Sunday, April 13, 2008

Squidoo

One of the hardest things to do is market your art...especially online. The internet is a great way to reach a lot of people but you really have to get yourself out there. There are many ways to link up to high traffic sites. Have you ever been on one site and then by following links you have ended up on many other sites. Sometimes I end up on a site reading and learning about a subject that is the completely different then what I started out looking at. Well that is kind of the way it works...get your link out there. Here is a site my mom turned me on to.

This is a pretty cool website/referral thingy. It was easy to set up. It is suppose to help get more people to your blog and/or your website. It is also something you can do for fun even if you don’t have something to promote or sell. Take a look around. Put Bold Strokes for art in the search on the site and you can see what I set up. Also, you can look at my mom’s by putting Linda Hiller in the search. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.squidoo.com/boldstrokesforart

Friday, April 11, 2008

Art Collecting

One of the biggest things I regret in my life is not learning more about art. I am just now (in my old age) studying the lives of some of the great artists. How interesting their lives were and how amazingly similiar their struggles were with their art. I find it really interesting to see how they overcame their insecurities and went on to become famous. I hope to start purchasing paintings by other artists. I love seeing the works of my artist friends hanging on my wall. What better gift to give a friend or relative then a piece of art you carefully painted or picked out just for them. It is the gift that keeps giving. They will look at that painting and think of you.

"Buying the work of emerging artists is cool—it's nice to know that you're supporting someone who is probably struggling and dreaming of quitting his or her day job—and there's more: the wonderful feeling of living with art. Each thing you own frames your personal history and becomes anchored to the chapter of your life in which you acquired it. Accumulation of good, affordable art is a big improvement over the typical clutter on apartment walls."

Jen Bekman

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Left Turn in Thinking


Sometimes when I am painting I will be surprised by how my thoughts change about the subject matter or where I think the painting is heading. Originally I thought the individual petals of the hydrangea would be tedious, but in fact, I found them to be fast, fun and fresh. It was a choice to make them come to life without being exact. I liked the challenge of creating the depth with the light and dark contrasts of color in the composition. The shades of blue and purples brightened the day and the room which was dreary. Although I have learned art always holds some bit of the chance that sits right along side with my knowledge of basic technique. I happen to like that duality. Maybe that is the addiction to art that is so attractive and I am excited to see the other two pieces that complete the whole painting. No doubt there will be some more ahhh-ha moments then too.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

How to price your art

Robert Genn's Ten Commandments of Art Pricing
· Thou shalt start out cheap.
· Thou shalt publish thy prices.
· Thou shalt raise thy prices regularly and a little.
· Thou shalt not lower thy prices.
· Thou shalt not have one price for Sam and another for Joe.
· Thou shalt not price by talent or time taken, but by size.
· Thou shalt not easily discount thy prices.
· Thou shalt lay control on thy agents and dealers.
· Thou shalt deal with those who will honour thee.
· Thou shalt end up expensive.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Sold Painting

We sold one of my favorite paintings at Saint Mary's. It is Cocoa Beach. We have had lots of compliments on this painting but what really makes me feel good is that it will be hanging in someone's house that loves it as much as I do.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Still On at Saint Mary's Hospital

We will be exhibiting all through April at Saint Mary's Hospital... if you have a chance, stop by and check them out.