The start of 2010 was suppose to bring changes into my life regarding my website, my blog, my show schedule and my art. So far the only changes made have been to my art. I'll be taking a more "fine art" approach to my style. I've been making fractal art for decades and I can tell you the year a piece was created by the style and color combination I used on it. My earlier works were more psychedelic and highlighted strange new shapes (at least to non mathematicians) like the Mandelbrot and Julia sets. Today my work tends to lean more to earth tones and brush stroke type shapes. Both are good, it's just my transition as an artist.
My blog and website are a completely different matter. Because of my extensive travel schedule and the hassle of trying to get web orders shipped to my customers in a timely manner, I researched using many different hosting and "photo fulfillment" companies that would allow orders placed on my website to be printed and shipped to my customers without my involvement. I would no longer have to stop what I was doing or worse, figure out a way to print, frame and ship an order to a customer when I was traveling and away from my studio. Cool huh?
After spending the better part of a week looking over my different options I settled on either Smug Mug or another company called Square Space. Both seemed like they'd work out fine. Costs were in line to what I am already spending, print quality looked great but after looking at all of the additional work I was going to be faced with like photo uploading, new data entry and pricing, plus (and this was the killer) I would have had to spend 30-40 hours resizing my images to fit their formats or run the risk of their "auto cropping" feature chopping off a portion of my fractals to fit their print sizes, I decided to stand pat and not make the switch.
I'm just too anal about the end quality I want my buyers and collectors to have, so at least for now, I'll keep handling my printing and order fulfillment in house and put up with the hassle of wearing the multiple hats of being an artist, a traveling art gallery, a fine art printer and the shipping manager.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year and welcome to 2010
For me, 2009 rocked. Sales of my fractals were up from 2008 which was also a good year. No complaints from the art show circuit from me. Many of my artist friends had similar reports to tell for the year but other (unfortunately) did not.
2009 was a year for affordable art. Nearly everyone who sells into the high end market took a hit. That is completely understandable considering nearly every newscast doom and gloomer talking head was predicting the end of the financial world as we knew it. People were loosing their jobs, their homes, their savings and faith in the system.
Even though it appeared that crowds at most of the festivals I attended were strong, I think many people were there to look, take in the ambiance, listen to the music and possibly plan for future art purchases. Those artist who offered unique, affordable art were usually the ones smiling during load out. This is a cycle. My friends who sell high ticket items will have their day once again, hopefully in 2010.
2009 was a year for affordable art. Nearly everyone who sells into the high end market took a hit. That is completely understandable considering nearly every newscast doom and gloomer talking head was predicting the end of the financial world as we knew it. People were loosing their jobs, their homes, their savings and faith in the system.
Even though it appeared that crowds at most of the festivals I attended were strong, I think many people were there to look, take in the ambiance, listen to the music and possibly plan for future art purchases. Those artist who offered unique, affordable art were usually the ones smiling during load out. This is a cycle. My friends who sell high ticket items will have their day once again, hopefully in 2010.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Made in Montana
I'd like to introduce you to two of my friends who run a pottery studio in Montana and travel to many of the same art festivals around the country as I do. They're Tom and Marcie from Mountain Brook Studios.
These folks are not only two of the most talented potters I know, they're great people. If you are looking for that special gift for someone, you won't go wrong shopping here.
These folks are not only two of the most talented potters I know, they're great people. If you are looking for that special gift for someone, you won't go wrong shopping here.
Made in Montana - Mountain Brook Studio from Carmen Ebert on Vimeo.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The good, the bad and the terrible
My latest trip to the two shows I did in California was well, interesting. Sales at Half Moon Bay's Pumpkin festival were on par with last years which made m feel good because many artists I talked to were glad their sales were only down by 30-40%. I can assure you that if you ever read or hear from me that my sales were ONLY down 30-40% that will be the last season I go out on the circuit.
My experiences in Danville were much more mixed. Through out Saturday I complained (silently to myself) that this market just wasn't for me. Although Danville is one of the richest ZIP codes in the country, they got that way my not spending their money. This festival is a place for the public to "be seen" not to attend to see and buy art at. I called my wife after closing Saturday night and begged her to not send me back, but being the ever so optimistic person she is, reminded me that I still had Sunday to make up for the slow sales on Saturday.
On Sunday with only a few hours left in the show, I had a couple of decent sales and low and behold after counting up what I did, I was actually up a few hundred dollars over last year. I'm sticking with my "this is the wrong market for my art" theory and most likely will give this show a rest for a few years.
The one thing that a traveling artist fears the most, even over crappy sales is having a mechanical breakdown while on the road and on this trip, I had two. On my way down to the shows I had my THIRD set of axle bearings fail on my trailer in the last 4 months. Turns out that the backyard tow truck driving, want to be mechanic that repaired them the last time I broke down on the road, over tighten the axle nut thus causing the grease to heat up, melt and burn up the bearings. So much for my good deal from this good ol' boy.
