Art Ladders: The Creative Climb

Episode 13 finds Val and Armin in a conversation about the struggle of selling art. This past year and a half has changed the marketplace for artists. On one hand the brick and mortar galleries have had many challenges in attracting shoppers again while the online presence of both galleries and individual artists have increased. The people who made a quick pivot to technology during the pandemic are starting to thrive.  Selling online is not going away and people are confidently buying large ticket items such as original art on social media platforms and artists' websites. 2022 is the year that we plan to embrace the struggle of upping our online presence. It is an opportunity we do not want to miss. We would love to hear your take on the future of selling artwork online and in galleries. Just a technical note....or struggle in this case lol! We accidentally used the wrong microphone. Live and learn! Thank you to our producer, Taylor Cramer for cleaning the sound up as best as possible. We felt the content was worthwhile to publish regardless of the sound. 

We wish you Happy Holidays and all the very best for 2022. Here's to a creative year ahead! 

Thank you to our sponsor Golden Apple Studio and Residency. Please check them out at this link:  http://www.goldenapplestudio.com

Welcome to episode 12 of Season One. In this podcast Valerie and Armin interviewed Texas artist, Preston Zeller. Preston is an intuitive abstract painter who embarked on a year-long project of creating a painting a day. This creative journey was a response to processing grief following the sudden death of his brother. The film, "The Art of Grieving Film" will be released as a documentary in early 2022. Preston encourages us all to find ways such as art making to spur new conversations regarding grief and loss. Ultimately leaning into difficult situations by making art can help one heal and even find peace. 

You can view the trailer of the film at The Art of Grieving Film. 

You can keep up with Preston Zeller on his Instagram account here at @zellerhaus. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Golden Apple Studio and Art Residency. You can find more information here at Goldenapplestudio.com.

The struggle is real in the world of artists but it is not necessarily negative. Struggle can lead to a gentle curve in the road, a major breakthrough in an artist's style, or even a new way of doing business. In this episode, Val and Armin will discuss their personal challenges, frustrations, and yes, struggles in their own art practice. The goal is to embrace the struggle and let the journey through it lead to art-making sessions that are effortlessly in the zone or in the flow. Val, ever the optimist, feels that struggle can be thought of as perseverance and necessary for growth while Armin is a bit more angst driven in the discussion. They bounce ideas off of one another and in the end there is more in common than not which is the hallmark of great conversation. This two part series will focus on creating artwork in part one and part two will deal with the struggle of selling art. Part two will air on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

Check out our sponsor Golden Apple Studio and Art Residency. Located in Down East Maine, Director Shelley Stevens invites artists to apply for the 2022 Residency Summer Season. Just a few vacancies and partial scholarships are available. http://www.goldenapplestudio.com/art-residency

Armin references In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Here is more about that song by Iron Butterfly.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Interesting article on the struggle of creating art for social media posts by Christine Nishiyama of Might-Could blog. https://might-could.com/essays/social-media-for-artists-make-art-for-you-not-likes/

Definition of being in the Flow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

Armin's website: www.arminmersmann.com

Valerie's website: www.valerieallenart.com

Facebook page for Art Ladders: The Creative Climb: https://www.facebook.com/artladderswitharminandvalerie

In Art Ladders episode 10, Val traveled south and visited artist Rachael McCampbell in her studio near Nashville. Armin joined them remotely and a lively and informative conversation took place on a beautiful Tennessee day. In 2018, Rachael and Val met during an arts materials event in Cincinnati. Both artists are part of Golden Artists Colors educational programming and share the love of process art in common. Rachael McCampbell is an artist, writer and teacher with a passion for creating art as well as sharing her expertise with others through workshops and classes.

