Tent Disaster Averted

I was getting ready for an art fair, so I figured I would set up the tent just to be sure everything was a-ok.  And it is a good thing I did because I discovered a broken truss! 

I called the tent company immediately to order a replacement 
but that part was on back order for 3 weeks! 

 That wasn't going to do -- I was going to use it in less than 2 weeks.  

I considered the universal fix-all, duct tape, but that didn't seem like it would really work.

My handy assistant (aka husband) came to my rescue!

He comes up with the idea for an insert as a solution. 

That might work!

He starts to work taking apart a joint. 

He puts the insert in and tightens it down.

A close up of the insert.

 Then he puts a screw under it so it can't slide away. 

 He has lots of tools.  He's my hero!

And it works!  It is all together and ready to go!

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Getting' Ready for the Art Fair!

What is getting ready for an art fair like? Here are scenes from my studio -- stacks and stacks of art works!  I have tubs full of framed works, baskets filled with works on paper, a "flip" bin with figurative work, cardboard boxes with larger paintings and the portable "office" is ready to go.  I run around for days wrapping and sorting and planning and packing. And I haven't even started getting my tent equipment together.  I am get excited as the dates for the art fair close in!  And, a little nervous.  I hope all goes well.  And that I see some friends.

 I bring a flip bin with colorful life drawings, sketches, studies and finished works. 

 This basket has framed and unframed works of paintings of cakes, pies and other good things.

 Monotypes and studies are in this basket.  

 This basket has mostly painted sketches and studies. The tub underneath holds framed work. The tub keeps everything dry in case of rain.

 Larger paintings go into cardboard boxes for protection.

Here is my portable "office." It has everything you might have on your desk!

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Sketches and Studies

I enjoy doing sketches and studies as they allow the freedom to experiment with different colors, styles or media in a shorter time frame. While on a recent visit to Arizona, I took some time to "play" with my new oil pastels. The result is a study of flowers sitting on a patio table. There are two very distinct versions. One, of course, if more traditional and approaches realism.  The other is more abstract with no intention toward realism and features invented colors and sharp angles. Yet, they are same flowers!!  Do you have a preference for one over the other?  Feel free to leave a comment.

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

Grand Fruit Tart "Refreshed"

I first painted Grand Fruit Tart in 2009.  I was pleased with it and It was well received by viewers. Recently, however, I decided it needed some more punch so I decided to add more painting to it.  Here is the before painting and the after painting.  I think it is very much improved, don't you? 

Before                                                               

After 

Grand Fruit Tart measures 20"x24" and is created with acrylic paint and media on board.  It is currently framed with a black contemporary frame. You can click on either image for a larger view. 

Go to the Fresh From The Studio store now

After Wayne Theibaud

Dreaming of Pie, 11"x14", acrylic, $400, © B. Sistak Baur

It may not surprise you to learn that when people see my art, they often compare it to the work of Wayne Thiebaud (pronounced "tee-bo").  He begain his career in the art world in the 1950's with paintings of … cakes!  And pies and delicatessens and ice cream and gumball machines, etc. Sound familiar? No, I didn't see his work and decide to try it for myself. It was after I started my own pastry series that I thought I should take a closer look at Thiebaud.  Here is what I found: strong, cool shadows; repetition of strong shapes; thick paint; receding images; simple backgrounds. So I thought I might inject a little bit more of "Thiebaud-ism" into a piece of work and see what happens. The result is "Deaming of Pie." Of course, there are  obvious differences: mine is more abstract, the background is undulating and the pies seem to be the floating. The similarities include the repeated items, the strong texture, shadows and the perspective gained by diminishing size. Okay, so what do you think? Does it remind you more of Thiebaud?  By the way, Wayne Thiebaud continues to work in San Fransciso today. Here is a recent video from YouTube.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

3 Little Cakes Explore New Combinations

Painters have favorite subjects that they return to time and time again. Georgia O'Keefe painted a mountain in New Mexico dozens of times. Wayne Thiebaud painted delicatessens over and over. For me, it has been these three cakes. I have executed paintings of these cakes on several occasions. These are among the smallest, just 8"x7" each (the frames add a couple of inches on each side). Does that mean they are copies of previous paintings? Absolutely not. Each is it own original with its specific aspects. These cakes may look chocolaty-brown, but they come from a red base. The background is high contrast with much white. The suggestion of a rack is impasto (very thick paint) like the cakes. Their size, diminutive. This combination of traits is unique to this group.

