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This week’s column is about fear. Hope it really helps you!
 
Fear SUCKS! Okay, that was pretty basic. To elaborate: Fear causes people to make decisions for the wrong reasons. Fear causes people to ruin their lives by doing nothing. It causes people to marry people for money, and to waste their precious time on this planet feeling bad. It causes people to act out against others ‘before someone does it to them’, or to act like jerks, in a subconcious effort to mask or overcompensate for their fears & insecurities. What a drag!
 
We all have the same desires: security, love, respect of our peers, & good health - in no particular order. We all fear being unloved, disliked, unsuccessful, stupid, used, embarrassed… Eww! I wish I could tell you I didn’t have it, but that would be a lie, which is something I try not to do. I feel kinda bad, just saying it, but it’s true & the worst part? I personally believe, & have experienced, that all the worst fears in my life COME TRUE! - Owwww! That hurts!
 
So, instead of making this column a laundry list of the crap I’m afraid of or whining about the yucky stuff that fear has caused in my life, I want to use this week’s opportunity to share my thoughts with the world, as a soap box. My unsolicited advice to the world is: Whatever your fear is, face it, get over it. If you try something that doesn’t work, try something new. Keep going. Stop over thinking things. Be silly. Spend your time having fun. Be as nice as you possibly can to people, even if you fear they don’t like you (it really is more fun to give love than to receive it. So, love them anyway. Make them laugh about it. What’s the worst that can happen?). Blah, blah, blah… You can do this… Whatever ‘this’ is to YOU. You just have to decide to do it & you can. Nobody is any more charmed than anybody else. The best of luck always comes to the most diligent workers & biggest believers.
 
This week’s Art Bar events are: Happy/Pretty Hour-daily 5-7, Thursday Thrillz! (cult classic films in a Mystery Science 2k - loungey bar setting 8ish-10ish & FREE w/ bevvy pchs! Friday Nite/Taste Nite - Taste 6 wines for $15 or 3 for $9, 7-whenever! Spicy Saturday event is all about Latin Chill Out Lounge event with DJ “Miss Lucy”, Special Guests & Latin drink specials~ Only $5! Sunday is Sale Day with $6 Mimosas & don’t forget Monavie Mondays! 5:30- 7 ~ Curious? Check it out. It’s FREE!!! All this & more at the corner of Margaret & Caroline St. in the Flagler Station Bldg 296 0424. …Not a museum, it’s a department store of creative goods with a fine art gallery, gifts, movies, performance… & a BAR! …Geeze, It’s great & open LATE -’till 7 M-W & ’till ‘Whenever’ Thurs-Sat, Sundays 11-5. Be there or be ugly! AND, Keep an eye out for the Rocky Horror Picture Show! …Coming soon, to the Silver Screen in the big, Outdoor Living Room at the Art Bar!

Hello, My Lovely, Art Slutty Sweethearts! First, let me apologize for being away for so long! I have been on a LONG, strange & fabulous journey, to the Art Bar!!! I’ve been spending the last 9 months making my Art Slutty dreams come true, by opening my dream gallery. It’s really a an arts department store - with a BAR!! It’s been fantastic/exhausting & I’m really, so thrilled with it & NOW, I’m finally back! I have been writing my column the whole time, by the way & you can find the lost ’submissions’ on www.ConchColor.com So, please do check them out! Welcome back & I will look forward to getting your questions & suggestions & SEEING you, at the Art Bar in Sunny, tropical, & fabulous, Key West Florida! Yay! I’m so glad to be home! Anyhooch, I hope you enjoy this week’s column. Here it is:

  Ask Art Slut #26 The Ask Art Slut Advice Column is by Barb Benson GrOb -Artist, Author & Director of the Key West Art Bar. It’s crafty advice for artists & for living life creatively, with excerpts from her book “The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It ~ As a Visual Artist”. Get YOUR signed copy at the Key West Art Bar  - corner of Margaret & Caroline, in the Flagler Station Bldg… Then, get a glass of wine & read it in the wine bar!
 This week’s question is one we get almost daily & although, I take it as a compliment, answering it can really distract me from doing my work!  The answer is lengthy. So, I’m making this a 2 (maybe, 3) part column. The question is: ‘I always wanted to start my own gallery. How do I do it?’
The 1st part of the answer is: Think about it, first! Statistically, about 80% of galleries fail in the first year. And, in this economy, selling a luxury item in an already saturated market can be tricky. The FL Keys Council of the Arts shows over 60 galleries in KW & nowadays, all kinds of businesses seem to want to moonlight as galleries (so weird – How ‘bout if we start selling mortgages & massages?). Competition’s steep. So, you’ll need more than great paintings to make it. Consider location, target audience, and what’ll make it unique.

