Hi Everyone,

Listening to podcasts has been a big part of my daily routine for the last 5 years. While I’m creating art, cooking or commuting you can bet that I’ve got a podcast going that is making me laughing or teaching me something new. For those of you who don’t know what podcasts are, they are audio programmes akin to talk radio. Unlike the radio however, a particular podcast can be accessed anytime on your phone or computer and are usually not live broadcasts. As things start getting back to normal around Waterloo Region, I thought I’d share some podcast recommendations that will hopefully inspire you in the studio and in your everyday life.

Here is a list of 15 arts and culture pods that have taught me a lot about the business of art, being an artist, art history and the creative process:

Last month I shared some tips about safe oil painting practices from Hamilton based artist, Judy Major Girardin. Judy has been kind enough to also share her “checklist for evaluating material choices with respect to environmental responsibility and safety”. Feel free to copy+paste this checklist to keep in your home studio! It could help keep you healthy but also it might just be interesting to look at your materials in a new light.

The price of an artwork should reflect the value of the materials and labour it took to make. While the material costs are straightforward, the cost of your own labour can be difficult to determine.

Expenses incurred creating the work, such as materials, equipment, studio rent, artist fees, professional education, development and membership, installation, insurance, travel and transportation costs should be reflected in the price.

In general, the work of professional, experienced arts practitioners will cost more than that of a developing arts practitioner. Many artists compare their prices with those of other artists at a similar point in their career who are working in similar mediums. You want to find the sweet spot between pricing yourself out of the market and undervaluing your own work. Some artists use a formula to calculate the cost per square inch of their work.

The number of editions or copies available may also affect the price of the work. For example, an edition of photographs or prints may be priced lower than an original painting of a similar size.

If the work is sold framed or outfitted with another hanging mechanism, the cost of preparing the work to be displayed should be reflected in the price.

Gallery prices include any commission in the posted price, but not the HST.

If you are looking to buy art, it would be disrespectful to negotiate the given price, however most artists would agree to working out a payment plan with you so that you can pay in instalments.

Never assume that an artist is willing or able to work for free. Working for exposure (Myths & Best Practices) doesn't pay the bills or make for a healthy, sustainable and vibrant visual arts sector.

Since many of us are stuck at home for the time being, we thought now would be a good time to share some information about how to make your oil painting practice as non-toxic and environmentally friendly as possible. Whether you’ve been a lifelong painter, or just decided to try something new while we weather Covid-19, these tips and tricks will make your home or studio safer and more accessible.

• For oil paint, Alkyd medium is non-toxic. Gamblin Solvent Free Gel Medium is good choice. M. Graham & Co. also makes walnut liquid alkyd + a walnut oil medium.

• You can clean brushes with baby oil or water miscible oils

• Wipe brushes off with scrap paper (i.e. old phone books) first, and then dip in baby oil and wipe clean with a rag. Brushes can be left with some baby oil on the bristles or wash clean with soap and water once all the paint is out.

• Small amounts of baby oil used for swishing brushes can be disposed in the trash

• Modern paint-making methods are largely safe, however it is still recommended that Cadmium pigments not be sprayed.

• Wear gloves to avoid getting pigments on skin

• Encaustic painting (combining melted wax with pigments) is difficult to make non-toxic without a fume hood. Wax gives off acroleins, which are harmful to inhale. Some artists have found that using beeswax over a water bath at very low temperatures can keep wax from emitting fumes. That being said, some people remain sensitive to even small amounts of wax vapours. If you are working in a shared space without proper ventilation, any sort of encaustic painting is not recommended.

All of these tips were provided by artist Judy Major-Girardin and were adapted from a meet-up her and Tara Cooper gave at ArtsPay last spring about non-toxic art practices. Thank you, Judy!

If you didn’t manage to join us on Friday May 31st for our Art Party and official launch of Art Incubate studios and galleries, Glodeane Brown has got you covered, Read an except from her blog here and check out the entire write-up at culturefancier.com.

“Artists started moving in on May 1, with the official launch being held on Friday, May 31st. I have a background in interior design and have always enjoyed getting the chance to look at how people live and work. I've been fortunate enough to make several studio visits with artists and to interview them in the space that they create. The first thing I noticed was the amazing natural light in all of the studios at 52 and 56 Regina. The next thing I noticed was the feeling of community between the artists.”

Conceptual art can feel a bit like an exclusive insiders’ club, but it doesn’t have to be! Join us at our next meetup where we’ll try to demystify the idea. Chat with us about programming, the artistic process, and whether or not there is still room for painting (there is!).

If you haven’t heard by now, ArtsPay is in the process of acquiring two adjacent houses on Regina St N in Uptown Waterloo. These buildings have been generously offered by HIP DEVELOPMENTS for Art$Pay (AP) to manage as visual art studios and exhibition spaces for 2, perhaps 3 years. The goal is a vibrant visual arts centre in Uptown Waterloo, and here’s how it might look!