Artists Arise

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Comment by Debra Crabtree 14 hours ago

Roy I have to get ready to go to meeting But I will do just that. I don't know if your are familiar with strength finder 2.0 but is a fascinating concept and my top three strengths are ideas, strategic thinking and activation. So as soon as I can I will check that out. 

till then, Shalom

Comment by Roy Simmons 15 hours ago

Lol! Thats ok Debra! My old brain is on permanent glitch!!

Regarding teaching, I have seen a couple of your pastel and oil examples and commented there, very good indeed. I am in the process of thinking through the next stages for paintmyphoto. One of the things I have tickling my old brain is how to be different from other art teaching sites (PMP is primarily for sharing reference photos at the moment). I think the current model of well known artists making DVD's through a company and charging high prices for them can be challenged. I know there are some online video sites which charge a monthly fee, but it is really the same format but taken online. I think there can be a new way to teach art. Also I think the secret sauce will be engagement. Running a successful art related social site now since 2010 has taught me a lot about what drives engagement. By this I mean that people get to know the leader of a group, or an expert in a particular technique and communicate with them. I was interested that you see giving feedback on peoples work as a skill. I agree completely, so take a look at PMP; see what is going on there now and, (this goes for any artists) help me brain storm how to leverage what we currently have for mutual benefit.

Comment by Debra Crabtree 16 hours ago

Sorry Roy, you are not All, sometimes my brain glitches.

Comment by Debra Crabtree 16 hours ago

Kenneth, I would be deeply greatful for any and all your wisdom. I am in the process of searching out and reading your old posts. I really do want to succeed and understand how to do it right. I am exploring multiple uses for both my art and my knowledge of how to do it. I have been told I am a great teacher. I have had international award winning students. But I have found I much more enjoy being a facilitator, where my students bring me their work and I tell them how to make it better. I want to figure out how to do that on a larger scale. Then there's the book idea I have in write it forward. I do have a lot of ideas, yet all branches of one focus, art. The catch is generating the capital to do them all. My heart is to encourage people not do tile, but if tile will make the way, I will do tile. I remind myself that the people I will potentially meet may very well lead to places greater than even I can think of. I absolutely love divine appointments, opportunities and possibilities.

All I am going to check your suggestion. In eliminating unnecessary expenses I no longer get art mags and I miss them. So thank you.

Shalom to all,

Debra

Ps Shalom in Hebrew means more than just 'peace'. It is an authoritative word that means to have all you need to be at peace in all areas of your life.              I love the word :D

Comment by Roy Simmons 19 hours ago

Hi All,

For a good free mag to read online, the latest pmp newsletter/magazine with articles by photographers and demonstrations by artists is available on issu.com

Just click here to view in your browser.

Comment by Kenneth R. Massey yesterday

Debra,

Congratulations on the opportunity!  I have written about pricing and strategies and have discussed these things with artists before; however, the short version is that it is good to have a tiered approach...a diversified portfolio if you will.  The obvious most valuable is the original, because there is only one of those.  I encourage artists to then have limited edition signed prints, limitless giclees and the like, and then other types of smaller inexpensive versions (cards, calendars, etc.).  For the limited edition prints, I don't know that size really matters....just keep them the same.  I like bigger ones b/c they seem to command more money.  You'll need to determine the number of the edition (500, 1000, 2500, etc.) and make sure you never go more than that.  Of course you do not have to print that many at the same time though.  They become limited b/c you sign and number them (i.e.  #15/2,000).  Although simple, it helps to create a "Certificate of Authenticity" to give to the purchaser of the limited edition.  It makes the perceived value of your art more.  It is often wise to hold back from selling some of the originals at first and sell the prints so that once you are better known you can get higher dollar for the originals...but that is debatable strategy.  You can then have the unnumbered giclees or even prints that are not numbered as well.  They should of course be less expensive than both the originals and limited edition prints.  

Determining costs and revenues is hard.  There are no magical answers, and often times it comes down to making projections.  Certain costs you can research and find out...others are simply educated guesses.  But, if you can make your plan with as much detail as possible you will be better positioned for long-term success.  For instance, if you know your overhead operating a brick and mortar gallery for rent, utilities, equipment, etc. is going to be $5,000.00 per month, then you can run projections of how many items you need to sell per month at different price points to break even.  It takes a lot of research, lots of reading, and asking around.  In the end, it is really specific to your situation so hard for anyone to give you the numbers...but by learning that information you will be better prepared.  I know there are differing opinions...but if people want to do art simply for the joy and beauty of it and not worry about making money then that is fine and they shouldn't worry about these things...but if an artist wants to make a living financially with their talent, then they must and should educate themselves on business, marketing, management, legal issues, etc.  To ignore those will almost guarantee they will not survive financially.   But...in the process, don't let all of that entangle you into not acting either....especially the pricing struggle.  Too many artists spend way too much time worrying about pricing strategies and never sell b/c they never price.  Bottom line is that pricing is an art too....you figure it out as you go.  If lots of people buy at a given price, then you know you might could go higher.  If no one buys at a set price, then maybe an item is too high.  It takes some experimenting and common sense.  I think the numbers you mentioned seem reasonable....your work is definitely outstanding and of commercial appeal.  This is a short version....if you would like to discuss more details, send me a private message and I will send you my email address so we can discuss more specifics (no charge to do that).    Best wishes...you are going to succeed no doubt!  

