Designing Collections

April 20, 2013

Why you should be designing collections

What will make my art more desirable to licensees? How can I get the most out of my time spent creating my art? The answer….designing collections. A collection consists of 2-4 main images, 1-2 borders, a repeating stripe, a sampler and 4-6 coordinates. This is a large collection which would be great for a fabric line. You can create smaller collections as well.

Why does designing collections make your art more desirable? Because a potential licensee can visualize an entire line of coordinating products if you have several images to choose from; which will get you closer to a licensing agreement.

collections, designing collections, yankee doodle, fabric line, americana

Yankee Doodle

Pictured above is my "Yankee Doodle" fabric line I created for South Seas Imports many years ago. You can see I have two main images (at the bottom), a border image, small repeating stripe, large repeating stripe, sampler, and five coordinates. Not only is this a complete collection for fabric, but it was also licensed by other companies for gift bags, gift wrap and figurines as shown in the photos below.

licensing, licensed products, yankee doodle, kogut

designing collections, americana, yankee doodle, kogut

For the gift bags, they needed two main images but also used the coordinates for the gussets & bottom of the bag. Looking at the art, you can see many, many ideas for figurines.

This is also true if you paint in other styles and subject matter. Think about a complete collection in order to give the potential licensee options.

As your licensing business grows, you will begin to accumulate a nice collection of coordinates and borders. Keep a file on your computer titled exactly that, "coordinates & borders". You will find that you can pull from past collections in order to fill a request from a licensee that needs additional coordinates or borders. It can also help round out a new collection you are designing, or course, as long as the colors and style match the new collection. You don’t want to overuse past images but there is certainly nothing wrong with bringing life back into some images you designed in previous years.

Now get painting and have fun designing your collections!

Have you ever painted in collections? Does it seem overwhelming? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!

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10 Viable Ways to Sell Art

April 5, 2013

Let’s Explore 10 Viable Ways to Sell Art

You LOVE to create art, right? And in order to continue to create, you need to find ways to sell art, too, so you can pay your bills and equally important, buy more art supplies! Whether you create your art part time for extra money or you are a full time artist that depends on sales to survive, you will need to explore all your options for getting your work in front of people.

I want to share with you 10 viable ways to sell your art. You may try one, two, or eventually all of these options in order to find what works for you.

ann arbor street art fair, art fair, art show, sell your art

1. Show your art at local coffee shops, cafes, spas and restaurants

The best places to ask about displaying your work are small locally-owned coffee shops, cafes, spas and restaurants (and Dr. offices or if you paint animals, maybe veterinary offices). Things you need to consider before meeting with the business owner or manager are

is your art for display only?

if your art is for sale, what will the commission be? (25% is reasonable, but I have heard of 10% up to 40%)

will there be a "meet the artist" opening?

how long will you be able to display your work?

Make sure you have a signed and dated written agreement to the terms before leaving your art with anyone.

Another option you might want to consider is working with a restaurant that is remodeling or hasn’t opened yet. They may be willing to purchase your existing art outright or commission you to paint for them.

2. Rent booth space at art & craft shows in your area

Make it a point to visit each show before you decide if it is the right show for you. Visit with other artist’s that have similar items for sale to find out what other shows they do well at. By visiting the shows you are interested in, you will also get ideas for booth displays. Booth fees can range from $30 to $225 and up depending on the show.

I have met many wonderful artists and crafters over the years. Most people are very friendly and will share information about shows that have been successful for them. Also, you can join yahoo groups and facebook groups for artists where you can meet other artists and share show information.

3. Sell on your own blog

I believe having a blog is a MUST for every artist. My advice is to build your blog yourself so you can update and make changes quickly and easily. I recommend GoDaddy for purchasing your domain name, Hostgator for hosting your site, and download wordpress.org (thesis 1.8.5 theme) to your hostgator account for building your blog. I have made many mistakes over the years doing it the wrong way, so I want to spare you the wasted time and money by telling you this is the way to go. You will have the best SEO and will find it easy to use once you get use to it. If I can build a blog, so can you. I will be offering step by step instructions for building your blog soon. DO NOT create your site using wordpress.com….that is for blogging only, you do not own your content and if you are caught selling on wordpress.com, they will shut you down.

