can't draw outside in the evening this time of year.

Nat said...

As far as pitching my hat into the ring for PAD... I see way too many talented folks who don't seem to be getting bids on their work to think that I'd have it easy. Duane K seems to be able to sell out. But if Carol Marine and Karen Jurick aren't selling like hotcakes, I can only imagine its a long hard slog.

Cynthia said...

Like Jerry and others have said, it's more about doing some kind of art every day, or regularly. We all need some structure and accountability in our work. And if something sells, that's great! Setting goals one at a time is what needs to be done. Start small. You can't just all of a sudden say "I'm going to do a painting a day and sell it" after not doing much for a while. Start small, hour a week maybe, or hour a day, a painting a week, or two paintings a week, whatever you want. Then you can put them up for sale somewhere, and hope for the best, but you can't really control that. But I think the more you paint, the more of a possibility to sell, and most of all, the better artist you'll get to be.

Unknown said...

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said here. I have never been tempted to joing the "PAD" craze, there is no way I would have time for that. But I have increased the time I spend painting, to the point where I can complete a small painting in the space of a couple of hours and have it turn out quite well. So I guess the more I paint the better I get at it. Although I agree that you shouldn't paint solely with sales in mind, I think it is important to get your work noticed, either through blogging, galleries or whatever. It's taken me a long time to get to a point where I am proud to show people my work, and even if they don't buy it, it's still good to hear feedback.

Shara said...

PAD movement does seem to set oneself up for defeat. I like your thoughts on the subject of using the concept to paint daily. Not a continues marathon...more like healthy exericise. Could we coin the phrase PED movement...Paint Every Day...or CED...create every day! Kuddos

sixtyminuteartist said...

the queen, I love your idea. Actually, I was thinking of calling it the Paint Every Day (PED) movement, like you suggest. But, I don't want those PAD guys to think I am trying to steal their idea. But, since you have suggested it, I hearby officially declare and reserve the rights to the new revolutionary PED approach! Actually, it is free--I will simply be the guidance counselor.

Jerry

Mike said...

Jerry . . .

I just found your blog and am finding your perspective to be similar to my own . . .except I can't express it as well as you.

I am a PAD person. It was a choice with simply one thing in mind: Experience. After just beginning as a painter in my mid forties nearly 20 years ago, I found the compulsion to paint was nearly insane. I needed to LEARN everything I could in a short time because I was beginning so late in life. Recently, the desire to take up oil painting and to become good at it, I was faced with simply one question; is there enough time in life to amass the necessary Experience? The PAD movement was the perfect solution. I know that the more we do something, the more we learn, the more comfortable we are with it and, subsequently, the the more we allow our 'SELF' to show in the painting process. Blogging about it is the perfect accountability to keep at it. And there are some great folks out there, like yourself, who are continuously rendering new viewpoints and perspectives on the entire process of painting. Frankly, if I never sell a single painting, it won't matter. It's about learning and amassing brush mileage and having the personal satisfaction from accomplishing something truly unique.

Keep up the great blog!

Anonymous said...

Interesting thread! I think the PAD movement is exiting in terms of the collegiality it forms. Kind of like back in art school when it was exciting to see what everyone did for homework. But the results and sales are such a mixed bag. (Let's just say that cat paintings seem to sell very well!) I'm not quite sure how I feel about the whole thing. Totally unrelated question: are there PAD threads that feature serious non-representational work?

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