Lucky for me, I had read about it on Alyson Stanfield’s post and got myself over to Books & Books in Coral Gables, FL in time to hear Chris Guillebeau talk about “The $100 Startup”!
Perfect timing. Already working on my re-Startup. Thanks Alyson and Chris and Books & Books
* I only recommend products and services that I personally use and believe in. I have affiliate accounts with Amazon and Art Biz Coach and I may earn a commission on products that you purchase from following my links. This is another way an artist/entrepreneur is able to earn money and continue doing the kinds of work I love.
I’ve set myself some solid goals and even created an action calender for the next 6 months – all based on my commitment to exhibit at Surtex in May 2011! I’ve had the art licensing dream for over 25 years and have dabbled in it intermittently over that time period. I’ve created a lot of art for hire – logos, t-hirts, custom designs for client products and events; have a respectable presence on Cafe Press where I share my art on calendars, mugs, shirts, hats, magnets, cards, ornaments and more… and of course there are the Cortese Design Bags, but I ultimately want to create art that gets seen every day!
Many artists I know cringe at the thought of having their art reproduced on ‘God forbid – a shower curtain!’ and I do understand where they are coming from. I have many paintings and images that I am very emotionally invested in for all kinds of reasons and would not want these reproduced on placemats or paperplates! However, because of my experiences when observing the nature elements that I photograph for my art, I know that the energy of the forest, trees, fields, plants, flowers, and wildlife is not only palpable, but the vibrations that they emit can profoundly affect our physiology. Have you noticed how much better you feel after even a short walk in nature? Granted, the physical movement of your body is a major aspect of this experience, but a walk along a mountain stream is infinitely more refreshing and energizing than a jog down the cement sidewalks of most city neighborhoods.
I’ve been hiking, gardening, and walking in nature and enJOYing this for as long as I can remember. I have delightful childhood memories of helping Nana in her huge vegetable garden along the Delaware River; of playing along the banks of the pond my father carved out of stream beside our home in Narrowsburg, NY and picking wildflowers along the country road walk home from our neighbor’s farm where I’d visit as often as possible to see the animals and help weed the gardens 🙂
Every day I visualize my work on thousands of home, garden and personal items. A huge part of this vision is to share the magic, the powerful energy that I feel when I’m working with the nature images. I know many, many people are avid gardeners, flower enthusiasts, nature lovers and I’m pretty sure they will all agree that there is no better feeling than being ‘in’ nature, whether tending a garden or hiking a new mountain trail. It is so much more than it appears on the surface. The vibrations of our physical bodies align with the vibrations of the plants and we literally ‘feel’ better, happier, healthier. I believe that the images and designs created from nature’s palette of vibrant colors and shapes produce similar vibrations and when people use a product that features a Nature’s Energy design they will be able to experience some of the magic and power of nature.
For fellow artists or anyone who is interested in getting or staying focused on something you are passionate about, I’d like to recommend listening to, or reading any of the work by Esther and Jerry Hicks and Abraham. They are releasing a new CD this week – Getting Into The Vortex: Guided Meditations CD and User Guide – and I can’t wait for mine to arrive!
Affiliate Note: I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe in and I may earn a commission on products that you purchase from following a link on this page. This is another way an artist/entrepreneur is able to earn money and continue doing the kinds of work we love.
If you’re an artist in the Miami area and would like to know more about the business of licensing your art, you may be interested in a workshop that I’ll be presenting in Coconut Grove and on Miami Beach titled: The Business of Art Licensing – A Workshop For Artists.
Sweet Sprouts -garden art by Debra Cortese
A bit of background information:
In 2009, I facilitated the highly successful 8 week ‘Art Marketing Salon‘ based on the book, “I’d Rather Be In The Studio.” by art business coach, Alyson B. Stanfield. Over two dozen people (artists, curators, and agents) participated in the Art Salons which culminated with an outstanding Summer Salon Art Exhibit and Fashion Show on June 6, 2009 at the Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove, FL.
As the Art Marketing Salon was coming to an end, we briefly touched on the subject of art licensing and about half of the artists said they would be interested in learning more about this topic. Since this is a subject dear to my heart and work, I made a verbal commitment to the group and myself to develop an art licensing workshop. After months and months of reading, researching, and networking, I realized one workshop would not even come close to covering the subject. So now, 14 months later, I’m putting the final touches on the first three workshops which will begin later this month starting with the introductory session: The Business of Art Licensing – A Workshop For Artists. I’m offering the introductory session at $15 per person because I want artists to have enough information to decide if art licensing is something they want to pursue. The progressive sessions will explore key topics more thoroughly with specific research and creative assignments to help each artist move forward and create a portfolio of work specifically geared to the business of licensing art on a variety of consumer products.
The material I’ll be presenting is based on my personal experience and a good portion is based on the work of artist Tara Reedand herArt Licensing Info business. I’ve been following Tara for over 2 years and highly recommend that any artist interested in learning more about licensing your art follow her blog and listen in on her free, Ask Callswhere she conducts live interviews with many of the top selling licensed artists in the country.
