Is discounting artwork a good idea?

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/Bookmark Is 50% off really what you want?
I’ve recently received few emails asking me if I could apply a discount to some of my prints. My answer was “no“, but I would like you to know why.
First, just let me say, I’ve created some coupons for my buyers in the past, but there was always a reason for that.
There always should be a reason for creating coupons. Few weeks ago few new buyers had some problems with checking out on my shop page, because at that particular moment I was adjusting my shipping rates. The day after I was done with changes I’ve noticed pending orders. Pretty quickly I figured the problem and as soon as possible I sent my potential buyers a kind apologizing email with coupon/discount.
Secondly, I send coupons to my previous buyers as a way to thank them for supporting my art business.
Another way I might apply a discount is to ...

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Androgyny, Kara Laricks, Tilda Swinton

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/BookmarkTilda Swinton by Marta Spendowska
I’ve ben always a fan of androgynous clothing. Flowered bubbly dresses are just not for me. Dear god, I’ve tried. Just this week I watched an episode of Fashion Star even though I’ve decided to keep my tv exposure to minimal. Besides Mentalist and Revenge I don’t have any addictions. After Michael left Office, nothing is worth watching. Eventually I watched the whole thing, because I spotted this fun looking girl with short hair and wanted to see how and what she designs.
It was Kara Laricks and I feel in love.
Tuxedos, suits, vests, oh my.
Kara Laricks Jackets via She Wired
Kara went from being a fourth grade school teacher to fashion, created a line of unisex androgynous accessories called Collar, Stand + Tie and now she’s competing with few other designers on Fashion Star show. The great part is that if her designs get bought by either ...

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Chuck Close : Note To Self

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

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LESSONS “Never let anyone define what you are capable of by using parameters that don’t apply to you.”
“You don’t have to invent the wheel everyday.”
“Oddly enough, there was a gift in this tragedy. I learned very early in life that the absolute worst thing can happen to you, and you will get past it. And you will be happy again.”
“Everyone needs to feel special.”
About Chuck Close. Great article from Anna.
:: btw, after searching for images and tagging “chuck close” I saw many rip off and imitations. Some people spend their time to copy others so restlessly.
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Purpose

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/BookmarkUpon request I prepared few little collections, so you can see small prints before you decided going big.
Hope you’re loving it!
Marta Spendowska Petite Illustration
I’ve always been the happiest in libraries, cinemas and art shops. I’ve been thinking about it lately and how places we frequently visit might give us a hint of what you’re supposed to be doing in your life. Hearing me, Kristy? Pst! Thank you for emailing me this question.
It’s insane how excited I am for UPS coming my way and possibly showing up in few minutes with the new enamel Holbein palette. So I can get my paints in, in new virgin metal palette for 100 bucks, so I will be able to take it with me to Poland, so I can paint my small town.
After talking with my favorite Jamie some time ago I realized I could not live without art. I would be fine if ...

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Perfume Obsession + Advice.

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/Bookmark I’ve talked a bit about my obsession with drawing perfumes already. The topic fascinates me so much, I’ve decided to write again. For those of you who paint, draw, illustrate, it might be a helpful insight.
I don’t know when exactly I started painting perfumes. I have old sketchbooks in Poland and I flipped through them last time I was there and I found many perfume bottles or beauty products drawings. The one thing that stikes me in those drawings is how quickly and almost not carefully they were drawn. None of them is trying to present a 3D bottle, all of them are flat drawings, quick and nonchalant.
That got me thinking. I’ve just watched this incredible livestream video from Awesome Horse Studios. Four fantastic artists, March Scheff, Cynthia Sheppard, Aaron Miller and Noah Bradley, trained traditionally, paint the same women digitally. Well, at least three of them do. I loved watching it. I admire their ...

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Natural Beauty Recipes—Wasabi and Bath.

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/Bookmark Let’s talk about natural beauty recipes. Since I remember I was fascinated by making my own perfumes, shampoos and tonics. One of the first things I bought in US was quite expensive blue glass bottle for my first US emulsion. Loved it. The cost for the same glass jar in Poland was enormous few years ago.
Sometime I’d like to share with you my daily routines and very simple, incredibly helpful tinctures. Today one simple trick and recipe from Japan.
It’s snowing today in Wisconsin and I am cold. Freezing cold. I drank some tea, put my fuzzy boots on, but nothing seems to help. That’s when I know wasabi needs to get explored. Best way for warming up is to take a hot shower of course. Long, wonderful hot shower. But even better idea is to massage your body with wasabi. Yes, wasabi! It will never fail to warm you up and, additionally, it has incredible detoxifying ...

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So what you’re not perfect.

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/Bookmark What’s behind this little poster? Well. I am not a fan of the popular believe that we’re all should believe in that we’re perfect, even though we have doubts. Doubt is good. It keeps us growing. If you doubt you’re perfect, and than you doubt you can even believe in the popular saying that you should think you’re perfect (crazy!), it’s a double stress. I say, accept your imperfections.
It’s all good.
It’s ok.
The closest thing to perfection is in the ability to be fully present. Without any distracting thoughts, measuring or grading ourselves, we’re free to really be in the moment. It’s in that moment that we’re truly alive. Yet, the perfectionist isn’t typically present as they’re either busy critiquing the past and replaying their every decision or worrying about the future. So you see the perfectionist is never really present. Isn’t that ironic?
via The Problem with Perfection | Psychology Today.
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Polish Illustrators — Crush

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/BookmarkI think it’t time to reveal my Polish illustrator crushes. The most important person has been Agata Nowicka aka Endo. The first website that introduced me to her drawings was her old comics blog, but I’m not sure if she still updates that one. Agata is really sweet and helpful, she now works with New Yorker and most of the Polish magazines. It’s such a pleasure to see her grow and create such an extensive portfolio. Loving her pixels. Yeah, have you noticed ? That digital artwork has a very distinguished look.
 
Another illustrator, cartoonist and graphic designer whom I admire so much is Ada Buchholc. She works with most of the prominent magazines in Poland and draws her super funny comics Dzienniki Kryzysowe. She definitelly has a love.hate relationship with herself, but deals with it in a cynical hilarious way. Strong line, mature, definite style and bold colors. Like her Facebook ...

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Being an artist is painful.

Posted by Marta Spendowska with Share Some Thoughts!

Share/BookmarkBeing an artist can be painful. There are days when you think you can’t paint, you’re pathetic and no one cares. There are days when your favorite pink is ugly. There are days when you think you should get back to waitressing, so you don’t have to take anything personally. On those days, you need to do one and only one thing — make a cup of coffee/tea, sit down at your desk and start working. Little prayer can help.
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The week in recap and Pinterest feature.

Posted by Marta Spendowska with 2 Comments

Share/Bookmark I haven’t made it to Alt Summit this year, but I promised myself to go in 2013. Some nice description for those of you, who don’t know what Alt Summit is about :
If you’re obsessed with lifestyle, food and fashion blogs, fantastic images, smart ideas and great design inside and outside — all wrapped up with a social media bow — Altitude Design Summit is the place to be. Because we feed those obsessions.  
We’ve created a place where design and lifestyle bloggers in all their forms— foodies, photographers, travelers, fashionistas, interior designers, product placers, adventurers — come together, share ideas and connect with marketers. There will be discussions on how to grow your site, how to fund your site, how to keep your site above the fray. You’ll find panels on blogging etiquette and blogging ethics. People will share good advice for creative entrepreneurs.
I admit that the main reason for ...

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