Fun isn’t a word used very often when we think of marketing or business tasks. Still, it’s one of the criteria I suggest considering when you’re thinking about whether to add something to your busy schedule.
When Covid hit, Brooke Harker threw her fears about doing live video out the window and created Saturday Night Live Art Shows—because she thought it would be fun. It started with just her, but quickly grew to a core of regular artists, with new ones jumping in each week.
I wanted to talk with her about it because these weekly events are open to any artist who wants to show off their art or, perhaps, the art that you collect. In fact, as you’ll learn, the rules are, well, … What rules? This could be a great way for you to connect, practice your video (because imperfections are encouraged), and maybe even sell some art.
Brooke and I discuss:
See detailed show notes below.
Listen
Music by Wildermiss.
Highlights
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- “I’m an historian of the ordinary.” 3:00
- Brooke’s first call for artists went out on Friday, March 27, 2020. 5:00
- What happens on a Saturday Night Live Art Show, and the variety of approaches participating artists have taken.. 6:00
- Daniela Matchael, who Brooke met at an Art Biz Success event, approaches it like The Daniela Show. 9:15
- Some participants record their videos ahead of time. 11:00
- Tom Mosser always has his Golden Retriever, Lucas, in the videos and takes a variety of approaches, including studio tours. 12:30
- This is about showing up, not about being perfect on video. Two weeks prior to the start of Saturday Night Live Art Shows, Brooke had never before done a livestream. 13:15
©Brooke Harker, Roman Holiday. Ink, oil, and acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 inches. - Brooke remembers this wisdom from one of her favorite yoga teachers: When you want to do something, the desire has to exceed the fear. 14:45
- How Brooke has survived as an artist by connecting with people. 15:30
- “We have the power as artists.” 17:30
- The artists who helped Brooke organize this project are Sheryl Benjy, Nichole McDaniel, and Joan Marie. Each has an important role to play. 19:00
- Brooke describes the collaborative videos they created to promote the events and how they are going easy on themselves and not over-committing since they’re all volunteers. 20:00
- This isn’t just for professional artists. The youngest participant has been 4 1/2 years old. 33:30
- Other participants that Brooke has met through my programs include Joan Marie (previously mentioned), Suzanne Gibbs, and Lynn Goldstein. 34:30
- The 3 questions Brooke asks herself to prepare for live video. 38:00
- The artists use the Marco Polo app to communicate with one another. 40:30
- The visibility of participating has definitely gone up. 43:30
- Brooke is seeking artists from every single state in the U.S. and as many countries as possible. 45:00
- You’re never going to get better at video until you start doing it and screwing up. 49:00
About My Guest
Photo of Brooke Harker by LOTTA Photography. Brooke Harker is a contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her lively paintings of cities and coastal scenes are characterized by energetic brushstrokes in ink and thick oil paint applied with palette knives. These vibrant depictions of daily life capture a sense of motion and highlight moments of synchronicity.
Harker calls herself a historian of the ordinary. Her paintings are a collaboration with all of the people who’ve contributed to a place over time: architects, engineers, city workers who’ve placed street signs and pedestrians whose colorful fashion landed in view at the perfect moment. All of their individual actions brought together one moment, fated to be captured on canvas. Follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookeharker.
Watch videos from the Saturday Night Live Art Shows and find out how you can participate. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Music by Wildermiss.
28 thoughts on “The Art Biz ep. 62: Facebook Live Group Art Shows with Brooke Harker”
This is such a fabulous initiative and it’s been an inspiration to see so many artists taking the plunge and getting into video. Brooke, Joan Marie, Sheryl and Nichole are to be congratulated for teaming up and creating such a creative collaborative project. They are all a delight to watch and I’ve definately seen my confidence in front of the camera improve since my early efforts.
It’s been great having you in the project Cathy! I think you are our lead UK correspondent…okay well technically the only UK artist–however your weekly commitment has been one of the most committed and then when I listened to the interview–I went–OH NO–Cathy has been one of the main weekly people and I didn’t list her–I’m so glad it has helped…and glad this resonated with you:)
I’m so happy you’ve been participating in this, Cathy. And, Brooke, give yourself a break. There were far too many artists to mention. Besides, Cathy has a podcast episode all to herself. 💛
I’m with Alyson, Brooke, give yourself a break. You had a lot to cover and, as Alyson said, I’ve a podcast all of my own, thanks to Alyson. It’s been a massive growth curve for all of us, and we’re still learning.
