Refuse to simply settle

I don't know if it's simply stubbornness or willpower, but I'd like to think that I was meant for more than just a mundane kind of life. Perhaps that's the artist in me talking. I'd love to travel the globe and follow inspiration wherever it leads me. Someone once told me that it was easier to find work within the commonwealth than it was to find work in the states. Although I have set my sights on local jobs for now, I still haven't given up on my dream of finding work in Australia or New Zealand sometime in the future.

Owning Artwork doesn't have to break the bank

At this time of year, money can be tight! But buying artwork that you love doesn't have to break the bank.

Instead of selling purely original artwork for a steep amount, many artists are also taking into consideration the other 99%. Websites such as Society6 offer you artwork at a fraction of the price of the original. So if you're not concerned with an investment piece, and would gladly settle for a print—this is the direction for you! And just because it's a print doesn't mean it needs to look like it. A lot of fine art publishers are now offering art printed on canvas. So what is the incentive for an artist to sell prints? Although 100% of the proceeds don't go directly to the artist, it is a way to make art accessible to the masses... and I think worth the pay cut.

Taking a step back... to smell the...err.... coffee!

To quote a country song "It gets hard out here, I know it don't look it. I used to have heart, but the highway took it. The game was right, but the deal was crooked. Lord, I'll make it perfectly clear, it gets hard out here..."

Such is the story for most of us artist types (ain't that the truth? – hey, did you notice that I've picked up a Southern drawl somewhere along the way? How'd that happen? lol!) So, to update you on what I've been up to the last few weeks... I've taken a moment to sit back and relax, and look at all that I've accomplished. I'm happy to announce that I now have close to 100 twitter followers, 185 facebook page followers, and I'm now selling my products on Society6. Not too shabby (if I don't say so myself). I've also had meetings with curators about potential art gallery opportunities, and I have a few illustration leads I'm following as well.

It's easy to get frustrated in the beginning when it seems like all you do all day is network, check emails, and mail out resumes.... not exactly my favorite pastime, but who knows, you might be different :)

Just a little tip I thought I'd pass on to you: Keep it simple. Look for opportunities to make your art (or music, or whatever) accessible to the public.
Good luck out there!

Adapting... shade by shade

Artists these days need to be chameleons! I swear I've been all shades of the rainbow this past week. Job hunting is frustrating enough to send any poor chameleon into a raging RED fit! Lol. I've been busy adapting my portfolio and resume depending on the job title: Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Art Director etc. And it's no wonder we are constantly changing our job pursuits. The world is constantly changing, and as a result so is the art it inspires. Despite the craziness of trying to expand my freelance client base, I've managed to put in some time in front of my easel. Now that's what I call therapy! but....now to look for art galleries....

Panel: close-up

Click on image twice to enlarge and read text

Next step is to colour it digitally...

Band Poster (line work)

CD cover

cd cover for Amos Lee: keep it loose, keep it tight

A new project started...

Here's a new project I've just started this evening. I'm pretty psyched about it already. After looking through my portfolio I realized I'm lacking some work with a more 'sketchy' feel. So here is the main image for a cd cover I'm working on.

Selling out? or becoming successful?

close up of Hosta leaves in oil;
a work in progress...

Today I spent the day working on an oil painting series which I am hoping to take to a fine art publisher. When painting for this sort of market, it's important that the content appeals to the masses. The more prints sold = the more royalties you'll make. Of course this sort of income is limited since it'll take about 3,000 prints to make you $300. That's why it's also a good idea to think about a theme that is broad enough that you can continue to pump out fine art to add to the collection.
I must warn you though, there are people out there that will tell you that artists who paint for this purpose "sell out". I know because I've seen this sort of attitude in my prior studies when I was in a liberal arts program. However, I'm here to argue that without making money – you're not really in the industry are you? Money is what fuels our jobs (ANY job really). It's a reality. When art isn't a hobby, it's important to remember this. So be courageous and ignore the nay-sayers. 

From sketch to completion...

Sea Change
Short story illustration
Watercolour & Prismacolour
Vivian Gerber 2011