Art, Inspiration, Creation

Top 5 Cities for Artists to Live

8/26/2020 4:42:54 PM

Since I live in the country, it makes it hard to have a gallery that people will come visit or go out of their way to buy art. The internet has helped me sell art, and I have had a studio in a large city, in Huntsville, AL. This kept me busy with commissions and selling art as well. But the drive was taking up about 2 hours per day. I kept thinking, I can paint for those two hours! . 

I love the countryside and painting the surrounding area. I also love being in a studio with limited interruption. I periodically consider moving to a hotbed so I can sell more art and have a reason to produce more art. Instead, I go to the big cities and sell in art fairs, although this year it has not been near as productive. So I am building inventory 

Here are the top 5 places in the USA for artists to consider. This is taken from the March 15 article from Work + Money. It is considering artists to include filmmakers, painters, illustrators, etc. I have been to several of these places and I have to admit...they just feel ARTSY. 

1. Sante Fe, New Mexico

2. Cincinnati, Ohio

3. Ann Arbor, Michigan

4. Tacoma, Washington

5. Charlotte, North Carolina

1. Sante Fe - Population : population 84,000 and median Home value $380,000

Monthly Apartment rent starts : $800

Home of over 250 galleries, a 100 year old Museum and Home of the Sante Fe Art Insitute that offers residencies and fellowships to artists and writers. I have been to Sante Fe, and it is very impressive, the art, the quality of the art...just a yummy place to be. 

2. Cincinnati, Ohio - population 301,000 and median home value $142,000

monthly Apartment rent starts: $570

The city is home of the  Cincinnati Art Museum and Contemporary Art Center. The Brazee Street Studios, a former tool factory, now turned into a busy arts center, with artist studios, classes and a gallery for resident artists.

3. Ann Arbor, Michigan -population 860,000 and median home value $222,500

monthly Apartment rent starts: $990

Ann Arbor lies along the side of Huron River, and has acres of parks and open spaces. It offers a vibrant outdoor life in warmer months and has Walking, running and biking trails. According to SmartAsset, Ann Arbor is one of the top ten cities in the country for book lovers and writers. Ann Arbor features frequent live readings, author events and book clubs.

4. Tacoma, Washington - population 214,000 and median home value $304,900

monthly Apartment rent starts: $700

Home to the Northwest College of Art and Design and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. 

Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass are also here, and the small city is full of public art projects, museums and galleries.

5. Charlotte, North Carolina - population 860,000 and median home value $222,500

monthly Apartment rent starts: $850

Charlotte is what you would expect from a large city- a flourishing art scene. It has low rents too for the size of the city. Charlotte offers everything from ballet to theatre, opera to museums, and galleries to classical music.  

Charlotte is home to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Mint Museums and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. 

These are just the top 5. If you would like to know more cities that are best for artists, please visit this website. 

Even if you are not wanting to move to one of these artistic cities, I think it would be a great place to visit!!!

Top 5 Subjects to Paint

8/25/2020 2:27:57 PM

Periodically, we all want to know what people are buying. Not only does it influence us as artists, but it also lets us know the pulse of people's taste. In short, here they are: 

1. Traditional landscapes
2. Local views
3. Modern or semi-abstract landscapes 
4. Abstracts
5. Dogs

Art Business Today — on behalf of The Fine Art Trade Guild — in the UK conducted a survey with more than 800 galleries. They came up with the top 10 and you can read more HERE. But I wanted just to look at the top 5! Are you painting in these categories? I am sure the plein air movement has helped the traditional landscapes stay on top. But I feel that has been a #1 category for a long time.

1. Traditional landscapes are still a great thing to hang indoors, when you are working or can not get outdoors. It is usually a peaceful setting, and a place to look at and daydream.

2. Local Views are a hit, because who doesn't want to collect the view of their favorite football stadium, or park. Maybe a church or local street scene. 

3. Modern or Semi-abstract landscapes. These are those abstracts that feel like landscapes. I love to try these myself, and find myself using my imagination more and working from memory. Try it. Just make some intentional color choices, and remember a favorite place and use your favorite colors.

4. Abstracts have always been a hit with the "in" crowd, the movers and shakers. Probably more modern city homes or businesses. Something simple or imaginative, just colors, textures, angles, restful moments or swirls. I can also get lost in a good abstract. 

5. Dogs- sorry cats, but dogs win again. I love all animals and have many painted in my home, of course that I have painted. I used to only paint pet portraits and made a wonderful profession out of it. I have since moved to plein air, landscapes, interiors....I just love the movement of paint. But the souls of our furry friends on our walls....enough said. 

If you are not already painting one of these top 5, look at the list of top 10 at the link above. See if your subject matter is in there. Sometimes it is hard to find a niche for your own art. Do not get discouraged. The more popular the category, the more competition is in that category. People still love the unusual and different art pieces that No one else will have. 

Happy Painting!