2012 Goals

2012 Goals - I've been working on next years goals, trying to keep pushing myself, but also to figure out which ideas are worth pursuing and which are best to let go of.  Here's what I came up with.  May 2012 be my best year yet!

1) To have the business support itself.
2) To have my product in 25 retail stores
3) To approach one chain store/find out how to approach chain
4) 3 manufactured items, including distinctive/interesting packaging (bulk up to 100 per run)
5) 5 Festivals this year, all to be in the black
6) Submissions in 5 contests and 5 gallery shows
7) 6 exhibits (1-3 person shows) to include galleries and restaurants
8) To increase press exposure; 1 local feature, 1 "other" feature, a mention in 1 magazine
9) Increase youtube to 10 tutorials
10) Work on artist profile, photo shoot with Teri in summer

Yearly Recap

I've been working on my goals for 2012 and decided a good beginning would be a recap of 2011, goals met and goals missed.  I had 3 goals for my art business in 2011.  The first was to have my product in 10 retail stores and galleries by the end of the year.  The 2nd was to have 3 exhibits of my art in galleries or restaurants.  The 3rd was to start thinking along the lines of an item made from images of my art work (It's All About the Art) that I could eventually have someone else manufacture.  I think art is a hard sell, especially in this economy.  People may love art, but they tend to purchase things that they consider to be more practical.  There is a great quote, which I can't remember, something about how art is even more important in a down economy because it gives people hope.

So how did I do with my goals?  Goal One:  1. Revolution Gallery in Issaquah, carrying a few paintings, limited edition clocks and will begin carrying word art in March,  2. Knack in Portland, pulled work may consider doing product specific to pdx if they remain in business, 3. Sasquatch in Seattle, went out of business, 4. Willowcreek Gifts in Jacksonville, carrying necklace gift sets, magnets and cards, will carry pet tags when they are finished, 5. Gold Dust Cafe in Jacksonville, they went out of business, 6. Art du Jour Gallery in Medford, carrying art and cards,  7. Rogue Gallery in Medford, in holiday shop and just found out they are going to continue to sell my necklace/card gift sets year round, 8. Bluewater Artworks in Poulsbo, carrying my art and gift sets but are not opening now until Jan 7, 9.  Thomas Lee Gallery in Ashland, carrying my necklace gift sets.  So, that's nine but 3 went out of business, so I'm short on my goal, but happy with progress I made this year.

Goal Two: I had two exhibits in restaurants this year.  Issaquah Coffee in Issaquah was my first.  It went well and I sold a few paintings, including one to Firehouse 72, the new LEED Platinum firehouse in Issaquah.  My 2nd was at Organic Natural Cafe in Medford.  I have my work up for 3 months and have been rotating it monthly.  Not sure of exposure, it's hard to calculate, but I haven't sold any paintings  at this venue.

Goal Three: Magnets - I tried 3 different magnets that were manufactured by someone else with my design.  Not a huge seller, so am not sure yet if I will continue working on this idea.  I made one design custom for one of my retailers and they went out of business.  So my lesson was anything custom needs to be paid for in advance.

Another area that I worked hard at but was not included in my goals were festivals.  I did not have a great success with this, although consider the lessons I learned invaluable and am working on festival goals for next year.  The festivals I did in 2011 were:  Renton River Days, Renton Art Walk, Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts, Holiday at the Expo, Heart of Medford Holiday Market, Shoreline, Jacksonville Saturday Market, South Douglas County Festival of the Arts and Gig Harbor Arts Festival.

I also got 2nd place in an international design competition, which got some press and also had a few articles about my art.  I got my website up and running, along with continuing my facebook art page, my blog and twitter.  I also finished my degree (except that 2nd darn internship) and moved to a different state.  I became a member of Art du Jour Gallery, Rogue Gallery, SOArtists and Riddle Art Guild.

I also worked on my tutorials on youtube.  I have 3 at this point and one of them was monetized by youtube after it passed 10,000 views.

I think the biggest thing I did this year, was shoved my "shyness" behind me, told myself I was actually an extrovert ;) and started approaching galleries and retail stores, artists and art groups with a "no fear" attitude.  Good recap of 2011 and now onto 2012.  Time to set some high goals and then....make them happen!