4. Share and connect with people through social media

This is a must as well as having your own website. You need to start a business facebook page where you show your art, share your stories and keep connected. People are not just interested in your art, they want to know more about YOU. So be yourself, be transparent, and be authentic when using social media. DO NOT use social media just to sell art, you will turn people off and they will delete you. They want to connect with you and get to know you.

Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, Pinterest and Intsagram are also good sources for connecting with people. See article "Social Media for Visual Artists".

5. Promote your art through the local art community

Check out your local art scene. Visit local galleries and attend "meet the artist" openings. See if your city has an art council.

Our local community has "Flint Art Walk" the second Friday of every month in the summer where downtown businesses display local artists work. The artist is usually present to meet and greet. This has become very successful with many, many people attending every month.

6. Submit your artwork to juried art fairs & galleries

Art fairs attract many potential buyers. They are usually outdoors so you’d have to have protection from the elements. Again you want to research the art fairs you are interested in. Art fairs are a great way to introduce yourself and your art to the local market and more importantly a great place to sell art. You may even walk away with an award.

Unfortunately, not everyone who applies gets accepted into the show. Also, most of these shows charge an application fee that is non-refundable. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair (pictured above) is a huge art fair in Ann Arbor Michigan and it can take years to get into that show, but once you’re in, you’re in!

Galleries are also very particular about the work they carry, and you can expect the gallery to take 40-60% commission of your sales. Most high end sales are still made through galleries so it is worth trying. I will be writing an article on galleries at a later date.

7. Start accepting commission work

Years ago, I painted commissioned portraits. Whew, that was tough because without knowing the person you are painting, it can be hard to "capture" their personality, however, when you pull it off, there is no greater satisfaction. I once painted a portrait for an elderly man. It was of his deceased wife (I painted her from a younger photo of her). When he saw the finished painting his eyes filled with tears. Where else can you make a connection like that…it was awesome.

Make sure the customer has a clear idea of your style of work. Show them a portfolio so they become familiar with your work, color palette, and style. Once you both understand what each other want, you need to present a contract to protect your rights and theirs. Click here for an example of a contract. You may want to have lawyer look at the contract because each state’s laws may vary.

The downside to commission work is that you are obligated to paint within the guidelines you and the customer agreed to which can limit your creativity. It is a unique challenge and can be very rewarding.

8. Sell your work on an internet gallery or store

This is a fast and easy way to get your work out there. It’s a website built and maintained by someone else so you don’t have to know all the technical stuff. You maintain your page by uploading your art. Most online galleries are free to sign up. Some charge a small fee when you upload an image and some only charge a commission at the time of a sale. Each site will have their own set of rules. The only downfall with this type of selling is that you can get lost in the crowd. There are thousands of people on these sites so make sure when you upload your art, you do your best at putting in tags that people will use to search for your style of art and subject matter.

Some sites will let you create products, such as, t-shirts, mugs, greeting cards, etc. using your artwork. They make it incredibly easy and it is fun to see your art on different products. Zazzle is one site I have created products with and they turn out fantastic. Redbubble and Cafepress are other options.

Etsy is for handmade items only. There is art and crafts on this site. It is easy to use and VERY well known. They charge a .20 listing fee and your listing will be live for 3 months. When the item sells, they also charge a small percentage of the sale.

Artsy Home is a wonderful online gallery and easy to use. They only charge a commission at the time of sale.

Daily Painters online gallery is another great option to sell art.

Ebay is for selling anything and everything. I have not sold my art via Ebay, although I have heard of artists doing well going this route. I recommend selling art on auction and make sure to set the lowest price you would accept.

Amazon is similar to Ebay where anything and everything is for sale. I do not have any experience selling this way but it may be worth a try.

These are sources I am familiar with, however, there are many more if you search online.

9. License your art to individual companies

When you license your art, you enter into a licensing agreement which gives the company (licensee) permission to use your art on their products. Which images they are permitted to use and on what products needs to be clearly defined in the licensing agreement. Read these articles for more information about licensing. "Is Licensing Right for You?" "Self-Represent or Art Agency" and "Self-Represent or Art Agency part 2"

What is great about licensing is that you can have a single image licensed to many companies/manufacturers (for different product categories, of course). You will get paid a royalty on the sales of the products that feature your art. These royalties are paid quarterly and the percentage you get paid will all be stated in the licensing agreement.This is an exciting and lucrative way to make a living as an artist.

