There are a lot of perspectives here. I do agree that the economy is terrible and that a lot of small business owners are having trouble and artists too. I know there is a lot to learn about licensing. All I can do now is prepare my work for Surtex and hope it fits in somewhere. I have to do the work I feel. I can’t get a lawyer or become an expert overnight on licensing but I can present my work the best I can, learn a little about licensing and hope there’s room in the diverse market for my art. I don’t really know what Ellen and Carol’s advice is. It seems to me that they are simply saying be careful. I’ll try. I’ll try to make good deals. But I can’t make all the decisions. I’ll be in my booth. Whom ever is interested in my work can come talk to me. Hopefully they’ll realize this is my Surtex debut and that I’m not totally business savvy. They’ll also hopefully not think me totally naive. I’m learning what I can and getting as prepared as I can but I don’t think any of us going to the show know exactly what to expect or we’d just skip it and deal with companies directly. All any of us can do, traditional or modern, is do the work we feel we want to put out there and share. That’s my goal. I hope to become a “popular”, “in demand” designer. But more importantly I would love to see my work in a few places that I admire. I want to share my art. That’s what this is really all about. Let’s not lose site of that. It is business….but as Milton Glaser said “art is work”. I’d love to strike a balance. For me this is a labor of love. I love making patterns. I’m working my tail off. I have a full time job and then I do this all night so I’m hoping my hard work will pay off. Ellen and Carol….maybe you are right and it won’t…maybe I don’t have a chance. But maybe I do. I’m willing to take the gamble. I wish you all luck, I really mean it. There are lots of aesthetics out there. I hope each of ours is well received!!! Thanks for all the info. and feedback. It’s all valuable.

I have recently met Carol and Ellen thru blog land and I do have to agree with them on the state of the economy and the difficulties manufacturers are having in this climate. You only have to listen to Bloomberg News to know they are not exaggerating. The downturn also has nothing to do with style, since in this business all styles of art sell. When manufacturers license, they are not only thinking of modern art for metropolitan areas, but art that will sell thruout the country and internationally. Keep that in mind when designing your portfolio.

The best advice I give to anyone going into this business is to find a good copyright attorney. Reading contracts and negotiating are a large part of licensing and only the strong survive. It also takes up alot of time when I am always thinking- I could be painting.

I am sure you will enjoy this experience and hopefully make some good contacts, but I suggest you listen to the professionals that have the experience and not the comments of the naive.

This isn’t high school banter- I’m sorry you’re taking this personally, but I’m discussing this as someone who cares about art and likes to see the best work promoted and supported- I think the current trend is moving away from the type of work you seem to produce (And yes, I looked at your site- it looks pretty traditional compared to what I see in hipper stores and in magazines these days) and that’s just the way the business works.

I recognize the way that the pattern industry is moving- yes, more painterly work is popular- but that doesn’t mean that it looks traditional. There is a difference between traditional painterly work and the modern work produced by designers like those represented by Lila Rogers.

To suggest that modern pattern designers are trendy or fly by night is ridiculous- they’re just a different style- a style that the younger market currently is demanding and supporting. Look at companies like Dwell and designers like Julia Rothman- are they just a blip to you because they haven’t been around for 20 years?

Print+Pattern is a great site but it’s not necessarily a badge of proof that your work is good- just the same as this post on D*S isn’t a badge of proof for Samantha.

Caren

If you look at who is successful in this business its not these fly by night trendy artists but those who continue to do good work prime examples are Susan Winget, Warren Kimble, Mary Englebreit, Debbie Mumm, Thomas Kinkade, Paul Brent, The Hautman Brothers. These are the top Art Licensors and make no mistake about it the trend is going away from digital and back to more hands on painting quality. If you look at even the children’s book market and the discussion that was brought up at the last big seminar in NYC you heard talk of everything looking the same and not enough of good painters and people who can really draw and individuality.

I think that there is an interest in modern design but you have to truly look at who really sells and who is the most successful at this, and how they go about it which is what Carol and I were merely pointing out. I do not know why this has turned into such high school banter and frankly I am done with the whole thing!!

All I’ve done is say that I think your work looks more traditional, while the current market seems to be interested in something more modern.

How on EARTH is that an insult??

I thought this site was read by people who understood that art isn’t some sacred thing that can’t be questioned or touched. If you can’t handle someone saying your work is “traditional” than perhaps you should reevaluate whether or not you want to be a part of the design industry.

Caren