Off to the show!

It was a fantastic weekend in Maple Ridge--well, at least Saturday was spectacular, it did rain for almost an hour Sunday. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I was most pleased to sell 2 paintings and a bit disappointed with the sales of cards and lists and magic books. Still, it was good to be out there with people and I am almost out of business cards. Just in time to order some new ones with my new address on them!

Speaking of which, I've started to test the blog facility on my website and am now going to transition this blog over to "the other side", that being, http://www.elainewatts.com/ . So, go on over there, and let me know what you think! I'm taking comments, suggestions, and ideas for improving the site, and would love it if anyone out there could teach me more about "driving traffic" to it. Also wondering about your thoughts on adding MORE paintings to the site, versus keeping it to the current level of about 20. How much more of my art would you like to see on-line? Of course, you could come and see it in reality if you're in Vancouver...just let me know!
That's all for now, any branding or marketing geniuses out there?? (Not that I always listen--sometimes the fairies have me distracted!)

The Latest News!!!

My new website is up & running! There'll be a few tweaks & I'm happy to take suggestions, and you can access it at...ta da...! http://www.ElaineWatts.com .
At some point I'll likely be moving this blog over to the website--I'll let you know when that happens. I was so happy to find an easy way to get a website that I can upload images to and maintain myself, and that has some options for presentation, but not too many for a rookie webmeister like myself. Hope you like it too!
And don't forget to come and see me this weekend in Maple Ridge, Art in the Park, 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. The link is also on my website and the last posting.
Ask the fairies to give us a good weekend (weather & sales wise!)!

Working away in the world

Just a quick note to update you all today as I'm working hard on a couple of projects over the next week or so. Today I'll be doing a trial run of setting up my new gazebo tent on the patio (photo on the left) to make sure

a) all the pieces are there and

b) I know how to do it

in preparation for my first show of the year next weekend in Maple Ridge. Lots of other tasks go along with getting ready--I've got stacks of matting and packaging to do for my newer paintings (wouldn't I be happy if I sold 20 paintings next weekend??) and getting all my magic books and cards and lists and pricetags organized in one spot, ready to load in the truck.

At the same time, I've been working on my soon-to-be-released website. My favourite instructor, Faith Love Robertson, has a website that I liked & when I asked her about it she told me it was created for her by some cousins who now offer a website service for artists. Their company is called Artsites.ca and it is simple enough for me to build my own website using their templates, and to update regularly.

I now have my trial site up & running & I'm playing around with the format. The plan is to have it published by next weekend so I can tell people the address at the show (and tell you, on the blog--which, by the way, will be moving over to the website very soon, too!) New business cards will be necessary, both for the website and for yet another email (or two) that will be included with the website. And, the possibility of linking up with Paypal to sell my reproductions directly on-line is included with this package so I'm really happy about that!

So, come and see me at the show next weekend, in Maple Ridge. The details are at www.ArtintheParkMapleRidge.com . I have a painting and my profile on their website too. Hope to see you there!