Artist Rachael McCampbell’s website:  https://rachaelmccampbell.com/

Rachael’s email: [email protected]

Link to Rachael’s upcoming workshop in the Smoky Mountains in East TN: https://rachaelmccampbell.com/come-paint-in-the-smoky-mountains-june-7-14-2022/

Youtube Channel, "McCampbell Art Studio”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTVuloc_gaO6DVi-F8DxC-A

And one of several YouTube videos where Rachael is painting with singer Naomi Judd. “Painting with Friends” using Alcohol Inks:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5kaXC0Axw8

Public Art Resource Center CodaWorx

Harpeth Conservancy

Rachael is a member of Oil Painters of American Society

Are you an artist of many hats or do you stay with one beret? What are your favorite art materials? Val and Armin discuss many different art supplies in this episode and how they have used them in their own art careers. They cover what they've discovered about different mediums through a compare and contrast discussion. This episode is very much "a cup of coffee length" and we hope you enjoy our banter back and forth! If you like what you hear, please tell others about our podcast.

Armin's mechanical pencil: GraphGear 1000 https://www.pentel.com/collections/pencils/products/graph-gear-1000-mechanical-drafting-pencil

Valerie's Encaustic Monotype Printing Hot Box:

http://www.ventafume.com/roland-hotbox-for-encaustic/?gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuYdMtaDg70I-dQ_DPs1jne971FbmnNo2Lfb-xlq8uzH8zg_i5SFOMLLdtRoC11IQAvD_BwE

Artist Paula Roland:

https://paularoland.com

Shoutout to SignalPress and their recent Print Fest: 

http://www.signalreturnpress.org

Valerie's Golden Artist Colors Working Artist Biography:

https://goldenpaints.com/wap/Valerie.Allen/43

Golden Artist Colors:

https://goldenpaints.com

Williamsburg Oil:

https://www.williamsburgoils.com

QoR Watercolors:

https://www.qorcolors.com

Article on Artist Tom Larson of Bay City, MI:

https://www.secondwavemedia.com/baycity/features/tom-larson-feature.aspx

Ampersand Art Supply: 

https://ampersandart.com

Watercolor Artist Irving Shapiro:

http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/popups/hi_floor.html

Plein Air Artist Alan Maciag:

https://www.instagram.com/alanmaciag_painter50/?hl=en

Atelier School of Art in Royal Oak:

https://atelierart.studio

Golden Apple Artist Residencies in Maine:

http://www.goldenapplestudio.com

Sam and Adele Golden Foundation Artist Residency Program: 

https://www.goldenfoundation.org/residency/about-the-golden-foundation-residency/

Valerie is currently showing at Delta College at University Center, Mi:

https://www.facebook.com/deltacollege/posts/10159553639181142

Armin is exhibiting at Indianapolis Art Center in :

https://www.indplsartcenter.org/future_exhibitions

Val and Armin are joined by Ben Clore and Andrew Rieder to discuss the benefits for artists of all ages attending community college to study art. Not only is it an excellent way to prepare for entry into a Bachelor of Fine Arts program at a four-year university but community colleges are a venue for pursuing art education for self-improvement in the visual arts for young artists and life-long learners. Community colleges are affordable with smaller class sizes and offer an opportunity to study with teaching artists and professors that are focused and approachable. The discussion also includes recaps of what both of these talented teaching artists are working on in their own art practice.

Link to Delta College Art + Design Associate in Fine Arts Program https://www.delta.edu/programs/current/art-and-communication/fine-art-graphic-design/art-design/associate/index.html

Instagram account for Andrew Rieder: https://www.instagram.com/ac.rieder/

Delta Think Big link for Ben Clore: https://www.delta.edu/academics/faculty/faculty-bclore.html

Midland Daily News Article on Andrew Rieder’s mural in Sanford, Michigan: https://www.ourmidland.com/insider/article/Giant-mural-to-celebrate-Sanford-s-past-present-16414427.php

Ben Clore’s influence on Delta College Place Making Committee Delta Collegiate article: https://deltacollegiate.org/deltas-s-wing-gains-artistic-flair/

Andrew Rieder’s Website: https://andrewrieder.com/home.html

Eric Fishl website: http://www.ericfischl.com

Architect Alden B. Dow’s plan for the campus from the archives of Alden B. Dow Home and Studio. https://www.facebook.com/dowhomestudio/posts/in-the-archives-delta-collegealden-b-dow-designed-the-master-plan-for-delta-coll/10154569273322215/

Be sure to follow Art Ladders: The Creative Climb on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/artladderswitharminandvalerie.

