Tales From the Homestead

Share this post

Visual Art Newsy News

garymackender.substack.com

Visual Art Newsy News

Sometimes You’re the Bug…

Gary Mackender
May 23, 2023
3
Share
Share this post

Visual Art Newsy News

garymackender.substack.com

As a working artist you have to pay to play. Many galleries these days hold open submissions for ‘themed’ shows and charge an entry fee, usually anywhere from 30-45 bones. You toss the dice, see what comes up. Unless they stumble across your work and love it, there’s little chance of gaining a broader audience. (Very similar to hocking your songs for TeeVee and film work)

I wanted to shove my proverbial foot in the door to a certain gallery in Los Angeles and what I thought was the perfect match-up presented itself 5 months or so ago to make some pieces that fit both my criteria and theirs. The directions were simple: All artworks need to be 12 x 12 inches (including frame size) will be accepted. 3D work must be 12″ or smaller in its longest direction.

So starting in late January I made/created/assembled/whipped-into-shape the three pieces below:

California Folded Shirt, Mixed Media, 12 x 12 x 2, 2023
California Folded Shirt, Mixed Media, 12 x 12 x 2, 2023
Flaxen Folded Shirt, Mixed Media, 12 x 11.5 x 2.5, 2023
Flaxen Folded Shirt, Mixed Media, 12 x 11.5 x 2.5, 2023
Las Vegas Folded Camp, Mixed Media, 12 x 11.5 x 2, 2023
Las Vegas Folded Camp, Mixed Media, 12 x 11.5 x 2, 2023

“I regret to inform you that your artwork was not selected for this year's edition. The gallery had over 900+ artists with 2,300 image submissions, and selecting paintings and sculptures was challenging, given the strength of all the artist's portfolios.“ I know rent is high in LA but they did bring in over $40,000 in entry fees. Hmmm, I think I’ll open a gallery…

On the bright side…

…over the weekend I got mailbox money, a check from my gallery in Pittsburgh, and was hired through SoundBetter to record a couple accordion parts for a client.

Speaking of accordion parts, it’s time to do a bit of woodshedding for the Morpholinos gig this Thursday at Monterey Court. Hit at 6:30, y’all!

And now…

3
Share
Share this post

Visual Art Newsy News

garymackender.substack.com
Comments
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Gary Mackender
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing