I’ve finally gotten a chance to update the etsy shop AND the blog, AND the website, AND even made an instagram for Fin and Feather Art ! (follow @finandfeatherart) Whew. It’s been a long day.
So here’s the news on the etsy update::
Found a new paper supplier, was able to lower my cost of prints (YAY)
4 new gemstone prints are now available for purchase!
I’m shipping internationally again!
All 4 prints are available on Etsy currently. Each will ship signed/dated in a clear envelope with multiple sheets of protective cardboard.
I think that’s all I have for today, but I’ll be back with some additional art fair updates shortly.
Every so often I am fortunate enough to work on some pretty awesome projects, with some pretty awesome people.
This was one of those times.
I was hired to create the art for the lovely Andria Lindquist and her fiance CJ’s wedding invitation/stationary bundle, and it was FANTASTIC. Working with Andria was dream and the whole process was fun, exciting and just that perfect amount of creative challenge. (I painted about 5 pinatas before I made one I liked…)
The first part of the project was a watercolor portrait, painted at 16 x 20, that image was then digitized for use on the back of the invitations. The second part of the project was a list of icons for use in the wedding info booklet. Each one was hand-painted, then digitized and prepared for placement in the book.
It was an awesome project to work on and came together so excitingly at the end. The paper is PHENOMENAL, her design skills are on on pointe and I was thrilled to be able to help out. Check out her blogpost on the project for more pics and to hear more about the paper (seriously, it’s beautiful.)
This week I participated in my first Art/Craft Fair! I spent the days leading up to the event cutting/signing prints, making spreadsheets and pricelists and organizing work. I was existing in a state of excited nervousness, so curious as to how the event would go, and yet so paranoid that I would forget something important. I can’t tell you how many times I checked and double-checked to make sure I had packed my square reader…
Thankfully, the day was awesome and went off without a hitch. I made a lot of new friends, (other booths as well as customers) and learned a great deal. Can’t ask for much more
In the space in between sales as I sat at my little booth, I tried to keep track of what I learned and what I might do differently for the next fair. Here’s a quick little rundown of what I came up with;
1.) Watch out for loading zones.
I accidentally drove past the orange cones and right into the walkway for loading/unloading. I felt so stupid.
2.)Load up car the night before.
Packing everything up at 8 am seemed like a good idea then, but as I trudged back and forth to the garage nervously checking the time, I realized the loading should have been done the night previous.
3.)Label EACH item with a price.
I had my items grouped together, with one price tag applying to a whole area. I.E, Bookmarks = $10. No one looked at the tag, everyone expected to see a price on the back. I didn’t mind rattling off my prices when people would ask, but it would have saved everyone a bit of time if the information they wanted was in the place they expected it.
4.) SUNHAT.
It was 89 degrees and sunny.
5.) Include location on the sign.
A lot of people were interested if I was local or not, which was interesting. Had I written “Miami, FL” on my signage, it may have saved my customers a bit more of their time.
Overall, I had a blast. It was a beautiful day, well organized and a portion of the booth fees and entry tickets went to a great cause. (Wounded Warriors). I can’t wait until the next one!
So, I only *really* get to enjoy these when I visit more northernly locations, which I try to do each year. As winter draws near, every once and awhile I’ll need a scarf on my porch in the wee hours of the morning in Miami, and I LOVE it. Seriously, I have an alert on my phone for the moment the temperature drops below 68. These brisk-“er” mornings are like an expresso shot for my soul, when my best sketches and plans are usually laid out.
2.) COLORS
For a brief time, our little northern hemisphere is alive with fire. Shocks of yellow, slashes of blood red and sunburst orange dot our landscape, transforming it as it begins it’s process of renewal. These colors invariably seep into my work, infusing my summer yellows and navys with a spark of fire.
3.) Newness
As the natural world begins it’s process of renewal, so do I. Perhaps its conditioning from 17 years of education, greeting the fall with new pencils and books — but once the temperature begins to drop, I jump into “new year” mode and am a planning machine. Forget January 1st, this is my time for resolutions.
4.) Pre-holiday Inventory
As weird as it sounds, I really really enjoy prepping my shops for the incoming holiday rush. I take inventory, start to brainstorm my Thanksgiving – Christmas packaging and wrapping services, and plan my marketing campaigns. Usually these tasks are a bit dull for me, but the festive spirit tends to quickly outshadow the drudgery and before long, I’m humming JingleBells and picking out holiday stickers for orders. It’s a sickness. I know.
