I am Victoria Ward, a painter who actually lives in a log cabin near Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada. I have worked in the arts professionally for over thirty years. You can take a look at what I do at hotspurstudio.com.
I’ve been at this art thing a really long time, for over ten years in theatre in Toronto and now twenty as a visual artist. It hasn’t been easy but it also hasn’t been boring.
I don’t write a blog anymore. I might publish once a year which seems futile. Probably is. If you are reading this, wow. I really like comments so feel free to leave one but be nice.
Please follow my blog and/or follow me @hotspurstudio on Twitter & Instagram where I share an account with my partner painter Gary Blundell.
PRIVACY POLICY 2018, yes we all have to have one. I do not collect any personal information with this blog, WordPress does. If you subscribe your email sits here somewhere in WordPress and I have no access to it. I will never use your information for a mail out or anything else remotely like that. I do not have Google Analytics on this blog cuz who hell reads blogs anymore??
Thanks for dropping by!
blog cabin by vic 
Victoria, I like your writing. You are very thoughtful, sometimes tackling issues that artists likely avoid like the income conundrum. I’ll be back for more!
Peter Greyson Director, Temiskaming Art Gallery
Hello Peter! Thanks for the comment, I’m very flattered that you like my writing. We are looking forward to seeing you again. It looks like we will be up sometime over the winter. Stay in touch.
Yes, I do try to tackle stuff no one likes to talk about. I don’t get invited to too many dinner parties as you can imagine.
Victoria
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
i also just found out that you and i show at the same gallery here in the big smoke!
Not only that, but I have also spent time in Newfoundland and made paintings based on being there. LOL We obviously need to meet at some point.
I recently found your blog; and though I haven’t had the opportunity to read everything you’ve written it’s obvious you’re both a talented artist and a writer – as well as having a serious head on your shoulders.
One subject that that I’ve been interested for a long time (and wish I could write as eloquently as you about) is artist resale royalty rights or ‘Droit de suite’. It seems to stir much controversy when mentioned and there is so little from the artist perspective.
In the meantime, thank-you for giving me something pertinent for an artist like myself to browse.
Very thoughtful comment. Thank you. I am unsure how I feel about royalty resale rights. I can see that it would benefit those artists who can ask a large price for their work. Buyers who sell from their collections are generally hoping to profit from a high market value, so these particular artists can get a hefty royalty depending on where their work sits in terms of market value. This eliminates 90% of most contemporary artists. We are really talking about deceased artists or the very, very few who are lucky enough to be alive and benefit. So, I can’t see that it will have a big impact either way on us just trying to keep a roof over our head.
Thank-you. It wasn’t my intention to begin a debate here and I shall not. But to clarify for you and your artists readers; Artist’s resale royalty rights is only the tip of the iceberg as it speaks to an interest in the increased economic status for all artists – whether through, direct sales, copyrights, secondary sales, commissions, work-for-hire, inheritance taxes and royalties (as they apply to the families of deceased artists), or a standard for the enforcement of gallery contracts.
Market value is something that every artist should consider seriously in comparison to salaries of persons who do similar work, and when pricing their own work against cost of materials & labor hours, professional status, and cost of living.
Even the smallest costs add up as do the smallest sources of revenue for every artist – not only the most successful;.
I think you would agree. A shingle or two missing from the roof over our head can make life miserable.
In solidarity-
I think I need to get you to do a guest blog! I do agree and you are completely right.
http://www.hotpsurstudio.com/ – the link is broken, but red riding hood and cabins in the wood kinda make up for it 🙂
Hey thanks!! And thanks for your interest!
No worries 🙂
Pleased to have found your fascinating blog. I look forward to more visits. Regards from Thom at the immortal,jukebox.
Thank you for reading and your comment!