"Tranquility" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009
Okay, so this won’t be the next upcoming 2nd Saturday Artwalk, but it will be a 2nd Saturday in the future… October, that is. So here in Lafayette, Louisiana, we have a 2nd Saturday Artwalk each month in the downtown area. All of the galleries are open late, usually until 8 or 9 pm depending on the crowd. So I will be having a solo exhibition at Galerie Lafayette, which is located in Jefferson St. Market this coming October. This will actually be the second solo show I’ve had at Galerie Lafayette. I will have all new work for this exhibit! The opening reception will be held during the Artwalk, which will be October 10th from 6-8pm. More details about the show will follow closer to time. In the meantime, you can view my work at www.AmyGuidry.com.
Yes, rejection from a gallery stinks. So I thought I’d post some ideas on what to do about it that don’t involve burning down the gallery or hate mail. I should preface this by saying I got the idea for this post from Art Calendar magazine. Jack White wrote an article called “Rejection Hurts” for the May issue. While I sometimes disagree with Mr. White’s ideas, I did find this article to be “spot on.” I would like to give my own two cents, though, so that’s the great thing about having one’s own blog.
Okay, so you get a rejection from a gallery or a museum. Now what? Well, as Mr. White stated, it’s best to build a thick skin. True, but also look at this as an opportunity to get a referral. If a gallery rejects you, fine. Ask them if they can recommend a gallery that would suit your work. They may know of a new space opening up that is looking for artists. Or they may just give your name to another gallery themselves. (Yes, hard to believe, but that has happened for me.) It’s no skin off their nose to give you another name. In addition, you can then contact said gallery and use the name game to your advantage by saying ‘so and so from Gallery XYZ recommended your space to me and thought my work would fit your gallery.’
As far as reasons behind the rejection go, one of the more common reasons that Mr. White does not mention is that gallery’s have, in general, 12 exhibits a year. So that usually boils down to only 12 of their artists being shown in one year (except in a group show, of course). So it is not surprising that galleries, museums, and art centers usually have a full calendar for two years in advance. Sometimes 3 years. Just because a gallery isn’t interested at the time, doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. Perhaps they will keep your information on file. Perhaps they would like to stay in touch with you. It would be wise to maintain some type of relationship with these people. If you truly love the space, then it’s worth the time and effort. Not that you should do this anyway, but if you are randomly sending your work to any and every gallery, then it’s impossible to maintain relationships with all of these people. But if there are a few spaces you would give your left arm to be in, it would be in your best interest to stay in touch. And I don’t mean in a looking-to-get-a-restraining-order sort of way, either. Just get to know everyone on a personal basis. Learn their names. Go to their exhibits. Show a true interest in their artists’ work. THEN you can fill them in on what you’ve been doing.
I liked that Mr. White ended with saying to use rejection as a motivation to move forward. Aside from moving on, though, look for ways to turn rejection around into something positive. There may be another opportunity there, you just have to dig a little.
"Metamorphosis" by Amy Guidry; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009.
Current Shows:
My work is currently showing in the “Hope” exhibit at R. Coury Fine Art Gallery in Savage, MD as part of Pinkapalooza. This event benefits the Blossoms of Hope Foundation which helps families coping with cancer. Half of the proceeds are donated to the Blossoms of Hope Foundation.
Upcoming Shows:
My “New Realm” series will be featured at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA in the Spring of 2009. The solo exhibition will open after museum renovations are complete. Details to follow soon.
The Oak Street Gallery in Hammond, LA will feature my work in a solo exhibition this August. I will be showing the “New Realm” series, featuring many pieces that are new to the exhibition.
I will also serve as a representing artist for the Oak Street Gallery in the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Art & Travel Exhibit. The exhibit will take place at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, LA from April 25th to May 18th, with an opening reception May on 2nd. The auction will air June 7th on LPB.
Also showing later this month is the GreenScape exhibit at the Cotton Shed Gallery in Savage, MD. I will be a featured artist as part of the R. Coury Fine Art Gallery. The exhibit will open April 15th and close with a reception on May 3rd.
I will be showing at Galerie Lafayette in Lafayette, LA for a second solo exhibit. I will show the “New Realm” series for the first time in this venue. The show is scheduled for the month of October in 2009.
The Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, LA has recently invited me to have a solo exhibition. I will exhibit my “New Realm” series at the museum in 2010.
Also scheduled for 2010, I will also be showing in downtown Lafayette, LA at Gallery 549. The exhibit will feature six local women artists. More details to follow soon.
