Article: "Downsizing your Art"

It's happening around us whether you notice it or not.... our space is shrinking. This can be terrifying to artists and gallery owners alike. Small art seems to be where the trends are falling these days. Maybe because people like to support more artists, or because they want to display them in a gallery style fashion (as seen below) which seems popular in contemporary design, either way it's obvious that downsizing your art can be a smart thing to do in the current art markets.

Elspeth McClean Mandala Stones

Example of a "Gallery Wall" (from HGTV)

Read below for my response to this article: "Downsizing your art: It may pay to create small."

"none but the brave.", 4" x 4", Whitney Rolfe, ink and watercolor on paper , 2015

During my last two years at art school, there was always the push to "go big" and make artwork that required use of your whole body for the expressive marks found within. It was so much fun, getting to move a bunch, and really put your full breath into each stroke across the giant surface. I even painted an entire hallway in the art building once! That project took a lot of work... only to eventually be painted over, but it was so rewarding. 
As I got back into the swing of studio time and working on my own art, I found myself drawn back to small and intricate doodles, especially this "Zentangle" thing everyone was doing. It felt so good to get back into focusing my energy and to see how much I could pack into such a small space. 

Working at a local custom picture framing shop has also given me an up close and personal glimpse into this trend. So often I see small works coming through, and people talking about how small art is easier to afford and to afford the proper framing. Small art in general is easier to handle, store, pack and ship. Being able to create at all sizes and proportions is an important skill to have an artist. It is also important to keep a close eye on the changing trends and know how to get your art noticed in the current market. 
It seems that this trend will continue for some time, but like all trends they fall out of style. For now... I am thrilled to be making small and detailed art in a market so open to these intimate and personal works. It allows me to focus on creating tiny windows into intricate worlds for people to get lost in, without losing all of their wall space.

In progress shot of a 5" x 7" ink and watercolor painting and the two small brushes I use

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Come back on March 2nd for my next topic!

Have a topic or post suggestion you'd like to see me post? Let me know! 

Here is my (very malleable) schedule for upcoming blog posts:
-March 2nd: Inspiration post/Pinterest Board feature
-March 9th: My creative processes
-March 16th: Featured artist:____________ (tbd)
-March 23rd: ARTicle - TBD...
-March 30th: BIRTHDAY BLOG! (A reflection on 28 years of living a creative life)