The NEW #SmallWins by Art Storefronts!

here is the first reel in the series, I changed my side about connecting east reel to a blog post, instead I have a short zine that I can offer as a free download. I was thinking I would put that in the caption so the reel is just about the story. what do you think?

I started posting short reels of my sketchbook process, graphite studies and brush pen warmups, and I keep running into the same problem. The text I overlay just disappears into certain backgrounds. A dark ballpoint sketch eats black text alive, and white text vanishes over my lighter graphite pages.

I've tried adding a plain solid block behind the words but it feels clunky and covers up the drawing. There has to be a better approach that keeps the work visible while making the text pop regardless of what's underneath.

For anyone who posts process videos or timelapse reels of their work, what's been your go to method for keeping text legible no matter the background? I'd love to hear what actually works in practice, especially if your content shifts between light and dark compositions like mine does.

I'm getting new glasses, and I can't make up my mind... I am also tired of watching the webinar replays and seeing the same pair of glasses over and over. Time for a change!

Take a break from the business talk for 30 seconds and help me out!

P.S.: This is exactly the type of "Story" you can do on your social media to keep your audience engaged.

P.S. 2: I had around 12 options, but these 2 are the favorites among my family and close friends.

I've had two works selected for an exhibition/installation at the Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run in Holtwood, Pennsylvania. The call for art asked for work that could connect in some way with the mission of the observatory and the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society's mission to provide programming designed for S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) outreach and featuring astronomical sciences. I'm looking forward to connecting with a new audience that I may never have considered without the invitation from Ophelia M. Chambliss to submit work for consideration by a committee of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society.

The two works are Cosmic Roots and 13 Moons. The statements I prepared for the submission:

13 Moons was originally created as a response to a prose and poetry prompt for an exhibition at York Art Association. The prompt was for work that was in response to a poem or piece of prose. The book I selected was Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back, a children’s book by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London which brings together 13 poems that share legends from different Native/Indigenous American tribes to explain the passing of the seasons. The underlying “science” behind the concept is a sort of rational of the traditional Native American belief that the 13 major divisions (scutes or scales) of the sea turtle’s shell match the 13 lunar cycles in a year. The 28 smaller plates along the bottom edge of the shell represent the 28 days of each lunar cycle. Each tribe then has specific names for the 13 moons that describe seasonal changes or animal behavior, interestingly with some overlap of the names among the tribes. The background mandala shape was created from one of my photographs of a sea turtle at the Baltimore Aquarium using a plug-in script for Photoshop called radial kaleidoscope that allows me to select the angle, vertical and horizontal base points, and direction of the kaleidoscope (all higher mathematics which I can’t even begin to understand). So working intuitively and experimentally with the script, I choose when what appears is compositionally appropriate for my for my vision. The moon is a single shot of the same moon copied and then sized for the place it occupies in the composition. The actual background of the work is a simple color gradient layer upon which to settle the composition. After printing the image, I finished with some selective hand painting with clear acrylic gloss medium with an iridescent additive on the moons and parts of the mandala. 13 Moons is the combination of science, technology, mathematics, an nature to create art that honors the legacy and culture of our Indigenous American brothers and sisters.

Cosmic Roots is a self portrait that explores and attempts to reconcile our place in the universe with that place from which originate. It is a philosophical and spiritual meditation about the interconnectedness of humanity and our natural world with our origins in this vast, awesome, miraculous cosmos and the planet and nature that sustains us. 

About the Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run

Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run is a public outreach facility with programming designed for S.T.E.A.M. outreach and featuring astronomical sciences. Located at Muddy Run Park, It is a Constellation Energy Generation LLC property located in Holtwood, Pennsylvania just south of Lancaster.
Ryan Observatory and educational programs are provided by Rittenhouse Astronomical Society under contract with Constellation Energy.

The observatory is open to the public for monthly stargazing and presentations and are open on scheduled private nights for members of Rittenhouse Astronomical Society and others from around the region whose volunteering make programming possible.

Artist Laureate

Ophelia M. Chambliss, one of a handful of artists selected by NASA to commemorate the James Webb Space Telescope, her multi-canvas acrylic work is just off an exhibition tour and will be on display at the observatory in an exhibition in 2026 to celebrate Ms. Chambliss as the next artist to hold the Laureate position at Ryan Observatory. As JWST Project Manager Bill Ochs said, “There is an inherent connection between artist and engineers. We both start with a blank sheet of paper and use the tools of our trades and vision to create.”

