The Best Things to Ask (and not to ask!) an Artist, Part I...

We are all awaiting the snowstorm to come tonight, and so right now it's just a little gray and very, very chilly (even the dog has retired for the day!), and since I just finished a painting, I thought I'd jot down some quick thoughts on conversing with an artist about, well, art!  

First, if you're reading this, I applaud you.  I love it when people go out of their comfort zone to ask others about their passions, especially when it's a subject matter they are new to.  At the same time, though, it can be hard!  What kind of questions do you ask?  What could be taboo that I don't know about?  So many people just choose to stay mum, but if you're reading this, fear not!  Here are the first five things to ask (or not to ask!) the artist in your life...and if you find you have asked the "taboo" questions, fear not!  This post is not intended to shame!  Most artists know that it's the heart that matters behind the question, and none of the "taboo" questions are actually even that bad!  So! Here they are...

1.  What was the Process in Creating that Painting?
Instead of: How long did that take you?

Color blocking (the blue is where the water will be).  A very important step in the process!  

It's very natural to ask an artist how long it took to create a painting (I certainly have asked it myself), but an even better question to ask is about the process.  Why?  Many artists tend to balk when asked how long a piece took them since they are unsure of the motivation behind the question.  Many times it's benign curiosity, but a calculation of the artist's hourly rate and a judgment on the value of the artist's time can be quickly done if provided the answer to "How long did this take?"  This calculation is especially deceptive when considering costs, which typically includes a 40-50% gallery commission, and what adds up to hundreds sometimes in framing, paint, canvas, and transport.  In addition to being a more insightful question, asking about the process gives the artist the opportunity to tell you about the amount of time it took in his or her response if they choose and you'll learn something new about what it takes to create a masterpiece!

2. How is the Show Going?
Instead of: Did you sell anything?

Shows are a big deal to an artist.  Artists will paint pieces specifically for the show, and it requires a large investment in both time and money.  Ultimately, the goal is to sell something (or lots of somethings!), and it doesn't matter if this is the first or five-hundredth showing, sales are extremely exciting.  So asking the simple question of how a show is going allows the artist to sidestep the sales aspect of it if they are disappointing.  This then enables the artist to generate a positive (if fluffy) response to the show overall, and you both can avoid that awkward "No (insert sad face here)" just in case it isn't going so hot!  Ha!

3. What Are You Working on Right Now?
Instead of: How's your art going?

Mid-process painting

Sometimes it can be really hard to sum up how an artist is feeling about their "art" at any given moment.  That said, there's always something on the easel, and it can easily springboard into a larger conversation about why it's being created, what the art is intended for, etc.

4.  What Artists Inspired You to Paint?
Instead of:  You remind me of this artist, don't you think?

Howard Behrens, my inspiration to begin painting.  Courtesy of HowardBehrens.com

This is a great question for a couple of reasons.  First, it's a really interesting question, and is really sincere and thought provoking.  In addition, you will get a brief glimpse into what an artist dreams about for their career, and if you do a little research about that artist, you will definitely earn some brownie points!  Second, it's a great question to ask instead of telling an artist what their work actually resembles.  Has anyone ever told you that you look like someone and you just cringe?!  Art is the same way.  There are some very famous artists out there in the world who artists actually intentionally avoid trying emulate.  So if you just so happen to bring one of those up, it may come across as an insult when it's never intended to be one!

5. Ask: Do You Sell Prints?
Instead of:  Your work is really expensive!

It's definitely not an insult to admire an original and ask if there is a print of it available.  And bear in mind, asking the question does not obligate you to buy a print if available either.  Said correctly it could come across as a high compliment, "Wow, what a masterpiece!  Do you sell prints?  It seems only fair to share it with more than one person."

Hopefully that was at least a little insightful!  Stay tuned to Part II next week!