Fine Art America

marcoujor

In this post, I would like to introduce you to three of my dearest friends who are each masterful in the art of photography. 
 
They are currently showcasing their talents on Fine Art America and have been generous enough to share some of their wisdom and expertise with us in the following collaborative interview. 
  
It's my honor to welcome Linda Bilyeu, Michael Friedman -- and Sannel Larson to Inspiration Station.  

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Linda Bilyeu

Michael Friedman

Sannel Larson

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1. How do you send photography and/or set up an account as an artist with Fine Art America?   

Linda Bilyeu: It's such a simple process to set up an account on FAA and to add your photography photos. How do I know this? Because if I could figure it out just about any one else could. FAA is a wonderful site to showcase your artistic talents of many ways, shapes and forms.

Sannel Larson: To use Fine Art America is really simple, fun and supportive. I started out with the free account. However, the artists who have the free account with up to 25 images uploaded, rarely get found. So about five months ago, I upgraded my account.

For $30 a year FAA provide me with a gallery, I can upload as many images that I like, and I can point my own customers there to order prints, canvases, acrylic and metal prints, as well as greeting cards, phone cases, pillow throws and duvet covers, without my needing to invest in inventory. All my customers have been pleased with the quality of the prints in all the various formats.

Just like everything else, you need to do your research, how to succeed on FAA. The key to selling well on Fine Art America is keywords. I can't stress that enough. Customers don't know you exist, but they will find your work through proper and extensive list of keywords when they search for something.

Michael Friedman: Click JOIN, then add minor, personal information, such as name, city and email address and you have joined. You'll be asked if you're an Artist/Photographer of Galleries or Buyers.

To upload a picture: Sign in. Go to your account where it will ask you in a button Upload Image then Browse for image. Once you find the image, click submit (way at the bottom of the page).

2. How do you order as a customer?

Linda Bilyeu: FAA makes the buying process, again, so simple. I specialize in greeting cards, but have other items for sale also.

I like the fact that you could select your card with a black or white backing. You could also adjust the photograph to fit the card to your preferences, such as adding a mat to the photo. Brilliant idea!

Sannel Larson: FAA will lead the customer through the process of ordering and have made it all very simple and straightforward to follow.

Lately I've been fortunate to do commissioned work for customers. I hope that's something that will expand in the future, since it's very gratifying to make a painting of someone's pet or grandchild, knowing how well received it will be.

Anyone that's interested can pop me a message on FAA, and then send me a good quality photograph of the subject to my email. I'll upload the finished art in my gallery, and the customer may order it from there, as a print, canvas, framed, metal, greeting cards, and so forth. 

Michael Friedman: I have only ordered once and it was a straight forward process.

3. What sorts of items have you sold / are for sale?

Linda Bilyeu: I provide photos that I either take myself or I create with an iPhone app called Aviary. I am extremely anal and some photos could take me quite a while, but while I spend countless hours sitting around hospitals, this form of therapy is very therapeutic for me. I have sold a few sets of greeting cards and I'm very appreciative of my customers.

Michael Friedman: I have only a few images listed. Several are from the mystery series The Quinn Moosebroker Mysteries and then there are a few ‘rejected’ illustrations for a children’s book.

Many artists upload their photography, that is clean and simple.

Sannel Larson:  I've sold prints, canvases, acrylic and metal prints, as well as greeting cards and pillow throws of my art. As I mentioned before, I've started to sell commissioned works, in the form of canvas, print, metal, greeting cards and pillow throws.

4. What inspires you to make such beautiful work to share with others?

Linda Bilyeu: I'm inspired by beauty. There is beauty all around us, we just don't always notice. By creating a piece of art, you are sharing a piece of you with those who inspire you.

Michael Friedman: I had a lot of fun doing the illustrations for the Quinn Moosebroker series so they were uploaded. There are a few lucky photographs of sunflowers grown in my garden.

Sannel Larson: Except for Mother Nature and its beauty, I find my deepest source of inspiration while in the act of expressing myself through my art. Knowing that my art gets appreciated, brings me such a joy.

Through my art, I leave my footprints in many homes all over the world, and they will probably be still out there long after I'm gone. I feel truly blessed to have given the gift of this ”creative streak” in life.

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5. What is one piece of wisdom you can share with my readers at this moment in time?

Linda Bilyeu: Expressing appreciation to those who are important to you shouldn't be complicated. A simple token of gratitude is all it takes. This is why I enjoy sending greeting cards. This is why I now design my own greeting cards. They are a gift from the heart. Giving a gift from the heart doesn't have to cost a small fortune. It is the thought that counts.

Michael Friedman: I have to agree with Linda, and you also Maria, greeting cards are a nice way to tell someone you are thinking about them. A custom card adds a nice touch to the whole process.

Sannel Larson: The mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work unless it's open. ☺

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Enjoy this small slideshow of beautiful work by these artists