I finally pulled the trigger. I’ve been thinking for some time about marketing prints of my art work, as many of you do. I checked out what was available and checked in with some of you, special thanks to Russel Ray, an excellent photographer in San Diego. After examining many of the sites available I went with Fine Art America. Their business model seems to be a good fit for me.
I’ve been slowly posting pieces, about two a day. I can already see how difficult it is to stand out on the site, but you can’t sell it if you don’t put it out there. Clearly, promotion is the key. There is so much great art, I am curious to see how this works out. Any advice, comments or experiences are welcome.
Even I am learning also. I like your bee and the background colour. How long do you take to do this?
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Thank you Tienny. I did this painting a long time ago, so I don’t know exactly how long it took. I think if I painted it today it would take about 4 hours, maybe less.
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Wow 😀 Great handiworks
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Yay, Tim. Good for you! I wish you much success! Is the train featured above available?
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Thank you Linda. I haven’t post my banner picture of the steam traction engine yet, but it will be available soon. I’m adding art as I can, but am a bit slow because of time availability.
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Thanks for letting me know. It is a favorite, I’m sure. Do you include information about each piece if requested? I think you’re wise to get this art line out there.
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I would happy to supply information on any of my pieces.
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Go for it Tim. Will you have some of your drawings on sale as well? I think they are very desirable. All the best.
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Yes, I’ve put up an even mix of watercolors and pen drawings so far. I’m sure I’ll have more pen and inks then watercolors when all is said and done.
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It’s always good to see dreams being fulfilled. So what was the final nudge? Best of luck.
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I’ve done a little bit of commercial art for years, and I’ve sold prints at events for Red Tail Publishing. However, forestry has always been my career. I think the blogging was what pushed me over the edge for this step. Seeing what other folks were doing with online sales made me check out what was available. Meanwhile, my art work is piling up, so I figured it was time to put it to work. I’m limited on how much time I can put toward this project, and Fine Art America looked like a good fit. I’m hoping to develope this into a bit of mailbox money, now I will find out.
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Hey Tim, all the best. When I saw the lovely Bee in my post update today I was a bit puzzled since it looks so different from stuff you usually put up.Bet you set busloads of stuff 🙂
Your black and white pieces should also be great hits I think 🙂
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Thank you Malvika. I do have a lot to go through for posting. I’ll have to post some others that I’ve done that aren’t typically what you see on my posts.
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*sell busloads
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I have followed your posts and love all your drawings. I hope you have a lot of success with your new adventure. Advice? Do a bit more self promoting. lol
Have no shame! Others don’t. 😦 Annoy everybody. Others do. 😦 Teasing of course!!! 🙂
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In all seriousness Esther, you are right. It takes shameless self promotion from what I see. This is a difficult thing to do for me, probably because I don’t want to annoy folks too much. I’m going to have to get over it and find a balance.
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Just don’t over do it and call people on the phone during supper time! That is annoying. lol
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I would never do that! :O What did you say your phone number was? 😉
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😦
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Beautiful work!
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Thank you so much Sibella!
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Oh Tim, best of luck with your new venture! Keep us posted on your success! Marian
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Thank you Marian, I will. I think my business model will be trial and error…is that a business model? 😉
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Good luck!
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Thank you Katie. Luck in abundance may be necessary!
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Promoting ones work is darn near a full time job!! Good luck Tim I know you will be successful in this endeavour.
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That’s what I’m afraid of. I already have a full time job and a free time job. However, I don’t think there is any way to short cut the promotion. Clearly, just hoping for sales because the art is available on FAA won’t be enough.
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I come at this from a writer’s perspective, but this advice applies to art as well: Take the long view. Create quality work and don’t give in to gimmicks. Success will be measured in baby steps; be sure to savor each and every step along the way. I wish you much, much luck – your work is really beautiful and I’ve enjoyed following your blog. Cheers, Jadi
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I think you are spot on Jadi. I don’t depend on my art for my livelyhood. For that reason I like the slow approach of letting it grow organically. I think this will have to work for me.
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Congratulations on taking that step of putting your work out there. Good luck! I hope you keep us posted on your experience with the art site. Have you tried approaching a local coffee shop or library to show/hang your work? If the venue is heavily trafficked you may get a sale or two.