Why are painters drawn to subjects over and over? I think it is because they sense the depth of possibilities and are not finished exploring them. Is there another new color combination to try? Is the light different this time? How far can the lights and darks be pushed? Eventually, I will be done. I think I might be now.  --Barb

From top, 

Small Swirl Cake,

Small White Cake,

Small Chocolate Cake,

7"x8" each,

plus frames,

$169 each,

©2010 Barbara Sistak Baur,

All rights reserved.

My Favorite "Bakery"

I am often asked where I find my inspiration. I freely admit that I find bakery items beautiful and admire the artistry of the master bakers. In a sense, I feed off their creativity. My favorite bakery is not a bakery at all but an ethic market with a butcher, fresh seafood, a grill, produce and, of course, baked goods lining the back walls. It is called Graziano's, an Argentine market, and it is located in Miami. It is there where my journey started for this series of paintings and to where I return whenever I can. The bakery cases are stocked with mesmerizing treats of brilliant colors and luscious textures. The display is new every time, filling me with renewed inspiration. I do not speak Spanish and they do not speak English. They must think I am a funny tourist when I snap my reference photos. But they pay me no mind. And, just so you know, yes, everything tastes as fabulous as it looks!

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Create your own masterpiece

Think you can't create a masterpiece?  Think  again.  At a Bottles-and-Brushes, a party-hosting service, you paint, sip wine and get individual guidance from a professional artist.  At the end of the evening, you have a fabulous painting!  You doubt me? Here is a group photo of a recent party and their really great paintings!  Artist on-hand at this party was yours truly! Find out more about Bottles and Brushes.

That's me on the lower left.  I am the only one without a painting because I was busy coaching the folks at this party.  They did pretty good! (Click on the picture to see it a bit larger.)

-- Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Artists participate in Kaneland Community Arts Festival

I was one of the artists that participated in the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival that took place in April.  It is one of just a handful of public school art festivals in the State of Illinois. The event combines student and professional visual artists, hands-on workshops, and professional performing artists and groups. The festival annually draws approximately 3,000 students, families, and community members for a day of culture and fun. Bringing professional artists to the Fine Arts Festival to expose the communities to the fine arts is one of the goals.  Find out more about the Kaneland arts programs.

Live Demo at High School

Carol Bristol, high school art teacher at the Westminster Christian School in Elgin, IL, invited me to give a live painting demo. Well, I was more than a little nervous, never having done a live demo before in front of actual people!  But they were studying Wayne Theibaurd and working on cake paintings.  So who better to give a live cake painting demo then yours truly?  So I agreed.  The class was delightful!

We started out talking about Wayne Theibaud and how my work is the same and different. 


I passed around paintings so the students could look
at them up close.

The class asked great questions.

Then, it was time to get to work! 

The students were very interested in learning 

about the impasto media that lets you do very thick paintings.

And, I was able to show the students exactly how to mix the paint and apply it to the canvas.  I went on to show different texturing techniques.

They loved looking and touching!

I could tell that the students were very interested in these painting techniques.

They had several paintings to look at.  I hoped to offer a variety.

Thank you, Carol Bristol and students!!

 

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Kaneland Celebrates the Arts

Far west of Chicago is Kane County, where Sugar Grove and Maple Park are  located.  Rural communities with agricultural roots, they represent the home of the Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival this April 18.  For one day, the Kaneland High School in Maple Park is the location of an art extravaganza with performances, workshops, art demonstration and exhibitions. The entire community participates. In association with the Fine Arts Festival, a juried art exhibition is concurrently shown at the Sugar Grove Library.

I am proud to say that I am participating in these events in two ways.  First, I am one of the invited artists demonstrating in the Fine Arts Festival on Sunday, April 18. And second, two artworks of mine were selected for the fine art exhibition at the library which runs from March 26 to April 30.  (Grand Fruit Tart and Cheesecake Pie.)

By the way, the public is invited to these events and they are free.  Get the schedule here.

--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Why Don't You Weigh 300 Pounds? (FAQ)

I've had great conversations with people over the last 2 summers. And there are common threads among them. I thought I would gather up many of the frequently asked questions I hear and answer them here. If you don't see your question, email me or post a comment with your question, and I will try to answer it. Here is one I hear a lot and it amuses me. I will post others as I think of them. Check the FAQs link (left) to see others (but this is the first one so wait a day or two so I can get more up here).

