Artist & Designer Alex Colombo
Archive for Art Licensing
Last year, illustrator and licensing artist Alex Colombo, interviewed me about my style, themes and technique. Since then we have got to know each other more through social media and today I want to share with you all about her background and the wonderful things she is doing with her art and blog.
Alex Colombo is an Italian artist and designer who has lived in the U.S. for many years. Originally from Milan, Italy, Alex has a background in fine arts, architecture, and textile design. She worked in interior design for many years and most recently she has transitioned into illustration and now art licensing.
“It all started while I was surfing the web for ideas on what to do with my art,” says Alex. She’s been painting since she was five years old. “Some two years ago, as I was transitioning from interior design to illustration & crafts, I was hand painting and selling my prints and cards through local shops and fairs as well as publishing and marketing my first illustrated children’s book. Surtex is now less than one week away and here I am, ready for the best licensing show of the year!”
What is something you cherish? — I asked Alex. “Arts, artists, beauty, nature, production and teamwork. I love collaborative projects, I have learned and taught a lot by sharing with other professionals.” Alex also added, “when I did interior design I learned team work. I learned to respect other views and also have a more logical approach to my own work. I had to understand every single part of a project, how other trades that share the load with you or around you work. It’s indispensable to collaborate well if I wanted to get a project fully done, and done well, within budget and on schedule.”
Another thing Alex cherishes is helping others. “I like to create and part of that creativity is to help others, especially artists, achieve their goals. So I like to cherish, encourage and help them become successful, and everyone else will win too.” Alex really enjoys friendly chats with other artists and admires their work so much that she started publishing whole interviews about them and their journeys in the art world. The blog, ‘The Moon From My Attic,’ now has a great following and provides new and established artists a forum to share their stories and explorations in the art licensing world.
“Thank you Cherish! and see you at Surtex!”
Alex’s website: www.alexcolombo.com | Alex’s blog: creativeconceptsdesignstudio.blogspot.com
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Categories : Artists
Recently, I updated my site header to include a pear that I painted as a part of my “Partridge in a Pear Tree” art licensing collection. It is now going on my Directory of Illustration ad for 2012 as well as a new run of business cards. So, I got to thinking, what does a PEAR or PEAR TREE symbolize anyway? Since it is an embedded part of my updated branding I just had to find out.
Well, there are many articles on the subject from different countries and cultures (here is one from eHow), but this is the sum of what the PEAR represents:
- longevity
- justice
- strength
- salvation
- fruitfulness
Not, bad. Definitely all things I aspire to in my illustration career, especially when it comes to making art and helping my clients. So, I think I will keep it around for a while.
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Categories : Art Licensing, Illustration
By Cherish Flieder · Comments (0)
Monday,
December
12th,
2011
A few days ago, I was connecting with my art licensing friend Phyllis Dobbs online and she followed up by e-mailing me some wonderful news! She is currently preparing to present a new seminar along with two other very successful art licensing artist friends of mine, Karen Embry and Brenda Pinnick.
You see, she explained that there are so many new things that have shifted in the last few years concerning the business of art licensing that they felt the urgency to put together this affordable seminar. They are going share some cutting-edge insights into the inner-workings of how to make your art licensing business really work, based on their combined $200,000+ investment and years of experience!
Some of the things they are going to share with participants:
- How to approach and present yourself to a manufacturer
- Creating licensable art
- Marketing materials — must haves
- How to prepare and present a portfolio — what manufacturers expect to see
- Deliverables– what manufacturers will expect from you
- Investing in your business
- Defining and finding your place in the crowded field of licensing
- How color and trends relate to your business
– the importance of color, plus, trends vs. fads - How to wear a business hat and still be a “nice girl”- when and how to say “no” to bad deals, plus, let’s talk about money.
In our new, global marketplace, the need for unique, inspired art & design continues, however, the playing field has drastically changed in the last few years. While art and design remain at the core, there are new expectations and new challenges you need to understand before investing your time, energy and money into marketing your creative works and your brand.
You won’t want to miss this business building seminar hosted by three successful art & design licensors! Karen, Phyllis and Brenda each have been the recipient of the prestigious Plaid New Horizons award, have over 50 cumulative years of working in art licensing and marketing, and are currently licensing their work in many categories such as home goods, stationery, rugs, textiles, tabletop, gifts and crafts. Each of them exhibit in varying venues including Surtex, America’s Mart, CHA & The Licensing Show. You will receive first hand advice, insider information and tips, along with the challenges posed in the new, art licensing arena. The topics covered will be an invaluable resource for your business!
