WHAT'S HAPPENING?

It's been my goal to eventually "cover" the rent at Karen's Studio #125. The rent currently is $530 a month with heat, light included. My other expenses include insurance, transportation, advertising (Vistaprint postcards and business cards) supplies and groceries (snacks/tea, etc.). The students pay $5 per hour. If I have 10 students for an hour, this means I have $50. I have added more hours to help bring the total up to $100 for one afternoon of work 2-6:45 p.m. I've opted to allow some of the "old timers" to come in for free, because they contribute through donating their time to help out with the Essex Studios Art Walks, bring in refreshments and help to teach the "newbies" what they know - they are my "assistant" teachers.

All of my students are making progress! I've been uploading pictures of their work on Facebook and on my Meetup "Art, Music, Theater" site. Starting out with stick figures, ink scribbles and lessons from John Gnagy's Drawing Course (eBay purchase), the students move to watercolor postcards or trading cards, perspective drawings and then to painting on canvas. They come into the studio - pick up their own folder with their work in it and move to a place in the studio where they can set up their work area. The supplies are available on the table or supply table and shelves. I continue to provide most of the materials. Some work at a table easel, standing easel or portable drawing board.

Some of us go over to the "snack area" for soup, instant coffee, tea or chilled water from the water cooler. The fridge offers some snacks, too and is there for keeping food chilled.  A microwave oven is available, too.


The "Art Library" is an area where students can find instruction books. There is a large selection of vintage Walter Foster books and many books about art and famous artists. Nearby are two couches and comfortable chairs available for a relaxing retreat into the "Art World".

Easy music is supplied from WGUC's Classical Music Station or from my  own "painting music collection". The air conditioner works well. Three overhead fans and two floor fans move the air throughout the studio. Wide, tall windows let in plenty of daylight.

I "interview" each student to help me find out what they want to do or accomplish. Each student seems to find their own "niche" - choosing the media that they like best.  Some like to work in watercolor, others like doing colored pencil work, others work in pastels. There are those who are painting with acrylics and still others are working in oil - "each to their own" - unique and personalized.

Now, all I need are more hours and more students to break even! Onward!

Update from Karen's Studio 125: More students, more fun, more creativity! Earlier this year I started teaching students from The Recovery Center at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at my studio. I think at least 25 people have come and gone - some staying and growing. Others, other obligations and choices take them elsewhere. We're going to be starting the third session of 10 weeks next Wednesday.

It was a "big leap" for me to reach out and take a risk of expanding my teaching to more students. I had been accepting the fact that I had some "regulars" for years, some paying in cash others helping out with shows by bringing food, helping out, etc. - something of a "trade out". So now, I'm realizing some help with the rent, making it easier for me to accept that the "out-go" is more than "in-come".

Other people are coming into the studio just for company and companionship, others for some instruction and encouragement. Gradually, gradually I will finally have enough people to make it a "break-even" enterprise. I only charge $5.00 an hour "pay as you go", a bargain - designed to keep people coming into do their art for months and even years. It all "adds up".

Willie Evans of Framecare Studios comes in every other week to pick up art work to frame. He does an incredible job and is quite talented. He has a "traveling frame shop". He brings in his mats and frames. We show him what we want framed and he makes suggestions. We work together looking at all the various options - choices of double mats, acid-free mats, clear glass, interesting frames. Sometimes I just give him something I need to have framed and have him "choose". His choices are excellent and it saves me "all that decision-making"!

We've had two big Art Walks at Essex Studios (that's where my studio is located) with many other artists in the same building. Not only artists, but businesses, as well. The American Sign Museum was in Essex Studios for several years, but now has grown so large that it now has a new home! That location is now a church for "creative people". The Art Walks (Open House Events) are usually the first weekends - Fri., Sat. in Oct., Dec., Feb., and April. Many "outside artists" participate by "setting up shop" in the hallways. I like buying wonderful jewelry - inexpensive, nice. And, I love the food trucks that offer special food out in the parking lot. Being part of Essex Studios makes the whole "art experience" exciting and fun.

I list my classes on my Meetup.com group "Art, Music, Theater Meetup". Listing there helps me get more students and let my Meetup people know "What's Happening". Will update again, soon. Keep creating!

New Year 2012

It's "about time" that I share an update of Karen's Studio 125 "happenings"! Since my last blog post we've had a couple of Essex Studios Art Walks which brought in many more people to see our art. And, the good news is: we're selling our art! Our next Art Walk will be Friday and Saturday, March 2nd/3rd 6-11 pm. I sold two paintings "Findlay Market" and "Gateway Quarter". My students also sold some of their work, too. 

My Wednesday classes now include students from The Recovery Center. They are definitely creative artists! We have a wonderful time together - sharing and laughing. I really enjoyed receiving a special birthday card from the ladies plus a stack of greeting cards that were designed and made by Recover Center artists. 
Then, more students are signing up for classes - making a day of 16-20 students. I will be expanding class times into Thursday and then setting up other class times, too.

I upload students' work and mine also to Facebook under Karen's Studio 125 and under my own name, too. Students are working in watercolor, oil pastels, acrylics, colored pencils, chalk. and making collages.

My current challenge will be doing more "Over the Rhine" paintings for The Symphony Hotel. I'm thinking, first, to take paintings from my personal collection to show at The Symphony Hotel as I gradually do more paintings.

Now to add some art work to this blog: