Interrobang ?!

An Auspicious Start?

2010-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Perhaps changing my Etsy store interrobangart.etsy.com to be just "art" was a good change. I made my first sale today! Perhaps even more auspicious is that the image sold was my High Priestess image from my Tarot series.

This week has started off good. First, my Colorado Local Sustainability project received a small donation, and I've had interest (pre-orders) for the hand-crafted cold process soap I am making which I'll be selling on my L'Absinthe Herbal shop on Etsy labsinthe.etsy.com. Every little bit helps in these trying times.

Never thought I'd be a starving artist... and really never thought I'd be a starving director of a local food/local farms project... but here I am, and making the best of it!

New Directions

2010-07-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take a new direction with my Etsy shop interrobangart.etsy.com and just focus on what I have considered my "fine art". While I liked the images I had been posting to the shop, I made no sales from them. While I feel that they are as good as the works of other photographers who are making sales from images of very similar subject matter... maybe that is the problem. Meaning the market is over-saturated with everyone producing the same general images.

When I started trying to sell my photography on Etsy, it seemed that the story I kept reading was "look at the work that is selling, emulate it, and follow the marketing formula"(and then you'll be a success too.) It ain't always so.

Anyhow, enough of my trying to create for someone else, and back to creating for my own (selfish) creative needs. And while Etsy does seem to be a good marketplace for those artists who seem to be making sales quite often, I have yet to see it reap any benefits... with my art anyhow. Two of my other stores are slowly making sales, so I know it is possible with my art. Maybe?

So, my "fine art" is all I intend on posting. My photography and paintings which I feel are more unique and can not be found in someone else's shop. Art is about each of our own unique visions and not just being part of the herd and copying what is popular or selling.

Visit my all new revised Etsy shop to see what is new interrobangart.etsy.com

A Shell's Ear

2010-05-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

A sea shell, high in the mountains, still listening for the ocean.

Archival fine art print available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48189175/a-shells-ear-5x5-black-and-white-fine

Dry Plate Experiment, Take One

2010-05-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

While my desire is to eventually do wet plate collodion, I'm starting off cheap with a pre-made liquid emulsion just to get my feet wet. I had read a few articles and blogs where they talked of using LiquidLight, or AG-Plus for making "modern day" tintypes and ambrotypes. Since cash is tight, I thought I'd give this method a try. ($28 for the AG-Plus vs. the collodion kit for $200.)

The Glass Plates

I had read that dry plate holders require 2mm thick glass. After a search online, I saw it existed so I figured I could surely find some in Boulder. Long story short... after driving all over Boulder I could not find 2mm glass. Half the places I went to didn't even have a clue how to help me with my metric request! I guess they've never seen a basic ruler... which has inches and metric. I bought what they claimed was 3/16", but it turned out to be thinner, a bit under 1/8".

Cutting the Plates

I think I cut glass back in college but that was 25 years ago, so this was a new experience! The first two plates came out nicely, and the remaining four were okay. They actually fit in the plate holders, as they were not 3/16" like the glass shop claimed. Good for me! Note that after cutting the plates, it is wise to take the edge off so you don't cut yourself. I used emery cloth, some use a sharpening stone.

Subbing the Plates

I bought both gelatin and (cheap) eggs for subbing my plates. Eggs you ask?! Albumen, egg whites. I began with the gelatin.

Subbing the plates with gelatin went okay. It kind of gave me the feel of how the collodion might be. I poured 3 plates nicely, just like in Quinn's video on YouTube. The other 3 plates, not so much... possibly more on my hand than the plate. I'll blame it on the coffee I had before starting.

Adding the Emulsion After the gelatin dried thoroughly, I picked two plates which seemed to have the best pour, most even coating. The AG-Plus emulsion is solid at room temp, so I heated some water and put the container in until I could hear that it turned to liquid. With the bathroom converted to my darkroom, I was ready to coat the plates with emulsion. While most instructions on this stuff say to use your finger to spread it around, I thought I'd see if I could do a pour like the gelatin. No luck, it seemed too thick and I ended up spreading it with my finger. I have to say spreading it with your finger is clearly a stupid way to do it. My plates looked more like a Jackson Pollock painting! I wish I had a coating rod. Hmm, maybe an old pencil will work for now.

Exposing the Plate

So I coated my plates with a goopy, uneven emulsion... and tried an exposure. (Not sure why, I knew it would suck.) Thirty seconds since it became overcast and the info suggests 20 seconds as a starting point with this emulsion.

Developing the Plate

I once again readied my bathroom-darkroom. Being on a budget I tried the Arista paper developer I bought. It was fairly slow, but finally I could tell that the plate was exposed. No discernible image, just my abstract painting. Once in the fixer I flipped on the lights and saw it was pointless as coated. I ended up cleaning the plate off and will start over.

Next Step

My next step will be to try to use whatever I have as a coating rod, aka "puddle pusher" to try to get a more even coverage of this emulsion. Pencil for now, probably.

I can see where the collodion method might actually be easier. Flow the plate, put it in silver nitrate... a more even emulsion. But due to the cash outlay, that will have to wait for me.

