Friday, October 21, 2011

The Babe's An Angel - What do you put on the back of your paintings?

"The Babe's an Angel"
9" x  6", Oil on Canvas

I'm having fun with these angels.  The size of the canvas gave me the inspiration to get back on the angel paintings and I have had some requests for angels in pink boots since the donation for the Cancer Awareness.

What do you sign on the back of your paintings?

Recently I've bought from or traded paintings with other artists.  I love the art I received but there is a second reason why I like buying from other artists as well as trade with other artists.

I like to see how the art is presented, especially if it is mailed to me.  It is a learning experience for me.

Does the artist take time to make the packaging interesting?  If it's not, it makes me wonder if it is because the artist knows I'm a fellow artist?

How is it packaged?  Is it gift wrapped?  Is there marketing materials included in the packing? 

So, here is my question to you - what do you put on the back of your painting?  Of course you probably sign it, title it, perhaps date it.  But do you write on the back of the painting the recipient's name?  A message to the recipient?

If it were me that last two questions are NO!  Unless this is a gift (and even then I'd say leave that off and write a note card instead).  Because artwork might be re-sold, or given to someone else.  I've bought paintings from other artists to give to my friends or family - but if on the back of it - there is a "thank you - Judy" - the product becomes useless to me!

My opinion and this is just my opinion, of course, but  unless the buyer specifies, "can you sign it with this -----" - don't put personal message on the back of your work. 



Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing "This Babe's An Angel", please email me at judy@judymackey.com or click the link under the painting.  If you like my work, please refer me to your friends and tweet me.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Vitoria's Angel - My newest Angel Painting

"Victoria's Angel"
9" x  6" x 1.5", Oil on Canvas

Having a little fun with the angel idea.  Victoria's secret often features beautiful ladies in lingerie and wings so this was the idea.


Are you an artist reading my blog?

Do you buy artwork by other artists?  I often hear from my artists friends who are new at selling, as they try to grow their blog followers, or social media "friends" and are disappointed by the fact that most or all of their friends are other artists.  I tell them that artists are also collectors.  I know a lot of artists who buy other artists' works.  I have several artist friends who have at least one or more of my paintings. 

I've also had other artist's collectors who've found me and bought from me because of some post on "facebook" or because they saw my thumbnail on their artist's blog. 

It's a start - don't worry if your followers are other artists...there's that thing about six degrees of separation and you have to continue to grow your followers and friends and it's perfectly OK to market to other artists.


Have a painty day.
Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing " ", please email me at judy@judymackey.com.  If you like my work, I hope you will refer me to your friends.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

You Wear It Well - PINK Boots Angel

"You Wear It Well"
10" x  10", Oil on Board
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A few months ago I painted a few angel paintings in which the angels were sporting pink cowboy boots. The idea came from a comment left on my blog from someone who said that she was a breast cancer survior and wished to see pink cowboy boots rather than the angels I'd painted with blue or red boots. My cowboy wearing angels just looked like they had an attitude.
I have two of such angels for sale at Muse & Co Fine Art Gallery.
The third painting, pictured here is titled "You Wear It Well" - from a song I was listening to while I was painting this.
I have a friend, a breast cancer survivor, who will be walking the Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure 3-Day. She lives in Texas. During this hot Summer she's been training for the walk by waking up at 3am in order to train without getting over heated. I am so impressed by her determination. So the least I can do is paint an angel and offer it as auction. I have decided to use Ebay since they are set up for taking auctions. I hope you will bid on the painting - the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research.
 
 
 There's only a little over 3 days left on this auction.....
Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing " ", please email me at judy@judymackey.com.  If you like my work, I hope you will refer me to your friends.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Angel Watching - Palette Knife Painting

 
"Angel Watching"
9" x  6" x 1.5", Oil on Stretched Canvas

Somewhat moody painting looking at an angel from behind as the angel watches...I posted this on Facebook and someone mentioned that the angel looked like she was waiting to help someone.  Angels probably do wait around so that they are available to help us.

How's your angel?  Done anything lately that'd make the angel sitting on your shoulder whisper "don't do it...." as the little devil on the other shoulder presses for you to?


Well, be an angel and spread the word on this - I have a listing on Ebay right now for an angel painting I painted earlier this year - the angel is wearing pink boots and it's called "You wear it Well".  100% of the proceeds goes to Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Only a few more days to make your bid and donation.   Click here to Bid on Ebay.


Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing "Angel Watching", please email me at judy@judymackey.com.  If you like my work, I hope you will refer me to your friends.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Art Festivals - Painting of Trees in Gray

 
"Gray Day"
30" x 24", Oil on Canvas
There was an Art Fest in our local city. The city did a great job organizing and closing the small historic main street areas for the tents. The weather was gorgeous - a little breezy, which made some of the exhibitors nervous as they adjusted their tents.
Have you seen the movie "Field of Dreams"? That famous line quoted by so many, "If you build it, he will come."....seeing some of the exhibitors today made me think of that line.
It was a juried Art Fest, there were probably fees. tents to rent or buy, tables, easels, stands. drive from somewhere (there were out-of-state artists) the cost and labor to exhbit at one of these festivals....and yet - why is it that so many of the artists sit back as though their art would just sell itself.
Sure, we've all had those moments - we paint (create) something and post it somewhere, our website, a gallery - and a buyer will be so moved that it is sold immediately - no selling necessary the artwork sold itself...it does happen. But for most of us I think we need to put a little more in to the selling part of our business. It IS a business after all.
One artist had beautiful paintings and I walked into her tent to take a closer look. each tag by the painting had a title, size and price...No where in the tent was there an explanation of any sort. Was it oil? Acrylic? Did the price include frame? And the artist was no where in site. Well she was sitting off to one side... Maybe that big post-it note on my forehead was saying - "don't talk to me because I'm just browsing".
An opportunity lost...what if I was a buyer?
The artist worked hard to get there and yet...
Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing "Gray Day", please email me at judy@judymackey.com.  If you like my work, I hope you will refer me to your friends.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Hank - A White Schnauzer Pet Portrait

 
"Hank"
5" x 5 ", Oil on Board
Sold - Commission

As I mentioned in the last post for Oliver the Black Standard poodle - black is a hard color to paint when it comes to dogs.  But I have to change my thoughts on that as now I'm of the opinion that white is really really really hard :)  Add too much browns and grays and the dog looks either dirty or dull.  And yet I needed to add subtle shading to contour the face. 

Hank is an unshaved Schnauzer whose ears have not been cropped.  He is a happy boy who has dancing dark eyes that are covered in most of his photos.  The owner of Hank sent a lot of photos but in most of them he looked like a cotton ball.  I was tempted to do a mixed media - glue a few cotton balls on the canvas and call it a day... :)  But I persevered and finished this painting.  It's actually a second re-paint.  His owner was happy with the photo I've emailed to her.  This painting is in the mail and on it's way to it's home in Southwestern Georgia.


Website:  JudyMackey.com
Email: CLICK HERE
If you are interested in purchasing " ", please email me at judy@judymackey.com.  If you like my work, I hope you will refer me to your friends.