Running a gallery is a great job, if you don’t mind working HARD! Just, ‘Prepare yourself’, because a gallery is retail - no more & no less. Every artist & patron, wants, needs & deserves, personal attention & time. You run out of it quickly! Forget about finding time to do your own work! Then, do all the stuff needed to make any business run - marketing, paying bills, acquiring supplies, cleaning, paperwork, contracts, taxes, employees, & shipping. Then, consider the cost of doing business. Beyond startup costs of displays, fixtures, signage, deposits on the building & utilities, realize that the cost per month formula is at least 3x’s your rent - in ANY business. So, if you’re paying $5k/mo rent, your minimum CPM, before profit is $15k - that’s $500/day NET, that you must bring in, to break even. So, at least $1k gross - if you’re open 30 days per month. Then, consider that although people want to ’support the arts’, they often want a ‘discount’. Wonder if they ask for one at the grocery store? Anyway, that’s fine, if you’re selling giclees, or Chinese paintings and can get a huge markup, but if you’re doing a 50/50 split (standard), you’d better sell A LOT of small, or a few LARGE paintings to make that $15k net we talked about. See what I mean? Just think it through, before investing your IRA.

 Next week, I’ll tell you what I think is GREAT about it & some ways that I think I can actually be of service to someone who wants to start a gallery after reading all that. So, please stay tuned!
This week’s artist is local author, Susan Jinbo. She wrote a book that anyone who’s considered running a guesthouse should read: “Diary of a Key West Innkeeper”. & yes, you can pick up a copy at the Art Bar. In think she’s doing a signing with us during the Art Walk, on the 1st Thursday of February. Meanwhile, be sure to come to Wed. Nite/Film Nite, Thurs. Nite/Loungee-aoke, & Friday Nite/Flight Nite, every single week, at the Art Bar, at the corner of Margaret & Caroline St. in the Flagler Station Bldg. …Not a museum, it’s a fine arts department with gifts, movies, performance, & a bar! www.KeyWestArtBar.com 305.304.9001.

Ask Art Slut

The Ask Art Slut Advice Column is by Barb Benson GrOb -Artist, Author & Director of the Key West Art Bar. It’s crafty advice for living life creatively, with excerpts from The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It ~ As a Visual Artist & from her on line column: www.ArtSlut.com

Q: You’re so good at marketing. You should teach a class, or write a book (already done that)! Do you have any advice for me?

A: Of course- Buy my book! Marketing is a big part of what it’s about – whether you’re talking about the arts or not, it’s good stuff. ‘Till you do that, here are a few excerpts from it to help you on your path:

Organizations like the Innkeeper’s Association, Business Guild & Chamber of commerce provide great networking opportunities. “Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening locally, and get as involved as you can.”
Create a PR list & use it regularly, without being a pest. Set aside time for promoting yourself – it’s your job, no matter what your chosen profession is.
“Learn to write a press release. It’s probably the most valuable thing you can do for your business.” Be sure to make it newsworthy – a new painting isn’t newsworthy. Selling it to Madonna is. Likewise, a new technique, a lavish gift to a great cause, or an installation in a famous location is good news.
Call to see who’s the best person to submit to & Google ‘free press release template’ to make sure you get the formatting correct before sending. It does matter!
Find out the deadlines for submissions in your local papers. Mark them all on your calendar, so they’re handy when you need them.
When you submit, include, beautiful 300DPI or greater, jpeg photos & all relevant contact info.
Set up a press kit, telling about your accolades & send it, along with potential story or interview ideas to papers, talk shows & radio stations. Be sure to include a professional head shot!
If you’re really freaked out about talking up your work, don’t do it. There are plenty of publicity pros available & if you’re a represented artist, you should let your gallery do it for you. That is their job. So, don’t compete with them by trying to sell on a personal website!
If you want me to do PR… Well, that’ll cost ya. Find out how much at www.KeyWestArt Bar.com

Free Wine
This week’s question is, ‘What’s the deal, with you tryin’ to get a wine license?’

