Thursday, March 9, 2017

Choices, Choices



Some of you may be aware that I'm trying to re-boot my (almost nonexistent) art business, and have been researching the best ways of doing so (see my last post for some of the things I've learned). So right now I'm working on branding. I'm not going to try to define branding, as it's a bit of an abstract concept, and not that easy to describe in a few sentences. There are lots of articles that can help you with that; just google "branding for visual artists", and you will find tons of helpful information. I think "Branding 101 for Artists: How to Create a Strong Brand for Yourself and Your Art" by Gregory Peters on emptyeasel.com is one of the best articles I've read on the subject.

Anyway, I digress. Part of creating your brand is using the same "logo" or image on all of your art sites. Right now, the image I have on my facebook business page, my pinterest profile, my twitter profile, and my blog looks like this:



I like the image; I think it stands out and works well compositionally (not a real word, apparently). The problem is, it comes from one of my collages, and I don't think it really represents my work as a whole. Looking at this, people would probably get the idea that all I do is collage. Also, a lot of my work, even the collages, reflect a strong sense of the sacredness ( is that a word?) of nature, which this image really does not.

So I've been working on creating some new ones, and I was hoping I could get the benefit of opinions other than my own. I would appreciate any kind of feedback: which you like best, how any or all could be improved, comments about composition, color, subject, anything. I hope you'll feel free to let me know what you really think; believe me, you're not going to hurt my feelings if the criticism is constructive. So here they are, in no particular order:


 1



 
 2




           3




 4




 5





 6





7



I may do more, but I'm pretty tired of photoshop right now.  Thanks in advance for your help!






24 comments:

  1. I love all the new designs Sharmon! The bird one really thrills me!

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    1. Thanks so much, Terry! I'm assuming you mean #6 rather the ones with the collage bird? That is actually one of my favorites, too.

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  2. I agree with Terry, the birds really remind me of you.. And would be a perfect logo.. 😉

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    1. Thanks for sharing your advice with me, lovely Cat! I am leaning toward that one myself. I've noticed that you are also doing more online promotion with your work; I especially like your YouTube channel! xo

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  3. l'oiseau en vol me plait beaucoup...mais en général ton image de marque sont tes magnifiques créations!

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    1. Thanks, Elfi; I really appreciate the encouraging words!

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  4. Oh my goodness, I also have a problem choosing a logo. They're all really lovely, but I see your point. Which one encompasses all you do? In a world where I paint in oils, collage, paint on ephemera, silversmith.... the only thing I can think of is using my name of initials on everything. The artists I admire, Bobbie Burgers for one, don't really have a one brand. They're work is consistent though, so you see it and say, oh yeah, that's a BB or a Tracey Tarling, etc. But I have trouble keeping in one consistent style with everything I like to do. One of the high priced galleries in Van is the Bau Xi where there are really international artists and many of them are so well known that they don't even need their own websites. (Although Bobbie Burgers has a dynamite instagram) Hmm, back to the drawing board for me.

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    1. Actually, Veronica, from what I've learned, using your name or signature is considered a very good way of branding, if you can come up with a good design. If your signature is cool and distinctive, use it! Since you do so many types of art, this may be a really good choice for you.

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  5. I like the first bird one best. I have to say my 2 cents about branding, I hate it and I think it works well if you are packaging food or clothes, but as an artist I think this whole new trend of branding artists is horrible and I personally can't be branded because I have my hand in too many different things as you do and most good artists do. How for instance would someone brand Picasso or
    Sigmar Polke? This is something I feel very strongly about. I will not be branded and if it hurts my sales so be it, it takes the heart and soul out of art and I think we should resist it with all our might. Having said that we all have to do what we feel is right. xoxo

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    1. Annie, I do understand how you feel about branding. I felt the same, but am now convinced that it's helpful particularly if you're selling art online. I don't think, for myself, that it takes the heart and soul out of it; I will still be making the art I want to make, and I'll continue to look for a new gallery. Maybe I'll feel differently when I get further along, but right now I'm just curious and also hopeful that it will work, as I am now on disability and could use some extra income. Interesting, speaking of Picasso, I just came across this article recently: https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenadamson/2013/05/22/what-picasso-knew-branding-tips-for-artists-from-an-art-basel-insider/#6f32df40414f

      Thanks for voting on my logos, Annie, and thanks for the interesting discussion! xoxo

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    2. Sharmon, I will look at the link. I feel you have to do what works for you. I would not begin to know how nor want to brand myself or my work. This as a marketing bill of goods we have been sold and told we need to do to become successful. I disagree. My art is many things and if people like it and buy it I am thrilled, but it is not a brand I leave that to coke and pepsi :-). xoxo

