Public Speaking is for People with Nerves of Steel

That was something that was said to me by a teenager who overheard me say I am just a "horrible public speaker and I will never do that again!". It was followed up by the sentiment that teenagers are the hardest group of people to talk to, and that despite what I think- I probably did just fine. It's hard to judge until you've done it a bit. I stammered, lost my place in where I was going with points, may have gone on about being "afraid" to show art a bit too much. But for the most part I touched on all the points in my notes, had a few visual aids, and considering I had not done public speaking since high school- didn't die from stage fright. (although I did go home for a 4 hour nap afterwards). As much as I try I just can't warm up to doing Karaoke in bars, but I have tried to do something in between which is to say I have started to put together some video tutorials. They're mostly in response to a lack of actually teaching anyone anything about how to render animals in 2D. But I have heard that putting videos on YouTube will increase your visibility as far as your website goes. Apparently it all has to do with content- which follows why you should have a blog- (even if no one reads it). I guess the "new secret" to SEO is content, content, content. The more you mention your website on your blog, facebook page or even on YouTube the higher in the rankings Search Engines like Google will find your page- and then you don't have to pay for advertising. Don't know that it's true but it's worth a shot. So the first series of tutorials goes over drawing Cats. Doesn't sound like any great thing until I tell you I went to the lengths of actually putting the time in to teach people about how ANATOMY affects how the cat LOOKS. It's amazing how many people don't get that. It's like any other thing- draw it how it is- not how you think it is. Hopefully I am not talking over peoples heads and it will build up subscribers, viewers, and collectors. Or at least when I die it will leave something behind. It's a hell of a lot of work though. Waaaay more than I expected. For every 15 mins of video- there is about 10-12hrs worth of work editing and trimming so that I don't look like the babbling idiot I am on a regular basis. And I haven't even gotten to the DRAWING part of the tutorials! (I am hoping that will be easier) But since "House" has now officially ended I suppose this will be how I fill my Monday nights. If your reading this and your wondering what the hell I am talking about here's a link: Drawing & Painting Cats
Hopefully I will be more reliable about posting in this as well. Since it takes almost a hour for the video to convert I suppose I should make posting in here the habit I do while that's converting. Well, check it out let me know what you think. Later!

Doing This Isn't all about Art

Well next week I will be doing a presentation for a High School down in Milwaukee. The presentation is to an advanced art class and covers how I run my business, build up resources, and tips for those who are looking to go from doing art as a hobby to doing it professionally. This past week which has been busy beyond what I think I can normally handle. I sat down with an event coordinator who is looking to start "painting parties" in Wisconsin. It's not that it sounded like a bad idea, but with working 45+ hrs at my "bill paying" job, then running the committee for the dog park, and trying to choose good shows to attend when it comes to vending my art, I don't really have much free time to build lessons that are meant to be more entertaining than informative. My first response when he gets done telling me his spiel is "Have you looked at my website? I gave you the address- did you look at the work on there??" I get compliments but no acknowledgement as to "Not That detailed!" It wasn't really encouraging to have him tell me that the art these people were going to create was going to wind up in the trash or at best the back of a closet. I went through my pictures looking for what he said should be pictures that would take me 30 mins to paint and I could teach in 2 hrs to people who feel they couldn't even draw a stick figure. So he gives me 5 days to come up with 5 pictures (and the steps). I choose 4 stormy skyscapes, 1 landscape from a local park that I know I did in 20 mins, and a cartoon, which would be much more entertaining. I initially suggested watercolor due to it being more cost effective and more interpretive. It was shot down because of the lack of "canvas and uprightness". (basically it wasn't as flashy)  Hindsight being 20/20 I should have just declined. But I sent out the pictures and now these two customers don't come in like they used to (which is to say 3 or more times a week) I don't know if they think I am going to be upset if they say no, or what. Truth be told I was not in the gear of "drop everything" and "do this now". I didn't much appreciate the tone or the slight that this was more important than anything I had going on in my life including my full time job! So to those artists who may get approached by this "prospect". Please take it with a grain of salt, for your wisdom and years of experience are only as good as you are as an entertainer. But in the past 7 days along with dealing with the drudges of the "other thing" I did get another painting done:

 A cute little piece, Archie was up on the couch at the time. I had the canvas board prepped with a fall theme, and since I was just putting off picking out a shot from the Midwest Horse Fair I did this instead.
The Breakout was finished at the beginning of the week and preliminary pictures were posted on Facebook. but here's some for anyone who's reading this:

I finally have all the notes and handouts ready for that presentation next week and while I'm not wandering my apartment reciting paragraphs of material I have a good idea of what I want to cover. Most of it is material I wish I had as a senior looking to move into the art field after high school.

