Happy New Year!
January, 2020 Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"A Banyan Near the Beach"
20" x 13" Holbein watercolor on Fabriano paper. This is a demonstration painting that I for the West Palm Beach Watercolor Society in December, 2019.
Are we seeing a new paradigm in art sales?
In November I attended the annual trade show, Art of the Carolina's, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jerry's Artarama sponsors this show each year at the North Raleigh Hilton. It's a four day event where art suppliers and manufacturers from all over the U.S. set up exhibits to showcase their products. They also have numerous workshops that vary in length from three hours to all day that are taught by nationally known artists. This was my seventeenth year as one of the instructors and I taught six three hour workshops. It was a busy but fun week. I had an opportunity to see a lot of old friends and make some new friends as well. Usually most of the workshops end at 4:00 in the afternoon at which time many of the instructors and students congregate in the hotel lounge where there is plenty of seating, good food, and adult beverages. It was a good time and I look forward to returning next year.
One of the best parts of the week for me is to have a chance to talk with the other instructors and share our experiences. Most of us know each other and are more than willing to offer advice and tips if asked. I was in several conversations where the subject of art sales seemed to be a topic of conversation. Here is what I gained from these conversations.
Just about every artist that I talked with said that they are seeing a decrease in gallery sales. Keep in mind that these are professional artist from all over the U.S. so we're not just talking about certain areas of the country; it seems to be nationwide. I am not saying that art galleries are in dire straights because some do quite well. What I am saying is that there seems to be definite changes in the way many artists are selling their work. Art galleries which used to be the main venue are now finding that artists are taking a more proactive role in selling their art rather than relying solely on the galleries.
Here is what I heard in the discussions that I had with many of the professional artists at the Trade Show. Please keep in mind that these are only opinions. The following bullet points are our collective thoughts on what is influencing the world of art sales:
- Many of the "Baby Boomer" generation are downsizing to smaller homes that have fewer walls to display paintings. Most of them already have art that they're fond of that will fill what little wall space they have. Still others in the same age group may not have as much disposable income as they once did now that they are retired.
- The next generation does not place as much value on fine or original art as their parents. They also don't seem to have an appreciation for antiques . Diane and I have four grown daughters who show no interest in some of the very nice antiques that we have in our home. They see it as just "old stuff". A lot of our friends have said the same about their grown children. Instead of fine art and antiques they prefer inexpensive and often disposable furnishings and art so the they can keep up with any current decorating trends that change every couple of years.
- There are more and more online galleries that have what seems to be a never ending inventory of art for sale in every style, size, medium, and price range you can imagine. More and more people are shopping from their lounge chairs for just about everything including art. Brick and mortar businesses are definitely feeling the bite. This is happening in all retail sectors, not just art galleries.
- The price of original works of art has always been a deterrent for a lot of people who appreciate original art but do not have the means to purchase it. Art galleries can sometimes be intimidating for those who do not fully understand the reasoning behind the prices. All that they know is that they have more pressing priorities for their money. Most people for example have no idea how much commission the artist is required to pay the gallery when a piece sells. When I tell people that most galleries charge the artist a 40% to 50% commission on retail sales they are shocked. That never occurred to them.
- Lastly there are more and more artists taking control of their own sales and marketing through art websites, gallery walks, and social networking. I don't think that it's a coincidence that an increase in social networking and dwindling art gallery sales seem to be running parallel to each other.
So what do we do about it? That's the $64,000 question that everyone is asking. Unfortunately there is not a universal answer that would pertain to every artist. We each need to find our own solutions based on our needs and capabilities. I have owned two art galleries and I have a great deal of respect for those who own an art gallery. It's hard work, long hours, lots of expenses, and it can be very unpredictable. A lot of galleries have closed down in the last few years because of the dwindling sales. Even now when the economy has grown stronger a lot of galleries are struggling. I hear this from coast to coast and more than likely some of you have seen it in your area. Then when you add in the things that we have just listed it's easy to understand what's happening. It's sad but nevertheless a reality. Diane and I still love to visit art galleries when we travel and we still make an occasional purchase. But as a professional artist I always have my nose to the wind trying to sniff out the next big opportunity to expand or maintain our sales. We have to; it's our livelihood. I don't think art galleries will ever totally vanish because there are still a lot of people that enjoy shopping in them and have the means to purchase what they want. At any rate, this is the overall consensus of the conversations.
