Production

One question I pondered for the new year is:

“How can I share my work with & allow people without large amounts of wall space to collect my art work?”

As an artists am I not expected to think outside the box - or frame? Of course one needs to be careful not to ‘cheapen’ their work especially when doing limited editions. Often I receive ‘Wow!s’ & ‘I love your work’ only to followed by - ‘if I only had wall space’. Occasionally I’m honored when someone tells me they use one of my images as wallpaper/background on their computer screen :)

So, really, ‘is my artwork only to be displayed on walls?’
- am I an ‘Artist or Wall Decorator?’

For 2010, I look forward to not only bringing you intriguing images, but interesting & accessible ways to enjoy and collect my artwork. Although not groundbreaking by any means, here are a some ‘products’ I am looking into:

* Pendants - small versions of selected works embedded into metal pendant frames for wine glass charms, hung together on leather string, even wearable, etc.

* Themed Coffee Table Books & screen-savers - (like old trucks), series

* Licensing - have had authors & such inquire about using some of my images.
If you are an enterprising fan of my work, let me know. I will address these request a little better this year.

* Puzzles? several request for these as well.

Please remember my fine art prints, especially larger limited edition canvases, are my primary product focus.

Networking with fans & collectors is also priority - so, as always, if you have thoughts or requests please comment. One note though, please limit ’suggestions’ to things you would seriously be interested in ;)

Thanks! :)

Wow - I actually have all my orders completed and still a couple days before Christmas! ;) Glad I took the time and went down to talk to people at my Keep Austin Bizarre consignment booth and spent time with artist friends :D Leaving Friday to be with family in Abilene then Gardendale Texas. Time to relax, and plan for 2010.

If you have a last minute xmas gift need, please let me know! :)

Trying out FedEx home delivery for all my holiday orders and so far great, Just started shipping with them Friday after Thanksgiving and a couple large canvas’ are already hanging on the wall. So nice to hear packages were waiting on clients when they returned from Thanksgiving (instead of damaged or lost: USPS & UPS).

11 orders out to 8 states: The FedEx pickup guys just come and grab the packages - two batches so far: one Friday and the second went out today (Tuesday). I’m having a great time tracking them with the FedEx tracking software & calling people that the system says were delivered to today! :) I have a nice desktop app that shows a collapsible list of the shipments by delivery day…

Caught up on all orders through Nov 18 - all are shipped out and should arrive this week or awaiting pickup. Currently working on orders from Austin Junior League and those placed over the phone & in studio last week.

New orders for October* will be delayed a few days while Epson investigates an anomaly I’m seeing in dark black areas on some prints. Originally looked like canvas settings only but using a workaround with a different profile is giving similar problems intermittently. While not apparent on most images, I’ve decided to hold off printing on the 9900 while Epson looks at the test prints I sent in earlier this week**.

Just stocked up on 9900 ink etc. but my backup printer (4800) is out of some inks. Next week I’ll evaluate whether I need to bring the backup printer back into production - just so much easier on the new printer ;)

I’m notifying clients right now, just wanted to post the details here on my blog. Will provide updates here as well, but as always please feel free to contact me with any questions :)

* Orders affected include the Rio Grande Art Festival in Albuquerque, Georgetown, online store orders placed in October,  and a couple special orders prior.

** For quality assurance and the fact it’s getting very expensive… :o
Even I cannot see the anomaly on most images printed in the last few days, but just the potential is enough for me to pause. I’ve spent most of the week trying to use a workaround, but just not 100% comfortable with the results. I’m sure everyone will appreciate the diligence and my desire to provide you with the absolute best quality print of my images :D

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