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Most of the work for an art show goes on behind the scenes. I usually do two or three shows a year. That’s on average 20 to twenty five paintings for each show and this is on top of my normal production schedule that I maintain with my galleries and other clients in entertainment.
The paintings have to be framed and shipped and the space hung. I like to have paintings finished a month or more before a show and ship everything at least two weeks before the opening. This doesn’t mean I don’t swap things out at the last minute or change my mind about what to include in a show but I make sure I have the body of work finished before I do that. I like to offer a range of sizes and subjects for my shows and to demonstrate the range of my interests at that particular time in my career. I think all of this helps educate my clients about my work.
My normal practice is to over-produce so I can pick what I consider the best pieces for a venue. So if I decide on 20 paintings for a show, most likely I will paint 40. This gives me a little wiggle room for subsequent shows and gallery requests later in the year. It also allows the gallery to veto a piece or two if they feel they wouldn’t be a good fit for their clientele. I prefer this to having anyone else participate in my paintings choices beforehand. Those decisions are all mine and they are what keeps me painting and growing as an artist.