So, you want to sell more art, but you’re not sure how or where to begin?

One of the most important aspects of selling your artwork online, is having an audience. Imagekind is doing this. We are creating an audience of art lovers to buy, sell and create art.

However, cultivating your own audience is extremely beneficial.

And, it’s not even as hard as you might think. In fact, one of the best ways to create an audience, is to find people who already love your style of work. For example, member artist James Provost has been getting some nice recognition lately in the interior design community with his Imagekind prints. Why? It’s because he has a style of art that already matches an audience: mid-century furniture design and decorating.

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how come you don't call me anymore by Kimberley Ross

Now, here’s the tip: find online audiences who already love your style and ask them if they are willing to help promote your artwork.

Have a niche? That’s often the best place to start.

Blogs are perfect for this. And getting this kind of recognition is not always as hard as you might think. But, before you start trying to submit your art to blogs, it might be helpful to read these dos and don’ts first.

Need more help? What about this:

Love dog art? Well, I know for sure there are more than just a few dog blogs out there…

Nate

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Spring has officially arrived. And with spring comes the inspiration for change and newness. Now’s the time to freshen up your interior design. It’s not too hard to have a completely new look and feel with just a few framed art pieces. Artwork has the ability to liven up a space to make your home or office feel like a completely new place!

Below are 5 of the top decorating trends for this spring. Find framed artwork that features natural subjects, colorful and patterned prints, along with images that inspire you to refresh and renew, but most importantly, make you feel comfortable.

Nature

Welcome Spring by Kristen Stein

Nature and the outdoors are still very popular decorating trends for spring 2009. With the continued emphasis on being green and going organic, you’re sure to see an emphasis on trends surrounding nature. With artwork, this means bringing the outdoors in. Find artwork that focuses on nature: trees, flowers, rural and natural landscapes. All of these make nature and the outdoors the shining star.

Color

Blue Circles by Joan Theodore

Spring brings more daylight and brighter colors. This means color is back and one of the top trends for interior decorating. Designs are sure to feature high levels of color. Bold uses of the primary and other bright colors are sure to make your interior design really stand out. Shop artwork by color; reds, greens, yellows, blues. Look for colors to brighten up your home or office decor.

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Patterns

Teal Floral by Debbie Lord

Patterns and symmetry can bring balance to distressful situations. That’s why patterns are making a huge impact on the 2009 interior design trends. With bad news seemingly all around, more and more people are looking for familiarity. And, though it will not cure everything, familiarity can help quell the feelings of anxiety. Find artwork on Imagekind that features pleasant patterns and comforting symmetry.

RE-

Flower: Dahlia "Intimate #1" by Soulful Photos

2009 is shaping up to truly be the year of RE; refresh, redesign, renew. A hot trend that caught fire throughout 2008, the ideas of RE are staying strong in 2009. Refresh your interior design by starting with the walls. Find framed artwork that opens a new world of possibilities and brings both the freshness and newness of Spring indoors. Rearrange the furniture and accent the room with art that’s sure to refresh your space.

Comfort

A day at the beach 6 by Gerla Brakkee

With more and more people staying home in an effort to weather the econmic climate, they need an interior decor that’s comftorable. Look for ways to showcase your personality with your art. Framed pictures of family, friends, pets and past vacations are all fantastic ways to make your interior both comftorable and personal. Being surrounded by the things you care about most, really helps to remind us of what is most important in life. Frame your own favorite photos at Imagekind.com/create. Or, print them on canvas!

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Kids love fun art! That’s why Imagekind is having a special promotion – Free Shipping!*

If you’re looking for decorating ideas for your kids’ bedroom, now’s the time to shop. Enter promo code KIDS2008 in the promo box at checkout to receive free shipping.

But hurry, this special offer expires October 14 at 10pm PDT. Give your kids a reason to smile

Decorate your child’s bedroom with fanciful art!

Discover more art kids love by shopping at Imagekind.

* Free shipping promo applies to US ground shipping only.

Today is the official first day of fall. Though summer 2008 has come and gone, it’s now time to stop thinking about the past, and start thinking about change. And fall is the season of change.

To help us kick off the fall season, we thought we’d invite Imagekind artist Scott Neste, professional interior designer and owner of Minor Details Design, to share some ideas on how to prepare your home for the inevitable changes that fall brings.

Read on to see 5 Tips for Preparing your Home for Autumn. And remember to visit Imagekind’s Top Decorating Trends for Fall 2008.

Nate

Life is all about change – acknowledging it, embracing it and moving through it with as much grace and openness as possible.  Autumn is certainly one of the most dramatic seasonal changes we experience.  Days start getting shorter, the light is different and there is a sense of slowing down.  There is a sense of nesting, of retreating indoors while still relishing every moment we have to enjoy the “dog days” of summer.  I can’t say I’ve always been completely cognizant of, or intentional about, making the shift but, as I think about some of my routines, I’ve gleaned a few tips that may help you embrace the change this season.

1. Bring the Outdoors In

This is a great practice any time of the year.  Organic things help us feel human, grounded and part of our natural surroundings.  Start by watching farmer’s markets for fall flowers, pods, branches and botanicals that may dry well.  I like to arrange them in organic looking vases.  Try vases made of ceramic, wood or other natural fibers.  Rusted or verdigris metals can also add a great patina to a fall arrangement.

2. Move Some Furniture

Now is a great time to rethink your room arrangements.  Think about the focal points in the room.  If you have a fireplace, consider creating cozy and conversational seating arrangements nearby.  Keep entertaining in mind.  Will you need to make space for extra holiday guests?  Work with your rooms and remember that sometimes the best solution can be editing rather than adding to a room.

3. Create an Artful Focus

For some reason, I’m always drawn to handmade things in the fall and winter months.  I look for the perfect throw for the sofa, comfy pillows for the bedroom and lush textiles for the sitting room.  Take a look at your current possessions.  Do you have a wonderful vase that a child made in elementary school?  A handmade quilt that could be inspiration for the guest room?  A quirky original painting that you purchased at an estate sale?  Now is the time to let these treasures have their season of fame and inspire your surroundings.

4. Make ART!

This time of year is ripe with photo opportunities.  There are turning leaves, branches heavy with pods and berries and awesome sunsets.  Get in the flow and make some art of your own.   Imagekind is a fantastic resource for artists of all ages and experience levels.  Take yourself on a photo journey in your own back yard, upload your favorites and order some framed prints to transform your home.

5. Celebrate Change

Sometimes change is just what we need.  A new perspective, a fresh look or a second opinion can help us remember that good things could be just around the bend.  Fall is a great time to celebrate change so have a ball!  Create some time to have a few close friends over to enjoy a sunset, a leisurely brunch or a great classic movie.  The hectic months of summer are drawing to a close and it’s time to pause and reflect.

Remember, change is inevitable.  Some simple seasonal changes can help you set the stage to embrace it, move through it and allow your home to reflect it.

Read more decorating tips and ideas from Scott Neste by visiting Imagekind.

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!