Artwork – Page 4 – Bill Swartwout Photography

January 2, 2023March 31, 2023

A Marketing Challenge for the Year 2023

This is a follow-up marketing challenge to what was started in January 2022.

This is NOT a New Year’s Resolution – they don’t usually work. This is a re-commitment of something I did in January last year to jump-start my art photography business. It worked very well last year – and positive results/metrics were shared here on this website.

This year I am modifying the goals just a bit to make a longer-term commitment well within reach. I am continuing to wean myself from social media and put more emphasis on positive results from the major search engines. I want to (need to) increase the organic search results that bring people to see my photography and my galleries on the various POD (Print On Demand) art production companies that host my gallery stores – listed in the site menu.

Blue Flams heating the Tea Pot — Let me get the fire lit and get underway.

The goal is to create one new article per day for the entire first quarter of 2023.

The caveat is that I will give myself weekends off. (Hey, I am supposed to be retired.) I also will not adhere to a strict schedule. That means, overall, I will publish an average of 5 articles per week on one or more of my websites, 20/21 per month for January, February and March. (Yes, I will count this article among the list below…)

Obviously, this particular article will be a Work In Progress

OK, so March did not make the cut. We were on an extended vacation and I “finally” realized that doing a daily article was distracting. I will pick this activity up once we return home and things get back to normal (whatever that may be).

Results

Metrics and more… TBD

December 15, 2022December 15, 2022

Bill Swartwout Photography on Redbubble

Check out my store on the Redbubble platform for unique items.

Redbubble.com, or for my store Swartwout.Redbubble.com, is now gaining more of my photographs for use on their products. Check it out – and please give the shop a “follow” and a few likes (if you see something you like, that is).

redbubble store header image — This is the current header for my Redbubble Store emphasizing 2023 as #AYearForArt.

From the “About” page on their website: “Redbubble was born in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. The dream was simple. Give independent artists a meaningful new way to sell their creations. Today, we connect over 700,000 artists and designers across the planet with millions of passionate fans. A brave (and dare we say stylish) new world of self expression.” I am now one of those 700,000+ designers and artists.

Link to: Bill’s Redbubble Store

Here is a sample of a December upload with an unique holiday design on shirts.

crab basket christmas tree on redbubble shirts — Here is how the Crab Basket Christmas Tree Watercolor looks on T-shirts at Redbubble. A wide variety of shirts and sizes are available.

Do artists actually buy art from Redbubble?

Yes they (we) do. Here is an item that arrived as I was creating this post. I needed a small spiral bound notebook to keep near my keyboard and this one caught my eye. It is the creation of a Florida designer known as Pen and Rose Stationers. The item arrived only four days after I placed the order, it was exactly as described, well packaged and is perfect for what I need.

Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at redbubble — Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at Redbubble.

Here is a related post about: buying one’s own art.

December 14, 2022December 16, 2022

The Making of a Classic Bridge Photograph

Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet at Sunset

Once in a while I get asked, “How long did it take for you get that picture?” My usual answer is, “less than a second, but…there’s more.” Yes, “but” – because there is a lot more involved than snapping that shutter at 1/125th of a second or thereabouts.

Indian River Inlet Bridge at Sunset Printed on Canvas — Sunset under the Indian River Inlet Bridge printed on artist-quality canvas.

Imagine planning to create a pleasing sunset photograph of a popular and photogenic bridge – such as the Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet at the Delaware Seashore State Park. Here’s a sequence to think about: 1) Packing the camera gear, 2) don’t forget the tripod), 3) driving to the location, 4) setting up the gear and tripod, 5) calling on years of experience to frame the shot from the right angle (or several angles because one is not enough), 6) repacking the gear and trekking back home, and finally 7) editing the image captured from the outing to create just the “right” couple of images for display and to offer for sale. The 1/125th of a second to get “that” picture was actually several hours of time on “that” day and, really, might have been several years in the making. Also, figure in the complexities of the weather – to have the clouds and the sun cooperate in just the right way.

Camera Screen with a Scene of the Indian River Bridge at Sunset — Trusty ol’ Nikon on a tripod on the north jetty at the Indian River Inlet.

Not only did I have prep and driving and time on site, I also had a slight bit of danger involved. (Cue the ominous music here.) I had to walk out on the rock jetty with no handholds and water-sprayed rocks (slippery?) while carrying my camera bag, a tripod – and me. But the result was well worth it. Shots from this particular photo shoot have proven to be quite popular photograph over the years, having been purchased by several art buyers to decorate their homes and offices. Another photograph from this location has appeared in a popular Indian River Bridge Calendar.

Indian River Bridge at Sunset Wall Art in Room Setting

Where would you hang this in your home?

Click the links below to see the actual image in a larger size and to browse or shop the different substrates for wall art and/or a variety of home décor items.

Link: Indian River Inlet, Bay and Bridge Wall Art

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine art America

But, please don’t get me wrong. I am in no way complaining. I love doing my photography – as I have for the last half century. It gets me outdoors and it provides exercise. It is mentally stimulating and fulfilling – to know that, in my own way, I am contributing some art to the world.

There can be more…

Oh, yes, once the image has been rendered as it was envisioned then some creative editing may be applied. Here is a simulated watercolor version of the above photograph. This version is popular for t-shirts and other apparel items.

sunset under the Indian River Bridge Watercolor — Simulated watercolor of the sun setting under the Indian River Inlet Bridge at the Delaware Seashore State Park.

This is a follow-up marketing challenge to what was started in January 2022.

The goal is to create one new article per day for the entire first quarter of 2023.

January Articles

February Articles

March Articles

Check out my store on the Redbubble platform for unique items.

Do artists actually buy art from Redbubble?

Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet at Sunset

There can be more…