When did you first decide to become an artist and why?
I’ve wanted to be an artist since I can remember. I think I have always had this innate need to create, evident even from when I was a small child. I think being an artist is something you are born as, not something you strive to be. It has to do with an awareness more than a career choice.

Who and what are your influences ( ie other artists, friends, family, a tragedy,…) ?
One of my favorite paintings is Duchamps’ Nude Descending a Staircase. I am fascinated with trying to not just capture the light as in impressionism, or emotion as in abstract expressionism, but the fluidity of movement and the quality of the line as it defines a space. I am influenced by the stained glass windows I remember walking past in church every Sunday and the depth of emotion I felt in tracing the stations of the cross. I wanted to take that feel of the sharp edges of colored glass and humanize it with more depth and warmth. I paint as a form of self-healing. It is self discovery at its finest. I often don’t even realize I am dwelling on something until I recognize it in one of the paintings.

You use the female figure in many of your paintings, what draws you to this subject?
Again, a lot of this has to do with the quality of the line, the curves, and the fluidity of movement. Plus, I think there is probably a deeper obvious connection in portraying myself as I’ve moved though this journey in my life.

What was your inspiration for “Freedom Dancing”?
Freedom Dancing is one of my happiest pieces. I started this just as I was falling in love with someone new. Yes, there is a sense of music and dance, movement and wonder, but under that is all that excitement you get in a new relationship. It’s almost like a sense of euphoria.

What are you working on currently?
I just finished “Walls And Windows” a couple weeks ago. Usually, I only work on one piece at a time. I get so absorbed in how I feel with that one particular piece. I couldn’t imagine moving onto something else. It would be similar to having an affair in a committed relationship. I know that probably sounds insane, but I really get very emotionally involved in a lot of my work. I’m still in the infancy stages of a new sketch that will eventually be transformed into a painting I know I will call “Just Driving Through.”

Where did you learn to draw and to paint?
I’ve always drawn, always. I think my parents paid for private lessons when I was in grade school and middle school. Then, I went to a magnet high school where I majored in Fine Art and I briefly went to Ringling School Of Art and Design. All of that said, I’m learning a lot now just from experimenting with my own work and pushing myself in different directions. I really want to experiment more with textures and try to expand into much larger pieces. Each one fuels the next.

What do you do when you’re not creating art?
I work in a skilled nursing facility in the rehab department near Jacksonville and I am doing the best I can to raise my three children as a single parent. It’s always a juggle, and there’s never enough time in the day, but I paint for me because I have to. I need it as much as I need food and shelter and human connections.

What is your favorite subject to draw or paint?
Even though a lot of my work showcases human figures, the work itself is really more about following myself along my path of emotions and beliefs. The most important visual imagery has to do with the line, color, and composition. The reference to physical beings is secondary to the message.

What do you like most about the art you create?
I like the boldness and spiritual freedom I feel in a lot of the pieces. It’s really important to me that there is movement across the canvas. It is absolutely a process of self-discovery. I guess what I’m saying is the part I like the most is in the act of the creation itself.

Where can patrons see and purchase your artwork?
Right now my work is back home with me and can be seen and purchased through the web. My work is currently on display through http://www.getartexposed.com. I also often set up a few pieces to exhibit at the Jacksonville Artwalk, which is held on the first Wednesday of every month in Hemming Plaza, in downtown Jacksonville. Since I have only recently considered getting my work out there, I am now applying to other art exhibits in the area. I have my fingers crossed.

Jennifer’s Artist Page on Art eXposed

Twitter is a Micro-blog .   It allows you to post short 140 char blogs, called tweets.   It is also considered a moblog (mobil blog), because you can send your blog via your cell phone (text Message (40404) , or via their wap site m.twitter.com). You can also  post from the web (http://www.twitter.com/) or by IM using their screen name  “twitterim”.  Internet developers are also creating other methods for you to enter information into your twitter blog.

So why should artists use Twitter?  Well unless you live in a cave, every art magazine, art marketing guru, and Internet site is telling you to blog.  But if you’re like me, it’s HARD to stop and take the time to write an article.  That’s why there’s twitter… for people like you and me.  Just a couple of sentences will keep your patrons happy and with an easy to use interface you have no excuse not to blog. 