Having said all of that, here's one thing that I am going to try in addition to displaying my work in art galleries. I just opened an account with Saatchiart.com. An artist that I spoke with at the Art of the Carolina's Trade show highly recommended them. This link will take directly you to my personal site:
We'll see how it works out.
On a personal note:
The other day I looked up the word
"Easy" and read this; "achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties."
Is it just me or does it seem like everything that we purchase these days comes in a box that says
"Some assembly required". But that's perfectly fine because it also says
"Easy to assemble". I like easy to assemble things. What a perfect world we live in; everything is easy to assemble. Remember the old days when you went to a store and bought things that were already assembled? Me too. But those days are gone so now we get lots and lots of boxes. Most of the time we find lots of neat stuff in the boxes. There are special screws, hex nuts, washers, cam bolts, glue, nails, and lots of other neat stuff. That's great because we, as easy to assemble kind of people, need all of those things. But wait; it gets even better. They even give us
"Easy to follow instructions" that are written in different languages so that other people all over the world who also love easy to assemble things can have some fun too. Then there are the people that pack the boxes. They must think that us, easy to assemble kind of people, are always losing things because they usually give us extra nuts and nails, and bolts and washers, and stuff. Sometimes though, they like to mess with our minds and leave out a couple of things. You can almost hear them snickering in the break room as they tell their coworkers. Don't you know they'd love to see the look on the face of the poor sucker that gets that box.
So you finally decide to spend your day off assembling this thing that came in a box. You spread it all out on your floor and put all of the pieces in their respective piles. Everything is categorized as diagrammed in the simple to follow instruction manual that also came in the box. This is it! You're now ready to be an assembler. What could possibly go wrong? It's really very easy. You attach part 1 to part 2 using 1/2 bolt 3B and washer 2A with the screw driver that was included in the box. Then use the 1/4" hex wrench that was included in the box to attach one of forty 3/8" long 6N hex nuts to the back of part 1 but DO NOT attach to tightly until you have glued strip number 8 to the back of part two with the little tube of glue #4A that was included in the box. This is the point where, in my case, I usually send the grand kids out of the room so that I don't damage their little ears with some really bad words. But you hang in there and actually work your way through it. It's a proud moment and you take a sigh of relief that you're finished. Good, now turn to Page Two, and Three, and Four, and Five, and eventually page Nine.
After several hours, and maybe a couple of beers to steady your concentration, the project is completed. In my case it is a bookcase that I actually assembled all by myself using the easy to assemble instructions that came in the box. I feel manly and strut around the house bragging to anyone that even acts like they care. I also apologize to the kids for any unseemly language they might have heard as I was in the other room screaming for the past four hours. While I have the grand kids attention I also tell them not to get any closer than ten feet of the bookcase because I do not know how long it will stay up. It seems that I had about sixteen extra nails and bolts left over and I never did find that little tube of glue that was supposed to be in the box. But that's OK because it looks pretty dang good and I persevered, even though it does lean a little. It's time to go out and get something else in a box.
Whiskey Paintings
I recently put a new collection of
Whiskey Paintings
on my website;
www.sterlingedwards.com. Click on "Paintings" in the top toolbar and scroll down to view the Whiskey Painting gallery.
MY TWO WEBSITES
I now have two websites that feature my paintings. The first is:
sterlingedwards.com which has our workshop schedule, store, FAQ page, paintings, newsletter sign-up, and more.
Both of the websites will be edited from time to time with new artwork and announcements.
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Is it time for a studio clean up?
If you're like me, you probably have drawers and cabinets full of art supplies that you've collected over the years that you will never use. Why not donate them to a school or retirement center so that someone else can enjoy them. I have been donating excess supplies for several years and I enjoy doing so. I need the space in my studio and the schools need the materials. It's a win/win. There's probably even a tax deduction if you like.
