Is there such a thing as artist's secret in this age of technology? Sharing your knowledge is much more satisfying. For every secret you share, you will probably learn two other ones.

Art Exhibit Openings

We have many art shows in Winnipeg when the public is invited to meet the artist at the openings. I love attending those openings, because it gives me a chance to talk to the artist and ask questions. If the artist is using a technique which I might want to learn, I have a chance of asking how it is done, and artists are always eager to share their secrets. I learn a lot by asking questions.

All artists are eager to share their secrets. Well, all artists except one. I met that one artist at the opening of her show on an autumn afternoon in 2004. I made notes of our conversation right there at the gallery immediately after I talked to her to make sure that I would remember the details.

Artist's Secret

She had some little pictures on the wall which were reproductions of her larger paintings. She called them oil prints. It seemed obvious to me that they were computer printouts on canvas with probably a glaze coating to make them look like oil paintings.

I was curious to find out if my guess was right. I had been talking to a friendly lady at the show who turned out to be the artist's sister. I asked her to introduce me to her. No, she did not want to introduce me. She seemed afraid to talk to her sister. She did, however, point her out to me, and I introduced myself.

Here is a shortened version of our conversation:

Traute: Are your oil prints computer printouts?

Artist: Yes.

Traute: What printer are you using?

Artist: That actually is an artist's secret.

Oh yes? Tell me another one, do! Printers are not custom-made. Anyone can buy a new top quality printer in a computer store. In 30 years of asking artists questions, no one had ever given me such a snobbish answer. I felt mischievous and decided to pay her back.

Traute: Have you used the printers with wax-based colors?

The artist stared at me with her mouth open as though I was asking her if she had met the man on the moon.

Traute: You know those posters on the inside of public washroom doors? Those are done on one of those printers.

Artist: No, those are huge commercial printers.

Traute: Those are done on one little desktop printer. I was at the show where an unemployed computer owner bought that printer. He had an idea and has made a good business out of that one purchase.

Okay, I paid her back. That was enough. I decided to have some hot herb tea to warm my spirits after that cold exchange of niceties on this blustery Sunday afternoon. When I parked my cup on a table to write my notes, my cup annoyed the artist. She picked it up and handed it to me.

Artist: Excuse me. Is this your coffee?

Pretty pale coffee, I would say. I never drink coffee anyway.

I took my cup from her and continued writing the notes.

Artists' Competition

Was that artist really afraid of competition from me? She should not be. Every artist has her unique style. People buy the art which appeals to them. People who like her art would not be interested in buying mine and vice versa.

If you have discovered a special way of doing something, don't be afraid to share it with someone else. Artists should all be helping each other, sharing trade secrets and referring customers to each other. I am happy to say that most artists in Winnipeg do exactly that. All except one, that is.

© Traute Klein, biogardener