Inner workings of the art world.

[dgberg]

I would like to welcome a new poster in the name of Alan Alldredge. I was so impressed with his creations he linked to on Flicker that I spent some time researching his works.
Quite remarkable in what I found. Almost nothing, other then he has more of his art around the world then anyone else of his age. (Been doing this since he was 12 and may be in his early 40's) Took me almost an hour to sumize he is in Houston. (I think) No published information on a website or studio. Other then about a 100 photographs of his work and a short bio about him was all I could find.
His range of artistic medias and designs border on eccentric brilliance. So here is the question. When you have obtained this level of status in the art world,do the artists sell out to the gallery owners?(In a good way.)
Do clients deal directly with the artist anymore or have the galleries purchased the selling rights from the artist? Is he now out of the marketing loop?  His days now involve creative design and manufacturing in the 20,000 Sq. ft. block studio building and a staff of 10 or 20 helping him with the manufacturing? (Isn't this what all artists strive for. No more marketing and days spent hand crafting new designs.
Alan, if you read this please do not be offended,your work is brilliant. The almost russian spy secrecy is what really intrigued me.
I also understand that when someone finally achives this level that they neither want nor have time for every Tom,Dick and Harry stopping in for a tour or calling for a chat.
I'm truly inspired,again welcome.

[Robcat]

Yes, truly amazing stuff. Excellent conception and execution. It looks almost like he puts etching fluid in his printer. Here is a link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alldredge/sets/

[Iwill]

Nice work, to be sure.  But he is not a photographer; he's a painter.  See his website here:

     http://www.laurarathe.com/index.php?/artists/alan-alldredge/

Is there some reason why his paintings are of special interest to this Printers, Papers and Inks photography discussion group?

Irv

[bill t.]

Well a lot of us here are bottom-line into corporate and institutional wall art.  And regardless of media, Allan does that as good as it's ever been done!  Those pieces have awesome presence.  Lots of useful lessons there.

[dgberg]

Nice work, to be sure.  But he is not a photographer; he's a painter.  See his website here:

     http://www.laurarathe.com/index.php?/artists/alan-alldredge/

Is there some reason why his paintings are of special interest to this Printers, Papers and Inks photography discussion group?

Irv

It's "printers,papers and inks" We are all artisans which should include artists and photographers.
Maybe the coffee corner would have been more appropriate.

[Mike Guilbault]

None-the-less... thanks for posting this.

[Craig Murphy]

Definitely worth posting.  Much to extrapolate from what he does. Very cool.  I particularly dig the image of him standing under that vertical 'collage' of connected images.  At least I assume that is him.  

[Robcat]

Nice work, to be sure.  But he is not a photographer; he's a painter.  See his website here:

     http://www.laurarathe.com/index.php?/artists/alan-alldredge/

Is there some reason why his paintings are of special interest to this Printers, Papers and Inks photography discussion group?

Irv

Actually he posted regarding his inkjet printing on aluminum in another thread

one other suggestion...  is to first etch the aluminum then print.

i've been doing inkjet printing on aluminum for the past 10 years.  and i really like the etched/then printed look.

here's an example.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alldredge/sets/72157624455497140/show/

It's not clear to me to what extent his art begins with a photographic image (rather than pure painting that he photographs and prints) but iit seems reasonable to me that his use of an inkjet printer on Al falls within the purview of this topic of "printers..."
Rob P

[Iwill]

Thanks for the clarifications.  I hadn't known of his posting on another thread concerning printing on aluminum; that of course would make it relevant to this discussion subject.  And I do agree that any artist's success in business and commercial venues could be of interest to all of us who aspire to sell our work.

At least it's heartening to see good art work on the walls of businesses and commercial establishments, and gives us the hope that we may be able to find a market there too.