I stopped at a rest area just outside of Weed California and noticed the awkward angle my wheel was leaning and after a few choice words, went into "let's get this thing fixed" mode and called for a tow. When the driver unloaded my trailer from his flatbed truck at the repair shop he informed me that I owed him $360.00 for a THIRTEEN MILE tow. When I question him about the price he informed me that "your in California and we charge $180.00 and hour". When I pointed out that from start to finish it was only about an hour and a half he said there was a 2 hour minimum to tow from the area I broke down. Please remind me never to move back to California OK?
The axle repair went smooth and quick and I was back on my way in a few hours. Oh yeah, when I presented my insurance card for the tow bill the driver said the company rejected the charge because it only covered the tow vehicle and NOT the trailer. This is after I specifically asked my agent if my trailer was covered. Presently, my agent is still hiding from me. I also bought a membership to AAA RV Plus services.
My return trip home went smooth for the entire time until I got to about 50 miles from home. I had to accelerate through a yellow light (I know I should have done the opposite) and noticed the RPMs on my tach rev up which is not what's suppose to happen. This was the first sign that my transmission was going out so I limped it back to Sandpoint where my transmission service center informed me that I needed to have it rebuilt which, was only going to cost $1500.00 and not the $3000.00 plus a repair out of town would have been. Just part of being a traveling artist I told myself and 2 days later picked up my truck with a newly rebuilt tranny. At least I don't have to worry about that happening again for awhile, I hope.
My experiences in Danville were much more mixed. Through out Saturday I complained (silently to myself) that this market just wasn't for me. Although Danville is one of the richest ZIP codes in the country, they got that way my not spending their money. This festival is a place for the public to "be seen" not to attend to see and buy art at. I called my wife after closing Saturday night and begged her to not send me back, but being the ever so optimistic person she is, reminded me that I still had Sunday to make up for the slow sales on Saturday.
On Sunday with only a few hours left in the show, I had a couple of decent sales and low and behold after counting up what I did, I was actually up a few hundred dollars over last year. I'm sticking with my "this is the wrong market for my art" theory and most likely will give this show a rest for a few years.
The one thing that a traveling artist fears the most, even over crappy sales is having a mechanical breakdown while on the road and on this trip, I had two. On my way down to the shows I had my THIRD set of axle bearings fail on my trailer in the last 4 months. Turns out that the backyard tow truck driving, want to be mechanic that repaired them the last time I broke down on the road, over tighten the axle nut thus causing the grease to heat up, melt and burn up the bearings. So much for my good deal from this good ol' boy.
I stopped at a rest area just outside of Weed California and noticed the awkward angle my wheel was leaning and after a few choice words, went into "let's get this thing fixed" mode and called for a tow. When the driver unloaded my trailer from his flatbed truck at the repair shop he informed me that I owed him $360.00 for a THIRTEEN MILE tow. When I question him about the price he informed me that "your in California and we charge $180.00 and hour". When I pointed out that from start to finish it was only about an hour and a half he said there was a 2 hour minimum to tow from the area I broke down. Please remind me never to move back to California OK?
The axle repair went smooth and quick and I was back on my way in a few hours. Oh yeah, when I presented my insurance card for the tow bill the driver said the company rejected the charge because it only covered the tow vehicle and NOT the trailer. This is after I specifically asked my agent if my trailer was covered. Presently, my agent is still hiding from me. I also bought a membership to AAA RV Plus services.
My return trip home went smooth for the entire time until I got to about 50 miles from home. I had to accelerate through a yellow light (I know I should have done the opposite) and noticed the RPMs on my tach rev up which is not what's suppose to happen. This was the first sign that my transmission was going out so I limped it back to Sandpoint where my transmission service center informed me that I needed to have it rebuilt which, was only going to cost $1500.00 and not the $3000.00 plus a repair out of town would have been. Just part of being a traveling artist I told myself and 2 days later picked up my truck with a newly rebuilt tranny. At least I don't have to worry about that happening again for awhile, I hope.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Off to California
First things first, happy birthday Josh my son, I remember the day you were born 33 years ago just like it was yesterday. Peace.
Tomorrow I start my annual migration south. Well at least my October migration south. They'll be another major one to AZ. in late November and early December but this ones just in time to miss a pretty big winter (SNOW) storm heading our way that my wife will have to deal with one her own. Lucky I married such a strong and pioneering type womean or my life as a traveling artist could be.
For the next two weekends I'll be in (hopefully) sunny California doing shows in Half Moon Bay and Danville. As whats becoming a tradition around here, I've posted a Google map for each location.
Half Moon Bay booth number is 133C
View Larger Map
Danville booth number is 215C
View Larger Map
Talk to you from the road using my new MiFi wireless router device.
Tomorrow I start my annual migration south. Well at least my October migration south. They'll be another major one to AZ. in late November and early December but this ones just in time to miss a pretty big winter (SNOW) storm heading our way that my wife will have to deal with one her own. Lucky I married such a strong and pioneering type womean or my life as a traveling artist could be.
