Sunday 3 June 2012

Overwhelmed

Friday I started the guided Business Goddess workshop with Leonie Dawson. You have the choice to sign up for just this workshop, and then it's finished after 5 weeks, or you can sign up for a membership with the Goddess Circle, and then you get access to all the workshops and materials on the site for a whole year. Being just 20 dollars more, I figured I'd be better off doing the whole year membership.

And now I'm a bit overwhelmed. There's so much information on there that I don't even know where to start. There's a wonderful group of people to meet, forums to read and information to share. Although from what I've seen so far it seems to be more of a place for people who want to do women empowerment, healing, massage, coaching, meditation, etc ... If you're into that, you're definitely in the right place there.

Don't get me wrong, it's also about art and making a business of it. Actually, it's for everybody who wants to make their dream job come true. Whatever that dream job is. I've picked up some real interesting tips and information already. Looking forward to exploring it all.

But you can't sit in front of the computer all day, can you! So yesterday I played with a painted background again. This is what I started with:

I immediately saw the bird, and then the contours of a body underneath...

 so that's what I painted (Inktense pencils and acrylics)

It's so much fun to do these little paintings. I never would have thought to paint a figure like that, it just came out of the drips and layers of paint. Pure coincidence. I have a whole bunch of them now, but I still need to  finish them. Meaning that I have to paint the sides and put a coat of varnish on them. And then they'll be ready to sell. Oh, yes, and put my name on there as well ;-)

I am thinking about setting up an Etsy store, but I need to look into it first. I have also been reading about Redbubble and DeviantArt, where you just have to upload an image, and if somebody wants to buy a print, they take care of it. Of course they also take a percentage out of it. But I've read some really bad reviews about it, so I'm very much in doubt now.

Do you have experience with selling your stuff like that? Are you happy with the results, or is it just not worth the work? I would love to hear your view on this!

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. Wow Denthe... you sound busy... I did look at Leonie's Business course... but what it did do, was remind me to go back to Kelly Rae Roberts 'flying lessons' course I did ages ago... was a great way to refresh what I had learned and forgotten about...lol... just read those reviews on Red Bubble... seriously with the money they pay out for YOUR art... I don't think I would do it... your painting is gorgeous... and love the way she is standing with the bird... awesome!!! the colors are so lovely too...

    Hugs
    Jenny x

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  2. I love how the painting evolves from the painted background. It sounds to me like a form of "intuitive painting". Really good.

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  3. There is another site that sells work called 'Fine Art America' which might be worth looking at. I dont know if it is the same Redbubble worldwide (I guess it is)but my brother is a photographer and has been selling his work through them for years now and he has never complained about them to me. I suppose it's just finding the site that feel right for you.
    I love the painting you have done and how you get your inspiration is amazing. You have a very imaginative mind.

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  4. I am mesmerized by the spontaneity of the way you paint. I have a horrible time with backgrounds and throwing paint on pages without any rhyme or reason or plan. I understand you use leftover acrylic paint, and then Inktense watercolor pencils on top? Not having something to copy makes me come to a complete halt. So I always start with copying a face that I have a picture of, and then I don't know what to do after that. I'm thinking of taking Julie Prichard's Act Natural class in order to get myself painting some backgrounds, as well as using the leftovers to create more.

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  5. Love the new painting!!! I don't have experience with any of those websites so I'm no help there.

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  6. So cool and interesting! Love the colors and the characters you found in the shapes. I have Etsy experience and though they have gone downhill a bit in recent years, with folks re-selling all kinds of things they aren't supposed to, the fine art category doesn't have as many problems with that type of thing.

    It is free and easy to set up a shop, and the cost is just $.20 to list an item for 4 months. They take a small percentage, and so does Paypal when something sells (for a total of 5-6% I believe). I find you get out of it what you put into it, and it does take time to get established. Since you've had a blog for a while that should help. They make it very easy to put a widget on your page that shows some of your things for sale.

    One helpful team at Etsy has put together a really good informational list here:
    http://etsymentors.blogspot.com/p/critique-your-own-shop.html

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  7. Wow, what a fascinating way of working. You have a great imagination. Very creative.
    Happy Painting.

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  8. How fun that you paint on impulse! I did it too the other night.. so fun..
    And your painting and drawing and colors and all toutch me, gorgeous piece of art! :) I love her look and expression in her face! :)

    About buy sale I don't know much..

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  9. love this and I found it so magical to draw what I see in the colors or shadows! I have seen the bird first too!! and I see the figure looking down the ground, heehee...Greez from Conny

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  10. hi there!
    I found you via the BUSINESS GODDESS e-course! I'm also doing it, and found you in the "social media" circle.
    i know exactly what you mean about being overwhelmed - but i'm guessing it'll get more familiar with time. SO many wonderful connections there...
    i just had to tell you that this painting is GORGEOUS!! I must try those inktense pencils. Wonderful painting...xoxo

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  11. Fantastic painting. I love that you saw an image in the background painting and then used it.

    Other than Etsy, the only other place I found for handmade/art was www.Artfire.com Unfortunately I don't know much about it.

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  12. Wow! Wonderful, Denthe. This is very much the way I begin my paintings, but I usually do a lot of scribbling and writing in them between layers.

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