Selling Your Art Course

[Kathysutterlin]

A huge  to Dennis and Nolan for putting the "Selling Your Art" course on sale this weekend. Wow, what a generous offer. I have been looking at this class for months. Again     

[nolan]

  with the course

[Kathysutterlin]

  Nolan.

I've watched and read the first module. I have lots of contemplation and fabulous homework to do. I'm not ready to sell my artwork yet.  I have to create it first.    I do mostly lessons to learn. What I know for sure is that I love what I am doing and learning. I can't wait to get home to my art supplies in the evening and draw.

I laid awake last night thinking about the mediums I enjoy, my signature, and what would be my recognizable style.
I have lots of ideas bouncing around in my head. I want to continue as I am presently by taking lots of classes, working on my own pieces, experiment and grow.

Thank you for giving me direction as I take the time to hone my skills and prep and plan for an enjoyable future. 

[Annie.]

That's called PASSION, the key ingredient to success!   

[Kathysutterlin]

That's called PASSION, the key ingredient to success!   

Yes, Annie. The passion is there.  I never dreamed I would be doing any of this and had no idea that I would love it so much.

You took this course too, didn't you?

I actually wasn't planning to do the course for another year or so but with the sale price I decided to go for it. This may actually be perfect because I can take my time and apply what the course teaches as I learn. It is already pushing me to get serious about my personal direction.

  for commenting as I really would like to bounce ideas and thoughts around as they come up. 

[plattkj]

I agree 100%.    I decided to buy the course as well while on sale.    Started to paint in earnest about 8 months ago and am really enjoying it!    Since I don't have enough wall space for everything I hope to sell some.    My only problem is that right now I hate to part with any of my paintings 

[Annie.]

You will both enjoy the course.  Yes, I took it when it was relased, as a contemplation for my daughter's art work. 

Just one month ago we decided it was time to start a little business for her.  I started by making some card (greeting cards, blank inside) for Xmas gifts.  I will go see the proof tomorrow.  Next will come business cards, etc.

She got 3 commissions so far...

She won't part from her originals either... so we will consider joining FAA instead, and will slowly check out if other venues are good for her.

That course is simply packed with all you need to know... and more.

Enjoy!

[Kathysutterlin]

I agree 100%.    I decided to buy the course as well while on sale.    Started to paint in earnest about 8 months ago and am really enjoying it!    Since I don't have enough wall space for everything I hope to sell some.    My only problem is that right now I hate to part with any of my paintings 

 
Oh how nice that you are doing the course too, plattkj. Please do share some of your work with us. I'd love to see what your doing. We have such a supportive and friendly group here.

I have saved everything too. Of course, I can't and won't be selling lesson material.

Like you, I don't want to part with my originals. I did have one commission a few months ago. It was so exciting to create drawings for someone else. Those were easier to part with because I had my client in mind as I drew them. I'm hoping that will be the same as I create paintings and drawing for sale. I guess it's a mindset. As Nolan said, a piece of us goes with the artworks we will sell. That's ok with me. 

[Annie.]

Kathy,
I asked that same question to Sharon, PB member, who has a successful art business in California.  Her answer was she paints to sale and that she is happy with keeping a photo of each of her paintings.

She may have more to say if she sees this post, but I guess, yes, it is a mind set.  Maybe it is because at the beginning when we like one of our 'creation' we are afraid we may never be able to do it again...   I know I felt strongly that way when I did my first oil.  My current avatar... really should update that!

[Val]

Annie, your avatar is still my favourite of your paintings.

[Kathysutterlin]

Kathy,
I asked that same question to Sharon, PB member, who has a successful art business in California.  Her answer was she paints to sale and that she is happy with keeping a photo of each of her paintings.

She may have more to say if she sees this post, but I guess, yes, it is a mind set.  Maybe it is because at the beginning when we like one of our 'creation' we are afraid we may never be able to do it again...   I know I felt strongly that way when I did my first oil.  My current avatar... really should update that!

Yes, Sharon's art business is quite an inspiration to me. If I remember correctly, she has grown and learned right here at PB.

Your avatar is very special.  No other will ever be your "first".

[Kathysutterlin]

  I've been playing around with my signature. I'd love some feed back as to how some of you came up with yours.

I like just my first name best but Kathy is such a common name. Does that matter? I've been signing the last few months with both first and last name but it seems to long for me and takes up too much space on the artwork. I've also been playing around with my initials "kms".

The colored pencil drawing I just finished today has my first name only.  What do you think?

Details

[MaryAnne Long]

I am signature challenged, too.

I love how you write "Kathy."  It flows beautifully.

I use different signatures for different things.  I do a lower-case cursive "mal" for oil and regular watercolor.  I use "mea" for more abstract stuff. 

I use my last name in block letters for pencil work.

aloha

me

[Annie.]

Kathy,
Nolan discuss signature in one of the lesson.

Personally I prefer Kathy.  First, it is much easier to remember then KMS.  It would take people time to match you and your painting to KMS.  One reason is because there are no vowel in it, unlike Mea and Mal.  Second your signature is a nice cursive style which make it unique... as opposed to block letter.  So your signature meets the requirement of being unique.

Write your full mane on the back of the painting with the year and media if you like.

[Annie.]

  Val for your kind word.  What a boost for a gloomy -16C day, with all the paperwork of the end of the month to do.