Artfest virtual arts market is open!
It is a local Greater Toronto Area event, and, therefore, a fantastic opportunity for local artists, artisans and writers to show off their creations. In normal years, we would head out to the Esplanade park in Pickering and see in person what artists have created, what musicians and writers would like us to hear, but this year the event is virtual again.
The virtual arts market website gives a brief introduction about each participant, and one can follow a link if they are interested. I hope they are! My personal website is extensive, however, the theme I am using does not support good Home pages, therefore, my Blog page and this new article will have to do that.
My art can be attributed to a few main categories.
By medium and technique:
drawings,
pen and watercolor art on watercolor paper,
pure watercolor paintings on paper,
acrylic paintings on canvas and
highly textured acrylic paintings on canvas.
By subject of painting:
floral and floral still life,
still life,
seasons,
buildings, barns and perspective,
landscapes and trees,
small birds.
Please, see collections by painting subject here:
All pages from which I sell art include all subjects, but I rather specified the medium I have applied. I have created a separate page for
Watercolor paintings: Shop watercolor paintings
Acrylic paintings (page will be updated with more paintings): Shop acrylic paintings
and a page which offers art related to current season or which suits the current trends: Shop special offers
While all nature subjects appeal to me, I have always paid special attention to seasons, therefore, I can certainly say that I have plenty of spring, summer, fall and winter paintings.
Finally, my website has excellent search option and if you type a name which best describes the subject in the Search box, all posts which include this entry will come up.
Available acrylic paintings
As you will notice, all available paintings are originals. I think it’s best to allow companies which specialize in making prints to allow doing that. The smallest acrylic paintings are 12 x 12 in or 30.5 x 30.5 cm. Many are 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm, 18 x 24 in or 46 x 51 cm, as well as 20 x 24 in or 51 x 61 cm. I haven’t published the largest acrylic paintings yet.
I always paint around the edge; therefore, painting can be displayed without a frame. Painting continues around the sides of canvas and looks great.
Available watercolors
Available watercolors are also only originals painted on watercolor paper, frequently, heavy and very firm Arches, Saunders-Waterford paper or bright white archival quality paper in case of pen and watercolor art. On sale pages displayed watercolor paintings are sold without a frame or mat. The framed watercolors are available in person only, many of them have glass and I cannot take any new photos, and they have beautiful oak wood frames, therefore, I wouldn’t be able to ship them anywhere. The smaller size framed watercolors are in 11 x 14 in or 28 x 36 cm standard frames with mats and one can also purchase them in person from studio, but not from website.
How to purchase available art
If you like a painting, just click on View product label and continue as directed. For purpose of this particular local event, you can pick up the painting practically any day between 11 am and 8 pm. I’m located in Ajax, almost downtown.
To ask any questions and to find out more, please, use this page:
I will be happy to assist. My website does not process any payments; therefore, you are submitting your info to Shopify or PayPal and they process the payment. Paintings are sold without tax and prices are in Canadian dollars. If you pick up your painting, that’s the final price. I can exchange any painting to a similar one, but I won’t take it back once it has been in possession of somebody.
Thank you kindly for reading and I hope you like some painting so much, you’d love to own it!
Gorgeous!
Thanks very much Victoria!
Beautiful work!
Thank you very much!
It’s a brief summary of some collections, and, yet, not all are included.
It is such a difficult time, and I miss to a huge extent the live interaction with art viewers and my students.
Have a good Sunday!
Thank you. I can completely understand that. Sending you the very best wishes.
I think all artists know that, true. Well, we have to keep going!
I appreciate your kind comments. I am a bit busy, but I will certainly stop by at your site again when I’m not in a rush.
I understood you were in France, and that alone is adorable.
All the best!
Thank you! 🙏🏼 Yes, we all have to keep going. It certainly helps to connect with people virtually since our outings are still quite limited. We’re still living with difficult times, especially over here in Paris… Shops are still closed and we still have curfews. Look forward to following your blog and getting to know you and your work better. Hang in there!
For the time being, yes, we also can only communicate efficiently over the internet.
