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November 29, 2012

Artist Software

Rhapsody II - This little 12x12" is up for sale on my website $40. Though I'm not use to working small I am enjoying the smaller format.  

While paintings are in various stages of drying I've been busy using some new software for artist to keep track of their inventory and client/mailing lists called Flick. I'd been trying to use a spreadsheet when I came across this option, inexpensive and just what I need at this point in the game.  I love that with each entry I can include photos of the piece, lets face it after a while you wonder, Rhapsody II? What the heck is that one like!  Don't know about you but titles for pieces can begin to merge and I need the visual reminder.  You can enter all kinds of details about the piece as well as where it might be displayed, if it's sold or in stock, link it to clients in your client/mailing list, pricing , etc.  It allows you to do all kinds of searches, using key words you create, like 'gallery' it will show you a list of all the works you have in galleries as well as the normal, sold in stock.  Well, you get the picture check it out for yourself, it's been well worth my $29.95.  I know there are other wonderful software out there for artists, but if you are like me, looking for something visual to help keep track of your inventory, pricing and mailing list and easy to use then you might want to check Flick out.

Here's a little something to think about from Jack White:

"The rule of thumb on prints is this: your originals need to be ten times more expensive than your reproductions.  I see a lot of artists with a garage full of originals who are still going down the print road. Until you sell more originals than you can paint, don’t spend any money on producing prints. Even with print on demand, you still have quite an investment in a small inventory. Here is an axiom you should write out and hang on your easel.  If you are not selling most of your originals then stay away from prints."  Jack White, Old Dogs (article) 

November 26, 2012

Book Sales & Small Works

Just a quick update!

For those of you interested in buying any of Jack White's books on selling our art and self promotion, they are available in three formats, paper back, ebooks and PDF files.  Today and Tuesday they are offering a 30% discount on all formats, I buy the PDF's so it's a great price.  Check out Jack's wife's, Mikki's blog to get the code.

In the studio, I'm still working away on commissioned pieces, and dropped of seven new pieces at the McCain's Gallery, so if you're local, do check out all the amazing art in it's many forms for Christmas.  The prices are right, $100 or less!


November 20, 2012

Self Promotion?

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

It's a busy time in the studio working on commissioned pieces that unfortunately I can't share pictures of. Top secret you know, what with Christmas around the corner!  I've caught the Christmas spirit early this year, my decorations are up and I am anticipating the family and fun times to come.

I've been reading, something I do to recharge as well as educate myself.  Recently I purchased a PDF version of Jack White's book "Mastery of Self Promotion."  After reading a number of articles by Jack I was happy to see he offered them in downloadable formats.  I expect I'll purchase some of his other  books as well.  So here's the kicker, it's ourselves we should be promoting, not our art.

"We don't promote paintings; we promote the artist...Collectors don't say we purchased a print of a cottage with lights in the windows; they say we purchased a limited edition Kinkade.  So let's figure out your identity. What is the package we are going to market? What do you want people to know and think about you?"
"Give some serious consideration to the name you have chosen to work under. Just because it's your legal name does not mean that it has to be your 'stage' name. We need to invent a brand called you."

This discussion brought me back around to my deep desire to sign my maiden name to my art, Graham.    It's good to know there is a solid reason besides my hearts need to be fully myself with my art.

Jack's very pragmatic when it comes to the marketing end of what we create. Locally, a fellow New Brunswicker, Matt LeBlanc has been proving Jack's theory right.  Matt has created a brand around himself, he has worked hard and inventively to promote himself. When I think of Matt I think of him, what he represents how he has fleshed that out, then his art, which I love by the way.

It's a balancing act, creating the art, then finding ways to get it into the public eye, both take work and stretching ourselves.

November 16, 2012

Lofty Fun!

Time is moving fast, it's the middle of November and that means December is not far away!

Jean and I took the time on a strangely mild day over the weekend and got our holiday decorations up, yeah! Christmas lights!  Doing my shopping on-line as much as possible, cause it's a busy time in the studio.

These little pieces are waiting for the resin guy (my hubby, Jean) to give me a hand.  Working with resin is still a new process for me and it helps to have a skilled extra set of hands.  He also stretched a large canvas for me, 34x65" and did a great job I might add.  This and another large piece are in various states of progress, commissioned pieces for the holidays.

Feeling a little frantic, and my body isn't co-operating, it decided now was the time for my back to cease up!  Alternating ice packs and heat pad and keep on trucking.

