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Saturday Artwalk- Not One, But Two Shows!

Posted by Amy Guidry as My Exhibitions

In an attempt to get my handful of readers out there viewing my work in person, I want to inform you of two shows I will be in this Saturday.  As you may or may not know, this Saturday- May 10th- is the 2nd Saturday Artwalk in dowtown Lafayette.  In addition to the usual gallery openings, the AcA will unveil the Southern Open 2008, their juried exhibition featuring works from 5 Gulf states.  The show was juried by Peter Frank, an art historian and art critic, who frequently writes for LA Weekly.  There were over 770 entries and 105 works were selected.  One of my paintings, “Anti-Aging,” is featured in the exhibit. 

The opening reception starts at 6, in conjunction with the Artwalk.  Peter Frank will be in attendance and is scheduled to give out awards at 7pm.  I will definitely be at the exhibit, so feel free to say hi or offer me some free porn or acne medication as do my spam fans. 

Also scheduled during the Artwalk is the Heymann Historic Ceiling Tile Project and Exhibit.  The exhibit will take place at Galerie Lafayette (located in Jefferson Street Market).  My tile, “New Realm,” will be on display.  My tile has actually already sold, but its new owner has graciously obliged to leave the tile up for the exhibit before it is shipped to its new home in Montana.  So this will be my last chance to say goodbye, and your final opportunity to see my work in person. 

I will be running back and forth between the shows and checking out the other gallery openings while I am there.  Please stop by!  Artwalk is from 6-8ish, depending on the crowds.  You can see for yourself why so many people say my work looks even better in person. 

Too Shy Shy, Hush Hush, Eye to Eye

Posted by Amy Guidry as The State of Art Today

Yes, for all of you fellow music hounds, that is from a Kajagoogoo song.  My title refers to all you shy (?) readers out there that have not left any comments or questions for me.  Don’t be shy!  What thoughts do you have concerning art- be it mine or others?  Do you have any questions?  What’s on your mind in regards to current art trends or the art market?  Let’s get a discussion going here.  I’m providing my insight on this blog, but if there’s a certain issue you’d like to get my perspective on, let me know.

For instance, one question that I seem to get a lot is how I come up with ideas for my artwork.  I think nothing of it, but perhaps this is a tough issue for other artists or maybe they’re just curious about my thought process.  To answer the question, I generally sketch tons of ideas out and pick and choose what I want to bring to fruition.  Usually once I start, I then decide on the direction I want to go in so I can create a cohesive body of work.  This means that a lot of ideas are put on the backburner.  However, I eventually get back to them and use them as is or develop them a bit further.  I used to not sketch out every idea, which was a big mistake because I know from experience that what may have seemed like a stupid concept at the time is actually a great idea.

Never throw out your sketches.  Maybe that’s the packrat in me talking, but some of my best paintings are from ideas that I almost abandoned.  Maybe they are not meant to be used at that time and will be appropriate later.  Or maybe you just need some space so that when you return to those ideas, you can work on them with a clear head.  Sometimes I have the idea, but I try working it out in different ways (all pointing in the same direction, just a different handling) so that I have several variations to choose from. 

So I think that answers the question.  If you have any others, please feel free to share them with me.  Even if it’s just to ask who’s Kajagoogoo.

It’s Finally Here!

Posted by Amy Guidry as Publicity!

The premier issue of Studio Visit Magazine has arrived…finally!  After a three month delay, the copies I had pre-ordered arrived on my doorstep.  My paintings “Out For a Run” and “Girl on Campus” were selected by juror Michael Lash, former director of the public art program for the City of Chicago.  As I had stated a few posts ago, this is the first issue of Studio Visit, a new magazine produced by The Open Studios Press of New American Paintings fame.  This time the competition was held across the country, not by region, and the work could be 2-D or 3-D, as opposed to ‘NAP’s’ 2-D-work-only policy. 

I have yet to venture out to the bookstore, but Studio Visit should be on the magazine racks by now.  There are two volumes since they decided not to make one super-huge issue.  I think splitting it in two is good for those with a short attention span anyway.  I am featured in Volume I (see photos above).  What’s nice is they are in a large paperback format, so it’s not so much a magazine as a good quality paperback.  Overall I was impressed with the work featured.  Of course there were a few I had to scratch my head over, but that’s to be expected.  In general, I think this is a great start for a new publication.  And might I also add that this is being sent out to their prestigious list of galleries, museums, and collectors.