Toughen Thy Skin

When I started this blog about two years ago, the idea was to figure out how to live a creative life, rather than returning to my work in escrow.  I wanted it to be an honest look at what it takes to build a creative business, if it's possible, the growth and learning that goes on during the process, I hoped that other artists would gain some insight and hopefully offer some as well.  Mostly I hoped that I would figure out a way to create a life from following my passion.  So here is an honest look at a setback that feels like it's knocking me over, but in reality will be a huge learning experience.  Except at this point, all I can feel is my Irish temper kicking in.  I was doing a festival last summer at a local casino.  I approached the hotel manager and asked if I could do a proposal for his lobby, since the walls were bare.  My idea was to gift it to them in exchange for the exposure it would offer.  To me, I very generous offer.  At first they were ecstatic and surprised at the idea.  Then, once I had submitted the proposal, the reply was that they had surprisingly similar proposals from a lot of artists.  Hmm...perhaps mention that at the beginning rather than looking surprised at the idea.  So, question to myself, would it be a good idea to approach another commercial establishment with this idea or better to get exposure in more traditional ways?  My idea has been to approach this by thinking outside of the box.  Not working this time.  And yes....they did go with another artist.  :(

Then they approached me about doing a piece of art for their 24 hour restaurant.  Although that felt like a slap in the face and I was pretty leary about putting myself out there for them again, I decided to give it a shot.  First meeting I was told they did not want anything too abstract, although they liked the feathers in my initial lobby proposal they were more interested in the circle of life concept.  I also clarified whether they were requesting a similar proposal, meaning the art be gifted to them, they were not.  So, this is what I created.  FYI, these proposals are all done in photoshop and would look more dimensional painted. 

They looked at it and said, "umm, we probably should have told you but we do not want green.  Could you do something with a sun for the circle of life and a representation of our river running through the work.  Please keep the idea of 7 slats to represent our casino, but break the painting into three pieces."  So I sent them this.

Then they said, "we don't want blue" (would have been nice to mention that when they asked for a river), we don't want a literal river, more like a brushstroke, we want browns and reds. We want it more abstracted"  So I sent them this.  This one, btw, is my favorite.  May have to paint it anyway, the feather is supposed to be the abstracted river they asked for.  I think if this were actually painted (rather than photoshopped) it would be amazing.  I've done other things in a variety of reds and it's gorgeous.  The gold "circle of life" would be done with gold leaf so it had a burnished glow.

And this.

They sent me a painting of a brown and beige print they were putting on a different wall and said they wanted those colors and a black feather like the one in my lobby proposal.  They also sent me a sketch of it laid out as above.  I said let me clarify, "you want browns and beiges with a black feather, correct".  They said, "well there are more colors in there than brown and beige".  I photoshopped the exact piece of art they sent me and the exact feather I used in my lobby proposal.  In effect, I gave them EXACTLY what they asked for.  They came back and said, "we've decided we want to use metal art on the wall".

This is their "beautiful" restaurant.  With my art photoshopped.   They said, "perhaps we will work together in the future".  I "politely" (at least compared to what I was thinking) replied that I would decline to work with them in the future.  Not sure what the moral of my story is.  Another disappointment on the way to a creative life?  Need to handle disappointments better?  Toughen thy skin?  Maybe it is do not do commissioned pieces or at most submit one proposal, if they are not happy with it, end of story.

Vespa-Harley Night

It was a Vespa-Harley night again.  Finally settled on colors and just have details left.  Is my sun becoming a bit predictable?  This is for a billboard contest celebrating diversity.  I thought since Vespa-Harley wasn't a typical thing I would paint, I needed to put something that made it recognizable as my art, thus the textures and sun.  :)

Vespa and Harley

I'm working on a submission for a contest about diversity.  My idea was to do a Vespa and Harley because when I got my Vespa, I was often surprised that the Harley riders would nod or do the "peace" sign at me when riding by.  I thought it would be a nose in the air type of thing.  Loved that it was a nod and smile (course it could have been the pink helmet...hmm.)

After I drew the Vespa and Harley, trying to figure out how to paint it...well I just HAD to add texture.  ;)

And color, of course!

