Every week Illustration Friday has a challenge for a specific word. It is a great way to showcase your work and a wonderful opportunity to meet lots of wonderful people! Anyone can join in with their entry to Illustration Friday. I so much enjoy doing this challenge. This week is Bottled. This vibrant, colorful painting of Bottled is also called Bottlescape I! I encourage you to check Illustration Friday out! Lots of fun people and paintings! Thank you! ~ Diane Clancy!

Bottled, Bottlescape I, Pastel © Diane Clancy

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Recently were Part I,  Part II, Part III, and Part IV in this art marketing series – this is all in response to Sue O’Kieffe of Sacred Circle Mandalas (http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com) who recently wrote me “i am curious to know out of all the ways you sell your art, which is the most profitable for you and which is the most enjoyable?” I have been getting some good feedback from various people that this is being helpful to them.

What a great question, Sue!!  I know some other artists sometimes read my blog – I hope everyone will chime in – this could be very helpful to us all!  I am really looking forward to hearing from others too!  We have already done an overview of offline selling (much more to be said about that!), online selling from a shop where you the seller ship directly to your customer, online selling from a shop where the site produces the merchandise and ships directly to the customer and an overview of Etsy.

Today we will focus on one online shop (1000 Markets) where you the artist (and seller) ship directly to the customer.  Check back in Part II to refresh your memory of some of the pluses and minuses of this method of online selling if you like. I have several online shops where I ship directly to the buyer – there are LOTS to chose from.  I will give you details about my 2 current favorites and tell you why I like them.  They are Etsy and 1000 Markets.  These are links directly to my shops – it is easy to go to the main pages from there. Some artists have other favorites and I hope you (they) will post about them in the comments!  Yesterday we looked at Etsy and today will be 1000 Markets.

This Art Card, ACEO from my 1000 Markets Shop showcases my vibrant, colorful painting of Reflections in Blue III.  1000 Markets is my other favorite online place to sell where I ship directly to the buyer.  You can see that they also have room for the description to capture interest, details of what one is selling, and also the various views of your item. (Refer to yesterday’s post if you want more on this.)

Reflections in Blue III-ACEO © Diane Clancy

1000 Markets has a similar concept to teams – but these are called Markets.  Each Market is focused on a theme – whether it be ACEOs, Photography, Hats, the 60′s …. here is where you can see them all – there are tons of Markets!! Like Etsy, you have your own shop … then you can join (or apply) to Markets to team up with others to promote and market together.  Again, like Etsy, anyone can join 1000 Markets – you don’t have to sell to join this site. One does have to have their shop approved once it is set up – before it can go public.  But that is probably a good thing to make sure things are a reasonable quality and to make sure it is not an shop that is selling illegal copies of paintings.

One great thing about the Markets as opposed to teams (Etsy) is that each Market has its own marketplace you can go.  At Etsy, VAST (Visual Artists Street Team) does not have a place where buyers can go to see what different team members sell.  1000 Markets gives each Market a marketplace.  Here is the marketplace for ACEOs – Art Cards, Editions and Originals.  This is a team I belong to and they are wonderful and active.

The Markets have another level of visibility and promotability that I don’t think the teams at Etsy have. This is part of why I like them so much.  And the Market structure and the set-up of the marketplace for each Market give another level of interaction with the customer.  Even my own shop at 1000 Markets has more built-in tools for promoting myself as an artist.  One’s shop cannot go public until you have a good amount of information there – it also protects the customer to make sure things are interesting.

People seem to feel that 1000 Markets has incredible potential.  It is fairly new and supposedly they are going to promote it well.  Perhaps it is more art-friendly than Etsy.  I enjoy it quite a bit!!  I like that the Markets I belong to have a real marketplace where we are promoting our work through the Market directly (unlike Etsy) …  I like how the team can discuss things together right there … in structured forums and not just through email.

Now I have not made a sale there yet … but I like how it works a lot.  I need to get going on marketing my shops again … so hopefully my sales in general will pick up again.  I have not spent as much time on 1000 Markets as I have on Etsy – I don’t know its potential as well.   I like the look and feel of 1000 Markets. I enjoy it a lot!  (Sue, your second criteria.)