Affiliation

Rittenhouse Astronomical Society: Rooted in history.

Founded in 1888, the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society is one of the oldest astronomical societies in the United States. Named in honor of America’s pioneer astronomer, David Rittehouse, RAS has held regular events in the greater Philadelphia region for 135 years.

Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run. 

172 Bethesda Church Rd W      Holtwood, PA 17532      (717) 284-5856

We have a new round for the GallerTogether 👇

https://www.arthelper.com/community/collaborations/post/open-call-gallerytogether-5-0-it-s-that-time-again?utm_source=arthelper_community&utm_term=community_post_share

8''x10'' acrylic pour and spin

🎙 NEW PODCAST DROP!

Check out the latest episode where Patrick makes a confession that most marketing guys would never make — and then does something about it live, on air.

🎧 Watch/listen here 👉 https://youtu.be/AjVDC2X33mw?si=hywBn2KvDQeP9yRA

Also available on:
🎧 Spotify
https://urlgeni.us/spotify/GDwR
🍏 Apple Podcasts
https://urlgeni.us/applepodcast/Qhatu
📱 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/artmarketingpodcast/

New New New - new iPhone, new art & new post here in Small Wins. Learn-a-mating as I go

This week's tea is actually kind of wholesome, stick with me.

The Brooklyn Public Library just launched its first ever Craft Supply Library, 31 items you can borrow for free with a library card, including a nearly $400 Cricut cutting machine, linocut kits, thermal laminators, and button makers. Craft kits can be checked out for three weeks, tools for a week, no cost at all. The whole idea is to let people try a new creative skill or medium without dropping a bunch of money on gear they might not even end up using.

So here's the tea: is this the kind of thing that could really open doors for people who'd never otherwise try a new medium, or does it only go so far since serious practice usually means investing in your own tools eventually?

Would you want to see something like this in your own hometown?

I thought I would try an announcement reel for the series? or do you think I should just jump right into the series? and did I do enough to let instagram know its going to be a series

Last month I was out at Anza-Borrego shooting and decided to film a short reel of the setup process, the sky darkening, the final capture. Watched it back and it felt flat. The location was extraordinary but the video didn't convey any of that. Just looked like a guy with a tripod in the dark.

I run into this a lot when I'm at events or specific spots where the environment is half the story. The still images carry the weight of the place, but the reels I make around them feel like afterthoughts. I know some of you show work at galleries, festivals, outdoor markets, places with real atmosphere. How do you translate that sense of place into a short video that actually holds someone's attention?

Do you narrate? Show the crowd or the landscape first before revealing the work? Film beforehand and edit later, or go spontaneous? Would appreciate hearing what's actually worked for you.

any feedback is welcome

Happy Monday, friends! Welcome to another week of being an amazing business owner.

I know time is tight and energy is precious, so here's where I'd love for you to point yours this week:

• Get a pro opinion on your content before it goes live, Reel Reviews are open right here in Small Wins

• Start prepping content for the Fall Collector Event now, future you will thank you for not having to make decisions on the fly during sale week

• Refer a friend to help them get ready for Q4, our 2x referral bonus is live through the end of the month ($300 PayPal or 6 months added to your license)

• Take a fresh look at your portfolio and artist bio, a little polish now means you're making the best first impression as new traffic starts rolling in for fall

Get through these by Friday and you get to call this week a win, I'll be cheering you on.

Happy Monday everyone, let's get to it 💛

Drove 45 min yesterday to personally install a 60x30“ print. Had a great chat with the husband (wife actually ordered the piece) and he joked that “now she’s going to want to redo the whole house” and then somewhat embarrassingly told me their other “art” is just comprised of place holders. I didn’t want to push too hard and the other images I had brought up “just in case” didn’t seem to be the right fit so I left them in the car. Instead, I gifted him a copy of my coffee table book. He immediately asked me to sign it (funny!) and was very appreciative. So, I think the seed is planted…

I see lots of questions from people new to shows.

A few things that work for me at markets:

As a vendor that does about 30 show days a year I know that there are a few things I can control somewhat along with others that are not at all controllable.

I can’t control the weather, the show attendance or whether there are others selling similar products although at least with my style of painting I rarely find any doing similar things. I don’t control the economy or politics or any of that stuff nor do I talk about it.

