Free Video Art Lessons - Sponsored by Jerry's Artarama

These days there are many well known and some not so well known artists supplementing their incomes by producing DVD's on various art lessons or videos that you can download for a fee from either a Production Company, YouTube, or their own websites.  

In some cases, I can see justification in paying for a DVD or video download for certain techniques every now and then, but before you do that, please check out the 1000+ Free Art lessons that Jerry's Artarama shares with you online on their website completely free.  Yes, that is right, FREE!    
There are search Categories to narrow down exactly what you are interested in, such as Search by Artist, Skill Level, Medium, Subject or Private Demos. You can also search the newest video art lessons or the most watched.  It is truly an entire art video library at your finger steps holding all the information you need to advance forward in your particular interest or skill set.  
Here is the link to get started. There is something on here that I am sure will interest you. 

Free Video Art Lessons
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/free-art-instruction-videos.html

Catching Up...is hard to do, when ART is not your only interest

I am ashamed, I admit, that I have never been able to find a single niche and stick to it. Instead I start many things at once without a single focus for very long and in the end, I find myself scrambling to catch up on all the tasks that get left behind on many other interests. 

It's true one of my biggest fears or anxiety in life is always "running out of time" and yet it does not keep me from juggling way too much for one person.  So there was a time, in the last decade when creating ART was my sole focus, and before that it was handcrafted JEWELRY however, since then, I took on so many other interests such as Private Investigation, an AMSOIL dealership, an AMAZON store, an eBAY store, an eBAY Trading Assistant Service, Notary Service, Affiliate Marketing, 6 or 7 other blogs, Multiple Websites to manage, and I am sure I have forgotten something, and why yes! a FULL TIME Job since I was 16! and many, many of those years I had multiple jobs on the side. Perhaps I am a "do" aholic. It sounds much better than workaholic. The truth is I recognized at one time the things I am really good at and so I want to do them all. Is that so bad? Well it can be. I can stop at anytime during the day and easily come up with 40 things on a list I want to do, not need, but want. The problem...Never enough time! Usually when I come home from work, I am working all over again for my customers, sometimes until midnight.

So I am finally getting to my point, and the way I feel about a niche and time. I can't resist the urge to dive into EVERYTHING and yet, it is really hard work to do all of these things at once, and yet I can't put one single thing completely away for good. It is a struggle of mine that I have been working on for many years. So, here I am again, focusing on Art again. I am back, and the proof is in this very article. It is true it takes me about a year to get there again after going full circle, because everything else keeps me so busy, and yet Art is my one true love, the one thing that I really feel is relaxing, and therapeutic, enjoyable, not stressful and yet, I can't seem to just focus on just Art.

I have several fellow Artists I stay in communication with and I admire them very much for their drive, their focus, their tenacity to push themselves to the limits but they always staying focused on one thing ART. That like I said is my weakness. I want to do it all and there is never enough time.

I have too many interests, I always have, even in my teens, 20's, 30's and well now, I am giving away my age and you know as you get older time runs out...LOL!

Well, I won't bore you any longer, I just wanted to post a few paintings that I was never able to update you with on my blog because I was doing so many other things, and with that I will end this personal rant. I hope you enjoy them. I will be back soon enough, if I don't lose focus:-)

DUNE STORM custom work for a Loyal Collector

RAMBLING RIVER ROCK Inspired by our New Kitchen Remodel

ROUND THE BLOCK 

KEEP ME CLOSE dedicated to Miss Chloe Bauguess - Dad says thanks for the sweet note.

AFTER THE STORM - Inspired by Hurricane Sandy 2012

My Latest Abstract Art Recipe "Come find Me"

This is my latest Abstract Art Recipe titled
" Come Find Me" No. 108 It's a nice mixture of copper, gold, ivory, brown, and orange tones. A little metallic powder was used to. It's very sparkly in places and sets off the other areas where I used metallic paint.


It is actually 24" x 24" x 1.75" deep

I created it 7 February 2012.  It was a lazy Sunday afternoon so I decided what a better time than see what excitement I could bring to the day.

It is for sale and comes with everyone's favorite buying perk - FREE SHIPPING!  if you would like to see additional photos visit the link Come Find Me to view more.

