Thursday, November 17, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
New site/blog
I have just started a new wordpress website, which will a how-to sitefor artists, so that people who are going from just being a recreational artist to actually making a business out of it (like me) can find out how to do so. Here's the new site, please check it out: www.theartcollaboration.com
I will be transferring a lot of what I've written from this blog to the new site, but it will be in a much more organized and easy to use fashion.
I will be transferring a lot of what I've written from this blog to the new site, but it will be in a much more organized and easy to use fashion.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
How to Ship Prints
Shipping prints can be a pain. I've had to go through some trial and error in this recently, so I thought I'd just write out what I've learned so far. Keep in mind that shipping original paintings is quite different, and I myself haven't even figured out the best way to do this, so that will be covered in a different blog post.
Shipping 8x10 prints (or smaller) is really easy, you just sandwich it securly in between two pieces of cardboard, stick it in a cardboard envelope and mail it off.
Larger prints are more difficult. Here's what I've learned:
1. You'll need to ship it in a cardboard tube, which you can get from the post office, a shipping store or even art stores usually. There are all different sizes so you need to get the size that will fit your print, in length and circumfrence.
Tube from USPS:
2. Then you'll want some brown packing paper, and you will roll your print up in the paper, and tape the roll so it doesn't come undone. You want the roll to be smaller than your tube, so the recipient can just slide it right out and the print does not get damaged.
3. I would then recommend taping a piece of paper right on the packing paper with your address and the recipient's address, just in case it happens to fall out.
4. Put your rolled up print inside the tube and tape it shut very well.
5. Then you just address it as usual and take it off to the post office or UPS for shipping.
Ready to be shipped:
Shipping 8x10 prints (or smaller) is really easy, you just sandwich it securly in between two pieces of cardboard, stick it in a cardboard envelope and mail it off.
Larger prints are more difficult. Here's what I've learned:
1. You'll need to ship it in a cardboard tube, which you can get from the post office, a shipping store or even art stores usually. There are all different sizes so you need to get the size that will fit your print, in length and circumfrence.
Tube from USPS:
3. I would then recommend taping a piece of paper right on the packing paper with your address and the recipient's address, just in case it happens to fall out.
4. Put your rolled up print inside the tube and tape it shut very well.
5. Then you just address it as usual and take it off to the post office or UPS for shipping.
Ready to be shipped:
5 Main Problems of an Artist: Getting Prints Made
At the beginning of this blog I went over 5 main problems I had encountered as an artist that I wanted to go over at various points in my blog. These are mainly situations regarding selling and marketing your art. In case you haven't been with me the whole time, here they are again:
Problem #1: How do you get prints made of your art?
Problem #2: How to get a good website without paying a couple month's salary for it.
Problem #3: How to really promote yourself and make your work known.
Problem #4: How to get your art in galleries, have art shows, and have your art displayed.
Problem #5. How to actually make money from your art and hopefully transition it into a full time job (if that's what you want). I figure this one will hopefully fall into place after I figure out the first 4.
Today we will delve specifically into Problem #1: How do you get prints made of your art?
When I was first conquering this problem, I did what I always do; I googled it. This came up with all sorts of stuff! Apparently there are many different kinds of art prints, including regular photographic prints, including limited edition prints, and then gliclees, which are basically an art print on a canvas, so it should really look like the original painting.
Anyway, long story short, I really just wanted some copies of my art work to sell, without going broke. I didn't need anything complicated or too fancy. Finally I got a referral from a friend for a good local printer (Chrome Digital). I looked up their website, called them, and found their prices were quite reasonable. So I've been taking my art to them for about 1 1/2 years now. They create perfect quality digital images of my art, and then amazing prints.
Some examples of the digital images from Chrome:
Then it comes to another important point, how do you ship prints? I have been going through a bit of trial and error on this recently, so I thought I would pass on what I've learned, but that is a whole story in itself so you'll have to look at the next blog post for this information.
Thanks for reading!
Problem #1: How do you get prints made of your art?
Problem #2: How to get a good website without paying a couple month's salary for it.
Problem #3: How to really promote yourself and make your work known.
Problem #4: How to get your art in galleries, have art shows, and have your art displayed.
