Unfortunately for this weeks post, I don't actually have a very interesting answer. The answer to both questions is no.
I would like to have an assistant and the biggest reason I don't is that I am so used to doing everything and can be somewhat unorganized. I firmly believe I wouldn't have my materials together, my instructions together and myself together enough to utilize an assistant.
I do think it is interesting to imagine for this question what I need an assistant to do. There are (at least) two categories of activities to the professional artists practice: studio and office. On the studio side, I need someone to gesso. I hate to gesso and I don't say that lightly. Three coats of white gesso, one left to right, the second from top to bottom and the last from left to right again. It is monotonous. When you are finished you have a canvas painted white, three times. I can't imagine that I could keep an assistant employed gesso-ing canvasses though.
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| 8 year old gesso brush. I actually do clean this after I use it. |
On the other side, the office/paperwork side of things, I could really use an assistant. The tasks for an artist range from constantly updating resume, artist statements and cover letters to taking images of new work, resizing, cropping and cataloging work. Each exhibition application requires different file sizes and slide sheet configurations. Websites and blogs need updated. Often, show cards need to be made (even if only digital). I have found that many places make poor show cards so it is advisable to do much of your own promotion. There are appropriate galleries to contact, shows to apply for once you find the shows to apply for. It is a never ending list. This is to say nothing of the many activities required to ship a show somewhere. Wrapping each painting, printing mailing labels, making boxes, loading and and unloading for shipping. The rolls and rolls of tape.
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| Cards from previous shows. |
But alas, I do not have an assistant. Interesting parties apply within.
Check out Peggy's answer.
Last questions from "Inside the Painters Studio" by Joe Figg will be posted Friday March 29th:
Do you have a motto or creed that as an artist you live by? What advice would you
give a young artist that is just starting out? DUE: MARCH 28TH