Art as a Business by Alexandra Hedberg
Posted by Amy on Tuesday January 17, 2012
We have a new teacher coming on board for Camp Pikaland and it’s none other than Alexandra Hedberg – an artist and teacher based in Sweden! Read our interview with her about her new self-study class, Art as a Business to find out about her journey and how she made her art practice into a solid, thriving business, and how you can too!
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Hi Alexandra! You talk about art business over at your blog. Can you tell us a bit more about your background and how you’ve reached the stage you are at now?
I studied art (painting, printmaking, art & technology) for seven years and art history for two years, but not at any of the Fine Arts schools that really count here in Sweden (something I later learned would have made it much easier for my career as an artist).
In 2004, while finishing my master in Art & Technology, I made my first public commission (a mural) and started my own business as an artist. 2004-2009 I made ends meet giving evening classes in art (lousy pay), exhibiting regularly and getting occasional commissions. I made some efforts now and then to advance and got some results, but I mostly felt that I was reacting to urgencies (read: just managing to get a new income before running out of money) and never managed to do any long term planning. It was more like outbursts of efforts sometimes and not much following up. I wasn’t drowning but it wasn’t like I was sitting in the boat steering either; I wasn’t exhibiting in as good galleries as I wished to, I worried about money and I didn’t feel I got the calm concentrated periods of studio time that I needed to develop artistically. In summer 2009 I felt it was time for a change – and decided to get in charge. To put extra pressure on myself I started a series on my blog where I wrote about my experiences so far as an artist and shared some of my goal setting and progress reports.
Alexandra mounting watercolors on the wall in her studio
When I’m now summing up 2011 I really feel that I have reached the part-goals on my way; I finished a monumental commissioned art piece (exactly as I wanted it!), had two good separate exhibitions, was guest-teaching art (screenprinting) at University level, made an interesting art project with children, spent a week in a guest studio and another week taking a concrete course, managed to get altogether five months of concentrated studio time and got myself a little economical buffer. This only making a living as an artist – also counting guest-teaching. I still have a way to go to reach my final goals, but I feel I’m getting there!
Can you tell us a bit more about your new self-study class – Art as a Business? Who is it for and what knowledge would you seek to impart to those who take the class?
My self-study class is for artists/illustrators at any level feeling stuck.
Being talented isn’t enough to get somewhere as an artist or an illustrator. Sure – some people actually do get lucky, but this isn’t something you should be counting on as a career strategy. So instead of waiting for the prince to come and rescue you -or being angry with yourself for not getting anywhere – you could follow my self-study class! I’ll share my own knowledge from the last seven years and the structured systems that have worked for me. I’ll be asking questions that will make those taking the class define their goals better and I’ll teach them how to map out their own master plan and give them the tools to do so.
Read the entire interview at Camp Pikaland where you can also sign up for Alexandra’s class!
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Camp Pikaland: Back to Basics with Jamie Shelman
Posted by Jamie Shelman on Thursday November 24, 2011
Art by Calder
Jamie Shelman’s Back to Basics: Visual Communication class is the perfect antidote to brush up on your art basics! Perfect for those in need of fresh weekly exercises to get you inspired and creating new art this Winter, Back to Basics starts Monday Nov. 28th!
Join Jamie as you explore deceptively simple concepts such as shape, color, space and pattern to imbue our art with visual power and umph together! Weekly assignments are playful, quick studies in visual exploration. From ink to acrylic paint, pencil or gouache she’ll use artistic medium to loosen up your hand and get creating! You’ll also be given a look at numerous examples from past and present artists to inspire you as you go along, including Calder, whose work you see above. You may be familiar with his famous mobiles but did you know he also created these playful works on paper?
His ability to electrify both the positive and negative space in his piece with mark making and shape alone is exciting, fun, and fresh! One gets a sense of movement and vibrational frequencies which makes the piece active and alive. So take this opportunity to infuse your own work with life this Winter. Whether abstract or figurative, develop your artistic voice by building your own artistic vocabulary!
The class is open to anyone who wants to experience the pure joy of making art again, and you can sign up here!
Calder mobile
Buy Some Damn Art : Alan Brown
Posted by Amy on Thursday November 17, 2011
Kate of the indefatigable Art Hound has started a weekly online art show that exclusively features original artwork with prices starting at just $200 called Buy Some Damn Art! She has impeccable taste, and inevitably, the pieces she chooses ends up as favorites on my lists as well. With talented artists like Becca Stadtlander (previously), Yelena Brysenkova (previously), Sara Escamilla and most recently, Alan Brown (images shown above) blazing the art trail forward, BSDA is off to a fantastic start!
Naz Rahbar
Posted by Amy on Thursday August 18, 2011
Naz Rahbar was born in Tehran, Iran but immigrated to Canada at the age of 13, where she completed her studies with a Fine arts Degree at OCAD university with a major in drawing and painting and a minor in printmaking. I think her portrait series are pretty interesting – she paints the people she meets from memory instead of taking a snapshot, and takes it as a challenge to see how well she can recall their faces.
Tell me a little more about yourself.
I live in Toronto Canada, and most of the year I wish I lived somewhere warm. I would like to experience living in different parts of the world. I find different landscapes and people inspiring. I wish I could just travel and fill up sketchbooks and travel logs!
Your website shows various printmaking works – which ones are your favorite, and why?
I like different printmaking techniques for their unique qualities and limitation. I love Lithography and wish I could learn and practice more of it. Unfortunately I don’t have access to a Litho press and studio right now. I guess can’t really choose a favorite. I am happier with the silk screens I have done.
Does your style and work seek to communicate a particular message?
No way, or at least not one that is clear to myself at this time. I guess I’m more interested in fiction, or stories, or vignettes or mainly with the idea of documenting or recording a moment, a feeling, a face, a person, or a sort of something I feel possessed to draw.
Who would be your dream client / Who would you love to work for?
Ultimately I guess it would be to work for myself! I have been thinking of a sort of graphic novel. It would be great to have a book published. One that speaks to people of kind and ages would be ideal.
You can see more of Naz’s work on her website and also purchase original prints from her Etsy shop.
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