Problem #5. How to actually make money from your art and hopefully transition it into a full time job (if that's what you want). I figure this one will hopefully fall into place after I figure out the first 4.
Today we will delve specifically into Problem #1: How do you get prints made of your art?
When I was first conquering this problem, I did what I always do; I googled it. This came up with all sorts of stuff! Apparently there are many different kinds of art prints, including regular photographic prints, including limited edition prints, and then gliclees, which are basically an art print on a canvas, so it should really look like the original painting.
Anyway, long story short, I really just wanted some copies of my art work to sell, without going broke. I didn't need anything complicated or too fancy. Finally I got a referral from a friend for a good local printer (Chrome Digital). I looked up their website, called them, and found their prices were quite reasonable. So I've been taking my art to them for about 1 1/2 years now. They create perfect quality digital images of my art, and then amazing prints.
Some examples of the digital images from Chrome:
Then it comes to another important point, how do you ship prints? I have been going through a bit of trial and error on this recently, so I thought I would pass on what I've learned, but that is a whole story in itself so you'll have to look at the next blog post for this information.
Thanks for reading!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Multi-Panel Paintings
I have gotten back into doing multi-paneled paintings, and I'm lovin it! The one above is acrylic on six 4x4 canvas panels (making a total of 8x12 inches). I don't know why, but sometimes paintings are so much more fun when they are done on multiple panels.
Next I will be working on a much larger one, which will be on three 12x30 panels (the total painting will be 36x30). It will be space themed (possibly the Milky Way...) and I expect to have it completed in the next two weeks, so I will be posting more pictures.
Now I just have to figure out what is the best way to hang these. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. I will post it once I've figured it out.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Making Large Pieces of Art
I'm working on my largest painting yet! I have to say, this is a lot more difficult than painting on a smaller canvas or piece of wood.
To start with, I was worried about getting an even background color, because with a canvas that size (48x24) you obviously can't just use a regular paint brush. So I got a paint roller, just like the one's you use to paint your wall. I mixed the color I wanted for the background, then just rolled on the paint. This was a very fast method and it only took me a minute or two to evenly paint the whole background.
The only thing is if you want the background to be smooth, this method will not work because you end up with the tiny bumps, just like when you're painting a wall. Luckily I didn't need my background to be smooth.
I should also make note that I'm doing this painting with acrylic paint, because I need it to dry quickly. I would have loved to do it with oil, in which case I would have probably painted the background with a regular, large horsehair paintbrush, but due to the fact that I have no space to allow that to dry for a week or so, I went with acrylic.
Now I'm sketching my main subject for the painting, before I start to paint her on the canvas. Above is one of my sketches.
I plan to have this picture completed by my June 4th art show, and I will post regular updates as the picture comes along. It will be a mixed media painting, with acrylic.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Custom Collage Paintings
This is a custom collage painting I just finished for a co-worker, DB.
I have also done these for my sister, MM and several other friends (see my sister's below):
These are great keepsakes and presents for birthdays, anniversaries, mother's and father's day, and other holidays. For more examples, check out www.MEartist.com. Pricing is currently as follows:
$100 for a 12x12 custom collage painting
$140 for a 16x16 custom collage painting
$175 for a 20x20 custom collage painting
For pricing for larger sizes, please contact me through my website at MEartist.com.
I have also done these for my sister, MM and several other friends (see my sister's below):
These are great keepsakes and presents for birthdays, anniversaries, mother's and father's day, and other holidays. For more examples, check out www.MEartist.com. Pricing is currently as follows:
$100 for a 12x12 custom collage painting
$140 for a 16x16 custom collage painting
$175 for a 20x20 custom collage painting
For pricing for larger sizes, please contact me through my website at MEartist.com.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Featuring Brooklyn, NY
My art seems to be really starting to take off! Lately I have been getting 1-2 commissioned works per month, with more and more interest from people. I just completed one called "Brooklyn" for a friend at work and am now working on a family photo collage painting for another friend.
I also just sent out my first newsletter with 20 subscribers. I already have more subscribers for the next one, and will be sending out my second newsletter on May 1st. If you missed the first newsletter, here's a link to it (just copy and paste it in your browser): http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=eb288c707a9b697a0c1224f4e&id=0800518a1b
There is an art show coming up in San Diego on June 4th called The Art Collaboration. It will be with True Delorenzo, myself and an amazing band called Boombox Renaissance. I hope to see you all there!
