Moving Forward-2012

Well, the Holiday Market was a bust, but it’s time to move on and make plans for next year.  I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish in the next few months.  Back when I was stalking WendyBrightbill (she's an amazing person and artist, you should stalk her too), I ran across a post of hers where she had listed her 2011 I DidList.  She listed all of the goals she accomplished during the year.  Turns out, she did them all.  So, this made me think.  If I list all of my goals for 2012 on here, maybe it will keep me accountable and help me accomplish my goals as well.  Plus, it’s not a bad idea to let everyone know what I’m up to and what to look forward to in the future, right?

When I began Kelly Rae’s class, I listed my goals/dreams for my business.  I’m not sure I’ve actually gotten them all down yet, but I’m going to break it down into the ones I think are doable for the coming  year.  Actually, some things I have accomplished or started already, so that’s amazing.  I just need to keep ticking them off one by one.  It was so wonderful how Kelly Rae taught us to break down our goals and start getting them done.

These really aren’t in any sort of order.  It’s just a list of things I want to happen for me and my little business.  Some of them will also probably overlap anyway.  It would be great to see what you guys have in mind for the coming year as well.  Make yourself accountable too.

                Get a line of paper dolls together and in stores (I’m collaborating with a friend on this.  It’s going to be so much fun.  She is amazing, and I think we will work great together.)

                Get more Etsy sales. 

                Attend a few art festivals.  I plan on this being the last year I have to do shows.  I want to get enough exposure that I can rely on online sales and not traveling all the time.

                Join my local visual arts association.  This will give me some exposure in the community, and I will get to meet more local artists and network with them.

                Get published in at least three magazines this year.

                Continue my interview series-Inspiration Avenue

                Start steps toward teaching an online course.  Maybe make some tutorial videos and put them on youtube.

There are probably more than this, but I think it’s a good start.  Anything else is just icing on the cake.  My intention is to check in every quarter and see how the list is going.  I’ll try not to forget to do that.  I plan on 2012 being full of growth for my business.  

Inspiration Avenue-Meet Flor Larios

I’ve been giving a lot of thought lately to the people who inspire me.  Being self-taught, I rely a lot on other artists that I run across on the internet.  There are so many amazing ones out there, I thought it would be great to introduce my followers to the ones that have driven me to where I am today.  I rely a lot on blogs to introduce me to new people, so I’m going to return the favor by periodically featuring interviews with the artists who inspire me the most.  There is no set schedule for these posts, just whenever I am able to get an interview with someone, so keep checking back.

One of my favorites artists is Flor Larios.  Flor is an amazing artist and such a beautiful person as well.  I’ve emailed her a couple of times to ask questions, and she has always responded and been very helpful to me.  I would like her to know how much I appreciate that.  Sometimes it’s really hard to get information or figure things out, and it’s great to have fellow artists to share along the way.  When I started thinking about what to ask her, I looked at other artist interviews.  I was getting really bogged down trying to figure out what questions to ask.  Which ones are the best?  Then, I decided, what do I want to know about Flor?  So, I closed out the other interviews and took that approach.  This is what I wanted to know most.  I hope you guys enjoy it.

1.       Can you please introduce yourself and your work.
Originally from Nicaragua.  I am a self-taught artist and like to create mixing techniques and combining old with new expressing kindness, tenderness, magic, and mysticism thru my art. 

2.     How long have you been painting?
   Forever!

3.       How did you get started making art?
Years ago.  I became interested after visiting museums in Boston and New York.  

4.       I’ve noticed that you have quite a large following.  Do you mind telling us what marketing strategies have worked for you so far?  Is there something you would like to try and haven’t yet?
Thank you!  Just keep going even when you have doubts or feel extremely tired.

5.       What are your favorite materials to work with?
Oil pastels and metallic paints.

6.       What inspires your paintings?
Antique religious icons and Frida Kahlo's art.

7.       What one piece of art has inspired you the most?
'The Birth of Venus' by Botticelli.

8.       Who are some of your favorite artists?
Frida, Gauguin, and Paul Klee.

9.       Do you currently teach any workshops?  If not, do you have any plans to do so in the future?
Not at this moment, maybe in the future.

10.   What are your dreams for your creative business in the future?  What is the one big thing you aspire to?
I would like for my art to be everywhere...who wouldn't?  To have a collection of children's books written by my husband and illustrated by me.

11.   What techniques or styles would you like to try that you don’t currently use?
I never use water colors... I might want to try that next...

12.   Besides making art, what other things to you like to do?
I like to worry about small things and big things...

13.  Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?  People really like to get to know artists and what makes them tick.  Sometimes it makes them more drawn to your work.
I am insanely shy.

I want to thank Flor for participating in my interview.  You can find her and her work on her blog or in her etsy shop.

December?????

What on earth happened to November?  Where did the time go?  Even though I didn’t post very much, I did make art every day in November.  Sorry that I wasn’t able to keep up with the posting.  Maybe next year I will be more organized.  I’ve got lots of things in the works for the Holiday Market.  Take a look at the website for all the info on the Market.

I’m going to be putting some new prints in the shop in the next couple of days.  Make sure you take a look and see what’s new.  I’m trying to get some new originals for the Market.  I’m making a few 8x10’s in case people want smaller sizes. 

This is a painting I did for my Etsy Mom’s group.  I volunteered to give away a prize for October for the treasury winners.  Mine was chosen as first prize.  So exciting. 

Little Trees

The Holiday Market starts this Friday.  I’ll be back with all the details and pictures for you guys.  If you’re in Chattanooga, make sure to come by.  I’m going to have lots of ornaments and 4x4 plaques.