Co-Published: BeYourArt.com and The North Shoreian Magazine, The Irish Issue, Volume 2, Issue 2, Practicalities of the Surviving Artist, March 2009. Article written by Derek McCrea.

Pet Portraits by Derek McCrea

As an artist in today’s changing environment it is vital to create a marketing strategy capable of meeting the demands created by tense competition. Different areas to focus on for marketing include: identifying and promoting to your target market, carefully select what you pay for as an artist and compare the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision, seek alternate means of exposure, and explore different options for getting your art “seen” by your target market.

Identify your market and attempt to promote your work through the various media of today, magazines, books, Internet, and traditional galleries. Be careful what you pay for. Lately I have seen a large amount of galleries charging a fee for placement of works. In some galleries this may be productive for the artists, but there are also those galleries who make their profit off of the artists almost solely. Read more…

Derek McCrea, Painter

This article is part of the Living as an Artist Series.

By Derek McCrea

I have been a very busy artist for about 25 years now, lately I have started to reach what some would call inspiration and confidence in my works. The key to success is create art because you enjoy it, success will come when you least expect it, but it will not happen over night. The artistic potential is unlimited, but an artist must think outside of the box. If you do what everyone else is doing, your chances of success are limited. But, if you are unique and if you pursue limits outside of the traditional art arena, or box, you will begin to see results faster. This applies to all arts.

Read more…

Shelley Walden’s Profile

Type of Artist

Novelist, Painter, Painting, Photography, Poet, Writer

Biography

My first novel, “Bound by Hatred”, was just published this year.
This book clearly identifies the meaning behind my artistic works
in the last few years. I’m currently working on a sequel which I
hope to finish one day soon. Other than that here’s a little of my
background:

Inspired by a wonderful High School teacher, I spent my down
time dabbling in various art forms. For years, my interests were
centered on figurative pastel drawings so I could portray different
emotions in the female face. After all, looks can often say more
than words.

My attention has turned and now I paint to replicate residual
emotions, thoughts and expressions in an abstract, dimensional way.
I am never fully aware what will come out, my paintbrush is the
guide and takes on a life of its own. I use a variety of mediums
and techniques to accomplish my desired effect of vibrancy, texture
and depth. Each painting is done in detail and meant to be viewed
close or far away. My intention is to evoke feeling in the observer
as they hopefully relate in some way. Recently I have branched out
and discovered a passion for photography. I currently display my
work on various Online Art Galleries. My official website is
www.bwaldenoriginal.com.

Photos

Mary Deal’s Profile

Type of Artist

Novelist, Painter, Painting, Photographer, Photography, Poet,
Publishing, Short Story Writer, Writer

Biography

I am an author/writer with three novels and numerous short
stories, articles, and poetry published. Am also a painter
specializing in oils. Living on the island of Kauai in Hawai, am
also a photographer, both above and below the waves.

Mary Deal will discuss writing a thriller with a setting in
one’s hometown. Her childhood hometown area is California’s
Sacramento River Delta, and that’s where River Bones, a thriller,
takes place.

Refreshments to follow the book signing.

The rest of the tour will include selling books at parties with
former high school friends, a class reunion, and traveling to
promote River Bones. She will be calling on as many bookstores as
possible in the upper Sacramento area with her brother and
friends.

Photos