I also just sent out my first newsletter with 20 subscribers. I already have more subscribers for the next one, and will be sending out my second newsletter on May 1st. If you missed the first newsletter, here's a link to it (just copy and paste it in your browser): http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=eb288c707a9b697a0c1224f4e&id=0800518a1b
There is an art show coming up in San Diego on June 4th called The Art Collaboration. It will be with True Delorenzo, myself and an amazing band called Boombox Renaissance. I hope to see you all there!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Questioning how to make this work
I started this art blog with one purpose in mind: to help other artists make it on their own, without having to wait to "be discovered" or some such thing.
I've struggled with everything, including putting on art shows, getting a website, getting business cards, getting my name out there, getting prints made of my art, etc. I've asked other artists for help, but rarely gotten any good suggestions. I don't know if they just had more start up money than I did, or if they had someone else helping them along the way.
I cannot call myself a successful artist yet, so maybe people don't consider the information I'm passing along useful, since I haven't made it yet. But I will tell you this: I have been getting more and more orders for my art every month, without having to work as hard for it as I originally did. So I must be doing something right. I just wish I could accomplish what I want faster.
So far not many people are reading my blog, which I attribute to either me not promoting it well enough, or the information in it not being interesting enough. I would love some feedback on this, if you would please. I am also always available to answer any questions, if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
I've struggled with everything, including putting on art shows, getting a website, getting business cards, getting my name out there, getting prints made of my art, etc. I've asked other artists for help, but rarely gotten any good suggestions. I don't know if they just had more start up money than I did, or if they had someone else helping them along the way.
I cannot call myself a successful artist yet, so maybe people don't consider the information I'm passing along useful, since I haven't made it yet. But I will tell you this: I have been getting more and more orders for my art every month, without having to work as hard for it as I originally did. So I must be doing something right. I just wish I could accomplish what I want faster.
So far not many people are reading my blog, which I attribute to either me not promoting it well enough, or the information in it not being interesting enough. I would love some feedback on this, if you would please. I am also always available to answer any questions, if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
I Am Officially a Business Owner
This may not seem like an intersting blog post, but I had to write it anyway because I'm SOOOO excited about it. I am now officially a business owner. This week I have gotten my EIN, my business license, my seller's permit, and a business checking account for myself as an artist.
One might wonder why you would need those things, but what it means is I can now go to street fairs, art walks, farmer's markets, etc. and sell my art. This is BIG. This opens so many doors for me!
I am working on getting into a few local farmer's markets. So far I have emailed the directors of three farmer's markets to see what I need to do to become a vendor. So far no response. I will probably end up just going directly to the farmer's market, finding the director and filling out a vendor application.
I will keep you guys updated on how it goes as I get physically out into the world with my art!
One might wonder why you would need those things, but what it means is I can now go to street fairs, art walks, farmer's markets, etc. and sell my art. This is BIG. This opens so many doors for me!
I am working on getting into a few local farmer's markets. So far I have emailed the directors of three farmer's markets to see what I need to do to become a vendor. So far no response. I will probably end up just going directly to the farmer's market, finding the director and filling out a vendor application.
I will keep you guys updated on how it goes as I get physically out into the world with my art!
LA and SD Art Shows
I haven't written on here in over 2 months! I have been super busy but that's no excuse.
So...Art show in LA on Oct 9th: There were a TON of people there, but mostly to see the band. To be honest the show kind of got out of my control and became a concert with art on the walls. From this I learned some good lessons: 1. Secure the location and the artists, then decide if you want a live band and 2. You really have to have music and a crowd that goes along with art.
Above is my art display in LA, below is Jamie Fisher's amazing photography (FishyFoto.com):
And this is Brian Anger's amazing photography (facebook.com/badigitalarts):
Though it was a lot of work and was relatively expensive, I did sell several paintings and I came out a bit ahead. Either way, it was fun, a learning experience, and some good promotion.
