A Convergence of the Rational and the Absurd
An interview with surrealist humorist Leah Saulnier
BY MICHAEL KING
S anta Fe, New Mexico is said to be the largest art market in the U.S. after New York and Los Angeles. Long attracted by the area’s rich natural beauty and colorful Native and Spanish cultures, artists — famous and not so famous — have made their home and reputation in Santa Fe for more than a hundred years. The art they created reflects the stunning light and varied life of exotic subjects not found in other parts of the country. For decades their work laid the foundation for the mystique that made the region a world class destination art market.
Today it is estimated that more than 5,000 artists of one kind or another live in or near Santa Fe. With such a large and diverse population of talent, it is natural that their creative energy would begin to expand beyond traditional Southwest art themes. Recently, Smithsonian.com made note of this shift in an article titled "The New Art Scene Transforming Santa Fe." As an art enthusiast I thought it would be interesting to catch up with a Santa Fe artist who is unquestionably part of this vital ongoing transformation.
Leah Saulnier has been living and painting in Santa Fe for almost 30 years. Leah calls herself a surrealist / humorist painter. In the hyper-competitive Santa Fe art environment with some 250 galleries, it is not enough for artists to simply create appealing art. An artist needs to be a creative and astute business person as well.
I visited with Leah in her studio just outside of Santa Fe and asked how she has been able to achieve a fair level of success in a market that until recently was known only for its traditional regional themes.
I visited with Leah in her studio just outside of Santa Fe and asked how she has been able to achieve a fair level of success in a market that until recently was known only for its traditional regional themes.
Michael King: First of all, your website lists you as “The Painting Maniac.” What’s that all about? You seem like a perfectly reasonable person to me.
Leah Saulnier: Well, thank you. Most of my friends feel the same way. But, the maniac part is certainly in me. I always feel an obsessive need to be painting. I am most comfortable and at home in front of an easel. I just can’t imagine myself doing anything else in life.
Leah Saulnier: Well, thank you. Most of my friends feel the same way. But, the maniac part is certainly in me. I always feel an obsessive need to be painting. I am most comfortable and at home in front of an easel. I just can’t imagine myself doing anything else in life.
MK: How would you describe your style, which is not at all what one usually expects of a typical Santa Fe artist?
LS: As you hinted at, I consider myself a humorist /surrealist artist. I like versatility in my themes. To me, expressions of humor, the macabre, and elements of surprise are essential. I try for the convergence of the absurd and the rational. Strange machines and gadgets often play a role in my paintings. I also like to paint people and peculiar-looking birds or animals in unusual surroundings.
LS: As you hinted at, I consider myself a humorist /surrealist artist. I like versatility in my themes. To me, expressions of humor, the macabre, and elements of surprise are essential. I try for the convergence of the absurd and the rational. Strange machines and gadgets often play a role in my paintings. I also like to paint people and peculiar-looking birds or animals in unusual surroundings.
MK: What medium do you use?
LS: I paint in oil and sometimes add metal leaf backgrounds. I find that very fun to play with. I don't use oil mediums or turpentine in my methods of painting, because the fewer chemicals the better. And I use Dawn detergent to clean my brushes to avoid chemicals with fumes.
MK: Since you’ve been painting for several years, what do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?
LS: For many years I did not sell prints of my work because I was stuck in the belief that doing so would hinder the sales of my original paintings. I was very wrong about that. I’ve learned that there are definitely different types of buyers for my work. I have many clients who only collect originals and never want prints. Then there are many for whom purchasing an original is not in their budget. Many of my print customers buy three or more at a time. For me print sales have become a bread-and-butter area, often paying for my weekend display booth fees, as well as providing some income beyond that.
I also wish when I first started I had known how important it is to keep records of sales. That would have helped me build a good list of customers who might have become repeat customers.
LS: I paint in oil and sometimes add metal leaf backgrounds. I find that very fun to play with. I don't use oil mediums or turpentine in my methods of painting, because the fewer chemicals the better. And I use Dawn detergent to clean my brushes to avoid chemicals with fumes.
MK: Since you’ve been painting for several years, what do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?
LS: For many years I did not sell prints of my work because I was stuck in the belief that doing so would hinder the sales of my original paintings. I was very wrong about that. I’ve learned that there are definitely different types of buyers for my work. I have many clients who only collect originals and never want prints. Then there are many for whom purchasing an original is not in their budget. Many of my print customers buy three or more at a time. For me print sales have become a bread-and-butter area, often paying for my weekend display booth fees, as well as providing some income beyond that.
I also wish when I first started I had known how important it is to keep records of sales. That would have helped me build a good list of customers who might have become repeat customers.
Another thing I wish I’d recognized in the beginning is the importance of good quality photographs of my works taken before they were sold. If you don’t have high quality images of your work then you are missing the chance for creating prints for sale and licensing your work for such things as book covers and promotional materials. It took me eight years or so before I figured this one out. I now go to a professional photographer every few months with six to eight new paintings. She takes first-rate photos and helps edit the images. Then she gives me a CD from which I can upload images online as needed.
MK: You have a strong presence on the internet. Why do you choose to sell your art online?
LS: Being a visual artist, the internet is a great platform in so many ways. I use FineArtAmerica.com for my professional website. My prints do quite well with them and they handle transactions with the clients. If a client expresses further interest in my work, they can contact me there or inquire about purchasing original paintings or licensing an image.
