Cape Breton Art Blog » Uncategorized http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog A blog by Ann Schroeder: fine art quilts, silk scarves, workshops Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:26:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 Nova Scotia artists go to NYC http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2010/06/nova-scotia-artists-go-to-nyc/ http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2010/06/nova-scotia-artists-go-to-nyc/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:01:36 +0000 admin http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/?p=158 Five other Nova Scotia artists and I recently left our chilly province for a few days, flying south to New York City where roses were already in bloom.  We were a varied group; you can see samples of our work in this online gallery. Thanks to our organizer Bernie Burton of the nonprofit Craft Alliance, we went to be artist observers at the large Surtex show, which is all about selling and licensing original art and design.  There were seminars to take and more than 200 booths to visit, where artists and agents were displaying their work for prospective clients. (Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take photos.)

I learned about the numerous products, from high end to low end, that use licensed art. Any of us can look around our house and see some of these things: wallpaper, clothing, fabric, ceramic tiles, plates, mugs, giftwrap, gift bags, paper napkins, greeting cards, buttons, magnets, jigsaw puzzles, posters, and a lot more. Most of the art was representational (I saw way too many snowmen and roosters) but there were some opportunities for artists like me who do abstract work.

Some artists do licensing as a full time job, and the really successful artists can apparently make a lot of money doing this.  Others (possibly me?) pursue licensing as a smaller part of their work.  Some artists represent their own work to manufacturers and others are represented by agents who typically take a commission of 40-50%.  My current goal is to investigate possibilities in the fine art end of this business, sending samples to companies who publish open edition prints (reproductions) and posters. Before visiting Surtex, other artists might want to check some of these online sources: artlicensingblog.com, joanbeiriger.blogspot,com, allartlicensingblog.com, or artprintissues.com.

We also visited the two other shows at the Javits Center, the National Stationery Show which had a dizzying array of all the products related to stationery and gifts (many, of course, using licensed artwork) and the spectacular International Contemporary Furniture Fair with inspiring cutting-edge designs (some of which also used licensed artwork!).

For me, other highlights of New York were the show of late Claude Monet paintings at the Gagosian Gallery, which goes through June 26, the quirky and very cheap Jane Hotel where I stayed, and the excellent Indian restaurant Tamarind. 

Afterwards, a brief but nice visit with friends in Boston, and now it’s wonderful to be home in still-chilly Mabou watching the peas and spinach grow.

]]> http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2010/06/nova-scotia-artists-go-to-nyc/feed/ 0 Talking about the weather http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2008/09/talking-about-the-weather/ http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2008/09/talking-about-the-weather/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:05:44 +0000 admin http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/?p=65 Who would think that an island in eastern Canada would be big sky country?  But it is, because of all the hills and open fields.  With frequently changing weather, the sky is not dull here.  Talks with acquaintances in the village often begin with a brief commentary on the weather of the moment, useful for glimpses into the other person’s mood or general attitude.  Our friend Dan Angus, a carpenter who builds houses and often works outdoors, says that all weather is good weather, a view not shared by many but one that I try to emulate.  I’ve made a few quilts about the sky and weather and I’m sure there are more to come.

]]> http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2008/09/talking-about-the-weather/feed/ 2 September, a time to begin http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2008/09/september-a-time-to-begin/ http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/2008/09/september-a-time-to-begin/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:24:28 +0000 admin http://www.annschroederstudio.com/blog/?p=54 Welcome to my new blog!  That back-to-school excitement surfaces each year, and early fall brings a shift in energy.  Here in Mabou, the goldenrod and lavender asters are blooming, the school bus drives by at 8 each morning, and the air is getting crisper.  Just the right time for new projects, like launching a website and writing a blog.

goldenrod and asters on the hill behind my house

goldenrod and asters on the hill behind my house

What will I write about? Some ideas include:

  • inspirations for my work, like the beautiful surroundings of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia where I live
  • works-in-progress
  • some of my dyeing and sewing techniques
  • musings about making a living as an artist (with advice appreciated)

I would love to get your comments on the website, the fine art quilts, and the ideas for blog topics. Do you have new projects of your own this fall?

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