A Crash Course in Marketing

I've been very busy lately, but not so much with my art, which is why I haven't had a post in a while. I finally got my site up and I am now taking a crash course in marketing. I got a book that seems like it's about 3 feet thick on all the rules of Search Engine Optimizing or SEO as they call it. It's hard to sit still and get through it, but I'm slowly trudging through, knowing I can do a million new designs, but if no one can find them, what's the point? I'm fantasizing about the day I can afford to hire someone to do this stuff for me and I can concentrate on what I really want to be doing, which is drawing. I've got some new design ideas in my head, ready to go as soon as I'm done with the optimizing. I'm going to design a line for college student's dorm rooms, which I'm looking forward to greatly. I have several family members in college right now and did this design for my niece Tara. She doesn't actually live in a dorm, but isn't allowed to put up nails in her place either. It's a bit more contemporary than most of my designs, but still has a soft antiqued quality too it.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Witches!

It's my favorite time of year-Halloween and the decorations are in full force at my house. Skeletons are on the windows and doors, bats hanging from every possible location. I was even fortunate enough to have a couple of fires in the fireplace, which is rare for this time of year in California. We've been to the pumpkin patch and shopped for costumes, although I still don't know what I want to be yet. We've even baked a batch of Halloween sugar cookies.

All of the festivities inspired me to design a witch. Not just any witch, she had to be a pin-up girl. I've always loved the style of Elvgren and all the pin-up artists from the 40's, 50's and 60's. The techniques they used and the control they had over their brushes amazes me and inspires me to be a better artist. I had an opportunity several months back to paint a couple of Gil's girls on the wall of a friends garage and it was the one of the best experiences I've had as an artist. I learned so much from following in the master's footsteps and trying to absorb even a tiny bit of his genius. Of course he was probably turning in his grave knowing I was doing it in acrylic paint on a bumpy garage wall, but what can I say - it was still heaven to me.

The girl I have designed is but a mere shadow of what the true masters could do, but I'm very happy with her. She's in my style and I put in all the same love in creating her, as Gil did when he painted his girls. She's still in the process of being colored, but here's a bit of a sneak-peak at her. I wanted to have a seasonal line along with the regular stuff and I think she's a pretty good start.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

A Great Quote About the Power of Artists

History has remembered the kings and warriors, because they destroyed; Art has remembered the people, because they created. - William Morris
www.castleberryds.com

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

As a kid, my absolute favorite story was The Three Little Pigs. I had (and still do have) the Disneyland record, which I must have listened to at least 1,000,000 times. I would sit in front of the HUGE stereo in the den and listen to it over and over. It was the kind of stereo that was a piece of furniture, not just a turn table and speakers. I would sit and study the album cover as I listened to the story. I absolutely loved it! I didn't realize at the time, but that record was having a huge impact on what direction my life would take as I grew older. It was shaping who I was going to be as an artist and how I wanted to make other people feel with my art. I knew it did something special for me, although I couldn't have told you what.

A few months ago I was doing some research for my recent rocket project and I came across a wonderful quote:

"The visions we offer our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. Dreams are maps" Carl Sagan, 1994.

It was at that moment I realized what Walt had given me - an artistic vision. As a tribute to that story, I have done my own version of The Three Little Pigs. I can only hope that my art can have that same wonderful effect that Walt and his talented army of artists still have on me.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Toys and Quantum Physics

This week I'm working on some vintage toys! I'm thinking I might make them into a growth chart, but I haven't decided yet. Angela is going to help on this one. We're trying to get a system down, so we can both have some work time. We'll see how it goes. Babies are unpredictable.

I'm also reading a great business book entitled "The Answer", by John Assaraf. It's absolutely not the typical business book and it's really helping me get my goals for the business together. It's great for applying in the rest of your life too, not just in business. He talks a lot about how your brain works and how to re-wire it in order to be successful. He writes a lot about quantum physics too and how it plays into manifesting whatever it is you want. I'm absolutely riveted and can hardly put it down. Hard to believe about a business book, but it's true! I know, I'm a freak, but if anyone out there has read "A New Earth", or "The Secret" and are into that sort of thing, this is the book for you. It explains how the law of attraction works scientifically and how we can tap that power that Eckhart talks about in his book. It'll be interesting to see what happens from it!

OK, gotta get to work-time to write my business goals!