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" A Good Day"
Whiskey Painting
4" x 5"
Holbein Watercolor on Fabriano paper.
I used Iceberg Vodka from Newfoundland to paint this piece on Fabriano 140 lb cold pressed paper. If you are not familiar with the
Whiskey Painters of America click on
"Paintings"on my website:
www.sterlingedwards.com and scroll down to
Whiskey Paintings where you can
read a brief history of the
Whiskey Painters of America and
see other examples of my
Whiskey Paintings. It's a fantastic group of artists with a very unique and proud history. I am honored to have been chosen to be part of this internationally renowned group.
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"Subtleties"
24" x 30" Cheap Joe's acrylics on a Gallery Wrap canvas.
This abstract expressionist painting is a studio piece that was painted in segments. In order to maximize the overlapping shapes and maintain clean edges I needed to let each step dry before continuing. The edge of a credit card and black paint were used towards the end to introduce the textured black lines.
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Are you an Interior Designer or Decorator?
If so, or if you know someone who is, we would like to talk with you. We extend a professional discount to licensed businesses on our original artwork. We offer a wide variety of sizes, styles and subjects. It doesn't matter if you are working on a commercial job or residential, you might be interested in hearing what we have to offer. If you would like more information, email; sterling@sterlingedwards.com
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Do you need an artist's website?
If so, go to
www.faso.com
(Fine Art Studio Online). This company will help you design your own custom website to your specifications. They have numerous templates that you can choose from and a great support system. I designed and built my website even though I am very computer challenged. The best part is the price. I'm only paying $28.00 a month for my website even though it is very lengthy. There are less expensive programs if you don't need a huge website. If you haven't already seen my website go to
www.sterlingedwards.com
and check it out. They can also assist you with registering your domain name. Once again, when I find something good, I pass it on.
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Wholesale pricing on original watercolors
A few months ago we announced a way for current and former students to purchase original watercolor paintings from my website at the same price that they would pay if they purchased the painting at the student wholesale price in one of my workshops. This has proven to be a very popular concept and we have sold quite a few paintings through this special offer. Here's how it works:
If you are a former student of mine and have taken a workshop you are entitled to the same special wholesale price on my original watercolor paintings on my website that you would pay in a workshop. The prices on the website are my retail price and do not apply to my students. If you see a painting on the website that you are interested in possibly purchasing, DO NOT click on the "BUY NOW" tab. If you do it will take you to PayPal and charge you the full retail price of the painting as seen on the website.
Instead, go to the "CONTACT" page and send us an email requesting the student wholesale price of the painting. Please tell us the title of the piece, what workshop you attended, and whether or not you are a U.S. resident. You will receive an email with the student wholesale price plus ordering instructions. All of the paintings are unframed and unmatted and shipped in a heavy duty mailing tube for protection. Each will be accompanied with an Artist's Biography. As a special bonus, we offer
FREE SHIPPING
on watercolors that are shipped to a U.S. address.
This offer is for watercolors only and DOES NOT include Whiskey Paintings, paintings on canvas, or paintings that are currently hanging in a gallery.
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Sterling's 2019 and 2020 Workshop Schedule
***Please Read***
Beginning in 2021 Sterling will be doing fewer workshops. Currently our 2020, and 2021 workshop schedules are full and all that we have left in 2022 is a December date. We are currently booking 2023 and 2024 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group in 2023 or 2024 please contact us soon so we can send you the information that you will need to make a decision. Email;
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
and request a workshop information packet. All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Note:
When you write be sure and tell us the name of the group that you represent and where you are located.
If you want more information about any of the workshops below get in touch with the
Contact person
for that particular workshop. He or she can answer questions about the workshop price, lodging, airports, etc.
