Shelf Art Posted on 11 Dec 14:46 , 0 comments
Creating small shelf/tabletop art from my original pen and ink drawings is an answer to a question. I found some pen and ink drawings that I created in the 1970’s and wondered how I could release them for others to enjoy, I decided to have prints made of the drawings and found the clear acrylic 2 sided frames to mount them in. When I got the prints I immediately put them into the frames. OK, that looked cool then a couple of weeks later I started adding color before mounting them in the frames. I liked that even better. I had started drawing again to create new drawings. I had started my professional life as an illustrator. First, at Southwest Development Laboratory, in Austin, illustrating children’s books for Spanish speaking kids to help them learn English. My second job was illustrating Coal Miner training for Exxon. My boss at Exxon told me that if an artist can draw they will always have a job. I studied Art at the University of Texas, Austin and was exposed for the first time to Abstract Expressionism. I fell in love and I’m still in love with it. Drawing has brought me back to my roots. I studied Art for seven years under the guidance of Ruth Mogford a well known regional artist in her day. Being a student of Ruth Mogford required a mastery of Realism before I was allowed to go on to Impressionism. OK, check off those genres. Interesting how life goes in full circle time after time if you’re watching. The prints are available to purchase by clicking the Vicki Loper tab under Shop by Artist.
Our economy here in Houston is limping right now with the oil prices being low. There are quite a few people in the business community that deny that because Houston has diversified which is true but it's undeniable that the low oil prices effect our economy. With that being said we need to "market broader". In my last post I was posting about our event with Lindsey's Office Furniture which was a fabulous event. We got new clients and sold art. I do believe that selling art is different than selling other items, goods, or services and as in marketing anything it's most effective when your marketing is targeted and specific. That is so important! A good way to target is by inviting people you know are art buyers. This is not new information but more of a reminder to be mindful how you set up your event. For the Lindsey's/Perimeter Gallery event we invited Interior Designers, Interior Architects, Commercial Realtors, and existing clients. Our target is obvious. We were inviting folks who buy art and furnishings for commercial spaces. It worked because we used several methods to invite. e-mails to our targeted list, Social Media, phone calls, and my personal favorite "door popping" walking in the door of businesses with the invitation in hand. 99% of the offices we crashed the recipients were thrilled, enjoyed meeting us, and liked being invited. We have two events planned at the gallery the first is, November 12th, a Holiday Gallery Show and the second, December 15th, with the Hotel Concierges' Association. My marketing plan includes at least 6 events a year and yes, it is a lot of work but it pays off!
Don't know if you've thought of it but it's true. Using art as a part of your branding is huge. Art immediately lets people know who you are. Traditional, contemporary, soft hearted, edgy, "out-there", loud, funny, muted, you name a personality trait and your art reflects it. Art in the work place can do the same thing for a company. It will help convey the company's personality and culture. Art in the workplace also let's people know when they walk in that the company cares about their employees and clients. Research shows that Art sets the stage helping employees be more creative with their problem solving. Art helps people be more relaxed by reducing stress. Art also lets people know that the company cares about humanity and the environment that their employees work in. Art can help communicate a theme, or a philosophy that is important to the organization. We created a gallery for an oil refinery so when employees or visitors walk into the lobby they are greeted with large beautiful photographic works of art of the refinery from the ground and air at sunset and at night. It is really amazing and works so well to be in an industrial area and walk into a gallery environment. It works two-fold, it gives an over-all look at the facility in a very artistic way and it's totally relaxing which helps with doing business. The refinery is telling people "Come on in, we're open and have class" what could be better than that?
