Hi there!

I do mainly commission work. I use to do a few art shows a year but have cut it down to one a year that I mentioned in earlier post since it is the "Big Daddy" of them all. I display some of my work, have prints, cards, bookmarks but also have a web site. I only have my pencils on it now. My son is designing it and he is one busy little guy so progress is slow but sure!!

I enjoy the commission work more than any of the other. The others you mentioned in your post are amazing artists. I hope they see your post soon and can also share their experience with you! :)

The image is one of my displays. I have two different types, depending on where I display.

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Originally Posted by WVHiflyer

I just checked out some of the other postings... so many do such great stuff. Among my favs were some of work of chek101 (paintings are great!), grammadidi, jrebel7, templelane.......

How many sell or do most of y'all do it for enjoyment?


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To answer your question in the last sentence, I always tell people that I do my drawings for the enjoyment of it. If they sell, it is just icing on the cake. I have already received joy from just creating the piece! (Don't get me wrong, cash is nice and rewarding. It sort of validates me as an artist in the public eye but I would do the pieces whether they sell or not. People tell me to draw what sells in this area. I tell them, I draw what moves me and inspires me. If it sells... as I say... icing!

I am not good at marketing, don't have a drive to do it. It isn't my goal. Some of the other artists mentioned will have wonderful things to share with you.

I also went to a local gift store and approached the owner about carrying a line of my note cards!! She said yes!! Always open doors somewhere! LOL

Concerning the marketing of what you might like to sell, WVHiflyer, I can definitely help you with that, if you would like to know how to do it...

BG, I just read a link today stating an artist should never explain an art piece. I understood what they were saying but I have to say that some art pieces do stand best with no explanation but allow the viewer to draw their own conclusion but hope you feel it is OK for me to share a bit about the drawing you mentioned, the dog and the girl. The piece is called, "Ultimate Trust". The dog had been tied to a stop sign with a rope and shot in the upper part of the nose with a .22 bullet. The dog chewed it's way loose, crawled to a dry creek bed and fell in. Duncan was discovered and taken to a Veterinarian Clinic. I was contacted to do a commission drawing of one of the workers at the clinic and Duncan. The story hit the front page of the paper where the people live that commissioned it. The man's wife worked at the clinic. Offers came from all over the place to adopt Duncan, money poured in to pay for Duncan's care. Duncan is now alive and well!! When I create a piece, I sometimes write a little one page fictional story about it or just give my thoughts on the piece. I named it "Ultimate Trust" because I know that little precious dog, had to relearn to trust and the employees at the clinic surely instilled that trust back into that dog. When animals or people are hurt, the physical scars heal fairly quickly for the most part but sometimes, the injuries to the spirit take more time. I felt that the look on Duncan's face expressed "Ultimate Trust". Thank you for sharing that you liked it.

Jrebel look at his eyes they show trust not only that but the way he allows her to hold him. That makes me cry... I know that look because, I have animals that have that same look... they also let out a sigh a special sigh.. so often one of my dogs will lay their head on my lap, across my leg or across the top of my feet and let out that "sigh" like they know they are safe, they are home and will never be hurt or hungry again.
To me that look and sigh is better than a wag of a tail any day.. but hey I like wags too... ok now mine are going on their 3rd walk of the day... all of this sappy dog talk.

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Originally Posted by bushg

Jrebel look at his eyes they show trust not only thta but the way he allows her to hold him. That makes me cry....I know that look because, I have animals that have that same look....they also let out a sigh a special sigh..so often one of my dogs will lay their head on my lap, across my leg or across the top of my feet and let out that "sigh" like they know they are safe, they are home and will never be hurt or hungry again.
To me that look and sigh is better than a wag of a tail any day..but hey I like wags too....ok now mine are going on their 3rd walk of the day....all of this sappy dog talk.

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BG, you have such a loving heart! People who love their pets, generally are just warm and loving people and make great friends. I count you as one of mine! :p

Thank you... I take that as a compliment.
Btw I wanted to remark, that is an awfully cute baby your holding... I like how that little foot is sticking out and how she is so snuggly against your chest.

Thank you! She is a sweetie all right!! She is a little snuggler! :)

Clough - I'd appreciate any help in that area. Either post here or send by e-mail. Thanks!



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Originally Posted by WVHiflyer

Clough - I'd appreciate any help in that area. Either post here or send by e-mail. Thanx!

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Will do, WVHiflyer! Some of the more recent stuff that I have posted about marketing is floating around in other posts on this site - so, will have to search for them. In the meantime, you might want to check out the following old posts to give you some initial ideas. Most of the information that is on them concerning marketing could easily be used for the marketing of just about any business or goods.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/music/...ng-103010.html

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/home-b...ea-110737.html

Clough - I chk'd those other posts and you've already given me some ideas and useful tips. I really appreciate the time you took.



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Sean, are you working on any art projects now?? Waiting to see your next one! :)

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Originally Posted by WVHiflyer

I peeked in the Art subject before, but couldn't answer any or the questions. Now I find that y'all are willing to see our own art.... I'm gonna try and see if I can manage to post 1 here. (This old pencil drawing of Mel Blount is the only one of my art I have on my 'puter - it was scanned >10 yrs ago w/ Win95 and has some pixel errors.)

