Comments on: What do you need to be reminded of?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:56:49 +0000

I need to be reminded that disappointing sales at shows aren’t a direct reflection upon my work. Suggestion for a topic or series: how artists are faring in this economy, and strategies for successfully coping with it. Thanks for all you do, Michelle

By: Sue Smith

Sue Smith — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:25:49 +0000

The way I remember the dimensions is to think of an “L” with the height first, then the width. When you get as old as I am, these little visual cues are very useful. Give a treat to Wonder Cat. Then tell him to never scare you like that again.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:36:53 +0000

Van: Pick up any reputable art book and the work is listed as HxWxD. It’s “industry” standard. Ditto for a reputable gallery. It’s just the way things are done. I’m not trying to confuse you or make it difficult. I’m just passing on the information. A curator or gallery dealer (or sophisticated collector, for that matter) who saw dimensions as WxH would know they were written incorrectly.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:34:29 +0000

Christine: Most foxes weight 7-9 lbs, so they’re not very big. However, this could be a male and weigh more. They’re just longer and thinner. If it’s art, it’s ALWAYS HxWxD. Can’t speak to the paper before it becomes art. Tracy: I like that one! Yes, remember to take care of yourself.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:26:14 +0000

I am continually reminding myself to think like Teddy (Roosevelt) “You have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Oh, and how about — Remember to take care of yourself.

By: Christine DeCamp

Christine DeCamp — Tue, 27 May 2008 05:52:46 +0000

Alyson: Is the fox much larger than your cat? I am imagining it being larger. I just had a conversation with some cat owners who were talking about their cats being very aggressive, even with much larger animals. (I would be worried, too!) The dimensions thing always confuses me—but H x W x D seems correct to me. On things such as paper sizes, I wonder—is it perhaps the smaller dimension listed first–because the orientation of paper is always vertical? As far as computer monitors go—I have always heard them referred to as one dimension: that is, the measurement is the diagonal of the monitor screen. (Like TV’s)

By: G. Armour Van Horn

G. Armour Van Horn — Tue, 27 May 2008 05:19:43 +0000

Okay, why should I attempt to change the world in regards to dimensions? I haven’t done a rigorous survey of every use of dimensions out there, but having been hanging around the planet for a while (55 years give or take a few hours), having spent a lot of years in and around the printing business, and more recently a quarter century around computers, everything I can think of is specified as width by height. I’ve done sites for folks that made me nuts, because they had no consistency on which number came first, but browsers and Photoshop offer no grace on this point, it’s width by height. Paper sizes are the same. (Go ahead and ask for a ream of eleven by eight and a half sometime!) Computer monitors, the same. When my wife and I both read “I’d Rather Be In the Studio!” it was about the only advice in the entire book that I disagreed with. Assuming that the market for my wife’s art isn’t limited to your readers, why should I confuse them? Van

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:24:39 +0000

Karine: I know! In truth, they’re supposed to be okay with each other. But I’m sure the fox is extra protective when the kits are still in the den. I’d like to say I’m impressed with my cat. I guess I like knowing that she will defend herself. But I really don’t want her chasing foxes!

By: Karine Swenson

Karine Swenson — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:19:36 +0000

Cool photo! I am impressed by your cat. I guess I thought it would be the other way around – fox chasing the cat!