Art show in San Diego, November 13th: This art show was a LOT of fun, there was a good amount of people, wine, a very relaxed setting, with a chill, acoustic band at the end. Overall the show was great. Unfortunately....I didn't sell any paintings. BUT, I did get some good promotion out of it and I learned several things that I can correct for the next one, including how to present my art better and how to be more interactive as an artist. I also learned that the next time I have an art show, I need to specifically delegate people to help me set up and break down, or I go crazy.
Above is some of my art and below is some of True's art:
Overall, the shows were great promotion and great learning experiences.
So...Art show in LA on Oct 9th: There were a TON of people there, but mostly to see the band. To be honest the show kind of got out of my control and became a concert with art on the walls. From this I learned some good lessons: 1. Secure the location and the artists, then decide if you want a live band and 2. You really have to have music and a crowd that goes along with art.
Though it was a lot of work and was relatively expensive, I did sell several paintings and I came out a bit ahead. Either way, it was fun, a learning experience, and some good promotion.
Art show in San Diego, November 13th: This art show was a LOT of fun, there was a good amount of people, wine, a very relaxed setting, with a chill, acoustic band at the end. Overall the show was great. Unfortunately....I didn't sell any paintings. BUT, I did get some good promotion out of it and I learned several things that I can correct for the next one, including how to present my art better and how to be more interactive as an artist. I also learned that the next time I have an art show, I need to specifically delegate people to help me set up and break down, or I go crazy.
Overall, the shows were great promotion and great learning experiences.
Monday, October 25, 2010
My Secret Image Transfer Technique
I never thought it would be hard to write about some special "skill" you have or thing you've figure out that probably no one else knows, but I guess it's kind of like having a secret recipe. You want to have the best pie in the world and not have anyone else be able to duplicate it.
Well, I started this blog with the purpose of maybe helping other artists become better by teaching them what I've learned so maybe they don't have to waste a bunch of time trying a million things out. So I will share my "secret" technique.
Initially I looked all over the web for the best way to transfer an image onto a painting. None of the explanations of how to do it were good enough. They all kind of made sense but they were missing a step, so it never completely came out right. So I decided to try my own technique.
1. Print out the image you want on tracing paper and let the ink completely dry. You have to be pretty careful because the ink will smudge very easily. You may have to reprint it if the printer smudges the ink.
2. Put a thin, even layer of gloss gel (I use medium gel brilliant, Liquitex brand).
3. Slowly lay the image on top of it and press out the wrinkles as best as possible. You have to be very careful on this part so you don't smear the ink from your image.
4. Once you've pasted your image on, spray the top of the image with a varnish. I use an acrylic/oil/alkyd varnish - Winsor & Newton brand.
5. After that's dry, you can paint over it, paste over it, put a gloss gel over it, etc. and the ink won't smear. The image will be translucent and you can blend it in with the painting very well.
Well, I started this blog with the purpose of maybe helping other artists become better by teaching them what I've learned so maybe they don't have to waste a bunch of time trying a million things out. So I will share my "secret" technique.
Initially I looked all over the web for the best way to transfer an image onto a painting. None of the explanations of how to do it were good enough. They all kind of made sense but they were missing a step, so it never completely came out right. So I decided to try my own technique.
1. Print out the image you want on tracing paper and let the ink completely dry. You have to be pretty careful because the ink will smudge very easily. You may have to reprint it if the printer smudges the ink.
2. Put a thin, even layer of gloss gel (I use medium gel brilliant, Liquitex brand).
3. Slowly lay the image on top of it and press out the wrinkles as best as possible. You have to be very careful on this part so you don't smear the ink from your image.
4. Once you've pasted your image on, spray the top of the image with a varnish. I use an acrylic/oil/alkyd varnish - Winsor & Newton brand.
5. After that's dry, you can paint over it, paste over it, put a gloss gel over it, etc. and the ink won't smear. The image will be translucent and you can blend it in with the painting very well.
"Seattle" painting
This was my largest painting yet! It's acrylic on 36x24 canvas. The awesome thing was it sold before I was even finished with it!
