Arabella's art and culture with a dash of gas
It must have been something I blocked out, or something I just got used to. Maybe I was just trying to be polite or assumed they were dumb so I just kept my mouth shut instead of getting nasty about it? "Your work is great! But you know what you should do..." is something I have heard from a ridiculous number of men with regard to my art-making practices and anything to do with my career. I guess I really did just get used to it. In fact, this was how they made conversation.
I hate shopping. Well, I hate being around sales people, and other people, and... well usually I know what I want and I go right for the thing. Sometimes I experience something wonderful, like at Saks or at Rubenstein's . Any high-end place that does it right by giving me samples and champagne. But really,… Continue reading Friendship Friday Gift Guide
I finally got around to making my shop FANCY for those who want a quick way to purchase original artwork of mine. Visit ArabellaProffer.BigCartel.com There are framed, unframed, and some sarcastic drawings in the bunch. More will be added eventually. I still do 6 month payment plans, just email for details (I require a $100… Continue reading Arty Farty Fancy Pants Art Shop Redux
Katie 18x24" oil on linen. Click image for full-view. I have to sit with it a bit more and take additional photos post-varnish (no colors ever seem to be accurate as they are in real life), but here is my most recent commission. God I love that dress! It took a lot of patience but… Continue reading New Portrait: A Girl, A Cat, A Dragon
I don't normally get public about this kind of thing, but a line really got crossed. If you know me, you know that takes quite a bit of effort. For over a year I had marked this painting as sold. I'd only exhibited it once before at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University. "Prada… Continue reading Why I Fired A Would-Be Collector
Here is my newsletter of what is coming up this next month as far as shows and festivals... Arty Farty News for Fall I'm also working on the book cover for "Fat School Confidential", going to Portland, OR in November -- I haven't been since the record release weekend for this EP -- and adding… Continue reading Artworking This Fall
I think by now people know how I feel about artists being treated as a personal cookie jar to be called upon to donate work anytime an organization needs money. Tax laws are unfair for artists, and I always resent the "exposure" line these organizations use while acting like you should be so grateful to… Continue reading Support The Arts, Just Don’t Pay The Artist
It is nice you made a Facebook invite for an event, and maybe listed it on some websites 3 days before the dang reception, or talked about it on Twitter, but if you want something to be in a glossy magazine -- an interview or anything -- you have to plan 4 months in advance. Even the local newspaper has to get a heads-up several weeks in advance. You also have to build relationships with writers.
My friends came up with a great idea yesterday to start a collection agency for artists, when galleries and curators don't pay up. Sadly this has been happening more and more, and this is the first time I can remember when I have heard more than one story about bounced checks from galleries. Eep! Though… Continue reading Dealing
Lately I've been wondering "what's the point?" because I'm definitely not one of the lucky few who actually make a living at art -- I break even. If I am in the black, it is enough to get the ever slightly better frames sometimes. Everything goes back into the art; supplies, shipping costs, promo materials,… Continue reading The Fabulous Life of an Artist
Arty Farty 