10. Sign with a licensing agency

Signing with an agency means the licensing agent handles all the contracts between you and the manufacturers. You send all your art on digital files to your agent and they work to find companies that want to license your art. An agency will typically get paid 50% of the royalties.

Licensing may not be for you, just like selling your prints on Etsy may not be for you. In fact, many of the methods listed above may not suit you and your art. These are, however, very viable ways to get your art noticed and purchased so you can continue to do what you love! Be fearless! Never give up….if one method doesn’t work, move on to the next. You will find your niche!

I hope this article was helpful to you. How do you sell your art? Anything you could add would be great! I look forward to your input, please comment below.

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Five Unhealthy Habits that Crush Your Creative Spirit

March 19, 2013

Have you ever felt the pressure to create for a client, licensee or upcoming show and you find yourself staring at a blank canvas (or a clump of clay, etc) while hearing the tick tock of the clock ringing in your ears? Or are you overcome with worries about failure, copyright infringement, pressures to "measure up" to your last success or do you work and work on a piece but are never quite satisfied with how it looks or maybe you feel tired and unmotivated. These are common concerns for artists and can crush your creative spirit. Let’s take a closer look at these issues and learn ways to overcome them.

Fear

Fear is common in any career but for an artist it is personal. Our work is a part of us. It is an expression of who we are. What if nobody likes my art? What is someone copies my art? What if I do succeed, how will I keep up the pace? What if I run out of ideas? Let’s break down some of these fears.

— What if nobody likes my art?

Surely your art will connect with people, you just have to find them. I believe the talent of an artist is a gift from God, so if you follow your heart and stay true to yourself while creating your art, it will speak to people. Test the waters by opening an Etsy shop. Listing an item costs only .20 each and you pay a small percentage of the sale price when you sell an item. Etsy is a very well known place to find unique handmade goods.

Start a blog where you share what inspires you, share videos of your painting process, etc. Connect with people on a personal level with facebook and twitter.

Keep working on improving your skills. Don’t pigeon-hole yourself into only one style, one subject matter or one medium. Experiment with your art and find your niche and your own style.

— What if someone copies my art?

Don’t be surprised if this happens. The more exposure and popularity you get, the more it is likely to happen. Register your copyrights for all of your art! (more on this later)

I have had my copyrights infringed upon more than once in my career. After sending a cease and desist letter, if they continue, then you need to discern if it is worth your time, emotions, and money to hire an attorney. Here is a good article that can help you decide what to do next.

I don’t let copyright infringement get me down. Do what you have to legally to make them stop but after that, move on. There are thieves around every corner and I refuse to let them win by living in fear. My philosophy is to leave them in the dust by always being 10 steps ahead of them. Create new, new, new, new!

Another way to help you move forward after copyright infringement is to pray for the person that stole your work. They are desperate and not confident enough to create ideas of their own…..and that would be like living in a prison.

— What if I succeed? How do I keep up the pace?

Fear of success…..sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? We all want to succeed so why fear it?

First of all, don’t compare your success to other artists success. You are unique and your journey will be completely different. Sure, some things may parallel but for the most part, your path will be unique and special just like you.

Let’s say your art is chosen by a company for a Christmas tabletop program (ceramic plates, mugs, pitcher, serving tray, platter, salt & pepper, etc) and it was wildly successful. The following year, you send your ideas but the company chooses another artist’s art for the Christmas tabletop program. Don’t let this discourage you and think "it’s over". This scenario is very common in the licensing world. You can always show the new program you created to another potential licensee.

"Keeping up the pace" means always sketching. I sketch almost every day. I am fortunate to have sketchbooks full of ideas. Some never see the light of day but they are always there in case the opportunity arises for such an idea.

Don’t wait for a company or your agent to ask you for new art. You should always be painting and creating. That way, when you are asked for something in particular maybe you have ideas "ready to go" in your sketchbook.