For the next two weekends I'll be in (hopefully) sunny California doing shows in Half Moon Bay and Danville. As whats becoming a tradition around here, I've posted a Google map for each location.
Half Moon Bay booth number is 133C
View Larger Map
Danville booth number is 215C
View Larger Map
Talk to you from the road using my new MiFi wireless router device.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
This blew me away
The life of an artist is always interesting. I dare say never boring. Trying to be as creative as possible while at the same time producing art that people will buy in order to allow you to support yourself and family can be difficult.
Awards given away at shows for things like "Best of Category" or even better yet "Best of Show" are great but I wouldn't know, I've NEVER received one. I've done over 200 shows, maybe even getting closer to 300 and in all this time, zero, nada, the big goose egg. I've never won. It used to bother me because I feel my work is worthy of this praise. But as years have passed I without these honers bestowed on me I become rather complacent and usually not even giving it a thought.
That is until yesterday when I received this e-mail from The Festival of the Arts in Tempe AZ.
Hello, Dennis. After reviewing thousands of images that artists have submitted to the Tempe Festivals of the Arts, we’ve selected one artist whose work we believe embodies the spirit of the Festival and whom we want to invite to become our official 2010 Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts “Featured Artist.” You are that artist, and we sincerely hope that you will agree to join us in this honor.
There's more to the e-mail but you get the picture. This news completely took me by surprise and blew me away. Featured artist, no way. I've done this show for many years and it's always a top producing venue for me. I always walk by and check out the featured artist's work and maybe deep down inside, wish it was me and NOW IT IS.
I'm deeply humbled by this honor, thank you Kate Hastings.
Awards given away at shows for things like "Best of Category" or even better yet "Best of Show" are great but I wouldn't know, I've NEVER received one. I've done over 200 shows, maybe even getting closer to 300 and in all this time, zero, nada, the big goose egg. I've never won. It used to bother me because I feel my work is worthy of this praise. But as years have passed I without these honers bestowed on me I become rather complacent and usually not even giving it a thought.
That is until yesterday when I received this e-mail from The Festival of the Arts in Tempe AZ.
Hello, Dennis. After reviewing thousands of images that artists have submitted to the Tempe Festivals of the Arts, we’ve selected one artist whose work we believe embodies the spirit of the Festival and whom we want to invite to become our official 2010 Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts “Featured Artist.” You are that artist, and we sincerely hope that you will agree to join us in this honor.
There's more to the e-mail but you get the picture. This news completely took me by surprise and blew me away. Featured artist, no way. I've done this show for many years and it's always a top producing venue for me. I always walk by and check out the featured artist's work and maybe deep down inside, wish it was me and NOW IT IS.
I'm deeply humbled by this honor, thank you Kate Hastings.
Think you've been busy huh?
I've been super busy lately. What's new huh?
The coming of winter in North Idaho means doing things like getting all of my hay in for the year to feed our horses. Because we heat our home and yurt studio exclusively with wood stoves, firewood is also a top priority. I cut and stack about 12 cords each year and usually have 1 or 2 left over the next spring but I'd rather be in that position than freezing in a late April snow storm.
The last shows I've participated in were, Swiss Days in Midway, Utah and even though we had a few rain showers I had an on par with previous years sales show and Art in the Park in Boise, ID. The weather was great, folks turned out and I beat my all time sales for this 3 day show.
Up next is my annual trip to Salmon Days in Issaquah, WA this coming weekend. The show is always held on the first weekend of October during the salmon's return to Issaquah Creek to complete their life cycle by spawning in the same waters they were born in. Crazy big and always entertaining show where even if it rains (it ALWAYS does) people come out to support it. Not what I would call a fine arts venue but does tend to have something for everyone.
My booth is located on the corner of Front and Sunset (#400) right in front of the library. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
The coming of winter in North Idaho means doing things like getting all of my hay in for the year to feed our horses. Because we heat our home and yurt studio exclusively with wood stoves, firewood is also a top priority. I cut and stack about 12 cords each year and usually have 1 or 2 left over the next spring but I'd rather be in that position than freezing in a late April snow storm.
The last shows I've participated in were, Swiss Days in Midway, Utah and even though we had a few rain showers I had an on par with previous years sales show and Art in the Park in Boise, ID. The weather was great, folks turned out and I beat my all time sales for this 3 day show.
Up next is my annual trip to Salmon Days in Issaquah, WA this coming weekend. The show is always held on the first weekend of October during the salmon's return to Issaquah Creek to complete their life cycle by spawning in the same waters they were born in. Crazy big and always entertaining show where even if it rains (it ALWAYS does) people come out to support it. Not what I would call a fine arts venue but does tend to have something for everyone.
My booth is located on the corner of Front and Sunset (#400) right in front of the library. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
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