How to Create a Product from Nuthin to Sumthin

Once in a while, you create an image your reeeaaallly like. 

"Jaguar Sunset"

A few years ago I painted a 3 foot tall cat statue for a charity auction. It was titled Little Cat's Four Season Fantasy. Each side featured the different seasons of the year.

It was the second one I painted, the previous statue having sold at auction for $1100. So of COURSE they nicely asked me to paint another! I was happy to help, since it was for C.A.T.S., Committed Alliance to Strays.

But since I donated it to charity - and seeing as how I loved some of the images on it - I decided to photograph them for my own collection. This fantasy setting of the jaguar swimming in a cool pool at sunset was one of my favorites. 

To put it into context, here is the completed

 3 ft tall statue from different angles:
(can click on any images to enlarge)

But how do I translate that into a product to offer collectors??

Here's what I did.

It all started with a nekkid statue:

Underpainting  getting started:

Giving him some spots:

Continuing around the jaguar:

All done:

So how does he look when you put his image onto products? I found a site that does "POD"  (print on demand) and I'm very happy with their quality. Here are some of the things they can do with my jaguar. I was so tickled when I saw these for the first time!

This is the main page for my "Jaguar Sunset"

And here is how he looks on a throw pillow.

The newest to join the product line is this cute Tote bag

I think the metal prints are cool!

They even have smart phone case covers.

Naturally there are also greeting cards, framed prints, canvas prints,  and posters.

And there you have it. From blank white statue to all kinds of fun stuff to put your image on. 

I hope you found this interesting. I sure had fun seeing my little jaguar on all these items. If you have any questions about Fine Art America (FAA), the folks who do my printing, just give a holler in the comments and I'd be glad to share my experiences. 

Now, imagine something YOU created.  If you have paintings, images of your creative endeavors, or photographs that you'd like to have printed, I can wholeheartedly recommend FAA. You have your original, yes. But by creating "multiples" of your efforts, you can offer your art to more people in many more forms, including gift giving.

If you try FineArtAmerica, I'd love to hear how it went for you. :-)

Thanks for reading,

Retta

Free Quote Poster Day!

It's Word Wednesday again! Time for another free Quote Poster.

 A favorite author of mine is Ray Bradbury, and I find this quote from him very meaningful:

  (click to open for larger file to save, re-post or print)

Please feel free to save and use this poster if you like it, though I'd appreciate that you leave it in it's original form without alteration, other than sizing. Be sure to download and save it to your computer, not "hot link" to my blog by linking to the url. Thanks ever so much!

I hope you enjoy it! It's my gift to you.

Thanks for visiting today,

Retta

Free Poster today!

Today I'd like to share with you a favorite photo of Butterfly, my calico kitty.  Below is her baby picture, taken nigh on to 10 years ago! 

I'm starting a fun theme for Wednesdays called Word Wednesday, where I'll try to marry favorite images with favorite quotes.

Without further ado, The Poster. 

(click to open for larger file to save, re-post or print)

Please feel free to save and use this poster if you like it, though I'd appreciate that you leave it in it's original form without alteration, other than sizing. 

Enjoy! It's my gift to you.

Thanks for visiting,

Retta

Flashback Friday: Little Cat, Big Dreams

I started this blog in 2005, so thought it would be fun to re-visit some of those older posts that are buried under layers of time.

For our first flashback let's visit November of 2005:

Little Cat, Big Dreams

 (can click on any pics to enlarge)

Butterfly was a rescued kitty. She almost died, but with love and care, and her own spunky personality, she made it.

She was my inspiration for the painting I did on this 3ft tall fiberglass cat-shaped sculpture. It was a fundraiser for C.A.T.S. (Committed Alliance To Strays) called "Pawsing for Art". Sold at auction for $1100!!

The colors are more vibrant in person, but you get the general idea!

Thanks for reading,

Retta

PS: Now you know where the image at the top of my blog comes from! :-)