New, new, new….that is the motto in the art world, whether you license your art or do gallery shows. Be unique, be yourself and be creating art all the time. By constantly updating your portfolio, your chances of having another "hit" will increase dramatically.

— What if I run out of ideas?

Otherwise known as creative block. I recently wrote an article 10 Simple Steps in Overcoming Creative Block. When it strikes, try some of my suggestions and if creative block creeps up on you in the future, read it again.

Over Scheduling

in today’s economic market, we tend to say yes to every project that comes our way. We wind up over scheduled and pressured to "perform". Art comes from inspiration and we need time to process ideas. I, too, am guilty of over scheduling my time, however, with experience I have learned to ask myself some important questions before saying yes to a project if I am already busy.

Is the deadline reasonable for the amount of work they are requesting?

Is the subject matter I am being asked to create aligned with my style and techniques….meaning, can I pull it off or do I want to take my art in that direction?

What is the potential return on the time invested in the project?

Is it a company I have worked with before and we have established loyalty and trust?

If you analyze the project and discover that you can’t possibly complete it by the deadline, ask for an extension. If they can’t give you more time, you must be honest with yourself as to whether you can work overtime and weekends to get the job done or if it just isn’t going to work. If you must decline the offer, they will appreciate your honesty. Remember, licensees are in the business of manufacturing and selling products and they have production deadlines that they have to meet. If you are, let’s say, a week past the deadline, you could cause them to miss the production deadline which could cost them thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost sales.

Once you have committed to a project, it is imperative that you meet the deadline. Do whatever it takes. You will build trust with your licensees and they will know they can rely on you which will ultimately bring more work your way.

Perfectionism

Creative people are often perfectionists……which can be debilitating.

First of all, don’t be harder on yourself than you would be on someone else. If you let perfectionism take over, it will show in your art. Your art will become "stiff"…without movement.

Most of the time the imperfections you see can’t be seen by anyone else. Step back, look at your art as a whole, don’t pick apart every little detail.

Sometimes I will be moving through a painting and a "mistake" appears. Something I didn’t intend to happen. That is art! Those little unintentional incidences add interest to my art.

You don’t want your work to become "stiff" or forced. If you find yourself struggling, walk away; distract your mind by answering some emails, making business phone calls, filing some paperwork or start another project/painting. It doesn’t hurt to have 2 or 3 projects going at the same time. Sometimes working on something new will trigger your mind and you’ll find a solution to your previous project.

Poor Diet; Lack of Exercise

Let’s face it, when we eat healthy foods and exercise, we have more energy and feel better. We also increase our productivity and creativity when we clear the cob webs out of our brains by giving it a boost of oxygen through exercise. Everyone’s goal is to someday retire, right? Not only to retire but to be healthy enough to enjoy retirement, right? Well, lack of sleep, eating processed fatty foods, drinking diet or sugary drinks, and never exercising will lead you to an early grave and you’ll miss out on your golden years.

Sleep – There really is no magic number. Everyone is different and you know how much you need to feel rested. I try to get 7-8 hours a night, "try" is the key word here. I know people that feel great on 4-5 hours a night. Listen to your body and make sure you get enough rest. Here is an eye-opening excerpt from The Sleep Foundation:

Sleeping too little can not only inhibit your productivity and ability to remember and consolidate information, but lack of sleep can also lead to serious health consequences and jeopardize your safety and the safety of individuals around you.

For example, short sleep duration is linked with:

Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents

Increase in body mass index – a greater likelihood of obesity due to an increased appetite caused by sleep deprivation

Increased risk of diabetes and heart problems

Increased risk for psychiatric conditions including depression and substance abuse

Decreased ability to pay attention, react to signals or remember new information

Eating Processed Fatty Foods & Drinking Diet or Sugary Drinks – moderation is the key when it comes to "junk food". Try to avoid it altogether and that starts with just not having it in the house or studio.

Keep healthy snacks on hand; fruit and cut up vegetables are great to curb your appetite and you won’t crash from a sugar spike.

Protein snacks, such as, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese and peanuts will help you stay full longer.

