Friday, August 29, 2014

First Steps into Art Licensing



This is another suggested topic from the last giveaway, Thanks!

I don't know where the beginning is. Really, being a graphic designer is so helpful!! That could be considered the beginning 26+ years ago.

I think maybe the person who asked is looking for the order I did things in. This isn't a straight line, just a synopsis of how it went for me. I would bet all of you have a different path :-)

So, my kids got older and I started drawing again. I started taking my paper pad and color pencils in the car (red VW Bug back then) with me when I went to get into line to pick up kids from school. About 10 years ago. MUCH more convenient than watercolors in the car. Oh what fun and how I had missed that.

Then I had several images, monsters, halloween, snowmen - what ever the mood and season and what to do with this art? I went looking online and found CafePress and Zazzle. I built a CafePress store and at my best point, was donating $300/year to my local food bank. Fun :-) I think this was around 5 years ago. I joined Twitter around the same time to help promote the store.

One day while shopping I actually "heard myself". I would pick up items in the store with art on them and say "I can do that". Many times I would say "I can do better than that!" I have been saying this for god knows how long, but not listening. My now adult kids remind me that I am still saying it...

(2-3 years ago?) Fired up Google and found lots of great information on sites and blogs. See my Useful Stuff page for links I found helpful. Thanks so much for all the amazing people in the Art Licensing biz! I started mocking up my art on products and creating collections. I worked on my portfolio first. I think I had 30 collections, it depends on how you "count" my early collections were just one image :-) Now a collection could be 6 palette knife paintings.... 30 Halloween icons, or some where in between.

Next came my website to show off my portfolio on and let folks know I am darn serious about this Art Licensing thing :-) About the same time I bought Tara Reed's book "How to Find an Art Licensing Agent" which I talk about in my How I Found an Agent blog post. (Note: since I have purchased some of Tara's products and they helped me, I am now showing affiliate links on this blog as both helpful info AND a little income to support my time spent blogging).Now we are to the point where if you want more steps See the blog post How I Found an Agent.

It gives a bit of the background I have just mentioned and more detail about finding an agent.

If you haven't read it already, you also might like knowing Why I Want an Agent. An agent isn't for everyone :-)

Thanks Doodlebugerz! Heads up: I will be announcing a no-strings attached Art Licensing giveaway on Tues. Sept. 2nd. Be the first to hear about it by signing up for my newsletter. Next issue comes out ASAP. (I will collect emails only for the purpose of notifying the winner).




8 comments:

  1. Thanks, Annie! I think I was the one who suggested this topic! Great post! :)

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    1. Hey Mit! OH GOOD! I wrote down the topics and didn't think about writing who gave me each idea - so glad to know:-) Hope it helps a little, I like hearing other artists stories.

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  2. Really interesting and useful to know how you went about it, Annie! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. You bet Judy! sounds much better written down. I didn't do in in such a straight line. I tend to have several thing going at any one time :-)

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  3. As always, you're a wonderful sharer of useful information, and I have always loved your mockups. You're good with art and words. Keep it up Ann.. You are on your way. :)

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    1. Howdy Jo! THANK you stopping by and spoiling me with comments :-) It was a good idea to ask visitors what they want me to write about. Everyone should check out our art! it is amazing http://whimzicals.com/

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  4. What a nice and full of info story!!! The part that says you brought paper and pencils with you waiting for the kids reminds of me on these days!

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  5. Thanks so much Miss Dedadesign! That was my free time. When we got home it was back to work :-)

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