All posts by Amy Guidry

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"Sequence" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 6"w x 12"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2011; SOLD

Another In Our Veins painting has found a new home.  My painting Sequence has sold and is already at its new residence.  This is an acrylic on canvas, 6″ wide by 12″ high.  The In Our Veins series deals with the life cycle and the role of every living organism in it.  With Sequence, life and death are represented with new life- plants, animals, insects- leading one to the next, from the skull.  The animals loosely follow a natural hierarchy, many of them following each other in the food chain.  The roses were part of the original sketch and seemed appropriate given that we use roses to celebrate life as well as to honor those that have passed.  You can read more about the series as well as view a larger image of Sequence here.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter to see my latest paintings, exhibits, and news at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html. Also “like” my Facebook Fan Page to get my latest updates.

Art Help & Info

Narrowing Your Focus

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A little while back, I wrote about goals and formulating your strategy to meet them (which you can read here).  I had also mentioned that part of that process involves revisiting your goals and reworking them.  So as I am revisiting my own, I thought it would be helpful to go through some steps and specific examples.

No matter where you are at in relation to your goals, let’s stop for a minute and revisit them.  This is something you should do every few months, but even if it’s been years, now is the time to go over your list.  What is it that you set out to accomplish?  There should be a list of several things that will lead to this accomplishment.  Whether you have completed a task or not, here are a few things to consider:

– Out of the tasks that you’ve completed, what were the results? Positive?  Did they help you get any closer to your goal or not really?  If it’s the latter, you may want to alter it or even consider removing it from next year’s goals.  Example: You get your work featured on a website you’ve been submitting to and it doesn’t lead to any website hits.  Maybe the website is not worth your marketing efforts so you might not want to submit in the future.  Maybe reconsider the types of websites you are submitting your work to.

– Of the completed tasks with positive results, what worked the best? What resulted in the most contact/sales/exhibits, etc.?  When you are making your new goal list for the following year, be sure to include those tasks again and add similar goals to increase those results.  Example: If a certain exhibit yielded many sales, what contributed to this and how can you do it again?  Show at the same venue next year, do the same type of promotions and broaden the range, or maybe the exhibit was during the holidays.

– What can be improved upon? Maybe some tasks are not quite what you expected but still have some benefit.  Is there anything you can do to improve this or is it time to cut bait?  You want to spend your time on the things that are improving your career and get rid of the time-wasting tasks that are of little or no benefit.

– What is missing from the list? Before completely writing off one of your goal tasks, is there anything you may not be doing to help bring that goal to fruition?  Example: If an exhibit didn’t go as well as expected, was there anything on your end that should have been done to make it a success?  Did you attend the opening?  Did you promote the exhibit?  Did you send out press releases?

– Focus on your “best bets.” Maybe you are hoping to get an exhibit or find gallery representation.  While this is a great goal, you should focus your efforts on the venues that will be the best fit.  Example: If you are an abstract painter, you should focus on galleries that predominantly show abstract work.  What sells well for the gallery?  Where are they located?  What direction are they going in?  Just because it is a well-known space, doesn’t mean it’s a good fit unless it meets these criteria.  Focus on the ones that do.

– Is there anything you can delegate to someone else? Some tasks are necessary, but may rob you of the time you need to complete your high-priority goals.  Do you have an assistant that can take care of such tasks?  Or can you afford to hire one?  Do you have a business partner that can handle certain tasks better than you can?

Once you evaluate what tasks are best suited to your career goals, it will become easier to work on future goals.  You will eventually streamline your goals and learn what to focus on and get the best use of your time.

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Sign up for my monthly newsletter for my latest paintings, exhibits, and news at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html.  Follow my updates on my Facebook Fan Page.

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"Means to an End" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; (c) Amy Guidry 2011; SOLD

One of my latest additions to the In Our Veins series has sold.  Means to an End was shipped to its new home in Florida.  It is an acrylic on canvas, 4″ x 4.”  The In Our Veins series, in short, explores the connections between all life forms and the cycle of life through a surreal, psychologically-charged narrative.  You can read more about the series on my website as well as view a larger image of Means to an End at this direct link: www.amyguidry.com/means_to_an_end.html.

For my latest news and paintings, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html and follow my Facebook fan page.