Ontario is in a complete lockdown until May 19, after that, we will just have to see how it goes. Canada is way slower in administering vaccines than the US, for instance. However, we are getting done whatever we can. I just got my vaccine on Tuesday. I didn’t feel that great for a few days, but it’s getting better now. I’m just glad I made it so far without any big troubles. I hope we all get past this pandemic at some point, better sooner than not.
I regret seeing how Paris has changed. It was always dear to me when I lived in Europe.
Stay strong and we will overcome this. So nice to exchange a few words with somebody from Paris. maybe time will come, I will visit France again.
Thanks!
Ohhh 😲😲wow 😍😍
Thanks!
That’s work of many years.
Your website didn’t show when I clicked to simply see what it’s about. It said nothing there. I suppose you just started or changed the theme.
I usually follow sites which I like. I believe there is some technical issue with your site right now.
Even when I don’t respond right away, I do reply and/or check out the other sites at some point which might be a few days or a few weeks later, I’m just very busy at the moment, too.
Ohkkkk….. If u get time plz try again
Sure, but it still says there isn’t any content.
Ohk
I believe it’s also better not to ask anybody to follow, but create good content and so people will look at it, and if they like it, they’ll follow. I mean, in your case the site gives error message and that must be straightened out first.
Blog takes a lot of time and a lot of work, I’ve had this website for more than 10 years now, but I really didn’t try very hard to get followers, that happens somewhat automatically along the way.
You get acquainted with new people, many become even friends, and it’s very interesting altogether. However, it never happens in just a few days. One has to be patient and work towards whatever their goals are.
I teach a lot, but live art classes, not over the internet, and this website helped with that.
Good luck!
Wonderful ❣
Thanks!
Wonderful artwork! Stunning!
Thank you very much!
As fantastic as it is that this event is continuing virtually.. it seems a shame these won’t be viewed in person. I feel like the full impact of what the artist has created is dampened somewhat(sorry!) this way.
Your artwork is beautiful, Inese!
I couldn’t agree more. The sizes of paintings look incorrect depending on whether they’re are horizontal or vertical and also small paintings are displayed the same as huge ones. It certainly changes how one perceives the painting. Also, colors rarely are exact match with the original because of many devices between the original and its image. Yes, I’d love very much to have live interaction again. We’re still in a complete lockdown which might be extended after May 19.
Oh, wow. I’m sorry to hear you’re still so restricted there. I can’t imagine how much of a negative impact everything must have been having on the artists and the art community.
You go through so much to create your art.. all that effort should be appreciated in the fullest and, unfortunately, that’s just not possible right now.
You just have to keep your head up and do what you can.
In Ontario, they just extended the lockdown until June 2. It’s not clear yet what happens after that.
I’m used to the fact that something which is more than $50 is difficult to sell. Most often paints and canvas are way more than that, obviously lots of time is spent on each painting.
Selling art, original art is the most difficult thing right now, and especially because I am where I am. There’s practically no local interest, except for art classes. I cannot do them online since I am short on the equipment side. One or another way, it always comes down to money.
I do not know why I keep painting, there has been no income for the second year now. It is mostly because of what I am saying in Life as art and creation as lifestyle. At almost retirement, just 2 more years left until that, I am surprised I never got a paid job once I relocated to Canada, although, I have 4 Master’s degrees, lots of experience and so forth. Everything is so different from Europe here that I pretty much couldn’t adjust in 17 years. When somebody relocates at a young age, that’s probably no problem, but around 50, oh, it’s really tough since everybody local here has already made their name and found their field.
I can’t believe they keep pushing back the date, I understand someone believes it’s for the best but, it can only last for so long before everyone has had enough.
Everything does seem to come back to money, doesn’t? You never have enough time or money.
If it helps at all, you seem like an incredibly strong and resilient person. I can’t see you letting anything hold you back for too long. Everything you’ve experienced, just being in a new country, and had to overcome to be here? I truly feel that what you’re going through, what we all go through, has meaning.
Hang in there!
Thanks! In my case, there’s simply no other way.
However, art doesn’t do well here at the moment. It’s also so that art is everywhere. Quality is another aspect, but non-specialist just doesn’t care. Until I have some art supplies, I can still paint. When paints end, I draw, do something, but art is really not appreciated at all.