Anticipating the fun to come over the holidays, just love being with my family and their families. So much fun!



November 9, 2012

Small Works Gallery Opening

 What a great night!  It was the opening for the Small Works Group Art Exhibit & Sale, my first ever and I've got to say it was wonderful.  Victoria, Director and her trusty assistant Laurel did a fantastic job of arranging the many and varied works of all the talented artist.  It looked so beautiful, can't imagine the hours of work it took to pull it all off.

Personally I don't know of a better place to have my first gallery showing, or it going any better. Seven of my ten small works have sold, big smile. I saw a number of red stickers going up on the array of beautiful works of fellow artist as well.  To top it all off, my daughter in law, Lori stopped by with my Granddaughters, Grace & Lyvia and  a couple of their friends.  Nothing like sharing such a special event with those I love.


Here's the kicker, even though Jean and I discussed getting a few photos of this new 'first,' it didn't happen. We both got so caught up in things that Jean never took any photos!  I don't know, how much of this memory thing can we blame on our ages!

These are a few of some new small works I've done this week, they may be going to the gallery to replace some that have sold. The first two are on standby at the gallery, but I'd like to bring them home and change out the copper to gold, the copper just isn't making the cut for me.  I've put a resin finish on the others shown here and what a difference it makes.


With a heart full of gratitude, this line from Michell Cassou's book, Life, Paint & Passion  pretty much  sums up my feelings,

"To discover that you can paint without special talent is a great revelation. An endless stream runs through you, enough to paint for lifetimes."


One of my little mountain series with a resin finish, love how it looks, just look at the reflection of the edges of my journals :-)
These two work well together so I'm listing them as a set called Esteem (one of the Chinese symbols means respect)

November 5, 2012

Mixed Media Evolution

Delivered this commissioned piece to my client last week, so I thought I'd share a little of the process of creating it.

When I do custom Mixed Media I spend some time thinking about what the client has requested, the things they would like included, or photos they have provided.  This comes from the conversations I have with them, where I'm gathering information, getting a feel for what aspects of previous works I've done that they were drawn to.  Priority for me is to find out what drew them to my art to begin with, because if it's just one piece that they like then trying to create a custom piece for them may not work. They have to like my style overall for me to be willing to take on a project.  The other thing I'm watching out for, is if their 'vision' of what they want is so detailed and full blown that in truth it's their artistic vision they are wanting and not what I could do for them.


After I've thought of a basic design layout, I begin to gather some collage elements and lay them out on the canvas to get a feel for size and scale.  Typing up text elements, finding the right font for the look I'm going for, printing out various sizes, getting just the right images, in the right scale, figuring out embellishments and accent or focal points all takes time and a lot of reprints!

Then the work on the piece begins and this is where I find intuition and just following my gut kicks into high gear. I may reach for one thing to texture with and find myself selecting a completely different one. I don't question this.

Colour is often my biggest challenge.  Of course I've discussed this with the client probably gotten pictures of their wall colours and the room the painting is intended for so I have some idea of where I'm going.  I use my Art Journal to play with my intended colour selections to see how they mingle and blend with one another.  Then once again as I begin to layer in the washes of painting it's all intuitive from there.

Once the final layers of paint are down and dried then comes the finessing of various accents. Often a clear drying crackle is applied in various places, when this has dried then layers of both paint and inks are applied to get the effect I want for that particular piece.

 Other embellishments, from rusted lace, cheese cloth or other fabric might be added along with as in this case the door plate and keys.  I may go through a lot of different options before making that final selection and getting them glued down and secured into place.  Lately I've been including the paintings 'story' to give to my client.  I can't tell you how many times clients who have bought mixed media pieces will contact me later, wanting to know why I used certain things, what were my thoughts or their significance.

'Open Hearts' is among my favourite pieces I've done to date and I'm pleased to say the client loved it as well, story and all!

        "When intuition stops moving, there is always a controlling thought behind it." M. Cassou

November 1, 2012

Small Works Group Exhibit & Sale!

I'm so pleased to be a part of this Small Works Group Exhibition and Art Sale. Another one of those firsts for me.  There will be an opening reception on Nov 8th (7-9pm) at the Gallery and along with meeting potential clients, I'm excited to have the opportunity to meet a number of the talented artist living in my area.  I feel a little like a kid in a candy store at the idea!

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