What I can control is how I present my work to potential customers.

1. I keep my art display clear of clutter and in good working order. I’ve updated it several times in the past few years.

2. My art is neatly displayed with clear pricing on each piece.

3. I have a wide range of price points for originals in sizes from small to large so there’s generally something for everyone.

4. I always have prints so people can buy my art at an affordable price.

5. My tent is always secured so that it’s not affected by winds. I use heavy stakes when I can stake down and heavy weights on hard surfaces. These protect my set up and MY Neighbors! Too often I see improperly secured tents with no weights or only 10 lbs per leg. I’ve seen tents blow across fields which is insanely dangerous.

6. Regarding Wi-Fi…..buy yourself a small portable port. They work great and keep you processing sales rather than relying on the sites’ setup which can get spotty or overwhelmed when too many are using it. There are a number available on Amazon.

(This is the one I use and it absolutely works great! https://a.co/d/04bjkn8p)

7. I also can control my attitude and engagement with customers! I always try to be friendly, upbeat and present. Don’t get lost on your phone. Don’t look unapproachable. Consider being on your feet as much as possible and not static in a chair. SMILE 😊

Finally….do everything you can to share the event and your participation in it! I share often on social media on both Instagram and Facebook (my posts about my most recent show in the two weeks before the event had over 2000 views). I share not only on my own page but in relevant local groups.

I also have an email list that I send to with over 1000 followers. All of this makes a difference.

After each show evaluate what worked, what sold, feedback you received, etc and adjust to get better. Not all events are for all vendors but it does take time to figure out where you do best.

I had a double tent setup for this show which I do a few times a year but I’m generally set in one tent.

Happy selling! Please feel free to share any other advice might have

As a follow up to a previous post re unexpected follow up sale. My colleague liked one of my images of an Eastern Tiger SwallowTail but wanted something larger than a 11x14 work. But had no idea size she wanted. I visited her home did some measurements and gave her a quote for 36x24 fine art piece. Today I installed a 36 x 24 gallery wrapped piece in her formal dining room, I delivered, framed (repurposing an old frame they had), wired and hung the piece for them. Pictured is the piece and the piece with her husband posing. Yay!! My first time doing an actual install. I met them later in this evening at another event and they were proudly showing off their new art work to other friends with a strong recommendation to check out my work.

One of today's Gift's from the Universe 8''x10'' acrylic pour, marble swirl and spin.

I finally have a stack of finished ink and graphite pieces I feel good enough about to put out into the world. Small studies, some tighter illustrations, a few brush pen portraits. The obvious first thought was Etsy since the barrier to entry seems low.

But I keep hearing wildly different things. Some people say it's oversaturated and your listings just vanish. Others say they built a real collector base there over time. I'm not sure if original drawings on paper even have a market there compared to prints or digital downloads.

For anyone who's tried selling traditional work on Etsy, did it actually lead to sales or was it more of a time sink? Did you find that buyers there appreciate the craft of an original drawing, or is the platform mostly geared toward cheaper reproductions?

Would genuinely appreciate hearing what worked and what flopped for you all.

I have a friend who is a Professor at the University of Florida who is doing research for his new book that will be focused on Bridging Generations. Here's more about what he's looking for & his contact information. You can also email me at info@artbylale.com for more info.
He is recruiting artists 18-24 and those 40 and older who can speak about their intergenerational mentoring relationships they’ve had. He's wanting to find creative artists (either young or old) who can talk about their intergenerational relationships with those younger or older than them who are part of the arts world. He's looking to do zoom interviews with people from around the country. There is no pay but sounds like an interesting project.
Person conducting the research: Dr. William Marsiglio, Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law, email: marsig@ufl.edu; Phone (cell): 352-256-3046.
PS: My painting, Joyous Aging, for interest :)

I put together a short reel last week showing the whole arc of a shoot. Hiking out before dawn, waiting for the light to settle, the film advance, the final frame at the lakefront. Felt like it captured the actual patience of the work. Posted it and it basically evaporated.

I've seen other photographers and painters post process content that clearly connects with people, but I can't figure out what separates those from the ones that just sit there. Is it pacing? Music choice? Starting with the finished image instead of the journey? Something about the first two seconds?

I don't want to fake urgency or turn it into something performative, but I also don't want to keep making things nobody sees. If you've posted process content that actually gained traction after a slow start, what did you change? Genuinely curious what moved the needle for you.