Exciting News! Parcai Designs Adds Four Amazing Artists!

We've been super busy at Parcai Designs! We've added four amazing artists and we're full speed ahead to SURTEX.  See the press release below for all the details and follow the links to get a sneak peek at the artists and their portfolios. I'm very excited about this group and their artwork.

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Press Release

April 1, 2013

For Immediate Publication

PARCAI DESIGNS WELCOMES FOUR TALENTED AND DIVERSE ARTISTS

Parcai Designs is excited to announce that artists Bob Pennycook, Jen Sinquefield, Emily Townsend, and Renee Womack have joined their agency.

For almost 20 years, Bob Pennycook has been a working artist exhibiting paintings in juried shows throughout Canada and the U.S.  Having previously licensed his work for a decade, he has recently returned to licensing with a fresh palette and a keen sense of trend. His country scenes capture the soulful side of nature and his food images evoke the smell and taste of fresh-baked goods.

Visit www.BobPennycook.com to view his portfolio.

Jen Sinquefield has been an artist all her life, and studied visual arts in several cities in the United States before embarking on a palette-inspiring five years abroad. Her paintings portray the vibrant light and color that she captures while she has her camera in hand enjoying outdoor activities, and she specializes in eye-popping florals you almost have to touch to believe they’re not real. See Jen’s work at www.JenSinquefield.com.

Emily Townsend’s mixed media collages incorporate her original photography, painting, art journaling, doodling, and digital layering, resulting in deeply textured and richly colored images.  A student of Fine Arts and Architecture, Emily’s experience includes art instruction and publication. Her original mixed media creations have been met with acclaim in numerous galleries throughout the country. Learn more about Emily and her work at www.ETstudio.net.

Renee Womack is an Award Winning Denver, Colorado Artist who finds inspiration in everything from nature to pop culture. She has a versatile style ranging from modern impressionism to realism to fun, child-like illustrations. Renee's diverse creativity includes designing art for clothing, which has been represented nationwide including accounts with Nordstrom, Disney World, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone. She has proven experience in the art licensing industry, and her designs have been successfully licensed for greeting cards and textiles. View Renee's work at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/renee-womack.html.

Pennycook, Sinquefield, Townsend, and Womack join Parcai Designs’ veteran artists Ann Troe and Lainey Parker. All six artists will be displaying new work at SURTEX 2013, in Parcai Designs’ booth, number 765, on the showroom floor. SURTEX is the most important show for the art and design business, and the only marketplace in North America dedicated to the sale and licensing of surface designs for products of all kinds. SURTEX is held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, May 19-21.

Parcai Designs, LLC is an art licensing agency based in Dallas, Texas, representing artists who license their art to manufacturers for use on their products. Our team brings a wealth of experience in gift product manufacturing, graphic design, marketing, and legal expertise. Offering timeless classics, current trends, and cutting edge designs, our agency is committed to developing lasting relationships between art and industry.

For more information:

Teresa Cain

tcain@ParcaiDesigns.com

www.ParcaiDesigns.com

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More posts about SURTEX 2013 and Parcai Designs:

Art Licensing: Walking Surtex, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan - Part 1

Pt. 2 - Art Licensing: Walking SURTEX, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan

Planning Not Panicking - Working Toward SURTEX 2013

Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!

Hot off the digital press!

I'm having fun with paisleys!

Illustration Friday - Yesterday

More Illustration Friday posts.

Pt. 2 - Art Licensing: Walking SURTEX, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan

As promised, here's part 2 of my post from last week. If you missed part 1 you can read it here:  Art Licensing: Walking SURTEX, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan - Part 1

AFTER WALKING THE SHOW:

Get to work immediately: 

Build on the excitement you have from walking the show. Don't take a break. Get your plan in motion. If you’re planning to exhibit the very next year then you don’t want to waste any time. There's much to do and the time goes by very fast. I still can't believe SURTEX is such a short time away. It seems like I was just there.

Below are some tips to help you get your plan into motion:

#1 - Determine how much money you’ll need to display at the next show. SURTEX is not cheap. You will need to pay for display items, pre-show marketing materials, promos if you choose, travel and lodging, meals and shopping - seriously, it's in New York - meals and shopping are part of the experience! Find out when the payments for the show are due and make a plan to get the money. Sell your art, do shows, crank up that Etsy shop, have garage sales, etc.

If you're limited on funds, try getting an art licensing agent to represent you. There are many companies out there. Joan Beiriger has a list of art licensing agencies, here’s the link: List of Over 50 US Art Licensing Agencies. (Joan's blog has great information for artists so plan on staying a while and check out her other posts and tutorials.) Parcai Designs is mine and my partner’s company and we will be at SURTEX in booth #765 near the Trend Theatre. If you'll be at the show and are looking for a licensing rep, we’ll have a box at our booth where you can drop your contact information. We’ll get in contact with you after the show.