Why don't you weigh 300 pounds?
Well, I don't actually have the pastry in front of me while I am working. Generally, I take photos of pastries when visiting restaurants, delis, cafes, specialty shops and, of course, bakeries. Sometimes I work from the photos or sometimes from memory or sometimes I just make them up.

When I do have the actual item in front of me, as with a commission, I take many reference photos of the pastry when it is fresh and moist so I have the best representation. Then I put the pastry in the freezer for safe keeping and later reference, if needed (and later eating).

I have tried painting a pastry while it is front of me -- but it is usually SOMEONE ELSE who comes along and snags a bite. I replaced a whole plate of cookies one time and had to redo the whole painting!

(This is that painting).

-- Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

A Painting for a Gift

Gifts for the Holiday
Over the summer, several of you mentioned to me the idea of giving a painting as a gift for the holidays. If you are thinking about that, this is the time to get something started, especially if you would like a custom painting. I would be happy to give you information – just email or call me.
--Barb
www.SistakBaur.com

Mini Paintings

Fruit Tart 3"x4", acrylic, $49, and Red Cupcake, 6"x4", acrylic, $89

I just want you to know that little paintings require no small effort -- like I thought they would.

I have added three small sizes of mini paintings to my body of work -- 3"x4", 4"x6" and 6"x8". I decided to do them because I thought it would be a fun way to offer inexpensive art work in my booth so that anyone could take something home. Well, as it turns out, they are inexpensive and they are fun to do. But, I start out on these little adventures with a perfect little plan on how it is going to be. And, then I find myself on a completely different path all together.

I thought I was going to do quick little alla prima paintings. Alla prima means you finish all in one sitting. It means you work "wet into wet" -- you apply the wet paint on your brush into paint that is still wet on the canvas. Alla Prima is Italian for "at once."

These paintings are satisfying for the artist and the result is much expressiveness and color. The downside is that they are really no do-overs. Once the paint is down, its down. But I am used to that. The little fruit tarts, shown here, are done alla prima and they come out great.

Little Carrot Cake, 3"x4", acrylic, $49, and 2 Fruit Tarts, 6"x4", acrylic, $89

But there are other little paintings that take on a life of their own. I have a little carrot cake. It is on the 2-day plan. First day is background, the cake, nut sprinkles and carrots on top. The next day is shading, highlights and shadows. Done.

I added little cupcakes, 6"x4". 2 days minimum. Let's see -- day 1 -- background base, paper cup, chocolate topping, whipped topping -- if I am lucky. Day 2, tone the paper cup, highlight the chocolate topping, add shadows, and work up the background.

A Slice, 3"x4", acrylic, $49

The little berry pie slice (seen on my web site) -- this is the biggy. Would you believe this little 3"x4" painting takes a minimum of 4 days? Here are the days --
Day 1 - Background. It is very textural itself so it cannot be painted over until it is dry, dry. Day 2 - Crust and chocolate layer. That's it. I can go no further until that is set.
Day 3 - Berries.
Day 4 - Highlights and shadows. Done.

And the next size up -- 6"x8" pastry paintings? Don't even get me started.

So as you can see, even though they paintings are little and look very easy, there is no shortage of effort involved.

By the way, mini paintings are available for purchase at my art fairs. Or, you can just email me and I will be happy to ship them to you. Since they are so little, they are easy to pop in the mail.

See my web site for the latest offerings in mini-paintings. I update it whenever a new "batch" of minis are ready.

-- Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Friend me on Facebook

Are you on Facebook?
I am. Let's be friends. Because of my unique, Bohemia name, it will be easy for you to search for me. Search for "Barb Sistak" and I will be the only one!! Send me a friend request and I will respond right away.
-- Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Gala Reception at Real People

The weekend of Aug 22, I attended the gala reception for the Real People 2009 exhibition. My husband was nice enough to take this photo. I am standing in front of my 25 little paintings that are gathered together for one display. There are all figure paintings done during my life-drawing workshop. To read more about this event, see the original post.
---Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

The 15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season

Some of you may know that last year was my first year in the Art Fair business. It has been quite an experience. Recently, a friend of mine asked me to “report in” on how my first year in the art fair business went. So, I decided to give it a go. Here it is – “The 15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season”.

