Category Archives: Business Resources

Small Plates

To me, the half the fun of tapas – or a pre-Covid cocktail party with lots of different appetizers – is the variety of small plates one can sample. Most weeks, my time in the studio mirrors that approach – a little bit of this and a little bit of that filling up the hours. In that spirit, here are a few so-called “tastes” of what’s been swimming in my head these past couple of weeks.

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First, my big news is that the Fall Issue of the Surface Design Journal is now out. Every autumn SDA publishes an International Exhibition in Print. This year’s show, “From Confrontation to Catharsis,” feels both relatable and personal. The diverse scope of work exhibited addresses many of the overwhelming challenges of 2020. As I read each artist’s statement, the word that often comes to mind is “fragile”. So much of the work is a commentary on fragility: of our systems, our planet, our connections, our history, and even our human-ness.

SDA Journal Page

However, in viewing the show, one can’t help but also be reminded that there is empowerment and strength in expression, and as such there is an underlying sense of hope that resides with these works.
I am gratified and honored that “Until the Bitterness Passes”, one of my shibori houses from last year, was selected to be included.

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It’s Inktober!
While I haven’t followed every prompt set out this year, I have enjoyed interpreting of a handful of them. Here are just a few.

Another perk of the project is it’s great for filling up those last few straggling pages in one’s sketchbooks.

I have 4 different colors of ink on hand and Inktober has been an opportunity to experiment with them — supplementing with a tiny bit of watercolor when a different color is needed.

It also gave me an excuse to go ahead and purchase my new favorite under-$10 art supply (does one really need an excuse to buy art supplies?): a porcelain petal palette. It’s a great tool for mixing numerous values of ink all at once.

Porcelain Petal Palette

Oh, and speaking of cheap supplies, check out my new water jug! It’s a creamer that I found and snapped up this summer for just this purpose – also less than $10. The spout is brilliant for wiping the extra water off one’s brush before dipping it back into the ink. Now I wish that I’d also gotten the creamer from the black set since I usually have two water containers going at once, one for dirty and one for (relatively) clean water.

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Meanwhile, I’ve been puzzling my way through the shibori/embroidered “letter from home” I showed you last time. Surprisingly, the mussel shell was a snap to realize, but figuring out what to do with the envelope has been an unexpected challenge (lots of stitches sewn and then picked out). Next post I’ll write more about my discoveries and process along the way, but in the meantime I have some experimenting to do in order to figure out how to approach the dyed pattern in relation to the central shape – as well as what overall finished size/shape to use.

©2021 Elizabeth Fram, Stitched-resist dye and embroidery on silk, approx. 12 x 16 inches I think I’m going frame this one like this. Allowing the area without pattern to show provides a much needed sense of balance to the piece as a whole.

Framing will be part of that consideration. Unlike in this piece, which I dove into without finished dimensions in mind, I need to plan ahead so I don’t back myself into a corner.

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I get a lot out of James Cleary’s 3-2-1 Newsletter; it’s a short and sweet shot in the arm each Thursday. The list below was particularly resonate. Maybe for you too?

How to Build a Career in 7 Steps:
1. Do great work
2. Share it publicly
3. Cold email people 2 steps ahead of you
4. Talk about your work and trade ideas
5. Host events and meet in-person
6. Become friends
7. Rise together

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I get just as much of a lift from the beauty of my garden in fall as I do in spring and summer. While the colors are a bit more nuanced, they’re just as striking. Did you happen to read the NYTimes article “Take a Walk in the Garden Before It’s Too Late“?

With that in mind, my Instagram recommendation this time is @pottersarms, whose images of flowers, often in various states of decay, are quite lovely and somehow momentous.

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And finally, to bring you full circle, the next time you’re in Asheville, NC consider a meal at Cúrate – a tapas bar that will satisfy any yen for delicious variety.

One Thing Leads to Another

Alyson Stanfield > Beyond the Studio podcast > Andrew Simonet > Artists U > Making Your Life as an Artist

A huge thank you to Alyson Stanfield of Art Biz Success, who recently put out a call to her Facebook connections for recommendations of podcasts and audio books, and then shared the link to the responses with her newsletter subscribers. I felt like I’d won the lottery in unearthing this treasure trove of new (to me) artist-recommended podcasts to listen to and to learn from while I work. After subscribing to about a dozen(!) of them, I struck gold with the very first episode I heard.

