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"Red Grapes and Crystal"

Original Watercolor - on paper

$150

Click Here..to learn more

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I may not purchase enough fine art to be called a "Collector"...but I do purchase original pieces for myself and as gifts.

I found the perfect piece today for a friend. THERE WAS NO PRICE LISTED...I will not chase an artist down to find out the price of their work.

True, the price if listed, could have been more than I wanted to spend and the sale would have been lost anyway...but don't make me contact you and wait for an answer and don't make me embarrass my self if the price is more than I can afford. Pricing your work allows me to make this decision before I contact you.

Think about it. If you were car shopping and found what you thought to be the perfect vehicle...Would you want to chase down a salesman and then wait for him to contact you with the price.

How about those new shoes or the jacket you found at the boutique. Lets just say that the clerk said she would have to contact her boss to find out the price and would send you an email in a day or so.

Tell me, is this the way you would like to shop? The situation here is no different. If you are in the retail business...and want to sell your art...pleeeeease put a price on it.

• Do you still question whether you should post your prices? Are you having difficulty setting your prices? Check the links below.
  Clint Watson's FineArtViews Blog..
• Would You Buy Now without Knowing the Price?
  A Pricing Question
  Guidelines to Pricing Art

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FINAL THOUGHT: Will posting prices increase your sales? I can only say this...today, it would have increased the sales of one artist in particular. Were you that artist?

Just so you know, I'm still shopping for that gift for my friend.


Links:
Website ...Marsha Robinett Fine Art
My Squidoo ...Drawing Techniques

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

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My 'newly renovated' work space.

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In my last blog post I mentioned that my studio had gone through a major renovation. This prompted several of you to send emails asking for pictures.  After nearly three months packed up in crates, I have everything pretty much back in order.

 

My studio is an example of creative thinking.  It is my 'den', my 'FASO tech support work station', and my 'art studio'.  As you take the tour around the room you will see what I am talking about.

 

The white furniture you see are the remains of an old bedroom suite.  It is the 'wall hugging' modular type you might see in a childs room.  The chests are only 19' deep and 29' tall.  The perfect desk height.

 

I've used glass coffee table tops to create 'work spaces' between the chests for my computer station and my painting area.  I found the glass at Hobby Lobby...quite reasonably priced.  

 

"My Nest"	"My FASO Computer Desk"

 

I've always had a need for a "Nest".  This is my comfortable chair, with everything I need close at hand.  I sit here to THINK and read.  There are pads of paper and pencils in the basket beside the chair.  I can make quick sketches or even do a not too large lay out drawing. 

 

The small table is handy for a 'drink' and even has a favorite scented candle on it.  My Bose Radio is on the chest to the right...for playing some 'soft jazz' to stimulate my creativity.  A foot stool for my feet, a glass of wine, some soft music - what more could you ask for.

 

The second picture is my FASO work station.  For those FASO artists who have spoken with me during a Tech Support call...(I'm sitting in the white office chair right in front of the window).  Here you see how the glass coffee table top works as a computer desk.  Everything is close at hand.  I can reach to my right and grab something from the printer, the drawers to the left contain the usual office supplies and a few frequently accessed files.

 

"Painting Area"	"Close-up of glass top"

 

The photo above on the left is of my painting area.  This is on the wall opposite my 'nest'.  Once again you see the glass I used to create a work area for the art side of my world.  The coffee table glass is 28" deep and 52" long. Extending out further than the depth of the chests, it provides a nice sized area to paint and draw. 

 

I do smaller works most of the time, when working on larger pieces I use an easel - but I still try to sit to paint.  I've stood 35 years as a hairdresser...I'm done standing, the body just wont take it any more.

 

The TV and the books to either side of the work space are sitting on what used to be book shelves hanging on the walls.  I painted the book shelves the same color as the chests, turned them upside down and used them as 'risers' for the TV.  The basket under the shelf on the right holds my most used drawing supplies.

 

"Work Station"

 

Directly across from my FASO computer desk  is the Work Station where I do my final lay out drawings.  The table shown is a counter height bar table I picked up at a garage sale for $10.   I had to replace the glass top...but still a steal for the price!  It works perfectly.  Some times I stand others I perch my self on the stool. 

 

The cabinets on either side of the table were actually made for 'stampers'.  I use them for various painting supplies.  I also have several drawers dedicated to projects I'm working on...unfinished drawings, painting sketches, pre-cut mat boards and probably a few other things I've forgotten about.  Just a great place to stash what you don't want laying out.

 

Well, I believe that concludes the 'studio tour'...just short of opening the closet doors, (and you really wouldn't want to see that)!

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Now I think you should share photos of your studio set up.  It would be interesting to see how other artists have adapted their space.  After all, we are creative people at heart and making something work is part of that.  You'll have to come back and post a link when your pictures are up so others can follow you.

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Genesis 9:16
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
Genesis 9:15-17 (in Context)

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This happens to me at least once a year, sometimes twice...where I ask the question, "am I an artist"?  To my salon customers, I'm their hair dresser.  To Fine Art Studio Online artists, I am a tech support agent. To my friends I am a very talented person.  Then there is my 'tax person'...to her I'm the lady with three jobs!

