As an artist, I am pretty confident in the work that I create. I spend dozens to hundreds of hours painting my acrylic masterpieces in multiple thin overlapping layers of acrylic, with tiny brushes, in painstaking detail to create something that I think is quite beautiful and a little magical. And there are a lot of people who seem to enjoy what I do. My gallery, Hidell Brooks in Charlotte, North Carolina, has sold almost all of my work to date, with the exception of the new paintings that I’ve just sent for my upcoming March exhibition. I’ve gone viral several times in recent months on TikTok, with one post nearing 500,000 views. A very well-known artist couple called me “brilliant” last week when I shared some of my latest paintings on Instagram (I’m pretty sure they were kidding, but hey, it made me feel good!).
I’ve worked very very hard to become an excellent painter in last 12 years of being a professional artist, and I’m in the midst of taking my paintings to the next level. But there is one area where I do kind of lack: marketing my prints. Yes, I know, “marketing” can sometimes sound like a dirty word in art, especially for some of us artists. But you know what? I’m going to change the way I think about “marketing.” In part, that’s why I’ve decided to start blogging again.
Social media is okay, but I’ve never felt particularly comfortable there. It doesn’t really feel like people are connecting there so much as trying to just get the algorithm to notice them. I miss slowing down and just talking. I miss having some rapport with my collectors. So here I am, blogging, and instead of competing on social media to draw attention to my work, how about I just simply tell you what I do and why I think you might enjoy becoming one of my collectors?
First, I just want to establish that I spend a ridiculous amount of time and effort into making near-perfect prints. I frequently get very kind notes from those who have bought my prints, larger or smaller, telling me how much they love them. I spend many hours photographing, editing, color-correcting, test-printing and inspecting to be sure my prints are as good as they can possibly be. Because of the way I paint, with the stark white backgrounds, the “clean-up” phase of my images is not easy, but so worth it for the final print result.
While I could launch into sharing more about my larger prints (we’ll save that for another post), let’s start today with my print clubs. I offer two: my Ice Cream Art Print Club, which features some of my many realistic ice cream paintings, and my Sweet Escapes Art Print Club, which features the new Cookie Landscape paintings I’ve been working on for the last year. Why two? Well, I think they appeal to two different audiences, at least somewhat. The ice creams are classic realism in high degree and seem to attract people who want some really colorful and fun home decor. The Cookie Landscapes featured in my Sweet Escapes Club are a lot more whimsical and imaginative and seem to have a more personal connection for those who enjoy them (although they, too, make for excellent prints to brighten up a space!).
Back to the print club: You say, Kim, I like your work, but I’ve never heard of a print club. What does that even mean? No worries! Here’s the gist: In order to make prints more affordable for aspiring art collectors, some artists, like me, have starting making “mini prints,” which they will send to you for a very low subscription fee every month via snail mail. Using snail mail means we don’t have to worry much about shipping costs. Doing it as a club, rather than just focusing on larger individual prints, also means that we not only get our work out to more people, but we can sort of mass our efforts, so while the profit margin is lower, the volume makes it worth our time.
Another really big reason why I love the print club concept is that it is just a very personal thing, something straight from me to you, sharing art in a way that is tangible and meaningful and just brings a sense of camaraderie and happiness that you just don’t get sharing images online.
While the exact offerings of art print clubs vary from artist to artist (some send postcard prints, stickers, paper craft projects, etc.), I’ve decided to focus primarily on one thing and make it excellent but small: the print.
My mini prints are exactly the same in terms of materials as my larger prints: heavy-weight museum quality paper, archival Epson Sure Color giclee ink, each printed and inspected by me in my studio, each signed (since they are small with not a lot of extra space around the image I sign them KimT on the front, and then title and sign them on the back). Each print is then packed in an archival sleeve for added protection, just like my big prints. I include a letter about the art, often with some tidbits of inspiration or an uplifting story or memory. For my Sweet Escapes Art Print Club, I also include a few extras, like a recipe card and a small crafty thing, like a decal or mini notecard.
I’ll be blunt: I’m not the cheapest print club out there. I’ve seen some artists with print clubs as low as $6 or $7, and honestly, they all have their upsides. Some are simply excellent at graphic design, and their packages reflect that. Some focus on the inclusion of a craft project. Some just throw in lots of little stickers and extras with a postcard, and it looks like fun.
But if you are in the market for a quality signed art print on a budget, the quality of my prints is unsurpassed. Because they are kind of expensive and time-consuming to make, I charge $19 for each of my print clubs. That might seem high by comparison, but I need you to trust me when I say that if you like my art and want to collect it, this is a very affordable entry, and your print will be beautiful. They are not mass-produced and will each get my full attention and care.
Have I piqued your interest? Great! On to the point of today’s post!
Here are 8 reasons why you should consider subscribing to one of my Art Print Clubs:
- You are an aspiring art collector on a limited budget.
- You enjoy art, but aren’t sure where to begin.
- You enjoy my art specifically, and it brings you joy! (I try very hard to make this happen!)
- You want a real, professional, signed art print, not just a mass-produced postcard.
- My mini prints make great gifts! (The clear archival sleeves are really a nice touch, and you can totally give them as gifts.)
- It’s fun to get fun stuff in your snail mail!
- You would like to support my work, as I endeavor to create more happy art.
- You need an occasional sweet emotional pick-me-up (without the calories).
Thinking about it now? Here are couple of quick facts to keep in mind:
There is no tracking for these packages. All Sweet Escapes envelopes mail during the second week of the month; all Ice Cream envelopes mail during the third week of the month.
If you’ve missed some prints that you’d like, you can still get them in my “Catch-Up Mini Ice Cream Prints” or “Catch-Up Sweet Escapes Art Prints” sections on my website. Catch-up mini prints are mailed each Friday.
Still have questions? That’s okay! Feel free to read through my product descriptions to learn more, or just ask me. I’m always happy to help.
I hope you’ll join me on this snail mail adventure!
Back to painting!
KIM T.
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