Drink plenty of water! I know you’ve heard this a million times but do you ever wonder why it hasn’t changed over the years? Because it is true! At least 8 -8oz glasses of water a day. I use a 24 oz water bottle….drink one while I work out in the morning, refill and drink another in the car when I go pick up my son from school, then a large glass of water with dinner. If you keep it simply like that, it is easier to do. Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger and can also cause headaches and leave you feeling sleepy.

Avoid fast food…..plain and simple.

Supplement your diet with vitamins, especially, a multivitamin, C, D, and calcium.

Exercise– It’s not all about losing weight. It’s about being healthy. Exercise keeps your heart, lungs and brain healthy. Add a couple days of weight-bearing exercises to keep your bones strong, too. Exercise clears the mind and gives you energy to tackle the challenges that life brings.

There is no excuse for not exercising at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Find the time of day that works best for you and make a commitment to yourself.

Expense is no excuse either. You don’t need to buy equipment or join a gym. For starters, go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day. If you have a DVD player, buy some workout DVDs….my personal favorites are the Beach Body workouts.

If money isn’t an issue, I recommend getting an elliptical machine. Set it in front of a tv and work out while watching your favorite program; before you know it your half hour is up…better yet, keep going for an hour!

My Dad always said, "you’ll find time to do the things you really want to do"….and he is right.

I would love to have your input! Let me know if this article was helpful. Thank you for commenting.

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How to Organize your Artwork

March 13, 2013

How to Organize your Artwork and Keep Your Sanity!

These tips will work for any artist, whether you work in 3-D, paint watercolors on paper or paint with acrylics on large canvases. These tips are helpful especially if you are just starting your art career or if you have decided to try your hand at licensing, otherwise, you may already have a system in place that is working for you. (And if so, we’d love to hear about it in the comments)

I started licensing my art back in 1997 and over the years I have created a portfolio containing over 3,250 paintings. Finding a specific piece of art would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I don’t want you to waste your valuable time searching for art so I am sharing with you how I keep my art organized and easily accessible.

1. Number and Title EVERY piece of art.

Start with 1…or start with 100. It really doesn’t matter as long as you start from the beginning of your body of work. If you already have several paintings created, go back and write the image number and title on the back. I use a colored pencil because won’t erase or show through the paper. For my acrylic paintings I use a permanent marker to write on the wood stretcher bars.

2. Keep an "Image List"

I have an image list document on my computer and I print a new page every time I fill one up so that I have a "hard copy". I like having a hard copy of my list so when I finish a painting, I can quickly write the information down and move on. Another reason I do it this way is because I have had a couple computer failures over the years and would be frantic if I lost this important information. After creating 10-15 paintings, I update the file on the computer as well.

The image list holds all the information about the painting. I created 9 columns titled as follows…..image number, title of work, date created, description, size, medium, created for, cd #, sold.

Image number , title of work and date created are self explanatory.

Description – keep this simple, such as, Easter, spring, Christmas, teddy bear, angel, Santa, snowmen, etc. By doing this you can do a search for a specific holiday, season or character.

Size – this may not seem important but believe me you will want to include this. It seems that every time I forget to fill this in, I will need the measurements for listing the art for sale or for registering the copyright.

Medium – You may paint with watercolor, draw with pen & ink, create sculptures with clay or paint with acrylics….I would keep it all on the same list.

Created For – This is mostly for licensing purposes. It helps to remember the client you created the piece for. This is also good for commissioned work.

CD # – Which cd is the digital file stored on

Sold – It is important to know if you still have the original piece. When and if you sell your work, put the price you sold it for here and maybe the person you sold it to and the date.

3. Get Digital Files of Your Art

This is imperative if you plan to license your art! I have a digital file of all my art in order to send to licensees so they can create their products using my artwork. In order to keep expenses down, I recommend purchasing your own scanner and doing this yourself and then sending for professional scanning when a licensee asks for a digital file. You want your art’s digital files to be saved at 300 dpi, rgb, TIFF files. I have my flat pieces of artwork (watercolors) professionally scanned at Museum Photographics and my large canvas acrylic paintings I take to a local professional photographer.

