The Crush (cont'd)

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I made a little more progress on this last week and hope to finish it up this week.  Stay tuned . . .

Nora

"Nora"
8" x 10"
(watercolor on aquabord)

While this little lady is no longer here on earth, I'm sure she is spending time in doggy heaven looking down upon her mom and still protecting her. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to paint Nora -- many thanks to my collector. This one was a pure joy to paint.

Have a great start to your week!

"The Crush" . . . the beginning phase

Last week, while doing some shooting for the RHOFP (Real Housewives of Fisher Price) I decided to take a break and plan out a new Valentine's Day painting. No time like the present for killing two birds with one stone: next year's calendar and this year's Valentine painting. Below is a behind-the-scenes at my photoshoot...

and the new work-in-progress.

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Enjoy your day!

Flying By The Seat Of My Pants

Happiness is . . . a vintage Fisher Price toy collection!
(Although for all you purists, this is the Playskool McDonald's)

I tend to like routine and plans but for a little over a year now I've had some life things get in the way. Nothing bad, just the way things go sometimes. I'm sure you all understand. And in the midst of tending to unexpected life events I decided I still must focus more on my art career and not let the momentum I've worked so hard to achieve, slow down. That means staying consistent . . . which can be really difficult when life gets in the way.

Part of that consistency includes marketing and consciously setting time aside to devote to just that, something I've never really done. (While I have a love affair with routine, I often have a tough time sticking to it). It takes loads of discipline, something I've always struggled with.

And part of my new marketing plan is a new instagram account: "Real Housewives of Fisher Price." (There really is a method to my madness, even though this seems completely random!) 

I've created a crazy cast of characters with storylines a la "Real Housewives" and have been posting little "episodes" for a couple of weeks, I hope you will check it out. I've also created a new Facebook page for the #RHOFP which you can access here. It's fun and challenging and different. But most of all, it takes time and while I try to stay disciplined and ahead of the game, somedays I still find myself flying by the seat of my pants! 

Shipping Packages ... Continued

AWS Postal Scale

Friday I left you with some information on mailing that wasn't totally complete.  So over the weekdn I took a photo of my scale (which will weigh up to 55 lbs. and costs somewhere between $20-30.) You can find this scale (and ones like it) on amazon or the OfficeMax or ULine sites.  Purchasing a postal scale is definitely worth the small investment as it will make your life much easier. 

Here's some other information that took me a little while to figure out but has helped streamline my process:

I find that if you're shipping something that was paid through PayPal it is easiest to click on the button that indicates you'd like to ship that package, while on the PayPal page that shows the sale. You will then be taken to a page where the sender's information is already entered. (It's been so long that I can't remember if you need to set anything up on your end, so forgive me if I'm leaving anything out). From here, you basically just follow the prompts on the page that will ask you what kind of shipping you'd like to use. I generally use Priority 1-3 days -- and if you are using your own packaging/thick envelope it will then prompt you to enter the weight and dimensions of your package.  (You can also use the USPS flat rate shipping envelopes/boxes that you can pick up or order from the Post Office). 

Next, decide if you want insurance, and then just calculate your shipping. It's pretty much, that easy. Print out your shipping label and you're done! Your shipping cost comes directly out of your PayPal account. And you will have a tracking number that you can click on at any time to check on the status of your shipment. You can also opt to have an email sent directly to your buyer, letting them know that their shipment is on its way.

I find using PayPal to ship is easier than going to the USPS site, which confuses me. However, I have managed to use it and it works fine. It just takes me a little longer because I'm not that familiar with it and there are so many ways to mail a package I find it more time-consuming to find what I need. But you might not find it as confusing.

And here's a final important trick:

If you weren't paid through PayPal but want to ship through PayPal (because you find it easier like I do), this is what I do:  you can go to www.paypal.com/shiplabel/create/ -- you just have to already be signed in to PayPal. Then just follow the prompts. I have never been able to find a menu item on PayPal's site that indicates how to ship a package. Thus, I've bookmarked the link above so that I can easily go there when I want to ship something.

I hope this information helps you find the easiest method for you!  Happy painting, selling and shipping!

Shipping Packages

It's been a busy week, shipping calendars and paintings -- thank you to my collectors and patrons! 

If you are an artist and have just started selling your work online you may want to devote some time into learning how to package your work and mail it from home. In addition, investing a little money into purchasing a few packing supplies will make your life much easier as well.

It took me a little time, so be patient with yourself, but figuring out how best to package your work, whether in boxes or bubble wrap mailers or with the USPS flat rate shipping envelopes and boxes will save you lots of time, $ and frustration in the future. Research how other artists ship their work -- there are plenty of blog posts from artists who are happy to share what they do and how they do it, so others don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just find someone whose style resonates with you or combine a couple helpful tidbits from various artists.

ULine, Nashville Wraps and PaperMart are a few of the companies that provide wonderful shipping materials.  Check out all their goodies . . . but try to limit yourself so you don't end up spending a bunch of money on things you don't need. Figure out the size of the majority of work that you'll be shipping and find a packaging method that works for you. 

A good scale is necessary if you are going to prepare and ship from home.  I use one that I purchased either on Amazon or through Staples (I can't remember) but it weighs items up to 50 lbs. 

SOLD!

"Cutie Pie"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)
SOLD

I'm happy to share that "Cutie Pie" has sold!  Valentine's Day is on it's way folks . . . I have a few notecards and a couple paintings that would make lovely gifts for your special Valentine.  Visit my website to see what's available.