Still working on the colors.  I'm used to using bright, bold colors, but I want the Vespa to be baby pink and the sky to actually look like a sky...hmmm...pastels and brights?  Not sure yet what the outcome will be.

Sweet Organization!

Still working on getting my studio, aka the garage, organized so I can create!  Added a new shelf above the workbench and cleaned off the workbench (yes, this is clean).  I don't think anyone has cleaned it since Grampa passed away which was about 10 years ago.  Yikes!

This cupboard had two shelves in it so I added a bunch more.  Just the right size for my plastic containers.  It makes me so happy!

Organic Natural Cafe January Display

Organic Natural Cafe is closing down until January 3rd to have their floors redone.  Should like nice.  On  the night of the 3rd I will be hanging a new art display on the gorgeous old brick walls.  Theme will be Dandelions.  They have a "fireworks" look which I have decided will work well for the New Year!  Happy New Year, come check out the rest of the display at Organic Natural Cafe from January 4-January 31st.

New Gallery

Thomas Lee Gallery - Love this gallery.  I wanted him to represent my art, but....for NOW it's just my wearable art.  :)

Attempt One

Finished this painting today while at Art du Jour Gallery.  Had tons of time to paint, only one customer came in the entire time I was working.  Sigh.  I'm working on ways to highlight the pattern on the textiles, but having the textile as the background.  Attempt one.

Dandelions in the Sky

New painting

Changeout at Organic Natural Cafe

Changed the art work at Organic Natural Cafe to tree and leaf themed paintings.  I want to hang all of my paintings on brick! 

Word Art (otherwise known as compromise)

A gallery I work with asked me to make some "word" art.  It's never been my intention to become a crafter, on the other hand, if that's what people are buying, perhaps I should include these in my inventory.  Hmm..

Pressed Leaves

Trying something new, using leaves from Jacksonville that Gramma pressed for me, along with painted leaves.  Trying to create the feeling of standing in a grove of trees and looking up.

Progress

It's coming along.

One of the galleries I worked with asked me to do some "word art".  I guess people ask for signs or art that have sayings and words.  I agreed to "think about it".  My plan has never been to do crafts or make the same thing over and over.  On the other hand, I need to figure out how to make a living in this economy.  So, I'm working on a few ideas and processing it.  Hmm...

In Process

Texture as Focus

I think it's finished.  I'm doing paintings right now where I'm focusing more on the texture and simplifying the painting.  I'm interested to see if people respond well or prefer more painted surface.  This is similar to a painting I did recently called Black Dandelion, where it was all about the grid of pattern in the background with a simple dandelion on top.  I got really good reactions to it at last weekends show.

Painting in black and white.  Totally different for me, but intriguing, I think.  I may do more like this.  I have an idea in my mind that I'm excited to start.

Graphics Work

I just finished doing gift certificate cards for Issaquah Coffee.  Each time I do something new, its such a learning process.  This image was my top choice. 

This image was my 2nd choice.  The client said, "we'll skip the fireworks".  Those are dandelions!!

And this is the one the client chose.  I liked it with the branches overhanging the building, but he didn't.  I see what he means, the building shows up much better in this image.  Lesson learned, spend more time asking the client what he wants.  Anyway, I think it turned out well and hope the clients were happy.

Production Mode

I'm deep in production mode for the holiday markets.  Today I made 50 card and necklace gift sets.

I like this new way of packaging the sets in a cellophane envelope.  Yes, that is my blanket.  My manufacturing plant is my bedroom.

Immy is my "quality control".

Final product.  Ready for the festivals.

The Process

Paintings that I'm working on.

I need to keep reminding myself that failure and set-backs are part of the process.  I've had a few disappointments lately and I just need to keep painting and believing in myself.

Festival at Seven Feathers Casino

Tomorrow I'm going to do an art festival at Seven Feathers Casino by Canyonville, Oregon.  A few weeks ago, Gramma and I took up a trip up there to take photos.  These are the images I decided to use, a covered bridge and wagon by Sunny Valley and an old barn on the way to Riddle.  Note to self, time to paint some more tree photos.  They work so good with building photos!