SELLING ART

Well although I have my own website that I use to promote and sell to my artwork to art buyers and art collectors, I have decided to try posting a few items on Etsy. In the past I have always gone with Ebay and had a lot of success selling my original paintings for decent prices. However, I find these days Ebay is getting pretty expensive for the average self represented artist and just forces you to raise the price of your art work, something I hate to do. I try to keep my prices affordable to art collectors and already established clients. I am not out to make a fortune selling my work, however, creating paintings is more expensive than most realize. The cost of the canvas alone, if like me, you like to buy the premium artist gallery wrapped canvas, with no staples in the sides and if you like to use good quality paints can really add up fast. If you have to add the expense of Ebay on top of it all...well, the price naturally goes up. So I continue to offer my work for sale at my website and also in the community through 'brick and mortar' markets, I am going to try and post some items on Etsy such as my painted furniture (see pic of stool) and one of my functional pieces of art, my ladies heads or as I call them, my Funky Mamas. :) I have yet to go the way of private galleries or even to join local art galleries as I hate to have to 'pigeon-hole' my work. I like the freedom to express myself in any style and medium I choose. So for now I will continue on selling in the manner I have been to date and keep creating upbeat and happy paintings. Both items above can be purchased at my new Etsy shop 'The Functional Artist' or at my website. See links to the right.

FUN WITH PAPIER MACHE

I confess I am somewhat obsessed with paper mache since I first tried it to make the above singing duet. Okay, they didn't turn out the greatest but figurines aren't that easy to make and it was my first attempt. The second time I decided to make bowls but they just didn't let me be creative enough. So don't ask me where I came up with the idea for these ladies heads. I think I started out attempting masks and they just evolved. The first one was snapped up by a buyer right away so I hurried home to make some more. Thus the "Funky Mamas" were created. I try to make each one unique giving them different hair colors and styles, jewellry and nationality. I want each on to be an individual. I have just completed my third one (pic to come) of a Native American lady. They look so funky hanging on a wall and also serve as a functional piece of art by giving you a place to drape your bathrobe or lingerie!



Of course I have attempted other things in paper mache such as rainsticks. It turned out really great (pic to come) and I ended up teaching papier mache workshops here in Sudbury to children at after school centers and schools. The Primary students loved making their rain sticks while the older students tried their hand at maraccas.

If you would like to try your hand at paper mache I will post the best recipe I could find in my next blog as well as some tips I have learned along the way. Until then...be creative!

DIY GAL

Okay by now you may have come to the conclusion that I love to recycle. Not only is it great for the environment but it gives us a chance to experiment and test our talents and abilities. If you gave it a try you would be amazed at the endless possibilities. One of the truest things I have ever heard is "One man's junk is another man's treasure". Although in this case it's this gal's treasure!

My children and my friends know what a 'packrat' I am. I recently asked my daughter's boyfriend to give me all his empty soda cans rather than send them to recycling (I have an art project in mind). My daughter told him not to!!!!!! Okay, so the two bedroom apartment we share has slowly been taken over by mom's castaways. So what if the diningroom is full of my 'junk'. We are seldom home at the same time to sit down and dine anyway!

In this blog I plan to post tips and ideas on converting those unwanted items into functional, decorative artwork for your home. Please check back shortly.

http://www.simplyart.tk