It's based off of an amazing photo my husband took from the ferry going across Seattle bay. Let me know what you think!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Birthday Wishes
My birthday is coming up, October 11th. I have a bit of a wish list, if anyone has any interest in getting me anything. I'm not ASKING for anything, but if anyone WANTS to get me something, here's the list :)
1. Buy any of my art. A print, an original, etc. It all helps me to continue my art: http://meartist.storenvy.com/
2. Come to one of my art shows :)
3. Donate to my art show: http://www.indiegogo.com/Debut-Art-Show
4. Donate to my team in training page for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/carlsbad11/meibenigzw
Not a huge list, but all very important to me :)
1. Buy any of my art. A print, an original, etc. It all helps me to continue my art: http://meartist.storenvy.com/
2. Come to one of my art shows :)
3. Donate to my art show: http://www.indiegogo.com/Debut-Art-Show
4. Donate to my team in training page for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/carlsbad11/meibenigzw
Not a huge list, but all very important to me :)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Art Shows Coming Up
I have two art shows coming up. The first is in Los Angeles on October 9th at 7pm. It is at Kesspro Studios, 435 S. Molino St. Los Angeles, CA. Entry is free and there will most likely be a live band playing at the end of the night.
The second one is in San Diego at @Spacebar, 7454 University Ave, Suite A
La Mesa, ca 91941, on November 13th at 7pm. There will also be a live band playing at the end of this one and there is no cover charge.
Please pass this on to everyone, I hope to get a lot of people to each show!!!
The second one is in San Diego at @Spacebar, 7454 University Ave, Suite A
La Mesa, ca 91941, on November 13th at 7pm. There will also be a live band playing at the end of this one and there is no cover charge.
Please pass this on to everyone, I hope to get a lot of people to each show!!!
Latest Mixed Media Paintings
I've been doing a lot of mixed media paintings recently, and have actually started a series called "Art Love." Here are the first couple.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Experimentation
I've been doing a lot of experimenting lately, mainly with promotion and with various mediums.
Experiment #1: How to get fans on my facebook page more active. I tried doing a couple different "contests", the first being if anyone made any comment on my page at all, they'd be entered into a drawing to get a free 8x10 print of one of my art works. This wasn't very productive, only 6 people (out of my 184 fans) participated. I did the drawing anyway and my friend J.M. won a print.
Next I posted another "contest" where people had to post an idea of what they would like to see more of on my page and I would do another drawing for an 8x10 print. This was very ineffective, no one posted anything.
I did, however, also start just posting a whole bunch of pictures. Sketches I had done, pictures of the painting I'm working on, etc. and I've been asking for feedback and ideas on how to do certain things, and I started getting a lot more participation in my page from more people, so I guess that's really the key. They simply want to see my art and be a part of it.
Experiment #2: How to use prismacolor pencils. I still haven't figured this one out, but I went to the art store last Wednesday and picked some up. While I was there I also got some watercolor pencils, which looked cool, and a couple drawing pads. A friend of mine, D.S., had told me about the prismacolor. He mentioned they were a lot easier to blend than regular colored pencils and they can come out looking more like a painting, sort of.
So I tried them out and I didn't really see the appeal. They seemed like regular colored pencils to me. So I posted my first couple sketches and I got a whole bunch of feedback on them with about 100 different tips, including coloring 1 small area at a time, using the colorless blender, using various types of paper, blending the colors before even applying them to the paper, and someone mentioned something involving an iron. So I have a whole lot of experiments to do with that.
The watercolor pencils, on the other hand, I think are amazing! I've been wanting to get back into watercolor painting for a while (I haven't done it in over 10 years), so this is the perfect way to do it. With the pencils I can draw a pretty detailed picture, or a general scenic picture, and then just add a little water and it becomes a water color painting. I've done two sketches so far with these pencils and I love them! I do need to get the appropriate paper for it, since I've been just using regular drawing paper, which doesn't do so well when you add water.
I will update this posting by tonight with the pictures of the sketches I've been doing.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
IndieGoGo Fundraiser for my art show
Hey, check this out and pass it on please! If you can help out with anything, that would be awesome!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Mixed media painting
ERRRGGG. I just got this back from the printer and as I'm picking it up I take a look at it. It's not done at all! What was I thinking? There's so much more I want to do with it before I even show it to other people (though I'll leave this picture up so there will be a before and after pic). Well, that was a waste of money! (having it scanned, I mean).
I will be working on it more tonight and tomorrow to possibly finish it and hopefully within the next week I will post a new, completed picture of it. Stay tuned!
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