Art Licensing Stories

Art Licensing Story: Kathy Alpert and PostMark Press

You know those fun vintage photos of women (and men) with funny sayings? Well, they just might be from the archives of Kathy Alpert. She began PostMark Press as a stationery manufacturer and then decided to use the images more widely by licensing them for a variety of products. She, too, let me aim my camera at her at the SURTEX show. Watch and learn about her journey in the art licensing world.

Kathy was also interviewed and included in a video shot at the Ephemera Society’s Annual Conference this past March, which you can see below. An interesting peek into world of Ephermera.

To learn more about Kathy Alpert, visit his/her website at www.PostMarkPress.com

– 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/

Art Licensing Story: Barb Tourtillotte

Next up is a fun and fabulous artist from the Northwest – Barb Tourtillotte. Barb has been licensing her art for 10 years and was willing to share her story with me at SURTEX. I’ve talked with Barb on many occasions but still learned some things I never knew about her and her artistic past!

To learn more about Barb and her work, visit her website at www.TurtleCrossings.com

Thanks again Barb!

– 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/

Art Licensing Story: Trish Biddle

I thought I’d vary how I add these videos I shot at SURTEX and do some veteran stories and then some by newer artists to the art licensing arena.

Today you will hear Trish Biddle’s art licensing story.

2011 was her second year exhibiting at SURTEX. She’s the perfect example of following your passion and trying new things – she’s made a living with her art in a variety of ways and isn’t afraid to adjust her course when she gets burnt out or sees something new that interests her. She’s been a textile designer, done original and commission work and donated some amazing art to a variety of charities.

Here is Trish’s story…

To learn more about Trish Biddle, visit his/her website at www.TrishBiddle.com

Thanks again – you did a fabulous job!

– 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/

Art Licensing Story: Jill Seale

You may have heard her on the Ask Calls in September 2009 or more recently, in April 2011. Jill Seale was exhibiting at the SURTEX show and took a minute to talk to me about her path into and within art licensing.

One piece of advice Jill gave a new artist showing at Surtex was “do not undersell yourself for the excitement of having art on product because all you do is cheapen your art and yourself and you will be fighting to shed that and get your prices where you can make a living for the rest of your career.” This is sage advice for all of us!

Hear and see Jill (slightly limp from the rain in NYC during the show!) below…

Learn more about Jill at www.JillSeale.com.

Get a free copy of her September 2009 Ask Jill Seale call at www.AskJillSeale.com or the more recent call is available for sale.

Thank you Jill – for sharing your art licensing story!

– 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/

Art Licensing Story: Linda Tieu

How exciting to have an artist do a video and send it to me out of the blue! No arm twisting on my part required. (Those will follow in the coming weeks – I aimed my camera at quite a few SURTEX exhibitors!)

Linda Tieu is an artist living in Italy and here is her story…

To learn more about Linda Tieu, visit her website at www.LindaTieu.com

Thanks again Linda – you did a fabulous job – especially since you said you were nervous to do it. You looked very at ease to me!
Wishing you much success!
– 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

Art Licensing Story: Paula Manning Lewis

What a wonderful surprise to receive a new Art Licensing Story video in my inbox with no arm twisting involved! Paula seems to have done it all – from owning a gallery to braving bad weather and the threat of horses running through her booth at a 17 day fair… yikes! Take a look at her story and how she came to art licensing:

To learn more about Paula Manning Lewis, Artist and co-owner of Chroma Studios, visit www.PaulaManningLewis.com.

Thanks again Paula – you did a fabulous job!

– 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? * If you will be at SURTEX and want me to film you, send me an email with your booth number and I’ll put you on the list!

For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the “Stories” tab at the top of the blog

Art Licensing Story – Heidi Gray updates her journey

Heidi Gray, of Heidi Gray Designs, just sent me an updated Art Licensing Story video. She really talks about the process she went through from concept to contact – take a look!

P.S. Here is her original video if you want to see her first entry…

Thanks for the update Heidi! Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

P.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/

Art Licensing Story: Jane Shasky

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…

To learn more about Jane, visit her website at www.JaneShasky.com.

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/

Art Licensing Story: Drew Brophy

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/

Are you ready for the next Ask Call?

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.

Thank you!
Heidi Gray
www.HeidiGrayDesigns.com”

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!