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How long have you been creating art (and/or) selling it online?
For almost 20 years now . . .
In 1996 I created www.craftylady.com to sell my tole painted items online. The Crafty Lady Boutique was my brick and mortar store in San Gabriel, CA, and I had 26 crafters renting booths and selling their handmade creations. I convinced about 10 of these brave souls to let me make a virtual booth for them in my online store. The internet was a scary place back then. They were afraid that they would sell so much they would not be able to keep stock on hand! Eventually they all quit because sales were so slow, but I am still here, selling art online.
How did you first hear about Nibblefest and when did you first start Nibblefesting?
I think a posting in the ACEO Ebay Facebook group was where I first heard of Nibblefest, and I started, I believe, in November of 2012 with the mushroom theme.
What do you enjoy about Nibblefest?
I love the challenge of creating or recreating art to fit the theme. My first thought is usually, “I don’t think I have anything that fits that topic.” Then as I rummage thru my stash I usually find several that fill the bill and I have to narrow it down to only three pieces. If I am truly inspired I begin an entirely new artwork, usually in a different style or using mediums that are unfamiliar to me. I use Nibblefest as a muse, to get my creative juices flowing.
Who are your Favorite artistic influences?
Recently I started painting ACEOs (2.5 x 3.5 inches) of the Masters and studying their lives and methods. They all are influencing me in one way or another. I particularly love Cezanne and Picasso right now, but that changes as I find a new old master to emulate. Tammy Gulat inspires me, too!
Art by Penny Lee StewArt, SOLD
Tell us something interesting about you that many people online don't already know.
Before painting I took up bellydancing and sold Middle Eastern Dance supplies online at www.pinkgypsy.com, which is still very popular, and well known in the dance community. My stage name was The Pink Gypsy. Actually, I only did it because I loved to dress up in the sparkly costumes. LOL. I was never a good dancer. In my spare time I host and maintain websites for a few clients who have been with me for the past 20 years, mostly bellydancers! I did a whole series of bellydancer art, ACEO size. I like to do a series until I run out of ideas. I have done at least 30 pieces for each of these topics: Nutcrackers, Witches, Bellydancers, Mini Masterpieces, Flowers, Dogs, Food, Rainbow Cats, Faces, Couples and more.
What is your favorite Nibblefest ever sold?
That would be my Devo Dog, Whip It, the Whippet! My grandson had remarked that my painting of a whippet dog made him laugh because he thought of the 70’s Rock Band Devo, and their famous song “Whip It,” so I added a red hat to conform to the theme, “Animals With Hats” and voila! I actually made in the banner that month, July 2014, Third Place! I won another 3rd place in March 2014 for my watercolor Tardis. I never know what will sell best, so I just paint what pleases me. Mostly they sell for 99 cents, but I have gotten lots of new “collectors” through Nibblefest.
Art by Penny Lee StewArt, SOLD
What would be your Nibblefest dream theme?
Whatever you come up with next time will be great. I have no dream themes, sorry. I expect the themes to inspire me. I enter every challenge on every site that I can find, whether I like the theme or not, because it stretches me, and gives me inspiration.
What do you do to drive traffic to your Nibblefest auction(s)?
I make a blog post, tweet daily, post on all the Facebook groups that I can find, and pin on Pinterest, pretty much just like I do with all of my “For Sale” items. Paint, Post, Pin and Promote.
What are you working on right now?
The current ACEOs that I am working on include my Miniature Masterpiece series and I am starting to work on Halloween and Christmas. I have made over 900 ATC/ACEOs. I have to work small because I have more than 500 paintings sitting here right now, and if I keep making big ones I will have to move. My living space is very tiny.
Where can people find your work?
I am a daily painter, so over the years, especially since retirement, I have accumulated quite a stockpile of art for sale. Since there is no particular style, medium or subject that I am drawn to, I probably will never be a “famous” artist, but the joy I get from the creative process is priceless. I sell the more crafty items like tole painted saws and rustic wood framed art in my Etsy store, but the majority of my sales happen on Ebay where I continually have over 200 items for sale. I use Daily Paintworks as my Gallery since I can also link to the other venues from there. My Business Facebook page, Penny Paints Pets, is all about my animal art, and my personal page is where I post my other paintings.
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Irene, your work is so beautiful. All the different styles are great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Faye! I cannot decide on a "style" so my style is no style, or all styles. My daughter says I am a Pluralist!
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