#2 - How does your portfolio look? Do you have full collections or single art pieces? What do you need to round out your portfolio and set up collections? How much work do you need to do for your artwork to be ready for licensing? How are your computer skills? Do you have a computer program to transfer your artwork into digital format? Do you need to buy and learn Photoshop and Illustrator? Make a plan, and write it down. Organize your artwork into folders in the order you are going to work. Only keep the current artwork in front of you and work on it until it's finished and then move to the next one. Set a schedule to get the work done. Know when you will need to order your marketing materials and banner displays, this is your actual deadline. A bit of planning will reduce stress and help you be show ready.

Check out my post on working with Adobe CS6 in Adobe Creative Cloud: Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!

#3 - Plan your day: Do you work a full time job? Do you have a family? Both? Plan time for your art like it’s just as important as anything else in your life. Make the most of what time you have. Some days my personal creative time is from 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. and I make full use of it. Do what works for you. If you're a morning person and can get an hour or two before you start your day, then go for it. There are days I create in bits and pieces of time because that's what I have to work with. If you want something badly enough you can make it happen. 

Here is one of my older posts about time management: Pockets of Time

#4 - How will you display your art? Do some research and pricing with printing companies. Do a Google search and you will find lots of information about tearsheets/sell sheets and display books. A good place to start researching is on Natalie Timmons site here: How to Create a Killer Sell Sheet for Artists.

#5 - Don't be afraid to put your work out into the world because of art pirates. If you don't show your work you will never get noticed. And while the art pirates are redrawing your art from yesteryear, you’ll be moving on to something new and better from the wealth of ideas that will be flowing because you create original art on a regular basis. Do what you can to protect yourself. Copyright your work and use Tineye or other reverse image search sites to look for your art. And don't let dishonest people limit your creative flow.

#6 - Again, be original. My favorite way to come up with cool new designs is to doodle. Do this every day, doodle when you're watching television, in the waiting room at appointments, before bed, riding in the car - passenger seat please :o). I now find that the minute I lay my head down on the pillow, designs start playing like a slideshow in my head. I keep an art pad and pen by the bed so I can do a quick sketch of ideas. I’ve trained my mind that down time is time for creative thought. And it’s really nice to go to sleep with a new idea and have it waiting on me in the morning.

Here's another post about getting and keeping a steady flow of ideas: A Date With Your Muse 

#7 - Fear and negative thinking: Fear can be motivating or paralyzing, it just depends on how you choose to handle it. If you let fear steal your dreams then you will never get anywhere. But you can use fear to help you be productive. Use fear as a gauge and let it tell you what you need to work on. Are you afraid your art isn't good enough? Then do a show and get some feedback. Chances are you’re just being too critical. If it really isn't good enough, then make it better by learning art techniques in the medium of your choice. Some fear is normal, but don’t let it stop you from achieving your dreams. Keep plunging ahead. When you put enough work in, your confidence level will be higher and you will have less fear. Sit down with a pen and paper and write down what you’re afraid of. Just the act of writing down your fears will reduce the power they have over you. Look at that list and if you find valid points, figure out how to overcome them. Some fear will always be there but that doesn't mean it has to control you. Face fear and walk through it.

#8 - Feeling Overwhelmed: Getting ready for any trade show can be overwhelming, even for seasoned professionals. And if this is something new it may feel out of reach and not attainable. I promise you can do this if you break all the tasks down into manageable pieces, make a plan and work your plan. Get loved ones and friends to help. Make your business a family business and get the kids involved. Children are very computer savvy. Kids have fantastic ideas, my young nephew and niece are awesome at brainstorming ideas for me and their enthusiasm motivates me. I have a list of new art to create thanks to Bryce and Bailey. Older children can do some of the research on marketing materials and art licensing blogs for you to read. Delegate and let others be part of the dream. And let them reap rewards for helping.


That pretty much summarizes my suggestions for before the show, walking SURTEX, and putting a plan together when you get home. I would love to hear your thoughts or questions.Lainey

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SURTEX

Parcai Designs, LLC

My other posts about SURTEX and art licensing:

Planning Not Panicking - Working Toward SURTEX 2013
Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!
Art Licensing Agency, Parcai Designs - Press Release

Digital Freebies - Scrapbook Papers, Gift Tags

I've added a Freebies tab to my blog. 

3 files available right now. Enjoy!

Free Digital Goodies

Other new items on my blog and what's coming:

Check out the new tabs in the menu bar. I've added a Pattern and Texture button, this section features some of my photo reference library. I have more to upload but this is a start. These images are free to download (link on page) and can be used in layering in your digital images 

or just as an art reference.

