March field notes
Writing apps and artist website builders
Hello in March!
By the end of the month, I usually have gathered a few items of interest that might be useful for a creative practice, and this time it’s a bit “artist admin” flavoured. I’ve been in preparation mode for working on a larger series drawings, trying to spring clean, and oh yeah taxes…
The first finding is an app called Obsidian, which I discovered via the lovely newsletter Anemone. I was first of all intrigued by the name — a beautiful stone! - and half-way hoped it was some kind of magical software about rocks and minerals. But no — it’s actually a note-taking app, somewhat similar to Notion. The interesting part is that it’s helpful for writing and generating ideas, and has an intriguing mind-mapping function.
I’ve been using it to re-write and freshen up my artist’s statement: similar to mind-mapping on paper, I write about a single idea, and when a related idea comes to mind, I can link to it in a separate file. Each idea file can store as much writing as needed, and the files can be viewed as a list, or as a network (shown above).
I’ve always struggled with generating and organizing ideas in Word or similar word-processing programs, instead needing a large board where I can assemble all ideas and periphery items in a non-linear way. Although it’s messy, I feel reassured that all the information is in front of me, that the framework will help foster more ideas, and that I can make connections across its surface.
The next item of interest: maintaining an artist’s website for not much $$
I feel like I’ve never gotten this quite right. Do I have a website that shows examples of my work only (a portfolio website), or do I have a website with an online store component as well as my portfolio? Or do I have a link to an Etsy shop?
Or: do I want a website at all? I mainly use it to direct people elsewhere, but also as supporting material for applying to exhibitions etc. But is this all worth a monthly subscription?
For the tiny amount of original work that I sell on my website, I’m finding that it’s not making sense to pay for a Squarespace site (almost $50 per month CAD). In the past I’ve tried using Big Cartel ($10 per month) which is a reasonably priced commerce-based site builder geared towards artists selling work —- but I found it wasn’t great for adding a portfolio component.
Here are my realistic 2024 website functions:
dead easy to add info & photos of artwork
layout is simple
direct visitors to my contact/bio etc.
direct vistors to substack, and possibly a link to Big Cartel, which offers a “free” commerce plan (maximum 5 product listings).
(very) affordable website subscription
For now I’ve settled on using Adobe Portfolio, which is included in my $13 per month Photoshop subscription. I don’t think it’s as “customizable” or “scalable” as other sites claim to be, but for now the price is right. Here’s my half-built site, if you want to check it out.
Final finding: Yupo translucent paper
My daughter and I recently bought a 5”x7” pad of this paper (Yupo is available in tiny pad sizes, affordable and great for experiments,) which resembles mylar in weight and translucency. I’m not quite sure how to use it yet, but I’m imagining that it could involve some process of layering imagery and linework.
The layering brings Cary Hulbert’s artwork to mind, which often has a translucent aspect - the artist paints or draws on the front and back of silkscreen or mylar:
Also: I’ve just sent out the next round of postcards to Art Space (paid) subscribers — if you are a paid subscriber who wants a postcard, please do send me (aaehrlich at gmail d0t c0m) your mailing address!
Thanks so much for reading Studio Notebook, and see you in April!
<3 <3 Anne