Hangups

Several weeks ago, I received an e-mail from Will Schinsky. Who is Will Schinsky? Never heard of him! A friend of his in San Diego told him, “you need to check out this artist’s work.” Will visited my website then wrote saying he liked my work and wanted to visit my studio. I’m willing to open my studio to interested persons, especially if a purchase could come of it. I was nervous and excited at the same time. Well, more nervous. I’m not a salesman.

I’ve had studio tours for other artists I know and for friends. But this was my first studio tour for a total stranger. I straightened up the studio. I straightened up the house. I checked to be sure the light fixtures had working bulbs. I made iced tea and made sure there was enough ice. Yep. I was a nervous wreck.

Will arrived. Introductions were made and we spent time looking at and talking about my work. He was more interested in the woven work than in the paintings. He made thoughtful, insightful comments about my work and asked intelligent questions. I thoroughly enjoyed talking about my work. He talked about my work as a collection & didn’t really single out any one piece for particular attention: not a good sign in terms of sales.

It was clear to me that he was not visiting my studio to purchase artwork. So I asked him about himself; what does he do, what is his interest in art, what is his purpose in visiting my studio. I thought he was visiting from San Diego. Not so!

Will Schinsky is the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance and The Arts at Context. They have several public spaces for the arts. The CVAA is beginning to develop Indio as a center for the arts in the Coachella Valley and are in the very early stages of development. Will asked me if I would show my work in one of the gallery spaces. I would share the space with Hanoc Pivens, another artist.

I was surprised! Of course I said “YES!” And I’m sure I wasn’t very composed, graceful or dignified in how I said “Yes!” I think I even did a little jig while saying, “Yes!”

And then the questions began falling out of my head. What pieces do I show? How will I manage the opening? Who will drive out to Indio for the opening? How am I going to manage all this? What will I wear? Is there a bathroom in the gallery? Will I have a key to the gallery space? You know; all those uber-important questions I neglected to ask.

Now that I’ve calmed down, (OK, not yet) I have a lot to do in preparation for this show. The opening is to be September 25^th – just over three weeks! Between now and then, I need to finish my current piece and pull together a guest list for the opening. I have to figure out what to do for the opening. I have to enlist help from friends to work for me so that I can mingle and not worry about the guests. Right now, this gallery show it’s like a blank canvas: there are all sorts of possibilities!

So much to do i

n so little time! But that’s ok! I’m hanging a show! And I hope they have a bathroom!

In the mean time, please take a minute to visit my website at www.JerryLHanson.com Take a look at my artwork. Contact me if you want to buy one of my works or if you have any questions about a specific piece. My contact information is on my website and you can leave a comment on this blog site for me to contact you. You can e-mail me at JeryL@JerryLHanson.com or you can telephone me on my studio phone 760-992-3157. You can call me. I won’t mind.

Thank you for listening!

Jerry L. Hanson