Here's another artist residency website to check out... artistcommunities.org
Many of these places offer financial help, even full scholarships. It is worth looking, especially if you would benefit from a residency. I have had one every two years since 2006 and every time my work makes a jump... not to mention all the incredible artists I meet and how good it is for my soul! (It can be tough to juggle the logistics, but everything is a trade off!)
Carmella Jarvi is an artist, teacher and entrepreneur who loves sharing her passions (water, pastel, painting, figure study and the business of art). Her business is a Division of Brushmark Studios, LLC.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Learning from rejections.
I just got a rejection letter from a teaching residency I applied to. I love teaching and have spent most of my career over the past two decades more on teaching as opposed to my art. I DO love both, but in June 2006 quit my full time HS art teacher job to finally pursue my dream of being a successful artist. But as a self employed artist, I have to seek multiple income sources and my "default" setting when I am thinking about earning money is often teaching.
What is interesting about the past four years is that usually the ONLY time my teaching gigs are successful (meaning well attended or profitable) is when folks seek me out. This has been true for both my painting and business of art "teaching". Almost every time I try to set something up myself or "make" something happen, it falls through.
Over and over again these past four years I have observed this, but old habits die hard! The great news is I am about to start a four month Affiliate Artist Residency at McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, NC. I will have four months to make more art than I could possibly manage in my small home studio space (not to mention the amazing networking opportunities)!
My primary goal during the next four months is to generate art... not to teach, not to market (although I will be doing some of this to share with others what I'm up to), not help others to reach their dreams... but to go for my own dream! I have had two one-month residencies at Vermont Studio Center in 2006 and 2008. This time, I am in my home town and will be a part of something I have dreamed of for many years... the McColl Center for Visual Art!
You can check out where I'll be and where I've been on these website links...
mccollcenter.org
vermontstudiocenter.org
Honestly, for an artist a residency can be a lifeline for both our souls and our work, itself! (And, there are many different places that fit a variety of personalities and work styles, resartis.org. Once you apply, it will get easier. Also, many places will give you honest feedback as to how your application could be more competitive!)
I guess finally I should say the difference between my recent teaching residency rejection and the MANY times I was rejected by the McColl Center is my relief at not getting the teaching one and my increased desire to apply again and again until I got into the McColl Center. Rejection can be a powerful motivator for what you really desire!
What is interesting about the past four years is that usually the ONLY time my teaching gigs are successful (meaning well attended or profitable) is when folks seek me out. This has been true for both my painting and business of art "teaching". Almost every time I try to set something up myself or "make" something happen, it falls through.
Over and over again these past four years I have observed this, but old habits die hard! The great news is I am about to start a four month Affiliate Artist Residency at McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, NC. I will have four months to make more art than I could possibly manage in my small home studio space (not to mention the amazing networking opportunities)!
My primary goal during the next four months is to generate art... not to teach, not to market (although I will be doing some of this to share with others what I'm up to), not help others to reach their dreams... but to go for my own dream! I have had two one-month residencies at Vermont Studio Center in 2006 and 2008. This time, I am in my home town and will be a part of something I have dreamed of for many years... the McColl Center for Visual Art!
You can check out where I'll be and where I've been on these website links...
mccollcenter.org
vermontstudiocenter.org
Honestly, for an artist a residency can be a lifeline for both our souls and our work, itself! (And, there are many different places that fit a variety of personalities and work styles, resartis.org. Once you apply, it will get easier. Also, many places will give you honest feedback as to how your application could be more competitive!)
I guess finally I should say the difference between my recent teaching residency rejection and the MANY times I was rejected by the McColl Center is my relief at not getting the teaching one and my increased desire to apply again and again until I got into the McColl Center. Rejection can be a powerful motivator for what you really desire!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Facebook "Carmella Jarvi" Fan Page... See inside artist's studio.
If you want to hear more from me and see more in process & studio shots, join my "Carmella Jarvi" Facebook Fan Page. I do frequent posts, especially paintings in process on the easel!
Just use fb link on my blog to check it out.
Just use fb link on my blog to check it out.
Have plan in writing.
Every artist should have their plan in writing, of some form or another. For me, I like having a full 12 month calendar on my studio wall and a big ideas, steps & goals sheet as well.
At the bottom of this picture is my spreadsheet of ideas, steps & goals for 2010... this is earlier in year.
Below is the same sheet this week. I've crossed stuff out, added more and elaborated. I can keep some ideas & plans at my forefront without getting bogged down with lots of details.
(PS... as far as a full year calendar... the time periods when I've had 12 months posted, visible & accessible have been more productive years. It also helps me to foresee my crazy points during year!)
At the bottom of this picture is my spreadsheet of ideas, steps & goals for 2010... this is earlier in year.
Below is the same sheet this week. I've crossed stuff out, added more and elaborated. I can keep some ideas & plans at my forefront without getting bogged down with lots of details.
(PS... as far as a full year calendar... the time periods when I've had 12 months posted, visible & accessible have been more productive years. It also helps me to foresee my crazy points during year!)
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