Gallery Representation:
I am now represented by the Oak Street Gallery in Hammond, LA. I have also recently attained representation at the R. Coury Fine Art Gallery in Savage, MD.
Lectures:
I will be teaching my course, Art Marketing and Self-Promotion, at Frederick l’Ecole des Arts in Arnaudville, LA again this May. The class will be May 2nd (a Saturday) from 10AM-12Noon. Go to http://frederickarts.homestead.com/Registrationforms/GuidryAmyartmarketingregistrationform.html to register for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. Sign up early to ensure your spot in the class. Registration is $30. The only supplies needed are a legal pad or notebook and pen for note-taking.
Video:
The first video of my work is now online. This preview video features my “New Realm” series and spotlights some of the paintings, providing commentary about each piece. You can view the video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uL3H_rKW1k or at www.AmyGuidry.com. The video can also be found at Daily Motion, Veoh, and BlipTv.
Publications:
The next edition of Studio Visit Magazine will feature my work in early 2009. My paintings were selected by Michael Klein, curator and private art dealer. He is also the former Director of the International Sculpture Center and former Curator of the Microsoft Collection. The magazine is scheduled for shipment April 15th, and should be in stores by April 30th.
I have been recently selected for the 2010 publication in Marquis Who’s Who in America. The next edition will be published in October of 2009.
"Evangeline Maid" by Troy Dugas; Copyright Troy Dugas 2009
Yes, I’m bragging. Not often that I get to do that. I (will officially) own a piece by my friend, Troy Dugas, as of March 11th. It’s currently on display at Gallery 912 in Lafayette, LA, but after that it’s MINE… muahhahahaha (that’s my evil laugh, by the way). As luck would have it, I was dropping off my piece for the Art of Re-Use exhibit when Troy happened to show just as I was leaving. So I had to see what he brought knowing I’d want first dibs, er, I mean, knowing that I’d want to purchase a piece to support the Children’s Museum of Acadiana. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Not that I’m a big fan of Evangeline Maid bread (I only eat 100% whole wheat, not that processed stuff) but given the fact that I love intricate patterns, bright colors, and hell, that bread company is a Louisiana company, I knew I should buy it.
I don’t even have it here with me, so I can only hazard to guess at it’s size, but if photographic memory serves, I’d say it’s 16″ x 20.” If I’m right, you can be sure I will gloat about this in a later post. The entire piece is made up of cut-up squares of Evangeline Maid labels that are rearranged into the lovely pattern you see here. It’s then magically attached to wood- I don’t know all his secrets. Anyway, you can see more of Troy’s work on his website www.TroyDugas.com (you may have, or should have already done this if you check out my blogroll- these are important links, why else would I post them?!) And if you’re in New Orleans this month, you can see his work at Arthur Roger Gallery through the 28th. So get to steppin’!
Amy Guidry and George Marks at the Fire and Water Festival
I thought it’s only right to post some photos of my events and exhibits since I talk about them enough. So I’ve taken a few photos from the recent Fire and Water Festival and posted them here. (By the way, you can see a slideshow of all the photos from the event on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.) The festival was last weekend, but my artwork will be up through December 21st. Take a gander over to NuNu’s when you’re out doing your holiday shopping in Arnaudville, LA and see my work in person.
The show’s curator, and organizer of the entire event for that matter, is George Marks. George is an artist and also has work up in the gallery. (That’s him in the photo with me.) The installation photo is of my paintings from my New Realm series. While viewing my slideshow on my website (hint, hint), you should can check out the entire series while you are there.
Amy Guidry with her artwork at the Fire and Water Festival
In addition to the artwork, there was also plenty of music for the entire 3-day event. There are a few pictures of the band The Figs which were playing on Friday night when I was in attendance. And, of course, some bonfire photos. (Not that I really want to partake in bonfires, given the environmental impact they have and all, however, seeing as it was freezing out, the bonfire was greatly appreciated.) Sorry, no water photos. Maybe next year. But I’m sure you’ll be entertained by all the other photos- http://www.amyguidry.com/events.html.
"Acceptance" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2008
This is going to be a quick post as I am busy with holiday preparations in addition to painting. Aside from all the holiday madness, I am uber-excited about my latest painting. The title is “Acceptance” and it is yet another addition to my New Realm series. This is a large piece, 48 inches wide and 36 inches high, so obviously you don’t get the full feel of it from just a tiny little jpeg. Which is all the more reason to check it out on my website www.AmyGuidry.com, under the Gallery section.