I also utilize other companies like RedBubble. They license my images for use on some of their products, such as mugs and tee shirts. I receive royalties on these sales.
LS: Being a visual artist, the internet is a great platform in so many ways. I use FineArtAmerica.com for my professional website. My prints do quite well with them and they handle transactions with the clients. If a client expresses further interest in my work, they can contact me there or inquire about purchasing original paintings or licensing an image.
I also utilize other companies like RedBubble. They license my images for use on some of their products, such as mugs and tee shirts. I receive royalties on these sales.
Social media sites such as Facebook are also an excellent way to get exposure for an artist’s work. I personally like to share my creative process from beginning to end so my Facebook fans can see the work as it progresses. These viewers sometimes will share what they’ve seen with others. Once a painting is completed, I will then post a link to where prints can be purchased, and buyers can message me regarding the purchase of the painting.
I also utilize sites like EBay, Etsy, and Saatchi Art for art sales. Different sites, different viewers and more opportunity for sales. They all have different price structures for listings. Saatchi is more like an art broker. The listings are free but they take 30 percent for helping to handle the sale. An artist needs to find what works for them.
I also utilize sites like EBay, Etsy, and Saatchi Art for art sales. Different sites, different viewers and more opportunity for sales. They all have different price structures for listings. Saatchi is more like an art broker. The listings are free but they take 30 percent for helping to handle the sale. An artist needs to find what works for them.
MK: What are some of your favorite in-town venues for showing your art?
LS: In Santa Fe there are many options for artists to show and hang art. I utilize several at once.
Some artists seem to get in a mindset that a gallery is the only way to go, but one could be leaving out many other opportunities for exposure and potential income. I do exhibit in one gallery — Jezebel in Madrid, New Mexico. In Santa Fe I do outdoor art shows on weekends during the summer with the Santa Fe Society of Artists. They have an excellent location near the historic Santa Fe Plaza.
Autumn through spring I do indoor winter art shows at El Museo Cultural in the newly upscale Railyard district of Santa Fe. At these weekend shows I have my own 10-by-10-foot booth where I hang my work. Booth fees there are fairly reasonable. I offer a large selection of prints of various sizes, as well as original paintings for sale.
LS: In Santa Fe there are many options for artists to show and hang art. I utilize several at once.
Some artists seem to get in a mindset that a gallery is the only way to go, but one could be leaving out many other opportunities for exposure and potential income. I do exhibit in one gallery — Jezebel in Madrid, New Mexico. In Santa Fe I do outdoor art shows on weekends during the summer with the Santa Fe Society of Artists. They have an excellent location near the historic Santa Fe Plaza.
Autumn through spring I do indoor winter art shows at El Museo Cultural in the newly upscale Railyard district of Santa Fe. At these weekend shows I have my own 10-by-10-foot booth where I hang my work. Booth fees there are fairly reasonable. I offer a large selection of prints of various sizes, as well as original paintings for sale.
Another important aspect of these shows is that I set up my easel and paint in person. This helps to draw in people, who often ask about the piece I’m working on.
So-called “pop-up” shows in restaurants and coffee shops can also be outstanding venues for displaying art. In Santa Fe many such locales offer artists wall space for weeks at a time to showcase their work. It is beneficial to both the establishment and the artist.
Currently I have a display at a restaurant close to my home. Naturally, most places take a percentage on any sales. The restaurant I am in now doesn’t take a percentage, which is very kind of them. In the past I have had good luck with sales through places such as these. I was fortunate to hang in one of the country’s busiest Starbucks in downtown Santa Fe. That was one of my favorite spots.
So-called “pop-up” shows in restaurants and coffee shops can also be outstanding venues for displaying art. In Santa Fe many such locales offer artists wall space for weeks at a time to showcase their work. It is beneficial to both the establishment and the artist.
Currently I have a display at a restaurant close to my home. Naturally, most places take a percentage on any sales. The restaurant I am in now doesn’t take a percentage, which is very kind of them. In the past I have had good luck with sales through places such as these. I was fortunate to hang in one of the country’s busiest Starbucks in downtown Santa Fe. That was one of my favorite spots.
MK: What final encouragement can you offer other artists?
LS: The most important thing I would advise is to really be persistent. Being in the art world is a true challenge. You have to have the will and the drive to achieve even a modicum of success. You can have great talent in creating a work of art, but that alone is not going to guarantee you success. For that reason, learning how to get your work and yourself in front of the public is vitally important.
And don’t let yourself get discouraged. The art market rises and falls with the health of the economy. Keep on painting or creating whatever expression that is your own mania and passion.
LS: The most important thing I would advise is to really be persistent. Being in the art world is a true challenge. You have to have the will and the drive to achieve even a modicum of success. You can have great talent in creating a work of art, but that alone is not going to guarantee you success. For that reason, learning how to get your work and yourself in front of the public is vitally important.
And don’t let yourself get discouraged. The art market rises and falls with the health of the economy. Keep on painting or creating whatever expression that is your own mania and passion.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Leah Saulnier was born and raised in the Midwest, the daughter of an artist-musician. She has been a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1992, when she followed her parents to The City Different to help run a family business. Passionate and prolific, she paints full time in a country setting that gives her a direct view of the mountains.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael King is an art enthusiast and a semi-retired museum administrator in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Artists On Art magazine ● July / August 2018 ● www.ArtistsOnArt.com