Art Licensing Story: Jen Goode
Before you watch this video, I encourage you NOT to be intimidated by the cool cartoon flash effects! (I know I was – intimidated and envious at the same time!) Here is Jen’s story of discovering art licensing – she’s now getting ready to walk and exhibit at her first trade shows – go Jen!
So, talk to your computer like I did, have fun with animation like Jen, but PLEASE… create a video of your story so we can share them with others. This will be fun – if you join in. 
You can send me your video info anytime but if you enter before Valentine’s Day you will be entered to win prizes! See the blog post with all the details…
For now, enjoy Jen’s fun Art Licensing Story! Thanks Jen, for being the first to throw your story in the pot!
Here’s to great artist stories!
– Tara
P.S. A little “link love” for Jen – learn more about the art of Jen Goode at www.JenGoode.com
P.P.S. Want to know what “link love” and other ways of getting quality traffic to your art website? Go to www.AskAboutSEOforArtists.com – the February Art Licensing Info Ask call will be all about getting your website working for you, so you can get back to work in the studio!
New! Put your Art Licensing Info on Your iPhone!
I can’t tell you how excited I was to create an app for the iPhone! With the help of www.AppMakr.com, it was a snap!
Click the image to download
There are currently 3 taps on the free iPhone app – you can see what’s going on on the blog, links to the website and the YouTube channel – all from your iPhone where ever you are.
The last time I went to the movies Craig and I got there a bit early. (As in, the final credits from the last showing were rolling – never did that before!) So we had some time… I pulled out my iPhone to Google something we were talking about (can’t remember what now…) then of course I had to check Twitter. Also posted on Facebook.
There are times when you just have a few minutes to spare… waiting at the doctor’s office (it’s inevitable!), waiting for kids to finish sports or lessons of some sort, waiting at the airport…
Why not use that time to learn something new or stay inspired about art licensing? Now you can with the iPhone App from Art Licensing Info. (Did I mention it’s FREE?)
SO… without further a-do – CLICK HERE and download your app today. Hope you like it as much as I do!
Here’s to your creative success – at your fingertips on your iPhone!
– Tara
The Atlanta Gift Show 2010 – This Artist's Perspective
What a wild start to this year’s Gift Show in at AmericasMart, or to those who frequent the three buildings regularly, “the Mart”. Snow and ice in Atlanta – that doesn’t happen often! In fact, the mere threat of snow on Thursday caused Delta to cancel about 90 flights for Thursday on Wednesday in anticipation… Restaurants were closing while the roads were still dry… again, anticipation.
"Fashion Forward" Flour Sack Towels - new from Kay Dee Designs © Tara Reed Designs Inc
The snow did begin to fall in the evening and iced over night. There was 29 car pile up near the airport. Georgia is simply not prepared for ice and snow.
But the show must go on and on it did. This year seemed to have a better energy than the same time last year. Many manufacturers were happy that they were having a better year than last and retailers on the very crowded elevators (always a good sign even if it’s a hassle) were looking for things that are “bright, quality and good price points”. (I heard that more than once.)
I did hear that both retailers and manufacturers sold out of Christmas items before Christmas – having ordered much more leanly last year so they didn’t get stuck with a lot of extras. Hopefully that means lines will be stocked deeper next year – meaning more royalties trickling back to the licensed artists.
Celebrity sightings
The January show wouldn’t be complete without lots of celebrity and designers coming out to draw attention to their product lines.
I met Meredith Baxter (remember her from Family Ties?) – she has a skin care line and was as nice as she seemed on TV.
During my signing with Thirstystone, where I was giving away “Walk on the Wild Side” coasters, I had the pleasure of meeting author Patricia Cornwell – who was surprised that I recognized her. (She looks just like her photo on the books and we had been talking about enjoying her Kay Scarpetta books at dinner the night before, so she was on my mind.) When I asked why she was at the show I learned that she not only has a gift store, but a turkey farm as well!
Marie Osmond was there but I didn’t see her and Mary Engelbreit had a ‘meet and greet’ for the launch of her Christmas ornament line with Katherine’s Creations. I didn’t get to meet her either, as I had to get 10 flights up to my signing with Thirstystone.
