Black Friday Dilemma and Its Alternatives

The maker’s point of view

I never really took part in any Black Friday sale except if I am selling through a platform that does that and I am just part of a general sale offer of 10% or 12% or 15% which is fairly acceptable. In this case, I just go with the flow as the hassle of login in each of them and put my shops on holiday mode and then undo it after the promotion finishes, is too much. What I do, or rather don’t do, I simply don’t promote my paintings during this time so if people buy from me by chance, so be it.

How I revived my blog in 2017

It is not easy to keep a blog, especially if you don’t particularly like talking about yourself. And, we, artists and crafters, are all guilty. We prefer to get on with our work and not ramble about our lives. Who would be interested? What would I write about? How will I come up with new ideas? What else should I write about apart from my art/craft? These are just a few questions that the majority of us don’t have answers to so we either don’t start a blog at all or if we do start one, we shortly abandon it for lack of ideas. I know, I have been there too.

The Joy of Selling on Folksy

It has been a year since I have been featured by Folksy and although at the time I preferred to simply share their interview, a year later I thought I could write a post about what it means to be a seller on Folksy.

1. Featured seller

When I was asked if I wanted to be a featured seller, I haven't hesitated: I said 'Yes' straight away. I thought that all my efforts to improve the overall look of my shop paid off. I had been learning to take my own photos and slowly I have changed the appearance of my shop, including the banner, the descriptions and the titles. For a week, the views went through the roof, I made a few sales and I gained a few followers on all social media channels.

What Else Can You Do with Your Paintings?

Have you ever thought of how can you present your pictures to the general public and reach a wider audience apart from selling your paintings in the usual way? If you just started your artistic career, you know how hard it can be to sell your art. It takes time to establish yourself as a professional artist and the possibility of getting into galleries is almost inexistent when you have nothing to put in your artistic CV. But if this is the path you want to follow then apart from dedication and practice you also need to pay the bills. How about making cards, pendants, bookmarks and other items using your designs and artistic skills? They are easier to sell and perfect for craft fairs and local gift shops.

Artist greeting cards

Artist cards by Teodora Totorean

Art and money - a marriage made in hell?

1. Somewhere in Devon, 2. Tranquil Life, 3. Devon Hills by Teodora Totorean - SOLD

After three years of experimenting with the idea of becoming an artist, I also started to explore what other jobs I can do to support myself but to also have enough time to create art. At this stage, although my earnings cover the expenses, I don't make a living from art just yet.

Art Is For Giving Too

Musica Universalis by Teodora Totorean

No, it is not a play on words between art is forgiving and for giving, but as I gain more experience and as I receive more and more positive feedback from friends or fans, I feel the need to give art too. As I am happy and grateful for every single purchase, I also feel an enormous happiness when I get the chance to give my artwork as a present to people that like it and enjoy looking at it.

Behind pricing a piece of affordable art

Autumnal Flowers by Teodora Totorean

Scenario one: Your car is broken and you need it the day after tomorrow for work. You take it to the garage and they tell you they can fix it for £400 in which they include the parts plus £60 labour per hour. It is a big amount and you have other priorities, but on the other hand you can’t be without your car. So you pay. You are the third paying customer today.

Art blog and SEO

View from my living room on a rainy day

Although I know the theory behind SEO articles, I don't really apply it to my art blog. I am also a qualified copywriter and freelance writer and in my spare time I am offering copywriting services to clients all over the world through Elance. I just had a project of writing various SEO articles as per client’s specification regarding the key words density and frequency. Working on this project got me thinking that I am a bit like the shoe maker who doesn't have boots in the winter.

From amateur painter to professional: few years of practice and dozens of brush strokes

Images from my working room - Teodora Totorean

What makes an artist happy is knowing that something beautiful will come out of their hands and imagination, something that people would admire and would want to acquire for their homes. But when you are an amateur and/or self-taught, you probably have less trust in your artistic abilities and insufficient knowledge of what to do to promote yourself.  Yet the “amateur” adjective doesn’t mean that you are less of an artist. But how can you know if people would like your work and, most importantly, buy it? Here are a few starting points that you can try. The cost is minimal yet you could end up with a lot of admirers and returning customers.

