Exhibit Preparation – The Postcard Invitation
Upcoming Solo Exhibit
Part of a series of posts on the preparation for my upcoming solo exhibit, Dwelling, at Macky Gallery, Feb 17-March 17 with an opening reception Sunday, Feb 21 from 1-4 and artist talk at 2pm.
To see photos of the artwork as I’m creating it, check out my page on facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaCallFineArt. Images of Home #10, in progress, were posted over the last few days.
If you become a fan (click the ‘become a fan button’) you’ll see these updates in your newsfeed. If you aren’t on facebook you can still check out the page every once in a while as it is public and you don’t have to be on facebook to see the images. So I can focus on creating the artwork I’m posting the images on facebook as it is quicker than posting them on my blog.
You’ve Got Mail
This morning I designed and ordered postcard invitations for my upcoming exhibit (front show above, back shown below). I have a mailing list of collectors, supporters, fans, family, acquaintances, etc that will receive the card.
My longer term goal with this mailing list is to send out a hard copy announcement 2-4 times a year. I’m getting fewer and fewer of these cards from artists and galleries as it is quite expensive in comparison to email so I think I will continue to send them, as they are a rare treat and will stand out more as fewer people are sending them.
[If you'd like to be added to my mailing list please email me.]
Creating the Invitation
I haven’t yet shared all the details of the office work entailed with the preparation for the exhibit and will soon. Today I’ll just touch on the creation of the postcard as it takes a fairly good chunk of time.
Yesterday I photographed the artwork and prepared the image for the front of the card. Earlier this week I worked with the gallery director to get approval of the text I was using on the back of the card.
With the content determined this morning I started work on the layout. I have no training in graphic design but I still find it great fun to play around with layouts. I used photoshop to do the work.
I decided on using a detail image for the front of the card as the textile painting was long and skinny and left too much white space at the bottom if used in it’s entirety. I find layout of the text most difficult as I know very little about what is supposed to work so I wing it and go with what looks okay to me.
I order my cards from Vistaprint so I use their template when designing the card. I’ve found that to get the file size small enough I have to save it as .pdf and so far the printing has turned out great. I always order the oversized card as I like the impact of the larger image.
Posted by Lisa in: Art Exhibits
Tagged: art exhibit, art show, dwelling, mailing list, planning, postcards, publicity, quilts, Textile Paintings
You did a great job on the postcard design. Wish I could see your exhibit.
Thank you Sherri. If you want to make a road trip I’d love to see you!
Bravo! I am so happy your work is progressing!
Thanks for sharing, Liz
The postcard looks great! It really showcases your fabric and I love the column of small houses on the left. I wish I lived anywhere near Denver and could get to the show!
The postcard design is stunning…both front and back. It is a real treat to share the process and the artwork. I can’t wait to see the other projects.
Great postcard image Lisa!
I also ordered some postcards Vistaprint this week and then received this message from a close friend (so it is not an urban myth):
“Be very cautious when dealing with VistaPrint. I ordered business cards through them several years ago. The quality was fine, but months (well actually more than a year later) we discovered that they were charging us odd amounts on our credit card each month under the innocuous business name “Business Max”. The charges added up to more than $600 by the time we figured out the scam. We were able to recoup most of the charges, but I will not do business with them again. I’m not the only victim. Google and you will find many, many sites like this: http://vista-print.pissedconsumer.com/vistaprint-rip-off-20080301114361.html”
She uses http://www.modernpostcard.com/ for her postcards now.
GREAT postcard design, Lisa! How do you like Vistaprint as compared to others? Have you tried other companies? I’ve been using Gotprint – they’ve consistantly been great, but I am always interested in learning about alternatives- though Brenda’s comment definitely makes me think twice! O_o