Thursday, January 15, 2009

Dee Overly "Your Art Web Presence"

As my art marketing journey continues, I must add that what gave me the most encourgement to start my web presence was my recent workshop with Dee Overly. Her workshop on "Your Art Web Presence" was so informative and easy to digest that setting up a blog, website and other web presence links was a walk in the park. The intimidation of setting up this blog was erased by following her step by step format for results.

She is having a workshop soon at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I highly recommend this workshop for the technically challenged. I will be attending the upcoming workshop too because there was so much information in the first workshop and she was so gracious and sharing with her information to get you going fast. I know she will have even more information this time around! If you are interested, the workshop is January 24, 2009 and you can go to Dee Overly's site to download the registration. This woman is truly a gem in the artist's pocket! http://www.deeoverly.com/ No more procrastinating. Step out of the studio for a moment and get your presence out there!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Marketing Meeting

The date has been set for the marketing meeting. January 15 at 5:00 pm at the Red Cedar Grille in Williamston.

Outline for the upcoming meeting is below:

1. Go around the table to introduce ourselves with our 10 second introduction as outlined in section 1, Marketing Introduction. A short critique will follow from other members after each introduction. I feel this is very important practice to make a first impression with our customers.

2. Next, we will go around for each person to give a short rendition of their recent successes (since last meeting) and near future plans with their artwork. Gear this as if you were telling it to a prospective customer. Keep it to under 1 minute. Questions will follow after everyone has given their discussion.

3. Show and tell. Bring any interesting information you have gathered to share with the group. Bring 7 copies of the information if possible, or information for members to write down on how to connect to the information. This can be tax, marketing, shows, interesting observations for discussion, artwork you would like to have feedback on etc.

Each meeting is going to be different to cover all of the marketing segments. Practicing our presence with each other is vital to creating a link to our customers. People admire and want to be a part of an artists life. It is up to us to provide a presence that makes them feel excited to be a part of us and our creations. As in ALL of our life - marketing is everything! I know this is not an easy task, but it is very important to our development and success. Practicing it with each other eases the pain and creates a flow that will be natural instead of contrived.

Artfully yours....

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Portrait Painting

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to have a portrait sketch of me done by artist Tim Widener of the Lansing area. What a thrill to see a modern day classically trained master at work. He had a mirror set up so that I could observe the process while posing.

The results in 3 hours were amazing. A beautifully rendered sketch that really captured my spirit. This was also a training session for me that has prompted me to think of an additional direction for my artwork. I have always enjoyed drawing models at the Hannah Community Center - homing in on each model's features, modeling them into a more flattering rendering. Tim has given me the encouragement to move on to new levels, rendering the models in oils. I am very grateful and cherish his mentoring.

I am organizing a workshop for Tim in the Lansing area May 12, 19 and 26th. The workshop will be 9 hours. Emphasis will be on painting techniques to facilitate out of doors - Plein Air - painting for the individual artist. Advanced students will receive separate, more specific technical instruction. Group demonstrations will answer questions on color, paint application, simplifying forms etc. Enrollment is limited to 25 people and the cost is $135.00.

You can contact me at paintingfrenzy@gmail.com for information on reservations. Be sure to visit Tim's website at www.thwidener.com

Not to be missed! My career is moving upward as a direct result of Tim's training. I highly recommend his workshops and mentorship.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

You have to start somewhere!

Starting a web presence with your artwork can be very daunting. However, I will embrace this venture with enthusiasm. I have set some goals for the new year which include starting a blog, creating a website and researching venues for my artwork.

Last year I took an art marketing action workshop with Alyson Stanfield. The wealth of information and enthusiasm that ensued excited me to become a salon leader to hold marketing salon meetings in my area. The materials gleaned from my workshop and in the material outline provided by Alyson for the marketing meetings inspired me to set my goals for 2009.

The monthly marketing meetings are proving to be both informative and energizing, spuring us to new heights. With our numbers growing, the marketing meetings will be a staple in 2009. If you have a chance to take a workshop with Alyson Stanfield, it will be well worth your time and money. This woman is not only chocked full of marketing knowledge for the artist, but she also has the charisma to excite and energize everyone in the room.