Rejection, rejection...

We all faced rejection at some point in our professional lives be that a dream job after we gave it all at the interview, a salary raise, a promotion or a grant that we meticulously prepared for months. For an artist, a rejection means not getting into the galleries you applied for, not being selected for certain exhibitions, or not getting any response at all after you applied to cards companies, manufacturers that use artist designs or other licensing opportunities.  It is in our nature to dislike rejections and even though we read everything about positive thinking and self-help it is impossible not to be affected by it. While some people deal better with this than others, we still can’t help thinking “What could have I done more to get a yes?”

Will I ever be where the artists I admire are?

The Music of Nature by Teodora Totorean

When I started my artistic career, I used to look at other artists' work with huge admiration for what they were doing and for the journey they went through. I used to have doubts about my abilities and I used to try my hand at everything in order to find out what suits me best. Reading about what it is to be a professional artist, one of the conditions is to concentrate on one thing so you would develop your own recognisable style.

24/7

Images from my working room - Teodora Totorean

Working for yourself is a 24/7 job or at least in my case it is. Thinking of new pictures, colour combinations, tools, styles, materials, articles plus various ways of promoting my art – whatever I do and wherever I go, I always have these thoughts at the back of my mind. Being an emerging artist I aspire to make a living from doing what I like therefore I dedicate a lot of time pursuing my dream, not just by creating but also through networking, marketing and thinking.

Five ways to boost your confidence as an amateur artist

Whether you are self-taught, an amateur or a hobbyist, you enjoy creating your art. When you embark on this journey, you don’t necessary have in mind a final destination apart from spending your time doing what you like. Once you start selling and getting invitations from various premises to show your art, you are probably thinking about it as a profession.  But questions like “How does my art compare to others?”, “Who would like it?”, “Is it sufficiently presentable for art galleries and art collectors?” could get in your way. Although it is unlikely to make a living from your art for a few years or so, this shouldn’t be an impediment for people to view your work. Don’t let your self-doubt jeopardize your success. And by success I don’t mean money or fame, but admirers who could become your customers.

Wild Meadow by Teodora Totorean - SOLD

What have I done with my art?

Art prints by Teodora Totorean

When I started my painting adventure in 2011, one of the main promises I made to myself was to treat Teodora Paintings as a business, along with experimenting, getting better and finding my own style. As a result, I am always looking for alternative ways of presenting my designs to the general public besides taking part in group exhibitions and selling my paintings in online and offline galleries and shops.

Tiverton Art Society

To be part of an art society could be a positive experience. If you are a beginner or/and an amateur and you don’t know where to start, by joining an art society you can find like-minded people in your area and show your work to experienced artists for feedback and constructive criticism.  

Tiverton Art Society is based in Devon and it has a history of encouraging Fine Art practice in this area since 1971. It holds various events (monthly meetings, sketching days, and painting holidays) as well as a bi-annual exhibition, over Easter and in August where the members have the chance to show their latest work.

Self-Taught Artist... Where Do I Start?

Work in progress by Teodora Totorean

Your main disadvantage is that you don't have a former qualification in arts as your fellow artists and your fear is that you won’t be taken seriously. However, there is a debate regarding self-taught vs. qualified along the same note as to be or not to be. The theory says that if you are talented it shouldn't matter, yet you have no idea how and where to start. You passed the first test and now all your family and friends have your art on their walls which really boosts your confidence. So how do you get it on other people’s walls?  I can tell you from my experience how rewarding it is when you sell your first painting/work to a complete stranger. And yes, it takes time to build up a reputation. But because the journey is more important than the destination, your adventure into becoming a selling artist starts here and now.

Teodora Paintings - Being on the Right Path

Tree in Bloom Seen from Above by Teodora Totorean SOLD

When I gave up my day job at the beginning of this year, I never thought that a couple of months later I would sell my first painting. And what a thrill that was! I knew I wanted to work for myself but I was thinking of something more palpable like copywriting or translation. I wasn't expecting to deviate from my initial plan as much as I did.