I am proud to present to you This Month’s Featured Artist Laurie J Craig.

I know you are going to love Laurie’s art as much as I do.

Laurie is a hard-working artist that also knows the importance of marketing and promoting her artwork. With her artistic skills and her drive for being an art marketing pro, her artwork will be enjoyed around the world.

Enjoy the beautiful artwork and art journey of Laurie J Craig.

This Month’s Featured Artist Laurie J Craig

 

She Done Snapped – Laurie J Craig

 

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Dave Nevue – Where are you from?

Laurie J Craig – Originally, I am from the Quad Cities (near Chicago). I have lived in the South, on the East Coast and the West Coast.

Dave Nevue – How long have you been creating art?

Laurie J Craig – Since I was a child. My mother is an artist, so I grew up watching my mother paint.

Dave Nevue – What inspired you to be an artist?

Laurie J Craig – Initially my mother. Over time, I grew as an artist, finding mentors who continued to inspire me. I also feel that artists have an innate drive to be creative.

Dave Nevue – Who are some of your favorite artists?

Laurie J Craig – I have many, and I am constantly finding new favorites. Some of my favorites include; Bierstadt, Andrew Wyeth, Susan Seddon Boulet, Hush, Anne Moore, Bruce Riley, and Manuel Nunez (just to name a few.)

 

The Face Within – Lauri J Craig

Dave Nevue – Could you tell me about your artistic style and how it evolved?

Laurie J Craig – My style is dictated by the subject matter and what allows me to tell the story. My range goes from realism to abstract. One commonality is my use of chiaroscuro. I incorporate sharp contrast using deep shadows and pronounced highlights, thus creating a structural almost 3-dimensional effect.

As far as how it evolved, again, it comes down to;  time, learning to recognize my own art style and guidance from my teachers and mentors.

Dave Nevue – What are your favorite mediums to work with?

Laurie J Craig -I really enjoy working with mixed media, however, I have always enjoyed graphite pencil. I was able to explore the tonal contrasts further when I took Intaglio classes.

I also enjoy working with colored pencils and acrylics. I do not really have a favorite. The subject matter dictates which medium will allow me to express my vision.

The one medium that has been one of my great joys to work with is a new art form – hot stamped foil using the Iowa Foil Printer. I had the immense pleasure of working with Ms. Virginia Myers, the inventor of the Iowa Foil Printer.  She has since passed, but there are many students that are continuing her work. It is spectacular on its own, yet it can be used to enhance just about any other medium.

To learn more about Ms. Myers and her art form:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_A._Myers

http://www.theiowafoilprinter.com/about.php

 

Winter Forest – Laurie J Craig

Dave Nevue – How do you find inspiration?

Laurie J Craig – Inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to seeing it.  I utilize everything that is available. Some of the tools I use are photography, visits to museums, detailed photos of my own work, iPhone filter apps, my goofy cat and my family.

As artistic beings, we are given the gift of seeing the world through different lenses. I try to stay open to any experience and try to find the interesting in anything. One of my teachers found extreme beauty in a puddle of spit!

Dave Nevue – What message would you like to get across with your art?

Laurie J Craig – It depends on who is receiving the artwork and what the subject matter involves. My professor and mentor Ms. Virginia Myers would always ask “what are you trying to say?”

I have found that all art contains a message. That is why art sells. It’s more the emotional connection between the viewer and the piece. It’s a personal journey that is very individual. I’ve had clients cry when they see the piece for the first time. I thought they hated it, but turned out, the artwork had that deep of an emotional impact. Ultimately, I create intuitively. I start with an initial idea. From there, the piece takes on a life of its own.

 

Plane Lovely – Laurie J Craig

Dave Nevue – Do you sell your art?

Laurie J Craig – Yes. I have sold my art to family, friends as well as commissioned work.

Dave Nevue – Where can people purchase your art?

