You may or may not have noticed that I added a new item to my menu. I have not painted much in the past few months. I’ve been incredibly busy building a new commerce website for my artwork. I hope to one day be able to sell prints directly from the site, but was not willing to compromise quality to get a print-on-demand service. I have done a couple of pours.
The issue is that Prinitify, Printly, iCanvas and others do not have a very good reputation with either customer service or product quality. Canvases are poorly constructed and true color and image detail are not good. So, I’ve partnered with another print company out of California that offers exceptional quality and customer service. However, they do not offer print-on-demand.
Instead, their clients upload a file of high-fidelity images that are then printed on canvas and framed, if desired. They also offer float frames and prints on other items such as coasters, cards, mouse pads, etc..
Another feature of their service is that they will print on a variety of mediums including canvas, thin board canvas wraps, acrylic, metal, wood and a variety of other options. I think giving customers options is paramount to success when it comes to artwork for their walls. None of the print-on-demand services offer options like these.
The company primarily deals with photographers but they also fare well with artists who can upload high fidelity prints. So, that gave me a wonderful opportunity to ask the RS for a new camera. Win! Win! Right?
I don’t know much about photography but I have spoken with people who do and they helped me select a camera, a Nikon D3300, that’s supposed to be fairly simple to use for high quality prints and I have been assured by the print company that these photos should be fine for resizing. A photographer friend of ours is coming to spend the week with us in April. I hope to learn all I can from him, and get a file uploaded with the print company so I’ll be ready for new customers.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be adding more exclusive and inspired art products to the website, as well as new categories.
As far as writing goes. I have not given up on the Naked Eye Series. Sad to have to report that the Parliament House, an Orange Blossom Trail icon, had to close its doors d/t hard times with the pandemic. They are hoping to reopen somewhere else, but I’m certain things will never be the same. It was time for Brandi to move on.
Meanwhile, I have updated some of the photos on my author website to better indicate settings of future stories.
The RS retrieved some once lost files for me, so when the weather becomes intolerably hot, I’ll likely be back at the keyboard in between painting. I do have new art projects under way, but even those are put on hold for a while.
Finally, we both got our shots and the grandkids will be visiting this week. We can have company again. Whoo-hoo!!!
If you visit my new website, Art Way Place, where paradise dreams come true, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to follow my art journey and receive discount codes. Currently, there is a discount code for subscribers through spring for 20% off on the “Inspired Art” category. Other subscriber discounts, gifts and deals will be announced in the monthly newsletter, along with more insider information.
I’ll be glad when we can get out and do art shows again. Maybe next year’s snowbird season.
How have you been keeping busy?
S.K. Nicholls 
Some day soon, maybe in a couple of months, I’ll be asking you for information on that company where you’ll be getting your print orders fulfilled. 😉
That’s proprietary information. You’ll owe me. Ha! jk Have you checked out the website since I added the prints page. I estimate 9000-10,000 mouse clicks to create that page. Maybe more. Not to mention things that had to be typed in four places to make things function properly. Sheesh…I have a new appreciation for techies who learn code and can whip this out in hours instead of weeks.
Often, I failed three or four times until I learned what to do for each section. Once I had it down pat, I was cruising through section after section, but not without the three or four failed attempts at each one.
This is what scares me.
“There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.” That quote has been attributed to so many people over the generations, and can even be found in ancient vedic Sanskrit……that should tell you something. Don’t fear to fail. Enjoy the lessons. ❤
Totally.
How have I been keeping busy? Same old, same old, and today a new post. Come visit me soon.
And best wishes on your expanding art business, Ms. Nicholls! 🙂
I read your posts but rarely comment. I wish I could slow down and chat, but usually, I’m not signed in. I will make a greater effort to let you know I am around. Thank you for stopping by.
🙂