When I moved to Ajax, I decided to have a sale. Put up signs, did some advertising, etc. Nobody showed, not one person. The neighbor next door had a yard sale a week later, and it was really not that good stuff, you could say trash. There were hundreds of people buying and stopping. Just a small example.
I believe it, it’s terrible but.. art is just so underappreciated. People who don’t do art, don’t understand the amount of work even the smallest pieces require.
It would be nice to see some interest, that’s for sure.
Well, the art space is so crowded that I would say it’s a miracle somebody notices one’s work.
Live shows were helping. Maybe by Christmas, things will be better here.
I’m not surprised at all. So many artists are defeated by the sheer amount of content there is for art, crafts, and hand made items.
But the holidays are always a wonderful time for artists! It’s some time away yet but.. hopefully we’ll be seeing more positive changes in the day to day soon.
Until then? One day at a time.
Holiday sales used to be very good. Always, up to some 2016. Many handmade items were selling well, including art.
Well, we have numerous print-on-demand sites now, very many, They sell also all kinds of items with prints. Some are extremely low quality, but what it comes to is how cheap it can be. We are in a race for the cheapest anything.
Luckily, there have been always people who recognize mastery in art, uniqueness of originals and are proud to display many original paintings at their place. It’s not that nobody has money, it’s just difficult to find the person who is the potential buyer. With ranking on all sites, my art is hardly ever seen. My website is still performing quite well comparatively, but it’s not enough in this environment.
Well, instead of typing I should go back to creating products on Shopify. I will see whether I keep paying them. It’s been 8 months with no sales, but payment is due every month. I will give it to the end of the year, and maybe discontinue.
Thanks for your great comments!
Good luck! It’s always been a battle between quantity vs. quality. Art isn’t considered a necessity, and in this economy, everyone who’s hurting financially just can’t do it. And anyone who has the money is usually looking for something specific.
Things will improve.. we just have to keep believing that.
You’re so welcome! Have a wonderful day!
Quality is a thing of past. Even art supplies are just not having it. I was painting yesterday and the artist grade paint was not working at all. One needs to use up huge amount in order to get the desired color. Of well, I will have to ask to send me some over from Europe again.
For now I am ok, but later who knows. One is sure that I on my own wouldn’t be able to live and afford anything here, not medications, not rent, not anything. It’s good husband still works, for which I am grateful.
I am sometimes very sad because I’ve spent thousands of hours and many years working hard and, unfortunately, that doesn’t buy me anything. Maybe next year, I can restart art classes, but we are very far from safe in Ontario yet. The question is also: how long do I want to work? It’s been 40 years, and it’s just more work with no vacation in sight. The last vacation was in 2013.
I’m not sure where you are located Sheri, it seems it’s not North America, is it?
Have a good day!
It’s a shame you can’t get the quality of art supplies that Europe has over here(and, yes, I am in North America.) Materials for ‘hobbies’ can be ridiculously substandard and not worth the money they want you to spend on it in the states.
So much will have to change before things can begin to recover.
I do hope you’ll find a way to keep creating your beautiful art, hard work deserves to be rewarded, and you’ve worked so hard..
Stay strong and hang in there.
Even artist grade supplies are not that good. Around 2007, it was possible to even use student grade paint, and it was about the same what’s now artist grade. I was really upset yesterday. I applied layer upon layer of paint, and color just wasn’t there. Basically, that means there’s much less pigment and way more binding and filling agents.
When I still gave live art classes before pandemic, I was watching how difficult it was for my students using the cheaper student grade paint. It is almost like colored tooth paste. What can you paint with that? When it dries, all brightness is gone.
It would be great to have good quality paints, watercolor paper, canvas, brushes, but, unfortunately, they just go up in price while having lower quality.
I noticed long time ago that greed is much more present in North America, as in companies selling just your average not that good products while charging very high prices. That applies especially to medications, food, housing, basically, what a person requires most.
When it comes to extras like art supplies, it’s incomprehensible.
Before pandemic when I was visiting in Latvia, I would always buy lots of watercolor paints, brushes and a few lighter things to fit in my suitcase. The amazing thing is the top quality. My daughter sends me some art supplies here and there. It is interesting to mention that their delivery services and shipping by mail are about 10 times less than what they charge me to ship from Canada.
