by Percy Cat | Feb 18, 2011 | ART, art business, cortese design handbags, interests, Miami, nature's energy, Press Release
Doing a happy dance this morning 😉
I really love all the pr Jessica Kizorek and her team of Badass Business Women are creating. I’m an artist/designer with a solid background in advertising and design so when the post came out for a chance to win a seat (and all the networking and photo/promo opps that come with it) in the exclusive, Badass Pink Limousine along with Jessica and her team, I knew my response had to stand out! Luckily, my creative muse was in high gear and after a mere 3 hours of production, tweaking and editing, I posted my comment along with a one-of-a-kind response. To get the full effect, see my winning entry here!
Have to go now… make sure the black and pink outfit is just right, hair, nails, makeup…
KNOW I’ll be carrying my Miami Beach, black leather trimmed, Art Deco, Pink (and black) Flamingo bag! It has the most amazing energy 😉
by Percy Cat | Oct 13, 2010 | art business, Art Licensing, cortese design handbags, GIFTS, interests, Miami, nature's energy, Press Release
Fashion Designers Expo Florida (FDE), on October 21st-22nd held at
the Newport Beachside Resort is presented by
AVER Productions and produced by Global Fashion Agency.
Fashion Designers Expo Florida once again has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Miami|Ftl Affiliate. Susan G. Komen For the Cure Miami|Ftl Affiliate, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, has raised more then $1.807 million in the fiscal year ending in March 2009 to support the fight against breast cancer. They also have a four-star charity rating, which is the highest level of support.
FDE will also have a tent at the annual Race For the Cure on October 16th to support and raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen For the Cure Miami|Ftl Affiliate.
Fashion Designers Expo Florida presents it’s “PINK Hits the Runway” show on the final day of events, Friday October 22nd at 8 pm.
“PINK Hits the Runway is sponsored by The Teen Board.
The Teen Board is a non-profit foundation where teens from all areas and personal backgrounds model for a personal cause. Each teen has a traumatic story which they use to empower and encourage others who have been through similar challenges. The Teen Board’s mission is three-tiered: to provide an opportunity for teens to excel in school while empowering them to pursue their goals and at the same time become influential participants in their community. The Teen Board is promised to put on an exciting show! You will enjoy tweens and teens professionally walking the runway in PINK fabulous designs. It’s going to be an amazing event!
Read more about The Teen Board at http://www.theteenboard.com.
Full press release and designer info here.
by Percy Cat | Aug 6, 2010 | ART, art business, Art events, Art Licensing, Art Marketing Salon, Coconut Grove, Miami, Miami Art Marketing Salon, Miami Beach, nature's energy, Press Release
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 Reed and her Art 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 Calls where she conducts live interviews with many of the top selling licensed artists in the country.
Tara Reed interview with artist Paul Brent
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 😉
by Percy Cat | Nov 18, 2009 | Art Basel Miami, art business, cortese design handbags, Cortese Designs Bag of the Month, GIFTS, Greeting Cards, nature's energy, paintings, Press Release
Today I’m confirming the artists (names and images further down in this post) who will be part of our Holiday ‘Art’ Bazaar at The Mutiny Hotel on December 5th in Coconut Grove, Florida.
For one-night-only, you can shop, enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolates, listen to live jazz by Leo Casino, and purchase unique, original art, jewelry, sculpture, fine art prints, cards, handbags, and more ‘art’ gifts created by professional artists, designers, and craftspeople of South Florida, Latin America, and the Netherlands – all in one place!
Leo Casino
A LITTLE BACKGROUND ART INFO:
On the first Saturday of every month, Coconut Grove hosts an ever-changing, stimulating, and more often than not, surprising (I always love when the people of Hare Krishna parade through the galleries and share their joyful music and energy!) Art Stroll.
December promises to be one of the best ever because, after all, Art Basel Miami is in town and… ART IS EVERYWHERE!!! So much that it’s almost a bit overwhelming, especially if you try to see it all and attend every event.
This year, you’ll have the option of taking a leisurely Art Break. Join us at the Holiday Art Bazaar, sip complimentary champagne, enjoy luscious chocolates and get some (or all) of your holiday shopping done at the same time, in the same place!
THE MUTINY HOTEL PRESENTS – PURE IMAGINATION – HOLIDAY ART BAZAAR
The Arts continue to thrive in historic Coconut Grove, and the once-infamous (I’ve heard many eyebrow-raising stories!) Mutiny Hotel now draws a new kind of attention to itself, every first Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The bright swatch of coral that is The Mutiny Hotel and the intensely blue South Florida sky offer the perfect backdrop for the colorful and thought-provoking works of South Florida’s artists.
Join us on Dec. 5th, 2009 for an exclusive,
ONE-NIGHT-ONLY, Holiday Art Bazaar!
