Closer to the exhibition

I've made all sorts of frantic efforts since my last blog post to complete my paintings and to prepare them for the looming exhibition.  Fortunately, since it is not my first exhibition (veteran that I am), I know what I've to do - and over the weekend, I completed my preparations in time for the ardous hanging on Wednesday.  Perhaps experience will count there too, plus a stable step-ladder and a handy bloke (thanks hubby!) 
This painting is the last that I've completed and will be included in the show.  It depicts a sunbather at Clovelly.  She lounges on the rocks above a shallow pool of water.  Originally she had a companion who was chatting to her, but I couldn't get her posture right and just painted her over. 
Here is an invitation to the show.  If you would like to attend, just turn up - I'd love to meet you!

FROM THE DESERT TO THE SEA
An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Meng Woo

 

Opening night on
Fri 7 Sept 2012
from 6:00pm

 

Yuga Gallery
172 St Johns Rd
Glebe NSW 2037
9692 8604

Exhibition from 7 to 30 Sept 2012

Last day of exhibition

We took down the paintings today from the gallery cafe. Sold 5 out of 7 and Cath sold 4 out of 7. We did very well all things considered. I'm out of beachscapes aside from the Wylies series that I'm developing further. These were such a bugger to complete due to the structure of the kiosk that I refused to entertain parting with them. Besides they are a series although I'm not sure if anybody would buy the lot in one go.

So what did I learn from a first exhibition?

1. People like beachscapes. It reminds them where they would rather be.

2. People really liked the picture of the kids jumping waves. I always wondered if it was too sentimental but that had wide appeal and I probably could have charged more.

3. The picture of a boulevard of trees went very quickly. The depth of field, perspective and serene feel impressed the audience.

4. Nudes are not as popular. I guess you can't hang it anywhere. Could be offensive.

5. We didn't charge enough. Of course I had no previous yardstick. But we could have upped the price by another 20-30% for many pieces.

6. Reproduction is key to future profit without the pain. Of course the price you can charge is less but the possibility of selling more than one could make this more profitable.

First Exhibition Opening

After much preparation, Cath and I made it to the Opening Night. It was a huge social event which was well attended. Many of our friends and family turned up and the place got very busy at one stage.

Our art was exposed to the public eye and it was lovely to be congratulated and be told which paintings were favourites with friends and why. At the end of the night, I sold 4 paintings (50%) and Cath sold 2. There were numerous leads to commissions and requests for other paintings seen at our house and on this blog: "why isn't that here?". All excellent publicity and a big boost to ones self confidence as an artist: that the art was appreciated and saleable. These pictures were taken before everybody arrived - just so that I don't publish photos of others without their permission!

As well, I enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances - Roger and I appear to have a vast network and we don't have enough time or energy to catch up with one and all so it was a perfect opportunity to at least see people. To those who came, a big thank you for your support.
As for the analysis of what people liked: they liked the beachscapes. These evoked good times and warm weather. Just exactly what I like about Sydney and why I live here.

The hanging

Cath and I spent 3 hours last night hanging the paintings up for the exhibition. We had to conquer the gallery's system and get up a precariously unstable step ladder to adjust each piece. We were aided by Andrew, Cath's partner and the owner who gave some good advice on placement.

Anyway they are all up and I have 8 paintings and Cath has 6. They look great but must say it's given me another perspective of gallery work. There was also the lighting to consider and it made me realise that it is harder to hang pictures on a long wall : things cannot be so easily grouped.

Preparations are now well advanced though owing to the pianist ill health the jazz interlude has had to be cancelled. Looking forward to a great social night!

Exhibition!

Back from the overseas trip, I've deliberately not enrolled in art classes this term so that I can devote time to the looming exhibition. For those who do not know, Catherine and I are exhibiting our works at Cafe Yuga in Glebe opening on Fri 1 Oct. It will be my first so I'm nervous. But at the same time, I long to put part 2 of art in practice: the commercial aspects of showing and (hopefully) selling paintings. Few can make a living from art alone however, the prospect of testing my ideas of what sells and why actually excites me(!). Yes, I acknowledge that I'm a freak as most artists are only interested in creating not selling. Catherine and I had a project status meeting (consultant talk for a catch up) and we had an agenda plus action items for both of us. So far so good. My objective is to get a number of artworks off my wall and create space for future paintings. The pricing strategy is to make it affordable but not too much of a bargain (I saw a painting I liked for $50 once but was too suspicious to buy it). Paintings that I was loathed to part with I will put a high price on so that I'd be consoled if it sold. Catherine is of the opinion that such paintings should not be sold else it ends in regrets. As a veteran exhibitor she should know!