For your convenience, here is a PDF with all the details.
You can also, visit Brenda’s, Karen’s, or Phyllis’ blog with more info.
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Plus, as the Founder of ArtOfLicensing.com, I have some VERY exciting news and goodies that I will be unveiling at this event concerning upcoming member benefits and opportunities!
See you in Anaheim!
~Cherish
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Categories : Art Licensing, News
Lovey Dovey illustration process © Cherish-Flieder
I was looking over some photos and thought that it would be interesting to show more process work on my blog. Above you can see my illustrated art licensing collection centerpiece, Lovey Dovey in progress.
Here were my process notes:
After sketching the desired image for Lovey Dovey in my sketchbook, I re-drew my line work onto the watercolor paper. This picture shows the watercolor/embroidery process at stage 2. You can see the sketch lines on the Arches paper and the palette is mixed to match my embroidery threads, all ready to go. Then, the color is washed on to the paper in steps until the desired depths and forms are developed. Stage 3 is embroidering the art and the final step is to scan and edit the finished piece so it is ready in a digital format for reproduction. See below.
Lovey Dovey final painting © Cherish-Flieder
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Source: via Cherish on Pinterest
Watercolor Embroidery Painting by Cherish Flieder
www.SomethingToCherish.com
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By Cherish Flieder · Comments (1)
Thursday,
March
3rd,
2011
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
If you can’t see the flash gallery, please click here to view it on Flickr
The exciting buzz on the floor and the smell of glue and freshly printed-paper in the air is really a defining moment at the beginning of each show. With a parade of bagpipes and the red carpet rolled out, CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) welcomes craft business members from all over the world to celebrate and carry forth the serious business of crafting.
As a CHA designer member, I have been privileged to attend and show my art licensing and design work at five of the recent shows in Illinois and California. Each show has brought me unique insights on trends and introduces me to new products and techniques.
The connections I have made with fellow creative crafters, editors and manufacturers has always been the most enduring part of each trip. It is always good to connect with new and old friends in their booths, whether they are promoting craft kits, ribbons and embellishments, art books, yarns, glues or an art licensing portfolio! I have formed relationships through this organization that will probably continue as long as I pursue my artistic career. Many of these dear friends are also on this blog hop. I truly hope you will take the opportunity to check them out!
I thought it would be fun to share with you snapshots from my various CHA events. As you can probably tell, each show is a wealth of encouraging inspiration and friendship that follows me home to my studio and motivates me to gear up for the next one.
Q.&A. Time | What are your thoughts?
- Have you been to a CHA show? What is your favorite memory?
- Have you always wanted to go? What are you looking forward to?
I look forward to hearing from you.
–Cherish
Have you ever wanted to learn the story behind Debbie Mumm and her wild success in art licensing? I know I have. I am looking forward to the interview Tara Reed had scheduled today with Debbie herself!
A word from Tara’s site:
Debbie Mumm’s story could be lifted from a textbook for success. Start small, find a niche, and promote yourself. Study the market and connect with everyone from the manufacturer to the consumer. We have the chance to listen and learn first hand from this very successful licensed artist.
Debbie Mumm will be interviewed with the Art Licensing Ask Call Series on February 16, 2011.
Click here to sign up to listen live or get the free download for this special call.
Art by Debbie Mumm — Desktop Background
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Categories : Art Licensing
By Cherish Flieder · Comments (2)
Sunday,
February
6th,
2011
10 Photoshop Tricks By Professional Illustrators
This Thursday Evening at the Community College of Aurora, I am honored to be on a panel of Photoshop expert illustrators of all genres with the Colorado Alliance of Illustrators. I will be presenting tips on using the new painting and mixing brushes now available in PS CS5. The new oil-like painting features are simply amazing. If you are in the area, I would love to catch up with you then. Best!
Find out more info and RSVP on Facebook
You can learn more about the organization organizing this event at AllianceOfIllustrators.org
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Cherish Flieder is a licensed illustrator and designer whose work explores a variety of visual themes with a touch of optimistic realism and playful whimsy. She is the founder of Cherished Solutions, llc., an illustration and design studio that assists publishers, manufacturers and other niche businesses with art services and thoughtful print and web marketing strategies. Cherished Solutions, llc licenses art brands, Painting for Life, Been Cherished and Something to Cherish.
