Ana Berry, February Artist of the Month

Hello Guys and Dolls

 

My pick for Artist of the month is Ana Berry. Ana is very passionate about colors and lighting which she uses making her work vibrant. I know her work will fascinate you.

Regards,
Monique

Visit Ana Berry online:
http://www.anabananaart.com/ 

Hello Guys and Dolls.

Time to pick another talented artist of the month.  This month I chose Mike Hasler who carves works in wood.

His works are all original, each very different. Though a few subjects keep arising, such as horses, whales, elephants and birds, and Totems.  Most of Mike Hasler works are not in the traditional wood carvers form.  Mike works with hardwoods with knots, not clear basswood.   I enjoyed his works and think you will find his work wonderful.

Regards,
Monique Montney

Mike Hasler webpage:
http://www.woodenknotart.com/

Hello Guys and Dolls

 

My pick for Artist of the month is Tess Muth.  Her most recent works are produced using an additive process, extensive layers and multiple builds of  paint, epoxy resin, metal flake, crystals, copper and silver wire.  Tess attended University of Nevada Las Vegas Fine Art/Painting, Atrium Academy Galleria, Zaragoza, Spain. She is inspired by inner visions, paintings are bright, rich in color and texture, expressive and spontaneous. 

Tess Muth exhibits at the Bismarck Studios in San Antonio.

Visit Tess Muth's Webpage:

http://www.tessmuth.com/

 

Regards,
Monique Montney

Hello Guys and Dolls

My pick for Artist of the month is Dora Alicia Orejel, a self taught artist who uses life, love and music as my muse for my paintings.

Dora uses lots of color in her unique abstract works.  She works in many mediums.  I am sure you will enjoy her work.


Visit Dora's Webpage:
http://www.paintinglovebydora.com/

Regards,
Monique

Hello Guys and Dolls,
It's time to introduce another wonderful artist for "Artist of the Month".  I hope you enjoy his works.
Regards,
Monique Montney


Oscar  Saenz III Fine Artist

Oscar  Saenz III was originally a self-taught artist.  As a child Oscar was very obsessed with creating new things. He would actually make his own toys, create entire worlds out of clay, or take existing toys, paint them, or modify them. Currently, Oscar is enrolled in The Bachelor of Fine Arts Program at The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas

His work is influenced by both renaissance, in mythology and spiritualist themes, and impressionist’s brushwork and free flowing design.

Visit Oscar's website:    

 http://www.oscars3art.com

As a fellow “Artrepreneur,” I understand that being the salesperson for your art isn’t always the easiest thing to do. We’d much rather spend time creating than selling, but taking the time to create a good sales approach is key to increasing your success. Here are 10 straightforward ideas that are sure to power up your sales.

