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

No. 4 - Needlepoint ready to professionally frame or make into a Pillow based on Designer Grethe Sorenson

Based on Designer Grethe Sorenson

This design is based on rugs made by the Village of Ezine, near Canakkale, close to the ruins of Troy. The design features a star-like medallion and has a scroll border. I've one it with red, navy blue and cream colors. Size is approximately 13-3/4" square. A professional needlepoint shop can easily make this into a lovely pillow or wall hanging and be ready to be amazed at how little it takes to hang this on your wall or have as a pillow for enjoyment for years to come.

Notice the pictures of the back side of this Needlepoint design. The precision needle pointing skills illustrate without a doubt that you can hardly tell it's the back of the design. If you are interested in purchasing this needlepoint you can checkout using PayPal
by clicking this link   Needlepoint Collection

Software Tools for Artists for Creating, Editing and Managing your Art Business and a few recommended Books for Making a Living as an Artist

There are many basic software packages on the market that could be used for all types of businesses when it comes to creating and sending newsletters, or managing inventory, and keeping track of client's contact information such as Microsoft Office, and some artist use programs like Quicken to manage their accounting of sales, and expenses,  however, there are actual software program packages, that are designed specifically for the Artist and their art business.  

Here are four Artist Business Tools that you may be interested in.

Artist's Butler has a built in feature for creating labels for slides, preparing a price list, customer invoices, consignment sheets, your mailing list and customer invoicing and features to help maintain your resume.
It can import to and export from an FileMaker database.  It can pull images from your camera, allowing you to create records instantly.

Working Artist  includes a calendar for managing events, appointments, and course studies and has a reminder feature.  It has features to allow you to track an art registry and limited editions of giclees and other prints.  It also includes a feature to track your supply inventory that way you always know when you need to re-order art supplies. One big feature, I think is worth mentioning, is the ability to create a price grid based on the painting size, it's medium, and the subject of your painting.    It does create invoices and track sales, although, Working Artist recommends using this software along with another accounting software tool.

Studio includes almost all of the functions of the two mentioned above but it also offers the ability to be fully integrated with Microsoft Office Software. For example, instead of manually transferring all of your art contacts, such as suppliers, clients, galleries, etc... it can import all of your contacts from Microsoft outlook, and it can also work with Microsoft Word and other programs in Microsoft office.  This program was designed initially for professional galleries, so you can be rest assured that the areas of presentation and sales are completely covered capabilities in this software package.

Archer Artist also known as Masterpiece Artist is highly recommended, especially If you have a studio gallery This software is perfect for handling sales. It is easily integrated with point-of-sale hardware such as a scanner that reads bar codes and also linking to cash drawers.  This software package is used by many professional art galleries. It  also enables you to use the software to upload to http://www.masterpieceonline.com./ The pricing has also been changed to FREE if you sign up for a website. Small monthly fee only will apply. http://www.masterpiecesolutions.com/

The following is a list of Software packages for Artists that are generally for creating and editing art. 
 Of course this is not all of them, but it will get you started in understanding how each one could possibly benefit you as an Artist.


Poser Figure Artist  intermediate users
Corel Painter X  Expert recommended
Adobe Photo Shop Elements great for beginners
Adobe Photoshop intermediate users
Artworks Basic  great for beginners
3D Virtual Figure Drawing Studio great for beginners
Gimp intermediate users and this program is FREE

Many programs such as these will offer a trial version so you can try them out before you buy them.  The majority of programs today are Windows compatible but do not despair because if you are operating with Macintosh software then you can always utilize emulation software, in order for Windows based programs to work with your Macintosh software.

Here are some recommended Artist Books for Making a living as an Artist