2019 Workshops
- December 9-10, 2019 Palm Beach, FL, Palm Beach Watercolor Society
This will be a two day watercolor workshop on the 9th and 10th covering floral and landscape painting. Contact;
Steve Philbrook,
561-471-8588, Philbrookstudio52@gmail.com
- December 11-13, 2019 Palm Beach, FL, Palm Beach Watercolor Society
This will be a three day on Creative and Expressive Design with watercolor. Both stylized and abstract will be taught at this workshop for all skill levels. Contact: Steve Philbrook, 561-471-8588, Philbrookstudio52@gmail.com
2020 Workshops
- January 6-10 ,2020 Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This is the annual five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that is hosted by Sterling and Diane at the Brighton Tower in Kingston Plantation Resort. The workshop will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects. Contact: Diane Edwards,
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
, 336-946-1425
WAIT LIST
- January 20 -21, 2020 The Villages, FL
This is a two day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on creating an abstract expressionist watercolor.
Contact: Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com, 804-536-1794
- January, 22-24, 2020 The Villages, FL
This is a three day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting a stylized (Semi-abstract) watercolor. Contact: Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com, 804-536-1794 Registration Details;
www.villageartworkshops.com
WAIT LIST
- February 25-28, 2020, Bonita Springs, FL
This is a four day watermedia workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting an abstract expressionist painting with watercolor and acrylic.
- March 11 - 14, 2020, Grifton, NC
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
WAIT LIST
- March 15-16, 2020 Grifton, NC
This is a two day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on creating expressive abstracts with watercolor.
WAIT LIST
- March 30 – April 2, 2020, Virginia Beach, VA
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects
- April 20 -23, 2020, Denver, CO
This is a four day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- May 4-7, 2020, Black Mountain, NC
This a four day acrylic and mixed media abstract workshop in Black Mountain, NC. All skill levels are invited to this exciting and creative workshop. Contact; Diane Edwards at
sterling@sterlingedwards.com
or call 336-946-1425 for more information or to register.
- May 18-22, 2020, Lowell, MI
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects using Big Brushes. Contact: Kathy Bechtel, Art Director, Franciscan Life Process Center ,
kbechtel@lifeprocesscenter.org
, 616-897-7842 ext 352.
- June 8 – 12, 2020, Boone, NC, Cheap Joe’s
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on Big Brush Watercolor Landscapes and Floral. Contact:
Edwina@cheapjoesartstuff.com
1-800-227-2788
- July 13 - 17, 2020 Calabash, NC
This is a five day acrylic abstract workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of acrylic techniques on paper and canvas.
- August 10-14, 2020, County Louth, Ireland
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- September 21-25, 2020 Flat Rock, NC
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.
- October 5 - 9, 2020, Pensacola, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will focus on painting a stylized (Semi-abstract) watercolor.
- October 26-29, 2020 Lincolnton, NC
This is a four day abstract and creative design watercolor workshop for all skill levels. Contact: Liz Poole, liz
@donnadowneystudio.com
- November 12-14, 2020 Raleigh, NC
This is the three day annual trade show in Raleigh, NC sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama Contact; Sharon DiGiulio at 1-800-827-8478, ext 156 or email
Sharon@jerrysartarama.com
- December 1 – 5, 2020. Bradenton, FL
This is a five day watercolor workshop for all skill levels that will cover a wide variety of styles and subjects. Contact: Carla Nierman, carla@artcentermanatee.org
941-746-2862
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"Coalesce"
20" x 13" watercolor.
What can I say, it's an abstract. As I'm sure most of you know, I love to paint abstracts,. They're exciting, they're unique, and they're challenging. I'm also pleased to say that we are getting more and more requests for abstract workshops from around the country. It's becoming one of the most popular styles of art in galleries and art museums not to mention in commercial buildings and designer and decorator shows and magazines.
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"Autumn Splash"
48" x 48" Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas.
This painting is available at Sunset River Marketplace Gallery in Calabash, NC
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Diane and I at Looking Glass Falls near Brevard, North Carolina. This photograph was taken a few years ago and is still one of my favorites. I am one lucky guy!
Diane and I hope that 2020 proves to be a safe, healthy, happy, and prosperous year for all of you.
If you enjoy our monthly newsletter be sure and tell your art loving friends about it. They can sign-up for it on our website;
www.sterlingedwards.com
As always, we appreciate your support.
Art; it chooses us
Food for thought
"I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.
Vincent Van Gogh
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
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