Now, my framer...she refers to me as "her artist". I've always been quite complimented by this statement. We talk about my art and my future as an artist. Yet, when I walk away I am still just me, Marsha Robinett, a frustrated creative person with so many visions in my head, just waiting for paper, that at times I feel as though I will explode if I don' let it out.  So does this make me an artist?

My drawings have won awards, even several best in show...yet when the opportunity arises I have difficulty introducing my self as an artist.  The phrase still gets caught in my mouth!  What Is My Problem??

I have business cards that say I am an artist. So...I must be an artist, right?  I'm going to stick one on the bathroom mirror for awhile until I get over this slump, and another one on my computer.  I do know one thing for sure...if I don't consider myself an artist, others certainly wont either.

OK...I'm done moaning. I just seem to need to go through this periodically to get my head on straight again.  I guess the bottom line is this. I know I can paint and draw...but does that make me an artist or just an artistic person?  Is there a difference?

What makes you an artist? Is it because you have a group of loyal collectors who buy your art, or because you create wonderful paintings?  Does your art have to be your main source of income? Can you be an called an artist and sell nothing?  Can you be called an artist and create art only for the sake of creating?

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:9-11 (in Context)
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I've posed the question "which small camera" on this blog before. I have read your recommendations and researched, and looked, and pondered...what am I giving up to have a camera small enough to carry in my purse?

Saturday I took the plunge and purchased the Cannon PowerShot SX110.
Here are the things I liked about it.... 9mp, 10x zoom, manual choice of flash use, good auto modes (for quick shots), manual settings as well, and a great macro.

The 'icing on the cake'...it is only 4.4 x 2.8 x 1.8 in size...actually fits into my hand, I'm in love. A man might not consider this a true 'pocket camera'...but it will fit into a jacket pocket or perhaps a pair of dockers. As for me...in my purse, I hardly know it's there.

I have to admit, I spent most of Saturday playing with my new toy.

I have the Rebel XTi...and two 'very nice' lenses. Love this camera and I use it regularly to take photographs for commissioned portraits, still life setups, and to photograph my art. Yet, of late, it remains in my studio...just too big to keep with me all the time. I'm continually missing good photo ops.

I'm heading to NY in a couple of weeks to visit my daughter and grandson. I'm really looking forward to 'traveling light' with my new camera. I'm sure I will have more to say when I get home...for now, I'm excited with what I see.
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This has been a year of many changes for me and most likely for you as well. Each fork in the road as we move through life changes the direction of our future. Some decisions are hard, some are major sacrifices, and some are out of our hands.

As most of you who read this blog regularly know...I am not a 'working artist' I am an 'artist who works'. It's a constant struggle for me to protect the precious little time I have set aside each week to be in my studio.

A couple of years ago I started taking off the month of January to regroup...to just reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead. (no art and no blogging)

I use the time to analyze the 'business' end of my life, both my art and the salon. I clean out the files in my computer (perhaps a couple of closets while I'm at it), get my tax information together (which is usually an eyeopener), and plan for the coming year.

The computer files are cleaned out, my figures for 2008 are with the accountant, and I'm looking toward 2009 and the months ahead with hope and anticipation.

"I'm not going to do Art Fairs this year."...WOW!...there I really said it out loud. This was a tough decision. My season last year was not that bad. Sales were pretty close to the year before but towards the end, expenses were just over the top. I didn't say 'never again'...but I will say the last year was just hard...this artist isn't getting any younger and outdoor venues are grueling.

As the season was coming to a close and I saw the writing on the wall...I wondered what I would do. This was a major source of income for me and income I depended on. Besides, once set up, I enjoyed the contact with the people.

As one door was closing another opened. In late August I was approached to do Tech Support for my website hosting service, FineArtStudioOnline. What can I say?...I absolutely love it. I was scared to death, afraid I couldn't do the job. I have learned so much and I've made connections with so many wonderful artists. It blends perfectly with my salon hours and I have my weekends free for my art...who could ask for more?

Isn't it interesting...we think we know where our lives are going. We plan, make life altering decisions, hit bumps in the road and think we have failed only to realize...it was that part of the trip that got us to where we are now. Failure isn't always as it appears...failure is doing nothing...failure is not trying.

Had I not stepped out as a 'late in life artist', seven years ago, to see if I had what it took to be at least minimally successful, I would not have this tech support position. It was my journey that provided the knowledge for the position.

So, if I'm not going to do art fairs...what then? First of all, I intend to fine tune my website and blog...post new information more consistently and build more content with better use of key words and phrases. Link more to other sites and provide more 'deep links' to my own content. And yes, be more appreciative of your efforts by being a better 'commenter' on your blogs.

I want to refine my newsletter. It's been fairly consistent, sent out around the first of the month...but I can do better. I can write a more interesting newsletter that my readers will anticipate receiving. I believe I can improve on the content.

As far as sales go. My commission work is fairly consistent as a result of my website and blog and print sales have increased since adding PayPal, (I know, you said they would).

But I still need to search out some additional venues for my original pieces. Perhaps some galleries or national exhibits...You know, where my art goes on the trip and I get to stay home.

This will take some time and research to develop properly. We'll just have to see. I will keep you posted.


PS...It feels good to be back. I missed blogging and I missed you. Read More