PineShoreStudio/Paintings by Helen Harris

Well if you ever wondered at the importance of keeping up on new posts on your blog or checking on your advertising .. just go away for a few days! Today, I feel as if I'm scrambling just to get back half way to where I was a week ago. I must admit shutting down the computer and the cell phone felt odd ,but was worth the down time to regroup. Of course my mailbox had a zillion letters when I returned. Surprisingly I was able to swiftly delete most of them....hmmmm. I recently asked the question" Too Many Shops?"Now I'm thinking" Too Many Social Networks? As I deleted email after email I found out exactly what sites held my attention and true interest. How many times recently had I clicked & joined sites that I have begun deleting material unread? Click on your browser history. Are you surprised? You may have gotten through your spring cleaning in the house...but maybe its time for a spring cleaning on your computer? Joined too many .ning groups that really...

Outdoor art shows are alive and well in this economy! WHAT???? Am I looking through rose colored glasses? No...I've been out there working them. In this rainy, humid spring I have not had the quick financial success as in past years but it is a steady selling market if you have adjusted to the reality of the economy . Ahhhh.. there's the rub. So ,what do I mean when I say adjusted? go prepared with a wide price range of work . I have found that everyone is simply tired of denying themselves to save every penny with no reward. A little treat for themselves at a show may be just a card or bookmark or unframed work ... .It's a sale people! it will cover you entry fee! talk about your work ,demonstrate your painting ....people are looking for things to do this summer that won't break the bank....my workshop/demo list is growing with every show Stop talking about the bad economy to the artist in the next tent! Your customer feels that negativity and hears it!They are o...

. My last post "Too Many Shows?!" drew the most comments that I've ever received on a post . Thank you to all that took the time to reply. Balancing the time to market in all these shops v. producing the work to have full venues goes to the heart of the matter. It wouldn't matter if you had 1,2 or more venues ...if you can keep up quality & quantity. In the last week I've booked 2 exhibits and was accepted into 2 more outdoor shows...and I have 2 more applications out there. Is it possible that my ability to market is out pacing my painting?Painting originals has its draw backs at moments like this.As I see it, as long as it 's the sale of paintings that presents an inventory problem ,that's a good sign. If it is simply not painting enough to meet each commitment ...now that's just a problem that needs to be solved. Time management....just moved to the top of my marketing list but how does it correspond to my creativity? I'll never forge...

I have questions I'd like to address to the many "working artists", that follow this blog. Many of you have Etsy ,Artfire, 1000Market, Indie .Zazzle shops etc. Do you feel too spread out with your work ? Are the shops redundant? Do you place the same product in each or do you select certain products for one shop and different items for another? Are you finding different shoppers? If you have a web site that has shopping capabilities, do you still need another shop? I'd really like to get some feedback . I've been reviewing my sales.Based on the information,I'm thinking of reorganizing my shops, such as exclusively selling my best seller in one shop or only having higher priced work in another. What is your opinion? .......While we are on the subject of posting product . Ok...so this floral cycle of paintings continues. Don't know why but I'll just go with the flow. In case you missed my tweets or FB announcements I've just posted new floral ACEOs...

Although I am still adding artwork to my new web site , it i s up & running. I had reached a point that my needs did not match up with my previous site. I've been searching for an alternative ,and I must say there are plenty of good systems these days, I chose FolioTwist . It is fairly new but was developed by Dan & Zac from Empty Easel . Do click through these links. I think you will find valuable information. The best part is that they take the time to explain and guide you in a very non - geek way. That in itself was a selling point for me. My learning curve has definitely gained speed but there are still some bumps along the way. I'd rather spend my time painting than dealing with computers. I asked questions and quickly received responses...nice. Anyhow I'll be adding to the site and experimenting since it is so easy to navigate.....come visit!

Another show come & gone..this one was sunny and I received an Honorable Mention Award! I even sold a painting that I was working on during the show! All good ..but... I do feel I've reached a plateau at the moment. Hmmmm...change is in the air. If I hesitate ..I'll be in this same spot mentally, creatively, and financially this time next year. Time to make some changes. Learning how to market my artwork on line as well as in my daily public contact is an on going process. Taking the time to listen to a number of artists that I've come to know both on the internet as well as through art associations has resulted in a need to adapt some of my methods. Soooo.. I'm going to be busy,going over basics, readjusting ,reevaluating. It's back to the drawing board and hopefully more success! A quick note here to my followers ...I'm in the process of changing over my web site host and my site will be down for a few days.

Sometimes a floral just happens! Landscapes are my subject of choice. I splash color on a paper and I see trees,mountains, rivers and skies. Rarely ,despite the many laborious and enjoyable hours I spend in my own garden ,do I paint flowers. So when they appear,and that is the only way I can describe how they show up...I let them happen... lol ... and my galleria owner gets happy. Maybe it was all the rainy weather on the East coast, or I just needed a splash of fun to chase away the blues...any way... Enjoy!