Monday, September 10, 2012

The anxiety sets in . . .

I'm starting to feel a little bit frantic about Open Studios -- in reality, I think I'm in pretty good shape, but I feel that I have so much to do and I'm going from one thing to the next and not getting anything finished.

I'm going to include a couple of "water lily" pictures from Ventana in Big Sur, because they remind me to breathe.


I need to sit down and come up with a yet-to-do list, and attach dates to each item. If I feel more organized, I'll be more confident that I'll be ready.  And I'll have something to check off.

My new business cards came in mis-cut -- the picture on the side with the text goes all the way to the bottom of the card instead of having a white border around it -- those have to be redone.   And one of the canvases I got has flaws -- a couple of little white spots on the front and one on the border.  Fortunately, the replacement for that came today, but it's still frustrating.


Linkup to Your Sunday Best

I also have to write an artist's statement and start behaving like a professional -- I'm going out tomorrow on my first foray of self-promotion; I will go to various places to see if they will put a bunch of my cards on their counter.  This will not be easy for me, as I tend to be better at self-deprecation than self-promotion, but I'll give it my best shot.  Wish me luck!

Has anyone else had to do this kind of self-promotion?  Any advice?  I think I'll look at my water lilies for a while and breeeathe -- 

7 comments:

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, boy, Elise! I have no advice but I do have empathy. Yet, still - how exciting! =]

I've been thinking of you.... do you remember when you were getting your first images together to sell? You were learning how to cut your own mats, figuring out pricing - the whole shebang? Well! That's where I'm at. It took me half a year to figure out how to get my images printed but, now, that I've done it, I've shown my photos to some people and I have a show coming up (in two years LOL!) and a place to hang my images and, in two weeks, I'll have a booth at a craft fair. I'm going crazy trying to get myself organized - there are so many details.... and I still have yet to order my business cards. oy! =/ but I'm very excited! =]

How about we be brave together? =]

xxo

Those are some curious looking 'waterlilies'. ;)

Gail Dixon said...

If your flowers help you relax, just think of those and have confidence in your abilities. I'm more of a self-deprecator as well, so I know where you're coming from. You'll be fine. Your photos are gorgeous.

Elise Ann Wormuth said...

@Katy -- so nice to hear from you! I will email to ask what all you are doing.

@Gail -- thanks for the moral support. I will march out with my banners flying.

Candy C. said...

Self-promotion can be tough. I have gotten a little better since I've been selling my baked goods at the Farmers' Market but it is still sometimes hard to accept compliments gracefully! ;-)
The water flowers are beautiful, just look at them and tell yourself that you are GREAT!!

Unknown said...

I can only guess what Open Studios is...
But, you will be great.
Just think of your blog and how well you relate here.
As for people, just take them one at a time.
That and think of the water lilies :)

Nancy said...

After 30 years in education, you know you have the organizational skills -- promoting oneself is no different. There's got to be a website out there somewhere to give you guidance. Good luck! :)

Elise Ann Wormuth said...

Thanks, Nancy -- they give us information galore. Read my next post! I did okay. I just have moments once in a while --