Slowing Down the Process

2010-05-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

About 15 years ago I began scanning in my 35mm, 6x7cm, and 4x5 and working in Photoshop--partly for my surreal composites, but also to try to recreate the feel of old photo methods. The weird blurs and vignettes of old Brownie cameras, or even the 19th Century soft focus portrait lenses. Not to mention the weird edges and imperfections of wet plate imagery.

The past 10 years I've pretty much only shot digital, and manipulated images in Photoshop. No film costs, no toxic chemicals, and most of all, immediate gratification. While all of that has positive merits, the past few months I've been not only wanting to slow down, but get away from the computer.

So, as apart of slowing down, I'm finally going to try wet plate and dry plate. So far it is teaching me patience... most just waiting for the items I've ordered. First the vintage camera, then the chemistry, and now needing to order glass since the local glass place doesn't have the right thickness.

I'll post some images once I get to that point.

Chew

2010-03-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Dang, while I do intend to focus on my original goals with this blog, it seems I've bitten off more than I can chew by taking on yet another (unpaid) project. Sorry I have yet to post the additional Etsy Photographer interviews.

At the moment, I'm totally bogged down in trying get my main gigs bringing in a better revenue. What are my main gigs?

Local Sustainability & The Rocky Mountain Growers Directory: www.localsustainability.net

LandShare Colorado: www.landshareco.org

And my commercial photography and graphic design work: www.interrobang.org

Oh, and my other unpaid hobby, Retro Cookbook www.retrocookbook.com where I sell some vintage goodies.

Ah, the life of a starving artist and someone who is trying to make a change in the world!

A horse, of course....

2010-03-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

Still not much time for art, I hope to change that this weekend.

Bizee-ness

2010-03-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

I've been busy working at my main projects, Local Sustainability and LandShare Colorado, as well as working on my other freelance design and photo jobs. Sorry that I'm falling behind on the blog here, and adding more Etsy interviews and faves... I might try to squeeze those things in this week.

more later... Jim

Buy One, Get One Free!

2010-02-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, been far to busy trying to make a living with the "day job".

This morning I'm going to run a BOGO sale on 8x10 prints and smaller in my etsy shop. I'll also be adding new images as well. http://www.etsy.com/shop/interrobangart

I hope to see you there!

Oh, and I do have another interview to add to the blog this weekend.

New Image for Sale by interrobangart on Etsy

2010-02-13T08:01:00.000-08:00

I've added a new fine art photo for sale on my Etsy shop, interrobangart.etsy.com This lighthouse was photographed on the the Oregon coast. It is available in 5x5 for $12, 8x8 for $25, or 12x12 for $55, all prints include free shipping. I custom print my own images on 100% rag fine art paper using high quality archival inks.

Polaroid, How I Miss You

2010-02-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

Last week I was going through boxes of old slides and negatives and I found unopened box of Polaroid Type 85. This week I found a few sheets of Polaroid Type 52. I'm really wishing I would find some Type 55 or 665 positive/negative laying around. So far no luck there.

Polaroid stopped making a lot of their films, especially the much loved positive/negative versions, and those of us who knew the beauty of these P/N films are sad... if not annoyed that Polaroid discontinued the line. Of course you can find outdated film on eBay for up to... hundred's of dollars.

With a little perseverance, and good old fashioned consumer revolt, groups & sites like Save Polaroid, Polanoid.net, and especially The Impossible Project have made headway into bringing back some instant film. Polaroid has commissioned The Impossible Project to bring back some of their instant films. Apparently you can buy limited quantities at Polapremium based in Europe, although they appear to have a US distribution point. While I didn't see any positive/negative film on their site, I am very tempted to buy some of the other film they have. Their film for type 100 camera will fit my old Land Camera, and the Polaroid back from my Mamiya RB 67... although the RB will not fill the Polaroid. The "Fadetoblack" film for the SX-70 camera looks interesting... now do I have an SX-70 camera in a closet somewhere? Drat! It is a Colorpack III which uses a type 100 film style. Oh well, plenty of film for the camera I do have!

I should also mention that Fuji is making some instant film as well, but still no p/n in sight. Let me know if I'm missing it...

Etsy Interview Series - Photographers, Part 1: Raceytay

2010-02-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is the first of my interview series with artists who are selling their work on Etsy, the online marketplace for art and handmade items. I've chosen artists whose work I like, and because they are making regular sales. The goal of these interviews is to help promote artists, and to share their story in hopes of inspiring other artists who are just starting out selling on Etsy.

My first interview is with Tracey of Raceytay.

How long have you had a shop for your photography on Etsy?
I hung out my shingle on November 24th.

Do you sell on any other sites? If so, which ones, and which gives you the best sales?
I have some items listed on Artfire, but there isn't much activity there in general, based on the other photographers I've spoken with. I am active on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/raceytay/), but do not sell there (there is no selling on Flickr unless you're Yahoo!). I maintain a blog, which links to my Etsy shop, but I give things away on the blog (presets, actions, overlays and textures for people who process photos with Lightroom and Photoshop http://ibrakeforbokeh.wordpress.com/ ). And there is a local gallery that is going to be exhibiting my work in the coming weeks. Etsy is by far the place to sell handmade.

