Keiko Stong Artist's Blog
Art communicates emotionsArchive for April, 2010
That’s my painting!
“That’s my painting!”
Copyright © Keiko Stong Artist 2010
My earliest memory related to art goes back to elementary school. I’m not sure exactly which grade, but it was second or third. We were given a drawing assignment and the whole class was hard at work creating their artistic statements. I don’t remember what we were using, whether we had crayons or colored pencils.
My piece was a geometric pattern, with many colors. Perhaps representing the beautiful kimono girls and women wore on special holidays? When done, we turned our artwork into the teacher.
Our school, Kikuma Shogakko (Kikuma Elementary) was in a large wooden building. The entrance consisted of a tall foyer, with stairs leading to an upper hallway and floor.
A couple of days later, I arrived at school as usual. I glanced up. In the hallway, high above, there were several pieces of art. I stopped and stared. My heart started to pound and I was so surprised and so happy. There, among a few other pictures selected from my class, was my geometric pattern. I was filled with a wonderful, warm feeling. I didn’t know why my teacher picked the ones he had, but I was bursting with happiness as I thought,
“That’s my painting!”
Keiko
Keiko Stong
E-mail: keikostong55@hotmail.com
Blog #: 10-04-16
“Art communicates emotion.”
A Less Mysterious World of Art as a Business
A Less Mysterious World of Art as a Business
Copyright © Keiko Stong Artist 2010
Continuing with the “Mysterious World of Art as a Business,” I have a question. Is the ideal situation for an artist to be able to create art for the world—and have it be their sole source of livelihood? If so, that’s where art and business/finance intersect (some would say “collide”).
As Keiko points out there are collaborations around the world between sponsors (those who put up the money) and art. There have been such globally famous art work in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, France, the U.S. and others.
Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t learned very much about the ins-&-outs of the business-side of art. However, as Keiko continues her artist journey, we are learning more and more. As we learn, why not share? Here are some ideas:
● Marketing tips
(how many people know your art?)
● Communication
(how do people hear about you?)
● Common Look & Feel
(Are artists supposed to be consistent?)
● Brand ME!
(what’s your market image?)
● Shows, Exhibitions, & Festivals
● Financial tips
(“tips” as in “suggestions” or “ideas”)
● Art as a Business
● Denizens of the Art World
For example, Keiko mentions that
“Art (like any other merchandise) will intersect with business wherever buyers and sellers exchange money and items.”
Next month, I’ll blog on one of these areas. I’ll let my creative side pick which one…unless anybody has a better idea.
Bill
William A. Stong
Telephone: 925-202-6244
E-mail: william.a.stong@gmail.com
Blog #: 10-04-015
“Art communicates emotion.”
Local Art Shows
Local Art Shows
Copyright © Keiko Stong Artist 2010
Somewhat at the last minute, I am able to display paintings over the next few weeks.
Info Desk: PH Library
First, half of the “Tropical Tastes” show at the Pleasant Hill Central Library will continue for the month of April 2010. The space is being shared with another Las Juntas artist, whose painters are in the library’s reference room. My watercolors will remain in the main room until April 30th.
The other show will be the Las Juntas Artists’ John Muir Medical Center ART SHOW:
From: April 10, 2010
To: May 14, 2010
Location: John Muir Medical Center
Aspen Surgery Center
Walnut Creek, California
(see detailed access directions below)
For this show, I am displaying two oils:
1. “River Rest” from my waterscape series (has been exhibited elsewhere)
2. “Pandora’s Box”
Detail: Pandora's Box
“Pandora’s Box” is a new painting, pushing pattern-painting and the Japanese mon (family crests) just a little bit further. My husband said it will attract attention because, from a “western” sense, the pentagons are “upside down”—that is, they have their points facing down. I don’t know whether that is true…he doesn’t really understand art.
I hope you enjoy these.
Keiko
Keiko Stong
E-mail: keikostong55@hotmail.com
Blog #: 10-04-014
“Art communicates emotion.”
Pandora's Box
P.S. The location of the John Muir Show:
The show spans the main corridor on the ground floor of the Aspen Surgery Center. To visit,
● Enter the John Muir complex from La Casa road
● Park in their brand new parking structure
● Take the “center-of-the-building” elevator to the ground floor
Note: you can take the elevators at the ends of the garage, of course, but directions for getting to the exhibition corridor will be a little different.
● Exit the elevators and head away from the entrance
● The corridor is covered with art in both directions
The show has paintings in various media from Las Juntas artists.