As many of you know, I’m working on opening a wine bar in my new gallery. Just about everyone’s been super-supportive & excited about the creation of a ‘happening space’, where people can come hang out & get involved, while having a drinkie~ instead of the traditional, ‘buy art or bye bye’ theory of art sales. That’s good! Without question, a couple of drinkies helps to give everybody a nice, warm glow. As for the few, nay-sayers who think that all galleries should give freebies all the time, I’d like to say, ‘Okay. Now, it’s your turn!’, but instead, I’ll say, ‘Thank you for actually supporting the arts.”

I know. It’s all very confusing, because we all love the arts & the party & seeing our friends. It’s awesome & a great tradition. Just the same, times are not what they used to be & statistically, even then - 80% of galleries failed in their first year. So, I think it’s important to do something new & different, while following your passion.

Anyway, here’s this weeks’ excerpt from the ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It. Remember, it’s advice for artists~

‘Okay, fine. Go enjoy the free wine at openings. While you’re there, introduce yourself & look around. Yes, you can pass out a few cards - as long as you’re not a free-wine whore, who’s trying to steal clients. That’s not nice. K? Going to gallery openings is fun & free. It’s a great place to be inspired, meet other artists, scope the gallery as a potential rep and network.

This is not an appropriate place to be a drunken glutton, though. Save that for your parents place at the holidays.’

~ Lo Buhrman of DesignsbyLorraine.net says, “Wine & art just go together, naturally.”
  ~Robin Williams said, “We’re all worms, but I do believe I’m a glow worm.”

Barb blurb: Barb’s new gallery, The Key West Art Bar is a ‘Happening Space’ with fine art, classes, jewelry bar, Indy films, Art Slut Stuff & lots more to come! See it in the Flagler Station Bldg. at Caroline & Margaret, open daily 10-7 & Sun 11-5.

*If you would like to have your art featured in an upcoming column, send jpegs to bbopnbarb@gmail.com Submissions are chosen randomly.

 Ask ART SLUT
by Barb Benson GrOb with The Gallery Goddesses:

Welcome back, everybody! This column will now be a regular feature in Conch Color Magazine, in Key West. SO, check it out!~

 Everybody already knows me as the ART SLUT. So, this is the first installment of the Ask ART SLUT advice column, in print. It’s a combination of crafty advice for creative living & excerpts from my book,

 ”The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It”, along with some seriously sassy input from my colleagues at the Art Bar- The Gallery Goddesses. Our mission is to inspire & assist, artists & others, to live life creatively!

 This week’s question came from a local artist who’s struggling with the concept of making a living doing something she enjoys - over & over again- versus creating ‘high art’… Hmm, I wonder why she came to me? Anyway, she loves both, but seems to be feeling some pressure to be a “real’” artist.

Here’s what the girls have to say:
-Rebecca says, “Contrary to romantic notions, no artist wants to be a starving artist. I find that paychecks have a way of fueling the creative juices I need for projects I want to work on…”
-LO says, “As a graphic designer, I make other people’s visions reality. I’m their hands & I still get up at 3AM, excited about work. If that makes me a sell out, so be it.”
-Barb says “Do what you love & the money will follow, but don’t starve to death in the meantime.”

Today’s excerpt excerpt is “SELL OUT”:
 ”Isn’t it weird how some people will talk about that ‘Poor Starving Artists’, until they get ‘discovered’ then, will call them a ’sellout’? Anyone who tells you you’re a ’sellout’ for making a living is jealous or threatened by your greatness. Think about it. They wouldn’t call a successful architect a ’sell out’. Would they? You deserve your success. Take well considered risks to reach your goals & don’t give that kind of ignorance power by acknowledging it. The biggest pay-offs come to the biggest risk takers, and the best luck goes to the hardest workers, every time.”

-Andy Warhol said -”Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job.”