That’s ridiculous. Something like art supplies? There is no point in making products more expensive if you make them so useless that you’re not going to buy them.
So many supplies for people’s livelihoods are impossible to afford, and being unable to find work, it has everyone hurting.
I don’t think anyone expected things to get this bad, in any sense, for as long as it has.
It’s really great that your daughter is able to send you supplies from time to time.. but, still, that must cost an arm and a leg.
Stay safe and have a beautiful day tomorrow! 🌷
There will be time again when I can see my family in Europe. We definitely didn’t expect this pandemic to last for so long. I take it will be more normal this winter.
The inflation is huge due pandemic. Many companies and manufacturers make insane money because of that. Well, customer usually covers the most part of inflated prices.
You are right, we could afford maybe less, but it should be at least the previous quality.
I’m sorry for late responses, I was outdoors.
Have a great week!
Then I will hope you’ll get to see them soon. I used to live overseas and it gets hard.. the separation. Not many realize that the time difference alone makes keeping in touch so difficult.
And I don’t think we should have to pay twice as much for poor quality products but.. inflation doesn’t care about our opinions.
Hope you’re enjoying some beautiful weather there! Have a beautiful week, too!
Thanks! I don’t view this as separation, well, it was my choice to move across the ocean, but it is difficult not to meet family for years.
I’m working with whatever there is at the moment. I started new series which I really wanted to do years ago. I hope people will like these new pieces of art. It is still work in progress.
Have a good day!
Any time! And you seem to have such a wonderful way of accepting things as they are.
And congratulations on your new series! May I ask what the inspiration was for these?
Thank you! Be well!
It’s easy, I take things as they come. I believe that always helps. Please, have a look at the latest post. Thanks!
I’m working on it! Maybe one day it will feel easy to me, as well.
Of course! 🌹
Good things happen to those who don’t give up and keep working on their goals.
Agreed. Hard work may not pay off immediately but you get back what you put into things.
Always. That’s definitely the best thing about passions and works of love. Like art.
We have almost winter day in Ontario! Unbelievable, but it says we are returning to spring/summer tomorrow.
Nature surprises and reminds that we never know what’s next.
I hope it’s soon for all of you. So many families are separated by this virus right now, but it’s easy to forget those who are living in other countries, where the distance is almost a constant thing.
And we’ll have to find a way to endure the inflation, just like with everything else.
No worries! Hope you’re enjoying some beautiful weather there!
The weather definitely cooperates so far which is fantastic!
Inflation bites, but in this matter we have no say.
I will try again with fresh promotions to move some art. Competition is very fierce, and lots of artists are trying to sell something.
Well, I have my style and I wish more people could see my art. That’s the problem that presence is very limited.
I found out that it isn’t possible to share posts on WordPress.org now, one can only use the social media share buttons.
I still hope to move more art and eventually turn the online show into success. Thank you for your kind comments!
That’s great! Hopefully it will continue!
The art community really is more competitive than most people think, artists are highly passionate people, and you have to fight twice as hard to be seen.
(I noticed that, about sharing posts, I think it’s a poor move but.. what can you do?)
You’ll get there! It’s just like you said.. a process.
It’s my pleasure. 🌹
Thanks! That’s true, huge competition. Just published new art.
My pleasure! Art is a constant challenge, good and bad.
And congrats! I’ll check it out!
Thanks!
Is there a way to share this post on my wordpress?
Thanks Sheri! I hadn’t even noticed until now that the button for reblogging is gone. As it appears, I would need to take other steps or download new plugins which I kind of don’t want because of space. This is a self-hosted website, and not everything what’s on WordPress.com is available on WordPress.org. I suppose, currently it’s possible to add only a link. I would need to explore this more, but, unfortunately, no time at the moment.
It’s a shame that some of this stuff gets so complicated at times but.. thank you for taking the time to let me know!
Life was simple before the internet. It’s very challenging and complicated in any aspect now. Cannot win whatever way we take, the Universe plays the game skillfully and knows the rules, and we are just trying to guess what’s what.
I feel like it’s always a little dangerous to become so reliant on something and that, one day, we may just regret allowing technology to take over our lives.
