Monday, September 27, 2010

Marketing 101.....Virtual vs. "Real" Networking


"Small Blessings no. 6 - On the Go  "
 by Annamaria Potamiti
(So delighted to have her watercolor in my home!)


Sketchbook doodle

Yesterday was the quintessential autumn day in Portland and I spent it indoors in a brand new, lovely  building at Oregon College of Art and Craft. I was attending a marketing and entrepreneurship workshop for artists co-sponsored by OCAC and The College Art Association.  I'm grateful to the nine local panelists who gave up their Saturday to share their knowledge and experience with those of us who attended the marketing sessions.  I'll share a few tidbits gleaned from the sessions in my next post, but below are a few of my own thoughts on "virtual" vs. "real" social networking, which as you can imagine, was a topic of much discussion at the workshop.  

Annamaria's painting, "Small Blessings no. 6 " was the first piece of original art that I purchased for myself from a blogger who happened to be an Etsy seller.  The fact of the matter is, I waited anxiously for Annamaria's package. And I was all smiles when I found it on my porch and literally broke into a grin when I opened it.  Of course, I don't really know Annamaria, having never actually "met" her. Nevertheless, through her absolutely delightful blog --which you must visit if you haven't yet -- I feel as though I do know her, even if just a little, and because of that, having her painting in my home brings me great happiness.  Each time I look at it I think of her, working so earnestly to honor and pursue her creative ideals.

In the future, I hope to have more original art and handmade items in my home that have been made by others, and I expect that some of them will have been made by artists that I have come to know via the virtual realm.  Certainly, I will continue to seek opportunities to meet artists from my own "neck of the woods" -- in real time and on solid ground. But that said, I might not have ever known that some of them even existed were it not for the virtual realm of social networking.  And if and when I do finally meet them, chances are good it will be very easy to strike up conversations....just like in the movie Julie and Julia, when Julia Childs first meets the pen pal with whom she has been corresponding for eight or so years.....  (Really, isn't all this social networking sort of like having a whole bunch of pen pals? :) )

And speaking of artists from my neck of the woods... I owe you some feature posts on Portland artists and I promise.....they're in the works!

Looking forward to seeing what you have been creating!!  :)



13 comments:

holly aka golly said...

It is indeed like having pen pals. I love Annamaria's art. You are so lucky to have found her work and now to own a piece. How exciting for you.

Anonymous said...

So true Gloria!!! I feel the same way about the folks that I have met via "cyberspace". I feel that way about you!!! How is OSAC? I lived there for a semester in 1992. I'll never forget the racoon that scratched at my bedroom window, the wonderful people, the view, and the fact that folks in Portland abandon their cars when it snows! xxxooo

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Holly, So nice to hear from you. Yes, Annamaria's vision and interpretation of her world is uniquely wonderful...as is yours! Thanks for stopping by! Best...

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

What a wonderful work by Annamaria,
her spirit does shine through her work and her words.

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

Gloria, this post is so well-timed, as I've been thinking about the "reality" of the friendships and connections I've made through blogs and social networking. This has all been a savior for me, in this neck of the woods, as we far away from a vibrant community of artists and artistic activity. Although there are wonderful artists around here, the marketplace and gallery scene doesn't really exist, so the connections with these artists I've met online, whose works so inspire me, are every bit as real to me as those I meet on the street. I would never have discovered this vast world without social networking. I love Annamaria's work as well, and it's thanks to you, Gloria, that I really got jump started on finding so many great artists and blogs! My list grows daily!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Yes, and likewise, so does yours. Thanks for stopping by Julie, and for all your lovely work and words!
Cheers!

annamaria potamiti said...

Lovely post- thank you so much for your sweet words- I agree with you so much about the pen-pal idea- I really cherish the friendships I have created via the blog, the store and even Flickr. I think artits particularly tend to work in a 'cocoon' and this sharing of ideas and inspiration is truly amazing and invigorating! Thank you very much for showing me how my watercolor looks like framed in your home!Best!

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Gloria,
You could not be be more right about the 'value' of our online friendships. Despite knowing I will never get the chance to meet most of the poeple whose blogs I follow or leave comments on I really feel like I am talking to friends. It must be all about those 'shared interests' that we have. They seem to break down any barrier that may exist. Long may it continue I say! Lesley

Megan Woodard Johnson said...

I love your comments on the reality of online connections...I- like so many others- so often feel like I'm working in a bubble, with no-one to bounce ideas off of to show work in progress to. Starting a blog has been the best thing ever for my work and my artist-self. Your painting by Annamaria is gorgeous- it must make you happy every time you walk past. (and I love it on the lucite stand- absolutely perfect!)

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Annamaria, thanks for chiming in! Glad you got a peek of your painting. It's actually hanging on a wall now, but I also liked it resting on the clear tabletop easel stand.

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Lesley, I agree with all you've said. I am always very interested in how artists approach life in general, their surroundings, and their work and I think of this growing group as a sort of virtual Bloomsbury group. by the way, the photos in your last post were gorgeous. Especially of the butterflies and seed pods!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Patty, one can only imagine what it must have been like for the pioneer women! So pleased to be following your beautiful work now! Thanks for commenting. Best!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Megan, Thanks for your comments! Nice to hear from you...Your new prints of your mixed media pieces are wonderful and I know they'll grace many homes! Best...