The Artist's Guide: How To Make A Living. Something to think about!

I attended an artist workshop last weekend and the keynote speaker was artist Jackie Battenfield. She is a fantastic speaker and has written a book about her successful art career and how it has afforded her the opportunity to support herself and family through her art! No starving artist here! She was able to go on vacations, put her kids through college etc. all through her art. She wrote a book about it and shares tips for artists who wish to do the same. The link is below.


http://www.artistcareerguide.com/

One point she also made, that I thought was a great idea, was to approach your work from a "project" perspective, that way you might be able to apply for a grant to help pay your expenses and help the community as a whole while you are working. That is something I would never have considered as an illustrator, but I could create a "project" where I work with kids exploring where they live through "art" and then put a show on at a gallery, all the while I'm creating art that I can use elsewhere! I was definitely inspired!

Greater Hartford Arts Council

The seminar I attended Saturday was FANTASTIC. It was so well run, and so informative that I left the day feeling totally energized to be an artist. It also offered a fantastic opportunity to network and practice networking.

Some of my takeaways:
- Most artists have "hybrid" careers - one job to make the money, tons of other little jobs to execute their craft. Made me feel good that that's what folks do. It's hard to earn a living off of one thing.

- The seminar reinforced that ART SELLS PRODUCTS - hello, why are you attracted to that CD label, cereal box, wine label??? It's because the ART captures your attention. The world revolves around ART!!! We can't forget that!

- As artists we need to build our own communities for support and empowerment. Get your inner circle going and meet on a regular basis to brainstorm, critique each others work, provide support and share resources etc.

The keynote speaker was James Grace, an attorney (and author among other things) who founded the volunteer lawyers for the arts of mass. he was fantastic. He talked about a program he pulled together called the "Artists Professional Toolbox" its a program that helps artists develop the skills they need to move to the next level of their career and realize their dreams. it's definitely worth checking out. My take away from his speech was profound, and yet very simple. As we move ahead along our artistic journey, we need to remember that we are, and seek out opportunities to be:

- an artist
- a person
- a small business
- an agent for change
- a Community member/leader

My head is still buzzing! The next workshop is scheduled for May 1 in North Haven. I'm signed up and ready to roll. Go here for more info: www.letsgoarts.org

Artist Seminar In The Hartford Ct. Area

The Hartford Arts Council is having a seminar called "Taking Care Of Business: Business Strategies" for artists. It's Saturday April 10th and looks pretty awesome, nice seminars and networking session. I'm signed up. To check it out go here:

Lets Go Arts

Note Cards Are At The Printer!

Yahoo! My first foray into producing and selling my own work!

I created a series of seven inspirational note cards that are now at the printer. My plan is to take the prototypes around to local shops to see if they would like to carry them.
I designed them with the store Soft Surroundings in mind. It's a popular woman's catalogue with 4 stores throughout the US. One is in Evergreen Walk in South Windsor Ct. (very close to my home). It's probably one of the most beautiful stores I've been into and is truly a cool chick store! So with the help of my friend Claudette we'll be heading over there to see if they'd like to be the first retailer to carry the cards! I'll blog about the outcome!

This is an image of one of the cards. I had a suggestion from a friend in Iowa, to put glitter on the cards and I'm gonna try that out. These will be packaged individually and will sell for about $2.00 each. I still need to figure out pricing for packaging all seven. So, more to come! Also, at some point in the near future you'll be able to purchase stuff from my website fifishead

So stay tuned!

Al Frazza, Page17Design

As I've mentioned in earlier posts I've been working with Al Frazza, owner of Page17Design, doing graphics/illustrations for his clients. He recently reinvented his website and I was lucky enough to be a part of the process, helping him with copy writing and as a sounding board for design.

I can't recommend his business enough, anyone in need of a truly unique website that works both visually and technically, he can do it. You can also trust him to do things well, deliver on time and to have your interests and needs in mind though out the whole process. Check his new site out through the link I've provided above (click on "Al Frazza"), he's done some fantastic work. You can also call him to discuss your website needs if you don't know where to begin, that's exactly what I did before he designed my website.

Photoshop Classes

This year I'm focusing on improving my technical skills.

I'm working with Al Frazza from Page 17 Design - Website Design and Search Engine Optimization. He is teaching me Photoshop remotely, it's cool, we set up the session through "go to meeting" and we conference over the web and he can access my desk top. Very cool stuff and it's definatley helping me out.

Al Frazza also does great web design, so check him out (he's an artist, so he understands artists!). He can be reached through his web site www.page17design.com

Fifi has landed

We'll it's been a while. We moved and fifi was out of commission for about 3 months. We encountered more work than anticipated but we are getting settled and looking forward to the holidays.

I was actually able to do some creative stuff today for the first time in a WHILE and it was great. New stuff will follow shortly.

Studio Newsletters Are In The Mail!

Check your mailbox in the next few days for news and updates from fifishead. Not on our mailing list? Please email us your name and address and we'd be happy to put you on the list for the next mailing!

aileencasey@fifishead.com

The Booth!

Here's a picture of what our booth looked like at Surtex this year. It's cool to compare it to the drawing I did, it was great to see something go from an idea in my head, to reality.

Although the booth looked pretty good, I think I missed the mark on a few things. First of all, folks walking the show need to see tight comps and full product lines of merchandise. My booth was too image oriented, so next year I need to take my drawing and expand them into more patterns, products and "lines". The second thing I probably wont do next year is produce prototypes of "stuff". I had T-shirts, Bags and Greeting Cards in the booth, I think that caused confusion. Folks didnt know what was going on, where these products I was selling or stuff that I had licensed? So I could have saved myself a little bit of money.