I also have a shop at ArtFire – I have a free shop so I can have only 10 items.  Also, they do not promite my shop like they promote the paid shops.  I would love to hear how some others like ArtFire … I know a lot of people have started shops there … the jury seems to be out on whether ArtFire is good to be at. I have sold one item there – from someone that I know from other parts of the internet.   I have a shop at iCraft.ca – Creativity without Borders.  I have sold one item there – to someone that I never met before iCraft.

So I recommend both Etsy and 1000 Markets as the best for me so far.  I welcome hearing from others what your experiences and thoughts are!!  We may differ for sure!  I hope that we can help each other know the strengths of each shop.  Please feel free to ask questions to get more information … thanks for coming by!!

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting,   Reflections in Blue III, Etsy, 1000 Markets, Sacred Circle Mandalas, Sue O’Kieffe, marketing, iCraft, ArtFire, Market

Yesterday we went to see my special cousin who has been so influential in my life – and who is currently very sick.  It was wonderful to see him and I think seeing us was very good for him too!!  Prayers and healing are still greatly appreciated for Vincent!!  I love this vibrant, colorful painting – this Art Card, ACEO, 2 1/2 x 3 1/2″.  To me this looks very romantic and seems like music – I think that is why it is called Blue Note.

Blue Note, Pastel © Diane Clancy

I hope your life is going great!  Thank you for being understanding that I am taking a few days why I am focusing less on art and business and letting myself heal and find my bearings.  Thank you so much for coming by!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, Art Card

I hope everyone had a great Sunday!!  I got a lot done but it is time to rest and relax – so here is a new ACEO that I have created.  I think it is cool – how about you?  Thank you for stopping by!

Green Glow, Pastel © Diane Clancy

~ Diane Clancy

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Today we have been getting ready for the current AWE Project (Artists Window Exhibit).  Most of the windows are already up and looking great!  But Susan Elkin and I are doing Wilson’s Department Store window from May 11 to June 8 (instead of the month of May).  We are the first ones to show in this particular window – this store is one of the anchors of downtown Greenfield.  So it is pretty exciting to be showing there.  It is going to be quite a showcasing of our work!  Our friend who creates Wilson’s windows came over today to plan out how the window will look.  It will look lovely but be quite complicated to put up – I hope Susan will take pictures so you can see it!

Sunrise Flowers, Pastel © Diane Clancy

These next 4 days are going to be quite a ride for me … there is a lot of prep work for these AWE windows, prep for the TV recording Wednesday afternoon, more publicity about the AWE Project, the monthly Fostering the Arts in Franklin County (building the Creative Economy), 2 big meetings around the local mayor’s race, getting the garden started and some other life chores that need to be done in the next 4 days.  Oh right, and I should do the layout of the People’s Voice – now have the materials all ready to work with.  And I still need to be getting more rest for my health. Wish me luck to somehow flow through it all with grace, ease, delight and joy!!

How are you doing?  Thank you for stopping by today!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, Art Card, AWE Project, Artists Window Exhibit

Today I am feeling pretty sick … so here are some spring flowers in a vibrant, colorful painting for you and for me.  I hope you enjoy them … as I mentioned by, they are one of my favorites!!  Thank you for stopping by!

Peach Dream, Pastel © Diane Clancy

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, Art Card

This vibrant, colorful painting was created for the 2009 WWAO Swap (Worldwide WOmen Artists Online).  It is an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″).  This one is called Shimmering Fields. It is a different style from the other flower pastels … I was playing around.  The original is gone, but prints are available.  Do you have a preference for one style over the other?

Today Susan Elkin and I went to the offline, real life meeting of the Western Mass (US) Street Team.  It was cool to meet some of the other Etsy sellers.  Search for the tag “WMass Team” if you want to see some work from this dynomite group!  Here is my shop and here is Susan’s shop.

Shimmering Fields, Pastel © Diane Clancy

WWAO on the site says “Worldwide Women Artists is an international collective of women artists showing and selling our work through the worldwide web. As women artists, we give birth to our ideas in a variety of styles and media. We embrace the diversity of each other’s work, celebrating the joy of creating our art and sharing it with the world. We welcome female visual artists from all over the world who create and sell their own original art.”

Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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Today is a glorious spring day – and I am still recovering from several hard months. Tomorrow I am hoping to make some more pastel ACEOs and scan them in to show them you.  Here is one of the vibrant, colorful paintings I created awhile ago – an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″).  This one is called Firecracker Flowers – I hope you are enjoying these pastels!!

Firecracker Flowers, Pastel © Diane Clancy

I know I am creating a lot of flowers, but …  when I am in the flow creating in a certain style, I can paint and paint and paint … but then later I am in a different flow.  And then it is a different style that flows out of me.  Once these flowers stop, who knows when or if I will get back to them.  And I am so, so delighted to be working in the studio with traditional mediums!  Love to hear how you are!! Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, Art Card, creating

Here is one of the vibrant, colorful paintings I created a few days ago – an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″).  This one is called Blue Twilight – I hope you are enjoying these pastels!!   Today I created 1 more flower pastel – but it will take me a couple of days to get it scanned and prepped.

Blue Twilight, Pastel © Diane Clancy

Today was a rough day physically as 2 extra things got put onto my day … so I am exhausted.  But things are plugging along and it is going to get cooler tomorrow.  I just came by to say HI and share a vibrant, colorful painting you have not seen yet.  Love to hear how you are!! Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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Here is another one of these vibrant, colorful paintings – an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″). This is a quick post … just want to share another creation with you.  I am having a fun time making these little pieces of art!!  I LOVE this one!!  The colors make my heart sing!

Peach Dream, Pastel © Diane Clancy

To me these colors just dance with each other … with total joy and beauty!!  My eye keeps going from one part of the painting to another.  And the dance is horizontal, vertical and diagonal … so that makes it a good design to keep the eye drawn in.  I looked at a version in grayscale to make sure the underlying composition works and not just the color – it still dances.  So I would say this is a winner!

It is warm and glorious here today – at last I am warm enough!  It was up to 89 degrees.  It might have been a little warm outside but inside it was the first time in months I have felt really comfortable!  Thank you for stopping by!!  I would love to hear how YOU are!

~ Diane Clancy

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Here is another two of these vibrant, colorful paintings – an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″).  I actually got these listed as originals in two of my shops!!  Each original is listed in only one shop – since I don’t want to deal with the possibility that at any original (so only ONE original) would sell at 2 shops at the same time!!  This one is listed at my 1000 Markets Shop – This Elegant Green pastel is for sale right here!  I might make some limited edition prints (that means, a certain number, not open-ended) … but there is just this one original!

Elegant Green, Pastel © Diane Clancy

This Purple Dusk pastel painting is listed in my Etsy Shop – I am delighted to show you it right here.  Saarmst1on Twitter called this a Purple Deco – I like that idea a lot!  I am very excited to at last get 2 of these in the shops online!!  Making progress!  Thank you so much for coming by and looking at these!  The originals have no signature on the front – only the back – and the color is more delicate than it is here.  The prints I make will be a little more vibrant as the color is here.  I lightened the images for the shops of the originals to more accurately represent the color.

Purple Dusk, Pastel © Diane Clancy

Thank you for stopping by!!  I would love to hear how YOU are!

~ Diane Clancy

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Here is another one of these vibrant, colorful paintings – an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″). This is a quick post … just want to share another creation with you.  I am having a fun time making these little pieces of art!!  Thanks for all the encouragement!  I still haven’t gotten them listed for sale as originals in my shops – but that will be happening this week.

Violet Elegance, Pastel © Diane Clancy

Thank you for stopping by!!  I would love to hear how YOU are!

~ Diane Clancy

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Here is another of my pastel Art Cards, ACEOs.  This one will be for sale both as an original and as a print. I like it quite a lot! Art Cards are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2″ – in any medium … the size is what makes them ACEOs.  They have become a very popular, affordable way to collect an artist’s work. They are fun, a manageable size, lovely and affordable!  I plan to put the originals in some of my online shops and also the website and blog.  Unlike many other artists, I am going to list each original in only one place – I don’t want to risk selling it twice!  Thanks for all your encouragement for creating my vibrant, colorful paintings!

