Art
view
Paulette Thenhaus
Gifts
for the artist
The editor requests a story ... one less salacious than the
last. Perhaps one on what a gift-giver might give to an
artist? Well, I can write that one pretty painlessly.
The first thing on my list is a portable heater (Big Heat is
good). Unless you're a blue-chip artist like Dorothea Tanning, your studio is
probably darn cold
at this time of year. Every artist can use more warmth. An electric blanket is
another thoughtful gift. Mittens with flaps that expose the fingers so a
painter can paint are pretty neat, too.
Many artists collect tools, just as carpenters do. They're
always building frames, pedestals, stretchers and the like. The hammer is often
misplaced when hanging a show. Give him or her a power drill or a new staple
gun and you'll get a "Wow!" Get them a Fleximaster Point Master for
framing and you will probably get a big kiss on the cheek.
Artists do have office duties. I mean, they do pay taxes like
everybody else. A box of paper clips, pens, rubber bands, scissors and pushpins
and the like, will save them a trip to Staples in January.
Artists also hate to waste time and money shopping for such
mundane things as socks and underwear. If you are a close enough friend to the
guy or gal to know their specific size, give them several pairs. If youÕre not
that close, just guess and keep the receipt.
Since the price of tube paint has tripled in two years, you are
really saying "I like your work" when you give them a tube of cadmium
red (or their favorite color, or just white to be safe). Know whether they use
oils, acrylics or watercolor when you head to Dick Blick. In fact, a gift card
to Dick Blick is worth more to an artist than one to TiffanyÕs.
Everyone likes to eat, especially artists, but they hate to
waste time shopping and preparing meals (They have better things to do). Those
little boxes of cheese and sausage that some pooh-pooh as a gift are relished
by studio artists. Caution: First find out whether the artist is vegetarian or
not. Anything baked or homemade is a sure delight, even fruitcake.
A subscription to Art in America will save the artist a
monthly trip to the library.
Of course, if we're talking big-time gifts, what artist
wouldn't love an all expense paid trip to Chicago. Now that will ring some
bells! But to truly honor an artist, buy one of their works. Your artist probably has
a reasonably priced work in one of Galesburg's cafˇs, the Antique Mall,
Dovetail, Carolina's Creations or the Galesburg Civic Art Center. Nothing warms
an artist's heart more in the chill of January like getting a check for a
holiday sale.
From "Art View" to you, Happy Holidays and remember
to treat your favorite artist well all year long. As has been said before,
"You gotta have art!"
12/20/07