I had also contacted one of the writers for the Times of Acadiana about this boon to our local art community.  Ashley Flanagan wrote a great piece concerning Studio Visit and the five Acadiana artists featured.  You can read it online at http://www.timesofacadiana.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080430/NEWS01/804300307/1002/NEWS01.  I will also be posting photos online from my spread in Studio Visit on my website www.AmyGuidry.com so be sure to look for those soon.

You Can’t Handle the Truth

Posted by Amy Guidry as The State of Art Today

I thought I’d surprise all my spam fans out there and write another blog.  A two for one special this week, folks!  And hey, thanks for the penis enlargement spam.  I guess that was your two-cents on my last blog?  Anyway, back to business.  I thought I should take a moment to discuss my blogs in general.  It was recently brought to my attention that maybe my blogs were a little too much for people to handle.  I’m surprised by this because I don’t think that telling it to you straight is a crime.  My efforts are directed at enlightening people on the in’s and out’s of the art world.  So many people are led to believe that art is only for the extremely wealthy or that it is only for some scholarly types with a degree in philosophy.  And then there are those who are led to believe that all art is good art and never learn to distinguish between the two. 

I believe in cutting out the crap and being real with people about my work.  Some people like my work while others are “horrified” by it.  Either way, both groups agree that my work is well-executed and professional.  And I can say this because even those who straight up tell me they disagree with my work’s content, still tell me they think it is well done.  What I DO find frustrating is when people tell me what I should paint (no thanks, if you’re so smart why don’t you do it yourself?) or they expect to pay $20 (I’m not kidding) for a painting in which the canvas ALONE costs $50, nevermind all the work involved.  That is why I feel the need to emphasize that if you expect to buy a large painting you can invest in, be proud of, what have you, then you should expect to pay around $2000 and know that the craftsmanship is worth every penny. 

So as I write these blogs week after week, I hope that my handfull of readers find this insightful and honest.  I don’t want to bore anybody to death with dry art-talk that no one understands and no one finds interesting.  If you wanted that, you could open any art history book.  Don’t get me wrong, art history is great, but none of the writing about it is ever what I consider riveting. 

Let me know what you think, people!  And if you have questions about art or buying art, bring them on.  And it better not be spam!

I Want My MTV

Posted by Amy Guidry as Publicity!

Okay, so not many of you read my blog…perhaps it’s because you’re busy watching tv?  Well, if that’s the case, you should tune in to the Real World Hollywood (Season 20- yes, it’s on now).  Not that I’m a reality tv buff, but I want you to watch and look for my painting on the wall in their house, er, set.  (They live on a movie set this season…hey, it’s Hollywood.)  I’ve only seen a few snippits online, but I’ve already spotted my painting many times.  It’s fun to look for it.  You should try it.  It’s kind of like Where’s Waldo, except without the striped shirt.  (Try guy in a canoe in the middle of the ocean wearing a blue dress shirt.) 

It’s right outside their “telephone room” which has a window, so sometimes you can even see it from in there.  And apparently the bathroom is across from there because I’ve also seen it in the reflection of the mirror.  And if you go to their “dailies” week 2, check out the clip of Dave shaving because my painting is in the background.  That’s if you notice it after noticing Dave has no clothes on…

So maybe if you would like to spare yourself the drama on that show, you could just mute it and see how many times you spot my painting.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, that piece has already sold.  Not because of the show, although one of the crew members was interested in buying it as well.  The painting is titled “United Isolation” and you can see a detailed view of it on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.  For the record, there was another painting they wanted- “Complacent”- but that was already in an exhibit at the Alexandria Museum of Art during filming.  And it hasn’t sold…yet.

Can I Get That in Blue?

Posted by Amy Guidry as The State of Art Today

So often I see people who think they are buying art when actually it is crap.  Sure, everyone has different tastes, but when I say crap, I mean this so-called art is completely lacking in technique, quality, and content.  It is unprofessional and poorly executed.  But because it is produced by someone the buyer knows or because the price is right, they buy it.  So sad.  These are the same people who also buy art because it matches their living room.  I can see it now…they are having a dinner party and showing off their “art” to the guests, and someone asks, “So Bob, what drove you to buy this particular piece?  Was it the vibrant use of color and strong composition?”  And then the art “collector” says, “No, it was because it matched the couch.”  Hmmm.  Profound, indeed.

