How I Price My Art

I’d like to discuss how I come up with the prices for dolls, original acrylics, original oil paintings, large art, small art, etc.

I had no clue what to charge when I first started offering art on Etsy or right here, however online guides have been helpful. One can google how much to charge when a person asks to put their art on the front of a book, inside a book, used on a webpage, on and on. There are artist’s guides to pricing. What I found most helpful was to think of how much I want out of the painting, add in several factors which I’ll list, then I come up with a general listing price. I look around on Etsy for art of that style and size then finalize my listing price. I try and tag / use keywords by looking at other art because it can be difficult to know what to say so people find my art.  Continue reading “How I Price My Art”

Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 1

Sunflower rush fma 2015
Sunflower rush fma 2015

I am having the hardest time finishing this entry. The objective is simple, write a bit about who I am from several different angles.

Before anything at all I am human. That puts me on equal ground with everyone. The second thing I am is a Christian in training. I want very much to know my Creator and his personality.
I’m a woman. That’s important to me. When I was young my nature was mocked. At 44, I celebrate it.

My first love is cooking. I knew I needed to be a chef at age eight. I’m grateful I was able to do it.

By nature I’m a deep thinker. I’ve got artists blood coursing through these veins which means I’m emotional. I live to create. I create well presented meals and I create with paint, wood, paper, canvas, clay, fabric, pixels and just about anything else I can find that will hold the image in my head.

I’m a lover of tea and breaks during the day where a hot drink will allow me to regroup, recoup. Antique books excite me. The feel of art paper excites me as does running my hands over wood and stones. I am visceral.

Merge fma 2015
Merge fma 2015

Continue reading “Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 1”

Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 2

Sunset Dancer by SUNDRIP - 2010
Sunset Dancer by SUNDRIP – 2010

As some know, this body of mine dictates if I will move or lie still. Due to a permanent nerve injury to my right arm, I can be limited in action, including holding a tea cup, a cane, paintbrush and pen. In addition, my eyes are growing dim. Strength in several areas of my upper and lower body have deteriorated. Even so, I have one other activity to discuss in which I participate.

I’ve mentioned my love for yoga but in private settings I’ve spoken more. I love contemporary and lyrical dance. I am my own dancer. I have set music that I do yoga stretches to. From there I began to move free-form. Once I realized I’d tapped into something deep in my bones I began to wear a free flowing skirt. I removed the toe from medical compression stocking and moved about joyfully. What do I enjoy? The feminine movements, turning yoga into a dance and doing so not in sweatpants and workout clothes, but in a flowing skirt with “dancers feet” (black compression hose). Sometimes my hair is down but other times the dreadlocks are in a headdress.

In this video, followed by a comment to the choreographer, you can see this style of contemporary dance and lyrical dance. Continue reading “Artist’s Thoughts – This is me 2”

Priscilla Doll and Sunflower

Priscilla and Sunflower
Priscilla and Sunflower

I’ve had the itch to sew for a good month. I’ve finally gathered the dolls I’d like to complete and started adding their final touches.

This young lady is a handmade African American rag doll with a hand painted face and handmade clothes. She’s a lovely girl, a shelf sitter girl to be added to your collection. Although she is sturdy, she is not meant to be a toy. The Indian doll is not for sale, the pendant she’s wearing is in the Etsy shop. .

Soon Priscilla will have her shoes and will sit in my Etsy shop along with this dried artichoke presented as an ornamental sunflower. Expect her to have a light scent of lavender. If you’ll notice, she’s sitting against a wall of lavender.

Continue reading “Priscilla Doll and Sunflower”

Dry Brush. Dry Bones

There’s only one way to return to art and that is to jump in head first. Grab a brush, choose 3 colors, start the clock, stop thinking and dive in. I’ll scratch, smudge, layer and move paint until the bell sounds. I can’t see any other way to start painting again.

I’m accustomed to creative dry spells and the affects depression has on my work. This is no different than other times which means the same measures can pull me out of the mud.

I’d usually tell myself to allow the down time and don’t push it, but I need my art right now. I’m going to push a little harder to get through this spell. I’m going to accept as a completed project whatever is on the paper when the buzzer sounds.

The longer I go without painting the more I lose touch with the stronger parts of me. I need to feel strong. I need to help myself. I need to toss paint on paper.

Faith

November 25, 2015 12:59 am EST