Packaging and Pretext

Barry and I often remark how the work of an artist is never just about the art.  So often, we want to think that once we've made the work, the job is done; yet my past couple of days have definitely proven this to not be the case at all!

Next weekend is the Maleny Printmakers' Collectables exhibition, with lots of small prints, all originals, all selling for only $25. We are each making about 10 prints, in editions of 10, (give or take depending on life circumstances etc). That means I have about 100 prints.

10 packs of ten in their bags. The photos are pretty average given it was my iPhone and there is so much cello in the way.

A selection of colour ways for ABC.

A trio of feathers, originally titled Feather I ,Feather II, and Feather III!

So, I spent time writing the edition number, the name and signing 100 prints. The next job of course is to package them - slip the print in, add a business card, seal the pack and add a sticker to identify whose print it is and which number.

The bags we use fit neatly and mean you can see the print quite well.

Turn it over and you see the card and the numbering system.

We have a great system of shopping lists, so people come in, grab a shopping pad and pencil and go around writing down the name and  number print they want - FD6 for example - and come up to the sales table with their list and get to make their selection from the editions there.

This year we will also have a little side table where those of who want to, can also show/sell some of last year's prints.

Here are my four from last year.

We chose to differentiate them by using the same approach for numbering but adding in 13 - indicating they were from 2013. Simple yet effective.

So they haven't exactly been making days - but they have had lots to do with art!

And now, switching subjects...

Pretext is a place for folk to read about the world of artists' books in Australia and New Zealand and is run by Caren Florance (aka Ampersand Duck). Caren was at the conference in NZ and asked if I would submit my presentation on collaboration to the website for her to publish there and share.

I was thrilled and have spent a bit of time, tweaking it, turning a power point into photos and text and distilling bios etc. All art-work, yet not about the making.

If you click here, you can access the presentation in all its glory so to speak - just imagine me talking and it's almost the real deal!