Yeah! More inspirational art licensing stories! Today I bring you Jane Shasky - a fellow Northwest artist, Jane creates her amazing art from her studio in Washington State. I met Jane at SURTEX in May and she reluctantly (like most!) said "OK" when I asked her if I could do a quick video to share her story. You might recognize her art from calendars by Lang, gift bags or a slew of other licensed products. But I'll let her tell you her story...
Thanks again for letting me aim the camera at you at SURTEX Jane!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
Surf's up! I'm so excited to have Drew Brophy's art licensing story for a number of reasons - first and foremost so I can stop hounding him and his wife about it on Twitter. (@DrewBrophy@MariaBrophy) I was beginning to feel like a pest but knew we would want his story and as you will soon see - I was right!
From Surfer dude to licensed artists - Drew's story is different than many because he has found a way to build a successful business with more of a niche style. Not one to paint the traditional wine or Santa designs, Drew's art stems from the surfer style. What began with him painting surf boards, broadened into other areas that make perfect sense for the market - beach towels, hats, boogie boards, even tattoos.
Without further ado - here is Drew Brophy's art licensing story.
To learn more about Drew Brophy, visit his website at www.DrewBrophy.com
Thanks again Drew!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
Heidi Gray is! The next call is Wednesday, July 21st at 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern with me, Tara Reed. After submitting her question, Heidi sent me this great email and gave me permission to "share it with the group". While it isn't chocolate chip cookies - hopefully you will be inspired by her positive attitude and action taking style!
"Hi Tara!
I can't wait. I've been busy working on artwork and making plans - a plan to be @ Surtex May 2011.
I'm working on updating my art licensing story to re-post on your stories page... coming soon.
My original story: I made it while on VACATION... hunting for the nearest internet in the mountains! Thank goodness for Starbucks and just a few pieces of art on my computer hard drive... I took your advice of "Done is better than nothing at all" - way out of my comfort zone of perfection.
So, I'm revamping and adding in my journey over the last few months.... including my own website to link to!
I can not tell you how much I value your insights & networking with other artists in the business. I am confidant that licensing my art is the venue of the entrepreneurial spirt I've had deep within.
The stories from this year's Surtex were so exciting & inspiring.
Here is Heidi's original video again - can't wait to see what the updated version will look like!
If you haven't submitted your question for the call, head to www.AskTaraReed.com now and give me your best shot. I hope you can join us on the 21st but if you can't, never fear, the replay will be available shortly thereafter. ($15 thru 7/31 and $25 there after.)
Talk to you soon!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Is Heidi working on her second video making you think you should do your first? I hope so! I'm all out of videos so no more will be posted till someone sends them to me! Click here for all the details and remember, you get a coupon with your first entry!
While I was uploading Karyn's video to YouTube, I was searching the far reaches of my brain to figure out how I met her... Karyn lives about 5 minutes from me but we definitely connected through my blog. If memory serves, I think she emailed me... maybe she has a better recollection! Regardless of how we first connected - I am so happy to have Karyn's smiling face nearby! Always fun and optimistic, Karyn is an amazing artist armed with a positive attitude.
Little known fact about Karyn - she LOVES costumes and she is a runner. Karyn has combined these two passions and won prizes in the Portland Rose Festival's Starlight Run two years in a row. I couldn't find any photos to show you but let me tell you - Karyn was the spitting image of Marge Simpson this year and I have no idea how she saw where she was going! (She let me try on the glasses - it was like instant blurry vision.)
Karyn recently got her first licensing deal for fabric with this fun wine repeat... I think that may be why she told me I was permitted to bring my camera over and shoot her video. Whatever the reason, now everyone gets to know a little bit more about Karyn Servin. (Not wearing her Marge Simpson costume however...)
Thanks again Karen for the tea, conversation and of course, video!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Cal Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
I do believe I "met" Cindy on Twitter... or Cindy Ann... oh heck, she's @cindyannganaden to me! Cindy thought, walked, contemplated and thought some more - five years of thinking before taking the plunge this year and setting up her booth at SURTEX.
I give Cindy the "SURTEX flip flop award" for her very cute flip-flops she hand hanging on the wall with her patterns where your feet go. I just had to look to the right and half way down the aisle to see them. Of course, her art was amazing too but it's those flip flops that really stick out for me - I wonder if any manufacturers remember her as the flip flop artist?