Today’s featured artist is: Lorraine Buhrman. Check out her fabulous graphic designs, mosaics & more at www.designsbylorraine.com

The Ask ART SLUT advice column is written by artist/author/entrepreneur, Barbara Grob and is a mix of excerpts from the author’s book, “The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It~ As a Visual Artist”. She is currently the Director of the Key West Art Bar, where she works with Art Historian - Rebecca Rex and Graphic Designer - Lorraine Buhrman. Check it out at the corner of Margaret & Caroline, in the big, yellow ‘Flagler Station Bldg.” 10-7 daily & 11-5 Sun. 305-296-0424.

Thank you!
Barb

Dear Art Slut,

My friend opened a gallery recently and I thought for sure, she would want to show my work. She’s seen it online. It sells well, but when I asked her, she said she was busy and the space is full. I felt blown off and it really hurt my feelings, especially because she’s my friend. I support her all the time and I expected she would do the same. I’m actually, kind of P.O.’d. So, do you have any advice for handling rejection, avoiding it, and/or how to handle the friend/business equation?

Thanks,

Broken hearted Photo-girl

Hey there, BHPG! Chin up, Buttercup! I think it’s really important that you try putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. For example, if she said she was busy & full, maybe she really is. Did you ask what her calendar of show was like? Also, did you treat her like you would any other gallery, by making an appointment (or at least, asking if she had the time), or did you assume you could just barge in, any old time, because you’re friends? We all make expectations of friends that can really put them/us in a spot.

As for the friendship question, I’d say get a good friend, by being one. That means, say what’s on your mind with kindness & ask her feelings or opinion on it (& REALLY listen). I’ve curated a lot of shows. I’ve also brought in some work I knew wasn’t a good fit in my gallery, because of politics or the fear of hurting someone’s feelings. That is not right & I no longer do it.

 If it turns out that she really just isn’t moved by the work, so what? Like it says in my book, opinions are like A-holes. Everybody’s got one & they’re entitled to it. I’ve even turned down work that I knew was good, because it didn’t move ME. I can’t sell it unless I feel it & my job is to sell it. That’s life. At the end of the day, if that was the dealio, she was doing you both a favor. If that is the case, try asking her how she thinks it could improve & consider her opinion for what it is: one opinion. You don’t have to take it, but you do have to thank her for it & for having the courage to be honest with you. I hope this little morsle full of my opinion has helped you, chica-sita.

For more funky fun insights like this one & better, check out my book, available right here, on this site, in our store. ‘Till next time, Live life creatively! Love ya, Babs

 The Question: Dearest Artslut,
Any advice on long distance geographically challenged relationships when attraction, lust and and basic human compatibility ie; food, common interest and sex, seem all to be in a great place??

Thanks,
Somewhere out there.

  The Answer: Hey, Out There!

 Thanks for the question. You really didn’t give me much to go on like: how did you meet? How much time did you get to spend together? Is this a committed relationship? There’s a big difference in the advice I would give to a couple that’s been together for years, versus people who met on vacation, for example.

However, in regards to relationships, I really believe that what’s meant to be will just happen naturally & no amount of pushing, trying, or anything else will matter. So, just be yourself & see how it unfolds. Know what I mean?

 Now that that’s said, if you’re looking for fun, silly things to do, I got the answers: How ’bout taking pictures of yourself in drag, in weird places & sending them, glued to a postcard. You could also set up a Wordpress blog (their often free & easy to use), to keep a running journal of your voyages. You can send area specific, specialty foods, & btw: jewelry is never a bad idea… These are just a few random thoughts, but you can find a lot more info like this in my book (available right here, on this site!). So, check it out!