But really.. Quarantine without the benefit of the internet?
We should always have a plan B. Just in case.
The online presence does one thing very well: creates an illusion that everything is happening.
With huge outlets, it is different, they bloom and thrive on online sales. Single person places like mine do not receive any financial support here just because I cannot show that much income for years before the pandemic, so it’s nothing. All places have different approaches, but many just simply don’t do much.
I agree that it’s best to have a backup plan, especially with such uncertain times, it’s been hard on a lot of people and it just doesn’t seem to be letting up.
With the arts in particular, there is never the guarantee for financial security, but it’s worse now.
We can only hope our situations improve and do our best until then. 🌹
The reality of today doesn’t provide with financial security in any area of life.
The gap between very wealthy and these who have practically nothing grows with every day and hour. Inflation is huge, that leaves not much space for set-aside for something.
Internet did both: allowed to promote arts easily and made any artistic creation very cheap. Demand is low comparatively, and it is mostly satisfied by prints.
I personally do not know any artist who started painting to become rich. For that, you need connections among the very wealthy and exposure to broad high-level market.
Market data suggests that it will get way worse before it gets better.
Was art ever intended to be about money? I know so many artists who would rather scrape by doing what they love, creating these amazingly expressive works, than scrambling to keep up with a miserable job that slowly chips away at your soul.
And things do tend to get worse first but.. you’re also not given more than you can overcome.
When art is all one can do, it becomes a very difficult choice: to paint what one loves or to create something what market loves. I’m usually sticking to my own preferences, but you see everywhere that only abstract and no-skill art is doing fine, also cheap prints. It really depends because somebody has to pay bills for the artists who cannot afford anything. Sometimes the patience of other person wears thin. That brings to arguments, discussions and so forth.
I’ve never created one single piece thinking about how much I can sell it for, and that’s probably why this part is not what I like. However, nothing compares with good art sales because that boosts confidence, too. Not that I need it, but it’s great to contribute to family’s budget and buy at least my own art supplies.
While tests and accidents eventually can make one stronger, but, in my case, spending literary years in hospitals after coma and even worse, and learning to walk again was tough. We overcome everything, but it can take away lots of time, and then there are next surgeries, and next and so on.
We were never allowed to whine and complain early on back in that soviet Latvia.
There was nothing in the stores, but the toughest was probably after our governments kept changing in Latvia after 1991, and there was no money, nothing to eat. My daughter was 12, and I had just gotten out of hospital after a year there, I couldn’t walk yet. We didn’t have wheelchairs, too, so it was crutches up to and down from the 5th floor without elevator. I’ve had times when one is ready to do anything for any food, any at all.
When I arrived in Canada, I couldn’t even understand how that is somebody choosing only this and wouldn’t eat that. I am very sure that most people do not know what’s really tough and that’s good. People are complaining about the smallest inconvenience here in Canada, and that is I cannot take easily.
After seeing and experiencing all that, I imagine most people seem spoiled by comparison.. and we are. We forget how lucky we are to eat regularly.. to have a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs. We forget to be grateful. We forget other people sometimes have much more difficult paths to walk.
Your life story sounds remarkable, everything you’ve overcome and accomplished.
Have you ever considered writing a memoir or autobiography?
I have started to write at least 3 times something like memoir, but I never got very far since there are simply too many things to do.
This would be sure a very different life story, but then again, who would really understand?
The roof is very questionable in Canada, for instance. Housing prices have gone up so far that there’s no hope to have a house. They are all bad and low quality buildings, quite dysfunctional, but cost now more than million here in Greater Toronto Area where I live. Ontario is huge, but very expensive.
I can see how that would make things difficult.. too much to do and never enough time to do it.
I can’t understand why there don’t seem to be any attempts to improve the growing economical issues.
How are people able to afford keeping their homes there at this point?
The train has left, we were not on it. We rent, it’s expensive, troublesome, etc., but in this market which persistently goes on and on with prices raising beyond reach, there just isn’t and hasn’t been any other option.
Since government will have to cover their debt and losses due to pandemic, they will have to raise substantially interest rate, taxes, anything that decreases the government’s debt.
