streamlining.
Posted by resonanteye on 05/22/2012
I notice that lately my general trend is scaling back and streamlining everything.
In my art, I’ve been organizing, building a simple inventory system. I’ve scaled back the number of websites I use, the number of social sites I post to. I’ve deleted some profiles, which is a first for me- for years I’ve been experimenting with internet transparency and being outspoken, but I think it’s time for me to focus all of it, into a white-hot pinprick, centered right here on this page.
I’ve organized all my workspace to make it streamlined. I have a framing area, I have a packaging and packing area for my art. I have bins for supplies. My drawing table has a lightbox on it- instead of the lightbox being under the couch, with a pile of chewed pencils near it.
I have a computer and printing station, an area just for that.
I have yet to organize my camera and photography stuff, but it’s next on the list.
And my tattoo schedule- I’ve switched to a calendar app, in the cloud…instead of writing down who is coming when on scraps of paper shoved in my sketchpad, or the schedule book at the shop. I can look at my phone, or online from anywhere and know who is what and when.
All this means that I have to drag my people (that’s you) along with me into this new, clean, zen way of doing things.
Simply put, if you’re getting tattooed by me and need time, email me. Don’t facebook or etsy or text. Email me. Because then it’s all in one place. Or if you want to buy art- buy it here, on this site. It notifies me. I can email you when I ship things. My central email is where I will be doing all my business now.
I already feel a weight lifting, and like I will be less confused. I am already straddling the line between frazzled artist confusion and absent-minded-professorism, so there’s no need for me to make it any harder on myself.
Now if I could only bring myself to clean the kitchen.
Brittany said
omgoodness! Come do my things!!! What type of printer do you use for your art? I believe I will be investing in one… And do you order your paper online? (that you print on)
resonanteye said
I use an epson, I’m about to upgrade to a largeformat epson printer! haha I had help, a friend helped me reorganize things. I use arches hotpress paper, mostly. from the art store. for photo prints I use rag paper, I buy that at the art store as well. I’m really fussy about prints, and I hate high gloss papers
Jim said
I like it! I felt the same “weight” lifted when I deleted my Facebook last year and decided to stay in touch with everyone via my email address. But I don’t have NEAR as many things going on as you do haha!
resonanteye said
yeah, I need to use at least the one social network- for me, it’s a line of communication about my artwork, and a way to keep track of former clients and friends at a distance. email is never as reliable somehow.
But narrowing down to just a few things is making it easier to keep up with them more often, that’s for sure.
ImagesByCW said
Hey, that sounds great to me! With the ‘site-you-don’t-like’ I started doing a lot more social sites that I didn’t know before. But right now, even though it got me views, but no sales, I feel like – forget it, it is just too much! I am already cutting down on my teams as a first measure. Because I cannot be everywhere 100 %, if I have to be it would be at a fraction of that percentage. And I don’t like that. So, good on ya, mate!
resonanteye said
yeah I don’t want to get spread too thin. I’ve been all over the internet for years, always the same username. I try everything out at least twice. but as far as posting consistently, I’ve found if I am writing for someone else’s site I tend to neglect my own. So…yeah.
I’m keeping my rocks-and-sticks shop on etsy (paperanji.etsy.com) but everything else is going to migrate off there. it’s just not the right place for fine art, I am beginning to realize. or for handmade/unique stuff in general, really. it’s tailored more toward manufacturing, small-time mass producers, and out-of-copyright silkscreens…or prints