My entry into the art scene was a little different than most. I live in an area of about 200,000 people and have participated in the local Home Shows as a remodeling contractor for years. I have always had a thing for Home Shows every since I was eleven years old and saw my first Microwave Oven. That was just magic to me, futuristic, outer space kind of stuff. I think Home Shows should not be more of the same, just seeing again what is already available and everywhere.
I did Home Shows for 25 years in a row, 15 as "Jerry Carlin Construction" and the last ten as "Stonepost Co.", my alter ego art side. I never had the same booth twice, never brought the same stuff back to another show, never sat at a table waiting for customers to approach me. I always had some kind of drama there, something to make them curious, something they had never seen before!
By the time I was ready to toss the Construction Company aside, a lot of people already knew me. I had my jobs on television, been interviewed a few times and written up in the papers. I wasn't famous for anything but interesting news on a slow news day.
It is a tough business, making art from metal and attempting to make a living at it. I quickly learned that China Incorporated makes everything and they are tough to compete against. I don't know how they do it. I can't get my stuff powder coated for what they sell theirs for!
The first rule I made for myself was, if it would fit in a plain brown cardboard box, if it were easily shipable, if I had seen it before, if they were angels and fairies or flimsy garden arbors, then I wouldn't make them. This rule led me to make some really heavy stuff, really big and really strong and pretty soon I got a name for myself as a builder of just such stuff. I don't know why but few were building anything really cool in this town. Three styles of gates were about all you had to choose from! and the type of arbors one can get at Costco or Walmart.
Now I have entered another dimension of art. I have begun to paint! I am cleaning and rearranging my studio to include a painting area and it is going to be a lot of fun. I know absolutely nothing about painting, no rules, no methods, no artists, nothing. I am pretty illiterate when it comes to this world. I have friends who are "real artists", sell their wares for big bucks and are "gallery known", successful. One encourages me, gives me hints and inspiration and the other is silent. Maybe polite.
It will be interesting to see what happens. I know for sure if I don't do it, nothing will happen!
More of my Paintings are HERE.http://www.artwanted.com/slate
I did Home Shows for 25 years in a row, 15 as "Jerry Carlin Construction" and the last ten as "Stonepost Co.", my alter ego art side. I never had the same booth twice, never brought the same stuff back to another show, never sat at a table waiting for customers to approach me. I always had some kind of drama there, something to make them curious, something they had never seen before!
By the time I was ready to toss the Construction Company aside, a lot of people already knew me. I had my jobs on television, been interviewed a few times and written up in the papers. I wasn't famous for anything but interesting news on a slow news day.
It is a tough business, making art from metal and attempting to make a living at it. I quickly learned that China Incorporated makes everything and they are tough to compete against. I don't know how they do it. I can't get my stuff powder coated for what they sell theirs for!
The first rule I made for myself was, if it would fit in a plain brown cardboard box, if it were easily shipable, if I had seen it before, if they were angels and fairies or flimsy garden arbors, then I wouldn't make them. This rule led me to make some really heavy stuff, really big and really strong and pretty soon I got a name for myself as a builder of just such stuff. I don't know why but few were building anything really cool in this town. Three styles of gates were about all you had to choose from! and the type of arbors one can get at Costco or Walmart.
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| My "First Painting" on Stainless Steel |
It will be interesting to see what happens. I know for sure if I don't do it, nothing will happen!
More of my Paintings are HERE.http://www.artwanted.com/slate
5 comments:
You certainly have nothing to lose. All we can hope for is we keep moving forward. I'd love to see you try some really different colors or how about adding some of your scroll work for hanging. I know the hardware has those small $4 sizes of paint. Thanks for sharing your ArtWANTED Site. You're a talented busy man!
I really like the wisdom you always show Pam, listen to her Jerry!
Jerry, you are amazing, truly.
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