The artists in the License & Design area seemed pleased with the new contacts they were making, even if their room was freezing for the three days they were there!
Overall, I hope the positive outlook at the show translates into a slow and steady recovery at the retail level. I am optimistic, exhausted and ready to dig into follow-up. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it is a waste to go to or exhibit at a trade show if you don’t do your follow-up!
Here’s to a growing economy in 2010 that we may all increase our creative business bottom lines!
– Tara
Oops! Typo on a Newsletter Link!
“My bad” and please accept my apologies! I just got back (very bleary-eyed and exhausted) from Atlanta to find a few emails telling me I goofed on the link to show you the bulletin board that is supposed to make life easier. My only excuse is that I was so busy getting ready to head to Atlanta that I reversed the “N” & “S” in Licensing (which I seem to do regularly)…
I didn’t want to re-email EVERY person on the list and irritate you, so I hope you find this quick post. The bulletin board of upcoming events is on the home page of the website – so simply go to www.ArtLicensingInfo.com and you will find it.
Off to replenish my energy then I’ll give you a report on Altanta!
– Tara
Zero Calorie Pie for Artists that will Put Money in your Bank Account!
Phew! The holidays are over, a new year has begun… how many people ate just a little too much pie? With all the talk and tweets about pumpkin pie over the past few months, I thought I’d remind you about my “Art Pie” analogy – it won’t make you fat but just might make you money!
In the three video series (I call it the “Art As Pie Trilogy”) you might begin to look at your art business a little differently.
In these short video clips on the Art Licensing Info YouTube channel (you know we have one, right?) you can listen to my thoughts about how…
Your Art is like a Pie… Your Art Business is Lke a Pie… and Art Licensing is Like a Pie…
Food for thought that doesn’t leave a trace on your hips! What better way to start the New Year?
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara
What's your Art Licensing Story? Tell me before Valentine's Day and you could WIN BIG!
I often talk about how so many artists in licensing came to the industry in some odd and twisty way. “Tripped over speed bumps”, were snuck in the side door… very few deliberately said, “I want to license my art.” first and foremost.
I love to hear people’s stories! How they ended up doing whatever they are doing. Have they always done that? Did they grow up “knowing” that is what they wanted to do?
So I have a video project in mind and I’d LOVE for you to join in the fun. I decided a CONTEST was in order! There are some rules and some rewards too!
Deadline: Feb 14th (you can always submit videos at any time, but to get the rewards, Valentine’s Day is your deadline.)
First the REWARDS:
1. You get to share your story with other artists, perhaps inspiring someone along the way.
2. People will get to know more about you and your art.
3. You will get some ‘link love’ – and if you listen to the Feb. 17th Ask About SEO for Artists call, you will learn why that is a good, good thing!
- a $20 coupon for any ArtLicensingInfo.com product (everyone who enters gets this!)
- a chance to win a $100 credit for any ArtLicensingInfo.com product or a free hour of coaching with me. (worth $125)
The winner will be announced on the Feb. 17th Ask call but doesn’t need to be on the line to win.
Now for the RULES:
1. You must create a video that tells ‘your art licensing story’. (see some video suggestions below the rules if you are new to video)
You can be at any point in your story – just heard about licensing and starting to learn to working in licensing for decades. The more variety the better!
It doesn’t have to be a live video but must include a photo of you and some samples of your art if you choose to do a photo montage.
Some ideas of what you can include (but not required)
Why licensing appeals to you
How you heard about art licensing
How long you have been in or learning about licensing
What you are doing to succeed in licensing
What you like or expect to like about licensing your art
Tell and/or show your website so people can find you.
2. Post your video to YouTube
Include the following tags or keywords, as well as any that are relevant to you (like your name, company or art medium): art licensing, art licensing info
In the description, include: “This is in reply to the Art Licensing Stories Contest hosted by Tara Reed at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/stories.html”
Your name / company name (whatever you want listed under your video)
Your website url (I’ll like to to it)
the url link to your video
the embed code for your video
I’ll put the videos on www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/stories.html, in the order they are received. I hope to create a fun and inspiring library of art licensing stories! So get creative and remember, “done is better than perfect” – just speak from the heart and share your story. This isn’t Hollywood – it’s real life artists sharing!