Artists Amanda Adams and Nicole Mueller state that their mission for their podcast, Beyond the Studio, is to help figure out the business of being an artist by “div(ing) deep into the work that happens beyond the studio”. I went back to the beginning of their archives and listened to their inaugural bookclub episode with Andrew Simonet. Simonet was a moderately successful (his words, not mine) choreographer and theater director for more than 2 decades and has transitioned into becoming an author as well. He knows something about the challenges of creative work.

Pennsylvania Peach ©2019 Elizabeth Fram, Ink and colored pencil on paper, 11 x 8.5 inches Like colors seem to have a way of seeking each other out. The cover of this recent issue of Art & Antiques magazine could have been designed to pair with this peach at its peak ripeness and the cheerful summer napkin that kept its juice off my chin as soon as this drawing was finished.

Along the way, he founded Artists U which is based in Philadelphia and is “an incubator for changing the working conditions of artists”. The goal of Artists U is to help artists build a sustainable life and practice. I encourage you to go to the site to read more about them, and then, without delay, download the free book and workbook Making Your Life as an Artist. I don’t care what discipline you work in, this is one of the best, short reads/resources for moving forward with your work that I have come across to date.

One thing definitely leads to another, and the generosity of information-sharing lifts us all.
So with that in mind…pass it on!

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This week My First Peony made its way back from it’s 3+ year stint at the US Embassy in Riga, Latvia, where it was part of the Art in Embassies program. It came back in perfect condition, wrapped exactly as instructed (an occurrence that, unfortunately, rarely happens when work returns from venues far and wide). I feel privileged, especially at this point in history, to be a part of a program that values artwork for its ambassadorial capacity.
If only this piece could talk…

Are You Ready for 2017?

In preparing to turn the page from the old year to the new, I like to use this week between holidays to get myself organized. I think it’s a really healthy exercise to go back over the events of the past 12 months in order to take stock of both the accomplishments and the areas where I want/need to concentrate more effort in the year ahead. In addition, if I can get a leg up on some preparatory computer tasks, such as clearing out obsolete files, setting up new folders, and outlining my goals for 2017 in a somewhat organized way, it’s then possible to jump right into my routine on January 2 with a sense of control and purpose. It may be something of an illusion, but I like the feeling of getting a fresh start.

2016 brought with it the discovery of some wonderfully useful tools, many of which I have shared in this blog. As the year closes out, here is a short list of three more gems that I hope might add some value to your practice going forward. They have all helped me to feel more organized and better equipped, resulting in more time to make art…and isn’t that what we all want?

Amy Lynn Andrews’ Knowtbook: Last June, in my post A Worthwhile Plunge, I recommended Amy as a fabulous resource when starting a blog. She shares an amazing amount of information for free on her website, blog, and in her weekly Useletter, but this fall I decided it was time to invest in her $24 “Knowtbook”. It is essentially a reference manual comprised of her extensive notes on a ton of online information, including the finer details of creating a website, understanding traffic and SEO, social media, networking, time management and productivity. Straight talk delivered to you via Workflowy (see below), it really is her notebook, so you continue to receive her changes and updates in real time, at no extra cost to you.

WorkFlowy: If you are a list maker this is an unbelievably convenient and easy way to keep on top of all your lists, in one place and accessible online from any device. I guess the one downside is that you need to be connected in order to make any additions or changes, but everything can be easily printed if you choose. I’ve found it’s extremely handy for staying on top of tasks, especially when I’m already at the computer and ideas / items pop up.

Bullet Journal: Admittedly I use several different platforms (Asana, Evernote, Workflowy) to keep myself organized in a big-picture kind of way, but so far the Bullet Journal, “the analog system for the digital age”, has absolutely been the most successful way for me to stay on top of my daily/weekly tasks. You don’t have to buy anything — although you have that option. I started one last March with an old notebook filled with graph paper and it continues to work perfectly. Once you get a handle on the basic theory, you’ll see that it is completely customizable. It’s made a huge difference for me and, while I continue to juggle more than I probably should, it has kept me on the straight and narrow and I find less things fall through the cracks now.