I don’t think people are managing that well. We are told Ontario will reopen for step 1 on June 14. That will happen with strict capacity limits. Long way to go.
It is rude if I say that that sounds horrible? I can’t imagine how stressful and complicated that must make living there. Living anywhere is difficult enough, but it becomes so easy forget how good you have it when it seems like things are in chaos everywhere.
You remind me just how spoiled we really are.. in so many ways.
God bless and Lord willing the path to recovering from this, for everyone, is shorter than we think.
I certainly hope all this mess ends rather sooner than later. Time will show if we can outrun the very fast mutating virus, there is a triple strain combination variant now. Hopefully, vaccines still work.
I wish you nice Sunday and thanks very much for your comments!
From your lips to God’s ears.
The pandemic will, unfortunately, last as long as it does. There’s not too much we can do about it except let it run it’s course.
Thanks so much and you’re very welcome!
After June 14 when Ontario will start step 1 of reopening, things might be better. I hope they are.
I hope more people visit my site and since prices are the lowest ever for this show in particular, something should sell. I can ship pieces, but only after I take each one separately to Canada post office and get a quote. Each painting has different weight while sizes can be similar. That’s why I cannot add flat fee for shipping to the States and within Canada. All shipments would be non-standard because they are flat and large.
Thanks Sheri, have a good week!
It must be a small relief just having a date to look forward to now. Now you’ll be able to get to a bookshop or library to restock, right? And eventually the rest will follow.
You put so much in to your art and sharing it with the world.. I believe that means something and your hard work will be rewarded in time.
Thank you! Stay strong!
After June 14 supposedly. It couldn’t be too soon. Since last fall in lockdown, that’s a bit.
A bit? That’s too much. I can only imagine having some freedom will feel wonderful after so long!
Pandemic will end some time, hopefully soon.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven”
The sooner the better!
Exactly! Thanks!
Any time!
Thanks! I hope things will improve and we can sometimes travel again. I’ve been quite a few times for long trips and stays in the US, and I really loved all states we drove through. We sometimes stayed for a few weeks, like in Nashville, Florida, SF, Las Vegas, I cannot even recall all places where we spent quite a while. Maybe I will meet some of bloggers in person. Stay safe, take care and all the best!
That sounds lovely, stateside I’ve always wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, it looks gorgeous. I bet it’s beautiful there, too, with all those incredible mountains.
It would something.. meeting other bloggers in real life and seeing where everyone’s come from.
You too! Thanks so much!
Thanks very much! I know some bloggers meet.
Have a good Sunday!
I’ve talked to several bloggers who began collaborating after meeting on another. It’s wonderful to see so much human connection result from these lifeless machines.
I did, thank you! I hope you have a beautiful week!
The weather is pleasant. The rest: I probably have to work more on putting art in front of more people. By now, it’s like 1 person in half a million.
You, too, have a good week!
We’re lucky.. It’s been a beautiful week so far.
I wish you luck. The numbers really are staggering. The amount of hoops that have to be jumped just to get views is, honestly, ridiculous and frustrating.
I think creative types have a certain level of hardheadedness that keeps you pushing against the odds.
Thank you! Good luck!
Getting views is one thing, but they do not mean that something is going to happen as in art sales. I’ve had great view numbers here and there, but it’s just not really that important. At least 50% of my followers on social media and on art blog, are artists, people who learn how to paint or people who simply do some art here and there. Big portion of followers click on like so that they get the like back. WordPress likes and follows are accessible through the Reader, therefore, not that many people have ever seen or know what I’m doing. 10-20% of all followers read and respond, but that doesn’t mean they are in position to purchase something or even interested. That leaves probably 1% of potential art byers, and, in my case, that is a very small number. When somebody has like 50K plus followers, the dynamics change.
I missed the easy and good years, up to 2012, I posted maybe twice a year. Ridiculous. Back then, it was different, and person who went through posts saw everything not only what FB has picked out for them as now. I can say I never liked social media, still don’t because of the fakeness, exaggeration and untrue emphasis. It bites back, but nobody can love what they don’t feel like.
