From the Intern Files: April 7-8th

Today went very fast in the gallery. We submitted some images of Fred Hunt's work for the Ringling 100 which had a call to artists for their students and Alumni. Fred graduated from Ringling School of Art in 1951 with a major in Painting. I helped re-size the work for submission via the internet, Fred just having had his 81st birthday (http://coconutgrovegrapevine.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-friend-fred-hunt-master-artist-just.html#links) isn't computer literate nor is he interested in the computer. He spends his entire day painting, one of the few artists completely dedicated to creating art each day. AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt his model/muse/wife, says that "painting is the thing keeping him alive." He comes into the gallery each morning where his easel is set up and paints, and often comments that AnnaMaria and I do too much during the day and that we should be painting, but there is always so much to do. The business of an art gallery is more than what the movies make it out to be, the glamour comes only after it's all finished and the opening is in full swing.

Just now a husband of one our Mail Artists, Andrea Scott, walked in on his way to dinner, his name is Ken (this is for you Andrea :)). And this is not the first time he came to visit her work, The first time he photographed it, this time AnnaMaria photographed him next to Andrea's piece.

I had to leave last night, but last night was the start of the Free Art Seminar on marketing yourself as an artist. The artBiZ Coach seminar,  The Artist's Marketing Plan, led by Debra Cortese is based on the book by Alyson Standfield "I'd rather be in the studio" . 23 people had registered for the salon, and some calling at the last minute that they would not be able to make it and they didn't. However 24 people showed up representing all medias, including a UM librarian, a gallery owner, plus a cultural blogger. One of the things covered was how to/need to navigate the social media. It was a great turnout and a positive sign that artists are willing to learn how to market themselves and share this information with other artists.