1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of “overhead.”

2. How you shouldn’t make the 500-artist show your first show. By yourself. Far away from home. ( I didn’t mean to, but I was “blown out” of my first, first show.)

3. What is feels like to be trapped under a blown-over tent and debris during a micro-burst. (Or, when someone tells you to take the artwork off the walls because a storm is coming, leave immediately.)

4. How easy is it to get a “free” charge card merchant account (and then find out how much it really costs you).

5. How heavy those tent weights really are. (And, I still don’t have enough of them.)

6. That 6 feet 7 inches is truly out of reach. (Even on my toes, no matter how hard I stretch.)

7. How little sleep you can get and still put up a display and talk to customers. (Note to self: don’t try that again.)

8. What a hard, 16-hour day really feels like. (It ain’t like the office!)

9. How April, May, June and ½ of July were a nightmare. (But how during the second half of July, August and Sept, I felt like a pro.)

10. The shock I felt when other artists started asking ME for advice (They must have mistaken my “finally, I know how to put this thing up in less than 3 hours” look for “seasoned.”)

11. How gratified I felt when the local museum purchased a painting. (It was the only sale that day but what a good one!)

12. How my fear of talking to people who came into my booth morphed into a steady sales prattle. (I don’t know how many customers I scared away!)

13. How confused I am when people comment to me, “how relaxing you must find painting.” (I fret over ever piece!)

14. How it feels to be not “just” an artist, but, rather, an art business entrepreneur.

15. Most unforgettable are the people that helped along the way. And, of course, my husband, who -- I can’t believe it -- actually fixes mangled display panels, builds shelves for the art truck and encourages me to keep going.

I hope to see and meet many of you this summer -- my second year in the art fair business!
And don't forget to visit my website: www.sistakbaur.com

What is Art?

Having thought about this over the years, I am going with this definition for the time being --

Art is a commentary. It is a comment on something. That comment may speak to someone else -- and that is the connection whether it is joy, insight, mystery, enlightenment, delight, sorrow and so on. It can be executed with any method. We don't always understand the comment. Sometimes, we do not value the comment.

I am less sure on the "skill" side of art. Here is my shot at it --
Skill, craftsman-ship, elements of drawing, handling of materials- all of these are the tools of the artist just as hammers and saws are tools for the carpenter. The better-skilled artist may be able to execute the art/comment to a higher degree of quality/clarity/intent.

That's my very short, 2 cents.

How this fits into art fairs is my current ideological struggle. Art fairs are all about money which is good because we need money to survive. When does art become "product" and no longer art? I don't know. I do find this troubling. When I am overwhelmed by the question, I look to my personal models who do create art and do very well at it. I achieve some clarity from that reflection.

That's my other 2 cents.

--Barb
www.sistakbaur.com

Art-Throb™--Juried Art Fairs

How Artists Get into Art Fairs
Art festivals are a summertime ritual in the Midwest and a great way to spend a day. You enjoy the fresh air, great art and you may come home with a treasure. Very relaxing. But for artists, it is anything but. In fact, for artists, the season starts the previous fall when a grueling series of competitions begins – these competitions are among the artists themselves to see who will be awarded booth space at the best art fairs in the region and, even, the nation.
(above: Barb in her Art Booth, Summer 2008)

How does this work?
Art festival promoters/organizers are right in the middle of it. They organize art festivals to attract art patrons. To attract art patrons, they need top artists. So they advertise far and wide for artists to apply to their show. And if it is a really good show, hundreds, if not thousands, of artists apply. I applied to a festival that had 125 openings but received 1200 applications.

This is good for patrons because it means that the best artists available are displaying at the festival. Patrons interested in purchasing art can be assured that a rigorous selection process has been applied. This is also good for artists because it means that serious art patrons who are interested in purchasing art are attracted to the show.

What do artists have to do be selected?
Artists apply to art shows with a large packet of materials. They submit anywhere from 3 to 5 pictures of their work (which they take themselves), an picture of their art booth, art statements and/or a resume, business information such as tax numbers, a variety of application forms and, of course, a fee for applying. Fortunately, much of this is done electronically today, making it a much smoother process that having slides made (remember them?), submitting paper forms and snail-mailing the package. But, not everyone is digital and I did a complete a number of these manual packages this year.

