April 29, 2004

Open Studios offers first-hand account of an artist’s vision

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

The Silicon Valley Open Studios (SVOS) held its inaugural gala opening last Thursday at the San Jose Museum of Art. Five Almaden artists were showcased at this event: Cindy Blain, Nancy Macdonald, Judy Welsh, June Hopper Hymas and Laura Vandenbogaardt.

SVOS incorporated the Stars Program this year in an attempt to add a juried element to the program to demonstrate that the event is a serious art venue. Six jurors who are leading Bay Area museum curators and directors, reviewed five slides from 164 entrants. They judged the art based on overall vision, quality and consistency. Of all of the entrants, 93 received an SVOS Star. Blain, Macdonald and Welsh were Almaden artists who received stars.

“The good thing about Open Studios is the fact that it’s an approachable way to look at art,” says Cindy Blain, an Almaden-based SVOS Star. “You’re not going to a fancy gallery. The artist is there and you can talk to them about their art. It is also a great opportunity for the artists to meet their audiences. It makes art more accessible to everyone.”

Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were offered while the 400 attendees mingled and viewed artwork while having the opportunity to talk to artists. There was a silent auction and a live auction, where art was offered at a third of the original price. Of the 19 live auction pieces, 18 of them sold. Artists netted $7,312, while SVOS received the same, with total sales over $14,000. Out of the 60 pieces in the silent auction, 17 sold and the artists and SVOS received $2,519.

San Jose artist Jen Norton (www.nortonstudio.com) says, “I enjoy exhibiting with SVOS because it allows people who come to see my work the freedom of talking with me personally about how I create my work and what inspires me. Part of the joy of buying art is knowing the story behind it, and who better to get the scoop from than the artist themselves?”

SVOS is an exhibit that not only showcases local artists, but it gives people in attendance a chance to develop their own taste for art. Discussing the process that goes into a piece with the artists themselves allows people to better appreciate an art piece. And, the artists have the opportunity to find out what their audience likes as well.
“Open studios is great for the artist. It is important for them to have the chance to see what people think of their paintings firsthand. They get a wide array of people, some who wouldn’t necessarily go to galleries,” says MacDonald.

Some find the cost of art pieces daunting. “A lot of people are concerned that they don’t know enough about art to buy it,” says MacDonald. “Either they don’t know what they like, or they don’t know enough about the elements of art to buy it. The cost is also a big factor. Many artists now will work with the consumer with a layaway plan, which makes it seem like less of a chunk out of pocket.”

Kathryn Markell lives in New York City and has been selling art for more than 30 years. Her Web site, www.markelfinearts.com, has a wide array of information about how to buy art. She encourages one to look at art and to keep looking. Decide what you like. Surf the Web for images and use local resources like local fine art museums and libraries. She writes that the more art you see, the more you know what you like.
She suggests that a beginning art enthusiast write down the names of artists they like. Also, keep an open mind while looking at different styles of art.

“People should buy art because they love it,” says Blain. “Not because you think it’s a good investment. Buy it once and love it forever.” Instead of an investment, Markell suggests on her Web site to look for value.

Avoid the dealer who sells the “Limited Edition” print, because they are just overpriced signed posters. Also avoid dealers who talk about a “certificate of authenticity” as they are usually phony. This is why Open Studios is a beneficial venue to buy art. One is able to view art and not be intimidated by pushy gallery associates. Also, the prices are much lower than at a gallery.

There are many things to know when it comes to buying art. Markel’s Web site has everything one would ever need to know about markets, types of prints, and how to define your taste.

“Open Studios is also good because you can compare so many things. You can compare types of art, you can see what you really like and compare prices. At a gallery, you usually pay about 50 percent directly to the gallery,” says MacDonald.

Blain and three other artists from San Jose, Sue Lyttle, Adriana Ippati-Torrens and Jane Peterman, will participate together in Open Studios on May 1-2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 6026 Monteverde Drive, San Jose.

MacDonald recently had a painting juried into the Pastel Society of the West Coast International Exhibition at the Triton Museum and her painting was named “Best of Show.” She will have her Open Studios at The Alameda Artworks Studio on May 1-2 at 1068 The Alameda in San Jose.

Other Almaden artists Open Studios locations:
- Judy Welsh, May 8-9 at Allied Artist West at 19880 Lark Way in Saratoga.
- June Hopper Hymas, May 1-2, at 6116 Dunn Avenue in San Jose.
- Laura Vandenbogaardt, May 1-2, at 983 South 11th Street, San Jose.
To find out more about Silicon Valley Open Studios visit www.svopenstudios.org.