Questions about showing work

[undergroundpanther]

I have been invited to show my art at a local gallery.The gallery owner asked me if I wanted to show my stuff there when she saw me drawing..and downing expresso.
Maybe it will be in a few months.
I have been sifting through trying to decide what stuff to put in the show.I have never done this show thing before..

What do I do?

How many pictures sculptures ect. should I show? The gallery is a rather big room.Really well lit and nice.
What about some of my textiles and jewelry?
Wood sculpture paper mache and leather work?
I got drawings and paintings already.

Should I get business cards made up?
I have no clue what to charge..


Shit. Help.

A few examples of my style..
Leather

A painting

A graphic of mine that I am currently making into a quilt

[MagickMuffin]

1. I don't know the answer

as I have never been invited to have a showing. Sorry I couldn't offer any suggestions on pricing, perhaps you could ask the gallery owner if they could offer some guidance. I would think they could give you advice, after all they are wanting you to exhibit your work in their establishment. They should be able to give info about what other artist works have sold for, therefore giving you some sort of ballpark figures. Ask them if they have any examples of other artist exhibits for you to make an informed decision. Other than those suggestions I'm at a loss.

You have a great talent. I especially like your catmandala, I bet it will look awesome as a quilt.

From what you've described, you have multi-talents. I am also multi-talented, my various fields include, computer graphics, beading (right now I'm beading ornaments for my tree), jewelry design, paper making, and mosaics. The later two I'm just beginning to attempt.

I hope that someday I might get an opportunity to have an exhibit.

I also compose music, and created my first movie last year.

My movie is titled "Smoking Guns Mushroom Clouds", and it is about the lead up to the Iraq war. It uses several different techniques like morphing the Bush MisAdminisrtations heads into mushroom clouds. I use their quotes through out the movie with all the glorious lies, then there is a segment of how the world reacts to the MisAdministration's lies. My hubbie and I also worked on the soundtrack.
It is only 23:00 minutes long, but it leaves you wanting more!

Good Luck with your exhibit, and keep us posted to your progress.

[wovenpaint]

2. My 2 cents....

First of all, check with the gallery owner for advice. It's tough when you're multi-talented and have to "choose". (I know, I'm a fiber artist-and a painter-and a weaver-and love crafts, etc)

Since you were asked while you were drawing/painting, maybe that could be your focus...for now, anyway. If the gallery is big, you could show some of your best smaller pieces to complement the wall pieces. You need a good sized space to keep it from looking unfocused and cluttery. Your beautiful pieces would get "lost".

As far as pricing goes, keep in mind that galleries take a commission (usually in the 40-50% range). Look around the web, there's lots of sites that can help with getting going selling your artwork.

A couple of sites that may interest you would be www.wetcanvas.com and www.penciljack.com. There's others, too.

Remember, one step at a time, try not to feel too overwhelmed. Oh, and usually YOU'RE the one that has to search out galleries to hang your work-you're already one step ahead of the game!
Good luck! (post a photo of the quilt when you finish it!!)

[undergroundpanther]

5. Thanks will do

I get a pic of me wrapped up in it and it on my bed ok?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. Wow!!!!!!!!

I like hearing things like this. It proves the world is full of talented lovely people! I'd ask the gallery owner some of those questions. As for what to show, what are your favorite pieces?

[mopinko]

4. show a consistent body of work.

it is natural to want to show a little of everything, but don't. it really makes it much easier for people to appreciate your work if you have a focus.
definitely talk to the gallery owner about what they want, and don't assume that you will have the whole gallery to yourself. they should be able to advise you about pricing. and talk to them before you do any framing. they may be able to get a better price for you, and you will want to know what kind of prices they think are reasonable before you invest in frames.
and not to be a killjoy, but don't hold your breath. the gallery may be great, and know their clientele, and be able to sell for you. but not that many artists, or galleries make money.

but, good luck.

[undergroundpanther]

6. Thanks for all the help

I got a better idea what to do now. Thanks all of you.

Also I have to put in one sculpture. It is an egyptian styled devotional "alcove" with Sekhmet coming through it. It has a fake fire light fan thing that looks like flames that you get at any halloween store mounted on the top of the alcove roof, along with a few flame bulbed 'candles' all led through it looks like the alcove roof is ringed in flames. Concealed under her feet is a black light which makes the fluorescent painted and florescent glitter encrusted flame background behind her look glowing.

Sekhmet is sculpted in paper mache molded off my own body in wire forms(and made skinnier tho)She's life size her "alcove" is of particle board,moulding and paper mache in an obnoxious stylized Egyptian style ,inside the alcove is ringed in hidden rainbow x mas lights backed with gold ornate flame dagged hologram foil. Her mane and the sun is accented with 4 different holographic cellophanes,some swarvorski crystals, 4 holographic foils,some funky beads/findings ,modified xmas ornaments,glass, mirrors,paints etc.

She looks freaky wild because I put fake fur in strategic locations hit it with metallic paints and glitters,She has a taxidermy jaw set for a realistic mouth.She is wearing a red linen and lame' schenti,a sequined bodice(holographic gold sequins set in glitter glue to look like plate mail armor) She wears a klaft headdress with isis horns and moon fronted with a rearing cobra and ostrich plumes framing the sun in red. She is holding two swords,and her facial appearance because of the way I did it shifts hue in the shifting rainbow of the big rainbow LED light mounted and hid right above her head under the alcove roof. It's rather psychedelic And she looks kick ass in normal light too.

I'm gonna HAVE to put her in the show.

She's almost done.