Magenta Moon, Pastel © Diane Clancy

The extremely high stress situation that was supposed to be over has reared its ugly head again!!  This was supposed to be over and the resolution was supposed to be clear.  But the person/agency who was in charge of that, totally, totally messed it up!  So now it is a real big, ridiculous situation.  So it is back on the front burner … and I am having a hard time dealing with it.  I keep working to keep things in persepective – after all, there are much, much worse things in life.  But the powerlessness around this specific thing is pretty horrible for most people.  And one of the worst things is that there is no accountability for them … they get to make mistakes with no consequences … and mess up people’s lives in the process.  Any prayers and healing are greatly appreciated!

At the same time some other projects – like the AWE Project, Artists Window Exhibit and the town elections – are also taking a lot of time and energy … so I want to make sure I get some rest in!  Thank you for stopping by!  I would love to hear how you are doing!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, Art Card

This week I have created 13 pastel Art Cards, ACEOs.  Art Cards are 2 1/2 x 3 1/2″ – in any medium … the size is what makes them ACEOs.  They have become a very popular, affordable way to collect an artist’s work.  I had mainly been making digital paintings that I made into Art Cards … and prints of some of my larger vibrant, colorful paintings.  But by popular demand (and the call of my muse), I am painting new vibrant, colorful pastels using traditional mediums right in the studio … totally away from the computer.  And it feels great!

Summer Morning, Pastel © Diane Clancy

But today I have been realizing part of what is so so great about working digitally – once you create the piece, you have it already to go!  It is easy to print because the colors on my computers generally match reasonably well with the printing from my archival printer.  The prints I make are rated to last 100 years … so the prints I create will last you a long, long time …

But when I scan in the little ACEOs, the color doesn’t translate as accurately to the computer.  I also need to protect the scanner from the pastel, so I use this shiny paper I bought years ago.  I read about it as a way to protect your scanner and still have fun, messy things to scan.  Once I get the digital file, I need to analyze what the color shifts are.  Some of them need to just be lighter, or shift the reds more toward magenta … or … or … and the beat goes on.  So it is a lot more work to get from a digital file to the printed art when I start with traditional medium.  But the pastels and other paints and papers are SO much fun to work with.  Yes, I know I could photo them too … and that is another set of problems.

This is one of my very favorite ones of the new Art Cards … I love the way certain blues and yellows bounce off each other – I have loved this color combination since I was a child .. even though you would never know that by the lack of frequency I use this combo.  My favorite colors – as you  may have have guessed – are magenta/hot pink, aqua/azure  and violet/purple. These colors just make my heart sing … I love them!! I love the way this trio interacts with each other .. I go around and around with which one is my favorite of the moment depending on the shades.

But also the way this particular bright, light, vibrant blue plays together with a clear, bright, light yellow – oh, it always grabs me and transports me into joy.  Did I ever mention that the unifying theme of my work is color?  Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear about you!

Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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How do you name paintings?  Or anything else that you make?  I like to give a name because I feel it enhances the painting and also gives a way for the viewer to look at the work – when they would like that way into the artists’ mind.  So I name all my vibrant, colorful paintings … but I sometimes run into problems.  How unusual!  (smiling) This is one of the ACEO paintings I made for the WWAO Swap … and I named them all – of course – I always do!

Green Dusk, Pastel © Diane Clancy

But tonight when I went to write a post, I ran into a road block.  This was the pastel I chose to share with you … so I went to my image folder to make sure you hadn’t seen it before … and there was already another Green Dusk .. a digital one!  Well, it is too late to change the name of either … so one is a Green Dusk pastel and another a Green Dusk digital.  I prefer that doesn’t happen, but obviously I am far from perfect. At least I feel there is a similar feel in one way to them both – so it shows some internal logic in my names.

Green Dusk, Digital © Diane Clancy

How do you keep track of all this?  Do you name your paintings?  Do you ever use a name more than once?  Do you care?  Be great to hear from you on this topic!

I have been extremely busy with the AWE Project today.  If I had more time, I would give you links to WWAO and also describe the AWE Project again .. but off to 2 more things before I get to bed tonight … so I will see you tomorrw!!  Love to hear about you!! Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, pastel, ACEO, AWE, WWAO