With Twitter you just let your patrons know what your doing. So when you’re  excited about something just send a tweet.

Let me give you a few examples of tweets you can post:

• Just started a new painting: The long Island sound on a cool fall day. (Sept 18)
• Spent the morning on the sound, 74 degrees … life doesn’t get any better than this. (Sept 19)
• Happy with the progress so far, can’t wait for you all to see. (Sept 21)
• Just finished the painting … check it out on Art eXposed !!!! (Sept 24)

You can post your tweets to your current blog, on your myspace.com page, or on your website using widgets.  Below I have place an RSS feed of the Art eXposed twitter.  

The Art eXposed Twitter

Please wait while my tweets load    

If you can’t wait - check out what I’ve been twittering

I just found two great magazines I wanted to share with you, Hi-Fructose and Glubdub.com.   They are both fairly new and both specialize in the “counter culture”.  Both periodicals dedicate most of the magazine to artist interview.

Hi-Fructose is a print magazine, and the images of the artwork are totally amazing, full page, full color, and truly stunning photography.  Founders and interviewers Attaboy & Annie Owens do a spectacular job at interviewing these talented artists.

Glubdub.com is an online magazine, that is truly “counter culture”, and sometimes out there, way out there, but they have great interviews with some spectacular artists.  Check out the article on Aunia Kahn in the latest issue of Glubdub.

Setting a price

It’s always hard for new artists to part with their work. But, if you want to make a living creating art, you must learn to let go and sell your work. You will always have the photographs to admire when the sale is complete and then the satisfaction that someone else appreciates and enjoys what you have done.

Some steps you can take and things to consider when determining a good selling price to your artwork.

What have they sold for in the past?
What are other artworks similar in size and style selling for?
- Scour the internet for similar art, see what artists are getting.
- Note, well known artists will command higher prices.

Once you set a price you can always go up, but you never want to go down (i.e., discount your work). You always want to show your patrons that you are improving on their investment in you and the artwork they purchased from you.

As you start selling more and more art, you can begin increasing your prices. You want to be at a price where you have a low inventory and people are waiting for your next piece.

If you really love a piece that you have done, do not price it higher than other works of similar size and style. Some artists will double and triple the price of these pieces, which is a mistake. If you love the work that much, then keep the work, but keep your prices consistent.

Regards prices (Price points)

A great way to keep a large group of varied buyers is to have wide-ranging prices. If you can have works in all price points described below, then you will have a diverse group of patrons and a steady flow of income.

Under $75 - Impulse sales, customers will buy with no thought at this price. Once you make a sale at this price you may have just found a future collector. Get details of these buyers and put them on your mailing list.

What to sell at this price: 5×7 originals, signed prints, posters, small sculptures, smaller giclées, and nick knacks that represent your brand, including postcards and other promotional items.

$75 - $800 – Pieces in this price range will sell at art shows, via the web, and through interior designers. New collectors can be found at this level. New young collectors are the best to have; their income grows as your reputation grows. A match made in heaven.

What to sell at this price:

New Artists: Before you have a following, your work should fit into this price point. Larger giclées, limited addition giclées, and limited additions print if your originals are on the high end or out of this range.

Established Artists: limited issue giclées and prints, miniature sculptures, as well pre-framed prints and giclées.

Over $800 – At this range you are willing to accept gallery commissions. Before this price range, gallery commissions could cut into your profits or heavily impact your profits on an item. In this range you should have a following and a large e-mail list. You should now be attracting patrons that do not care about the price of the item; they are looking at status, enjoyment of their success, and hope for a return on their investment.

For artwork over $5000 collectors are buying you and your brand, and hoping to follow your rise to fame. At this level, you could be seeing sales in the secondary market, which can even take you higher.

In the beginning your goal is to build a list of patrons that will stay with you as you grow as an artist. To do this you must set your price point correctly, when it’s hard to keep an inventory you know it’s time to move up the price, and bring on more collectors as you become more established as an artist. Also, don’t forget as you go to keep items in the lower price point to retain your original patrons who cannot YET afford your new higher priced offerings in the mix.

If you keep these price points in mind, then you will always have artwork priced for all your patrons to enjoy!

Other References on Art Pricing:

Sylia White: Pricing Your Art

Art Business: Price your art realistically

EBSQ Art: The Lighter Side at Pricing Your Art