NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2021 AT 7.00PM
FENCIBLE LOUNGE, UXBRIDGE RD, HOWICK (NEXT TO THE HOWICK LIBRARY).
President’s Letter
Hello Members,
At our next club night, we will be having a visit from Pieter Meiring. He is the curator for The Art Lounge
gallery in Howick. We thought it would be great to get some feedback from a gallery’s point of view. He
will be discussing how to present a portfolio to a gallery, pricing of work and use of paint. I’m really
looking forward to his talk and I hope to see you there. You can learn more about The Art Lounge at
theartloungenz.com.
Your committee are working in the background getting things ready for our upcoming Midwinter
Exhibition. A bit like ducks on the water: all calm and serene above and paddling like mad underneath!
I am very excited about a unique addition to our exhibition this year – we will be hosting twice daily art
demonstrations by some generous volunteers. We hope this will draw more of the public to the show
to see your beautiful art, and hopefully more sales! Thank you Merv, Janice, Pat, John, Keith, Amanda
and Liz for stepping up.
Speaking of the Midwinter Exhibition, a reminder that entries close Sunday, 4th July. No entries will be
accepted after this date. We will also be needing lots of volunteers to do duty at the exhibition. There is
a roster at the Cottage, which will also be brought to club night. This is a great time for working
members to get involved.
Elise De Silva
Our current 2021 committee members are:
President – Elise De Silva
Vice President – Merv Appleton
Secretary – Carina Sim-Smith
Treasurer – Ken Tanner
Amanda Gleason – Membership
Jennie Henry -Art Programme
Janice Skinner – Gallery & Library
Off committee members are:
Wendy Oey – Website & Library
COTTAGE REPORT
I so often get asked for advice about pricing of an artwork. I found this article on the “Artistsnetwork”
site on the internet. Google “A simple formula for pricing artwork by Lori Woodward.” This might
help you to get an idea about pricing but does not mean you have to follow it to the letter. Please be
realistic when pricing your paintings. Do not underestimate your talent, time taken and cost of
framing and materials etc. The work in the gallery is of a high standard and our prices should be in
keeping with that.
You have probably all noticed our new signboard on the garage at the gallery. Thanks to Merv
Appleton for getting this organised.
The Solo Room is open for July and August. This is a good opportunity to get your name known. A
group of artists can share the room. Please think about this. The cost for a month is $40. It does mean
doing a duty on a Friday but there are people who are willing to help with this. Please contact Janice if
interested.
The next changeover date is Sunday 27th June.
Hope you are all painting up a storm for the midwinter exhibition.
Janice Skinner
GALLERY RULES (FOR ALL TOO READ)
ORIGINALITY – (New Zealand copyright law and excerpts taken from Landscape Painting Inside and Out by Kevin Macpherson)
Many artists are not aware that painting from a photograph taken by someone else is copyright infringement. The same goes for painting from another artist’s painting. Photos or paintings by others may inspire you to see a subject a different way, but please do not copy them. To do so is illegal. Copying a painting can help you grow as an artist, but the results should never leave your studio. If working from someone else’s photograph the painting must be so changed that it is unrecognisable as a copy. Copying paintings of the Old Masters is allowed as copyright falls away after they have been dead for 50 years but the original artist must be acknowledged on the artwork.
When putting your signature to a painting, it means that you are the sole artist. No work that has been worked on by a tutor should be entered in a competition or sold. No work that has been done at a workshop from the demonstrator’s photo, or that the demonstrator has worked on, should be put up for sale.
For your own work, find and research your own subjects, including taking your own photos. Make it your view, your idea. Herman Melville said: ‘It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation’.
FRAMED PAINTINGS AND PAINTINGS ON STRETCHED CANVAS – Are to be written up in the Painting Register at a cost of $2. Paintings are hung for one month but can be hung again after a waiting period of at least 4 months.
PRICE – All works including miniatures and unframed items must be for sale and 20% commission added on.
FRAMING – Artwork must be soundly framed with the correct rings and cords attached ready for hanging. The correct picture framers tape must be used. No badly damaged frames will be accepted.
LABELLING – Put your name, title, medium, and price on a card (swing tag) affixed to the back of each painting.
UNFRAMED WORKS – All unframed Watercolours must be mounted and covered in plastic or cellophane. All these works must have stickers on top of the plastic, stating title, name, medium and price. These paintings must be entered into the Miniatures/Unframed register (no cost) and they can stay in the gallery for a period of 6 months.
MINIATURES – These works should be no higher than 7”. A card stating title, name, medium and price must be affixed to the back. These paintings must be entered into the Miniatures/Unframed register and can stay in the gallery for a period of 6 months. There is no cost in hanging miniatures in the gallery.
Janice Skinner – Ph 535 9190 (021 023 68667)
CRAFTS FOR THE GALLERY
We are able to display ceramics, glass, pottery, woodwork and sculptures. Any of our working members who are involved in the above arts please bring your creations to the next changeover. The cost to display for the month is $2 per item and 20% commission must be included in your pricing.