The boar/fish creature featured is another character from the surreal forest which the heroine encounters. Every hair and scale is painted in detail on this, so you can imagine how time consuming this was. I think I’m a masochist… At any rate, I am happy to say this piece is finally finished.
I will be showing this piece in my upcoming solo exhibition at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA in March 2009. Of course there will be other pieces from my New Realm series, including more new paintings, so be sure to attend if you are in the area. More details will follow soon.
"Metamorphosis" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2008
Yes, I come up with some weird titles… I was thinking of earth, wind, fire, and water since the Fire and Water Festival is coming up, and as you can see by the name, it is sans earth and wind. Okay, enough rambling. The Fire and Water Festival is a 3-day event to be held in Arnaudville, LA. Yes, this may sound familiar to you since I taught a class in- say it with me- Arnaudville- just a couple of months ago. Arnaudville has quite the arts community going on thanks to George Marks. (I’m sure there are others involved, but unfortunately I don’t know everyone behind the scenes, so much appreciation goes to those folks as well.) Anyway, George is an artist as well, and asked me to participate. I was excited to be asked since it was looking like there would not be a big group exhibit this year, but turns out there will be one afterall. Yea!
And yes, I will be in attendance on Saturday, December 13th. The show will be up as of Friday the 12th for the start of the festival and will end the following Sunday. So despite all the holiday parties, get-togethers, etc., I will be there (and my artwork, of course). If you need to get rid of some holiday stress (And you know it exists, don’t pretend it doesn’t. It’s okay to admit you’re not always holly and jolly.), then come to Arnaudville to enjoy great art and great company. Never a dull moment.
Oh, and I should also give you the actual name of the event. Many people know it as “Le Feu et l’Eau Rural Arts Celebration,” but for those of us who are not Cajun (i.e. me), it’s perfectly fine to call it the Fire and Water Festival. Here’s a list of some of the participating artists: Kelly Guidry, Hope Hebert, Julie Breaux, Lue Svendson, Jill Hackney, Scott Finch, Damond, Lisa DiStefano, George Marks, Amy Guidry, Vincent Darby, JD Schall, Gerilyn LaVergne, Rene & Iggy Landry, Alvin “Pem” Broussard, Hogie Siebert, Daryl Harwood, William Lewis, Florine Robin, Brian Thibodeaux, Michelle Fontenot, Michel Hudelot, Gerald Judice,Lori Henderson, Missy Maloney, Scott DiStefano, Noonsie Morrough, Bryan LaFaye, Michel Brault, Pierre Perrault, Mario Doucette, Matt Doucet, Jay Miller, Eric Breaux, Pat Mire, Dicky Landry,Jillian Johnson, Megan Barra, Lucius Fontenot, Philip Gould, Francis X Pavy, Elemore Morgan, Jr., Kent Hustler, Toby Rodriguez, Zachary Richard, Guy Arsenault, Andre’-Alan Phelps, Sylvain Cousineau, Francis Coutellier, Paul E. Bourque, Pete Goguen, Paul Bosse’, Herme’ne’gilde Chiasson, Natalie Morin, Jean-Denis Boudreau, Erik Miklos, Moncton-Sable, Paul Bosse, Yvon Gallant, George Blanchette, Anne-Marie Sirois, Jennifer Be’llanger, Marc Xavier LeBlanc, Pavel Skalnik, Dano LeBlanc, Michel Brault, Pierre Perrault, Mario Doucette, and more…
The event will be held December 12-14, Friday, 4pm-Midnight; Saturday, 9am-Midnight; Sunday, 10am-5pm at the Junction of LA 93/31, Arnaudville, LA. See you there!