5.) Pumpkin Spice….anything.
I know, I know… basic. Whatever. As someone who lives rather far from family, the scents and tastes of pumpkin and it’s accompanying spices (wooo nutmeg!) recall thoughts of my Michigan home. Which is why I’m including this little printable below; pumpkin spice to me is all about warmth, love and family and friends — why wouldn’t I want to share that? Simply click on the image to download an 8.5 x 11 pdf file of my original illustration “pumpkin spice”. Save to your computer and print it out at your leisure = WHAMBAM AUTUMN ART! Give it as a gift, hang it in your office, throw it on the fridge, display it anywhere for a dose of spicy autumn goodness.
AND, if you snap a photo of the print and upload it to instagram, tag it with #finandfeatherfall for a chance to win a little fall-inspired bundle of goodies.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to autumn!! I’ll be back with more news on some exciting new work (just in time for the holidays!) shortly. Much Love!
Awhile back I found a blank journal in my stash of supplies, and put out a call for ideas for the cover. After getting a bunch of great ideas via facebook and twitter – I decided to go with the suggestion of ‘flowers.’ My favorite
I did a few practice sketches to decide palette and arrangement, and then started the final cover painting.
And done! I truly appreciate everyone’s ideas on the blank cover — I’ll just have to find more blank journals for the rest of them!
As my punny little graphic above declares: I’ve got some exciting news regarding the future of my work.
In an effort to better organize my presence online, I’m splitting what I create into two brands. This will allow me to do everything I feel compelled to do, but with a more organized/cohesive portfolio. Here’s a basic breakdown of the changes going forward;
Fin and Feather Art:: All of my wildlife/nature work, commercial illustration and design will live here. Nothing will change with the shop info, or ordering ability.
E.H.Sherman Art :: This will be the new home for all of my abstract watercolors. I am head-over-heels in love with the process of creating these pieces and am so thrilled for them to finally have a place to be seen together. This comes complete with a new abstract-centric blog and tumblr account for insights into this portion of the studio. Head over to the new site and check it out!
An example of what you’ll find :)
I crave organization, and I think this will be the best way to keep my work in portfolios that make sense.
But, that means the chaos of dealing with two distinct brands. Multiple shops for each brand, different email lists, different creative opportunities… I’m hoping to be able to manage it all myself, but I may be in the market for a few interns (or an IV of coffee) here shortly.
Thanks for sticking with me thus far, and here’s to the future!
I’ve been trying to clean out the area under my desk (somehow seems to collect all ‘homeless’ art supplies) and was pleased to have uncovered one more blank journal from moleskine.
I love working with these little books — perfect size for stuffing in a pocket or bag, and the creamy paper is practically begging to be covered in doodles and ideas.
I’ve made a few little cover designs over the past year or so – but I’m just not sure what to put on this one. Cacti, moon, feathers, gems, cameras… all have been done. Any idea what you might want to see on this blank journal? Something for travel, or school perhaps? Let me know!
Here are a few past designs;
(This little cactus journal is available for purchase here —> BUY ME)
Feel free to leave your suggestions below, I’ll decide by the weekend and post progress pics shortly thereafter.
I was filling out my trusty Passion Planner for the day, when the weekly quote struck me as particularly motivating. (Anything to do with the stars or the sky tends to resonate with me.) So while drinking my first cup of coffee and waking up a bit, I decided to do a bit of hand-lettering practice, inspired by the quote.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” Marcus Aurelius.
Not pictured; the DELICIOUS latte my husband whipped up for me. He doesn’t even like to drink them, but he could totally be a barista in another life
I finished up work this afternoon on a custom watercolor painting; a lovely little honeybee for a devoted beekeeper. Here’s a quick little step-by-step breakdown of how it came to life.
Note of Sarcasm; when making step-by-step graphics, it’s super important to take the pictures at very VERY times of day, so that the whole color of the piece looks different every time. It’s apparent I need to revamp to my studio lighting…
Happy 4th of July Weekend! If you haven’t already heard, allllll weekend I’m offering %15 off all orders placed via the etsy shop. Simply enter code “HAPPYFOURTH” at checkout