New Painting Announcement - "AROUND THE WAY" No. 107

The latest whimsical painting from Divine Fusions Studio and Karen Bauguess. The painting is 18" x 36" x .75" deep.  The title is "AROUND THE WAY" and it's number #1 for the year and number 107 in my entire collection. 

It's an abstract mixed media style painting that incorporates, acrylic paints, metallic paint marker as well as metal wire formed into circles and swirls throughout the painting

Cloth, Paper, Scissors - A magazine Full of creative ideas, lessons, and inspirations.

Recently, I picked up an interesting magazine at the local Barnes and Nobles that I have never see before. At first, I had selected this particular magazine because the front cover caught my eye from high above my arm's reach. I saw an abstract painting or collage of sorts on the cover and whenever I see it any publication that resembles a painting, I compulsively grab and go. 

The magazine was called Cloth, Paper, Scissors, it's popularity is growing strong and has been around since back in 2004.  The magazine's basic idea centers around one of the most popular new trends in mixed media these days, which is art journaling.  

Creative Art Journaling is the art of using a variety of materials to create mixed-media art.  The magazine serves as a showplace for creative ideas and as well interesting and easy to understand lessons on  journaling techniques and how to create visual, travel and personal journals. Cloth, Paper, Scissors is an awesome addition to any crafter's or artist's arsenal of resources.   You will find everything you need to find information on fiber arts, mixed media, visual art journals, rubber stamping, creative embroidery, book arts, art dolls, assemblage and much more.

I also see information in their magazine, advertising the ability join in on discussions on their forum, take part in a nice lazy afternoon of reading several blogger's viewpoints,  and even shop online at their website. Choose from a nice selection of merchandise, books, DVDs, magazines, video's etc...  

I found myself  very deeply interested in several articles and tips and next thing you know, I found two DVD's I just had to have. I would have probably never knew they existed without reading this magazine.

Their magazine comes out 6 times a year. I strongly encourage you to buy a subscription instead of individual issues, because the price of  one copy of  Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine at the retail price is 33% of the total year subscription for 6 issues.

Basic Steps for creating an online Art Gallery and other places to list your Art for sale.

Marketing is an integral part of every business.  For an Artist an online portfolio is of the up most importance as gallery directors, collectors, and potential new clients will be noticing your work, contacting you and if your online portfolio is equipped with a checkout system, it will undoubtedly produce sales along the way depending how you further market your online portfolio. 

  An online portfolio will serve you well as an Artist, because it is a display of your work that is available non-stop, all over the world. Many of my own art sales or inquiries have come from the United States as well as abroad, and you just never know who is interested in your art and when they will arrive and so it's best to have your presentation ready, and in working order as quickly as possible.


There are many online Art Galleries and Art Auction portals on the web, however, starting with your own is the first and foremost important one before the others. I would suggest to get a domain name. Having a domain name that is your very own will demonstrate to most admirers that will visit your site that you are a dedicated artist that is passionate about their art and their clients and that you are anxious to provide your Art along with your services as an Artist.

Domain names are relatively cheap and average on the low end about $10 a year, and Web hosting for your domain to go live on the world wide web, can also be obtained for usually around $10-$15/month.


Take quality photos of your art, and include some alternate views, such as the sides, close-ups of details, and possibly if you have art that is versatile in direction, then show that your art can be turned horizontally or vertically.  These additional images can be shown on their separate web pages showing each particular piece of art by itself, however for the main gallery choose your best photo and allow a click-through feature to it's presentation page.

Offer a basic, but complete description of the Medium your art represents, Colors, the size, whether it has been varnished, or will it be, is it ready to hang, what are shipping costs if any,
and make sure you have your prices listed large enough to see clearly.  One of the first suggestions I ever received by a friend was to increase the font size of my price.

The investment in your very own Art Gallery website will serve you well both for your online portfolio and your future commissioned work and sales that will be direct from the site.

If you aren't ready to embark on an a shopping cart just yet, that is o.k., it can be intimidating to a lot of people. You can at the very least provide a link to another art portal where that item can be purchased.

Make sure that your photos are high resolution this will allow you to sell your art not only as originals but as prints. Try to crop out any background items in your work area that you are photographing in. Unless it's just the actual wall space.  