"A Missing Whitman"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

"Giggle Giggle, Wink Wink"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

"Paper Heart No. 1"
6" x 6" (framed to 11" x 11")
(matted and framed watercolor on paper)

The Little People Are Here!

2018 Little People Calendars
$12.00

Click here to purchase.

The Little People desk calendars are finally here! I  hadn't planned on doing one this year until sometime in December.  Yeow!  I needed a few more paintings to make it complete so hence the delay.  For all my Little People still life fans out there, I promise that this year I will do better.

If you click on the link above, even if you don't want to purchase, you can at least get a better look as to what's inside. 

Have a great day!

Another Day at the Office

"Another Day at the Office"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$200

Click here to purchase.

By the time you read this post, I should have my Little People calendars in! I'm excited to see them. It's a little late, but at least it's still January.  (yikes) 

In the meantime, here is one of the paintings in the calendar. For busy flight attendants, a trip to a foreign destination is just "another day at the office."

Enjoy your day!

The Budding Artist

"The Budding Artist"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$350

Click here to purchase.

I guess we can call this my first painting of 2018. It may have been started some time ago, but it's the first one finished this year. I think this would make a really cute addition to budding artist's bedroom, don't you?

Have a great day!

Winners and Losers

"Blueberries Revisited"
8" x 8" - (watercolor on aquabord)
on exhibit Jan. 11 - Feb 10, 2018 -- Concord Art Association - Massachusetts

I am happy to share that "Blueberries Revisted" has been juried into the Concord Art Association's 2018 MJ1 Show. 

For those of you who are new to painting and thinking about selling your art, joining local art groups is a good way to meet other artists and try out entering juried exhibits. The art world can be intimidating but I've had such lovely experiences with the groups I've joined, that I would encourage anyone starting out, to give it a go. You will learn a lot. 

One of the things you will learn is that getting juried into a show is not guaranteed. BUT don't get discouraged when a work is rejected. (Wow . . . that sounds harsh, doesn't it? Rejected. It will happen but don't sweat it.) 

"The Attorney's Door"
18" x 24"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$1850 - payment plans available

So now I'm going to share with you the "LOSER" from my post title. "The Attorney's Door" was rejected from the Concord MJ1 Show. To me, the notification was just part of another work day . . . I didn't take it to heart. Artwork can be dismissed for all kinds of reasons, it certainly doesn't mean it's a "bad" piece. So try not to take it personally. (Incidentally this painting was juried into a very selective national show last year and received very high praise.)

The most important thing is that you are doing what you enjoy doing and if you so desire to exhibit in a juried show . . . keep trying. Aside from the $ and travel that you expend when you enter, you shouldn't feel like you've lost anything . . . especially confidence. It's a hit and miss thing and rejection happens to every artist putting herself out there.  

Happy creating!  Have a good start to your week.

To see more of my work or to make a purchase, visit www.karakbigda.com

Finally!

2018 Desktop Calendar
$12

Click here to purchase.

Well I finally ordered my 2018 Little People still life desk calendars. For those of you still interested you can order them here on my website under Shop, Bits and Bobs. I apologize to all my loyal Little People fans.  Hopefully though, these new paintings will brighten your days and you will forgive my negligence. I will ship as soon as I receive them next week.

I'm planning lots of new things for the Little People this year and promise to get the next calendar out in a more timely manner. Thank you for your patience.

HAPPY 2018!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope you have been enjoying your holidays. I definitely have. One of my most favorite weeks of the year is the one in between Christmas and New Year's. I don't know why, but I feel like I'm allowed . . . no entitled actually, to lie around and do nothing! Nice attitude, eh? I love just basking in the twinkle lights of my decorated rooms, usually in my pajamas.  

Although I did a lot of lounging and hunkering down in the cold weather, I did manage to get some painting time in.  I have a commission that I'm finishing up and another one that I've begun. Not to mention the remaining paintings for my Little People calendar (which is extremely late - gaaaah!) that are finally completed.

 

Because I'm not officially "back to work" until Tuesday (yes, I am taking every last second of my vacation very seriously) I will share with you some images of the little corners of my world that I've been enjoying these past few weeks. 

Santas were aplenty as you can see . . . hiding in many nooks and crannies around the house.

Whoa!  Who's that peeking out from among the greens?  And of course the stockings were hung, by the chimney with care . . . 

Fresh greens mixed with faux greens and various bits and bobbles found their way inside and outside the house, including this package of retro Christmas lights. Aren't they cool? My sister-in-law has a great sense of design and decorating - these are from her.

 

Don't you just love battery-operated candles and twinkle lights?  Some of the best inventions ever!

I have a thing for cheese graters, don't ask me why. But they make the most lovely luminaries. Well, my friends know my about my obsession so my cherished neighbor, Annie, brought me these lovely greens in these hanging graters . . . along with more twinkle lights! Yippeee!

I haven't done a big tree in a couple of years because I'd have to do a lot of rearranging and I just haven't felt like it. So I place little trees all around the house instead. I hope to add some more to my collection. Below are a few left-over presents that have yet to be delivered. This room was packed with gifts on Christmas Day.

My dear friend June bought me the beautiful glass cabinet below and filled it with some "snow" and various delights . . . including more tiny lights. Oh how lucky am I?!

We're in the middle of a cold snap, so I don't suppose I'll be taking down my outside decorations just yet. I'm a real wimp when it comes to the cold. But I am curious to see if Santa received any mail.

 

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and may 2018 bring you health, happiness, peace and prosperity!