Over a Billion Websites!

Yesterday I attended a short workshop presented by the Creston Arts Council. The primary aim was to have members put together a profile for the Council's web page but the instructor also touched on various social media and individual websites.

The profile section is still a work in progress but a number of us have started our profiles and when the web-master has finished tweaking I think it will be a great place to check out the arts in the Creston Valley. Check out My Profile

I can't say that I am convinced about the usefulness of web pages, blogs and social media sites for promoting art but one has to try something! Bob and I were talking about the problem and he decided to check the numbers. There are over a billion web pages! And when you add in blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. etc. etc. All I can say is WOW!

How does one little needle (my web page, for instance) get noticed in such an overwhelming haystack? My Web page

I will continue to do what I do and share with the world in the same way AND each time I learn a new way to promote my art I will try that too. Mellowood Studio on Amazon

Now, on to the art!

#945 Down the Road

I have decide to try doing a few vignettes as I really like the 'unfinished' look. I think vignettes leave the viewer open to speculating and wondering, which can be a good thing - lol. 'Down the Road' is a 7 x 10 watercolour.

#944 The Chill of Winter

'The Chill of Winter' is a 7 x 10 watercolour as well. This is a favourite size as it is an 1/8 of a sheet of watercolour paper and frames up nicely to 11 x 14.

Best wishes to everyone on this first day of Spring - may flowers bloom in your gardens and joy in your hearts!

Mood Swings

My moods have been very strange for the last few days. I don't know if it is caused by the weather; it is very spring-like although it is only the first of March, or, if it is caused by other things.

#923 Quilled Owl

#940 Big & Bold Sunflower

First, I had a couple of people who stated they wanted to buy paintings and would 'stop by next week'. Neither came of course and that left me feeling down.

Grid display at the Chamber

Glass cabinet display at the Chamber

Second, there is a new manager at the local Chamber of Commerce where we have a great display space for local art. He plans to make changes and I am afraid that the art display will be adversely affected. Also, I now have a committee to help with the art displays and you know what they say about committees - lol.
 
Next, I have been adding more product to my Amazon Handmade page. http://www.amazon.com/handmade/Mellowood-Studio?ref=hnd_dp_smp
This takes a fair bit of work; taking and cleaning up photos and then doing the posting. Although I had a few sales before Christmas, I am constantly wondering if I will ever sell anything else - lol
 
Finally, tourist season is not too far away and I am making some plans that will, hopefully,  improve my chances of attracting more visitors to my home gallery.

We put up a new sign at the highway, directing people up the hill. This photo doesn't show the true color; it is very bright yellow and should attract more attention than the previous white sign. I am also going to be working with a few other artists in my area as well as a local winery. The idea is to promote each other to visitors, using rack cards, business cards and maybe even a small map pointing out our locations.

All of these things seem to be on my mind constantly so my mood swings up and down, up and down.  I am sure this is just a temporary blip in my state of mind and that I will be back to thinking 'que sera, sera'.