Listen to the contest details…
How to set up an account and upload your Art Licensing Story to YouTube…
VIDEO TIPS:
Got a flip video? Have a friend or neighbor with a flip? Push the button, record, plug into your usb and put the file on your desktop. Upload to YouTube and you are all set! Easy-Peasy!
If you have a Mac that runs Snow Leopard:
open QuickTimePlayer.
Choose > File > New Movie Recording
Smile at your computer camera, click the red button and record#
(watch a video about it)
Can’t wait to hear YOUR STORY!
– Tara
P.S. CLICK HERE to see who has submitted their story so far…
Photoshop Tips: How to use Contact Sheet II to automate your Portfolio and Presentations
In December, Art Licensing Agent Suzanne Cruise was the expert of the month for the Art Licensing Info Monthly Ask Call Series. (The hour long audio is available for free – CLICK HERE to get your copy.)
One thing she mentioned was that her team uses the “Contact Sheet” function in Photoshop™ to create presentations for manufacturers. This got my attention because anything that can make my work go faster so I have more time to create is something I want to know about! I promised to figure it out and put it on the blog so here we go…
Contact Sheet II is an automation script (I think it’s a script – I’m calling it one anyway!) that allows you to sit back and watch Photoshop™ grab and organize groups of images for you. It is ideal if you work in a consistent size and orientation, requires a little human tweaking if your image sizes vary.
Contact Sheet II comes in Photoshop CS3 (and earlier versions, I think) but you need to download and install the plug-in if you are working in CS4. Here are the links for CS4:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4048 – for windows
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4047 -Mac
These plug-ins have more than just Contact Sheet II. Here is what it includes (text from the linked web pages):
There are some plug-ins and presets that have been removed in Photoshop CS4. If you wish to use these plug-ins and presets still you can find them in your Goodies folder on your DVD install disc. This download includes plug-ins for Photoshop CS4 English, Spanish and French versions.
The following plug-ins and associated files are included in this package:
• Bigger Tiles
• Picture Package (ContactSheetII)
• ExtractPlus
• PatternMaker
• PhotomergeUI
• TWAIN
• Web Photo Gallery (WebContactSheetII) plus presets
• Textures for Texturizer
• script for Layer Comps to Web Photo Gallery
Here is a video tutorial of how “Contact Sheet II” works, some examples and some pluses and minuses. I for one plan to start using this more in my business, hopefully it will be helpful for you as well!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara
P.S. Thank you to all the artists who emailed me with help in finding this feature! You are awesome!
P.P. S. Want to learn to create repeat patterns like the ones shown in the video? Check out the 2 eBook series – CLICK HERE
Art & Soul Radio TONIGHT! We'll be talking goal setting
Start 2010 out right – get organized and energized to bring your business to new heights. I’ll be talking with Catherine and Sheryl again at 4 pm PST / 7 pm EST about my “Goal Wheel for Artists™ eBook” – hope you can tune it!
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/art-and-soul-radio
Learn more about The Goal Wheel for Artists™ – how to Set and Achieve Goals While Still Working from a Place of Inspiration – CLICK HERE
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
January "Ask" Call: Attorney Cheryl Hodgson, Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I’m excited to announce (or remind you) that Attorney Cheryl Hodgson will be joining me for this month’s “Art Licensing Monthly Ask Call”. She did her first call in July and over 700 people have downloaded the free mp3 full of valuable information. If you didn’t get your copy – you will receive a download link when you register for the January call.
These calls are made great by artists like you who submit their questions… so what do you want to know? Are you confused about copyrights, trademarks or art licensing contracts? What to do to protect your work? Think about it, then head to www.AskCherylHodgson.com and give us your thoughts! We will choose 10-15 to answer in the hour – based on overall results and applicability to the most people. (And if we didn’t already answer it on the first call of course!)
Cheryl was kind enough to send me a really cool and artsy Christmas gift – so watch my video thank you and learn a little bit more about her. Hope you can join us on January 20th!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara
P.S. Be sure to check out Cheryl’s blog for lots of interesting branding, copyright, trademark and other legal issues… www.BrandAideBlog.com
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