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Creating a Sanctuary

I went and heard a great speaker the other night that helped me get some direction with my business. I told him what I did and he graciously gave me some really good advice. He told me how important art is in creating a sanctuary in your home, which everyone needs. He went on to say that art actually can change a persons energy, which makes it really powerful, not just nice to look at. He said if I want to do well, to make sure my clients know how important their environment is and how my art can improve it. It really made me realize how important what I do is. Not everyone is good at or even wants to create art and those people need artists like me to bring it into their lives. They need to have the same sanctuary to come home to that I do. I often joke about living in "the hood", but when I get inside my home, I really do feel wonderful in the space. It made me realize how important it is to get my site going and up. Others need to have what I do.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Rocket To The Moon!

Anyone for a little space travel? I was listening to some of the old soundtracks for the old Tomorrowland rides at Disneyland for inspiration and came up with this design. I've always been fascinated by outer space and really wanted to be an astronomer or astronaut as a kid. Of course I realized my handicap in math would hinder me greatly, so I decided I'd be a better artist. Of course I'm still gonna dream about going in space and if this mural business of mine does well, I'll be one of those space tourists one day!

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Blocks

I love vintage children's blocks and vintage children's book illustrations, so I combined them for my next piece. I'm currently working on some vintage looking toys. Thought they'd be nice for a nursery. Not sure what's going to be next. Possibly animals.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

I wish I were in Switzerland

Ever since I was a little kid and went to the Swiss Miss Ice Cream shop, I've fantasized about going to Switzerland. They had all these beautiful landscape photos that I could stare at for hours. I also had it in my head at 5 years old that that was where fairy tales lived. After all, the buildings had the same designs in Pinocchio, right? I still haven't made it there yet, but it's at the top of my travel list, as soon as it becomes possible! In the meantime, I decided that in honor of my wish to travel, I'd do some european postcards. I found one that had beautiful handwriting and stamps, which I replicated for the front card. The others were done using photo reference, since I obviously can't go there.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Ahhh....Disneyland!

Got some great inspiration at one of my favorite places in the whole world! I'm toying with the idea of doing some carousel horses, so I sat down and drew from a couple of busts that were attached to a little kiosk, just inside the castle. Haven't really got much experience with horses and quickly found out I know nothing about their anatomy. Might wait a while before tackling that project. I really need to understand them better, so I don't make myself nuts over it. No one wants a cranky artist hanging around, esp. my husband!

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Seahorses

I love the ocean and anything to do with it. Always have, since I was a little kid in New Mexico, where I couldn't have been further from it. I've always found seahorses especially beautiful, because they're so delicate. That's why I chose to create these guys. I want to make some bubbles for them too. Maybe I'll get that done this week.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com



Ok, off to Disneyland for the day!

Shelly

Of course I had to have a brunette too! She's the last of the mermaids for now, as I'm not really inspired at the moment. I might add another one later. I've always had a thing for drawing pretty girls. I used to draw little princesses on my desk obsessively in the 3rd grade, until I got in trouble enough times and got moved to the front of the class.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Veronica

Here's Veronica. I have a friend who has great hair, which was my inspiration for her. She should really be on the side of a can of tuna!

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Mermaids

My first series is of mermaids. I designed them to have a vintage feel, as if off the side of an old billboard. I chose to do vintage, because I love anything old and have a hard time finding much decor in that style. The first in the series is called "Odette". She is a removable mural and I can print her in any size! She is not printed on paper or vinyl. It's actually a fabric with reusable adhesive. She will stick back on the wall as many times as you want, provided no dust or dirt gets into the adhesive back. The adhesive won't damage the walls either.

Jennifer
www.castleberryds.com

Ok, I'm an artist with a blog......now what?

Took a big step today and got myself a blog. I'm not much of a technical person-I was the last to get a cell phone, email and I just barely signed up on Facebook (after several years of friends pestering me). Guess I'm a bit behind in that respect. I'm getting back into my art after talking a break to spend time with my kids and I'm starting my own business. I am in the process of putting together enough designs to start selling my murals on line and I'm just waiting until I get enough together, so the selection isn't pitiful for would-be buyers. I'll be posting the designs here, as I complete them (I have some done already). Although I haven't officially set up shop, I do have a business paypal account and anyone interested in purchasing any of the designs is welcome to contact me. I don't mass produce, so you can get them in pretty much any size you'd like! I charge by the square foot and I'm happy to give quotes to anyone who requests!

Be sure to check out my website at: www.castleberryds.com