The main thing is visibility and somebody who isn’t an influencer or doesn’t have major influencers on their side only gets by, but cannot thrive. I don’t have good equipment for internet presence, no time and not enough video editing skills, no decent or good lighting, no decent space and no show rooms as I used to back in 2010-2018. With renting, you cannot have always everything. Also, I don’t feel like chasing everything out there. In such things as promoting sales, etc., age probably matters. I was pursuing everything very aggressively, for instance, 30 years ago, but I have lost that fire now. Because? Because it’s not worth posting numerous times a day on every platform and skipping all other important things in life. I’ve made my priorities and they do not include me slaving or selling out my values.
I’m glad to hear you are happy out there! I’m ok, too. The slow flow isn’t all that bad.
That’s true. I hadn’t fully considered how little ‘views’ and ‘likes’ actually translate towards sales. The numbers aren’t promising, are they?
I don’t blame you for having no love for all these gadgets. I’m sorry to the modern age.. I know having an online presence is all very popular, and practically a requirement these days, but I’m not a fan. All the social media platforms? It’s too much. I can understand the desire for connection, getting your name or product out there, and using the internet for furthering your goals.. but I don’t consider how it takes over your life to be living. This? Tiktok, facebook, twitter-the hoops you have to jump through and the time spent on upkeep is.. exhausting. Not to mention emotionally draining and potentially detrimental to your health.
We should probably all spend more time prioritizing what is right and important for each of use as individuals.
And you’re too nice, thank you! I bet the garden is loving this weather!
Numbers is the problem because everything is rather quantitative than qualitative.
It can become annoying, too.
I have on FAA painting images from 2012 and they have the most views, therefore, they are always getting more views. Meanwhile, I have painted numerous way better artworks, but they just are not seen because they obviously have fewer views if I uploaded them just yesterday.
The same about blog posts.
Once I moved my art blog to a self-hosted website, I lost all likes under posts, they don’t get transferred. So it looks strange how some posts have 75+ comments and no likes. They also never get any views because of that. Therefore, the display of anything top-rated is always wrong. That is true for any ratings on any internet search engine or any platforms. It is never quality which comes first, it’s always numbers. That puts all the rating systems to shame because we should be focused on quality, not quantity. Not gonna happen.
Take care and thanks again! Well, this conversations has been very long, and pleasurable. Time for the recent posts!
I will be also trying to improve the look of my website, cannot choose yet change theme, leave the same or just change the look. Lots of work regardless, but I will have to just do that.
I didn’t know you lost everything by moving to a self-hosted site, that’s really good to know, and really frustrating. It’s sad in moving forward you’re legitimately moving backwards, it seems.
I know your content, your art, will earn back those ‘likes’.. but I also know it can take years.
It’s a shame when hard work and skill are decided by programming that will never be capable of determining the true worth of art.
Thank you, to you, as well! I enjoy our exchanges. It’s been a pleasure discussing such interesting topics.
And I know it’s best to occasionally update your main page for a fresher look but it’s also pretty tedious.. so good luck!
At some point, I completely stopped worrying about likes because of what I said before. It works to move up in ratings, but other than that, it’s just a feature. I know people who disliked WordPress for that and moved away from it. I still like the interaction and it feels as if there is some kind of response, but that is also what it is: seemingly there is activity.
Lots of work, sure.
Have a good weekend!
I think ‘likes’ are good to encourage or act as bookmark for personal achievement, beyond that, they’re essentially Monopoly money. They don’t count in real life.
It’s probably for the best.
As long as we enjoy what we’re doing, it counts towards something.
And WordPress may have it’s kinks but it also has some pretty amazing people and communities, too.
I can’t believe it’s the weekend again already.. it seems like the week just flew right by! Thank you, take care!
It feels there is a response. Sometimes, it’s not the response you expect.
Anyway, thanks and have a good weekend!
That’s too much.. I can imagine some amount of freedom will feel wonderful after so long.
It sure will feel good. Thanks!
Almost there!
wishing you the best with it — gorgeous art!
It was a local virtual show, in May, I got accepted into it, but visitors had to come to my website. Due to all pandemic it certainly wasn’t as a live show which it normally would be. Nothing much happened, really, but it’s ok. There are so many shows online that the smaller ones just cannot be noticed.