Happy trails, Babs

 The Question: Hello darling, I have to start by saying I love the work you are doing and Im planning to build a monumnet to you.
I have been working feverishly non stop for the last 10 years on paintings and sculpture, its all I do, had a few shows, and keep busy with comissions coming in from all over the world.. lots of press too(see my website) Sales from my studio are enough to live comfortably on, but its basicaly word of mouth.
Im living and working here in Bali where I built a 10,000 sq ft studio by the sea years ago, and being so out of the scene there doesnt help.
I have been to all the top galleries and its impossible to get anyone to even just look at the work. Ive gone thru the channels they reccomend, and sent out a lot of submissions and nobody has gotten back to me. Its not that Im starving, Its just the hotels that seem to keep comissioning me only want expensive looking decorations and dont have the balls to show my real stuff.
I guess Im lucky to be living well from it but the commerical work and the fine art are miles apart.
Its time to kick it up a notch and try and move into
the market that appreciates it (and pays its real value…) This step is where IM stuck. Selling work for 5gran that is resold for 20 in NY doesnt make me feel real good!
My family live in Florida and I usually go and see them around Christmas, I will drop by Key west looking for you guys whenever I get down that way. In the meantime if you are planning to come to Bali you are welcome as a guest. Im on a small estate loaded with sculpture and paintings and theres a lot of studio space here.

The Answer: Okay, let me start by saying, ‘Dangit! I can’t get the pic resizer to work.’ That’s why we have sucha big pitcher here… I just wanted to show more pics of the grand opening party. Holy Stars!! It was amazing!

 Anyhoo, Gosh, thanks for the compliment & you’ll be the first one I call, when I hit Bali, for sure!

To answer your question. I think the answer lies within you. I mean, consider why you do what you do. Maybe you do it for money, social accolades… there is no right or wrong answer. In my world, they are all equally valid - except the ones that are lies. What I mean is, when somebody says they do it ’cause they have to & they don’t care if anyone likes it, they’re full of crap, unless they’re keeping it in their garage, their looking for a response - monetary or otherwise. Get it? On the other hand, if they truly ‘don’t care if it sells’ they should also leave it at home, ’cause galleries do care.

Sounds to me (& I saw on your site, that you are a very talented creator & that is lovely. I would be very grateful that the hotels want what you do & you can afford such an amazing studio in a beautiful place - fantastic! At the same time, I do understand, that the human condition is to strive for more & perhaps you’e looking for a bit of recognition, ego strokes, self expression… It sounds like you are on the right path, doing a ‘line’ if you will, for commercial works & another for self expression. I guess, I’m just saying you should consider what you want out of each. At the end of the day, if you’re selling works outright & not on consignment, they have the right to sell them for whatever they can get - in fact, it’s their job & there are tons of hidden costs involved, like shipping mammoth pieces internationally, insurance, the risk of them not selling or the time they take to do so. So, that doesn’t bug me out too much. On the other hand, if $5k isn’t enough for you, or you’re willing to wait it out & consign like most artists, that’s a different story.

 As for your more personal work, do you need to sell it at all? You’ve clearly prooven your technical prowess & ability to make a living. I’d like to know what it is that you are truly searching for, in order to be of more & more specific assistance. I do hope you’ll write back. Thanks Hon! Oh yeah, I forgot to ask you: send us some of your work at the Art Bar! It’s so friggin’ beautiful here, I can’t stand it - except I’m so tired, I really can’t stand it. Talk soon,

Barbarella

The Question: “Where the Hell have I been?”

The Answer: I’m sorry to have kept you at bay, my ArtSlutty Sweethearts… I’ve been making my new magic at The Key West ART BAR!!!! See pics below of the new space. It was an empty box 3 weeks ago… Not anymore! The ArtSlut’s got this one goin’ ON!

I’m so excited! It’s just gorgeous! The location’s fabulous & it’s gonna be amazingly successful! So far, we’ve got a GORGEOUS fine art gallery, the ‘Jewelry Bar’, in-house graphic design, & the ArtSlut Store. Soon to come, are custom framing & ltd. ed. art prints on demand, classes, demonstrations, independent films, live music, Island of the Arts tours, events & yes - this Summer, we’ll go for a beer & wine license. We’ll even have Happy/Pretty Hour!

It will be the coolest hangout in the Keys & maybe, the world!

Yes! We are looking for artists + interns + help & a few dood-dads, like an answering machine… Anyhoo, the Grand Opening is next Thursday, May 1st from 6-9PM & it’s gonna be incrdeibly fabulous - with a band featuring Raven Cooper, playing above the crowd (we have a loft in the 20ft cieling), 2 caterers, a living sculpture… If you’re not ther, you’re nuts! So, COME JOIN US 5/1/08, 6-9PM

AT 901 CAROLINE ST. KEY WEST, FL!!!

305-296-0424

Dear Barb,