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What Kind of Print Do I Want? (Part 1)

4/9/2020

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Canvas? Metal? Acrylic? Foam Board Prints? What kind of prints do I want, and what do they look like? Like many of you, I've seen beautiful prints that I have loved.   I've seen many prints with a similar vibe, but just felt flat and boring. Not something I would want in my house! Keeping my own preference in mind, I have recently decided to upgrade the quality of the prints featuring my artwork that I sell online and at art festivals. So I did some research on all the different kinds of material that prints can be made with. Wow is there a lot!

Most of us have seen and possibly ordered Canvas Prints. They are currently very popular and are made by printing a photo onto an archival grade canvas, then stretching  and stapling it over a wooden frame. I have personally seen wonderful artwork painted onto canvas. but is it the best for a print? Let's look at a couple pros and cons of canvas for prints.

Pros:
1. Canvas prints do not require framing. This makes covering the most wall space for a reasonable cost.
2. The matte finish of the canvas is glare free and works well for large places with strong lighting. This would make it great for commercial use.
3. It is flattering for photographs that have rich earthy tones and already look like a painting.

Cons:
1. Canvas can only reproduce about two thirds of the printable color spectrum, which makes it less than ideal for image vibrancy or clarity.
2. The edges of the photograph or artwork are usually wrapped to the side of the canvas to give the canvas a finished edge, cutting off much of the image when viewing it from the front.

Overall canvas prints can be a wonderfully affordable product that is light weight and easy to hang, but lacks a lot of the vibrancy of color or detail of the work.

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2020 Spring/Summer - Artwork and the Corona Virus

4/1/2020

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Baseball games are cancelled, the Olympics have been postponed, and we are all bored at home. Oddly enough, this is the perfect time to buy artwork.

Since many art festivals this season have been canceled because of the Covid-19 outbreak, this is now a time many artists are able to catch up from commission work and back fill inventory. Many will be working on uploading new work onto their web sites and other online selling sites. This is a wonderful time to see brand new artwork, rather than picked over pieces from the festival season. Search online art websites for the for the perfect eye-catching piece for above the fireplace, the gorgeous entryway piece you know everyone is dying to have, or that dramatic piece for your office that would be a great conversation piece.

ArtPal, Artfinder, Saatchi, TurningArtist, and FineArtAmerica (as well as personal websites owned by your local artists) are a few of the online websites selling artwork from prints to original artwork. Most are very easy to use. With pull down menus and search buttons you can search for exactly the kind of artwork that would be perfect for you. Whether you are looking for floral, landscapes or wildlife you can find it on different medium such as oil, acrylic, or scratch board.

So pick up your ruler, swatches of your favorite colors, and snuggle up on your couch with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and get ready for a great day of shopping for art at the online galleries. See you there!
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Scratching Out a Plan for 2019

1/3/2019

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Wow, it’s hard to believe another year has come and gone.  I had a very good 2018 and look forward to an even bigger 2019.  The rain/sleet/snow we are having today has given me the opportunity to stay warm and cozy, while listening to the rain pitter patter on the window.  This is allowing me to start preparing for the upcoming year. Without the usual distractions, I can plan my dates for commissions, inventory control and Art Festivals.


About half my time is spent on commission work and the other half is related to the Art Festivals.  My typical year is as follows:
January thru March is set aside to replace inventory and create new works in preparation for Art Festivals.
April and May is attending various Art Festivals.
June is Me time, spent with family and friends.
July and August are spent replenishing my inventory of framed prints, pre-existing gifts and Christmas cards.
September thru December is my busy time.  Most of my commission work is accomplished during this sprint to the end of year as customers are needing that perfect Christmas gift for a friend or loved one.

I always have fun planning my inventory.  I try to have both large and small pieces, a little something for most budgets.  I also like to create artwork in a different theme each year. I’ve done animals of the Southwest; college mascot animals and this year’s theme is Birds of Prey.  I plan to create eagles, hawks and owls in the coming months. Do you think my blue and gold macaw counts as a bird of prey?

