My! We are almost into October already!

I'd posted an update in the News section but thought I would also add a blog entry about the Giclee print venture.

Some people have been expressing interest in Giclee prints as an alternative, both to help those who aren't able to swing the cost of an original painting, and to make prints available of those paintings which have sold. The quality of the Giclee is such that it is a great alternative ( both canvas and Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper), and one which I am very comfortable with in maintaining the integrity of the original.

The initial problem that I ran into was the limited number of products which could be listed with my current hosting server's online sales service. It became a problem when I went to add the print option. I've had to create an alternative, which you wil find under the 'FOR SALE' tab. There are the 2 options: 1) for the original paintings and 2) the Giclee Prints. It isn't slick like many of the eCommerce layouts out there, but I've endeavored to make it as straight-forward as possible. In the meantime, I continue researching other eCommerce options, ideally which could be added to this website. But it seems as though I would have to transfer and totally rework my site with another server which has a better online shopping format. Transitioning my site is a deal breaker at this time. So much effort and time has gone into the creation of this website (which is the third generation of transitioning from previous servers). There are so many pages, galleries, blogs etc. It's unfortunate that the online shopping component of this current server is inadequate.

So, I am hoping that my sales pages are of use to my support base and that the process is straight-forward and clear enough. Do let me know if you find the layout and process confusing and I will make the necessary adjustments immediately.

I really like the quality of work produced by CanvasPlus.ca and I've had meetings to finalize arrangements in making these prints possible. Your orders will go through me, and I will confirm the painting image and print size with the printer. And once payments are received, I will work with the printer to have them shipped to you.

If you have any questions about the print options before making a decision, you can simply fill out the order form, but indicate your question(s) within the Comments section. The order form is not a final order, and not connected to an immediate payment method. Once I receive your Order Form by email, I will contact you to answer your questions, or to confirm your order, preferred payment method and additional shipping cost. Only once a confirmation is in place, will the payment step begin. The ease of an eTransfer can be done through your own online banking, or the PayPal option allows you to use a credit card or bank account (as per your account). There is also the option of getting a money order.

Banking cheques/checks are problematic in that they have service charges and the added delayed time periods, 1) in waiting for it to arrive in snail mail, and 2) the transaction period (and potential exchange rates) until the funds are cleared and deposited in my account. I wouldn't be able to actually place the print order with the printer until after all of that has been done. But if this is the only method which you could do, then again, let me know through the order form, and we'll make it work.

I am bringing another five of he paintings to the printer on Friday to have studio shots taken of them. Three are going into the Sidney Fine Arts Show mid-October and they may not come back to me if sold. The other two are for a potential print order. The plan is to digitize the remaining paintings in my possession asap, and gradually find ways to digitize those whose which have sold and are scattered through West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Parksville, Victoria and Sooke. I wasn't able to digitize them prior to exhibitions when they sold. An ongoing problem for an artist, having the cart in front of the donkey, and not having the funds up front to get things done in an orderly manner.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and interest in my work.

Andre

I received an email addressed to all artists who have artwork which has been selected for the upcoming Art Show in October in Sidney BC. But it only says 'We are pleased to tell you that one or more of your entries has been selected'... So the suspense will last a little longer until I get back to Sidney this coming Thursday, Sept. 22nd. It is exciting to know that my artwork will be part of the show, even if it turns out to be only one. I submitted 3 for adjudication. My hope of hopes is that at least 2 have made it in. But the 3 are so different from each other, so I anxiously await the results.

Once I find out which is/are in the show on the 22nd, my schedule and return trips to Sidney become:

Oct. 11:  Deliver selected paintings to the Mary Winspear Centre
 
Oct. 13:  Sidney Show Opening Night
                MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE
               2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney BC V8L 1W9, Canada
                        5:30-7pm: for Patrons
                        7pm-8pm: Awards Ceremony in the Charlie Theatre
                        8pm: Gallery opens for reception

Oct. 14:  To Be Confirmed - doing a demo during the show
 
Oct. 15:  Meet the Artists
                MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE
                2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney BC V8L 1W9, Canada
                6:30 - 9 pm
 
Oct. 16:  If I receive news that my paintings have sold, I don't need to make the last trip to pick up at 5pm. I'll just hang on to the assurance from friends that I won't have to make the trip.  :-)

I dropped the 3 paintings to the Winspear Community Cultural Centre in Sidney BC this morning. I decided to submit the first option of 'Blue Totems', 'Kwatgiutl Ancestor' and 'Mosquito'. I felt it gave the jury a good variety to chose from. Now to wait until Wednesday Sept. 14th to find out if any of been selected for the October Show. I'll update with a posting on the news.

The Mary Winspear Community Cultural Centre, Sidney, BC

I then those a few moments to soak in some sunshine and west coast air near the ferry terminal, before taking the drive back home.

I'm planning on putting together a few videos on the paintings that are for sale, as I appreciate that it is difficult to get a good feel for them online. But until I get a chance to be prepared for those, I've added a side shot of each painting so that you can see each exhibition canvas from the side, and hopefully get a better sense of what they are.

I will be picking 3 from the series to submit for an upcoming Juried Art Show and Sale (submission takes place this Sunday, Sept. 11th). If there is a painting that you have in mind please let me know through the Contact tab so that I can keep that one aside from the submission.