Paintings

Small Works $100 and less

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"Untitled" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; SOLD

I have just added a new addition to the In Our Veins series.  Untitled is the latest small painting to be added and the second one at my new 4 inch by 4 inch size.  I like to work in a range of sizes depending on the amount of visual information and am currently working on a larger piece.  These new small sizes are the smallest works I’ve ever done in my career and at $100 or less,  they appeal to a range of collectors, new and old.  If you’ve been following my work, you know that I do not sell “prints” and only offer original, one-of-a-kind paintings.  I conducted a poll through my Facebook Fan Page and found that everyone was interested in owning original art, whether small or large, rather than a reproduction.  As an art collector myself, I happen to agree.  I like knowing that the work is original, in addition, I love to see the texture of the paint and the 3-dimensional quality of it.  You just can’t get that in a [giclée, print, copy].  But not everyone can afford art- even if it’s only $500- so I have always offered small works to fit everyone’s budget.  And even though my new series has had a change in technique and materials, thus more time-consuming, I have worked with the subject matter to keep the price low and still maintain a high value.  Hence my latest painting, which you can see larger on my website at www.amyguidry.com/untitled02.html.

If you would like to receive my latest announcements, please sign up for my newsletter at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Press

On the Cover

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Amy Guidry's painting "Introspective" on the cover of Country Roads Magazine, October 2011

I recently had a nice surprise- I did an interview for Country Roads magazine and my painting “Introspective” is on the cover of their October issue.  The issue’s theme is “Myths & Legends” so my New Realm series was a good fit.  “Introspective” is an acrylic on canvas, 40″w x 30″h, and even though it is sold, there are several available paintings from the same series.  New Realm, in short, challenges the antiquated views of women as often seen in fairy tales.  Using a surreal backdrop, it is a modern tale which presents the heroine as a strong and courageous woman.  To view a larger image of the cover, as well as read the interview with James Fox-Smith, go to this direct link: http://countryroadsmagazine.com/2011/october-2011-issue.

For the latest updates, sign up for my monthly newsletter and/or a collectible postcard at: www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Follow my Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Guidry/51953219932

My Exhibitions

Looking Forward

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Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA

I have some exciting news to share even though this event is still a little ways away.  I have been invited to be one of four featured artists during the Louisiana Bicentennial at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum.  The exhibition is scheduled for the Fall of 2012 and will feature works by Melissa Bonin, Linda Trappey Dautreuil, Troy Dugas, and myself (Amy Guidry).  As I mentioned, the exhibit will be during the Louisiana Bicentennial, which marks the 200th anniversary of Louisiana’s attainment of statehood as the 18th state in the Union, and is celebrated with events throughout the state.  I will be posting more information closer to time- the exhibit will be held in Fall 2012 at the Hilliard Museum in Lafayette, LA.

To receive monthly updates of new work and upcoming exhibitions, interviews, etc. sign up for my newsletter at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html.

My Exhibitions

Billboard Art Project

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"Untitled (Heads)" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2011

Well, for the first time ever, my work will soon be seen on billboards!  I’m excited about this new project I have coming up- my work will be part of the Billboard Art Project which is an exhibition taking place on billboards throughout the U.S.  Two of the exhibitions coming up happen to be taking place in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  No two exhibits are the same, so each have their own unique works featured.  As stated on their website, “The Billboard Art Project is taking over roadside digital LED billboards to turn them into free public art venues for 24 hours or more.”

So here’s where you can see my work: In New Orleans- Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 12 a.m. to Friday, November 18th at 11:59 p.m.   Four weeks of art interspersed among advertising at Pontchartrain Expressway, east bound, just after South Claiborne Avenue. (This is also during the Prospect 2 Biennial, which starts October 22nd.)

In Baton Rouge- Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.  24 hours of continuous art at 8558 Goodwood Boulevard, at Tara Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA.

To see my latest work and a concise list of upcoming shows, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Art Help & Info

Promotional Materials

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With the popularity of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, I’ve found that many artists rely upon these as tools to promote their art.  While this is great, there are also many other ways to get the word out.  In addition, many are tangible items that are especially valued given today’s internet-crazed society.  Turns out, if it’s a card or a handwritten note, people tend to pay more attention as opposed to something that can go away with the push of a delete button.  So here is a list of materials that I rely upon as well as others:

Business cards: These are the tried-and-true promotional tool for artists.  You can get cards printed up quickly and rather cheaply thanks to the multitude of online printing companies.  I feature my logo in addition to my contact information, including my website.  You may also want to include social media links where people can find your work.