Here is her art licensing story...
To learn more about Cindy Ann Ganaden, visit his/her website at www.CindyMedia.com
Thanks again Cindy - you're a star!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
<strong>When can I expect to see your story?</strong>
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to <a href="../category/stories/">http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/</a>
Cindy Yost is another artist with the luck to have sisters who can pitch in and support her business when she needs them. Not that sisters are a requirement for success in art licensing, but as the years go by I'm finding I'm not the only one with a fabulous sister to help me out at trade shows!
I believe I first met Cindy (and her sisters - Wendy and Nicole) at the CHA License & Design show in California in January 2009. Cindy was getting ready for a big move from Colorado to Alabama - and exhbiting at CHA. GO CINDY! She has such a warm and sharing energy about her and persistence in building her business. I'm thrilled to be able to share her art licensing story...
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
Her work just leaves me awestruck - I don't think I could cut so intricately and beautifully if my business depended on it. (Thankfully it doesn't!) I met Sharyn last year at SURTEX - our booths are close - she's across the aisle and 2 down so I get to look to the right and admire her handy-work.
If you've never exhibited at a trade show you might not understand the dynamic of trade show neighbors. They can become like family for the days you are on the floor. People to talk to when it's slow, be excited for you (and you for them) if you get a great lead, and of course to cover for you (again, and you for them) if you need to step away to the restroom or to grab some food. I've had the good fortune to have some great trade show neighbors and consider Sharyn to be one!
Her story, like everyone's, is not what you will expect, is heart-felt and will leave you inspired. So take a few minutes and get to know the talented Sharyn Sowell.
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!" These are NOT just for artists who were at Surtex.
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
Karen Embry will be forever in my mind, "the bathroom monitor".
I met Karen when she walked the SURTEX Show a few years ago but we really bonded in 2008 when her booth was right by the ladies room. We'd chat and joke as I'd head in or out and I believe she even threatened to charge me an entrance fee on time...
Karen is a great example of deciding what she wants and doing whatever is necessary to make it happen. She was working full time and building her art licensing business at night... many times into the wee hours of the morning. But she had dream of turning it into a profitable business and has done it! YEAH!
I thoroughly enjoyed being right across from Karen and her husband, Chuck, who does a great job helping her each year at the show. (Thanks again for running to get me lunch too one day!)
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
I've admired Beth's beautifully crafted corner booth for a few years now at SURTEX. I believe I've seen some of her wall art at Target. I've seen her prints with umbrellas in store along the Oregon coast. And at SURTEX, I was able to meet her and sweet talk her into giving us her story on video!
A fellow Northwest artist, here is what Beth has to say for herself on her website...
Beth Logan really, really likes to draw a lot and she kisses her dogs on the lips. That should cover everything…but for those of you who would like to know more, here it is:
Beth has always lived in the Pacific Northwest. She has loved to draw since she could first hold a crayon. In fact, some of her earliest work was a mural of her entire family, belly buttons and all, on the wall next to her crib. Even after that, her parents encouraged her as an artist.
And here is what Beth had to say for herself with 2 minutes to prepare for me to press the 'record' button at the SURTEX 2010 trade show.
Thanks again Beth - you are as much fun as your art! Keep up the good work!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
I met Julie last year at Paul Brent's house on the Oregon coast. He had mentioned "his friend Julie" to me before because she, too, lives in Oregon but we had never met. Turns out she lives very close to my brother and walks right by his house from time to time!
Julie Ueland is another very talented, friendly and inspiring artist who has been very successful licensing her designs. You may not have the *luck* of being discovered by a manufacturer stuck in an airport who passed the time browsing the gift shops - but if you've been watching these videos you should know by now, every story is different.
Thank you again Julie for being the first to let me aim my camera at them at SURTEX 2010!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"
When can I expect to see your story?
For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/
While it isn't chocolate chip cookies - hopefully you will be inspired by her positive attitude and action taking style!
serves, I think she emailed me... maybe she has a better recollection! Regardless of how we first connected - I am so happy to have Karyn's smiling face nearby! Always fun and optimistic, Karyn is an amazing artist armed with a positive attitude.