Tara Reed interview with artist Paul Brent
She’s interviewed Paul Brent, Mary Engelbreit, Jill Seale, Suzanne Cruise, many others and many more are coming up. In addition, Tara has been creating and licensing her own whimiscal art for over six years and regularly attends the Surtex and Art Licensing Expo trade shows where the majority of art licensing connections and contracts are made every year.
If you’re an artist in the Miami area and would like to know more about the business of licensing your art, here is the link to full details on “The Business of Art Licensing – A Workshop For Artists” which will be presented in two locations, one on Miami Beach and another in Coconut Grove, Florida.
If you are not able to attend the workshops and want access to some of the most informative and useful information available on how to get started in art licensing, I highly recommend Tara’s eBook, “How to Get Started in Art Licensing”.
NOTE: I may earn a commission on products that you purchase from following a link that I recommend and I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe in. This is another way for an independent artist/entrepreneur to earn money and continue doing the kinds of work you love. It’s also a good topic for another workshop 😉
A Kreative Blogger award has recently been passed to me by fellow Miami artist, Rosie Brown and I’m honored that she chose me to receive it. I’m also delighted that it was presented to Rosie by Monique Lassooij. Both artists were participants in an 8 week long Art Marketing Salon* that I facilitated at the Windisch-Hunt Gallery in Coconut Grove, FL in 2009, and, in passing along this award, they are affirming the value of social media marketing as one of the most effective marketing tools around today: blogging!
Since I’ve become a bit of an information addict, I couldn’t do this without a little background research. I quickly found reference to the original ‘Kreativ Blogger’ post and requirements for nominated Kreativ Bloggers. I believe they have been edited and abbreviated over time and cyberspace.
Kreativ Blogger originated in May 2008 in a post by Huldas Verden as noted by Clay Garden author in this April 2009 post:
“Finally I found that it was started in Norway by a blogger named Huldas Verden.”
When the Clay Garden post was written in April 2009, the author’s Google search came up with 712 entries for Kreativ Blogger.
When I searched today, Feb 28, 2010 for ‘Kreative Blogger’ awards, Google comes up with 23,200,000 entries! Hence, the power of blogging!
Here are the requirements that I found, and am passing on to 7 fellow Kreativ Bloggers (names and links to blogs at the end of this post):
The Kreativ Blogger award comes with the following requirements: 1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.
Seven things about me that may be of interest:
1. I’ve always loved nature and art and just knew this was my path in life.
2. I did, and still question, my choice of life experiences and have finally come to terms with accepting that whatever happens, as long as I pay attention and learn something, I can move forward.
3. I’ve been married 3 times – divorced twice and widowed. I have two amazing daughters that I’m very proud of. My third husband died when my youngest daughter was 4. I’ve been a single mom for the last 14 years and must say, I really don’t enjoy being the responsible adult all of the time.
4. Self sufficiency is admirable and it gets the job done, but the ability to ask for help and help others empowers everyone.
5. Travel is now high on my to do list. My youngest daughter will graduate high school this year and she has plans for college so the timing is right for me to go on my walk-about. Thus far, I’ve only been out of the USA to Canada. Mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, deserts and cities all around the planet are out there, full of fabulous nature creations that I’ve yet to see and can’t wait to photograph!
6. You really do teach best that which you need to learn, and actions do speak louder than words.
7. I truly believe there is magic (healing, restorative power) in the energy of nature and that is what I hope to share with my art.
Sample of my nature’s energy photo-digital art:“South Beached Man-O-War Reflection”
* Art Marketing Salon is a group or community, guided, do-it-yourself workshop with all materials provided by Alyson B. Stanfield, Art Biz Coach. I highly recommend Alyson’s book, “I’d Rather Be In the Studio” and signing up for her newsletters which are full of valuable marketing information for artists and business people alike.
NOTE: I only recommend products or services that I have experience with, believe in and support. When you click on a link in this blog and make a purchase, I will receive a referral commission. This is one of the ways an artist can earn a little extra income and support her family!
I’ve been learning with artist, Tara Reed and she has partnered with Paul Brent. Today, I’m working on updating and improving my art for licensing web pages and listening to Tara’s interview with Paul Brent.
It’s a free online audio file and every time I listen, I get another piece of information that is moving me forward. I’ll be contacting a very special referral next week and my web pages must be in tip top shape for this! SAMPLE FLOWERS AND TREES ART PAGE HERE
See work of all Summer Salon Artistshere and here.
Information on how Neat Stuff 4 Kids brings joy
and confidence into the lives of children in need.
Summer Salon multi-media art exhibition ends next week,
so stop by Windisch-Hunt Fine Art gallery
at 2911 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove, FL
and treat yourself or buy art for a friend.
You’ll be happy, your friend will be happy,
the gallery and artist will be happy,
Neat Stuff 4 Kids will be happy
and the children they get to help will be happy.
That’s a lot of happy people all sharing some great art and HAPPY ENERGY!
Photos from #heraldtweetup at Tobacco Road Tuesday night June 16th. see Herald article by Bridget Cary at:
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/1096564.html
– and I can’t wait for mine to arrive!
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