Brochures: Great concise way to present a sample of your portfolio as well as your biography or even parts of your resume.  According to some surveys, galleries and collectors respond well to these due to the quick introduction to you and your work.

Postcards: Basically a combination of the business card and brochure in that you can put an image or images or one side and your information on the other.  Or even put images on both sides, depending on how much you would like to spend.  There are many options for these.  I like to send one out every quarter to announce new work or an upcoming exhibit.  Added benefit: they can be handed out without the worry of being lost in one’s wallet or purse as would a business card.

Websites: Many artists still don’t have a website and some even feel that they don’t need one since they are on Facebook, etc.  Not true.  While social media sites do help, you want your website to rank high on the web, not Facebook.  When your name stands out, it will direct traffic to your site, your available works, your shopping cart, etc.  Still not convinced?  According to The Internet & Marketing Report, your Facebook Fan Page is not enough because of EdgeRank, Facebook’s algorithm for determining which updates show up in a user’s news feed.  It filters out about 99% of content from friends/businesses. Yikes.

Portfolios: Just the word portfolio makes me think of the days when I was in school, lugging around one of those giant black portfolios full of my work.  However, there are some better options.  For a digital version, you can put all of your images on CD.  This is great to hand out to anyone and everyone.  Be sure to get the printable kind so that you can put your info on the front just as you would on your business card.  Don’t use the sticker labels.

For a more traditional approach, you can make high-quality printouts of your work on photo paper and include them in a nice presentation book with clear sleeves for inserting photos.  Also include your resume in the front as well as your contact information.  I recommend featuring 8-12 of your best images.  You can get a standard 8″ x 11″ book or even make a small postcard sized book to carry with you at all times.

Note Cards: Whether it’s a thank you card or a handwritten message, cards are a great way to stay in touch with those that buy your work or put on an exhibit for you.  The ultimate purpose of these is to show gratitude, but having your work or name on the front is a nice reminder.

Everyday items: Some artists put their work on useful items which they sell for some additional income.  Although, there would be nothing wrong with giving these items away as well in order to promote one’s work.  You could create an item with one or several images of your work, as well as including your name and website.  Examples include stickers, bumper stickers, magnets, pens, mugs, calendars, t-shirts, hats, and bookmarks.

No one idea is better than the other, so I would not say that you should rely upon some promotional tools more so than others.  Each serves a purpose and reach people in different ways, which is exactly what you need to broaden your audience.  Therefore, I strongly advise anyone to adopt all of these strategies mentioned.  That can be tough if you are on a limited budget, but as mentioned earlier, there are many competitive printing companies online that can help for very little cost.  Also look into graphic designers (or recent design grads) in your area that can work out a fair deal.  Even trading art may be an option to fund your business.  Just be sure to check out their portfolio to see if they are a good fit for your needs.

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For more information on my upcoming exhibitions, interviews, etc. sign up for my newsletter (or that postcard I mentioned above!) at http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Paintings

New Painting

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"Means to an End" by Amy Guidry; 4" x 4"; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry; SOLD

A little while back I had conducted a poll on Facebook in an effort to get a better idea of what people prefer- original art or prints?  Everyone voted for original art.  Everyone.  Most of those preferred a small original, though, so with that in mind, I started working on some smaller paintings to round out my latest series.  So I’m happy to announce I’ve posted the first one- “Means to an End.”  It is an acrylic on canvas, 4 inches by 4 inches for $100.  I’m playing with subject matter to keep the price low and the value high.  Right now the painting is listed on Facebook (though eventually on my website), so you can view it at this direct link: Facebook Fan Page.

For monthly announcements of my latest paintings and upcoming exhibit locations, be sure to sign up for my newsletter at: http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Paintings

New Video

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I’m excited about my latest project.  I have just posted a new video to my YouTube channel featuring my painting process in a 30 second time-lapse video!  The painting featured is “Interconnected” which you just saw me post last week. I had posted a few photos of my process but the video uses 89 photos which I had taken of the painting as I worked- it’s a 6″ x 6″ painting, so the smaller size worked well for this project seeing as I had to frequently stop to photograph it.  The video shows the piece from start to finish, taking a 2+ week period and converting it into 30 seconds.  If only it were that easy…  You can check out the video by clicking the image above or go to YouTube at http://youtu.be/ExH6dRoV3KU.

For monthly updates on my latest paintings as well locations of where my work is showing, sign up for my newsletter at http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html