What I Learned in the Art Biz Bootcamp

Thoughts wrangled for a previous solo exhibition. Sketchbook pages, 2010 by Sarah Atlee.

Earlier this year, I took a journey into the world of art marketing with Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield, though her No Excuses Art Biz Bootcamp. In this online course, students learn and implement all kinds of great stuff about the business of being an independent artist.

I can't say enough good things about this 12-week program, but here are some highlights:

Because of the Art Biz Bootcamp

I feel more in control of my art business than ever before.

I clarified my career goals, especially pertaining to exhibition and sales. As a result, I've booked a solo show in a new venue and planned for several group shows during the next year.

I took control of my contact list and established an email newsletter for the first time (you can sign up using the form on your right).

I have an increased network of support through the Bootcamp's group on Facebook and through other interactions with my friends and colleagues.

I had an Aha! Moment.

I now understand that I am a specific artist, with specific needs and career goals. I need to do what is right for me, which may not be what is right for someone else. I can push myself to overcome challenges and achieve goals while still treating myself with compassion.

Are you interested in the Art Biz Bootcamp?

Go to the Bootcamp section of the Art Biz Coach website to learn more.

Thank you, Alyson!

Milagros for Boston

Chicago community artist Guillermo Delgado is collaborating with second-graders on a spontaneous project they're calling Milagros for Boston. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8656293870_e4d06b219a.jpg Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.

From the artist:

"Milagros for Boston is a tribute by 2nd graders to all the people affected by the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013. Students will create an art installation made of tin milagros (running shoes, hands, and legs) and display it in the storefront window of a local running shop."

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8659580490_b871763aae.jpg Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.

If you're not familiar, a milagro  is a small charm, usually made of metal, used as part of a prayerful offering. From Wikipedia:

"[Milagros] are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a leg, might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg; or it might refer to a concept such as travel. Similarly, a heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck."

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8658494869_c9e18f4560.jpg Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.

The artist commented on his Facebook page that "I was inspired by the conversations that I had with my own children yesterday. It's difficult to have these kinds of conversations, but I think we need to. And I couldn't start this morning's class with 2nd graders and teachers without addressing it. Fortunately, they embraced it! The project developed like lightning: ideas, emails, and phone calls. It's a true community collaboration!"

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8655449513_ea960cbc1b_c.jpg Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.

In an email, Delgado told me that "In my twenty years of teaching: this was one of the most powerful and meaningful experiences I have had in the classroom and with children. The teachers agreed too; we were all super into it! It was an amazing experience for all of us."

You can read more about Guillermo Delgado on his website, and keep up with the Milagros for Boston project on Flickr.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8656546140_d91c5e2d3b_c.jpg Photo by Guillermo Delgado. Used with permission.

Markup Languages in Art - Part 3: Chorus Lines

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qTDAEasFLtU/S50Yigtx7yI/AAAAAAAAG8A/5IXav26TGrs/s1600/Salome%2B-%2Bportrait%2Bof%2BTamara%2BKarsavina%2Bby%2BG%2BBarbier,%2B1914.jpg Bibliodyssey: The Ballets Russes

Click on any image to view its source.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Labanotation1.jpg

"Labanotation (LN) or Kinetography Laban is a notation system for recording and analyzing human movement."

Explore other forms of dance notation here.

 

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1717/1584/1600/Gabriel%20SIZES%20%281856-1919%29.%20Etude%20exp%3F%3Frimentale%20d%3F%3F%3Facoustique%20musicale%201920.jpg

Gabriel Sizes, Etude Expérimentale d’Acoustique Musicale, 1920, via Bibliodyssey

 

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560214_410473812372421_31347998_n.jpg

"I design fractal algorithms using a visual application of music theory. I manipulate it in photoshop programs to create abstract artwork. I am aspiring to teach and share this process as well as make a living doing so!" - Alan Addison

 

http://assets.thecreatorsproject.com/blog_article_images/images/000/039/337/cap1_slide.jpg?1355519717

CAP (Graffiti Analysis Series), 2012 by Evan Roth, via The Creators Project

 

"SML (Scratch Markup Language) is a new file format for recording and replaying turntablism. We’ve developed open-source tools for accurately capturing the record and crossfader movements of a scratch DJ, allowing us to analyze, transcribe, and recreate scratch performances. We want to do for turntablism what Graffiti Markup Language has done for tagging — especially teaching giant robot arms how to scratch." Ed: Unfortunately it looks as though this project and its related sites are no longer being updated.

Read Markup Languages in Art, Part 1: Vexing Ology

Read Markup Languages in Art, Part 2: Durer's Rhinocerous