Comment by Debra Crabtree yesterday

Billie,

That flower is phenomenal!!! Wow. I facilitate a class in another state that does watercolor. I know what it takes to create that piece. You have real skill!

As for tile there are two ways of doing them. One is painting greenware tiles and having them fired. And then there is what I used, Pebeo Parcelaine 150 ceramic paint. It is water based and can be used on most anything that can be heated to 300 degrees for 35 min. After baking it is like baked enamel. The only draw back I experienced was the painted border tiles around the stove were affected by hot oils, it worked like a solvent over time. I didn't put any sealer on them and I don't know if it would make a difference. I know if I do any murals behind stoves I will coat them as a precaution. The paints themselves work a lot like transparent oils and have that rich look to them. They mix well together and allow you to add layers much like watercolor or oils. The beauty is they are thinned and cleaned with water. You can get them on line at Cheap Joe's or Dick Blicks.

This connection for me is coming through someone I know who is working with this kitchen designer and will highly recommend me. If he is truly interested I will create samples. I am meeting with my connection tomorrow.

LOL I'm working on that life plan thing too.

Debra

 

Comment by Billie Wells yesterday

Debra,

I am interested in the tile thing, too. I do flowers and love doing the tile.

Here's a flower I did Friday afternoon while waiting for the crew to get ready to eat

How does one get into the tile decorating biz? It sounds cool.

I am reading Brian Tracy's "The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success" and just listed what I want to do, have and be in 5 years. I can see that I need to make some changes of what I am doing.

Comment by Debra Crabtree yesterday

Good morning!,

I wonder if anyone has as much fun with technology as I do?? This my fourth try to post. Things from batteries that die, internet that randomly refuses to work,  hitting the wrong button and deleting it all, to Ipads that refuse to post or send on this site. In the past I just gave up, but it has been made abundantly clear to me I must overcome. 

On a brighter note it is a new day full of unlimited possibilities!

Kenneth, I very much want to thank you for kind words and encouragement. The power of, "I Believe", is beyond words. They have energized me and increased my confidence. In answer to your questions I have not done the limited additions simply because I din't know what set them a part. Is it how they are printed, lithograph or digital, or is it a particular size? I would appreciate some insight on that. I have 74 images digitally ready for printing. Of those originals I have 40 ready to be framed, 22 are sold, and the remaining twelve need to be revisited and improved. I also have 125 in some stage of refinement. Most of those are pastels on velvet paper or board and generally are 20x28. I just finished getting my studio together and have set time aside to produce more oils. I prefer to paint larger but was limited to paper size. On Etsy I have 4 originals, each listed at 400.00 unframed and I also offer giclees for 150.00 but haven't sold any of either.

Kenneth how to you determine costs and revenues when you don't know what they will be? Some things I know like the cost of installing lighting but I know there are needs I will encounter that I don't know about yet. I am also very aware of the fact that I am an artist first and a newbie at business. I have used that as an excuse for too long. I am listening to podcasts and seeking out people who can help me balance that. For now I am building my online business. When that generates sufficient profits to sustain me and the gallery I will then try to open it. I am hoping that is real soon.

What do you think of a possible opportunity that was presented to me last night. Some years ago I designed and custom painted tile murals and counter tiles for my kitchen remodel. It was put to me that there is a possibility for me do this for a custom kitchen designer in the exclusive area of Belle Meade in Nashville. It is not precisely fine art but it has the potential to be very lucrative and could also lead to doing wall murals as well. It is a different rabbit trail... thoughts? Again thank you Kenneth for your time and advise.

Ed, I like your art and I too have looked at the licensing thing. All I have to say is get to work! lol You have the talent and skill the only thing in your way is volume and that is just plain old work. I read once that art was 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. I have come to believe it!!! I wish you the best!

Shalom, 

Debra

I share with all that I encounter that this is a place where the most positive people I have ever encountered interact.

Comment by Ed Ouano on Friday

Thanks, Kenneth. I appreciate the kind words. Actually, I have investigated the licensing arena and eventually to pursue that seriously

However, since I've only been selling my work for a year, I've decided that I'd feel a little bit more comfortable if I had a larger body or work diving into licensing. I've spoken to people in licensing and they all seem to agree that the more work you have, the better.

I think agents and manufacturers feel a bit more comfortable working with you if you have a large body of work and not just a few great pieces. THey don't like to bet on a "one hit wonder".

I've done well with sales at Comic conventions and art shows in the last year ( I've done about 10-12 shows ) and gotten a lot of great responses and feedback. So, I'm certain that I'm on the right track, I think I just have to create more stuff go from there!

Actually, I'm driving to Las Vegas at 4am to exhibit at a new comic convention, so I'm trying my best to expose more people to my stuff! Thanks again...


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