Artists: The Creative Entrepreneurs

“Artists want money so they can make more art; entrepreneurs want money so they can make more money.” – Andrew Horwitz

Receiving my “Best of” Ribbon at Spring Green, WI Art Show. (Summer 2012).

I’m not sure I completely agree with the entire article but it raises some good issues.

Tragically, I do think we live in a culture that believes, “because artists don’t hold the making of money as their highest value, [artists] must therefore be simple and naive.”

Talk about stereotyping!

The truth is, I do everything any other self-employed small business entrepreneur does. I manage my cash-flow, I create a brand, I promote my business and search for the right market that allows me to sell my work for a profit.

And I work hard.

And, like any other good business owner, I reinvest my profits back into my business so that I can continue to grow.

Ford makes and sells cars, Nucor makes and sells steel and I make and sell vintage and Americana themed oil paintings and murals.

I see little difference in our goals, just our Visions.

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!

“Working the Fields”.

Everything has a story.

For Christmas, I’d like to paint yours.

Repeatedly, I’m asked where I get the ideas for my paintings. The truth is my ideas come from you.

The source material from all of my paintings come to me as commission work, personal genealogy research or are donated to me. As such, I know the family and history of almost all of my paintings. I may paint them as impressionism with, or without, a flair of contemporary pop-art or in a realism style but at the end of the day what I paint is based on what I know about the people, the place, the mood and my personal style.

I paint using oil and canvas in a master’s style – no computers, no tracing. Only old school technology.

Find a favorite vintage photo from your family and let me turn it into an original sepia painting!

Order a two figure, sepia painting in my impressionism style before October 31 and have the original painting before Christmas.

20″ x 24″ $600 unframed + $65 S&H = $665 (Normally, $900)
16″ x 20″ $400 unframed + $55 S&H = $455 (Normally, $600)

Lady with Horse Original: Sold. No prints available.

Canvas and paper prints available for an extra charge. Framing available. 50% down due at time of order with the balance due at delivery. 

Because of time constraints only 8 are available at this price. Below are some samples. Cannot be combined with other offers.

…or…

Donate a favorite vintage family photo and if I use it as source material for a painting I will give you a free canvas print of the painting.

Click here for more details. 

Original Painting: Escanaba Beach Combers. Not Available. Sold.

Plowing the Fields Original: Sold. No prints.

Lady with Horse Original: Sold. No prints available.

Front Porch Love Letters Original: Sold. No prints available.

My sepia painting “Working the Fields”.

Backyard Bikers (Paper Print) Paper Print Matted, 11″ x 17″, $25 + $3.99 S&H = $28.99 Canvas Print Not Available Details at http://goo.gl/Xrvqwe.

Wedding Kids 15″ x 30″ Oil on Canvas Framed: Recovered and re-purposed barn-wood. Handcrafted. $350 + S&H (Originally $700) No paper or canvas print available. Details at http://goo.gl/VTGzGe.

Vintage Painter Art Auction on eBay

Original: Abby In Spring

In the spirit of spring, I’m trying something new.

This weekend I will be auctioning off one of most popular prints on eBay. I have mixed feelings about this doing this but if I want something different for my life I have to be willing to act differently.

That means not relying so much on juried art shows (travel expenses are huge), galleries (galleries typically keep 30% to 50% of the sale price) or simply commission works. Auctions on my eBay account, promotion of a monthly newsletter, exhibiting at non-art related events and periodic sales are all attempts to act different.

The Beer Can Collection canvas print is 16 inches by 40 inches and is framed in an original, one-of-a-kind, industrial frame made of old ductwork created by a master craftsman friend. I want it to go to a good home.

Click here to go to the auction and learn the details.

The auction ends 3/9/13.

I’m going to experiment with this periodically with originals and canvas prints and see what happens. I’ll keep you posted.

Original: Beer Can Collection

In the frame the dimensions are 24 inches by 48 inches.

Framed Print: Beer Can Collection

 

Thank You

Wausau Art Fair 2013

Last year I made the decision to do a few things differently with my business.

The result?

2012 was the BEST year I’ve ever had as an artist and 2013 is already better than last.I owe it to all of you.

I am so excited about this year I have the tingles…or maybe I have to pee.

Maybe both…

Anyway, as the show season is quickly approaching I have to make room in my van and booth for new work. As such I am having a one time clearance sale through my website. You can save up to 35% on selected original paintings. I will even pay the shipping if you are in the continental United States.

You can even make payments and I will put it into layaway for you until you are ready.

Also, in the spirit of trying something new, I am also auctioning off one of the most popular framed prints through eBay. You can make a bid on a custom framed print of my vintage Beer Can Collection. Hopefully it will go to a good home.

Framed Print: Beer Can Collection

Thank you again for everything.

Happy Trails!

My new van.

New Work

Original: Piddle

Original: Jim’s Music

Framed Original: Brains and Donuts

A close view of Pididdle,

A close up of Jim’s Music.