What methods do you use to market your work? What is most effective for you?
I don't really "market";I know I should. Sales are brisk and if they were to pick up much more I am not sure I could manage.

How long did it take before you got your first sale? And how long before you started making regular sales?
I think it was 24 hours? A very good friend bought Empire, she had liked it for a while on Flickr. I have had a few sales to people who know me from Flickr and it's touching, I like to throw in extra little somethings when I know the person. Within a few days of opening my shop I was selling something every day. Now it is closer to four or five things every day. I have had a lot of repeat customers and many local customers.

Are you making a living with your art photography?
I am living because of my photography. I still have a full-time job, however. The real me gets to come out and play when I shoot and when I process photos.

Did you go to school for photography, or are you self-taught?
I am self taught. I like to do the things I do well, so photography became an obsession, and unlike other obsessions in my life, it has not waned.

Favorite photographers? (living or dead)
harold.lloyd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/safetylast/

Any advice for other photographers just getting into selling their work online?
Don't take it personally. People buy art, or they do not. If they do not buy your art it is not a reflection on you. Do not ignore the local market, people love to shop close to home. They also love to have art on their walls that has a personal element; a place they know, an artist they've met and had coffee with.

Any other comments?
Have fun. While the sales are a nice bonus, for me the idea that there are people out there who like what I do, who appreciate what I make, is what makes this worth the while. It is humbling and so very rewarding.

Photo Trends

2010-02-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

It is interesting how photographic trends happen and evolve. I kind of feel like I've usually gotten in on the ground floor with certain photo styles, before they became the fad thing to do. I was doing the polaroid transfer thing for commercial clients, before most other commercial photographers jumped on the bandwagon. It was also interesting to see my background in fine art black & white printing influence one corporate photographer I new into shooting more B&W... and having me print it.

In the early to mid 90's I started to work more with Photoshop to create my surreal imagery. While Dave McKean inspired me at that time in my life, what inspired me more was a shoebox full of old photos that came from my grandparents. I have to say that my everlasting interest in film edges, the effects on aged tin types, blurs due to poor lens quality, stains, scratches or textures on prints, and other imperfections, came from the photos in that shoebox. How far back does that inspiration go for me? The early 1970's is as early as I can remember... when I somewhere around 6-8 years old. (Quite the visual kid I was!)

So now we have the ever popular trend of adding textures, fake film edges, fake lens blurs, etc in Photoshop. "But is it art?" Yes! Why shouldn't it be? Is it over done? Maybe, but does it really matter? Really, so much is over done and always will be. Often, emulating other styles is a learning experience for the artist, and perhaps they will move on to create their own unique vision. Artists have always been inspired by other artists, and I'd image few have a vision that is wholly their own. If following the trends fuels creativity in the artist, that is great! If others are inspired by the artist's work... icing on the cake!

Back in the early 20th century the Photo Secessionists promoted photography as fine art and "real artists" (painters, sculptures, etc) looked down on them. It took quite a while before photography was considered real art. Then when fine art photography was widely accepted and photography manipulated with Photoshop came about... the digital work was looked down upon by "purists". Now that is changing and digitally adjusted imagery is now considered art (for the most part). Bravo, we're evolving from our snooty sensibilities!

Two buttons I had on my jacket back in the art school days in the 80's... "But is it art?" and "Art is anything you can get away with." Kind of true!

Catching My Eye - Etsy Photography Picks 02.09.10

2010-02-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

I love photography, and anyone who visits my house will find my walls filled with art, and much of it fine art photos from other photographers. Since I'm getting in the mood to buy some new art for my place, I've been checking out some of the other photographers on Etsy. Here are a few images that caught my eye this morning:

"Through a Sea of White Flowers" by judemcconkey.etsy.com
"Cotton Candy" by AliciaBock.etsy.com
"Stand Together, Stand Apart" by jamesbourret.etsy.com
"A Spontaneous Revolution" by ellemoss.etsy.com
"At the Fair" by bomobob.etsy.com
"Return" by irenesuchocki.etsy.com

Come on in, we're open for business!

2010-02-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Interrobang?! (sorry, there is no interrobang symbol on keyboards, sheesh!) I'm Jim Sincock and I'll be your host on this arty journey. Since my art site, www.interrobang.org is primarily an online portfolio and photo-blog, I've decided to start a separate blog where I can showcase other artists and blogs that appeal to me.

The main focus will be showcasing affordable art since I strongly believe that art should be available to everyone. Some may say that art should be free, but hey, everyone needs to make a living and I'd love to see the "starving artist" term disappear altogether.

With artisan marketplaces like Etsy, 20x200, Art Fire and others, it is easier to find affordable art than ever before. These marketplaces allow artists to post sell their art at a very low cost for the service. No need to give a gallery 50% of your sales, or pay for booth space at art fairs. Lower overhead can translate to a better deal for the buyer.

So, let's move on to some art!