My Art Showcase Aftermath

And just like that…the show is over. Queue up the song Closing Time.

I was sad packing up my artwork last week. I must have thanked Sandy, like, a thousand times for having me display my work and, likewise, she said that Almost Famous was happy to do so. This opportunity had first posed some questions in my blogpost “I Got My First Art Showcase To Get Ready For”. I’m happy to report that I can answer them.

What my showcase will consist of:

A three tiered display of the different categories of cartoon, realism and fantasy. My cartoon and fantasy were placed on one side of the room, while my realism and portraits were placed on the other side. This helped the gallery viewer, as well as myself, see what I have to offer, creatively.

What styles I need to really hone in on, with my skillset:

My three categories were narrowed down into two different art style approaches. Cartoon and realism. This art showcase helped place a mirror in front of me. It forced myself to make decisions on how to categorize my art and, in turn, help sell my skillset to the public. I’m so thankful for that. I had created multiple events for my family and friends to attend while my artwork was up on display.

Each time I went to Almost Famous, I got to see various people and answer various questions on my art. Due to these events, I gained the confidence to let someone know what I can offer them, when commissioned.

What will get me recognized as an artist:

Lastly, this question was my biggest hurdle to jump over. I needed to do research on not just me, as the artist, but what other elements that make up my artwork.

Some elements were; the mediums, of both digital and traditional (pencil and painting), and how to display them all successfully, the design and print materials that needed, as well as, framing and pricing of artwork. I took surveys of what people thought and put their feedback in consideration on how to approach things in the future. So many great things were learned from this first art showcase, but I also know that I still have a long way to go. That’s part of being an artist though - it really is about the journey and not the destination.

If you have some feedback for me, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

Thank you for your support!

A very important thing that I learned throughout this experience was my art was only one part of the show. The other part were the people, present. Before the showcase, I felt that I created my art only for me, but that’s not true anymore. When I create a retro inspired piece and someone tells me of their stories as a kid…

…or when a person tells me about their loved one after seeing a portrait I drew - it makes me so happy. I’m happy that my art got someone to think about their own life in a positive way.

My artwork has been taken down off the Almost Famous walls, but that doesn’t mean the showcase is over. Keep your eyes open for more art showings in the future. Also, please feel free to contact me on buying existing artwork as well as commissioning me to create something for you!

I really can’t say it enough, thank you.

Shedding Some Light On My Digital Art

Phew, what a whirlwind these past couple weeks have been. Got my art showcase up in running with some help from my friends (thanks Annmarie and Lynda!) I also had fun at the opening and got to chat about my art and commission process with people. The one thing that I needed to discuss further was digital art. I feel that people are still in the dark about this and I thought an informative blog post would help.

Q: Digital art must be easier than traditional art?

A: Nope.

Digital art is the same amount of skill set as traditional art. The only difference is that I’m on a computer screen and not in front of a canvas. I still go through the sketching and coloring process in digital, just like I do in traditional.

The first step to ALL my artwork is sketching the piece. Here is an example of one of my art showcase pieces in the beginning stage.

…and here is the second step, the coloring phase. I created this piece in a gouache painting style. If you would like to see the finished art piece, come to my art showcase!

Q: So then why is your digital pieces less expensive then your traditional ones?

A: In this instance I am treating these digital pieces as art prints and not originals.

Just like what artist do with traditional art work, their originals are more expensive and their art prints of that original are cheaper. If I was commissioned to create a digital one-of-a-kind piece, it would be full asking price and the client would have the file to use as they please. I would not resell that piece. This is similar to what I do with my business clients that ask for illustrations.

Q: Is the price just for the art print?

A: In the art showcase the digital art price is for the print, print material and framing.

Some of my digital art fluctuates due to this. For instance, the cheapest option is the poster style printed on poster paper and placed in a poster frame. These are great for kids’ rooms and man caves ;). A step up from that is the option of my digital art printed on canvas and framed, gallery style.

Q: Do you have other options for your digital art?

A: I do!

The great thing about my digital art is that it is already digitized so I can transform my art into many creative elements. I bring my stickers and art postcards along with me, to the art showcase, for little souvenirs that can be purchased (that is a big hit with the kids!) I have also been commissioned to creative t-shirts, pins, beer koozies even cookies for a wedding!

I hope this sheds a little more light on what I do with my digital art. If you have any other questions, please ask. I will be at Almost Famous tonight, to hang with my art, so feel free to come by and see my artwork and have a chat with me. See ya!