Archive for art licensing
Do you know how to swim?
In an old John Wayne movie (don’t remember the name) there is a scene with a little boy fishing, but he is not catching any fish. He asks John Wayne why, and Wayne tells him the sun is behind him and casting his shadow on the water. The little boy asks what he should do. Mr. Wayne informs him he should fish on the other side of the river. “How do I get there?” the little boy asks. “you swim.” is John Wayne’s reply. “I don’t know how to swim,” was the quick reply by the the little boy. Well…John Wayne picks him up by the seat of his pants and tosses him into the river and begins to yell instructions on how to swim. The mother runs up terrified that her child will drown. John Wayne in his typical fashion tells her he will never learn unless he gets in the water.
I tell this to make a simple point…at some time in our lives we have to jump in and learn how to swim. That is my theory about swimming as well as art licensing. There will always be someone who will tell us we can’t swim. Swimming is a skill and it is acquired through participation…well, guess what? In order to swim in the big sea of art licensing….I have to get into the water to participate and learn how to swim.
There is a learning curve to any skill, educational endeavor or learning anything new. If we don’t get into the water, we will never learn, grow, fulfill our dreams or succeed in anything.
The question is do we want to swim? Whatever we are pursuing in life requires that we let go of our fears and anything that keeps us tied to the safe side of the river. It is just a matter of participation…let’s swim!
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Focusing on the goal….and seeing all the details
Having a goal or goals is important; however, seeing all the small details that will help you reach your goal is also important. How do you do that? Not easy…in fact, sometimes it is down right hard to see the big picture and juggle all the small details. So, what do I do?
Lists, a written plan, and breaking down tasks into smaller units that are easier to accomplish. I try to remember that a puzzle is put together one piece at time, and that big goal that is looming in front of me is a puzzle and will be attained slowly as I work out all the small details..
My big picture is licensing my art to multiple companies. The small details are creating more art to add to my portfolio, creating collections of art, researching manufacturers, contacting art directors and many other details are on my list and in my plan.
Will it all be accomplished? Yes it will, especially if I work at it like putting together a puzzle.
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the starting point..
What is the best formula for success? Action!
You have a dream or an idea and you hope to make this dream or idea happen; maybe you really don’t know where or how to begin.
Take action of some kind…make a list of actions that will start you on your journey. Find experts in the area you are interested in, read their blogs, books, follow their work. Get to know them, and learn how they achieved their success.
Since I am pursuing art licensing, I have been following experts…artists who have been in this industry for a number of years and are successful. Here is a brief bit of info I have gleaned.
On a recent Tara Reed Ask Call with artist Paul Brent these were the take away bits for me.
The top three items on his list of how to start in art licensing were:
1. Create a portfolio
2. Walk Surtex, an art licensing show.
3. Research companies who license art.
I have a portfolio; however, adding to it daily is on my action plan. Researching companies and making contacts is another part of my action plan. I recently walked the Atlanta Gift Show and walking Surtex is on my action plan for 2011.
Taking action means doing something; get out there, act on your dream and eventually the dream becomes reality.
(Go here to read more from and about Tara Reed. http://artlicensingblog.com/Art Licensing Blog) I am not affiliated with Tara Reed, nor do I receive any benefits from recommending her.
All content within this website is copyright protected. Do not use in any form without my written permission.
keeping it simple
Simplicity…what does it mean to you?
Simplicity for me is using my God given talents, enjoying family, life, art, friends, exploring nature and learning from and following other creative souls such as Kelly Rae Roberts. She is so talented and her work is beautiful! Visit her website you will be glad you did!
Be inspired to find your simplicity!
thinking on good things
Today I received a sweet email from artist Carla Grogan and she inspired me with this scripture….
"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things!" (Phil 4:8).
Isn’t that beautiful and such great advice….spending time on good things makes us all happier and even healthier.
…by the way here are places where you can buy Carla’s work…she is a talented artist, her work is beautiful and the message she shares reflects Phil 4:8.
Here’s to living a life filled with good things…always remembering that all we give to others will bring happiness in return.
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a little help from my friends
I had two great meetings today and lots of words of encouragement. Getting feedback on my portfolio, guidance and suggestions on ways to make changes and ways to advance my art career are so helpful and very welcomed. Two voices with different backgrounds looking at my art and being honest with their critique and with their guidance…well I can’t ask for more than that.
New opportunities are opening up for me…I’ll share when things are signed, sealed and delivered. In the meantime…I am working hard and new art and design ideas are filling up my sketch books.
It truly is a blessing to be doing what I love!
meeting and sharing with other artists
What fun to meet other artists and share this art licensing journey. A recent find for me is Artist Gail Shelton. Wow, she is talented! She will be successful with art licensing I am certain…her art work is beautiful and she knows the retail end of the business. I will be following her as she continues her quest to license her work. Thanks Gail for taking time to answer my email and sharing your story with me.
So many artists with so much talent…it is really inspiring to meet other artists. I love all the talent and variety in the artists I have had the pleasure of connecting with via the internet and locally.
What really makes me happy is that most artists are so willing to help and encourage others to use their talents and there doesn’t seem to be a “competition” element. That is refreshing! As I see it all this talent is God given and really on loan to each of us…so sharing and encouraging someone else is really required.
In fact, that attitude should be applied to every part of our lives and in whatever our field of work may be. Wouldn’t we all be better people if we helped someone else along the way?
my viewpoint
So thankful I took the plunge and made the four hour trip to Atlanta for the Gift show. Three buildings full of art licensing opportunities, and I took in all I could in a short span of time. What fun I am having on this art licensing journey; enjoying the journey is very important.
Keeping focused and finding joy is at the top of my “to do” list.
Lots of great things in the works
I just spent a couple of days in Atlanta for the Gift and Home Furnishings Market. It was so much fun meeting with manufacturers, showing my portfolio, seeing lots of products, meeting other artists and learning so much about licensing. There are some licensing opportunities opening for me and I will be busy putting new designs together, submitting more art for consideration and lots of follow up for meetings I had with manufacturers. It is exciting and I am grateful.
Two artist friends were there also and it was good to spend time with Caroline Simas and Jenny Jordan. Manual Woodworkers and Weavers were launching Caroline’s designs.
While walking the aisles of the Mart I was surprised to see a friend and it was great to chat with her and her sister. Another surprise was meeting artist Donna Downey. It was great to meet her and her husband. Demdaco has just launched Donna’s original art wall hangings and they are beautiful.
Overall it was a great show, lots of traffic and everyone was so kind, generous and helpful. When the January show rolls around, I plan to be there!
Remember…”you can’t take the next step until you take the first step!”vickielea