Showing in the Art Festivals takes prior planning, as well as taking a risk.  Many festivals require their applications and fees to be submitted anywhere from a few weeks to many months in advance.  Each application is unique and must be followed exactly in order to be considered. The requirements usually require that you include the subject, medium and a photo of your display.  Most festivals have requirements of a certain colors, sizes and quality of tents (outdoor shows) or display panels (inside shows). Then the wait…all for the opportunity to invest the already tight funds in the chance to show your work to the public.  It isn’t over until you actually make it to the show. Illness, car breakdown or unexpected emergencies can arise, which means the kids college fund is forfeited. It’s a gamble, but I enjoy the challenge, just the same!

Careful planning is key to success, whether as a small business or an accomplished artist.  To think that all those business classes I took in college, that I thought I would never use again, are actually being put into use after all.  Accounting, marketing and economics really do have a use in my business!
This is an awesome start to the New Year, watching the cold weather while staying cozy in my house (at least until the electricity goes out!) Looking forward to hearing from you this year!

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Which Photo Should I Use?.....

10/5/2017

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Today, as many days, I was at Hobby Lobby. I'm guessing many of you were too, since it was quite busy. As is usually the case, I started talking to other crafters and artists. "What is new?" and "What's on sale?" Then we move on to, "What is your craft?" As you all know, I say " I'm a pet portrait artist." Eyes always get big and the typical response is "I've been wanting to get Fluffy's portrait done forever! I've looked for a good photo but cant find one I like."

Here are a few pointers that may help with taking a photo of your pet that would make a wonderful portrait.
  • Looking down at our pets is a normal everyday thing; however in a portrait it can be very unflattering. The best angles are with you on the same level as your pet, it looking straight at you, his head cocked listening to you, or looking right past the camera.
  • Take your pet's photo in natural light, preferably outdoors.
  • Some cameras are just better than others. Some phone cameras work great, some not so great.  Look at your photos and enlarge a small area. See if it is blurry when enlarged.  Of course, if you have a real nice, expensive camera, your details will be better because of the focus and color. The most important thing is the eyes and nose are in focus.
Have fun taking photos of your pets. I can't wait to see them. Check out my website for more pointers. JanetFunk.com .
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The Art of Scratch Board-What is it?

1/16/2016

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     Many times while I'm at an art show or a demonstration I am asked,  "What kind of artwork are you doing? "What is it?" "What do tools are you using?" and "How long does it take you?" So I thought it would be fun to answer a few of these questions over the next couple weeks on this blog.

     Today I will answer the first two questions; What kind of artwork do I do? and What is it?  I have worked a lot with Pen and Ink and Painted with Colored Inks, but my favorite medium and what I work mostly with is Scratch Board.

     Many people say, "Oh I remember using that in Kindergarten!" Yes, you probably used something similar to it. Your teacher probably had you color with crayons on a piece of paper and then painted it with a coat of black ink. You then you scratched it with a popsicle stick. Or she bought some similar paper at a craft store with an outline of a picture printed on it for you to scratch off.  That is usually called Scratch Art.

   Scratch Board is similar but different. The panel is an art board that is made of wood, next it has a smooth absorbent white clay layer, then coated with a high quality Indian Ink. Instead of the black Indian ink, some artists spray their own Clay Board (the panel with just the white clay layer) using a colored ink and an airbrush for the top coat to give their art a very unique look. Either way, these panels will not tear, bend or crack. The artist scrapes away the ink with many different tools to create intricately detailed work and show the beautiful white clay underneath. If color is desired, colored ink is most commonly painted on for brilliant yet translucent color. The artist can then scratch any highlights to make a very life like look. To insure the artwork is preserved typically it is sprayed with a varnish or clear fixative.

      Scratch Art is available at many local craft stores and is a great way to start Scratching.  It may take many hours to get the desired look you want but it is fun to see the result of your hard work. If your decide you would like to advance to Scratch Board you may need to purchase it online, especially to get unique sizes. Best wishes and have fun.