The dog park thing...Well it's not like I am trying to have a power trip. I started a facebook page for it because I heard people complaining they didn't know when the park was going to be open and who was going to be there when. Then when we lost a kid in the high grass and the bugs were so bad last summer I started calling to get it taken care of. Really I just wanted a safe friendly environment for Kodiak to play. Somewhere along the line though, someone who thinks anything that happens out there has to got through her, got a wild hair someplace unpleasant and doesn't like me. Whatever. I don't have time for unintelligent petty games. She did a wonderful job getting the surveys filled out, and I'm very thankful we have that information, by far got the most out of all the people who were out there. But sadly has chosen to try to use them as her own complaining platform instead of being constructive about it. I wish I could get her on the same page but unfortunately timing has seen fit to reinforce her ways rather than get her to simmer down and be reasonable. I did get a "committee" going as it quickly became apparent if the City of Sheboygan was going to allow us to have volunteers to help, I was not going to be able to handle this all on my own. Sadly I have spent so much time and effort into work and the dog park that I now have more people who like the dog park page than like My Page :(... With the new camera I am taking much better pictures and posting them with copyrights as a watermark so people don't just copy and paste them onto their own computers. Since I have changed my perspective on photography, all pictures that get posted there automatically get that unless they are really not all that flattering.

I do regret not having more blog entries than this, but I don't get any feedback and wonder how often anyone reads this.
I did start another Blog on WordPress : "Animal Art Resource" Animal Art Resource Blog on WordPress
What it is meant to be is a collaboration of artists, websites, galleries, forums, shows, and tutorials along with
information and tips on running an art business dealing with Pet & Wildlife art. I sadly have more artists following that than I have this blog which I why I let this one go. I am trying to make a better effort at keeping both of them up...along with facebook...sigh...when I am I supposed to paint?

The world just got a little smaller

Well this past weekend I went out to the Midwest Horse Fair which is something I have never been to. The first day I was stuck in traffic for 1/2 hour; the second for 2 hours trying to crawl the last mile to the fairgrounds. No place I have ever been has had this kind of traffic congestion and walking around it was like an all horse version of Disney World with the way the crowds were. But despite what was supposedly 50K people who were there, I still found people who I knew, or knew me. Which was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I went with my game face on determined to make the most of my weekend, and in the end only could muster up enough for 2 days not all 3. I was far too exhausted to do the 3rd day. But with thousands of reference pictures and having talked with dozens of breeders, handlers, trainers and vendors I had really made the most out of the weekend and have learned a lot about how far I have come in my perspective of my business and representing myself. I treat everything with the same respect I am given and in turn are respected for my perspective, decorum and understanding. From TV personalities to internationally recognized trainers and breeders, I was floored to be respected and appreciated rather than dismissed and turned away. It may have something to do with my attitude or maybe my talent speaks for itself but I noticed that to those whom I did drop business cards with I received wide eyed surprise and genuine compliments. Coming home with stacks of new contacts and potential clients was the bonus to having the opportunity to photograph such beautiful and powerful creatures that more than once I was choked up and moved to nearly tears. My long list of studies has always included horses and inane amounts of knowledge about breeds, training, dressage, gaits, tack, all became apparent as I was aware of what I was looking at, while many others were just stunned or confused.  Along with the personal gain I learned several things that I didn't know, but as always tucking it away for some later use. I smiled a bit while I heard about how everyone had been bugging the re-en actors about WW2 horses and horses like "Joey" from Warhorse. Mostly because the public recognizes what is popular, not what it true, which was a point that got repeated over and over though out the weekend. Many of my pictures did not turn out as I hoped but non the less I have hundreds to work from.

Busy Busy where did the time go...

So it's mid April and I keep trying to stay on top of this blog better but things keep cropping up. Got caught up on The Breakout which is nearing it's completion, and still looking for an outdoor tent for vending. Next weekend I am off to the Midwest Horse Fair to scout the show and get reference pictures. A newer project is heading up the Sheboygan Dog Run volunteer committee. I have four people that are heading up various areas within the park including surveying the usage of the park by the public. It may turn out to be a short project as I am hearing not a lot of people would like anything done with the park, and we may hit a brick wall with the town of Wilson about making improvements. It is proving to be a huge learning experience though even if I don't get any credit for any of the improvements. A totally art note would be that I am being invited to speak to some high school art kids about being a professional artist, using social media, agents and representing yourself. With all this going on plus 45 hr weeks I haven't had much time for doing the art part of my business, but having lots of art is no good if you have no one to sell it to. So all this networking will help out down the road.

