Nervous About Showing Your Art?

Remember that video I did just a few weeks ago that was chock full of art biz advice? Well I wound up having a great discussion with a viewer as a result of it regarding her own upcoming art show. This fellow artist is awesomely motivated and she and I have communicated quite a bit via YT. She really finds my vids useful and is always quick to comment on and compliment them (which fills me with joy!).

Anyhoo, not only is the vid full of excellent advice, but I think our chat in the comments is worth sharing too for anyone who may be a little nervous showing their own art at an event.

Yay! I really love helping fellow artists so much!

If I can ever help you out feel free to drop me a line in the comments, here, or in my email caleigh@caleighbirdart.com. And don’t forget I now offer Art + Art Biz Consulting if you’d really like someone enthusiastic in your corner helping you leap those hurdles :)

3.27.2019

Planning My Next Art Show

Oh boy, oh boy…. crunch time is nigh for my upcoming solo show at The Naughty Vegan Studio this Friday! Yikes!! (Get the info for my opening here!)

But no worry - I’ve got this ;)

If you’re curious about the 1001 things I’m doing to prepare, and especially of you think you might put on your own art show one of these days, check out the four part series I created earlier this year called….

Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Part One: Creating a Flyer

Part Two: How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively

Part Three: Preparing for Your Art Opening

Part Four: Opening Night!

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originally published October 30, 2018

Upcoming Art Show :: Naughty Vegan Studio

HOOORAYYYY!!! Mark your calendars Honolulu friends! I’ll have a collection of my all new Shadow Play series on display all month with a special First Friday opening reception.

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originally published October 9, 2018

Opening Night! :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Hoorayyyy!! The Big Night is here! Time for everything to come together and for the artist to kick back and enjoy folks enjoying all their hard work. Time to celebrate!!

I am so thrilled to share with you the conclusion of my four part video series 'Putting on an Art Show on an Budget' with my fabulous opening night vid!!! My opening was a huge success - lots of familiar faces and even more new faces - which is exactly what you want! If you'd like to see more pics from the night, check out this post from a few weeks ago. 

The opening was a fantastic whirlwind..... hooray!

....And if you'd really like to show this artist some love, please think about sharing my blog or YouTube channel with any other artists you may know. I have put on a number of art events through the years and I'd love to spread this knowledge around, plus it really motivates me to keep producing the very best videos I can when I know folks are learning and enjoying :)

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originally published March 21, 2018

Preparing for Your Art Opening :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Alrighty as the big day gets closer and closer there are a number of things that need to be done to prepare the gallery for opening night. Each space and exhibition is a new experience so you may do things a bit differently than I do in this vid, but I cover the major steps that should be done to prep pretty much any space. And don't forget, there are always some last minute hiccups to attend to, so make sure to give yourself some extra time. 

I'll walk you through fixing up the gallery, hanging your artwork, and all the necessary signage you'll need to create for your show. Yay!! Bursting with excitement for the big opening!!

Make sure to catch the other three vids in this series to slay that art show!

How to Create an Art Show Flyer

How to Frame Paintings Inexpensively

How to Host a Great Opening Night

3.14.2018

How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Aloha and Welcome to Part Two of my video series on 'Putting on an Art Show on a Budget'! Today I am showing you how easy and inexpensive it is to frame your paintings using slat boards found in the lumber department of your local home improvement store. 

Now for this video you will see me using my super kickass miter saw and electric sander. You don't have to use either of these to make frames; a steady hand with a hacksaw will work along with a lil extra elbow grease for sanding. However if you are interested in playing with power tools ('cause who isn't?!), I'm sure you can score some for less than you think. I bought my miter saw, blade included, on Craigslist for $75 and the sander from Ebay for $40, which to me are small investments considering you could easily spend $150 getting just one painting professionally framed.

As far as the other materials go, the slat boards are between $1.50 - $3 depending on length and the spackle, black paint, 2" paint brush, wood glue, tack nails, painters tape and fine grit sandpaper can be purchased for around $50. All in all (not including the power tools which I already owned) I spent about $110 to frame 12 paintings which is like HELL YEAH!!!! 

So tune in to see it all come together in the most delightful way (as Mary Poppins would say)!!

Materials:

Part One + Three:

• Pliers

• Hammer

• Tack nails

• Saw (hand or miter)

• Sander (hand or electric) 80-120 grit

• 220 grit sandpaper

• 1/4" x 2" slat Boards

• (spray) paint for
  inner Wall

• Wood Glue

• Paper Towels

• Pencil

 

Part Two:

• Scissors

• Painter's Tape

• Parchment Paper

Part Four:

• Size 8-10 flat artist paintbrush

• Damp sponge or towel

• Sander/ Sandpaper 120 + 220 grit

• Spackle

• Spreader card

• Paint

• 2 inch paintbrush

A little sneak peek of my artwork hung up for the big night. More pics here

Let me know how your framing went! I chose to use black paint for mine, but I recently saw another artist use this method without the spackle and using a wood stain instead. The possibilities are endless:) Tune in next week for my video about setting up and proper signage for your art show. Yaay!

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originally published March 7, 2018

Huge Success at My Solo Art Show!!

HOOORAYYYY!!! I can't believe how many people showed up on opening night!! I had a lot of familiar faces as well as so many new eyes on my work so it was perfect!! 

I'm sure you noticed my promised vid did not come out on this past Wednesday and I'm so sorry... who would have thought that framing 12 works while filming and editing the process in the same week as repainting the gallery wall (yep, I did that too :D ), hanging work, creating signage, shopping for and preparing loads of snacks and arranging a musician, while I worked my barista and surfboard painting jobs of course, might have been a bit of an overloaded schedule? 

Gosh, when I write it all out I can't believe last week even happened! Ha! 

So check out these fun shots from the show and I promise I'll have my 'How to Frame Paintings on a Budget' vid out for your enjoyment this Wednesday. Mahalo and big love to everyone who made it out!!

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originally published March 3, 2018

Creating a Flyer :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Okee dokee artsy friends, here is Part One of my series Putting on an Art Show on a Budget :: How to create a great flyer. This is so  super duper essential for inviting people.

You absolutely positively must have something to hand folks as you promote your show. If you try to just tell people to remember or give them your website card to look it up you will wind up with one empty art opening. But have no fear, you too can create a super stylish yet simple flyer using this easy free program Canva just like me. Yay!

Let me walk you through all the steps to make a noteworthy flyer for your successful event!

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originally published February 21, 2018