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WOW! Truly amazing my fellow arteest! You sound exactly like me... I do my best work from pictures as well. One idea I had was that if you have a camera, you can take your own photos of whatever inspires you (at the moment, for me, it's big old trees with twisting bows and the no leaves and look) and draw from them-that way, it really is unique and your own inspiration, yet you still drew it from a picture.

Can't wait to see more of your awesome work! :)

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Originally Posted by Moparbyfar

WOW! Truly amazing my fellow arteest! You sound exactly like me...I do my best work from pictures as well. One idea I had was that if you have a camera, you can take your own photos of whatever inspires you (at the moment, for me, it's big old trees with twisting bows and the no leaves and look) and draw from them-that way, it really is unique and your own inspiration, yet you still drew it from a picture.

Can't wait to see more of your awesome work! :)

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Thanks much!
Most of the pics in my albums are of things. Before my sis stole my camera I too mucho rolls with the intent of getting some to draw/paint. Problem is, I could never decide which to do :rolleyes: I did do 2 acrylics of sites at Erie's Presque Isle (had 2 pieces of wood to experiment with) and if I weren't so modest I'd tell you how great they are. :o

Tonight I put an ad on Craig's List and I'd like to know what y'all think.
[Pittsburgh; Services; Creative; Portraits (people or pets)]

Hi again, WVHiflyer!

I did find your ad on craigslist for the Pittsburgh, PA area. My initial response is that it would help if you had more information about you in it in order to be credible and trustworthy of potential customers. I would like to work with you on this, but, we must be careful to word things on this site so that they don't appear to be advertising on this site. This is going to take some time because we all aren't on here at the same time and also we all have our individual obligations outside of this site.

You did a good, initial job of placing an ad. It's taken me over three years of work to know how and where to place ads on the Internet. I have become good enough at placing ads so that they get great exposure when people do searching for things on the Internet, that I have made doing that for people one of my businesses.

Please don't be afraid of putting your first and last name as well as your complete contact information like, phone number and email address. Your home or studio address probably isn't as important at this point since you are just starting with the advertising. But, people do need to be able to contact you in a number of ways, and not just by the anonymous way on craigslist.org. You could even post some images of what you have done on craigslist.org in order to gain business. I have posted images on craigslist in order to advertise for some groups that I advertise for locally around where I live.

You will get the hang of this concerning the advertising. As I have already stated in a number of places on this site, most of my business comes from the free ads that I have placed on the Internet. Because of that, I am thinking of getting rid of my ads in the Yellow Pages of the local phone book because the Internet has worked out so much better for me!

Here are a few of suggested re-titles of your ads for starts:

Pittsburgh, PA Area Portrait Artist Available for Hire

Portrait Artist Available for Work in the Pittsburgh, PA Area

People or Pet Portraits Drawn in the Pittsburgh, PA Area

Pittsburgh Area Artist Draws People or Pets to your Specifications

Just some ideas...

Am looking forward to working with you on this!

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by jrebel7

Sean, are you working on any art projects now??? Waiting to see your next one! :)

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we are now starting on our final art project for this year (yr 12s only do 3 terms instead of 4, and then just exams)
We have to do it with a simulated client/artist relationship, and we were randomly given the projects. I have to do a ceramic wall piece for a Tuscan style backyard :)
and the project theme is "Seasons"
:) should be fun
I will post some pics of some projects I haven't yet posted soon :)

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Originally Posted by cal823

we are now starting on our final art project for this year (yr 12s only do 3 terms instead of 4, and then just exams)
We have to do it with a simulated client/artist relationship, and we were randomly given the projects. I have to do a ceramic wall piece for a Tuscan style backyard :)
and the project theme is "Seasons"
:) should be fun
i will post some pics of some projects i havnt yet posted soon :)

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Glad to hear from you and will anxiously await your posts of your work. Hot day here today and dream land is calling me. I will be checking to see your work. I miss seeing you post. Have you posted some on another thread and I just missed them? If so, redirect me please!! :p

Lol I haven't posted much lately
I will try to be more posty soon :)

Flyer,
Great work!
And do heed the advice of Clough and Jan,they are pros when it comes to marketing and selling art work.


Jan,
Wonderful to see your pic here...
I love the art piece right above your head in the background.

G,
Did I miss your work here?

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Originally Posted by Moparbyfar

One idea I had was that if you have a camera, you can take your own photos of whatever inspires you (at the moment, for me, it's big old trees with twisting bows and the no leaves and look) and draw from them-that way, it really is unique and your own inspiration, yet you still drew it from a picture.

Can't wait to see more of your awesome work! :)

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I would love to see some of your work of tree photographs in art...


Hello all artists,
Hoping to see more of everyone's work here:D.

Firmy, glad to see you! Glad you liked the piece. At the moment, can't remember which one but will go back and see which one it is. LOL

Cal, waiting patiently for posts of your work!! Not impatient or anything. Ha. Well, maybe a little. Not much art being posted and I get really hungry to see other's work and talk art. Miss the back and forth discussions on art.