Well you never know

Since the holidays wrapped up there hasn't been a whole lot that has happened around here. I have been playing with the new camera (which I love). Actually taking into consideration the prospect of adding photography to the list of things I can accomplish, and offer. So far what I am seeing out of my attempts and the new camera I could see it working rather well. I already two photography sessions booked so I guess it's going to be a regular thing.  My photography at Beaver Creek is turning some heads as well, so it turns out that well you never can tell. I missed the cut off for the Kohler show :( but I will look at others instead. Went off to my first show with intents to build up my contact list and added a few but also (almost) came away 1 painting less (if the Breakout was complete and not a WIP it would be gone) Yesterday's show at 4H was a wonderful reintroduction to a show with a fresh new crowd and a large gate. Even if I wanted to I couldn't walk away from the crowds! They had 3 building and trailers with vendors and while my stuff was on the higher side there were still folks selling saddles and tack for as much so it didn't seem outrageous. Got my show toes back in the water again and found myself kicking myself for not buckling down and getting something more done. But then I miscounted and only brought 4 struts when I should have brought 5 so I was lacking a little space for display, must remember to come a bit earlier next time. Am also going to look at getting shirts made because well at places like that tack show, a t shirt done well would have fit in as well as a custom button up shirt or the suit I intended to wear but didn't have time to put on. So much to do and so little time must adjust my schedule so that I plan for mistakes, but then again, you never know.

And Busy Busy with the Holidays

Shortly after mid September I received a request for a commission of 8 pets for a client in Georgia. My lack of blogging skills have not been for lack of anything other than time. But the portrait was completed and shipped out just in time for Christmas and is currently on display in her residence.

 

On a sadder note,the autumn of this past year saw the loss of 3 beloved animal friends. 

Alexander:

Pandora Chunk A Butt:

And Princess Shiva:

The passing of my little muses makes being inspired a troubled and often unfocused kind of melancholy.

Shortly before loosing Pandora (very unexpectedly) I acquired a new little muse who is just a momma's boy:

Boo Garou Bordeaux Blanc:

November I went down to Chicago to follow Anubis to a Sci Fi convention. The result was less than stellar. My original was one of only a few and easily one of the 4 most expensive pieces there. In conjunction with it being the only Egyptian themed piece made it something to look at; but, nothing to take home.

And Arakho still sits on my dining room table awaiting his remount. (If that ever happens) 

Blissfully, this year I have had many new friends and artists that I have been able to get to know on Facebook. And after several months of chatting I have been reminded of how small the world is and how a decent resource for Pet and Wildlife artists is seriously lacking. After writing a few articles for the Networking Pet Portraits group I entertained starting a book to be used as a reference for budding (and experienced) artists to use for tips, techniques and information. After talking with a few people however it seems that information changes so often that it was reconsidered and is being posted on the Web in Word Press:

 Animal Art Resource

What sounded like a small thing has already blown into quite something. I have already written 4 articles and posted a few links for learning how to package art for shipping. And there is further plans for video tutorials, and advice.  But the idea is really trying to find an organized way for artists to get some of the tools and tips without spending hours on the internet. It got a few artists following it already so hopefully the momentum with that will build.

I am really hoping I can find some chatty artists who are wanting to donate some time and effort to write a few articles for the.... I'm not really sure what you would call it... A Blog??

Also in the works is a Pet Artist Show to be held in conjunction with  the Great Lakes Pet Expo. The two big hang ups I'm hitting are artists willing to participate, and organizing it with the show director.  If this develops into anything further I am more likely to post in in the Net Working for Pet Artists! page (Facebook)

 Networking for Pet Portrait Artists! (facebook)

or the Pet and Wildlife Artist Forum:

Pet and Wildlife Artist Forum- Melanie Phillips  

than here since there seems to be no one really following this blog.

Also in News is that I replaced the old Kodak Easy Share camera with a Canon Power Shot. 

I was so impressed I jokingly posted:

"I think I bought a camera that's smarter than I am!"

I am so pleased I just can't wait to get out to a zoo with this thing!

But with 2011 over with now, it's time to look at 2012... and see what the future has in store for Morning Hawk Creations...Do I stay or do I fold? Not sure. Most of the expenses for running this as a business get paid with funds out of pocket not income from commissions or sales, so that really is a big factor for 2012. And I have no shows booked right now (which is a new thing). In the past two years, vending at shows has not paid for any of the show's expenses, or brought in new clients; and that cannot happen again.  The past two TICA shows showed less and less in profitable sales (and interest) which didn't even pay for the gas to get down there, let alone booth fees.

Thus the show schedule, vending, website, and other formalities with a business may be cancelled or disconnected.

But nothing is set in stone yet and I will have to see how my meager sale affects my status with the IRS. If it's favorable than things will continue on. Otherwise, sadly expenses will need to be trimmed, which may in fact call for a closing of shop. But until then, I'm still looking for snow; and time with my new camera.

C'mon Kodi-

Let's go outside.