I've added a Color section in the menu and will be posting new color schemes frequently.

I've updated my Healthy Living section recently so if you haven't been there in a while go and check that out. In the update I'm sharing tips that help me stay on track with my juicing 

and healthier way of living.

I will be adding an art licensing reference page soon so look for that.

I have some art and craft show tips coming in a future blog post.

And for all my Illustration Friday blog friends, I'm planning on participating in that again as soon as life settles a bit. Lately life has been crazy, exciting, but crazy!

And, of course, I'll add more freebies. I'll probably post something in that section once a month. I'll do a shout out on Twitter and Facebook when those items are up for download.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Creating!

Lainey

Art Licensing: Walking Surtex, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan - Part 1

I've been chatting up the SURTEX 2013 trade show and, yes, I'm talking about it again. But this time I want to give you my take on walking the show as an artist with an eye toward exhibiting at a future event.

If you're thinking about exhibiting at SURTEX then you want to walk the show. Pay the money and go. It’s worth it. I can't imagine planning to have a booth at SURTEX and not having attended the conference and walked the showroom floor first. You will learn more by being there than you will from any website about art licensing. Just do it! I agree with all the standards you see in other posts: wear comfortable shoes (it's a big place and you will walk a lot), and please be respectful of the artists who have paid to be there. It isn't cheap and it’s an important show, so let the exhibitors maximize their time. Do a Google search for "walking SURTEX" and you’ll find some good articles and posts. This week I’ll sketch out my suggestions for walking SURTEX and next week I’ll discuss implementing a plan for your business after you’ve had a chance to walk the show. BEFORE WALKING SURTEX: Business Cards: If you don't have business cards, get some. Someone will probably ask you for a card. You can even print cards on the computer. I wouldn't spend a ton of money having cards and promo materials printed, but do have something just in case. If you’re attending the conference you will more than likely exchange contact information with other attendees. If you want to take your portfolio with you then load the images on an iPad or your phone for easy access. Learn first and then spend the money on your marketing materials. Taking Stock: Sit down and take a long hard look at your art. Having your work fresh in your mind will help you see where you need to go with your portfolio. And it’s a confidence booster when you look at the other art and get that sigh of, "yes, I think my art will be okay here." If you’re reaction is more along the lines of "CRAP! My art is CRAP!" that's okay too. I had both thoughts and you probably will also. We are our own worst critics. And there's nothing wrong with knowing there's need for improvement. Be honest with yourself and make a plan to work on those areas. THE SHOW AND CONFERENCE: Seminars: If you can, attend the seminars. You can buy individual session passes or go to the entire conference. My business partner and I chose to attend all the conference sessions. The classes are held during the show and they are worth the money. You'll hear speakers such as art licensing agents, artists, top industry trainers, and intellectual property attorneys. You’ll get information on everything from trends and how to spot them, how to create collections, contract tips and so much more. And there will still be plenty of time to visit the showroom floor. If you love looking at artwork then you will be drunk on creative goodness. There's tons of it. But if you will look past the art, you’ll get important information for your future SURTEX booth. Yes, it’s important to see what's trending, whose booths are busy and why. But take a deeper look, check out the displays - what is the material the art is printed on, how is it displayed, organized, what makes it stand out? Do certain booths stick in your mind, make you want to stop? Walk down an aisle and when you get to the end, think about which booths you remember. Chances are the most effective booths stand out because of how the art was displayed as much as because of the art itself. Every booth there last year had incredible artwork, but for many of them, I couldn't remember what the art was, who they were or even what their display looked like. But the ones I did remember, I still remember. My partner and I have a business meeting every week and last week when we were doing display planning, we both had distinct memories of certain booths and artists at the show. It has been almost a year. That is how you want a manufacturer to remember you. Notice what stands out in the displays and think about how you can bring your own unique presence to the way you display your art. When you get home or even on the plane, record your experience - who you met, what you learned, saw, and heard during the conference and show. You’ll use these notes when you start planning for your future booth at SURTEX. 

Part 2 - Art Licening: Walking SURTEX, Planning an Exhibit, Working the Plan

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SURTEX
Parcai Designs, LLC

My other posts about SURTEX and art licensing:

Planning Not Panicking - Working Toward SURTEX 2013

Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!

Art Licensing Agency, Parcai Designs - Press Release

Art Licensing Agency, Parcai Designs - Press Release

Our first press release is out. Looking forward to New York City in May.

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Press Release
January 22, 2013
For Immediate Publication

NEW ART LICENSING AGENCY, PARCAI DESIGNS, TO DEBUT AT SURTEX 2013

Parcai Designs will display a wide variety of art at SURTEX 2013. SURTEX is the most important show for the art and design business and the only marketplace in North America dedicated to the sale and licensing of surface designs for products of all kinds. SURTEX is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, May 19 to 21, 2013. Look for Parcai Designs in booth 765 on the showroom floor.

