Totally off topic question...

[aNorthernSoul]

Someone just proposed an interesting thought...

I've been getting a lot of pressure to do my first proper art show only it's weird as I do mostly ink stuff. I'd likely show some acrylic just to be normal, but my ink stuff is far better in my opinion. I'm also broke so I'll likely do something weird but cheap like hang them all with black electrical tape as the contrast would be cool, and I think I'd like the sloppiness of it, but mainly it would save me buying a gazillion frames....

Anyway, he mentioned releasing an ebook of my artwork. Do you think that is viable or more a waste of time? Is there a market for such a thing or does it just ask to be ripped off? What type of security could you do? I'd want them to be able to open it easily and make their own prints if they want, but not send the ebook to others? Ugh, maybe I answered my own question... seems like I am asking to get ripped off. Meh, it wasn't about cash anyway, right? "Oh yeah," said the starving artist....

 

[AnnetteMarie]

yah, but the tape won't come off the prints without ruining them, and if you use it on a wall to hang them, when you take it from the wall, it will stretch and still be sticky during transport, if sold...

so, I would say no to your tape idea. UNLESS>>>>>

corrugated white board, larger than the print, electrical tape wrapped around the edges, or outlining the print itself and some small squares of removable sticky-sided foam to 'lift' the print off the white board?

just a thought. but definitely no on the tape if you were thinking of placing it directly onto your prints. I wouldn't put any money down on something that would probably ruin the print soon as I tried to take it home.

course, I could have completely misunderstood what you meant.

in any case, do it. you will always regret/wonder if you don't. life is too short for should'a, would'a, could'a.

 

[DamnDirtyApe]

why not just offer prints from your website?

 

[aNorthernSoul]

in any case, do it. you will always regret/wonder if you don't. life is too short for should'a, would'a, could'a.

Very true. I was mostly kidding about the electrical tape. Funny, right after posting that the same guy who mentioned the ebook said his Uncle actually makes his own frames and would be more than happy to make me a bunch. I'd just have to help paint them all black.

I am more asking about ebooks. Is there a good way to protect them or is it just a waste of time?

why not just offer prints from your website?

Yeah, I have a deviant art account. I was thinking as more of a value add by compiling a bunch into one book. In reality though, I'd rather just sell originals as there is so much lost in the scans. I think you're right though, I should likely just buckle down and make my website no matter what I sell. I AM a web programmer after all. The shoemaker has no shoes and all that....

 

[DamnDirtyApe]

I think you're right though, I should likely just buckle down and make my website no matter what I sell. I AM a web programmer after all. The shoemaker has no shoes and all that....

Yea Squarespace + Foxycart = easy cheesy.

A dedicated site feels more professional/legit (ie worthy of paying to buy art) and will likely foster more sales.

 

[aNorthernSoul]

Yea Squarespace + Foxycart = easy cheesy.

A dedicated site feels more professional/legit (ie worthy of paying to buy art) and will likely foster more sales.

Yeah, I have the webspace and domain name already purchased... for about 3 years now but have yet to actually make the website. It seems the hardest thing to make time for...

 

[AnnetteMarie]

wish I could help with the techie on the e-book, but I have no clue. Somewhere out there is some IT wizard .... but it ain't me

 

[kipspritely]

I don't think releasing an e-book will help you in any way (unless it is an e-book about your process of creation). I do, however, think opening an online storefront to sell prints would be a worthwhile investment. As far as hanging the prints, I think binder clips attached to the work with tac-nails on the wall work awesome without a frame, and lend a minimalist feel to the piece while showcasing the art without intrusion.

Check out
Zazzle | Custom T-Shirts, Personalized Gifts, Posters, Art, and more

for storefront help. They seem pretty good. You could probably sell giclee prints off zazzle or some other online retailer with little start-up cash.

Just some suggestions.

P.S. If your ink work is better, then just do that. It's your show...no need to be normal...for anyone.

