AUTHOR: Monica Lee TITLE: New Art DATE: 11:22 AM ----- BODY:

I have a new page on my portfolio, here’s the link. Or you can go in through my site. This is work for licensing. I really got into it! I enjoy doing holiday themes. And this was some of my first tries at completely digital art. Besides the pinch in my back from sitting at my computer, I enjoyed it. I don’t think I need to choose which type of art is “Me”. I think I will always paint, the children’s industry is more geared toward hand painted art but I see everything out there. I think it is your sensibility that counts! It is a relief not to always think I have choices to make. Right, Tine? She was trying to figure how to choose the best way to express herself as an artist; she’s multi-talented so I imagine it feels as if she needs to focus. I hope she doesn’t mind me saying all this on my blog but I think one of the most important things is to organize a portfolio, whether it is of 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional pieces, put together something that reflects you and your “sensibility”. It can actually take awhile to get a portfolio together. Start by gathering what you have now and ask yourself if it suits the buyer you might like to sell your work to. A gallery? Editorial illustration? Children’s art? The gift industry? Who’s going to buy it and what are they going to use it for? Sounds basic but that is the basic focus that a lot of creatives miss! Now do a little research on how many pieces you might need for your “chosen buyer” 8-10? 10-15? Now round out your portfolio, you know the routine, be ruthless. Get input from others (preferably professionals) put yourself on the line a bit. Consider creating pieces especially for your portfolio. Time consuming, yes, good practice, yes. I had a girlfriend tell me she worked on her portfolio for about a year and a half. I thought that was an outrageous amount of time but considering I was working another job and had a child the advice turned out to be right. The most important thing is to GET STARTED!

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