All of this material arrives at the art show office by a stated deadline. Then the show organizers have the job of reviewing each and every one of the applications to make the selection of artists to invite. Often, a jury of 3 or 4 respected art experts is assembled for a day. Art images are projected on a large screen for all to view at once. The jury scores each presentation. At the end of the day, the highest scoring artists in selected categories are invited to the show. Those that are invited, pay the exhibition fees to be in the show. Those that are not, enter into competitions for other shows. Artists apply to several shows, knowing they will not be invited to all of them.

Not every art show is like this – but the big ones have processes like this – shows that you have heard of – the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago, for instance.

So, in June, as you stroll among the fine art booths at your favorite fair, and you talk to artists and perhaps make a purchase, know that the artist has been working to be at your fair since last fall. It is a very competitive process. The happy result is that art patrons are offered the best art available.

So far, my art fair schedule looks like this –

• April 17-19, Great Lakes Art Fair, Spring 2008, Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI
• May 9-10, National City Art Birmingham, Shain Park, Birmingham, MI
  
• May 15-16, Riverside Art Festival, on Burlington Ave., Riverside, IL
• June 6-7, 57th Street Art Fair, Hyde Park, Chicago
• July 11-12, KRASL Art Fair on the Bluff, St. Joe, MI
• July 25-26, Geneva Art Festival, downtown Geneva, IL
• July 31-Aug 02, Gold Coast Art Festival, LaSalle Street, at the intersections of Erie, Huron, and Superior, Chicago
• Sept. 26-27, Lakeview East Art fair, north side of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, Halsted and Lincoln Park.

I am waiting to hear about several other applications. Plus, I am on the “Wait List” for other fairs—the Lakefront Festivals of the Arts in Milwaukee and Port Clinton Art Festival in Highland Park. The Wait List is like the “reserve” list. If an invited artist chooses not to participate in an event, the organizers go to their “wait list” and invite another artist to fill that spot. As an artist, that kind of puts you in a spot –should you try to the book that weekend somewhere else or should you leave it open and “hope” you get called?

Note: Art-Throb™ is the term I use to describe a great place or places to enjoy an art experience.

15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons Learned in the Art Fair Business

I purchased my very first display panels spring 2008 from Connie, an art fair doyenne. She is so gracious and she asked me to "report in" on my first year in the art fair business. So, here it goes – "The Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season". Ahem –

1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of "overhead."

2. How you shouldn't make the 500-artist show your first show. By yourself. Far away from home. ( I didn't mean to, but I was "blown out" of my first, first show.)

3. What is feels like to be trapped under a blown-over tent and debris during a micro-burst. (Or, when someone tells you to take the artwork off the walls because a storm is coming, leave immediately.)

4. How easy is it to get a "free" charge card merchant account (and then find out how much it really costs you).

5. How heavy those weights really are. (And, I still don't have enough of them.)

6. That 6 feet 7 inches is truly out of reach. (Even on my toes, no matter how hard I stretch.)

7. How little sleep you can get and still put up a display and talk to customers. (Note to self: don't try that again.)

8. What a hard, 16-hour day really feels like. (It ain't like the office!)

9. How April, May, June and ½ of July were a nightmare. (But how during the second half of July, August and Sept, I felt like a pro.)

10. The shock I felt when other artists started asking ME for advice (They must have mistaken my "finally, I know how to put this thing up in less than 3 hours" look for "seasoned.")

11. How gratified I felt when the local museum purchased a painting. (It was the only sale that day but what a good one!)

12. How my fear of talking to people who came into my booth morphed into a steady sales prattle. (I don't know how many customers I scared away!)

13. How (inwardly) irked I am when people comment to me, "how relaxing you must find painting." (Yeah, right.)

14. How it feels to be not "just" an artist, but, rather, an art business entrepreneur.

15. Most unforgettable are the people that helped along the way. A very special thank you to Kathy Eaton, who been an inspiration to me and a tremendous friend and wealth of knowledge. She has gone so far out of her way to point me in the right direction, subtly let me know when I am being an idiot and has given me great advice and insights. And, of course, my husband, who -- I can't believe it -- actually fixes mangled display panels, builds shelves for the art truck and encourages me to keep going.

I hope to see and meet many of you over the summer!