Alyson and Cathy–I gave myself such a break that I just now saw your comments to give myself a break…I got the message with telepathy. Thank you:)
Awesome idea and love the collaboration between the artists. Yes, we do just have to get over that fear factor.
Thanks so much Alyson & Brooke.
Thank you Kathy! Maybe you will join us?
Kathy, thanks for listening. I know you have been working on video for some time now. You’d be a great addition.
Dare to Share! I did it and I Loved it!
Merci Beaucoup Brooke and “Saturday Night Live Art Shows’ Team to put so much energy to make us all and each of us artists feel connected to such an open field and amazing co-creative Vibes.
I really appreciated this podcast and learning more about all the work behind the scene;
So thank you Alyson B. Stanfield for making it happens.
Aloha & Bonjour from Quebec city!
ooo I just saw this beautiful Jo Hana–so glad you are with us:)
Such an interesting newsletter Alyson and I love that you wrote about various types of collaboration!
Collaboration seems such an important idea right now while we’re so cut off from others. Nature too has become such an important element in our lives.
I’m teaching online zoom workshops called Workshops in Wild Places Stays Home, a take off on my Workshops in Wild Places travel workshops. The Stays Home focus is on collaborating with nature where you live and from that inspiration, creating abstract paintings.
In my zoom workshops, I give nature connection exercises to people who sign on for this workshop from various places in the world. For one of those sessions, I’ve asked creative writing teachers whose focus is on nature to present an exercise from their own writing workshops to my group of visual artists. I love seeing the world through their eyes and approaching nature in a different way. I’ve collaborated with Linda Lappin, an author from Rome who wrote a book called The Soul of Place. As well, I’m currently collaborating with Paul Kingsnorth, an author, environmentalist and creative writing instructor living in Ireland. Next spring, I’ll work with Inga Simpson, an author from Australia for my Australian zoom workshop. I find it so inspiring to collaborate with other creatives.
What wonderful ideas, Janice! I really only focused on collaborating with other people for the month, but I love “collaborating with nature.” It’s terrific how you have reached out to the authors for your workshops. The lockdown has forced us to be even more creative.
I loved listening to this podcast! Great job Brooke! Thank you Alyson for talking about SNL Art Shows, it really means the world to us.
My pleasure, Sheryl. Y’all have done a great job!
Thanks love! just saw this:)
Oh Brooke!!!…your podcast interview was fabulous!! And oh so many new doors have opened due to your huge heart and starting snlartshows!! Oh thank you for who you are and all you do!!!
I think Brooke is very lucky to have your “magic dust,” Joan.
Collaboration is Queen! However, you need to have a level of awareness of effective professional relationships for it to work to everyone’s benefit. Just one of the reasons that it is so important to have business skills as an artist. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of this network Alyson.
Good point, Kate. I hope you’re able to join them.
As a participant in SNL shows I so enjoyed this interview. It was so well done.
Both Brooke Harker and Alyson Stanfield have thought continually helped me to strive and thrive as a professional artist.
Toggling two careers, one as a nurse, one as an artist has taught me to use my time wisely.
For one…Brooke Harker introduced me to Marco Polo in this interview. Now I can do housework, see and talk to my love ones at the same time I am delighted 🤗
What can I say, “I’d RATHER BE IN THE STUDIO” but for now, every other Saturday I have devoted to SNL! Ya!!! Fun, fun!
Thanks for listening, Michelle!
Thanks for listening Michelle:)
Wow. What a powerhouse of enthusiasm and energy. Really enjoyed listening to you Brooke and Alyson. Talk about a can-do attitude. Really wonderful.
Awe Thank you Christine–Are you gonna bring the powerhouse I’m guessing you might also have in you to join us?
Brooke: Apologies! A bunch of people in your group had left comments previously and I didn’t see them to approve them. All good now.
You guessed correctly, Brooke. We just got Christine to take selfies and make videos, so this seems like a next step.
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