ETSY - and Selling Art

At the end of March, I opened a new ETSY Store called JJJacobsArt, and this morning I made my very first sale in the new store!!  My painting "Roller Coaster" is now making its way to Australia where it will land in a new art collector's home.  I couldn't be happier.

"Roller Coaster" - SOLD

 

 

Over the past few years I have had several ETSY stores (selling fused glass, mixed media items, vintage, etc.) and decided to close them all to concentrate on a new store which specializes in selling my smaller paintings, works on papers, studies and maybe one day some prints of my larger works.   I really truly hope this turns out to be a viable outlet to sell my small originals, but time will tell. 

What I am absolutely amazed at is the number of fine artists and illustrators who are doing very, very well on ETSY.  Granted many of them started 5+ years ago when ETSY was a newbie site for the arts, but I'm hopeful it will work for me.

A long time ago one of my mentors told me in order to be a really great artist, one needed to paint 100 paintings.  Recently I heard a great artist needs to paint at least 1000 paintings before they are "seasoned" and collectible. 


What's the magic number?  How many paintings do I need to create before I'm considered "collectible?"  How long do I need to be painting/marketing before I'm known as an artist who is going to be around for awhile?  Let's face it -- I've been painting since I was a kid, and I don't think there are any hopes or plans that I'm going to stop soon......I know I've easily painted 750+ paintings and probably double that.   The reality is I CAN'T STOP.  Whether it's painting on canvas, cardboard, wood or paper, I need to spread paint around like it's butter on toast.  It's who I am and it's how I roll.

My biggest problem is I'm surrounded by my work, and I need to get it out of here so I have room to make more art (my house is only 842 s.f.).   While I'm happy to say my work is in hundreds of collector's homes and offices,  I'm always looking for more homes for my babies!

I've learned to let go of the emotions attached to my art.  I'd say 95% to 98% of my work is available for sale once I declare it's done.  And if someone falls in love with one of my pieces - I will find a way for that person to get that piece, as I truly believe my art belongs with a person who has that gut connection.  Sometimes it's the design; other times it's the title or the colors that makes someone tell me "I just have to have it!"  I will make it happen one way or another, and I am content knowing my art has found a loving home.


I'm glad I opened my ETSY store, and I look forward to selling more works to collectors from all over the world.  I wish there were a button to push that would publish the work for sale after I've finished painting it, but that hasn't been invented quite yet.  

Hmm.....I can easily see me becoming an inventor in my next life.......

Paintings on Recycled Cereal Box Cardboard

"Wind Drift"

"Spirit Matters"

My dear artist friend Joanie Springer loves to paint on recycled materials and has inspired me to try painting on cardboard.  Never mind the fact that I am a certified art supply and canvas hoarder.....I just had to give it a try.  So after finishing a box of Kashi cereal, I decided to cut it up and play.  Here are the results!!  Both of these paintings were done upcycled cardboard with acrylics, graphite and charcoal and measure roughly 10.25" x 6.25" 

Soup is Ready.....and Here are my Offerings!!

So today is the big unveiling day for the 7th Annual Bead Soup Exchange, and my exchange partner this year was the multi-talented artist/jewelry designer/bead maker Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio.  Click here to see the beautiful beads Karyn sent me to work with, and you can see the beads I sent her.

This is a closeup of the pendant's "hangy dangy", which is comprised of black cord, silver chain, the silver focal medallion Karyn sent along with the beautiful hand-made polymer clay, glazed ceramic, jadeite blue and green beads that Karyn sent.  She also included the silver flower petal beads that are attached to the chain with a bright peacock-colored silk tie and some of my lampworked beads, 2 keys and some copper and silver beads.

Here's a shot of the pendant with 2 matching bracelets and 2 sets of asymmetrical earrings.  This was such a fun color combination to play with and no matter how hard I tried to stay away from bringing the ocean into the theme, I just had to add that double-shell centerpiece on the bracelet in the lower left of the photo. 

Here's a photo of the 2nd bracelet using the lovely silver clasp Karyn sent me.  It goes perfectly with the silver medallion centerpiece on the pendant, which sports an engraving of a Trumpet Vine flower! 

Please forgive the blurred photos of this closeup shot.  In addition to adding the shell centerpiece on the bracelet, I used copper findings with 2 Boulder Opal beads that really "came alive" when set next to the blue and green Jadeite beads. You can see a bit of the blue and green if you look closely!

This was a really fun exchange and I was blessed to have such a talented bead buddy to trade with.  Be sure to click over to Karyn's site to see what she made with the beads I sent, and then continue checking out the rest of the offerings by clicking 7th Annual Bead Soup Exchange - 2nd Reveal .

Dancing with the Stars

"Dancing with the Stars"

20" x 20"

Acrylic on canvas

$325

I'm often asked where I come up with the titles for my paintings and I have to tell you the names just pop into my mind.  It usually happens right before it's time to say "stop" and with this particular painting, the title was screaming to be born.  

I have never watched the popular TV show "Dancing with the Stars" before.  I'm not a dancer....in fact I feel like a bull in a china shop on the dance floor and haven't danced in years.  Yet this phrase kept making itself known as I was putting the finishing touches on this piece that I had started at my SF workshop a couple of weeks ago.

So I tell myself I need to go with the name because it's what my "Muse" wants me to do.  And there's nothing worse than a pouting Muse......so here's the last painting in my purple series (for now).  I suppose if you really look closely at the drips on the right, you can sort of maybe see a couple of dancers with their arms wrapped around each other, dancing in the moonlight underneath the stars....or not!

7th Bead Soup is nearly here!