For artists, time and space are precious and can be a journey that is pursued throughout an art career. Val and Armin discuss the many types of studios they have had in the past and present. They each have preferences and their spaces are quite different. The way they organize time is also very much in tune with their personalities. As you listen, you may discover insights into your own personal tastes as it relates to your art practice. Are you motivated by process and materials needing lots of space to spread out and explore or do you crave an intimate studio that is more akin to a study or library with everything in its place? Think about the way your schedule and deadlines can either motivate you in a positive way with a rush of energy or add stress to a breaking point that leads to an artist’s block. Please post photos of your studio and tell us about your time management routines on our Art Ladders: The Creative Climb with Valerie Allen and Armin Mersmann Facebook page.

Valerie and Armin are currently showing in the Greater Michigan Art Exhibition: A 50th Retrospective of Previous Winners. Here is the website with more information.

https://www.midlandcenter.org/museums/art-exhibits/

Valerie is showing at Delta College with a solo exhibit: One Hundred Years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUVNeSGrdSZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It was our pleasure to talk with artist Shelley Stevens about her art practice and Golden Apple Artist Residency. Shelley is all about making opportunities for artists that focus on the gift of time and space. Golden Apple Art Residency is located approximately an hour north of Bar Harbor along the rocky coastal region of Downeast Maine. Within a very quiet and secluded location, the residency grounds are situated near the tip of Ripley’s Neck down a long and winding road outside of Harrington, where the main house, the studios and the residency cottages are all less than two hundred feet from shore. It is in this remote, naturally rugged and picturesque environment that our artists and writers find the support and inspiration to create. Enjoy this wonderful interview with Shelley.

Shelly Stevens and Golden Apple Residency website: http://www.goldenapplestudio.com

Kendall College of Art and Design Alumni Profile: https://kcad.ferris.edu/news/alumni-profile-shelley-stevens-mfa-painting.html

Shelley Stevens, An Army of Women, exhibit: https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/archive/2019/march/women.htm

https://artistcommunities.org/residencies

Be sure to follow Art Ladders: The Creative Climb on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/artladderswitharminandvalerie.

Our topic for episode 5 is about ideas and where we find them.  Here is quote that will set the mood, “A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.” stated by playwriter, Eugene Ionesco. We both agree that is great attitude to have when you are developing new ideas to explore for your artwork. We will discuss so many ways to capture thoughts to use now or later in a series or individual work. Some that come to mind are using technology, travel, history, music to ignite new concepts. You will learn more about spring-boarding, archiving and mining for fresh ideas. Please leave comments on how you find new ideas on our Art Ladders: The Creative Climb Facebook page or wherever you listen to this podcast.

https://www.facebook.com/artladderswitharminandvalerie

https://www.pinterest.com/valerieallenart/_saved/

https://www.pinterest.com/arminmersmann/_created/

https://www.instagram.com/valerieallenart/

https://www.instagram.com/arminmersmann/

https://www.rauschenbergfoundation.org

https://www.wikiart.org/en/arthur-rackham

https://www.wikiart.org/en/edmund-dulac

https://www.wikiart.org/en/claude-monet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Dean_(artist)

Val and Armin were happy to spend time with Margo as she works in her summer studio in Glen Arbor, MI. Margo Burian holds a BFA  from Kendall College of Art & Design where she majored in illustration. After a successful 17 year career as a freelance illustrator, she has focused her talents and energy on creating paintings that celebrate the spirit of the natural world.

Margo is represented by Tvedten Fine Art at https://www.tvedtenfineart.com in Harbor Springs, MI and Lake Street Gallery at https://www.lakestreetstudiosglenarbor.com in Glen Arbor, MI.

Her website is: https://margoburian.net/home.html

Artists mentioned in this episode:

Margo has an artistic collaboration "The Advisory Board" with Carol Spaulding, Cre Woodard and Craig Weisse.

Painting Mentor: Stuart Shils - http://stuartshils.com

A fav artist: Ken Kewley - http://Kenkewley.com

Artist in art history she admires: Fairfield Porter, Richard Diebenkorn

Art Schools: https://kcad.ferris.edu and  https://www.haystack-mtn.org/life-at-haystack

Be sure to follow Art Ladders: The Creative Climb on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/artladderswitharminandvalerie.

Thank you for listening!