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    3. P.S. I also understand the need to sell, I am a woman alone, not yet on SS and living on just my art, very challenging. Many months down to 5 bucks, but something always comes through. I also have found it very hard to find a gallery, perhaps Mo Crow could give us some pointers in that direction. Submitting also takes up a lot of time. It is a wonder any of us has time to create :-). xo

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    4. I know what you mean, Annie; it seems there is no time left to make art. I hope you have luck in finding a gallery. xo

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  6. 2 5 and 6 speak to me of your work. Good luck with this re-entry into the art market. Mixing commercial art theory with fine art is no easy task but it is a direction and seems to work best when there is strong repetitive imagery and color.

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    1. Thanks for the opinion, Mary Ann, and for the good wishes! xoxo

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  7. (((Sharmon))) I'm on the same page with Annie Coe re branding, finding a sympathetic gallery frees your time to make the Good Art!

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    1. I hear you, Mo. It's not that easy to find a sympathetic gallery around here, but I will be continuing my search for one as soon as I'm done with this computer stuff, which really does take up a lot of time, at least in the beginning stages. As I mentioned to Annie, I'm on disability and need to find a way of bringing in some extra income. Right now I consider it an experiment, but I'm hopeful that it will pay off. I will not be changing the art that I'm making for the sake of branding; I do believe that a work of art is an act of magick, so I won't be selling my soul. Thanks for taking the time to share your opinion, Mo; it really means a lot to me! xoxo

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  8. I have a problem with the font and its placement used in all the examples except 5 and your banner on top of the page.Its traditional and to me a bit blocky and seeing you tried the font in 5 it may not be sitting right with you.You banner in lower case works great for me as does having your name side by side .Could that style be used with "art" under son in davidson or does the font end up too small.
    Another possible option to stop the blocky feel is running Sharmon into the right hand corner the having Davidson run side the side of the page from the right corner and Art could either follow on or sit under where ever.
    Also think about a logo your initials would make some great monograms ,that could be bold top left corner ,with sharmon davidson,art at the bottom edge.
    Just my thoughts anyway best of luck.Cheers Faye

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    1. Yes, I have a problem with most of the fonts, too - lol. The size, and therefore the readability, are problems because this image on facebook, pinterest, etc. is very small, and also circular in shape on some of them, so I have to allow for the corners to be cut off. I will probably play around with the fonts once I narrow it down, but they have to be pretty plain to be readable. I'm also going to see if I can make a decent logo using part of my banner. I really do thank you for your ideas, Faye!

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  9. do you know what? i really do like the first one very much... what i see is possible is to work on that first one a little, adding perhaps an inkling of your other disciplines, if at all possible. compositionwise the first one does stand out for me, so perhaps you will have lesser work at hand than first feared, which is always a good thing.
    anyway, i'm here on a mission myself : our new AC theme is up. feel free to come out and play with us, over the weekend of march, 18-19. if you find the time. ;)))
    X
    nadine♥

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    1. Nadine, thanks for stopping by and for the advice. By the "first one", do you mean the one I'm using now? And yes, I would like to play in the art challenge! xox

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    2. yes, i did mean the one that you are using now; funnily enough??!! maybe also because i am used to it, but well, i scrolled back through them, and it speaks to me mostly.. ! n♥

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  10. Sharmon, I see you are moving forward with your decisions, as we discussed.
    I agree with Nadine. I love your banner. Maybe then, you pull out pieces of it for avatars. I.e., just the bird, just the feather, just the stamp. It's a very interesting and full of possibilities piece.
    Bottom line is, YOU have to love it. I've had people encourage me to do things to some of my pieces, but I love what I have.
    I also agree with Caterina. I think we would all be very disappointed if she DIDNT have that beautiful woman on her brand. It meant something to her when she chose it and it still does.
    Finally, it's tempting to get in a hurry about this but it really shouldn't be rushed. Most of us live with our decisions for a long time, so we want to get it right!
    Whatever you do, we will support you because we are ultimately following YOU anywhere :) đŸŒ»đŸŒ»đŸŒ»Laura

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    1. Laura, I really appreciate your insights and encouragement. The reasons I have (tentatively) chosen the birds is that when I see my avatar/logo on various sites, it's the only one you can really read clearly when the image is very small, like on twitter, and I also realized that many people are viewing it on their cell phones. Ultimately, I like the collage design with the girl's face, but I think the birds represents the WHOLE of what I do better.

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I'm happy to reply here, but may not always have time for individual emails.