Like everyone else, artists have had to seriously re-think how they do business since the Coronavirus made its way across the world. Local plein air artist Jacalyn Beam ordinarily participates in a lot of juried events across the country. When out of state traveling restrictions were put in place, she had no choice but to stay put so she turned to painting in her backyard. Funny how a place so familiar is seen through a new lens; now that she is spending more time there she views it differently. “I successfully painted tree peonies and set up flower arrangements to paint on the deck for the first time. It was different subject matter for me but I was outside where I typically paint and where I love to be.”
The extra time she’s had also pushed her to experiment more. “I’m thinking less about a final product. The spring weather has been cool and the flowers seem to be lasting longer than in past years, or, am I just noticing this more now?” Beam’s heard from several clients during the shelter-in-place inquiring about purchasing additional paintings. “Perhaps it’s due to having more time to enjoy the paintings already hanging in their home and thus, they have a desire to add to their collection. I cannot say for sure. What I do know for sure is that art brings much joy to our lives. My landscapes ‘bring the outside in’ and serve to broaden our personal and collective worlds. Paintings take you places without having to leave home.”
National online exposure is generating new interest in her paintings. Asked whether she think sales via virtual artwork viewing will continue, Beam said, “I’m counting on it! Based on interest and sales during the past three months, virtual viewing is working. It makes sense. Not everyone has the time to attend gallery openings. My clients are not just in the Brandywine Valley but spread across the country and virtual viewing was a norm prior to shelter-in-place.” To see more of Beam’s rich with texture paintings visit Jacalyn Beam.
Since many spring and summer shows have been canceled, Downingtown potter Susan O'Hanlon has kept busy photographing the work she produced for them in order to host an online sales event. “Photographing and getting them up on my website is a tedious process. I prepared a lot of new work so I've got a lot to do. I hope to have an online sales event by mid-to-late June.”
She is also working longer hours to fill an increased demand for her ceramic slow feeder pet bowls. “My Bandit Bowl is an original design I created for my rescue dog (Bandit) when I couldn't find a quality slow feeder that worked or didn't have harmful plastic toxins. It's a niche product, and I feel very fortunate to be able to offer a handmade product that customers can afford and also justify buying in these trying times.”
O’Hanlon is open to selling works virtually but appreciates face to face interactions. “For me, the value of in-person shows is found in meeting my customers, sharing my passion for handmade pottery, answering their questions, and learning how they use (or will use) my work. Having said that, I think there's a new normal on the horizon, and that as artists our creativity will help us adapt. While I've sold my work online for some time, my online presence has been limited to my functional pottery and slow feeder pet bowls. Going forward, I'll need to expand that effort to include the full breadth of my work.”
She also plans to add virtual teaching to her schedule. “I'm not sure how long it will be until I feel comfortable teaching in my home studio again, or until students feel comfortable returning to group teaching venues. I'll include it in an effort to replace some of my lost teaching income and to provide a venue for me to continue sharing my processes.” O’Hanlon has been getting a lot of support from her buyers via social media. “It seems my customers feel a renewed desire to support local / small businesses and artisans, and that gives me hope for a future where I can continue to make a living as an artist doing what I love and sharing it with others.” To see all of her offerings visit Susan O’Hanlon.
The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank, is hosting a three week benefit virtual exhibition titled Art, For Goodness’ Sake in partnership with West Chester "stickeraffiti" artist @cassius.k1ng. The artist wants to give back to the community in need during this troubling time. In keeping with its mission, The Art Trust will forego any commission on this program so that 75% of all sales will be donated to the Chester County Food Bank. The remaining 25% will be paid directly to the artist to defray costs of printing and framing the artwork. Visit here to make an online purchase.
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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