Networking

Never underestimate the power of networking – whether it’s via past customers, a trade network, artist friends, coworkers, and the list goes on and on. 

After officially being in business for five years I am finally at a point where work finds me.  It’s a good thing.

Dog Pet Portraits

I am in the process of completing a Pet Portrait advertisement to spread the word about Dog Pet Portraits.  The Cat Portraits have caught on, however, I will do the same for these.  As of this moment I do not have Dog Cards for sale.  I will, but first I am in the process of having my lastest dog portrait photo’d by D. my photographer – and with the stellar TIF I will add this last image to my handout.

Once I have taken that step, I will actively promote the Portraits or Mug Shots at events.

 I can’t post my latest commission because the gift is a V. Day Surprise – so I will later.  thanks

Ebay – Selling Cards

A few of my eBay items - qsell

Red Hat Purple Dress Red Hat Society 10 Pack Note Cards $10.00 Vintage Car Note Cards Classic Car notecards Maine Art $5.40 Animal Art Cat Note Cards 8 Blank Thank You Cards Cats $7.00

Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek

Quality not Quantity

So I am creating a marketing plan for 2008 and I have decided to do a lot of quality shows this year instead of a lot of smaller venues.  I am really trying to focus on my audience by doing shows that I think will pay off in the end (or at least pull the heart strings of dog and cat lovers everywhere.)

 I have delivered another commission this week, sadly it was a bit of a rush job and there was never time to have it photographed.  I think the cat was a Maine Coon or at least part of her was.  The customer was not the recipient of the painting, this was a gift for someone she new.  I saw the customer last night and her face lit up as she told me the story of gifting the 8×8 acrylic mug shot of her cat to this woman who is a very good friend.  I am told the woman receiving the painting is a fellow artist, and my art customer told me that she cried when she saw it (good, right?) – YES, she assures me, of course – she was overcome by emotion at seeing her pet on canvas in a likeness that I thought was pretty dead on. 

I finish the two dogs today, and then off to the photographers for a shoot.  That one is delivered next week – then I get to start the Yorkie.  After that I have some inventory goals I am trying to meet and would like to start my dog mug shots, however – I will always take new customers along the way!

I am excited for this year, Lollipop will travel a bit both for research and shows. The travel will start next month and pretty much be off and on this whole year.

 In the meantime, between work and traveling – I’ll be in the studio creating.

 Thanks for reading my blog.  Off to paint and work on my 2008 marketing initiatives.

Lori

New project –

I have had this commission for a while, however, it took a bit to connect with the customer (the holidays, etc.) – we did know that this would a a gift for that holiday that falls in February.  I started the project (just priming a neutral background) – last weekend and dug my heals in yesterday while I listened to the first half of the Patriots game on TV.

The project is two dogs laying together to almost make what I think looks like a circle or a heart.  I know one is a golden and I am loving this project.  The canvas I am using is 18×24 so it is good size – the customer asked for a neutral background so I designed the background in greys and beige, however when I started laying down the composition, the goldens and yellows in the dogs really popped when mixed a light green into the neutral background.  It is actually a very sweet painting with one dog looking sleepily up and the second one with closed eyes.  Jowels relaxed by all.

 I won’t be able to post it on this blog til after 2/14 but I am almost done with it.

Fun studio day, I think working full time is making me appreciate the studio time even more.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Note Cards on Ebay!

A few of my eBay items - qsell

Red Hat Purple Dress Red Hat Society 12 Pack Note Cards Animal Art Cat Note Cards 8 Blank Thank You Cards Cats Vintage Car Note Cards Classic Car notecards Maine Art

Free Quick*Sell Gallery from ISDN*tek

New series of Note Cards

As I write this, my proofs are waiting at the printer for my approval.  It’s exciting, I re-did a series of never before seen  car cards including a few new images – plus – I am now packaing with an informational back card (so the picture on the front shows you all the cards inside) – the information on the back tells you all about me!

I have also re-designed the cat cards 2008, which I sold out of in 2007 for my limited run.  I am hoping to get these cards into more retail outlets through out this year.

In the studio, another commission down – but I had to ship it – so no picture to show. It was a coon cat, looked a bit like my past pet but without the jaunty chin.  The painting was an 8×8 acrylic on canvas – I used a quick dry medium (to dry acrylic – um, quicker????) – is that an oxy-moron???  And I used a gloss coat on the nose and parts that needed to stand out (eyes) – it turned out FAB.  The client hasn’t seen it yet, but I showed it to her daughter who is my super-mom neighbor.

This weekend, I’ll start another two-dog portrait for a customer (valentines day surprise.)  I have a date to meet a Yorkie named Hadassah in a few weeks – and then I’m caught up (for now.)

I will take advantage of a few weekends to travel while the art stuff slows down.

thanks for reading my blog

Chinese Proverb

A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.

Chinese Proverb

Artist Opening tomorrow Biddeford Savings Bank

 

Donald Verger’s upcoming show highlights a recent trip to Ireland. Captured in Donald’s own unique perspective, Verger who sometimes waits endlessly for a perfect shot says that he was amazed by the light, greens, people & faces. Starting his trip Shannon, Verger traveled north to “the land of Stone & Rocks.” He followed the light continuing his trip to Roundstone, Connemara, Ireland

His photographic instinct shared an open & watchful eye for fresh patterns as he was captivated by the landscape, the flowers & the skies of Ireland. Visit http://www.donaldverger.com to see some of these distinctive images. Donald Verger’s photographs capture those special moments that sometimes we are too busy to truly appreciate. Times when light, mood and subject all come together in perfect harmony to remind us of the importance of just living in the moment. Donald serves as witness and chronicler to those times and saves them for all of us to enjoy later. Come see Donald Verger’s “Spirit of Ireland.”Donald is not only an accomplished photographer; Donald is also the Founder and President Emeritus of The Children’s Discovery Museum and Science Discovery in Acton, Massachusetts.

Artist Interviews are available by contacting Donaldverger@gmail.com or 207-766-1313.

360 US Route 1 Scarborough, ME – January 12, 2008 1pm-4pm

blogging – it’s work

I did a seriously long blog yesterday and then my computer crashed.  I never had time to re-do this.

Things are good – full time work has not slowed my art down – as I am selling in a few stores (note-cards) – which seem to really like the cats.

I am also picking up more business along the way via word-of-mouth (the best way, huh?)

I have also re-formated my note cards and made them new and improved (they are at the printer as we speak.)

I am excited to get back in the studio again.

Til tomorrow