Laurie J Craig – At the moment I do not have a website. I am establishing a web presence. I have investigated the Fine Art America print on demand option and setting up an Etsy store. I’m not sure if either is the right choice for me.

Dave Nevue – How long have you been selling your art?

Laurie J Craig – Since I graduated the U of I in 2001.

Dave Nevue – Where can people learn more about you and your artwork?

Laurie J Craig – Once my website and blog are launched, people will be able to learn more- hence why both are important for marketing!

Dave Nevue – Where can people follow you on social media?

Laurie J Craig -You can find me on:

Twitter; @catinsinkstudio https://twitter.com/catinsinkstudio and @diyartmarketing https://twitter.com/diyartmarketing

Pinterest; https://www.pinterest.com/lauriejcraig/.

Instagram; @catinthesinkstudio https://www.instagram.com/catinthesinkstudio/?hl=en

I am working on building up my other social platforms on Tumblr, LinkedIn, Behance, Facebook, Google+, Flickr and Youtube.

Canned Garden – Laurie J Craig

Dave Nevue – Do you enjoy the business side of being an artist?

Laurie J Craig – I do. I have been spending a great amount of time lately on the business and marketing side of being an artist. The pro is; I have been making progress toward establishing my web presence. The con is; there hasn’t been a lot of creative fire burning in the studio lately. Unless you count the kitty paw prints that appear on my good paper. I share a studio space with my cat!

Dave Nevue – What advice could you share with young artists trying to enhance their craft?

Laurie J Craig – First of all, learn the basic skills. I did not make progress( and became horribly frustrated) until I entered an art program. There are different camps of thought on this topic. Some feel that it ruins the passion and natural ability one comes into art school possessing. However, I feel that it only gave me more options and tools in order to complete my message fully.

I then would say, find a mentor. Someone who isn’t going to just be a cheer section. I love my family and friends, but they are not in the art field. Find someone who is going to have a skilled eye and honest enough to share their critiques. I found my greatest mentors in school.

Lastly, dig deep. Learn who you are and what you are trying to say. It will not come overnight. It’s something that grows and matures as you develop your art skills. Read what other artists have to say about their work. Look at the masters as well. I also am an art historian, so I love a good back story! Honestly, my favorite method is utilizing my long rural commutes and my beloved voice recorder app. Make some thinking time for yourself.

Dave Nevue – What advice could you share with artists just learning how to sell their art either online or offline?

Laurie J Craig – Educate yourself in the different aspects of what it takes to run a business. Selling your art is just like any other business.

Do not be afraid of marketing yourself. Most artists just want to make art. That’s admirable, but it will not help you get your work noticed by potential buyers.

Find an organizational system that works for you. It may be uber detailed, or it may be that awesome kitten of the month calendar grandma bought you for Christmas. There are plenty of articles on the web and ideas to help with organization.

It’s going to take stick-tuitiveness , NEVER give up on yourself.

And of course, utilize the Nevue Fine Art Marketing website! Great articles and lots of great information! I find something new every time I visit!

I hope that you enjoyed This Month’s Featured Artist Laurie J Craig as much as I did. Be sure to visit her at:

Twitter; @catinsinkstudio https://twitter.com/catinsinkstudio and @diyartmarketing https://twitter.com/diyartmarketing

Pinterest; https://www.pinterest.com/lauriejcraig/.

Instagram; @catinthesinkstudio https://www.instagram.com/catinthesinkstudio/?hl=en

Have Your Art Featured

Would you like to have your art featured on Nevue Fine Art Marketing?

Contact me 

Address the email as Featured Artist, and provide me a link to your website and social media sites.

Please note because of high demand I will not be able to feature everyone and I will do my best to have your artwork featured on Nevue Fine Art Marketing. If your artwork was chosen to be featured I will reply back to you with further instructions.

No nudities or any art that will offend anyone will be featured on Nevue Fine Art Marketing.

Thank you and I look forward to sharing your art.

Dave

Art makes the world more beautiful! – Dave Nevue

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