Are you one of those people who keeps track of everything, every painting, where it’s been shown, who it was sold to and for how much? Or are you one of those who keeps no records at all and relies on her memory?

Well, I’m a record keeper. For those who know me personally, that will come as no surprise. I like order and organization, and keeping records fits right in with that philosophy.

There are real benefits to keeping records, and you know what? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Being quite comfortable with computers, I’ve tried several different systems before settling down to the one I use now. And I want to share it with you because it’s so easy.

I tried using special computer software for artists. Very cumbersome. I tried using a computer spreadsheet, and then a simple list in a word processing program. Did it work? Sure, but it was always a pain because it was in the computer and I had to keep printing lists to have the information at hand all the time.

So I went manual and simple. This is my system. I use index cards and a little box to keep them in. Just like you would for recipes. Every time I finish a painting, I take a new card and write the title and the year completed on it. Then I add the size, medium and price. On the rest of the card, I make a notation every time the painting is shown somewhere. I also make notations such as awards won, or anything else of interest. When a painting is sold, I write the date and the name of the buyer if I have it, and I put the card in a special section at the back for sold paintings.

That’s it. It’s so easy. And it’s so convenient. At any time, I can pull out the card for any painting and get a complete history for that painting. When trying to decide what to enter in a show, I can go through the cards and see what hasn’t been shown in that show before and quickly figure out what to enter. The cards are in alphabetical order, making it easy and quick to locate any one painting.

Here’s a sample of what my cards look like. Couldn’t be simpler.

My system could be made better if I were to include a photo of the painting with the card and I suppose one of these days I may do just that. Wish I had thought of it when I first started out.

I encourage you to keep records of your paintings. Not only for your use now, but looking at it long-term, you may one day be very glad you have all that information at your fingertips. You never know.

Suzette

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." (Jim Rohn)

Are you able to talk comfortably about your work with the viewing public? Are you able to explain your techniques, your goals, the meaning of your work?

Every time you’re in a show and meeting the public, it’s important that you be able to make a connection with visitors by having a conversation with them, and that usually means talking about your work. Visitors are interested in making a connection with the artist, on a personal level.

Talking about your work is a little bit like preparing an artist statement. It requires a little thought, preparation, and a little practice. You can’t expect to be able to pull the words right out of thin air.

A good way to do this is to do some brainstorming. Take a piece of paper and write down everything you can think of to describe your work, how it’s achieved, and what it means to you. Write everything down that crosses your mind. Don’t edit yet. When you’ve put down all you could think of, then start looking at what you’ve got to pull out the best of the ideas. Combine them in a logical way and then edit and cut out until you have something succinct but very descriptive of your individual work. Try to find one or two points in particular that you can focus on and that give meaning to the work.

For example, I often say about my work that it’s all about colour for me, it’s about how colours and shapes interact together and how they make you feel. Which is why I don’t try to be realistic because that’s not what I’m after. I’m after a colour statement, either completely abstract, or in a semi-abstract rendition of a landscape or still life.

By the time you’re done, you’ll not only have really good material for your artist statement, but you’ll also be very well prepared to talk about your work because by then, you’ll know the important points by heart. You’ll also have a better understanding of your own work and processes and what it all means to you and to the public.

Suzette

"Colour is a power which directly influences the soul." (Wassily Kandinsky)