Be sure your digital file name is the same image number and title as you have on your image list. I store my digital files on cds. Click here for storing cds. I number each cd and put that cd number in the "CD #" column on my image list so I can easily find the digital file when needed. Storing the digital files on an external hard drive is also a good idea so you can easily pull up an image using the file/find option on your computer’s menu bar (that is for mac users…not sure how it works on a pc) This makes it quick and easy for emailing a jpg to someone to view, for blogging purposes or to upload the .tif file to a FTP site for a licensee to download. Because hard drives are known to crash, you should still keep your digital files on cds, dvds, or compact flash for safe storage.

For 3D art, such as, clay sculptures, I photograph several angles of each piece. Number and title the piece and log that info on the image list right along with your paintings & drawings. Print the photographs and store in a binder for easy viewing then download the photos to your computer and store them there also.

4. Storing Your Original Art

Because, in some years, I paint over 200 paintings, I find the most cost effective way to store my watercolor paintings is put each work of art into an ultra-clear bag…(only .23 each for 12" x 18" bag) These are acid-free archival quality bags and come in a variety of sizes.

I then use plastic bins for storing the "bagged" originals….putting them in numerical order, of course. This method will protect the art and keep it organized as your volume of artwork increases. Once you have filled a bin, label the bin with the image numbers it contains, for example, "images 1 through 130".

For large canvas paintings, I use the same bag method. The ultra-clear bags mentioned above come in various sizes up to 20" x 30". If your paintings are larger than that, go here for bags up to 46" x 35".

When painting large works of art you will soon run out of space to store them. After I have a large painting digitally filed, I decide if I want to keep the painting to hang in my home or studio, whether I am going to give it as a gift, donate it for a fundraiser or sell it. For me, it is very exciting to have someone invest in an original painting to display in their home or office. I mean, after all, isn’t that why we paint…to share a piece of ourselves with others?? So don’t hang on to everything you create. Once you have it digitally recorded, let it go.

While you are trying to sell the originals or storing them for a gallery showing or if you just can’t let go of them yet, put each painting in a large bag and store them in numerical order standing on edge. Put a label on the top of the bag with the painting’s image number and title so it will be easy to find.

That’s it! That is my method for keeping my art protected, organized and easily accessible. I hope these tips help you and if you already have a system in place that is different from mine, please share in the comments section. I am always open to new ideas…..especially when it comes to organization.

Do you have another clever and easy way of storing your artwork? Share your ideas with us here. Thank you for commenting.

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2013 TNNA Nashville Market

March 11, 2013

The 2013 TNNA Nashville Market

bunnies, punchneedle, spring, pattern

"Springtime Bunnies"

punchneedle embroidery ©Teresa Kogut

punchneedle, booth, display, TNNA show

Room 409 at the Embassy Suites

video from craft gallery

(the video it a bit long but as you can see…it’s all about cross stitch)

cross stitch, pattern, santa bear, Christmas

XS073 – Santa Bear

cross stitch ©Teresa Kogut

Last weekend, my hubby, Kevin, and I were vendors at the TNNA’s (The National NeedleArts Association) trade show in Nashville, Tennessee selling my punchneedle and cross stitch patterns. Needle Art shops (and some quilt shops) from across the nation gather at the Embassy Suites to purchase inventory for their stores. This show’s focus is counted cross stitch patterns but there are also vendors selling embroidery patterns, painted canvas embroidery, punchneedle, as well as vendors selling supplies, such as, linen, embroidery floss, frames, needles, lighting, hoops, glasses….you name it…if it has to do with needle arts, it was there. There were 5 floors of vendors. Each vendor set up their displays in their suite….which I find very easy and convenient. During the show hours, the vendors simply leave their door open for shop owners to come in and browse.

Last year was our first year attending this market. Several shop owners loved my punchneedle designs but said they didn’t carry punchneedle in their shop and encouraged me to translate my designs into cross stitch patterns. After visiting with other vendors, I realized this market was all about cross stitch! The vendors I spoke with were very helpful in getting me started in this new venture. I learned about MacStitch from Beth Ann Seal at Summer House Stitche Workes, which is a computer program for creating the cross stitch patterns and I also found out about a yahoo group where I could find model stitchers from Erin Dekker Raatjes at Myrtle Grace Motifs. Thanks you, ladies, for helping me get started.

