Working on a New Year

"working on 2009" - Copyright 2008 Michael Warth Studios

Hi all,

I've been working on the plans for 2009 and well...I hate resolutions. I never keep them, don't really like feeling "obligated" to do something for myself for the sake of a "new year", but I have to admit; I have a lot of hopes for 2009.

Looking back on 2008 it was a tough year. I did a lot of things good, and a lot not so good. 2008 was a challenging year too; the economy, health issues, and more. I have to say I plan to have a great time in 2009. New artwork, learn more about art and technology, and find time for family and friends are all part of the plan. Hopefully, I will be able to give a little back too. I would like to help others not as fortunate and really get into doing something constructive with my spare time.

I can't believe I've posted nearly 100 blog entries in only a year; I'm sure the 100th post will be soon! Be on the lookout, the 100th post will be a special one - can't say but it would be worth a read.

Enjoy yourselves tonight and be safe...see ya' next year!

Cheers,

Michael

Pen and Ink Drawing

Framed Pen & Ink drawing - Copyright 2008 Michael Warth

Hi all,

Many of you know I started my professional artist career focusing on pen and ink drawings. In particular, commissioned home portraits in pen and ink. I wanted to share one of my favorites completed during 2008 - a pen and ink home portrait commission for Ms Maria D. I have not lost interest in pen and ink - on the contrary, I love drawing in pen and ink. The problem is time. As you might imagine, they take a long time to complete and oils tend to fair better with the majority of art buyers.

I want to thank Maria D. and her sister for commissioning a pen and ink drawing of her Dad's house for Christmas. I really enjoyed doing the drawing.

Unframed Pen & Ink drawing - Copyright 2008 Michael Warth

I have mentioned this in earlier posts, but 2009 is going to be an exciting time for Michael Warth Studios. I plan to do more commissions and share them here on the blog. One area I'm really excited about is the dog portraits in oil that I am beginning an agressive marketing campaign on - more on that later.

Cheers,

Michael

Artists on the Net

Hi All,

I found this cool collection of photographs of "Artists at Work" that I wanted to share. [LINK]

The collection is part of the LIFE Photography Archive. Worth a look if you like to see some incredible photography. One more thing to add here...one of my favorite photographers, Joe McNally, was the last staff photographer for LIFE so be sure to search the archive for his photographs.

Cheers,

Michael

Merry Christmas

Have a Merry Christmas!

Art Marketing or Artist's Marketing?

Hi All,

I finally have some time to do the things that I've been putting off or have wanted to do for some time. One subject that always amazes me is marketing. To further complicate the subject I like to focus on art marketing. One area many would be famous artist seeks to 'market' themselves is the web. To be effective, a website must understand Search Engine Optimization. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a buzz phrase for getting websites to the top of those search engine lists. There are many facets to making a site list at the top.

• Content
• Clever Keywords, Descriptions, and page title (AKA META TAGS)
• Browser Friendly
• Inbound / Outbound Links
• And so much more

Online, offline, does it really make a big difference how an artist markets their work? I think artists should be effective marketers online but equally (or more) offline. If you are an artist, are you marketing your work, or are you simply an artist marketing? Before I get hatemail on this subject I just want to point out that as artists we have a responsibility to create. I am refering to those of us who produce to sell - if you paint because you want to, and you are simply painting for fun; there is no reason to market your art anyway. I'm not trying to be mean but this post is directed to sellers. Back to the responsibility to create thing...if we don't create we have nothing to sell. The following is a series of points I want you to think about;

• Create to sell
• Market the art (don't be an artist marketing)
• Sell everything (art is only worth what someone will pay for it)
• Repeat

Simply put, create art to sell because it pays the bills and keeps you learning as an artist. Market the art you create. Online and offline; just market your art and create a brand (you). Be sure not to be an artist marketing. To better understand what I am trying to say; just remember this, marketing your art should be about you and your art. If you are an artist marketing you may be missing the point, you may only be marketing the process of being an artist. Your would be clients are not want-to-be artists, they are patrons of the arts who want to buy your art (so market your art). Sell everything and at a price patrons are willing to pay for it. Sure, selling 50 - $20,000 paintings a year would be great but are your current patrons willing to pay that much? Finally, repeat. All I'm saying here is to get another blank canvas out and paint another one. Paint it, market it, sell it, and repeat - it is that simple folks.

One last thought here. When you are marketing your art, remember to market your name. Was Van Gough really that good? No, but his name makes the art worth something. The same goes for Rembrandt, Vermeer, Pollack, and Picasso. Online and offline, your marketing efforts should help you find patrons for your art - never forget that point. Find them, treat them well, keep them, and find more. Get to the front of the pack through SEO online, or becoming a recognized name in your offline market.

Michael

2009 - Can't Wait

Hi All,

I have several plans for next year and can't wait to finish up the projects in the studio so that I can get busy. When I started Warth Arts in May of 2000 I had no idea that it would have evolved into the business (Michael Warth Studios) it is today. I have so much fun designing web pages, and print ads for my corporate clients, working on photographs in Photoshop for photographers (and myself), and last but not least zoning out while working on a painting or a drawing. I truly have the best creative life an artist could wish for - I'm always busy, and always learning.

Many of you know that the last few years have been difficult for me and my family due to the loss of my grandparents, mom's cancer, and my wife's stroke earlier this year. Even though trying to work a full time schedule at my day job and a near full time schedule in my art business is difficult to say the least, I am finally starting to reach a point where the future of Michael Warth Studios is looking very promising. The bench mark or compass point for what I want the business to evolve into is finally becoming easier to imagine. I would never tell someone to become an artist if they want to get to the top fast and makes loads of money. However, I would encourage anyone to do what makes them happy. 

2009 should be an interesting year for Michael Warth Studios. Chillicothe, Ohio may or may not be the final place of business but it will always be my home. Today's post is all about the future...all about the beginning of the next chapter in the evolution of Michael Warth Studios the business and Michael Warth the artist. Yes, it has taken a long time to get to this point, and yes, it will not be easy reaching my goals. One thing is for sure, my journey continues and as this month ends a new year begins. I can't wait until Christmas, New Years Eve, and next year.

In 2009 expect to see pet commissions, home commissions, traditional oil portraits, landscapes, and more from Michael Warth Studios. I can't wait to share what I am working on!!

Cheers,

- Michael 

Cyber Monday

Hi All,

Today is Cyber Monday according to the people who name the holiday shopping season days. You know, black Friday, broke Saturday (just kidding). I tried to buy a quick upgrade from Nikon and made a mistake. A costly mistake since I never use what I got. Basically, in my haste to get the software working now, I purchased a key code for a program I'll never use and the code I needed was for tethered shooting (camera to laptop). I have to make a jab here...Canon users get a free utility for this - come on Nikon! The problem is that all sales are final on software from the Nikon Mall. 

So there you have it...Cyber Monday was a bust for me. I should have ordered the "boxed C/D" from B & H photo. For one the website is not as confusing.

Hey folks - if you are reading this and you feel my pain, drop me an email and tell what you think of Cyber Monday. Better yet, help Santa Claus this year; purchase an unframed, limited edition, "A Walk in the Village" giclee (while supplies last) for only $39 (that is $20 off the regular price). Offer ends December 10th and is only valid if you send me an email with the coupon code "CYBER MONDAY" in your email (subject line is best but in the body is fine too).

Click Here to visit my website to view the artwork in this offer.

Have a great day!

Michael