And finally, a cherry on top for the avid reader:

Modern Mrs. Darcy: I was so happy to stumble upon this blog last week! It was the perfect discovery during the holidays, or anytime for that matter, when you’re in the mood for finding a good book. It’s kind of like the semi-annual NPR books shows that feature booksellers from all over the country. The reading lists and recommendations inspired me to map out a list for 2017. Can’t wait to get started!

Were there any systems that you adopted in 2016 that made your life easier/more productive? Personal experience is the best reference, so please share your feedback.

As always, thank you for joining me here at Eye of the Needle; I appreciate your time and ideas! Happy New Year…may it be one of your best.

Behind the Scenes

I am always on the look-out for ways to be more efficient and often wonder how other artists, who don’t have assistants, manage to pull together all the loose threads that make up their practice. Unfortunately, most of the artists’ blogs I follow neglect to cover the nuts and bolts of their approach to the business side of their work. They announce their upcoming shows, but what I’d selfishly like to know more about – beyond artistic process – is how they juggle the behind-the-scenes details that lead up to an exhibition. Admittedly, not a very glamorous topic, but an important one.

Figuring out how to organize my time is one of my greatest challenges. As the fall season gets underway I’m definitely feeling the push to start checking off all the business-y things I let slide over the summer, meaning I have some serious computer hours in front of me. Website updates, adding a gallery page to this blog, rewriting statements and researching social media are just a few of the many items on my to-do list. Add to that the exhibition possibilities that seem to sprout like weeds after Labor Day and I begin to feel overwhelmed. How to get it all done?

Other than those who are directly involved, I doubt many of the art-viewing public are aware of the time-consuming steps that go into getting one’s work seen. Deciding which opportunities to pursue, which pieces to submit where, gathering and providing all necessary supporting materials (to the the exact specifications requested by each show organizer…wouldn’t it be nice if it were a uniform process across the board?), all take up a surprising amount of time and are just one more faction of getting our work out into the world. In fact, I just spent the better part of an hour and a half crafting a 96-word statement, which seems absolutely crazy as I write this, but I know I will get plenty of mileage from it in the future and so I consider the time well spent.

Are you struggling with how to keep all these balls in the air too? This week I found a couple of resources that I’d like to share that I hope will be useful and perhaps help us all make smart and time-saving decisions as we move forward.

First, whenever I have a business question or am looking for ideas and solutions, I always start with Alyson Stanfield. Her checklist in two parts for assessing juried exhibitions is well-worth reading (and rereading from time to time) when deciding whether or not a particular show is the best venue for you and worthy of your time and energy.

Secondly, I just learned yesterday about Katherine Tyrrell’s Art Business Info. for Artists website — and can’t wait to delve into what looks like an absolute treasure trove of information. She is an incredible resource — save the link!

Finally, nothing beats the personal, homegrown solutions that are born out of necessity. What have you discovered that helps you balance the business vs art sides of your practice? Please share your best hint!

Interpreting the Surface

I first discovered the Surface Design Association through their journal in 1996. The bold cover of that issue immediately grabbed my attention — a close-up of irregularly shaped, hand-dyed fabrics overlaid with a web of machine stitching. The only words were the heading “SURFACE” and the small subtitle “Quilts”.

Flipping through the pages, the breadth of articles and the quality of images hooked me right away.

Elizabeth Fram

Having completed my first “art quilt” three years before, I was in full-on learning mode and constantly on the lookout for more information about other artists and potential processes.

Karen Kamenetzky

Since I was just beginning to find my way as an artist, it was a thrill find a publication that was the product of an organization whose stated mission was “to provide leadership in the field of surface design by:

stimulating…professional opportunities and education
improving communication…among artists, designers, educators and industry
acting as a resource to people seeking access to galleries, studios, workshops, small business and education
supporting and encouraging exhibition opportunities
providing a forum for exchange and evolution of ideas…”

Marilyn Gillis

My education in surface design began in earnest with the purchase of that journal and, almost 20 years later, I am ever-grateful for the way SDA has come through for me on all the bullet points above.

Rosalind Daniels

But above and beyond that, it is the people I have met through SDA that have been the ultimate benefit. As an international organization, its reach is far and wide, so exposure to what is happening globally is fantastic. But closer to home, both the critique groups I’ve joined since the mid-90’s have included other SDA members, so I think of SDA as a great source of connection for sharing both knowledge and friendship.

