Billboard Art Project

"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

Promotional Materials

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

New Painting

"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

New Video

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

Interconnected

I’ve just finished my latest painting in the “In Our Veins” series! The title is “Interconnected” and is an acrylic on canvas, 6″ x 6.” Yet again, I took some photos along the way as I was working. I must admit they are not the best quality photos, though, since I didn’t mess with the settings on the camera and some are blurry, most are crooked. Yikes. And to think I had to take a photography course back in college… just goes to show if you don’t use it, you lose it. Which is why for the final photo, I rely on a professional. Anyway, this blind old bat much prefers working a few inches away from a canvas with a teeny tiny paintbrush. For a closeup view of the final painting, you can view it here: http://www.amyguidry.com/interconnected.html.

For more information on my work and to receive occasional updates, sign up for my newsletter at http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html

Empty Kingdom

Amy Guidry artist featured on Empty Kingdom

I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend!  We’re actually having some nice weather here for a change after Tropical Storm Lee.  Over the weekend, my work was featured on Empty Kingdom.  This is actually the second time I’ve been featured.  Some of my earlier work appeared there almost a year and a half ago (how time flies…).  This feature includes work from my “In Our Veins” series including some of the newest paintings from that series.  You can check it out online here: http://www.emptykingdom.com/main/featured/amy-guidry-revisit/.

For more information and updates on my new work and shows, be sure to sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html.

Portraits and Their Stories- Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

"Zachary" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; Collection of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

I’m excited to announce that my painting “Zachary” will be in the upcoming “Portraits and Their Stories” exhibition at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.  “Zachary” is part of the museum’s collection and will be amongst the many other portraits in their collection (including Grant Wood of “American Gothic” fame) as well as some pieces on loan.  “Zachary” was one of my portrait series paintings done during 2005-2006 (which you can view a few of on my Facebook Fan Page).  The exhibition will be up September 24th, 2011 through January 15, 2012- ample opportunity for those of you in the Midwest to see my work in person.  For more information on the exhibit visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art website at this direct link.

For more information on my upcoming exhibits and new work, sign up for my newsletter here: http://www.amyguidry.com/contact.html