The reveal for the 7th Bead Soup Exchange is nearly here and I'm embarrassed that I'm so behind in keeping you up to date on everything.  First of all, let me tell you about my exchange buddy, Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio from South Bend, Indiana.  Karyn has a BFA in fine art and is a freelance jewelry designer and illustrator.  She creates these fabulous earthy, organic polymer beads and has a blog called Plus Size Bangles


In addition to designing jewelry and beautiful beads, Karyn is an amazing illustrator!!  Here's one of her illustrations.....isn't this young lass just lovely?

Several weeks ago, Karyn sent me a carefully wrapped package filled with some of her creamy polymer beads and more!!  Check out the huge stash below - its simply gorgeous.  How did she know these are my favorite colors on earth to work with????  In addition to the polymer lovelies, silver caps and tulips, there are some green and blue glass beads and some pretty ceramic "donuts."  The clasp is a beautiful silver flower and the focal is a Trumpet flower with a fancy design etched around the edges.

I had a really tough time deciding whether to go with something ornate and floral-looking; or an ocean/beach theme or just embrace the beauty of the organic shapes and designs.  Unfortunately, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until next week to find out.......our magnificent hostess Lori Anderson took ill and had to postpone the reveal until next Saturday, April 13th.  We're all sending good juju to Lori wishing for a quick and full recovery.

So before I sign off, here's a photo of my humble bead offerings I sent to Karyn.  I'm excited to see what she makes with these little guys......the focal is a lampworked glass bi-cone bead that is annealed and etched along with another etched glass bead, and a bunch of "support" beads. 

Be sure to check back next week for the big reveal -- you can find it right here or on Karyn's blog, or the official Bead Soup blog.

New ETSY Store is finally open!!!

At last, my new ETSY store is open!!  I've had a shop on ETSY since 2008 and had sold fused glass, prints and a few painting on it, but I'm afraid to admit that I've totally neglected it these past couple of years and after a lot of debate with myself, I've decide to let the old shop go entirely.  This new store will be 100% original paintings, and nothing else.

Over the past couple of years I've gone back and forth whether or not to pursue galleries; limit my showings and sales to my local studio in Sacramento, CA; do art shows; or push the on-line venues like I had done somewhat successfully in the past.  After my Master's Painting Class with Tesia Blackburn, I decided to open the store.  It's time to move some inventory and make room for new art!

I have a lot of paintings and I paint often.  Since I don't anticipate that I'll stop painting anytime in the near future, (and I want to continue walking around my house and studio), I need to lovingly send a few of my babies off to good homes.

I'm not sure how or even if this is going to work, but if you're the least bit inclined to check it out, you can click here and give me your comments.  I welcome your discerning eye and suggestions!!  And if you decide you love something enough to purchase it through my ETSY shop just send me a message stating you are one of my blog readers and you'll get FREE SHIPPING!!!  (I will credit the full amount back to you via PayPal).  This offer is good for all blog followers for any and all work posted on my ETSY site through June 1st, 2013 (my birthday!).

Thank you for all of your support, my faithful and supportive blog readers -- I appreciate it :-)

For the Love of Jazz - and other things

"For the Love of Jazz"
20" x 20"
Acrylic on canvas
$325

Just got back from an intense 4-day Master's Painting workshop with the awesome Tesia Blackburn aka "The Acrylic Diva."  The workshop was at Hunter's Point in South San Francisco, and there were only 4 of us in the juried class.  All of the students were tremendously talented and it was an honor to be part of this creative and inspiring group of artistic energy.

I began with a series in neutral colors and was planning on sticking with this theme throughout the workshop until Tesia opened a box of historical colors from Golden Paints.  When I saw the "Smelt Blue Hue" and the "Cobalt Purple," I was drooling and having serious color withdrawals.  So when Michele (one of the artists at the workshop) offered me a palette of newly mixed paints that she was finished with, I went to town and created "For the Love of Jazz."  To be honest - I don't really like jazz.....but I see a trombone player with his sweetheart cast in a bright light on the stage behind the piano.  Yes, it is late and this usually non-objective abstract artist is very tired and needs to get some sleep.  But does anyone else see what I see??  Am I even close???

It's Showtime at ArtHouse Gallery!

Here's a photo of one of the walls for the "Shades of Gray" show opening tonight at ArtHouse
 Gallery in Sacramento.  My two paintings are on this wall - "Misty Morn"
 to the left and "Building Dreams" on the right.  This is a collection of art from all
of the artists who have studios at the ArtHouse - 18 artists in all and let me
tell you, there is some incredible work being shown.  If you're in the Sacramento
 area, check out the show - ArtHouse is upstairs at 1021 R Street.
The show will be up until Tuesday, April 9th.  

Misty Morn - Acrylic Painting for New Show

"Misty Morn"
Acrylic on canvas
24" x 48"
$795

Here's one of two offerings for the new "Shades of Gray" show at ArtHouse Gallery.   For "Misty Morn" I painted a red gesso undercoat then added texture before laying down the paint.  I tried to make a rather gloomy scene into a less threatening one by adding a bird to it.  If you've ever watched the show Portlandia, check out the scene where they make everything better by adding a bird to it.  It's hysterical!

Go Away, SPAMMERS

Apparently my last post titled "Shades of Gray" sparked a spamming frenzy among the twisted and perverted  mindset......please be advised my blog is now, always has been and will continue to be a family-friendly site that caters to creative minds and souls.  All XXX-rated comments have been deleted and unfortunately, from now on all of the comments will need to be approved before posting.

My apologies to anyone who had the misfortune to read some of the comments on my last post, and I pray if you did read them, that you did not open the links attached to them.

Here's another study of black & white painting with shades of gray.....this one will be known as "Get a Life" and is dedicated to blog spammers far and near.

"Shades of Gray - 4"
aka GET A LIFE!
6" x 4" acrylic on paper