Karen Henderson

Currently I am enjoying being part of a show appropriately entitled Interpreting the Surface at the Furchgotte Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne, VT, along with seven other Vermont SDA members.

Catherine Hall

The variety and scope of the work speaks for itself. These images represent a selection from each artist.

Dianne Shullenberger

I hope that if you are within driving distance, you will go to check out the show in person. My photos don’t begin to do justice to the beauty and details of these works, which can only be fully appreciated “in the flesh”.

Jackie Abrams

In case you live too far away or don’t have the opportunity to see the show before it closes on May 26, here is a link to the review that recently appeared in 7 Days.

Elizabeth Fram

It’s Not Just About the Art

I have just finished installing a solo show of two dozen pieces entitled COLOR|stories. It will run from March 1st – 29th. The venue is a lovely, spare, New England church; beautiful in its simplicity. It boasts colorful stained glass without iconography, that glows in the sunlight. The sanctuary is bright, large, and open, with light-colored woodwork and walls. It is a peaceful and contemplative space and I am pleased that my work will hang where people can sit with it and hopefully grow comfortable in its presence.

This exhibition is part of the new Meetinghouse Arts project, spearheaded by painter Torrey Carroll Smith, with the goal of providing opportunities for local residents to see more art and for local artists to share their work. As with the River of Light Lantern Parade that I described in a previous post, it’s another instance of community action at its best.

Since I was first approached, the past 15 weeks or so have been carefully mapped-out in order to be sure that I thoughtfully and thoroughly covered all bases, in addition to completing other work that was already in progress and promised for an earlier date.

In that light, I guess it would be expected that I elaborate about the work exhibited, its making, or even the theme surrounding the pieces included — a few of which I am highlighting here. But instead, I would like to give a nod to the nuts and bolts of the business side of things, the behind-the-scenes process that makes a public presentation of one’s work possible, bolstered by resources that help teach how to pull it off.

When I was in college, I don’t remember any discussion at all about the business of being an artist. Absolutely zero. In my naiveté, I don’t know what I expected — I’m not sure I even thought much about it. In hindsight, I was lucky that I could find jobs that were at least creatively-oriented and which taught me a lot that still has relevance today.

Since then it’s taken a lot of hard work, countless hours of reading and research, and the assistance of many invaluable resources, including fellow-artists who have generously shared their knowledge, to get to a place where I feel as though I have at least a modest handle on how to proceed in promoting my work. I strongly feel that it’s imperative to be able to reliably meet the requirements of those who are organizing any show. Not only does this make their end of things as easy as possible, but it also ultimately enhances the chance that my work will be presented in the best possible light.

To that end, I’d like to share a few of my favorite, go-to resources in the hope that one or more of them might smooth the way to your next show or, at the very least, provide you with another set of references to balance those you already have.

1. Alyson Stanfield — An unsurpassed reference for any artist looking to learn more and improve business practices. The scope of what she covers through her website, blog, e-classes, workshops and lectures is vast. Her book I’d Rather Be in the Studio is a must-read.

2. Several books that I return to regularly for advice on all sorts of business questions: The Artists’ Survival Manual by Toby Judith Klayman with Cobbett Steinberg, How to Survive & Prosper as an Artist by Caroll Michels, Taking the Leap by Cay Lang, and A Life in the Arts by Eric Maisel, Ph.D.

3. Hire a professional photographer or get to know your camera really well. Read its manual, practice a lot, and read as much as you can about photographing art so that you get it right. This article helped has me tremendously.

4. Gloria Hansen’s Digital Essentials. Well written and easy to read, I refer to this book time and again for photo editing information and advice. (It’s not just for quilt makers.)

5. If you belong to an organization such as SAQA or Surface Design Association, make use of their resources! They provide all sorts of professional support, easily accessible through their websites and/or area reps.

Finally, if you are near Waterbury, VT in March, please stop in to see COLOR|stories. Even better, sit down with your thoughts and relax into your surroundings. I’d love to hear what you think.

Waterbury Congregational Church ・8 North Main St. ・Waterbury, VT 05676 Open to the public Tuesdays thru Fridays, 8:30am to 4:30pm