On This Day a Year Ago
An Artist’s Journal: 8 October 2020
Despite the age of misinformation, particularly on Facebook, there is one function of Facebook that I do enjoy: the On This Day feature.
Earlier I would use it to delete old posts... you know, the ones that I wouldn't post today. How I use FB has changed, many times over the past ten or so years. Today I enjoy looking back at photos and often quotes. This week I was reminded that it has only been one year since I participated in my first Art Hop.
It seems so much longer ago. At the Westside Art Hop, I had paintings and bookmarks for sale. I sold ONE bookmark.
Was it worth it?
Yes.
This was my corner (inside of a pre-school) at the Westside Art Hop in October 2019. In the past year, I’ve sold all but two of the paintings I had available that day.
If I did all that work and walked away with $10, how was it worth it?
I did something new for the first time, which takes courage.
I observed other local artists.
I practiced talking about my art and my process, and…
I signed people up for my newsletter who still open my emails a year later!
Art events this year are different due to virus concerns. The Westside Art Hop usually has a show in the spring, but this year provided an online Artists Showcase. Online platforms and social sharing seems more important than ever. But are Facebook and Instagram indispensable? Does being an artist mean I have to be an expert social media manager too?
The most important contacts I made in the past year are not directly from investing my time in social media. It has its place, but local people and conversations inside specific groups have had the biggest impact on the growth of my small business.
Lately, social media is too loud and depressing. So, while I do still toss my voice into the chaos, I am going to start redirecting some of my focus here, to my website. The easiest way to keep up to date with my art studio and what I offer is to sign up for my newsletter. My subscribers are my favorite people.
I love keeping in touch with my subscribers through my Studio Update newsletter and occasional snail mail. The Studio Update goes out once a month, and it includes a list of links to my newest blog posts, studio news, sneak-peeks of art-in-process, and sometimes a special offer. Sign up here. I think you will be happy you did.