As you may already know, assuming you read this blog on a regular basis (fingers crossed), my work was recently selected for the Learn Promote Defend exhibition and silent auction to be held December 10th in Atlanta. I recently got a preview of the promotional material for the show, which is the image I’ve posted to the left. Anyway, I’ve also discovered that this was an international call for entries. Aside from being introduced to work from other parts of the world, this is exciting to know since it means the odds of getting chosen were even greater due to the volume of submissions. And wouldn’t you know it, but I am the only artist from Louisiana in the show. (Not that I assume tons of Louisiana artists are doing work pertaining to civil rights necessarily, but I do feel good knowing that I get to represent my state in this exhibit. Especially since Louisiana is not usually the first to come to mind when thinking of art, so I’d like to help change that. Someday. Hopefully…)
I also found out who the other artists are, so assuming no one minds any free publicity, I’m posting their names here (and locations since this is world-wide). They are: Eugene Abrams, Canada; Turi Aksdal, Norway; Richard Booker, GA; Eugene Campbell, GA; COOPER, FL; Katharine Dahl, GA; Joseph Dreher, GA; Melanie Ebenhardt, GA; Laura Elkins, DC; Susanna Green, GA; Amy Guidry, LA; Mona Hakimi-Schuler, Germany; Brandt Hardin, TN; Reeta Hiltunen, Helsinki; Annie Hogan, NC; Jessey Jansen, IL; Nolan Lee, CO; Builder Levy, NY; Jeanette Martone, NY; Janet McKenzie, VT; Tracey Moore, TX; Owen Mundy, FL; Phil Napalala, VA; Lazarus Nazario, NJ; Jason Nousin, CT; Judith Peck, VA; Jason Reblando, IL; Silvia Ross, FL; Ron Sherman, GA; David Swann, GA; Lisa Tuttle, GA; Cherie Tymkiw, IL; Betsy VanDie, IL; George Van Dreal, CA; Brian Walker, GA; Sandra Weinstein, CA; Elizabeth White, CT.
The exhibit and auction will be held at Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, GA on December 10th from 7-9pm. Sales of art benefit the artists and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The exhibit is part of a 10-day, city-wide program of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Univeral Declaration of Human Rights.
If you’d like to see my selected works or different series, check out my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
I thought I should try something new and share a commissioned painting I did recently. I don’t have any posted here and I usually don’t post them on my website anymore since my portrait section is a bit overloaded. Well, on the verge, at least. But I always keep a photo of the work I’ve done even if I don’t have room for it on my site. So I’m taking the opportunity to post it here for the first time.
I was asked by a friend of another collector to do a painting of her three children. So she wanted to get a painting done of them at the beach. (Hence the background.) I think this was originally going to be a surprise gift, but ended up being an early gift instead. Anyway, this is a 20″ x 24″ painting which is more of a medium-size given the range I work with. The tutu, though challenging, was kind of fun in a sick way. I like to torment myself and fuss over every little detail, but it’s usually worth it for the end result.
If you’re new to my work, or just haven’t seen my portraits, you can check out my Portrait section of my website at www.AmyGuidry.com. And of course you can find the rest of my work there as well.
"Freedom" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2008
“Upcoming Shows:
My “New Realm” series will be featured at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA in the Spring of 2009. This will be a solo exhibit and will be on display as of March 3rd and will run through the end of April.
On December 10th, my work will be featured in the “Learn Promote Defend” exhibit and silent auction. The event is sponsored by the Center for Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with a 10-day program, “60 Years of Progress…10 Days of Recognition.” The exhibit will be held at Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, GA.
As mentioned in previous blogs, I was asked to participate in “Twelve,” a group show of twelve artists represented by Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX. The show will open Saturday, December 6th, 2008 with an opening reception from 6-8pm.
Also at Wally Workman Gallery is the upcoming group exhibition, “Grand Affair.” I will also be showing as part of the represented artists. The exhibit will open in January 2009. More details soon.
I will be showing at Galerie Lafayette in Lafayette, LA for a second solo exhibit. My show in 2007 was a huge success, and now I will be showing my “New Realm” series there for the first time at that venue. The show is scheduled for the month of October in 2009. More details to follow.
Publications:
As part of my recent attainment of representation by the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX, my work will be featured in the upcoming edition of “Art Galleries & Artists of the South” Magazine.
My work was recently selected for the fall edition of “Studio Visit” Magazine. The juror was Carl Belz, Director Emeritus of The Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University. The magazine will be on newsstands later this month and is published by The Open Studios Press. The first copies are being sent to the publisher’s mailing list of national galleries and museums this week!
The winter edition of “Studio Visit” Magazine will also feature my work in early 2009. I was selected by Michael Klein, curator and private art dealer. He is also the former Director of the International Sculpture Center and former Curator of the Microsoft Collection. I received notification yesterday that the magazine is slated to be out mid-March of 2009. So be on the lookout.
If you’d like to see more of my work, aside from this blog, you can check out my online gallery at www.AmyGuidry.com. You can also find my work at www.WallyWorkmanGallery.com. To get monthly updates and show invitations, sign up for my newsletter under the contact page of my website.
![Atlanta exhibit and auction featuring Amy Guidry\'s work.](https://artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/atlantashowinvite.jpg "\")
