We as artists spend our lives studying colour and form but we seem to forget one thing, where will the art go? being an online presence/ nuisance, I have seen hundreds if not thousands of images. Some good, some bad, some abysmal, but honestly there are very few I would consider buying. This is not because the artist does not have talent but because an issue arises in my mind. I have nowhere to put that piece.

To see what I mean open a new window in your web browser and bring up your portfolio.
I want you to honestly answer two questions:
Would I buy any of the works in my portfolio?
Where would I put the pieces? (as in which room, and where in that room)

I am as guilty as anyone else in creating unsellable art. In fact the only reason I have sold 1 fridge magnet is because my mother bought it off me. I feel honesty is important here as most of us are in the same boat. We all love art and ultimately want to make a living out of art and by no means am I saying you will never sell your work so give up now. I am merely trying to spawn a new way of thinking and to do that I must establish some hard truths.

Some of you are thinking "But I am not planning on selling to the public. I am going to be a (book illustrator, concept artist, etc). Well you may not be selling directly to the public but you must keep in mind THE PUBLIC WILL ULTIMATLY BE BUYING the finished product, be it a book or a video game.

As an artist we must get in the habit of looking outside the canvas and visualise the surrounding environment. If you look at traditional artists like Van Gogh his works would fit in most houses and still look good without looking out of place and thus HIS WORK SELLS! Picasso would fit in trendy modern houses and still add a contemporary touch of class to the room. Even our consumable have been designed to be sold as art. Take Coke a Cola. would you be embarrassed to leave a can on the table? No because the design looks classy and yet it can still control your eye sight. Cola looks good where ever you put it (unless you spill it on your trousers).
In my blogs I will set an assignment for myself which you are welcome to join in on. The assignments are aimed at creating a sellable portfolio of work.

Assignment 1:

I assume you all have drinks of something in your house (be it beer, tea, water, etc) Presumably you set your drinks on a table when you are not drinking them. Well look at that table. Observe the colour, shape and size. Now, anyone who has produced a print on this site will know that you can have a variety of products printed.

For this Assignment I am going to produce a coaster for print. The design must look good on my homes coffee table.

Things to take into account:
-colour theory- what will go with the outside of the design (the table)
- shape
-placement of the coasters
- mood - what mood do I want to give the table (calming?)

If you are also participating in the assignment please tell me as I would love to see what you come up with.

All the best, and here's to a new way of thinking about our art.
Phoenicorn