Here are a few other areas online where you can market your artwork.
http://www.yessy.com/
http://www.fineartamerica.com/
http://www.esbq.com/
http://www.artbyus.com/   (auction)
http://www.zazzle.com/
http://artq.net.com/
http://www.yourartnetwork.com/
http://www.photobucket.com/ 
http://www.etsy.com/
http://www.bonanzle.com/
http://www.ecrater.com/
http://www.originalartonline.com/
http://www.artspan.com/


and many, many more! 
Good Luck!  If you need advice on building a website, setting up an easy checkout system, or any other tips, just contact me, I will be glad to help you, by sharing with you, what has worked for me.

Pricing Your Artwork - Some helpful Resources

One the most important aspects of selling your very own creations is the knowledge of how to price your artwork.  One day, I saw a book about this very same subject in the Book Store, but I was trying to stay focused on books targeted towards my project for that particular week and not get sidetracked.

That was a mistake to say the least, as I could never find that book again!!  All I had was a visual memory of it's cover and I guess you could say, that I should have purchased it then, because every time, I tried to locate that particular book again, I could not find it!  

In the meantime, I did some bare bones research on the web to try find articles and other resources to find this important information and I wanted to share the information with you, so you won't have to search as hard as I did! 

Title: InformArt: The Limited Edition Art Price Journal
Description: Provides information through online subscriptions about market value of limited edition prints, including the names of artists, titles of prints, and high and low selling prices.
Frequency: Monthly
Publisher: Westown Publishing Company, Inc.
Publisher's Address: Westown Publishing Company, Inc., P.O. Box 147, Easton, CT 06612,


Title: Empty Easel
Description: Article "Don’t Sell Yourself Short: Price Your Art for What It’s Worth.”
URL: emptyeasel.com/2006/12/11/dont-sell-yourself-short-price-your-art-for-what-its-worth



Title: Artists' Survival Manual (The): A Complete Guide to Marketing Your Work

Author/Editor: Toby Judith Klayman and Cobbett Steinberg
Description: Revised edition. See chapter "Getting Ready: Pricing Your Work."
Publisher: Klayman/Branchcomb
Publication Date: 1996
URL: www.klaymanart.com/mybook/index.html


Title: Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork (The)
Author/Editor: James Dillehay
Description: Suggests formulas for setting prices to achieve maximum profits. Includes a step-by-step record-keeping system and sample forms.
Publisher: LaVergne
Publication Date: 1997



Title: Big Picture (The) : The Professional Photographer’s Guide to Rights, Rates & Negotiation
Author/Editor: Lou Jacobs, Jr.
Description: Addresses pricing of photographs, and the art of negotiation. Includes sample contracts and resource lists.
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Publication Date: 2000


Title: Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
Description: Revised. Contains essential information on business, pricing, and ethical standards for nearly every discipline in the visual communications industry.
Publisher: Graphic Artists Guild
Publication Date: 2007


Title: How to Survive & Prosper as an Artist. Selling Yourself without Selling Your Soul
Author/Editor: Caroll Michels
Description: Revised edition. See chapter "Pricing Your Work. How Much Is It Worth"? Revised edition.
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Publication Date: 2009
Email: carollmichels@gmail.com
URL: http://www.carollmichels.com/


Title: Pricing Photography: The Complete Guide to Assignment & Stock Prices
Author/Editor: Michael Heron and David MacTavish
Description: Revised edition. Although geared for commercial photographers, this book will be helpful to fine artists for establishing fees when photographs of artwork are used in newspapers, magazines, annual reports, books, etc.
Publisher: Allworth Press
Publication Date: 2002

Title: Pricing Your Artwork withg Confidence
Author/Editor: Alexandria Levin Painted Jay Publishing
Date: 2003
Publisher's Address: Painted Jay Publishing, P.O. Box 2234, Jenkintown, PA 19046-0834,
URL: www.paintedjay.com

Title: Talking Prices: Symbolic Meanings of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art
Author/Editor: Olav Velthuis
Description: A highly praised book that provides an analysis of how prices are set in the contemporary art market and discusses the tension between art and commerce that characterizes the art world.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication Date: 2005
To purchase any of these publications listed above you can go to my direct
Source :  Artist Help Network


For Crafter's you can buy these helpful publications