Framing Tip: Work Backwards

I was talking to Brooke at You & I Framin and Gallery as I wad preparing to hang work for sale in her gallery. 

I explained how, for me, the framing is my biggest challenge. If you are like me, framing your work is sometimes overwhelming. You need to mat the work and pick colors or cut mats from scraps, decide whether it's worth paying for full sheets of mat board knowing that you will potentially save you and the buyer a few bucks but at the same time if you mess up then it becomes more expensive. 

There are entirely too many problems and questions when it comes to preparing your work for an exhibition.

Brooke suggested that artists on a budget work backwards. Since the frame is the most expensive aspect of the process, find them in your grandmother's attic, with bad art that can be tossed, on sale, and at yard sales. Once you have the frame you have the largest possible dimensions for your work. And the rest is easy. 

This trick sounded almost too good to be true but I used this tip for my work that went up at You&I and I htink it turned out quite nicely.

Felicia Follum Art+ Artwork in the Kennewick Art Walk at You&I Framing and Gallery

I expected working this way to be limiting but frames of all sizes can be found on sale it really wasn't that much of a restriction at all. I even had a few frames that fit the standard sized pieces of art already.

Great advice! Thank you You&I!

You&I

I have been accepted to You&I Framshop and Gallery as a part of the Kennewick Art Walk!

The walk is always the first Thursday of the month. My work will be up November and December which means the open house and walk will be Thursday, November 6 and Thursday, December 4 from 5-9.

Don't worry if you missed November. The turnout was perfect and December is coming and though I think my work will move back to make room for new art, it will still be up!

I will have some smaller pieces there that will make perfect gifts so be sure to stop by.

The Reception: Don’t Act a Fool

For those of you who are not familiar with the etiquette of an art reception here are a few tips.

Artist Statement
There will typically be an artist statement close to the entrance. There are two ways to use this to your advantage.

You can either read it first or you can take a quick look at the work to come up with some thoughts and questions of your own. If you look at the statement first it will give you an idea about the work. It may also give you some terms to use when the person next to you asks you what you think about the work. If you read it at the end you will have the freedom to come up with your own thoughts about the work.

Your thoughts are just as valid about the work as any one elses, including mine...That being said

Don’t Try to Use Fancy Language
When someone asks you about the work, you don’t need to use fancy language to talk about the your opinions. In fact, please don’t. However, being prepared to use a few basic terms may be wise. Color, shape, contrast, line and value (darks and lights) are all great words to keep in mind. They can help you answer questions such as why you like or don’t like the work.

Many art students spend their first semester just learning about basic terms in the context of overall composition and concept, so don’t feel too bad if you are still not sure how to talk about other people’s artwork.

Ask Questions
The terms above are also great for asking questions and engaging the artist. In addition to the basic terms you can always ask the standard Who, What, When, Where, and Why. But don’t forget to consult the artist statement before asking too many questions.

Dress
I have often been asked what people should wear to an art reception and this is a tricky question. In Laramie, dressing up is wearing jeans with your Ugg boots instead of Victoria Secret sweats. That being said you shouldn't feel bad in whatever clothes you wore al day (at least not at my shows), but you should feel free to dress up a bit as well.

The artist and special guests may dress up a bit more (or may dress for the theme of the show). Artists are eccentric (and sometimes have crazy friends) which means the focus will probably not be on you regardless of what you are wearing.

Food
How do you eat food without looking like the person who is just at an event for a free meal and getting out of doing dishes?

First of all, if you follow the tips listed above you will be better off than most people. Also, don’t be the person who just goes for the food. Check out these reasons to go to the reception if you are unconvinced. And finally, there is nothing wrong with grabbing food before (after or in the middle of) looking at the work. You can certainly walk around the space with food and a drink.

Look But Don't Touch
Which brings me to the final rule. Do not touch the work. Sometimes there are exceptions but if you are unsure don’t touch. Be thoughtful before touching. Does the artist want me to interact with the work or is it displayed in a way that interaction is not intended, helpful or needed. Furthermore, hanging work rarely has a need to be touched.

What tips did I miss? Comment below with questions or advice.

The Reception: Why Go?

Why go to an Opening or Closing reception for an art exhibition?

To Learn About The Art
Chances are you do not know a lot about the artwork. You may have seen online pictures and read a bit about the ideas behind the artist and their work online. There is nothing like seeing the work the way the artist intended for it to be seen. Every time I take someone to see my work for the first time they are excited about how different it is to see in real life than it was on FB or my blog. This is true for many famous artists as well. I was never a true Van Gogh fan until seeing him in person.

Dialog
Art doesn’t become significant in a bubble and most art seems to impact the community that it is created in the most. Attending a local art show allows you to be a part of a unique conversation.

One of y major goals with my art is to encourage dialog about culture and life and often times how to bring about change. All of my art exhibitions have had a social theme holding them together.

Meet The Artist
The most important reason to attend an art exhibition is that it provides a chance to meet the artist, ask questions and dialog with others about the work.

