Field Trip

The weather was dismal on Thursday, as we drove to Boston for an often-postponed gallery crawl. Sad to say, because of work and other committments, we don't do this nearly enough. But it kind of felt like an all-you-can eat buffet of some of the best art there is to see in the region. As we're still pretty new at this business, we still feel like underclassmen sometimes, and expected to learn a lot just by observing how other galleries do things. The surprise, though, was just how important seeing the work of artist after artist after artist was in feeding our own creative energies. Over the past year, the left brain's been getting a workout,  as we planned and organized in the gallery, while the right brain's waited patiently for its turn. Seeing the work of others sparked an urgency to get to the studio, try out some ideas, and pay attention to that side of ourselves. The actual hard work of making art often happens in isolation, but  the process is fed and nurtured by a shared experience of the work of others.

No need to drive to Boston, though. There are a couple weekends left to see the work of the eight artists whose work is in the gallery for 'Beyond the Surface', our current encaustic show. Visitors have commented on how diverse yet cohesive the show is, and how strong the work of the individual artists is. Our (biased) opinion is that this is one of our best shows to date. Treat yourself to a look at this show, this weekend. And while you're in the neighborhood, the Danforth Museum's New England Photography Biennial is another must-see exhibit. Gallery visitors can get a free same-day pass to the Danforth Museum.

What does it take to be a collector?

What does it take to be a collector?

One word answer- LOVE (x3)

We know a guy- let’s call him Mike- He’s a collector. Big time. He’s not rich. He’s not fancy. Or Harvard educated (as far as we know). But he’s an art patron, he’s our hero.

We asked him; How does he decide to buy art?

”I’m very picky, he says." if I see something I really love, LOVE-LOVE-LOVE, 

I have to really love it, I buy it.” 

It’s as simple as that. He lives paycheck to paycheck, like a lot of us. He finds a way. He’s passionate about buying art the way those of us who make the art are passionate. 

He pays a little, every paycheck, till it’s his.

There's a reception 

Saturday, October 22nd, 

from 5-7, 

for our current encaustic show,

Beyond the Surface:

biological explorations in wax.

Stop by, 

enjoy the party- 

(who knows, you might fall in LOVE-LOVE- LOVE!)

How to Ship your Artwork- tips from exhibiting artists

Preparing to hang the pieces in Beyond the Surface: Biological Explorations in Wax, our upcoming show, felt a bit like opening presents at holiday time! Several of the artists tapped for this show by guest curator Tracy Spadafora shipped their work, or had it delivered to the gallery by fellow artists. Encaustics can be fragile, although they are much sturdier than they sometimes appear; but every piece of art that is shipped deserves to be treated with utmost care.

We were very impressed by the care and professionalism used by the artists in preparing their work for transport. So much so that we'd like to share with you the tips we learned from them:

1-Pack carefully to protect each piece from shifting in its case. Some work came in boxes which were handmade by the artist to fit the piece exactly. 

2-Label, Label, Label- This piece by Anne Cavanaugh, Vignette (Patricia), was labeled on the outside of the box, on the inside, and on the back of the piece with ALL the pertinent information. The piece was protected on its way to the gallery, but also, if (ok, let's say when) it sells, the box will be used to deliver the work to the buyer. We were particularly impressed by the 'care of encaustics' information enclosed in multiple places, useful when the work is in transit, but especially when it goes to the collector.

3- Enclose directions- and hardware, if necessary- for hanging. We received magnets in one box, tape in another. One box even included a utility knife!

 Kay Hartung's Microcell series, a grouping of nine 6-inch cradled panels hung in a grid pattern, is shown here. The box included the nine panels, well-padded, special tape, and printout showing the arrangement and orientation of the individual pieces. Best of all, Kay included a template on wax paper (a staple for encaustic artists!) indicating exactly where to place the hanging hardware.

It goes without saying, artists use great care to produce each piece; careful packing and labeling ensures that the work will get to its destination intact, and when it is shown, will be exhibited as it was intended to be seen.

Tracy Spadafora, Cultivate, mixed media encaustic.

Beyond the Surface: Biological Explorations in Wax,

a group show of 2- and 3D work in the encaustic medium

is on exhibit from October 7-November 6, 2011

A Reception will be held on October 22, from 5-7PM 

Exhibiting artists are Anne Cavanaugh, Kay Hartung, Joyce Utting Schutter, 

Tracy Spadafora, Donna Hamil Talman, Jean Wallace, Cynthia Winika,

and Gregory Wright.