This is your chance to see some of the most creative works of this select group of artists in a casual setting, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine pours, champagne and chocolates. Jazz musician, Leo Casino will be entertaining us in his impressive and incomparable style.
Enjoy Poolside Cocktails and Dinner… before or after Art!
Atchana’s East/West Kitchen is a sophisticated hideaway located on the ground level of The Mutiny Hotel. Open to the public and hotel guests, this unique dining establishment serves a sumptuous array of fresh, authentic Asian dishes, along with American Classics such as New York Strip Steak and Snapper Filets.
Enjoy dinner and/or cocktails in the intimate wood-paneled 45-seat indoor dining room, or outdoors, next to the poolside waterfall.
You can see many of the artists and their work here and,
on our HOLIDAY ART BAZAAR facebook event page at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=201017990189&ref=ts
Monique Lassooij http://monique-lassooij.blogspot.com
Monique will be donating a percentage of her sales to Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
Laura Cerwinske
http://www.lauracerwinske.com
Eileen Seitz
http://www.eileenseitz.com
Karen Deilke
http://karendeilke.com/KAREN_DEILKE:__HOME.html
Maui Reple
GAIA gallery of art – Amsterdam, Foundation Mercurius communication through Art
www.gaiagallery.nl
www.gaiagallery.wordpress.com
Pauline Goldsmith – Botanical Watercolor Paintings, Prints, Cards
http://www.goldsmithgalleries.com
Valentina Ramos
http://www.valentinadesign.com
Shari Bellingham
Artisan Jewelry handcrafted with glass lampwork, pearls, sterling and semi-precious stones
Fevi Reyes- Jewelry
http://www.fevireyes.com
Debra Cortese – Cortese Design Bags
https://www.debracortese.com
SPECIAL GUESTS
Paniram Wellness Institute Reiki Master, Maria Napoles
Check back here soon to see more of the art and artists that are participating in this exclusive, ONE NIGHT ONLY event and be sure to mark Saturday, December 5th on your calendar right now! The Mutiny Hotel has valet parking at a very reasonable $8, and we’ll have more than a few surprises for ‘Holiday Art Bazaar’ guests! Admission is FREE!
Contact me at: debra@debracortese if you have any questions about Holiday Art Bazaar.
by Percy Cat | Oct 19, 2009 | cortese design handbags, GIFTS, nature's energy, Press Release
Cortese Design bags are more than fashionable, they can energize you! Designer, Debra Cortese says, “When you carry one of my Nature’s Energy Design bags, and consciously tune in to the vibration of the plant that is at the core of the design, you can virtually ‘feel’ the positive, magical energy of nature.” She explains that every element of nature emits a unique vibration or energy field. When you are in nature and truly focusing your attention of a flower, (how the light plays on the petals, the gentle swaying in a breeze, the interaction of a tiny, hovering bee coating his little bee legs in pollen) you’re able to connect with the vibration of that flower, that bee, and that moment in time. This is an excellent, natural way to enhance, stimulate or soothe your own energy.
The Design Process
Cortese Designs are a visual transference of Nature’s Energy. Debra tells us “The design for each bag is intentionally created to share the energy that I experience when I am tuning in to a particular plant or flower. I begin by photgraphing a plant that is emitting positive vibrations. (Poison Ivy would not be a plant I’d choose for sharing any energy!) Next, I choose one of the photos that visually shares the strongest sense of that energy and use it as the basis for my design. I then go into the flow of the creative process, and using a range of digital painting tools and a sequence of custom techniques, I work the image until I achieve a visual presentation that most effectively transfers the vibrational energy of that plant, flower, creature or environment.”
Cortese Design Bags are available online at: www.debracortese.com, and at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida where they sell an exclusive, custom designed line of Cortese bags.
Custom Designs for Businesses, Organizations, Fundraisers
Debra’s focus is on growing the Cortese line with additional fashion and home decor products and through licensing her designs with businesses and organizations that share a vision to increase awareness of our magical environment. She enjoys creating custom designs and collaborating on projects that promote positive, joyful vibrations in the world, and is particularly fond of projects that benefit the environment, animals and children.
Bag images and links at: https://www.debracortese.com/CorteseDesigns_PR_GiftGuides.html
photo: Paul Andre Photography
model: Diane Mooney
by Percy Cat | Oct 12, 2009 | art business, Art Licensing, General optimism, Moonlight Graphics Design Agency, nature's energy, Press Release
I actually started a part time job last week. (Yes, the current economic challenges have definitely affected my family/home/finances much more than I care to acknowledge or accept, but that’s another story and one I no longer care to tell.)
Anyway, after the first day of training – as a Starbucks barrista, I could feel that gnawing, nagging ache that I get whenever I’m doing something that is not aligned with what I enjoy, and what I believe I’m supposed to be doing with my life. So, I made the decision that I will continue to follow my dreams. I’ll continue to create art for pleasure, art for licensing, and art for wherever, whoever will enjoy it. But, I do need to feed the kid, cats, pay the utility bills and hopefully keep this roof over our heads!
