art licensing stories

Art Licensing Story: Stephanie & Bonnie Sakoff

A mother-daughter duo, exhibiting at SURTEX for the first time this year, agreed to share their art licensing story. Bonnie, the mother and artist, teamed up with her daughter, Stephanie, to offer bright, fun and cheerful art for licensing. Learn more about them and how they work:

You can find them online at www.LuckyBonBon.com

Thanks ladies – you have a very uplifting and inspiring 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: 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

Catch a creative wave by listening to the Ask Drew and Maria Brophy replay – it’s free!

Another great call with our latest art licensing experts – artist Drew Brophy and his wife / business mind, Maria. There were 80+ artists listening live – were you one of them?

Here is what we covered…

How Drew Brophy got into art and licensing
What’s the most important thing you’ve done to connect with/market to customers in your niche to create a fan base?
How important do you feel your work connecting directly with consumers is to your ability to get licensing agreements?
How important is it that you create art that will fit on certain products vs. just creating whatever you feel and letting art buyers decide what to do with it?
How do you choose what a new designs to create?
Where do you go or what do you look at to recharge your creative batteries?
How do you stay motivated if things are slow?
What gives you the most joy in what you do?
How do you deal with rejection?
Maria, what was your 1st year at licensing Drew’s work like? What was some of the things that you did to get Drew’s work visible.
What are the most important first 3 steps to set me on the road to learning to license my art?
How can you figure out which licensing market one’s style of artwork would be most appropriate and succesful in?
How can one be sure he or she is getting a good “deal” when negotiating a first contract?

There wasn’t a lot of action on the Facebook page during the call but quite a few artists were tweeting away – here are a few of the comments:

“Loved listening to @mariabrophy and @DrewBrophy talk art, licensing biz and surfing! Thanks @ArtistTaraReed! #ask”

“@ArtistTaraReed @mariabrophy knowing that perfection does not have to be met for success…#ask”

“@ArtistTaraReed: @DrewBrophy talks abt being unemployed every Mon morning – u have 2 figure it out! < yes! #ask” Keeps us on our toes!”

“People want to be a part of your story as an artist” – @DrewBrophy #ask

“I love this call so much-I’ll be replaying it for inspiration! They are so grounded, relaxed, smart and thoughtful!”

If you missed the call, the mp3 replay is available for free at www.AskDrewBrophy.com.

Thank you Drew and Maria for sharing your experience and insights – truly appreciated by all!

– Tara Reed

P.S. Coming up next…

Wednesday, February 16, 2011: www.DebbieMumm.com/askDebbie/
Art Licensing guru Debbie Mumm got her start and stays true to her fabric and quilting design roots. Over the years she has expanded and built her business to include just about every product imaginable. This is an amazing opportunity to listen and learn from this talented artist and business woman – submit your questions for consideration!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011: www.AskTaraReed.com

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/