Imagekind Blog | Buy, Sell, Create and Discuss Art

We’ve all seen it. Heck, whether an amateur or professional, we’ve all probably fallen victim to it ourselves. That’s right, the PSHS - Photographer’s Shaky Hand Syndrome.

Natalie Norton, over at dps, shares How to Reduce Camera Shake - 6 Techniques and end those unintentionally blurry photographs. You don’t need a tripod or other special equipment to pull off her techniques, just some trusty appendages.

I thought it would be a helpful resource for all the photography artists here at Imagekind and wanted to share it.

- Nate

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Scott Neste has one of the most captivating artistic styles. His mixed media collages contain a perfect balance of emotional and decorative appeal. Neste’s ability to combine contrasting colors, shapes, styles, shades and mediums into complimentary artistic expressions sets his work apart.

Some works contain upwards of 40 different layers in order to capture the desired effect.

Artwork: Privacy 11

Neste was featured recently on the front page of his local newspaper for his art exhibition, My Little Adventure, displayed in conjunction with the opening of his friends’ coffee shop.

All of the framed art prints displayed for this exhibit were produced by Imagekind, printed straight from his gallery. He also created brochures and flyers to hand out to visitors of the exhibit directing people back to his art prints for sale on Imagekind.

Artwork: Memory Book 5

One of his most stunning collections, Vintage Memories, is a compilation of old and forgotten memories recreated into a contemporary work of art. Using a combination of journal entries dating back to 1909, vintage photographs, corroded paint, fall leaves and other such discarded items, Neste created a powerful statement on the value of remembrance. Exhibit visitors would approach Neste with tears in their eyes as they share how his artwork reminds them of their often forgotten family members of the past.

Read the full story on Scott Neste’s recent feature in his local newspaper, and find out more about his unique artistic style here.

- Nate

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Have you ever seen an artist’s website that features a slide show movie of their work? They’re pretty simple to add and a great way to promote your artwork for sale.

There are a few different services out there but I think (at the moment) I prefer slideroll the most. It’s free, easy to use, simple and effective. Compared to some other slide show creators, there are no flashy branding that can distract the viewer from your work.

Plus, slideroll offers a sweet program that lets you easily create your slideshow into a video that you can add music to and put on YouTube. I’ll go over some of that later though.

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Compiled below is a list of the top five networking sites Imagekind artists can utilize to help promote their art prints for sale on Imagekind.

I have broken each of the five sites down by:

1. giving a brief explanation of what the site is and how it functions
2. how the site is helpful for artists
3. a list of some of the Imagekind artists who currently use the site to help promote their work

If your name is not under one of the sites, it’s probably just because I don’t know you use it. So, feel free to paste your respective site URL in the comment section and I will be happy to check it out.

Every artist who wants to increase their sales should have a few different ways they go about promoting their work. What other sites should be added to this list?

1. Flickr

About Flickr: It’s hard to say anything new about Flickr that most of you don’t already know. So, this is for the few who don’t. Flickr is by far one of the largest photo management and sharing sites online. Flickr members can upload, manage, organize and share their digital images with a worldwide audience. Members range from professional photographers and artists, to amateurs, to casual photo takers sharing personal pictures between select groups of people.

What this means: The Flickr community is one of the largest and most knowledgeable photo communities online. When people look for images online, Flickr is often one of the first sites they check. This provides a great opportunity for artists selling their artwork. Through a strategic partnership, Flickr members can easily upload and sell their Flickr images through Imagekind. With a few simple clicks, visitors to Flickr can click over to Imagekind where they can purchase an Imagekind member’s art prints.

Imagekind artists using Flickr successfully:
Notley Hawkins (on Flickr) | Trey Ratcliff (on Flickr) | Irene L (on Flickr) | Roger Butterfield (on Flickr) | Mr. Vedd (on Flickr)

2. MySpace

About MySpace: To many, MySpace might seem like nothing more than a paradise for socially awkward and confused teenagers. However, MySpace has proved to be one of the best places an artist can use to help promote and sell their work. In short, MySpace claims to be “a place for friends.” In other words, it’s one site, where millions of people congregate to meet and interact with others. Think having the opportunity to network with more people than are in Time Square. You are given a personal page that is almost limitlessly customizable.

