Blast From the Past!

I decided that it was time for a major clean out on my computer (I have all my listing photos saved from the last 3 years -woah!) While I was sorting through hundreds of photos, deciding which of my favs to keep, I ran across several pieces from my first year of Illustrated Ink. Basically, when I just started out on eBay and was trying to find my groove. Before I even had a blog! I never realized how much my style has developed and changed in over 3 years, but I guess I've painted almost everyday in that amount of time and my skills have naturally improved. It was reassuring to realize, because I feel that I'm always striving for achievement of creating the vision in my mind. I definitely get frustrated less often than I used to by my painting skills not living up to what I want. I swear, when I started it would take me an entire day (oh yes, I mean from noon until midnight) to paint a piece that now only takes me 3 hours. I think I averaged about $3 per hour, oh my!


Really though, when you are doing what you love, it's a thrill just to know that people want your work. I remember getting that first bid on eBay and I was sooo excited! :) My Mom and I freaked out calling each other, it was really fun! I still get a warm fuzzy feeling everytime my work is purchased, and feel so grateful and honored. That will never change. :)


Setting up at my very first show at the Pecan St. Festival in 2008! I was nervous, excited, and wanting to hide under a table!

Things I have learned about taking photos:

Lighting is key (I think most people know this, but I really struggled with my listing photos when I started). Natural light is best, and for me that's between 9 - 11 in the morning when the sun streams into the front of my house. After you find your ideal spot with a good backdrop near a window, decide when the light is best.


Too dark!! I thought that a black box on black fabric in a dark setting would be ideal - really?!


Too light! The black on the box is completely washed out as is the side of the piece (the bird is a deep purple, and it looks light lavender).

Having a decent camera (I now have a Canon Powershot A1100, and I love it) and a steady hand is also important, no one likes blurry photos. Um, also I was so in love with this tattoo fabric, but I can now see that it completely took away from my art. Just too busy. Avoid patterns and other distractions in your photos:


I don't think I could squeeze another pattern in here if I tried...

Believe me, I'm still learning everyday, but I'm happy to see that I've picked up a few things!