I was on such a creative roll last weekend, that I wrote this week's blog seven days ago. My husband and I were returning from one of his photo shoot engagements and I chanced stopping into another artists gallery which, until that day, was "never open". Lo and behold, as we approached the old green building, a big "OPEN" flag was waving in the afternoon sea breeze. Dave and I entered this fellow artists gallery, and we were greeted by the artist himself. He was very laid back and personable - which was a real plus. Most people know that artists love to create but usually can't stand to sell and/or market themselves, so personality can be a slippery slope with artists and especially painters. I've been meaning to talk to him about his business, not necessarily his art - even more slippery. I was curious to know how he made a living - he was on a state highway where the speed limit was 50mph past his gallery. Foot traffic is non-existent. He was only open in the summer, and whenever I drove by, his establishment was never open. Was he just another wealthy retiree, (no offense to my readers who are wealthy and retired), who had money to burn on his "hobby"? The reason for all these questions, is that my husband and I are in the process of building, (very slowly but surely), a house that is not in a downtown area. It is much more rural. Would I be able to make a living with my gallery in that setting - much like his?First off, he thanked us for stopping by - a very good start. Then he told me that his gallery hours are 10-5 daily from mid July to mid September. All other times by chance. He does go back to Kentucky for the winter and most of the spring. He also weaved a short story about how he has been an artist for almost his entire life, (he is now 75 years old), and taught art in college after he graduated from college. It took him a number of years, but he was finally able to branch out on his own. He's also co-authored several books about his works as well as his creative process. I asked my questions point blank, still being a little nervous; "Do you make a living?"
"Well," he replied, "I'm not to disclose how much I make a year, but yes - I do make a good living." Most of his paintings sold for at least a few thousand dollars and some for even as high as $70,000. Two paintings were already boxed up and ready for shipment. He had four more to package up. I guess he does make a living. I also asked what percentage he sold locally and he responded it was quite low. About 90% of his works are sold to customers who have read about him in a magazine, or through his website, or some other avenue. "I sell very little locally - in order to make a living, I must sell worldwide," he finished.Dave and I took our time walking around his gallery. This particular artist paints in watercolor as well as egg tempura. Oil painting is completely different, and that's a good thing. His colors are somber, mine are not, and that's okay. His style is realism. Mine is all over the place... and I like it that way. I am not about any particular shape, form, color, subject, although I do have a single creative process. I'm still young, vital, alive, and bursting with energy.
I've looked at my works over the past 30+ years and sometimes I can't seem to tell who created them even though my name is on all of them. My husband tells me, the same process occurs with his photography; our style will change. Our influences will still be present in some way, but our works will change. This is because we are improving, growing, learning. I wonder if this is true, because I've painted realism, abstracts, and expressionism that lies smack dab in between. Others tell me, "Paint what you love!" Big problem - I love everything! I love the ocean, flowers, sunrises, sunsets, old barns, you name it. And there lies the deeper question - who exactly is Jill Langdon and what does she paint? One artist on Main Street in our fair city told me he was painting "abstract in reality." Hmm... I wonder what that would look like?
Lately, I've been working on 7"x10" abstracts painted with gouache. I've been painting one a day since September. I still plan to paint more through November and into December. Starting in January and going through mid-February, I'll be working on a sketchbook project for the library collection that's in Brooklyn New York. At this juncture, I have no clue how all this will come together. My colors verses real life? Where do I end and the paintings begin? Can they stand alone? I am the cheese.I paint because I was born to paint! I absolutely love what I do. I honestly don't care about the money, even though I would love to make more of it through my art. However, I have to be good with my art, as well as myself, regardless if I make $100,000 a year or not. If I'm no good with it, I'm no good without it. Another idea I've been batting around is to complete 10,000 paintings during the rest of my lifetime. Only time will tell, one day at a time. Will there be a method to my madness? How will I be able to find me? And how will I know it is in fact me? Light and beauty are my signposts. Onward I go into this journey, one brushstroke after another.
Until next time,
Methodically,
Me
P.S. I need a gallery again! Throughout the blog are various shots taken at galleries over the years.
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