Well, there I was a year later at the Nashville market with four new cross stitch patterns. It was much more difficult than I originally thought it would be, but it’s a start! I am working with wonderful model stitchers that are taking my pattern and stitching the model for me to take to shows. Thank you, ladies.

The moral of the story is……Give the customer what they want!

This holds true for any business.

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10 Simple Steps in Overcoming Creative Block

March 6, 2013

10 Simple Steps in Overcoming Creative Block

It happens…..and it can be frustrating, especially if we try to force ourselves to start and/or finish a project when we just aren’t inspired. Follow these steps and surely you will break free from the shackles that are holding your creativity hostage.

1. Switch Gears

Write a blog post, update your social media profiles, write letters of gratitude to people who have inspired, encouraged or helped you in your life/career, attack that stack of papers you’ve been needing to file, etc. Get your mind off "being creative" for the afternoon by doing something constructive and the feeling of accomplishment will keep you from getting down.

2. Engage in Another Creative Medium

Take a break from watercolor and switch to acrylic, pastel, or do some collage work. Maybe you like to write. Take some time to write an article, poem or guest blog.

Do you like needle crafts? working with clay? making jewelry?

Many times when we are still using our creativity but doing something that is not related to the project that has us stumped can satisfy our spirit and keep our creative juices flowing.

3. Commitment

Commit to spending at least 30 minutes a day working on the project that you are struggling with. After 30 minutes, if the ideas and inspiration are still being "forced", walk away. Usually after a few days of doing this, the "solution" or inspiration for the project will surface.

4. Meditate

Sometimes we just need some down time…..some quiet time. Find a place outdoors (weather permitting, of course) to sit alone quietly. No phones, no ipods, no kindle…..just you (and your sketchbook). Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths, clear your mind and steady your thoughts. Do this for 15-20 minutes minimum.

"Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God." – Diane Robinson

5. Brainstorm

Take out your sketchbook and doodle; and not necessarily with your pending project in mind. Let your mind run wild and sketch, draw or write whatever comes to mind……some of my best ideas are born when I just let go and sketch random ideas and thoughts.

6. Do Some Spring Cleaning

Often times we are so caught up in meeting deadlines, finishing projects and preparing for shows that our work space can get out of control. Take a day and do nothing but clean and organize your studio or work space. Move things around, file papers, file or toss completed projects, improve your lighting, put up shelves for storage, hang some recent work on the walls, etc.

Clearing the clutter around you can also clear the clutter in your mind making room for those new ideas.

7. Get Your Blood Flowing

Take a long walk at the park, walk the dogs in the fields/woods on your property, put in a dvd of your favorite workout, gather some friends for a game of basketball, volleyball, etc., go on a bike ride, go for a swim. What ever motivates you to get your heart rate up and get your blood pumping, just do it! Get the oxygen flowing to your brain and say bye-bye to those mental blocks.

8. Get Inspired

Visit your local art gallery, surf the internet looking at art, go to the library or book store to look at magazines and how-to-books about art, get on pinterest and search art or illustration.

I am by no means telling you to copy another artist’s work but I have always loved looking at other artist’s creativity and often times get inspired by a new idea. It is imperative that you be true…be yourself….be original.

9. Enroll in a Class

Take an art class to learn a new medium at your local art institute or community center. Take a photography class, a writing class or learn a new craft.

These outlets are still feeding your creative soul and may be just what you need to overcome what is blocking your creativity.

10. Always have Your Sketchbook Nearby

One never knows when that spark of creativity will hit…….be prepared.

Sometimes a thought or image will pop in my mind; I sketch the idea to it’s fullest. It may be months before I use that idea or maybe I never will, but I can refer back to it at a moment’s notice and that is powerful and valuable.

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The painting at the top of this post was one of those "flashes of inspiration". Old Friend "popped" in my mind, I sketched it, I loved the sketch so much I immediately painted it using watercolor. It seemed to flow off the tip of my brush like magic and the painting was completed in an hour or so. Old Friend went on to be one of my best selling paintings in my entire career.

Paintings that flow freely and are created from inspiration from start to finish I find are the most successful paintings in my portfolio. I believe people can sense this when viewing an artist’s work. I wish all paintings came so easily but that is definitely not the case. I also believe paintings that are forced aren’t as successful…again, it shows in the work.