What this means: Artists have the opportunity to engage with one of the largest clusters of people ever developed online. The potential is enormous. Artists can connect with new and existing fans of their artwork. Music groups (bands) are almost required these days to setup a page on MySpace to connect with their existing fans, and provide a way for new fans to quickly and easily find their music. This same principle applies to artists. Setup a MySpace profile and start connecting with people who love your art. Include your unique Imagekind URL on your page to connect people directly to your art prints for sale.

Imagekind artists using MySpace successfully:
Rob Dobi (on MySpace) | Natasha Newton (on MySpace) | Porter McKnight (on MySpace) | Metrofader (on MySpace) | Mike Cressy (on MySpace)

3. Facebook

About Facebook: Facebook is like a cleaned up version of MySpace. Not only is it more polished looking, it is also more family friendly. Similar to MySpace, Facebook “connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.” Facebook is less customizable than MySpace, but provides ways for members to share and interact with each other in ways that MySpace does not. Facebook members can easily create and join groups that inspire them, encourage them, they are passionate about, or just make them laugh.

What this means: Similar to MySpace, artists can use Facebook to connect with people who love their art. Facebook members can setup groups for just about anything to collaborate and share ideas. Artists can create their own personal groups for people to join who love their work, or join other groups for particular styles of art. With Facebook, it is easy to connect and share ideas to help promote your art prints for sale on Imagekind.

Imagekind artists using Facebook successfully:
Scott Anderson (on Facebook) | Rich Collins (on Facebook) | Edward Kinnally (on Facebook)

4. Youtube

About YouTube: YouTube is “…the premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide…” YouTube allows people to upload and share their personally created videos with an audience around the world. There are videos on YouTube for almost everything.

What this means: Artists use YouTube in several different ways. I have seen everything from artists who create instructional videos on painting, to an artist sharing their unique style when creating art, to artists who create video advertisements of their work. Once you have a video created and ready to upload, add an interesting title and appropriate tags for people to find your videos easily. Imagekind artists can include their unique Imagekind URL directly to the video and also make it a link in the info box on the right hand side. That way, when viewers see an artist’s work on YouTube, they can find out how to buy their art prints for sale easily.

Imagekind artists using YouTube successfully:
Natasha Wescoat (on YouTube) | Hall Groat II (on YouTube)

5. Squidoo

About Squidoo: When trying to understand Squidoo (though we may never understand the name) it’s often best to think of a blog that mated with Wikipedia. With Squidoo, anyone can setup a free, single page of whatever it is they care about most. There are Squidoo pages (lenses ala Squidoo) on nearly everything. Squidoo members can then interact with, discuss, and meet others who care about what they care about. Even Martha Stewart and Jane Goodall have lenses sharing what they’re passionate about.

What this means: Artists can use Squidoo to create lenses about their passions and interests: namely, their artwork. It’s quite simple for an artist to setup a lens and start connecting with others who love their art. They can easily add images and videos on their Squidoo lens to showcase their work. It is easy to direct people who find your artwork on Squidoo over to your artwork for sale on Imagekind.

Imagekind artists using Squidoo successfully:
Anne Vis (on Squidoo) | Andrew Gibson (on Squidoo)

Remember these are only five of the sites artists can use to help promote their art prints for sale on Imagekind. I am sure there are several more. How do you use these sites in different ways? What other sites have you found successful for promoting your art prints?

- Nate

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Imagekind is currently running a sweet contest where one lucky winner will receive a $500 gift card to decorate their dream room with art from Imagekind. It’s easy to enter. Simply submit your email address on the homepage and the winner will be chosen and emailed their gift card once the contest is over.

In addition to being entered into the contest, you will also receive special sales, promotions and news on artwork from Imagekind. It’s a win-win. Your email address could be selected as the winner, and you get special insider news about discounts and sales on art.

So hurry, go enter! The contest won’t last forever before one lucky participant is selected.

- Nate

Note to artists: Forward the contest on to friends, family and all those who love your art already and let them know they have the chance to win $500 worth of your artwork!

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Imagekind has been getting featured all over the place it seems for our Mother’s Day gift ideas. People are really catching on to all the different options they have when shopping for artwork at Imagekind. It is exciting to see what people think about our artist community where they can shop for artwork from our members’ collection or choose to create their own.