Cheers.

 

[aNorthernSoul]

wish I could help with the techie on the e-book, but I have no clue. Somewhere out there is some IT wizard .... but it ain't me

Ha ha! It seems most feel the ebook may be useless anyway... as seen below.

I don't think releasing an e-book will help you in any way (unless it is an e-book about your process of creation). I do, however, think opening an online storefront to sell prints would be a worthwhile investment. As far as hanging the prints, I think binder clips attached to the work with tac-nails on the wall work awesome without a frame, and lend a minimalist feel to the piece while showcasing the art without intrusion.

Oh, that's a pretty cool idea. I may try that if I wind up not making frames with this guy... or I try it out beforehand and like it better. Thanks!

Also yeah, I kind of see your point on the ebook. Others voiced similar thoughts saying it may even be counter productive... making people feel no need to buy anything rather than garnering more interest.

Check out
Zazzle | Custom T-Shirts, Personalized Gifts, Posters, Art, and more

for storefront help. They seem pretty good. You could probably sell giclee prints off zazzle or some other online retailer with little start-up cash.

Just some suggestions.

P.S. If your ink work is better, then just do that. It's your show...no need to be normal...for anyone.

Cheers.

Seeing as I'm actually a web designer/programmer with a bunch of scripts already made that could be easily modified for my needs, I was actually thinking about using the Google Cart. It seems pretty easy to plug into a programmed catalogue and provides your method of accepting payment too while eliminating the need to get security built in as Google will handle that. Thoughts? As much as I fear Google, they seem to have such wonderful services. :redface:

Also, I am WAY more into the originals than prints.... is it not normal to sell the originals at the actual art show? I was actually thinking about not doing prints at all... ever. I suppose that minimizes my potential profits but I've never been about profits before so why now....?

 

[kipspritely]

Also, I am WAY more into the originals than prints.... is it not normal to sell the originals at the actual art show? I was actually thinking about not doing prints at all... ever. I suppose that minimizes my potential profits but I've never been about profits before so why now....?

Oh, I totally agree with you about the originals selling at a show, but it's not wrong to sell a limited amount of giclee prints (like 100 or so signed or something.) To each their own though. It's not wrong to prosper from your talent is it?

A friend of mine uses google shopping cart for many of his sites with no problems at all.

Also, I am intrigued about your web coding talents. This is something I am just beginning to pursue. I currently am working in Dreamweaver CS3, but would love to know where to start for real coding. I am a graphic designer that works mostly in print and am looking to move on to more interactive stuff.

 

[aNorthernSoul]

Oh, I totally agree with you about the originals selling at a show, but it's not wrong to sell a limited amount of giclee prints (like 100 or so signed or something.) To each their own though. It's not wrong to prosper from your talent is it?

Yeah, true... I just feel like something is lost in the print. Though, maybe it's the method I'm making them. I should investigate further...

A friend of mine uses google shopping cart for many of his sites with no problems at all.

Also, I am intrigued about your web coding talents. This is something I am just beginning to pursue. I currently am working in Dreamweaver CS3, but would love to know where to start for real coding. I am a graphic designer that works mostly in print and am looking to move on to more interactive stuff.

Oh cool. Yeah, I'll offer help anytime. We use Dreamweaver CS3 here at the office. It's nice how it plugs into the other Adobe software but in reality I think of it as a glorified text editor. I am hardly ever out of code view but love the colour coding of my code. :redface:

Everyone else love design view though. You still always have to double check in a browser (and then all the other ones too) to ensure it still looks the same but it gives you a pretty decent idea as you go. Just try to avoid their library of behaviors and stuff as they are often quite bloated.

To make the move to interactive I would actually say the best start is to get a firm grasp on hard coding basic HTML & CSS pages so that you understand the basics before transitioning to the higher level stuff. I also think strong skills in file management and a good sense of organization both on your computer and at the server level is a fundamental I see many lack in.