The inaugural year of a studio tour, or an art event of any scale is a lot of work. Things are being done for the first time and require lots of research, quotes, discussions and decisions. NEST (New Edinburgh Studio Tour) is no exception.
For NEST we needed to decide what kind of lawn signs and directional signs we wanted. The general consensus was for something that we could use year after year by just changing the posters... sandwich boards would do the trick very nicely. Then the search was on for styles, suppliers and prices. Phil found just what we were looking for in Montreal and the supplier will even print the posters for us... what did we ever do before the Internet? Anyway, that's one less thing to do next year!
We got quotes on printing the brochures and looked at paper samples. Then there was a matter of getting a proof before the final run of 5,000 of them. In fact, today it was my job to pick up the proof, in Orleans, and drop it off to Phil's location is New Edinburgh. Turns out everyone was pleased and the brochures are going to press. While this job will need to be done next year, we have now set the parameters for it.
Media advisories have been prepared, reviewed, revised and now the first round has been sent. There are still more to be sent as different media outlets have different timing for inclusion. There are weekly, monthly and multi-month deadlines on the list so timing is of utmost importance. And even before that could be done, the various media lists had to be revised and merged into one, with deadlines, for a wide range of media.... radio, TV, online news services, blogs, print in the form of quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily publications. I must say that it used to be quite simple when it was just print, radio and TV, but that's progress for you!
I know many of you who have participated in a variety of events completely understand the kind of work that needs to be done and will probably laugh in understanding when you read this. None the less, even though it's a lot of work, the success of the event is what drives us and to achieve that is exhilarating!
If you want to take a look at the NEST website it is at: http://nestudiotour.com/ See some of NEST artist's work below.
For NEST we needed to decide what kind of lawn signs and directional signs we wanted. The general consensus was for something that we could use year after year by just changing the posters... sandwich boards would do the trick very nicely. Then the search was on for styles, suppliers and prices. Phil found just what we were looking for in Montreal and the supplier will even print the posters for us... what did we ever do before the Internet? Anyway, that's one less thing to do next year!
We got quotes on printing the brochures and looked at paper samples. Then there was a matter of getting a proof before the final run of 5,000 of them. In fact, today it was my job to pick up the proof, in Orleans, and drop it off to Phil's location is New Edinburgh. Turns out everyone was pleased and the brochures are going to press. While this job will need to be done next year, we have now set the parameters for it.
Media advisories have been prepared, reviewed, revised and now the first round has been sent. There are still more to be sent as different media outlets have different timing for inclusion. There are weekly, monthly and multi-month deadlines on the list so timing is of utmost importance. And even before that could be done, the various media lists had to be revised and merged into one, with deadlines, for a wide range of media.... radio, TV, online news services, blogs, print in the form of quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily publications. I must say that it used to be quite simple when it was just print, radio and TV, but that's progress for you!
I know many of you who have participated in a variety of events completely understand the kind of work that needs to be done and will probably laugh in understanding when you read this. None the less, even though it's a lot of work, the success of the event is what drives us and to achieve that is exhilarating!
If you want to take a look at the NEST website it is at: http://nestudiotour.com/ See some of NEST artist's work below.
Painting Tip: A tip from Erika Deruaz, last week's guest writer
Erika, like most artists, loves to learn more, and more, and more! She recently pointed out to me that Golden Paints have over 70 short (2 minute) videos about using their products. It's like overdosing on delectable canapés at a cocktail party!
Videos offer information on how to use their various mediums, as well as painting techniques: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLej18YhUdRM_SPFl1E7rY9-cvFLn4ccQR. Also, check out other art materials manufactures on You Tube because many of them, including Liquitex and Princeton Brushes, also put out helpful and informative videos. As I asked before... what did we ever do before the Internet?
Erika, like most artists, loves to learn more, and more, and more! She recently pointed out to me that Golden Paints have over 70 short (2 minute) videos about using their products. It's like overdosing on delectable canapés at a cocktail party!
Videos offer information on how to use their various mediums, as well as painting techniques: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLej18YhUdRM_SPFl1E7rY9-cvFLn4ccQR. Also, check out other art materials manufactures on You Tube because many of them, including Liquitex and Princeton Brushes, also put out helpful and informative videos. As I asked before... what did we ever do before the Internet?
Painting Update: More Cards
Last week I had some failures with cards that I thought would work. I think one of the contributing factors was the type of cards I used. With not being able to get the mixed media cards that I had been using I picked up a package of canvas cards for oils and acrylics but found the canvas paper too light weight for what I wanted to do on them. I'll find another way to use them though. I also purchased some black cards but they are for drawing media and don't stand up to what I wanted to use them for... better to use a heavier weight card and apply a coat of black gesso on the front panel. (Failures teach us better foundations!)
The watercolour paper cards have performed very well and I will buy more of those, as well as the mixed media cards.
This week I did collages on the watercolour cards, using fabric on some and paper on others. These will become the base for another layer, perhaps two.
To start I cut up bits of fabrics and also tore pieces of papers to use. Next I slipped a piece of waxed paper into the fold of the card, to protect the lower surface from spillage. Then I applied liquid medium (diluted with 25% water) to the front of the card and applied the fabric or paper, applying a generous coat of liquid medium on top of the collage. They are currently drying and waiting to find out what I'm going to do with them next!
When the cards are finished I will again slip in a waxed paper insert and apply a coat of satin spray varnish, to protect them with a more durable finish than just the acrylic medium provides.
Last week I had some failures with cards that I thought would work. I think one of the contributing factors was the type of cards I used. With not being able to get the mixed media cards that I had been using I picked up a package of canvas cards for oils and acrylics but found the canvas paper too light weight for what I wanted to do on them. I'll find another way to use them though. I also purchased some black cards but they are for drawing media and don't stand up to what I wanted to use them for... better to use a heavier weight card and apply a coat of black gesso on the front panel. (Failures teach us better foundations!)
The watercolour paper cards have performed very well and I will buy more of those, as well as the mixed media cards.
This week I did collages on the watercolour cards, using fabric on some and paper on others. These will become the base for another layer, perhaps two.
To start I cut up bits of fabrics and also tore pieces of papers to use. Next I slipped a piece of waxed paper into the fold of the card, to protect the lower surface from spillage. Then I applied liquid medium (diluted with 25% water) to the front of the card and applied the fabric or paper, applying a generous coat of liquid medium on top of the collage. They are currently drying and waiting to find out what I'm going to do with them next!
When the cards are finished I will again slip in a waxed paper insert and apply a coat of satin spray varnish, to protect them with a more durable finish than just the acrylic medium provides.
That's it for this week. As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions. Have a great and creative week!
Best wishes,
Susan
Best wishes,
Susan
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