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
Keep working on the goals
Sometimes it is easy to give up, quit, change directions, let go, be discouraged and just plain stop working toward a goal or goals. Reasons are many…however, whatever the reasons if we stop before we reach our goals we cheat ourselves of so much. Reaching a goal gives us satisfaction on so many levels and to deny ourselves the pursuit of the goal is a real shame.
Quite frankly if I stop short of my art licensing goals I will not only prove my critics to be right, I will cheat myself of this journey and the joy of seeing my art on products. The pursuit of licensing my art has shown me many things about myself.
Perseverance—I have tested my resolve to persevere in spite of all the bumps and pot holes in this road. My level of perseverance is much stronger than I realized. In other words, I have a real “stick to it” ability to continue this pursuit and my resolve has not only been tested…I have proved my resolve to be alive and well and quite strong.
Creativity—my level of creative/artistic ability has grown and improved. I have found new levels of talent and my art has taken on new elements and variety. When I sketch, my pencil seems to have a mind of its own and I am creating art I have never created before.
Learning—I am stretching myself artistically and technologically. In this art licensing journey I have taught myself new software such as Photoshop and Illustrator…two new tools that are now a vital part of my art licensing journey. Since I have always loved computers this was and is a natural extension of my artistic and technology skills.
So…if I had given up after the first rejection or “advice” where would I be today? Less creative, less willing to pursue and less knowledgeable. For me…that is just unacceptable.
Here’s to more creativity and less giving up on goals!!!!!
Happy 4th of July
Freedom-to pursue my God given talents and dreams…
Independence-to live my life as I desire
There are many wonderful places to live on this earth…America has given me freedom and independence and I am grateful.
the art licensing dance…"
“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed, I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance….” (Lee Ann Womack)
This is a beautiful song and every time I hear it I am reminded how important it is to be doing what I love….those things that make me want to dance or sing or shout for joy. The song and dance in my life involves my family and art…I can’t dance or sing without my family or my art.
As I continue this art licensing journey, I choose to dance rather than sit it out. For everyone who has a dream, I hope you dance.
Live like there is no tomorrow!
heading toward point B on my art licensing journey
Things are humming around here…working hard for The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in July. Lots of new art in my sketch books waiting to be scanned for design work in Photoshop. The next couple of weeks will be filled with finalizing art collections, updating my portfolio, calling manufacturers to set up interviews and so much more. I will be on the road for a couple of weeks, away from distractions, focused on art and preparing for Atlanta. This journey is exciting and a little stressful; however, I am determined.
I received the following quote in a newsletter from Sally Evans and it really fits where I am in my art licensing journey. There is some hesitancy and thinking about drawing back; however, and that is a big however, I am committed to this next move. If I don’t totally commit I will never know what I can accomplish…so I Am Committed.
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
– quote by Scottish mountaineer William Hutchinson Murray
The only way I know to get from point A to point B is head toward point B….so I am headed to point B in my art licensing journey.
inspiration Saturday
“Courage is grace under pressure.” Ernest Hemingway
“Don’t live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable.” Wendy Wasserstein
“I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” Martha Washington
Social media or not?
To join social media…Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and all the other available media or not to join, that is my question. So far, I have resisted or maybe rebelled at the idea that I have to “live” my life through social media. There are lots of voices telling me that I must join, and I listen. However, as of this moment in time, although I have been tempted to jump in, I remain on the outside looking in.
My biggest concern is privacy…if there is such a thing anymore! Joining in the conversation looks like fun, a great place to connect, and share info; however, the privacy issue has me sitting on the sidelines. Not sure I will jump in or if I really want to.
Right now I have bigger issues on my plate….focusing on my art licensing portfolio and Jul 14 at
The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®
Exciting happenings are ahead and I will be ready, social media or not!
Disclaimer: I receive no financial benefit from including the Atlanta Market link in this post.