Decorative art has no value.  Period.  I’m sure some might be nice to look at, but do you have an emotional connection?  No.  Are they or will they ever be works of any significance?  Nope.  Are your future grandchildren going to cheat each other in order to obtain these pieces from you when you’re gone?  Probably not.  So why buy them?  Why not invest your money in artwork that you can actually relate to and actually WANT to look at.  Imagine having a painting that is so significant that it causes you to stop and look at it everytime you pass by.  Each time you pause, you can see something new in it you never noticed before.  You are mesmerized by it.  It captivates you.  Decorative art doesn’t do this.  That’s why it’s so cheap.  And that’s why you can get it in a color to match your living room. 

Why the hell doesn’t anyone ever stop to think that maybe they can re-paint the damn living room.  Seriously.  Who cares if the artwork does not match your color scheme.  It would take you FAR less time to re-paint your walls to match the artwork than it did for the artist to create that piece you so love.  Artists invest way more time, money, and talent into their work than you ever will invest in slapping on a few coats of paint on your walls.  If a piece of art moves you, then buy it.  You will find a place for it.  It has already found a place in your heart (which is the toughest obstacle), so all you need to do is find a wall for it (or pedestal, easel, what have you).  And truth be told, if a piece is that spectacular (which it is), nobody will even notice if it doesn’t match your wall color because they will be too busy looking at the art. 

Now go out and buy some real art!  You can start by checking out my website if you haven’t already.  www.AmyGuidry.com

The Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side…

Posted by Amy Guidry as My Exhibitions

Okay, this sounds like a negative title for such positive news, but hang in there and I will explain.  I was recently selected as a featured artist in the premier issue of Studio Visit Magazine.  For all five of my readers who don’t know, this magazine is put out by The Open Studios Press.  They are THE publishers of New American Paintings (let’s call them NAP).  I think that’s all they publish…until now.  Anyway, artists everywhere claw each others’ eyes out trying to get into NAP.  So now they’ve come up with Studio Visit…which is a national competition, by the way, as opposed to NAP, which is by region.  And it is juried, which for the premier issue, they had Michael Lash, who is a museum and university arts consultant and former director of Public Art for City of Chicago.

So I found out about this competition and told my friend/fellow artist/art guru Troy Dugas about it.  He then passed that along and, drumroll please, FIVE of us got in!  You may be thinking big whoop, and I know my spammers could care less, but let me put it this way:  Out of nearly a thousand entries from all over the US, five artists from little old Lafayette, Louisiana got in.  And that’s out of 250 accepted artists.  And this five I refer to are:  me (Amy Guidry), Troy Dugas, Brian Guidry (no relation), Stephanie Patton, and Shawne Major.  And let me circle back around just so you can understand my title… this just goes to show you that you do not have to be a so-called “New York artist” to be recognized in the art industry.  This is a national publication, that received numerous entries from all over the country, and 5 of them live in a city who’s art community has been flying under the radar for the most part. 

I find it amusing how many people raise their eyebrows and look utterly shocked when I tell them that not only am I an artist (which garners very little reaction) but I show my work nationally (this is where the shock sets in).  Why is that hard to understand?  Have people not heard of FedEx?  UPS?  How the hell do they think artwork gets around?  If I limited myself to only showing where I live, I’d be crippling my art career.  How else do you market yourself? 

Now, I’m sure that that is not what most people are concerned with.  Most of them are probably not scratching their heads as to how my work physically went from point A to point B.  What they are most concerned with is how someone “on the outside” saw my work and had the desire to bring it to their gallery, home, etc.  And which city and/or state is also of great importance to these people.  When I tell them I’ve shown in Texas, I get nods of approval, but when I tell them I’ve shown in New York, they light up like Christmas trees. 

Right about now some of you are feeling a bit embarrassed or pissed that I’d write this, but that is not my intent.  What I would like people to understand is that all accomplishments artists make are exactly that, accomplishments.  So if someone says they showed their work in a basement to their neighbors or they say they showed their work at MoMA, you should applaud them either way.  Because they had the courage and the talent to create a body of work and put it out there for people to see.  And it doesn’t matter where they live, either, because there are galleries all over the country and world, for that matter, that show some of the most amazing art you’ll ever see.  So how can you possibly limit talent to one zipcode?  And why would you want to?  Be proud that your local artist lives in your city, bringing in business and providing your area with art and culture.     

