Postcard Sets

 Over the years I have experimented with different ways of making my art accessible to the general public, art appreciators who might not have the wall space or cash for an original painting. I have tried mugs, canvas bags, calendars, and Christmas cards. I also made prints of favorite images. It all resulted in being on a first name basis with my postal clerk, but I never made a profit. Often I lost money, and I still have shelves of Christmas cards. (Just $25 for ten cards!)

Then about six years ago a friend, Cari Jenkins, suggested that I create a set of 50 postcards, each of a different painting. Cari and I were both hosting weekly open table dinners to draw people together, and Cari thought the cards could be community builders.

I selected 50 paintings that depicted very different emotions--couples dancing, women escaping fire, parents embracing children, etc.--and I sent them off to Moo.com for printing. I ordered boxes for each set from U-line, and I printed prompts for using the cards at dinner parties, with team building, in writing classes, for small groups, and for journaling. Some of the prompts include:

For dinner parties:

• Spread the cards out on the table and invite people to select two or three cards that appeal to them. Ask them to share with the group why.
  
• What picture describes a hope you have for the year? 
• Is there a picture you have that represents a desire you have for your life? 

Journaling prompts:

• Flip through the cards until one catches your attention. Pay attention to what you feel as you liok at it. What memories come to mind? Does it embody what you're feeling about life?
• Lay out the cards in front of you. Is there one that feels like an invitation for the upcoming day or the future?
• Close your eyes and draw a card at random, and ask God to remind you of one of his promises. Open your eyes and look at the picture. Is there a promise that comes to mind? Write about it. 
  

Team building  prompts: 

• Choose a picture of what it feels like to be a part of this team.
• Choose a picture that depicts what it feels like to come in to work everyday.
• Have each person select a picture that represents someone else on the team. How does that picture best represent the character of that person?

For teachers and writing groups:

• Draw two cards. Write a story base on the two cards from the perspective of one of the figures. Then rewrite the story based on the perspective of the other figure. Combine the stories with only quoted dialogue, no descriptions.
• Draw three cards.Write a story. Next, write a completely different story based on the same three cards.
• Draw a card. Write a monologue in which one of the characters talks about things s/he has done in the past and will do in the future.
  

For Christian small groups:

• Choose a picture that best describes how you are feeling in relationship with others.
• Choose a picture that describes what you think about God.
• Choose a picture that best describes what you need from Jesus today or this year.

I posted the postcard sets on-line and set them out at open studios, and they have a growing following. It has been an idea that has stuck. Word has spread primarily via word of mouth. They have sold all over the USA, and I've gotten feedback from as far away as Kenya and Australia. Someone in Bolivia is using them with women who have been sexually abused. Based on popular demand, I made a second set two years ago. I ship out a steady stream of boxes throughout the year and continue to be on a first name basis with my postal clerk. This year I hope to make a third set. 

A heads-up to other artists who might consider doing this--these are not a big money-maker. I am breaking even, but I primarily sell the cards because it feels good to have the images out in the world and communicating. It's especially poignant for me to be able to revisit paintings that have sold.

The cards are available for $39.25 if you order them on-line or $30 if you pick them up at my home in Oakland, Ca. Prompts are available for free upon request. To order, go to carolaust.com/carol/content/postcards . If you do not want to do PayPal, you can mail a check to Carol Aust, 655 63rd St., Oakland, Ca, 94609. And if you have any questions, email me at carol.aust.art@gmail.com.

Five Tips for Hosting an Art Salon

 We have hosted many art salons over the years. These have always been a little funkier than the slick salons posted on-line with women in pencil-thin dresses in vast New York lofts, and I don't think Gertrude Stein would see much similarity with her Parisian salons. Ours have always been held at our home with any and everyone on my mailing list invited for an evening of sharing what they've done creatively. 

My favorite salon story concerns a dear friend who bought a new date to our salon, and when their turn came to share, we pushed aside the dining room table, and they danced a sultry tango to a recorded song. At the end of the evening, his date shyly asked to buy a romantic painting of a dancing couple, and a year later, another of my dance paintings was on their wedding program.

Last Sunday evening we hosted our first post-Covid art salon. Unlike our gatherings from 4 or 5 years ago when the house was bursting at the seams, this one was a sedate 13 people, but everyone here seemed to realize how wonderful it was to be together and sharing after years of isolation.

As an artist, I increasingly feel that relationships are as valuable or more so than art objects. Art is a precious way to bring people together. Our world right now is so thirsty for connection and a chance to embrace creativity.

If you are interested in hosting an art salon, here are a few how-to's:

• Cast your net widely--make repeated invitations on Instagram and Facebook and even send out postcards as well as personal invitations to friends. Explain that everyone is welcome to bring food to share as well as a song or poem or story or visual art piece or dance to share. Request RSVP's by a deadline a few days prior, but hold that lightly and welcome everyone.
• Start with a potluck dinner so people can get acquainted.
• Gather and give each person a chance for a brief introduction, noting who has something that they've created. Explain that after introductions, you will set a timer for maybe 10 minutes per person who has brought something to share. If the group is larger that 15 people, split it into two smaller groups, if you have an extra room available.
• If there's time, let people ask questions or make comments after each creative has shared. Applaud each participant!
• Have a mingling/networking time at the end. Keep your feelers out for people who feel ready for more community, who might want to be in a new critique or writer's group. My latest Get Out the Art Group spun off from a couple of salons.