I did run a successful design agency for over 20 years, and since I’ve had a fulfilling leave of absence… the time finally feels ok to get back to what I know and do best – help others creatively present, market and sell their products and services. Technology has changed a lot since I closed the Vermont Agency, but I’ve more than kept up with computers, software and I am practically addicted to social media marketing, so I know I’m ready for this. And, as much as I admire Starbucks, I’m letting my fantasy of being a super Barrista fade and will instead, happily look forward to enjoying a perfectly created cappuccino as an enthusiastically satisfied Starbucks customer 😉
That said, I’ll be looking for and accepting all kinds of design and production projects. If you, or someone you know, needs a logo, a brochure, post card, catalog, package design, web page, email ad, help setting up a blog or anything related to design and production, give me a call and we can chat a bit to see how I may be able to help you produce an effective, and attractive, product. I’m keeping my rates reasonable, will work hourly, by the job, or on contract. I prefer to discuss your needs first, then prepare an estimate and we can work from there. Everything is negotiable and I am especially interested in work that benefits the environment, children and animals, but of course, won’t be turning down business if it does not exactly pertain to these interests.
I’ll continue to create art for licensing, new handbags and whatever art/subjects inspire me. If you have any questions, comments or advice, I’d love to hear from you. I do plan to present several workshops on topics pertaining to design, production and social media marketing. Have already written several sections and am putting together a plan and schedule. As soon as these are ready, I’ll be posting dates, prices, etc. Thinking about starting a separate blog just for this.
Here’s a link to my ‘new’ Moonlight Graphics website. Check the View Portfolios to see samples of the some of the projects I’ve produced. Let me know if you have any ideas, leads, connections? I appreciate any/all networking connections and promise to pay it forward.
by Percy Cat | May 11, 2009 | ART, art business, Art Marketing Salon, cortese design handbags, Miami Art Marketing Salon, Press Release
‘Summer Salon’ Opening Reception, June 6th, 7-10 pm at Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts, Coconut Grove, FL
Join the Miami Art Marketing Salon artists for an opening reception that features a collective
exhibition of over 24 artists on Saturday, June 6th from 7 to 10 pm at the
Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery, 2911 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove, FL.Â
Live music, performance art (poetry, designer balloonist, fashion show), a feast of visual art and a few fabulous surprises!Â
Read more about the Miami Art Marketing Salon (based on ArtBiz Coach, Alyson Stanfield’s free online course) and the participating artists at:Â https://debracortese.com/?p=568
The SUMMER SALON art exhibition runs throughout the month of June.
“I’d Rather Be In The Studioâ€
Marketing & Business for ARTISTS by Alyson Stanfield
by Percy Cat | Apr 27, 2009 | art business, Art Marketing Salon, Miami Art Marketing Salon, Press Release
Miami Art Marketing Salon, an eclectic group of more than 20 artists, gather weekly for support at Windisch-Hunt Fine Art in Coconut Grove.
Coconut Grove, FL, April 27, 2009 “ The Art Market is not immune to recession. The Mei Moses Art Index that tracks pricing in the art market, is down 35% for the first quarter of 2009. Many Miami galleries are closing their doors.
But adversity breeds creativity and… leaders. To keep going, Miami artist Debra Cortese launched Miami Art Marketing Salon this month, a biz education and support group for local artists.
The idea was born last year when Cortese, whose trademark is Nature’s Energy art, took an online art business course by ArtBiz coach, Alyson Stanfield.
Stanfield, an author of I’d Rather Be In The Studio, the artist’s no-excuse guide to self-promotion, designed a concept of a “marketing salon†that offers a blueprint for artists to form a local support group.
The nine-meeting program plan can be downloaded from Stanfield’s website, artbizconnection.com, free of charge.
April 7, the day Cortese launched the Miami Art Markting Salon, more than 20 artists showed up at Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove. Annamaria Windisch-Hunt, the gallery owner and artist herself, is happy to host this creative group.
Cortese facilitates the salon using the free nine-meeting program plan developed by Alyson Stanfield. The program covers how to set goals, define your art, assess and improve sales opportunities and other important art business topics.
Balloon Artist, Irina Patterson, spotted Cortese’s post about the Miami Art Salon on Twitter and joined. Debra is a perfect example of a leader who turns an adversity into an advantage, Patterson said. If it wouldn’t be for her own desire to succeed, these local artists would probably never meet face-to-face. And what an amazing group this is!
More about the Miami Art Marketing Salon and the artists:
https://debracortese.com/?p=568
More about Alyson Stanfield & Stanfield Art Associates, art marketing consulting firm:
http://www.stanfieldart.com
http://www.artbizconnection.com
http://www.artbizcoach.com
http://www.artbizblog.com
contact:
Debra Cortese
305-665-2528
debra@debracortese.com
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