That said, I hope that you are interested enough to check out Studio Visit.  It will be available at all major bookstores this month…roughly April 15th…depending on any shipping delays.  You can check them out at www.studiovisitmagazine.com, but obviously the premier issue will not be online yet.  Also, if you’d like to check out this local gal’s work, you can go to my website www.AmyGuidry.com.   

The Artist Formerly Known as Prints

Posted by Amy Guidry as The State of Art Today

If you are an artist, it seems that everyone assumes that you do prints.  I don’t understand the purpose of prints.  First, they are not prints in the true definition of the word.  Prints are made through printmaking processes and after a series of prints is finished, the printed plate, stone, etc. is destroyed.  Hence the term “limited edition.”  This is not true of a digital reproduction which can be mass produced at any old time and by anyone in possession of your digital image.  And let’s not forget that a digital reproduction will not last very long depending on the type of ink used and its UV resistance.

 That said, if you want to buy a print, it should be of one of the Masters’ works.  Let’s face it, you won’t be buying any Van Gogh’s anytime soon.  So if you are like the majority of people who will never afford one of his originals (or Rembrandt, or Picasso, etc.) then you should buy a print.  On the other hand, there are many living artists’ work that is much more affordable.  And the bonus- THEY’RE ORIGINALS!  You’re getting a better deal if you buy the original (SOLE piece!) as opposed to a mass produced “print” (I use that term loosely- as stated above) that is very expensive for what it is.  Let’s compare:  You pay $300 for a print that anyone and their grandma may own.  OR you pay $1500 for the original.  More than likely, there will be 200 of these prints floating around.  If you divided 200 into the $1500 value of the painting, you get 7.50.  Clearly you will not see a print that cheap, but just to say, you are paying 300 bucks for something that everyone else has.  Or you could buy the original and be the sole owner.  And you’d have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase is worth that amount of money because the artist put their time, talent, and supplies into the creation of said purchase.  Think about it: You now own someone’s intellectual property.  Do you think Kinko’s put that much effort into creating an overpriced print (i.e. reproduction)? 

Investing in Art

Posted by Amy Guidry as The State of Art Today

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever:  Its loveliness increases; and it will never pass into nothingness.”- John Keats

I wanted to expand upon my last entry on the investment potential of art.  So, for anyone who actually read my last entry, you might enjoy this.  Unfortunately, I think I am only providing entertainment for spammers.  (For all you spammers, I appreciate your efforts to spice up my blog with your sex comments, but I am not interested in viagra, porn, or your other offers.)  Anyway, for all (6?) of my readers, forget investing in the sex industry.  Invest in art.  How, you may ask?  Well, according to ”Art Dealer’s Field Guide,” you should “consider starting with at least $2,500 or $3,500, better yet $5,000, $10,000, or more.”  Anyone just entering the art investment world should plan on spending at least $2,000 on a painting.  You should plan on keeping your painting for about 5-7 years before selling to cover for the economic cycle (once it peaks again) and for your painting to yield maximum profit.

If you are still unsure if you want to give up viagra or fake Rolexes just yet, consider this: even after one year, an investor can sell a painting and yield a profit.  Albeit, a smaller profit than if you wait 5 years to sell, but a profit nonetheless.

So what do you look for in art?  Well, as stated in “Art Dealer’s Field Guide,” it is “better to buy the best quality of second-tier artists than poor quality of first-tier artists.”  So, instead of buying Monet’s dogs playing poker paintings (I’m sure they exist, we’ll just never see them because they would tarnish his reputation), you would be better off buying a fabu piece by a lesser known artist…oh, I don’t know, say like me!  (Amy Guidry, Fake Rolex guy!  Pay attention!) You should also look for “works with excellent physical and artistic characteristics such as high quality workmanship (check!), condition that is very good to excellent (check!), and full size, 24″ x 36″- big is better than small, generally (check!  No jokes, Penis Enlargement Spammer!)  So what this all boils down to is: BUY MY WORK!  Seriously, though, my work more than meets all these requirements.  I have the resume and exhibition history to prove it. 

Hey, all you spammers are trying to sell me something, it’s only right that I can sell you on my work while I’m here.