Parcai Designs, LLC is an art licensing agency based in Dallas, Texas, representing artists who license their art to manufacturers for use on their products. Parcai Designs is a new company, but our company members are not new to the industry. Our team brings a wealth of experience in gift product manufacturing, graphic design, marketing, and legal expertise. From timeless classics to current trends, Parcai Designs is committed to developing lasting relationships between art and industry.

For more information:
Teresa Cain
tcain@parcaidesigns.com
www.parcaidesigns.com

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Parcai Designs Website
SURTEX

My other posts about SURTEX and art licensing:
Walking SURTEX 2013, Planning an Exhibit, and Working the Plan - Part 1
Planning Not Panicking - Working Toward SURTEX 2013
Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!

Look for my coming post, Walking Surtex 2013, Planning an Exhibit, and Working the Plan - Part 2. I'll add this post Monday, 2/4/13.

Planning Not Panicking - Working Toward SURTEX 2013

                                                                  © 2012 Lainey Parker

I create lots of art and I've sold my art for many years. I do regular shows and the creation process, show set-up and break-down are all part of my regular routine. But now I'm moving in a brand new direction with a different creative process and, when I started on this new path, I was back in the role of a beginner...in frantic, panic mode.

As I've said in my recent posts, I'm doing SURTEX this year. The show is in May and I've been working towards this for a while now. And even though I have tons of artwork, I have to do some work to format my designs for licensing. I'm creating collections around my main art pieces, adding coordinating pieces, repeat patterns, and even creating new artwork to broaden my portfolio. It's both exciting and scary. Good scary. It takes extra thought to put everything together and get the collections to where I'm happy with them.

I don't have a shortage of ideas, I've become really good at gleaning every ounce of creative thought from my daily life. But, as thankful as I am for the flow of ideas, it can be overwhelming. It's just as hard to narrow my focus as it is to come up with new ideas when I'm in a creative block. And when starting a new venture, I admit I can get a bit paralyzed. I just freeze up and find myself looking for diversions to help me escape from the panic. Getting back to the basics helps get my focus in check.

Making Lists - This is one thing that always helps me focus. Getting all my thoughts out first calms the many thoughts vying for attention and, by writing them down, I won’t lose any of the creative stuff that's taking up space in my brain. I keep a pad of paper nearby and write everything down as it comes in. After a while my head will clear. And I've found it's better to write these things down than to spew them out of my mouth to anyone in earshot. That doesn't really get them out of my head and the massive amounts of ideas can be a bit overwhelming for others. (Maybe this just happens to me - anyone else?)

Categories - After the brainstorming lists, I decide on the projects I want to work on first. If I have part of a project started, it goes on the "do now" list. Next on the list is art that will work well with what I already have, or pieces that I need to add to round out my portfolio. I end up with 2 lists: what I will do now and what will be created later. My first list is manageable. If I look at it and feel overwhelmed, I cut it down a bit more. All new ideas not directly related to the list I'm working on go on the 2nd list for later.

Even after making lists and categorizing, I sometimes still find it hard to begin. Nothing to do but dive in and start working on the first item on the list. A bit of ritual helps, I do a quick clean of my studio. I remove all the clutter and make sure the surfaces are clean, supplies set up the way I like, and I turn on my Spotify playlist or a video for background noise. For me that bit of ritual is my cue to get to work and it helps. It doesn't take long to get that laser focus that will get me to my goal. Once I start working I find that I'll run through my list and I’ll start knocking out the items on my future list. It's all a matter of clearing my mind and starting somewhere with a path and end goal, clearly visualized. My confidence level increases, I have good focus, my sense of peace is renewed. The rest just happens.

At this point I'm well into setting up my art licensing portfolio. I’m able to look at a piece of art and see what it needs to become part of a collection. I love the feeling of progress. And even though I still feel that bit of panic rising up from the middle of my gut now and again, I know I will get everything done. That feeling, the one that used to make me want to run, is my friend. It lets me know that I need to be at my art desk getting the work accomplished. Really there isn't any place I'd rather be. And as scary as it is, there's nothing better than the ride of a new venture.

If you are going to SURTEX, let me know. I'd love to see your blog posts and/or say hi to you in New York. And if you're starting a new venture, whether it’s art licensing or something else, I'd love to hear how you get past your blocks and get to your goals. 

Happy creating!
Lainey

Parcai Designs Website

SURTEX

My other posts about SURTEX and art licensing:

Walking SURTEX 2013, Planning an Exhibit, and Working the Plan - Part 1

Adobe CS6, Art Licensing, SURTEX, Oh My!
Art Licensing Agency, Parcai Designs - Press Release