Thursday, October 26, 2006

That Marketing Thing

I have a hang up about marketing myself. Not that I think I’m above it all…I’m below it actually. But lately I’ve been facing facts. I do have to do this if I want to make money. I notice that artists like Claudine Hellmuth do commissions. This is something I think I would really like doing.
Here’s a picture I did of my sister Pam and her husband Brian. I used a photo I’d taken of them at a party and sandwiched it with another photo I’d taken at their cottage and the scan of a map. It’s one of the most ambitious things I’ve ever done in Photoshop because I used multiple layers and techniques in order to get the slightly surreal look I was after. (This is version twelve).
I’ve also been working on my website. Carmi has inspired me to do this. Somehow when a friend can do it, it seems real and possible to me too. I’ve been learning GoLive from the tutorials on Lynda.com, and now I actually think I can do it. The problem is the gazillion images I need to organize and all the photos I have to take…plus the writing of course. But I have to stop vacillating and just get it done. I’d like to get my website up by the
Holly Jolly Holiday Sale if I can. Nothing like picking an arbitrary deadline to galvanize me!
I’ve also started working on some new things for the sale, and I’m enjoying it. Last year I was anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. This year is different. I’m doing some pictures on wood supports and canvas. I don’t know whether or not they will appeal to people, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. It would be nice if it was more gain than venture though!

2 comments:

claudine hellmuth said...

hey! tghanks for the shout out! I really like the piece you did of your sister and her husband!
xxxox

Anonymous said...

Bravo, Susan. Listen, look at it this way. If you don't market yourself, you are depriving lots of interested people of your magnificent talent. It is a joy to support a gifted artist and you will bring joy to people who don't even know you now. It's a lot of work, but I bet you get used to it and thrive. Of course, it's daunting to start something new, but I know you can do it.

Hugs, Jeanne