If you are unsure about how to talk about art while at an art reception you are in luck as I will be sharing a post on this topic soon. Check out The Reception: Don't Act a Fool.

Networking
If you are an artist attending an exhibition offers an opportunity to network with other creative and art lovers. Oftentimes you can take your sketchbook (with a pencil) and sketch ideas inspired by the exhibition. With the emergence of alternative art spaces this is even more common. Even if sketchbooks are not allowed you can still gain inspiration. Sometimes, I will look at color combinations as well as hanging techniques.

And Finally Food
If none of the art related reasons have convinced you there will often times be appetizers or wine. It always seems as if there is that one person, or in Laramie a specific couple, that goes to every community event serving free food. I will not be offended if you do go just for the food but please don’t make it obvious. Say hello to me and have a nice conversation with others.

I suppose part of the reason I will not be offended is that there is a good chance you will bring a friend and I am certain you will enjoy the and will be glad you attended.

For more reasons to attend one of my openings, check out my past blog post.

I can't wait to see you there!

East Meets West: Artist Statement

Triptych: Unknown God
Watercolor
Unknown God 18x30
$350
Jesus or Shiva 7x18
$75
7x18
$75
(Prices for prints)

East Meets West is the result of the mixing of two distinct cultures and worldviews. As a student of Religious Studies and Philosophy, I find the mixing of religion and the lines that separate culture from religion fascinating. In the field of religious studies the term that is applied to the mixing and combing of seemingly contradictory religions and cultures is syncretism.

Talents, Mixed Media

My experiences before, after and during India have led me to create some works dealing with the meeting, clashing, and synchronization of my own religion, Christianity, and the beautiful aesthetic of Hindu culture. Eight months after traveling to India I am still trying to process my experience and have continued to immerse myself in the culture that I find so beautiful. To my surprise, returning home and actively observing American culture is teaching me almost as much as being in India did.

I find that learning about other cultures allows growth and a greater understanding of the world around you that can only be experienced when two worlds meet, clash, and synchronize with each other. East Meets West is just that, a syncretic mix of the Eastern culture and my own Western world views.



For more information or to follow my exhibition please check out the Event Page or my Facebook page.

India Inspired Art+ Trash Installation

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

This installation piece was inspired by my comparison of American methods of dealing with trash and other countries. America tends to hide our trash even though we have way more trash than most countries. I compared this with the crazy amount of trash in the streets in India and other countries I have visited. In addition to the visible differences trash is often upcycled and reused in various ways. The reuse of trash and recycling leads to various jobs as well.

Check out the video below and be sure to subscribe to see my artists statement when I publish that post. Also subscribe to my YouTube channel to see lots of Art videos.
 

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Art + India + Trash

My artwork inspired by India has taken on many new forms and new media. A major goal and motivation behind going to India was to learn how to transform an incredible travel experience into a body of artwork. I am proud to say that this goal has already been accomplished. Upon return we were required to have at least two pieces, one for each of two exhibitions.

The first exhibition was a bit more mainstream and located at The Honey Bee Gallery in downtown Laramie, WY. I had a painting in this show. The second group exhibition was titled "An Even Dozen" because 12 students went on the trip. This exhibition was in the Visual Arts Building on the University of Wyoming campus which allowed for a bit more freedom. I included an upcycled trash piece as well as a tryptic playing with the mixing of religion and culture. Though these shows were required, I continued to create artwork on my own.

I am currently preparing for a solo exhibition that will include work from both previous shows and several more pieces.

Art+ India Exhibitions

If you have kept up with my art and travels via my Facebook page then you already know that I have been creating work inspired by my trip to India and you have been waiting patiently for an opportunity to see this new work.  If you have not been keeping up be sure to like my Art Page on FB and keep reading.

There are currently (I plan to add a third option in the next couple weeks) two chances for you to see my new artwork inspired by my recent trip to North India. Both exhibitions will be up throughout the month of October.

Honey Bee Studio Gallery
Reception: October 4, 6-8 pm

Visual Art Building lobby
Reception: October 25, 6-8 pm

Please visit the Facebook Event Page for more information or if you would like to RSVP.

These two exhibitions will have unique bodies of work from me and several other artists who traveled to India with me through the University of Wyoming Art Department.

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the stories inspiring my work. I will post soon with more info and artist statements.

LifeLight South Dakota 2013 and #TheLilyPadProject

Lily Pads
Felicia Follum
Aprox 18x48 in
Hang ready print on canvas
$325

This past week I was blessed with the opportunity to share my art at Lifelight, the largest free Christian music festival in the United States. I met some wonderful and fascinating artists. We talked about art and life and how we use our art to help make the world a better place.

My work was selected to be in the 360 Loft Gallery where I displayed a variety of my lily pads from #TheLilyPadProject.

You can find more of my work on Facebook.  Be sure to like and share my art page.
If YouTube is more your thing, take a moment to subscribe to my channel as well.