All in all the show was great. As Imentioned in an earlier post, I have a lot of leads and have a greater understanding of what I need to do next year. So on to the studio to flesh out designs, draw some more and work my contacts!!!

I started a Yahoo group for artists interested in making it big in the licensing world, if you are interested in joining (artist looking to network, manufacturer looking for awesome art, agents looking for the next best thing), email me and I'll send you an invite aileencasey@fifishead.com

WE'RE BACK!

What a whirlwind, it's been a week and what a crazy week it's been. The show was great, we met a ton of people and some really great and talented artists. I'm spending this week catching up with folks and following up on leads.

One benefit to doing Surtex is you get a masters degree in what you are capable of doing (and not doing). You get a good sense of where you fit in and the work you need to do to navigate this crazy world of licensing. One very strong message I got was my art is definitely whimsical and geared towards kids and "happy" products (lawn and garden, stickers, balloons etc.). I wouldn't have even thought of that prior to the show.

The one thing I didn't get out of the show were leads for publishing houses, but I hear there is a book show out on the west coast and one in Italy that I should attend. So again, you learn about your niche and where to reach the audience who is interested in it. IT'S ALL GOOD, this artist is happy.

So now I'm going to work on art for stickers, wall decals, balloons, children's books and all things green (another big market out there looking for great images) and happy. I'm also going to paint some more. Stay tuned!

DayTwo

We had a great day and made another batch of contacts. The energy of the show was completely different than Sunday, it was more "professional" and quiet versus Sunday's numerous bursts of energy. 

I'm psyched, I met some folks from Sullivan Papers, they were really cool and are located in Springfield Mass, about 45 minutes from the studio. They manufacture paper and paper products, I think the folks we met do the fundraising side of the business (schools sell their wrapping paper to raise money). We also met a really nice guy from Hayes Company, they manufacture garden and outdoor items and some folks from Pearson publications. ALL GREAT!!!

We are headed into Day Three and we are all POOPED and our feet hurt, but we are having a ton of fun, are eating well, and are meeting really great people. YAHOO!

Day One

The first day of the show was fun and VERY long. We've met a ton of people and might have a contact or two. The show ended at 6:00 and we went on a networking cruise around the Hudson and danced our butt off. We've been told that Monday is the busy day, we are very excited and I'll keep you all posted.  


   

fifi has landed!

We are here! Set up began at 8:00 this morning. We were one of the first teams to show up and had everything set up and ready to go by 11:30. We are super excited! 

The show begins tomorrow at 9:00 am. This is a picture of the booth and of Suzie in front of the marquee. The other artists in our row are super nice (and talented) and are also first time exhibitors too. Stay tuned!

Aileen

It's coming together

I should be able to pick up the booth panels tomorrow, I'm hoping they turned out well. I have one portfolio together and need to make copies, I also need to order some products and work on the media kits. AHHHH there's a lot to do and I only have 2 weeks. It will all get done! Here's some new art . . .

The Booth Design

Scott and I worked on the booth design for Surtex, and it's awesome, now I just need to produce it. AHHH. Here's a comp.

I'm getting very excited for the show!

Ad for the Surtex Program

It's coming together, we have the three categories and logos. This is our ad for the Surtex Program guide, I like it!

I got all of the exhibitor paper work done, I'm working on the media kit and now I need to figure out how to produce the booth!

I think the countdown has begun, it's only two months away . . . ahhhhh. Also, the row that I am exhibiting in is not sold out, I checked out the floorplan from last year and I don't believe it was sold out then either.

On The Surface March Newsletter

We were picked up in Surtex's monthly e-letter - yahoo! Click on the link below and choose the March edition of "on the surface". We are located on the right panel under "SNEEK PEEK". Look for the picture of the grasshopper . . .

http://www.surtex.com/showinfo/news.html

The meeting was great

So we had our official "prepare fifi for Surtex" meeting and it was great. We identified categories for fifi's art, I have a referral for an attorney and we are working on a press kit. I also know what art I need to fill in the gaps.

I was checking out the floor plan for Surtex and the section we are in is not sold out yet, but we have a few agents and really good artists all around us. Pretty intimidating!! This is scary and fun at the same time.

Next thing I need to get my head around? That I might actually generate some business. Ha, ha, ha.

Meeting At Headquarters

I'm hoping to get together with my circle of very talented friends so they can help me develop my strategy for Surtex. We are looking to get together 2/23 to discuss the industry, where fifi fits in, we'll discuss our sales strategy as well as booth design and fifis portfolio.

I am very lucky to have such talented and successful friends. They are also a ton of fun and provide all the encouragement a girl could want. I'll post the outcome of the meeting as well as some pictures, cuz you know there will be some dancing going on!!

I continue to work on "stuff". I'm focusing on filling out my "Inspirational" line with some computer generated images for some of the things I've written. These would be perfect for calendars, cards and card decks. I'll post some of them later
.

Web site

My new and improved web site is about ready to roll. It's pretty simple, but was created to be updated as I learn more about the industry. One of the things that's really hard is to figure out which pieces of art to showcase, so I just went with my gut and will bring everything to Surtex :)

Now that the web site is done, I can focus on the other Marketing opportunities Surtex offers. Got to get the word out about fifi!