Nice Horoscope, Huh?

This is from Rob Bresney's Free Will Astrology (www.freewillastrology.com), I love his horoscopes and passionate ramblings. Sometimes they are so spot on it's creepy.

This has been a great year for me in terms of focusing on what I want to do for the rest of my life (art!!) and I've made some giant steps (attending Surtex, kicking ass in the studio, picking up jobs etc.). I'm still trying to find some balance (working full time outside of the art world, being a mom, wife, getting fifishead out into the world etc.) but I don't think that's going to happen for a while (maybe it never happens and it's just a myth the "finding balance myth" ha, ha, ha).

Thank GOD I have a fantastic support network of family and friends. Cuz ya know, with out them none of this would be possible.

I think you should all go to www.freewillastrology.com and check out your horoscopes!

ARIES (March 21-April 19): We're halfway through 2008. It's a perfect moment to take inventory of how well you're capitalizing on this year's unique opportunities. So let me ask you, Aries: Are you working your ass off in order to stoke the fire in your belly? In other words, are you doing everything you can think of to get more motivated? Are you trying hard to supercharge your ambitions and refine your passions? If so, this will be the year when you finally figure out how to do what you love to do a majority of the time -- and how to get rewarded by the world for doing it. It's high time to answer your highest calling.

Latest Work

So I've been focusing on holiday artwork and fleshing out some of the images in my portfolio. Here's a sampling of the stuff I worked on over the weekend. 

I need to draw some more! 

I'm also working on a fifishead newsletter, that should be ready to go out the end of this week. I figure that will be a good way to keep everyone posted of the "goings on" at the studio.

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