The Sickness - Part 1

I've mentioned once or twice already that I have a passion, i.e. sickness for art materials. I think that oil paint is one of the most enticing odors on the planet. Anyway, I have decided that any post I make concerning art materials will be titled: "The Sickness."  When I get to The Sickness - Part 10,000, I may stop.

In today's dramatic episode I'm going to talk about sketchbooks. Oh how I love to buy sketchbooks. I can't help it, I'm always searching for the perfect paper, the perfect cover, the perfect binding, etc. Well, I have finally discovered a solution.

A couple of years ago, I discovered Rollabind. The Rollabind system is comprised of plastic disks and a special type of punch that punches a series of mushroom-shaped holes along the binding edge of the paper. There is no wire, like a spiral-bound notebook. There are no snap-rings, like a 3-ring binder. Yet, Rollabind offers the best benefits of the two traditional binders. The covers and contents of a Rollabind notebook can rotate completely around and lay flat against the back, exposing only the sheet of paper you are working on, like a spiral-bound book. Any page can be removed and put back into the notebook anywhere you want, just like a 3-ring binder. Rollabind rules. If you are interested, Rollabind has a website, a company called Levenger sells it as their "Circa" system and office supply store Staples now sells it as their "Arc" system. All three are compatible with each other. From Staples, I have purchased a notebook with black leather covers, a punch with an 8-sheet capacity, a set of 11/2" rings, a set of tab dividers, a set of pocket dividers and a poly zip pouch. This set up is now my sketchbook. I buy the drawing papers that I prefer, I cut them down to 8.5"x11" if necessary, and I bind them into my Rollabind sketchbook. I have a mix of white, gray and buff drawing paper, a few sheets of bristol, a few sheets of watercolor paper and a sheet or two of pastel paper with me wherever I go. All in one book. I have also included my Curriculum Vitae, a few sheets of lined writing paper and a 12-month calendar that I use for my scheduling. It doesn't get much more useful than this. I carry this sketchbook and my art supplies in a Studio on the GO sketchbook portfolio that I created.

Please understand, I haven't lost my love for off the shelf sketchbooks, but now I typically discard the manufacturer's binding and punch their paper for my Rollabind sketchbook.

As artists, I think that it is important that we remember the artist's journey. Part of the journey is making the tools work so well for us that we don't have to think about them when it's time to get busy, creatively. Now, I admit that I spend more time on this than I should, but I have had a lot of fun with the process. Based on my experiences, I think that many art supply manufacturers don't really "get" artists or our needs. That being the case, we artists can find a new outlet for expression in how we respond to the quest for the "right" art stuff. Another vital part of this journey is to share our experiences with other artists.

Now go make some art!
Chris Ingram

Running a small business is really hard!

So, genius that I am (insert sarcasm here), I decided a couple of years ago that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I went to a small business development center in Cleveland, TN and I met with a counselor. She helped me develop a business plan, a rudimentary marketing strategy and she helped me apply for, and eventually get a business loan. Sounds good so far, right?

Well, that was the easy part. You see, my business, called Ingram Fine Arts, is based on my love of art materials. Paints, pencils, brushes, clays, knives, pastels, papers, easels, canvases....give me more! It is a sickness and any artist out there who does not suffer it should be truly grateful. Anyway, I love art materials and a few years ago I wanted to buy a sketchbook portfolio, some sort of binder that could hold a 9"x12" sketchbook and a bunch of art materials. I wanted something easier to carry than a tackle box, and something that I would keep more organized than a briefcase bag, canvas tote or backpack. I wanted a purpose-made sketchbook portfolio. Office portfolios don't hold enough pencils! Turned out, nobody made one. So, I made one for myself. I borrowed an old, old sewing machine from my grandmother and I bought some fabric and chipboard and elastic bands and a zipper and I made myself a sketchbook portfolio just the way i wanted it. You must understand that I had no idea how to use a sewing machine and it was pretty rough. But, it was functional and I was pleased with it. As I began to carry it around and show it to all of my art buddies I got a lot of really positive feedback on the idea. Light bulb! Maybe lots of artists all over the world would want one! It's a perfect blend of form and functionality, how could any artist resist? Turns out, "art materials" is a great big ol' world and its very easy to get lost in it.

My product is called Studio on the Go. You can take a look at it here: www.studio-onthego.com
I am very proud of it, I just can't seem to sell it. I have advertised it in art magazines, sold it through ebay and etsy, and I've tried feverishly to convince a few local art store owners to carry it. All with little success.
 
Some days, I really want to give up. I've got inventory in my garage where my car should be parked. I'm spending money on this portfolio that I could be putting away for college funds, or a sports car. I'm putting in a lot of hours that I could use to make art. Quitting is easy. But, I've always had a stubborn streak and I'm not throwing in the towel yet. I still believe that lightning will strike with this portfolio, and I am going to hang in there until it happens. Please wish me luck.

Now go make some art!
Chris Ingram

Gonna give this a try

It seems a bit arrogant to post to this blog and expect that anyone is actually going to be interested in reading it. But, these are the times and I can see the benefits of clearing out the mental cobwebs now and again. I never have been much at journal-keeping, so I'm hoping that writing a few things here will shake loose a new facet of my creative journey.

I am dedicated to my sketchbook and I try to make a daily habit of sketching from life, or from master artists. I also use my sketchbook as a place to record new ideas and work up thumbnails and preliminary designs for paintings and drawings. I know a lot of artists where I live, most of whom do not have the experience of an art school education, and I encourage the non-converted among them to develop the sketchbook habit. Keeping a sketchbook is, in my humble opinion, the best art training there is.

Now go make some art!
Chris Ingram