 

[Gemmtech]

It seems at times people forget that there are those whose vocation is photography, painter. GA, etc and they are set up like any other business.  I wouldn't call it "Selling Out" in a good or bad way, it's typical business 101, company "manufactures" product sells to either distributor (depending on how large) and or to a retailer.  The retailer does the marketing, has the space to represent many different "manufacturers.  My uncles gallery has always done business this way.  They'll have events showcasing a particular artist and s/he'll be there.  It's also a case in point of have the person do what they do best at.  The ultimate goal is to get the type of response as from Dan.  I remember being out in Carmel in 2003 and being completely knocked out by the artist An-He and his paintings have proven to also be a great investment.  Most manufacturers don't like to deal with the public, but there are some that market themselves like Warhol.  Art is so interesting, what hits one man's soul doesn't even register on another man's radar.  I always just wanted to watch An-He paint a portrait, but haven't had the opportunity and my favorite (Rembrandt) has been dead for a "few" years.

[artbot]

what the hell?!  i was clicking through the threads... and ...

first i appreciate all the compliments.  i don't have a life...i work constantly.  and i don't make that much money so any kudos is good to close the margin between being a decent artist and a terrible businessman.

as far as the incognito-like approach to art, i do hide from the world/art market.  i'm working (and have been for the last ten years) on something really big that i plan on marketing in the next two years.  i've spent a ton of money, declared bankruptcy, and gotten a divorce all that span of time.  also, i live in a postmodern home in the country filled with experimental re-engineered and invented equipment.  ... back to incognito...  depending on the level or rung of the art world you wish to penetrate you will have to accept certain marketing rules.  you'll notice that about 99% of all the very high end museum based artists don't have websites (i don't pretend to believe that my work will ever be in a museum.  just assuming the model).  they are only promoted directly by their very few galleries.  the very high end galleries wish to put forward the "idea" that they discovered you and what would the world do if it weren't for the gallerist.  also, the artworld is about 10% original and 90% copy-cats jumping onto movements.  so if you are developing work, it doesn't pay to show it until it's refined.  an artist that has exposed him or herself too much through self promotion some doors will be closed.

so i'm busy with my limited local reps.  that keeps me fed and able to develop the work.  for instance i just spent a week replumbing my mimaki so i can print spot colors like metallic orange, or metallic blue, etc.  it's hard very slow work to engineer every smallest advance.  after that i have to build a 7' x 10' oven.  but not in a 20,000 sq ft studio.  in my back yard in a giant tent that i bought on ebay.  it's extremely unglamorous and so much fun to face each day. 

feel free to ask any questions.  not that i'll have the best answer but i've been selling my work for 31 years now.  never had a "real" job.  so for me it's create or starve.

[bill t.]

in my back yard in a giant tent that i bought on ebay.

I so like that!  And to think I just squandered $300 bucks on a canvas-coating shed from Lowes!

Do the neighbors complain about the fumes? 

Anyway, terrific work, don't ever change unless of course you want to.

[artbot]

@bill t.

oh yeah i've paid a few fines.  i had a building repossesed before delivery back in the divorce/bankruptcy days.  i then was forced to make the house, the "warehouse".  i've taken over room by room plus garage.  then when that was too small, i looked outside and thought, "what is a building?  it's a big flat floor with a roof and walls.  well to me the ground is 1/3 building, and free!  ...just missing walls and roof.  so i started taking the drive way (thus the fines).  also have two shipping containers for overflow.  oh and the back bedroom is now an etching studio (long story).

the worst thing was the large living room roof leaked.  eventually leaking/pouring.  i could accumulate about 50 gallons of water in a storm.  so i had to cover the roof and drap plastic over my printers and feed tables to guide the water away from the equipment.  the roof is fixed now.  but the damage is really bad.  give the house a very "fightclub" look.

all in all, i'm "that guy" on the street.  strangely, i can be outside blasting sheets of aluminum with giant flame throwing contraptions and people just walk by like was whittling on the porch.  odd.  not so much as a "what are you doing?" for the last ten years.

aa