Things I should have considered.

So now I have two sales in the USA. Tha canvases are very large. How do I package the art? I should have thought of this. How do I get it over. Packaging meant getting a source of affordable hard carboard. This I got from a double glazing company. This and bubble wrap was the answer. But BEWARE if you are sending overseas the delivery company need to see inside the package so do not seal it. When trying to get a company make sure they can take the package, so be very accurate with the sizes. MY first attempt backfired it was 2" too big on the overall size for one company. I at last found one who would take it a very good company. The other benefit was they were also cheaper. If you go to my website you will find the name of this realiable company. So my first two sales were on their way to the USA.

Two Sales

Having added to two other sites on which I was able to make a link to my own web I got two sales in the USA. Now I had to start thinking about packaging and transport. I really would advise that you have this done well in advance, it really is a nightmare. The painting being requested were two very large abstract works. How was the person going to pay me? How was I going to get them all to her? So many questions.

So I had my website what now?

Well the website was up and I had made my first sale. But I did not have the expertise to make this website be found on Google and other search engines so what wa sthe next step. I decided to sign up with other sites that let you display some work and to also add a link to my own site. I was surprised to find that there are many of them out there. Some of them are free some make a small charge. Having earned enough to pay for my web for a year i decided to make a small investment into one or two of those sites. Having done so I was surprised to see the sale of two paintings in the USA. Now I had not thought of that. Success but also a whole load of things I had not thought about that I had to contend with.

Ok so lets think website

What a nightmare. Do I dont I? Yes I will no I will not. Well why not? So I decided I would give it an attempt. I did not want to spend the earth so I decided to go with a provider who would give me a website for a small monthly outlay. I got a domain name and I signed up. Problem number one. I had to build the website myself, not the easiest of tasks,but I kept at it and ended up with a not too bad looking website. It is still at this date online and can be seen at http://www.ralphgarageart.co.k/ The name kind of came to us as we talked. I did after all paint in the garage so it seemed obvious. Bang on the first day one of the technical guys from the hosting provider bought a painting. The first years hosting was paid for. But now I had to get the site spotted. How was I going to do that? Well we will get there.

How has it gone so far?

Well here I am I have been painting for almost two years now. At first I could sell not a thing and the paintings were begining to mount. So the first thing I did was put those paintings into the boot of the car. My thinking was that if I ever get half a chance to show them I would do just that. My first opportunity came at a conference I was attending. Over a pint at the bar in the evening I sold two of my paintings. I was overjoyed. At breakfast the next day I sold a further three, without even having to show them again. So I left that conference feeling up lifted. Maybe I should be showing in some local art shows. So far I had not wanted to have the competition and the feeling of rejection, but hey I had sold a few in one weekend. It was later my son said I should consider a website. My mind began to turn and the thought stayed with me. Should I or should I not? We will see next blog.