Don‘t be afraid to step away from your work and try something else for a couple of hours, a couple of days or more until the creative block has diminished. More importantly don’t let creative block consume your thoughts, cause you to worry and send you into a downward spiral. It happens to everyone at one time or another. We just have to learn techniques to overcome and conquer creative block.

How often do you experience creative block? Do you have another idea of how to overcome it that works for you? Please share it with us in the comments below or just drop me a line and let me know if this article was helpful to you. Thank you for your input.

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angel products

February 21, 2013

angel products, Coynes & Company, angel necklaces

Be True angel products created exclusively for Coynes & Company by Teresa Kogut

Guess what was on the front porch when I arrived home after picking up Ryan from school???? You guessed it! Coynes & Co Be True angel products…. totes, purses, bags and necklaces! I was like a child at Christmas. I couldn’t open the box fast enough! The angel products turned out beautifully. Kudos to Coynes & Co for manufacturing such quality products. I am grateful to be working with them and hope to continue this line of angel products in the future. The necklaces pictured above along with the totes, purses and bags are available here on my website or visit your local gift shop and/or Christian gift store to see if they carry the line.

Here is a short introduction to Coynes & Company taken from their website. Visit their site to watch a video and learn more about their extensive line of products.

"Welcome to Coyne’s & Company a leading giftware company for over 50 years. Each day we consider ourselves lucky because we have the pleasure to create products that bring joy into the lives of others. We take our jobs very seriously, because we know gifts that are given today become long lasting memories of friends and family in the years to come. As you browse our site, you will be introduced to our innovative product collections, each with a distinctive personality. We are sure you will find one or two that will delight someone you know."

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meet Grace

February 15, 2013

meet grace, mix media acrylic angel painted on rusty tin tile

"Grace"

acrylic over tin tile

Meet Grace. I finished this painting yesterday. I am really enjoying painting on the rusted tin tiles. I adhered the tin to a piece of birch plywood. Finished with sanding and crackling. Measures 12" x 12". I love how this one crackled and how the rust is showing through.

In a recent interview, I was asked, "When did your interested in angels begin?" This is my response….I have, for many years, been fond of angels. Back in 1996 when I started my wholesale business I had a collection of whimsical 8×10 prints that I had painted in watercolor called "Angel Series"….Each Angel was the guardian of something, for instance, teddy bear angel, snow angel, autumn angel, etc. Angels have always been a part of my portfolio, however, my as my faith has grown over the years so has my fondness of angels. My more recent acrylic angel paintings are inspired by scripture, but not all of my angel paintings have scripture. I have an ongoing list of scriptures that I have written in my sketch books and after sketching an angel, I will search for an appropriate scripture. Sometimes I choose a scripture reading that is exactly what I needed to read at the time, other times the choice is inspired by what may be going on in the world at the moment and sometimes it is as simple as an expression on the angels face or what the angel’s surroundings are in the sketch.

I use bible gateway to search for all the scriptures I use in my art. You can search by verse or keywords and you can choose from every bible available.

Wishing you a great weekend!

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latest punchneedle

February 13, 2013

"1 2 3 Easter You See"

Here is my latest punchneedle design…..and I think this is the last before the Nashville market. I now need to take all the finished punchneedle designs and really finish them. Some I will put on felted purses, frame some of them and maybe make a couple pillows and hanging pockets. I thought an Easter design was necessary being that it’s just around the corner…..hard to believe, right?

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a divided house

February 12, 2013

"A Divided House"

punchneedle pattern will available early March

Boy, did this one turn out differently than I had planned. I wanted the words, "A Divided House Cannot Stand" but it was too many words in a small area and you couldn’t read it so I pulled it all out and filled it in with grass. I adapted this punchneedle from a painting I did a couple of years ago by the same name. The painting was inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s "Divided House Speech" in Springfield IL on June 16, 1858 where he referenced the gospel Mark 3:25 while speaking about the government being divided. Here is an excerpt from that speech:

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South."

I believe this to be true of every house…..not just in the government. Within our own homes we need to strive for peace & harmony. We raise happy, healthy children when there is harmony in the home……harmony = peace = happy home = happy children.

Below is my original painting…..