As an artist-in-training, you will be prepared for the art world over the course of five years at the Klassieke Akademie (classical academy) in Groningen. From painting techniques and art history to approaching galleries and the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, everything is covered. But how does the newly graduated artist fare with a diploma in one hand and a brush in the other?
The romantic image of an artist who locks himself up in his attic studio to paint and hardly sees the light of day seems to be pretty true: artist Gabriëlle Westra (24) graduated from the Klassieke Akademie this summer and confesses that she actually only leaves her studio for lunch and dinner. She devotes one day a week to model drawing and one day to portrait studies, she replicates the style of a great master every week and she always has a still life on the table.
Being asked to describe her style makes her laugh: ‘I can’t actually be at a loss for words here; at school we were taught to answer this in 60 seconds!’ At the Klassieke Akademie, they learned all possible styles and techniques. She explains that, after graduation, artists have to find their own direction and above all try out many things. Gabriëlle herself mainly paints portraits: she has two on her easel right now.
So what happens after you graduate?
Gabriëlle tells us that before being thrown into the deep end, the final exam candidates at the Klassieke Akademie are given their last helping hand. The programme organised a joint exhibition for them at the Kunstlievend Genootschap Pictura (Pictura Art Society), which was on display this year from 7 to 21 June. Many gallery owners were at the opening, curious about the up-and-coming artists. Gabriëlle was fortunate, she was approached by Galerie Lauswolt from Olterterp there. The gallery owner was so enthusiastic about her work that he immediately invited her to drop by to talk about it. An initial meeting like that was exactly the purpose of this final exhibition.
There will be an ‘after-exhibition’ in Gees (Drenthe) in the autumn, but after that, the budding artists have to move on by themselves. ‘The intention is to eventually get about four galleries throughout the Netherlands as an artist,’ says Gabrielle, although unfortunately there is no rigid roadmap to follow in this regard. ‘Above all, show your face a lot and visit all the galleries so they know who you are.’
A well-considered price tag
Once your work is hanging in different galleries, how is the price of your artwork then determined? They were taught about that too. There is a factor for each artist, which depends on experience, education, fame and, for example, what books you are mentioned in as an artist. This personal factor is then multiplied by the dimensions of the artwork: height x width x factor. But this arithmetic is not always applied, warns Gabriëlle. ‘For example, if you make a tiny painting of ten by ten centimetres, even though you have spent a lot of time on it.’
For more information and examples of her work, visit www.gabriellewestra.com
Text and photos: Lotte van ter Toolen