Since 2008, Cherish has been teaching adjunct at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. Her courses cover advanced digital painting techniques in “Computer Illustration II” and the latest Internet marketing skills in “Illustration Web Portfolio.”
Cherish is long time member and former Vice President for the Colorado Alliance of Illustrators. She has been featured in international art licensing magazines Total Art Licensing and Art Buyer. She is internationally recognized for her leadership in establishing the core online group for art licensing professionals on LinkedIn at ArtOfLicensing.com.
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I just found out from Ms. Tera Reed herself that she and Paul Brent is offering an incredible deal on the info Paul Brent has shared in his Ask Paul Brent calls. I was fortunate to have listened to them all, but if you haven’t you really don’t want to miss out.
I suppose I could keep all the goodness to myself, but what is the fun in that!? So, if you are a licensing veteran or new to the party, give these a listen for some serious inspiration, motivation and encouragement.
Newsflash: This just in from Tera.….….….….….….….….….….….…
Paul Brent and I were talking recently about how much amazing information is in the Ask Call audio archives. Many of the replays are free — and many artists take full advantage of them. (Good job!) We also sell some — the majority selling at the discounted rate in the 10 days following the call. (Good job again — take advantage of money savings when you can.) Sometimes we sell past audios. But there is a GOLD MINE of information that is just sitting there…
So we decided to offer you a little deal. Paul has done 5 calls — the first audio is always free and the other 4 are for purchase. Normally, this would cost $100 if purchased individually.
But what if we made it super easy to get it all — and at a discount?
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Categories : Art Licensing, Education
Tags : Art Licensing, CHA, Cherish Flieder, Education, Licensing Show, Paul Brent, Surtex, Tara Reed
By Cherish Flieder · Comments (0)
Monday,
March
29th,
2010
For media inquiries contact: Cherish Flieder
LinkedIn Art Licensing Community Reaches 2,000 Members
Cherish Flieder is pleased to announced today that the ArtOfLicensing.com group on LinkedIn has reached the milestone mark of 2,000 members. This makes it the largest due-free online networking group for an international art licensing community.
Members including licensors (artists, illustrators, designers, and licensing agents), licensees (product manufacturers, producers, corporations) as well as supporting roles such as attorneys, technical professionals, and media members. Members also include many international art licensing professionals which promotes avenues of communication for cross-cultural ideas.
ArtOfLicensing.com also has a following on Twitter (Twitter.com/ArtOfLicensing) and Facebook (Groups.to/ArtOfLicensing) as well where members can dialogue about art licensing issues on their preferred social media platform. Through Twitter real-time feed of participating art licensing artists is also offered. Visitors can see a cross section of artists’ “tweet” updates that can be bookmarked in an RSS reader or enjoyed live on the Twitter platform (Twitter.com/ArtOfLicensing/art-licensing-artists).
The ArtOfLicensing.com group was founded in July 2008 by designer and art licensor Cherish Flieder (SomethingToCherish.com) as a way to bring those in the business of art licensing together in a supportive and coöperative format.
Members find LinkedIn’s platform easy to navigate and a natural extension of their individual LinkedIn profiles. Members exchange helpful ideas, news items, resources, report on trade shows, trends, and share information on marketing, copyrighting and licensing processes.
For information on participating in this group, please visit: ArtOfLicensing.com
# # #
About LinkedIn:
LinkedIn (LinkedIn.com) is a business-oriented social networking site of more than 60 million professionals from over 200 countries and territories around the world. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S. When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you. Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to thousands of qualified professionals.
About Cherish Flieder:
Cherish Flieder (SomethingToCherish.com) is not only a painter and designer, but conceptual artist that has skills to help any client with a wide array of graphic, illustrative, and marketing needs. Her design studio, (Cherished Solutions, llc, and brands Something to Cherish™, Been Cherished™ and Painting for Life™), works with publishers, manufacturers, and other niche businesses to achieve their goals in the marketplace by creating designs and illustrations and pairing them with thoughtful marketing objectives. Cherish works on the creation and production of conceptual and cohesive licensing collections, product development, books (especially children’s books), packaging, and other marketing materials.
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Tags : Art Licensing, community, group, international, licensees, licensors, LinkedIn, media, networking, professionals
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Welcome, my name is Cherish.
As a licensed Illustrator & Designer, I combine the traditional arts of watercolor and embroidery to creating images with a playful elegance with my signature art style called “Something to Cherish®.”
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