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Resolutions for the New Year

12/29/2015

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     Have you been thinking of any of your resolutions for the 2016 year? I've been thinking about this for the last couple days and thought I would share a couple of them with you. As many of you, I am going to try to eat food that is healthier and get more exercise. But I always say that. So I will tell you about the plans I have for my artwork and about this website.
       First, I would like to work on more custom work - Pets, People and Wedding pictures.
       Second, I want to work on larger pieces and sell more prints.
       Third, I am going to organize this website so categories are easier to find.
       Four, Although my daughter will be going off to college in the fall and I want to spend as much time with her as possible before she goes, I will be trying to attend and participate in more art shows. I love talking to people as they are viewing all the different kinds of artwork and answering questions about Scratch Board.
   
      I have had several people ask if I would work on pictures of their Children and Family Portraits, pictures of American Buffalo/Bison, Mule Deer, more Bald Eagles, larger pictures of Black Bears and Cats. I'm so excited to get started on artwork for this next year.

     I would love to hear from you if you have a suggestion of an animal or subject you would like to see in Scratch board. And in the mean time, I hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
 

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The Holiday Shopping at Local Stores

11/17/2015

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     This  past weekend I was invited to be a guest artist during the Guthrie Art Walk at a new and very wonderful store named the Velvet Vue. I really enjoyed myself watching people as they walked through the doors. I talked to many folks as they  browsed the store.  Some stayed for just a couple minutes but many stayed quite awhile.

     Now, as you know, this is NOT Wal-Mart. The size of the store is about the size of WOOLWORTHS. Yes the store you remember, back before...well.. yes, I'm showing my age.  Okay the size of Walgreens.  Yes, it may be on the small size for todays BIG and Bustling World, but it has so many really neat things in that store! There is antique furniture, beautiful glass vases, and yes my Scratchboard pictures too. But there is also natural lotions and doggie clothes and ohh so many stocking stuffers.

I hope as you do your Christmas shopping this year you consider shopping at many of the small local, or small neighboring towns like Guthrie, shops that are selling one-of-a-kind, or unique items, sometimes for a lot better prices than something similar in the big stores. "Shop Small" starts November 28. I hope you have a great time browsing the "small" stores.

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Newer Pieces Shown at the Guthrie Art Walk

11/11/2015

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Saturday will be a great day! Guthrie is having their bi-annual Art Walk this Saturday the 14th from 4pm to 8pm. I have been asked to be the Guest Artist and show some of my artwork at the Velvet Vue 116 West Oklahoma, which is in the Guthrie's Historical District. I hope many of my friends and family will be able to join us and enjoy some great food drink music and artwork!
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Eagle Scouts Ceremonies, Graduations, Retirements and More... It's going to be a busy month.

5/29/2015

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Wow! May was a crazy month and June will be too! I am having fun!

One of the wedding gown pictures is being mailed off this week and another is still in the thumbnail stages.

Some of the new exciting work for June is several bald eagle projects for Eagle Scout and Military Retirement presents. They are such special accomplishments.  I'm honored to be asked to work on these presents.

Here is an eagle that is in the beginning stages.
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Wedding Gowns and Bouquets

4/22/2015

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I'm so excited to add a new topic to my web site. Recently, I attended a beautiful wedding in Texas full of lace and roses. The gorgeous bride had many photographs taken but enjoys the vintage look.  She and her mother asked me if it was possible to do a picture of her wedding gown but give it a timeless look. They gathered many pictures to show all sides and many up close pictures to show the details of the lace. I couldn't decide on any side because the dress is so pretty. So I decide to show all sides of the gown with its reflection in an antique mirror and the beautiful bouquet hanging from the side of it.  I'm nearing the completion of the picture now and am so delighted that another mother has seen the picture and has asked for a picture as a gift for her daughter.  I can't wait to see her photoghraghs
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    Janet Funk

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