Take a look at some of the great things people are saying about Imagekind over at HGTV, King 5 TV and the moms and baby blog, Baby Scoop. Also, make sure to watch Rob explain some great gift ideas for mom including Imagekind greeting cards and prints on canvas.

More and more people are discovering how easy it is to upload their own personal photos and digital images and have them custom framed and matted, or printed on canvas. However this year, with our newly launched greeting cards and the recently released, Imagekind exclusive Story Frames, shoppers are finding fresh, creative ways to give their moms truly unique and one of a kind gifts.

After only a few simple steps, shoppers are able to upload and create unique gifts specifically tailored to their moms. You can upload family, vacation, wedding, baby’s firsts, and thousands of other special moments and have them printed as special gifts for your mom. Whether it’s a custom framed family portrait, your children’s’ unique school art project printed on canvas, or just a unique snapshot to give as a greeting card, you can create them all at Imagekind.

Remember to use promo code MDay2008 at checkout to receive free shipping on all your great Mother’s Day gifts from Imagekind.

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Hey, check it out! Imagekind got featured on Apartment Therapy, a website whose mission it is to “[help] people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.” They are currently running a contest where one lucky winner will win a $100 gift card to Imagekind. Pretty sweet, huh?

Apartment therapy is a fantastic resource for all things decorating and all-around home and lifestyle improvement. Readers are encouraged and inspired to connect with others to share their collective talents and resources.

Imagekind is participating in this contest to give one lucky winner the chance to win some new art for their walls.

Take a look at the contest, and make sure to read some of the fantastic comments.

-Nate

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I asked Pamela Smith, our guest blogger from the National Redesign Institute, who specializes in one day interior redesign makeovers, if she had some tips she could share with those looking for advice on how they can decorate with art in their homes successfully. She had so much great information that I thought it would be best to break her ideas into separate posts. Read on to find her tips below, and stay on the lookout for her other tips in the coming weeks.

Expressing ourselves through art has been a significant part of our lifestyle throughout history. Our interiors – from the bleakest cave on up – have always displayed some form of art. Yet I often find myself asking why now, in this art-filled day and age, do I see more and more interiors lacking this important finishing touch?

(more…)

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Imagekind is happy to announce an exciting collaboration with Debra Gould, the Staging Diva, creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program. With this strategic cooperation, Home Stagers are now able to find art quickly and easily when decorating their clients’ homes for sale. Prior to offering artwork from Imagekind, Home Stagers had few options when trying to outfit a home with specific and appropriate artwork. However, as Debra explains,

Finding appropriate art that will enhance the home without taking over and getting it in the size and framing needed has been challenging until now. I created the Staging Diva Home Staging Art Shop to make this easier and I’ve created specific art galleries for every key room in the house. So you don’t have to wonder if a particular work of art is more appropriate for a master bedroom or dining room for example.

Offering artwork from the Imagekind community for the Staging Diva network creates a valuable resource for professional fulfillment on-demand, and is another addition to our continued pursuit of building the best community for buying, selling and creating art.

About The Staging Diva:

Debra Gould, creator of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program, has staged millions of dollars worth of real estate, including seven of her own homes. Debra is the President of Six Elements which offers Home Staging, Interior Redesign and Color Consulting services, as well as the StagingDiva.com website.

Gould has gained international recognition and has been featured in major media in the US and Canada including: HGTV, CNN Money, CBC National News, CBS Radio, GlobalTV, CityTV, The Wall Street Journal, Woman’s Day, Reader’s Digest and more.

You can read more about this collaboration from Debra Gould on her blog, The Business of Home Staging.

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Image: DREAMING AGAIN by [ METROFADER ]
http://metrofader.imagekind.com

Emily, our print and color specialist here at Imagekind shares five tips to make sure your giclee prints produce perfectly. We are constantly hearing about how amazing our print quality is and it is in large part due to Emily, Will and our fantastic production team taking care of all the order details. They go through painstaking measures to make sure each print sent from Imagekind is top-notch, museum quality.

Continue reading to see a few of Emily’s favorite images at Imagekind and her top five tips to turn your originals into fine art giclees successfully.

BLJAT (more…)

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