1. Develop a distinctive and consistent vision. Don’t spread yourself all over the artistic map or your customers will get lost. If you try to satisfy all of your creative whims and customers’ tastes, you will end up satisfying no one. Strive to be the best artist in your niche. Move forward with pride and confidence. Georgia O’Keeffee said, “I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at — not copy it. To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.”
2. Know your customer and “customer profile.” Look at your top buyers. Where do they live and spend vacations? What are their professions, special interests, ages and life styles? What kind of art do they purchase and at what price levels? This information describes your customer profile. You can then determine where to place your efforts to attract more clients who match the profiles.
3. Know why your work is selling. Record the reasons your customers give when they decide to make the purchase. What qualities attracted them the most? Then follow up after they have hung your work to learn how much they enjoy living with it and why. This information is valuable for making future sales proposals.
4. Spend money to make money. Experts say you should spend at least 10 percent of your gross sales on promotion and marketing. Spend it wisely based on a sound financial plan. Don’t skimp on the essentials: Web site design, printed materials, and experienced legal and other professional services. For information on setting a marketing budget, read Create a Marketing and Communications Budget by Ligaya Figueras.
5. Make your next reception memorable. Whether it be at a prestigious gallery or an Open Studio, create a special ambiance that will attract people, keep them there and make a lasting impression on them. (The same is true of your Web site!) Be different. It can be as simple as having live music or a “Champagne and Chocolates” reception or a live portrait demonstration. For more information on hosting art events, refer to my article 14 Tips for Creating Outstanding Art Events in the June 2010 issue of Art Calendar.
6. Build second tier relationships. It is important to reach out to your ultimate buyer but equally important to establish relationships with those they rely on for leads and expertise. Your relationships should be with interior designers, architects, real estate agents, house stagers, corporate buyers and private art dealers. Let them bring the buyers.
7. Network outside your circle. Think creatively. Talk to your banker, accountant, dentist, florist and doorman. Ask them for business referrals, and do the same for them. My stepfather gave me my first lesson on marketing through networking. He was a diet specialist and told me that he built his hefty medical practice getting referrals from his tailor.
8. Keep close contact with your best buyers. There is a general business rule that says 80 percent of your sales come from 20 percent of your customers. It would be wise to focus attention on your most productive markets. Consider sending out a special mailing, or even making direct phone solicitation, to the 20 percent of your customers who have bought the most from you in the past. Share information regularly with them about your newest pieces, as well as career achievements, new artistic projects. This has become a simple task through e-newsletters and Web blogs. Also ask them to forward the news to friends and associates.
9. Diversify, diversity, diversity. I like to use the rule of thirds. Set up three different promotion and marketing practices and use them regularly: direct mail, e-mail marketing and word-of-mouth. Also set up three different price brackets for your work — for example, low, “out-of- pocket” sales; medium price sales; and highest price sales. By offering your customer choices, they will ask themselves, “Which one shall I buy?” instead of asking, “Should I buy or not buy?”
10. Be consistent and persistent. Whether the market is up or down, whether the weather is hot or cold, your confidence and your activities should be unrelentless and steady. Set aside a block of time each week to devote to marketing and promotion. You will find the time spent really worthwhile. Never, never, never give up.

Renée Phillips is the founder and director of Manhattan Arts International www.ManhattanArts.com and the founder and director of The Healing Power of Art at www.HealingPowerofArt.org. Known as “The Artrepreneur Coach,” she counsels artists worldwide and is a motivational speaker. She is the author of several books including Success Now! For Artists and Presentation Power Tools for Fine Artists. Please join her group Manhattan Arts International on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter @reneephillipsny, and join her Facebook group, Renée Phillips The Artrepreneur Coach. You can also follow her blog at http://reneephillips.blogspot.com. Read more of her articles in the Manhattan Arts Newszine at www.manhattanarts.co

Hello Guys and Dolls,

My choice for September Artist of the Month is Joe Villareal, a wonderful person and excellent artist.

Raised in San Antonio, he started drawing at the age of three.  He now has a total of eleven first place awards that he has received from art competitions.  He has given lectures at local schools, community organizations.  One of his paintings was converted into a cartoon image which was used on a national show titled “King of the Hill”. Joe works in many mediums and his works are a must see.  His works are captivating.

 

Visit his website to view his works.

http://joevartist.com/

If you would like to be my pick for Artist of the Month, contact me.
Regards,
Monique Montney

Hello Guys and Dolls,l
My pick for August Artist of the Month is Laura Ann Beehler a Fiber and Mixed Media artist.  She has she explored many mediums from oil paints to pottery.  Her textile art has won awards and has been featured on the cover of ENT Textile Forum and seen in Shuttle Spindle & Dye Pot. 

I invite you to visit her site.
http://www.laurabeehler.com/

Hello Guys and Dolls

This month my pick for "Artist of the Month is Mateo Ayala".  I am sure you will enjoy his works.

Mateo Ayala is an artist from San Antonio, Texas.  He graduated from The University of The Incarnate Word with a BA in Art and currently working on a variety of concepts and themes.  He uses bright colors and texture in his works.

Visit Mateo's works here:

http://www.mateoayala.com/

If you are interested in being an artist of the month in all my blogs, contact me.
Regards
Monique Montney

Terry Allen Jones-June Artist of the Month


Hello Guys and Dolls,

Time for another Artist of the Month pick from yours truly.  Visit his site to see his passion in his work.

Terry Allen Jones is a pastel and oil painter. He has a degree in Studio Art from Angelo State University.  Terry says he paints landscapes because it is the earth that gives him inspiration. 

Visit Terry's site:

http://terryallenjonesartist.blogspot.com/

If you would like to be featured, contact me with your  web address.  Art includes music, film, fine art, etc...so my blog is not limited to just one type of art.

Regards,

Monique Montney