How to "sell" the open studio concept

Julie Deane · 07-10-2006, 12:34 PM

Hi -

Good sales pitch patter or other words of wisdom are welcome:

I'm trying to start up a local life drawing group. And I've been invited to present to a local artist's group, so I figure that's a prime time to make a sales pitch.

So many of these folks have told me "I just can't do portraits". I want them to understand the benefits of attending open studio whether or not they ever do a portrait.

What would YOU say?

Debra Jones · 07-10-2006, 04:50 PM

You know, I think it is an age thing!

MY pitch would be a stack of life paintings, drawings, etc. The short gestural... oh, did you say with our without clothes? Leotards are great.

Show the group the need to observe the body in action. The ability to use the physical to show emotion. Demonstrate lighting that is NOT a triangle on the cheek. Show that the open give and take in a room which is different than a live model, should attract its own audience.

Let them understand that if it is run well, it will attract its own following. It is going to be one of the few times that artists can get together and observe each other, as well as the model. It is a social thing. It lets artists be artistic.

I am rabid about this. I looked for over 15 years for the ratty little bad part of town studios that I used to find out of art school. I crave drawing from life that inhales and exhales.

Wax poetic! It is the best time an artist can have!!
dj*

Julie Deane · 07-10-2006, 09:38 PM

Wow, Debra! I'm not so great at "poetic", but you've given me a lot to think about incorporating into the pitch.

I have to sell them on attending AND paying for the privilege, since models ain't free, unless they're family (And there's no way my 20 year old son would tear himself away from his computer to sit and be bored for a room full of strangers).

Probably no nudes to start - just clothed model, but if the interest is there (ie, the money to pay for a professional model), then it could be arranged.

Mari DeRuntz · 07-10-2006, 09:58 PM

Good luck, Julie - I'd also browse Bill Whitaker's posts for very passionate (without being divisive) words on the importance of working from life.

Or you could set up a powerpoint presentation comparing, side-by-side, visual intelligence displayed in work done exclusively from life compared to camera-based work, but that is a hot political topic and you're on your own regarding tactics.

There is a weath of information here on the site. And no matter how far you take it - kudos; the universe will unfold for such valuable public work.

Linda Brandon · 07-11-2006, 11:02 AM

Hi Julie, I'm really happy that you're doing this for artists in your area.

Debra is an old pro at this and immensely talented. She's said so many good things in her post.

One of the things you can also do is bring in books on Sargent, Lazlo, the great British portrait painters (the 4 Rs: Reynolds, Raeburn, Ramsey, Romney) ... and so many others of course... and show them the heights of what can be achieved by artists painting from life.

The other point you can make is that it is a huge privilege to be able to stare at somebody for hours. When do we get to do this in our lives if we're not artists? We look at our babies faces in our arms, our little children in their beds, our beloveds, and then we watch our parents faces in their deathbeds. Not on too many other occasions. Working from life exposes you to humanity in a different way than does working from photos exclusively.

Debra Jones · 07-11-2006, 12:14 PM

Hi Linda, this may turn into a dialog!

I was thinking also, as you are making a presentation and just MIGHT have only a semi-willing offspring at present, think ahead about model recruitment.

If it is clothed, you should pin notes up in art supply stores and coffee houses in the area. You need to be sure of your fees and stick to them. At SAS they have a model coordinator for the workshops who gets names and contact info for anyone who poses or offers to. Set that all up in advance, if only a form with info and a digital camera. When they say yes, get that casting call out and you may find a self generating supply of faces!

As you know, the more amateur, the more real world this is going to be for portrait painting! Overcoming the inhaling and exhaling is an education in its own right! Let the model know they are not there to be tortured and give them tips, tape like mad and let them know you appreciate them.

It is sort of a "if you build it, you better make sure they COME!" prospect so wrap your mind around all those possibilities.

AND when you have your core model group. Put fliers out in the same places to be sure it becomes a necessity to the prestige of this little art group!

Julie Deane · 07-19-2006, 01:08 PM

Linda, Mari and Debra -

Thanks so much for your help! Tomorrow is my little "talk" - wish me well....I'm recruiting a friend's daughter to sit for a demo for part of the time.

I'm advertising for student models through the local womens college. The person who supervises the job board over at our local university called to check me out to see if I was legit. Luckily, I work for the school system, plus have names of people we both know that I mentioned to allay her fears. I asked her, "If I had been a guy, this advertisement never would have been placed, would it?" And - she agreed. Guys have got plenty of reverse discrimination to overcome!