Learning from Other Artists and Preparing for the New Year

On December 21st, I participated in the Fantasy Art Land Show at JoMar Visions in Houston. I really enjoyed the day, met some great artists and learned a lot that I can use at future shows.

The first thing I learned - I need more inventory.  I had been concerned about keeping in the theme of the show and so only took the new fantasy art I've created recently - amounting to three framed prints and some unframed prints of the same images.  They did look rather lonely in my display area.

Chatting with the other artists, I asked about this and they told me that generally it's fine to have other types of art available as unframed prints in your print rack, just as long as your main display adheres to the theme of the show.

One of the photographers at the show shared a resource with us that I am definitely going to use in the future - CGProPrints.com - a division of Circle Graphics, Inc., the largest producer of digital large-format prints. They bring together world-class manufacturing expertise, engineering, and materials science to produce amazing products at very low prices, which is perfect for artists building a body of work for sale or exhibition, like me :-)

We also discussed our marketing materials, business cards etc.  I think I'm on the right track with my business cards. I got lots of compliments on it :-)

Another of the artists had something I thought was a good idea.  In among her framed art and canvases on her wall, she had a 10 x 8 canvas with her name, web address and some decorative accents.  So I played around a bit and created three different images that I am getting printed on 10 x 8 canvas to use when I go to more shows.

Here is the first one, which matches my business cards and rack cards, with the web address of my artist website and my email address.

And then I did another one, specifically for my fantasy art, which goes with the postcards I already had printed. It includes the web address of my new store on Zazzle which I opened recently.

And finally, I did a sign for my 3D Designs by Jayne store on Zazzle, with the tag line "Because art doesn't just belong on walls."  The coloring and design match the header for the store and also for my 3DDesignsbyJayne Google + page.

So I think I'm ready for the New Year.  I'll be able to order canvases to take to shows and sales without breaking the bank, and my marketing materials are coming together. 

Here's to a Happy, Creative and Prosperous New Year!

What have you been doing to prepare for the New Year?

Introducing Mockingbird Studio

For some time now, I have wanted to come up with a name for my art studio.

OK, so it's not like a traditional art studio, with easels bearing half finished oils or water colors, tubes or pots of paint and brushes standing ready in a jar.

It's actually what was billed as the formal dining room by the builder, set right in the middle of the house, separated from the living room and kitchen by a half wall topped with arches.

Since my husband and I are the only people living there, and since the breakfast nook very comfortably accommodates four people for meals, which is the most we ever have at dinner at one time, we decided to convert the formal dining room into an office/den/studio.

And since I'm a digital artist and photographer, the only requirement was room for a desk and a computer (although I actually also have a craft table as well as some bookshelves and wall space for artwork).

So I set my computer up facing the living room and I can sit and work on my art, or any other projects, while looking out over the half wall, through the back windows at the garden and wildlife habitat I'm in the process of building. (You can read more about that here.)

We seem to get a lot of Northern Mockingbirds in this area and in previous years, we've had them nesting in the young Live Oak trees in the front garden. This weekend I was sitting indoors in my studio and realized I was being serenaded by a mockingbird.

It was out in the Live Oak tree and I was surprised that I could hear it indoors, so I had to step outside and check -- yes, that's where it was, I have the photo below to prove it :-)

 It's beautiful song went on and on and suddenly, I had the name I'd been looking for, for my studio!

How did you find the perfect name for your studio or art business?