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Thanks Kay. I’ll pass along my experience. It’s interesting to see what folks are trying out there and what is working. I’ve sold at events, but that has been about it lately. Many years ago (decades) I had some paintings and drawings at our local museum. They had art shows for local artist. Some pieces got picked up, but then I was off to the University and I stopped doing it. I have some options here to pursue, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. It just takes time.
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Yes, it does take time. I just started getting my work out there. The business end of things and even matting and framing properly, all these little things are so time consuming. But we have to do it!
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You’re so right. One reason I went with FAA is they offer and provide framing and matting among other products. I realize it isn’t the same care as the artist would provide, but I couldn’t do this if I had to do all the matting and framing. They seem to be a good match for me. I already had a sale, so that was cool. Now I just need the time to get more art put up.
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I wish you all the luck in the world, I think it’s a hard world out there for artists, I used to be fortunate enough to get dog commissions, but so many have jumped on the band wagon its almost dried up, though got one at present the first in months, I like your work Go for it.
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Thank you Arlene. I think you’re right about it being hard. I’m okay with that and I’m patient. Nothing ventured, nothing gained they say. I’ll just have to see how it goes.
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Wishing you lots of good luck with this venture Tim ! I imagine it could be quite hard all round but to be honest … if you don’t give it a try who knows what you’d miss out on . And other people too 😉
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You got that right Poppy. I may not sell anything with FAA, but I know I won’t sell anything if I don’t put it out there. I alway tell my boys, don’t live in regret.
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I’ve seen your gallery – and I like it! Good luck!
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Thank you so much Stronka!
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From the little marketing experience I have, it’s not always about being out there, it’s the constant small reminders you are out there. I read on my phone, don’t know if you tweet or etc. Maybe post a quick link/post to FAA when you list one. Not a large write up. I see another artist I follow do this. Its an easy reblog for us fans! Have a contest for a small piece. Peeps are competitive. Charity give aways can also work.
Artists have a tough gig. I hope you break a leg out there!
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Thanks Ilex. I’m looking forward to trying this out. Since i don’t need to make a living with my art there isn’t a lot of pressure. I don’t tweet and don’t really want to, but I might have to do a few new thing.
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Like the bee pic, Good for you to get it all out there. I have done some prints as well and it does come down to this, make good art, make good efforts and keep at it, then keep keeping at it. It truly is a process of steps and persisting. I no longer sell originals, only prints. When first blogging I had no intention of selling, but many requests nudged me into it, so now find that the blog needs to be a dot org instead of a dot com. So the sooner you look into a commercial site perhaps the better.
It is an adventure!
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Thanks John. I think we are very much on the same page. I also believe you are correct that most importantly “make good art”, or great are if you can. I’m still working on that.
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Congratulations on this step to sell your beautiful artwork.
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Thanks Sharon. I think this will be a fun endeavor, although I bet this will be a long term proposition.
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Good luck with your new venture!!
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Thanks Ruth!
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Great piece Tim, can sense the stem ready to bend down. Nice to see your work in color. Is this watercolor?
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Thank you Craig. Yes, this is watercolor. It tend to do a lot of pen and ink because I can have a pad and pens with me all the time, watercolor not so much. However I do have more watercolors to post.
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Look forward to seeing them.
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Good luck with your art prints!!
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Thank you Brenda!
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Good luck on FAA, I’ve been thinking of joining the yearly rate. I have 20 pieces posted but it’s been a while since I paid any attention to FAA. Would love to know how you do,
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-cheyanne-sexton.html
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Thank CheyAnne. I went with the paid version. Right off the bat I had 3 sales, but it’s been quiet since then. I’m taking the long game. I will keep posting to it and stay engaged with the blogging then just see where it goes. I think it won’t do anything if I don’t keep putting out interesting stuff. Of course it may not do much anyway, we’ll see.
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I think it will drive traffic. I always notice more sales once I get my blog up and running again. I just wish I could stay motivated on a regular basis
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I understand. My problem is less with motivation and more not enough time.
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I can understand that, there is never enough time to get everything done and said and shared and viewed and read and…..well you get it. Plus why oh why do we need this much sleep???? I would much rather be painting and sharing than sleeping (like now) . peace
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Sleep…what a great idea! 😉
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