ArtSites Updates

Over the past month, we've had a few artists whose websites have gone offline - Yikes!

Naturally, we got a panicked email and quickly realized that the issue was actually related to their domain name, which in these recent cases were being managed directly by the artist.

Here are a few tips to make sure that this doesn't happen to you:
(and if we're managing your domain name, no worry, this is what we do for you! ;-)

• Update or confirm your contact information when you receive an email from your registrar!
  If you don't, some registrars will suspend your domain name and your website will go offline :-(
• Make sure your contact information is current!
  Most registrars will communicate with you via email for renewals, etc. If they can't reach you, you may miss an important notice and your domain name may be turned off or suspended.
• Make sure you renew your domain name on time!
  If you miss your renewal date, it is possible that someone else may pick it up and then it can be pricey or impossible to get it back.
• Check your "Spam Folder" periodically!
  Sometimes, emails and notices from registrars end up in "Spam or Junk Mail" folders. Since they do contain important information, do check these periodically to make sure you're on top of the latest requests, requirements, and notices.

Generally, it's not too complicated to maintain your domain name, but the above tips will ensure that your domain name remains current and that people can find your website online! :-)

Since we manage over 700 domain names, we do know a little bit about this! ;-)

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about art copyright "infringer", WallPart.com.

Well, I've done some more investigating and here's a quick update as to what they are "actually" doing ...

In essence, they are doing an image search, similar to a Google Image search, and simply providing a list of image results - albeit making it look like the images live on their website.

However, they are NOT storing your images ... they are simply presenting them to the "searcher".

When the "searcher" decides on an image to print, WallPart.com merely uses the selected image and prints the poster, etc.

So, in reality, the copyright "infringer" is the "searcher" who has selected a copyrighted image.

It's as if the "searcher" downloaded the image to their computer and then uploaded it again to the WallPart.com service.

So, in essence, WallPart.com is not "technically" the copyright "infringer" - GRRRR!

Now, I still don't like this practice, but I did want to clarify why many of you found your images on their website.

In essence, they are indexing online images, just like Google, and making the results available to anyone who comes to their website for printing purposes!

This is definitely a "grey" business practice, and I really wanted to explain how they operate and why your images may be "on their website".

That said, I still encourage you to sign the petition to shut them down! ;-)

This week, I received an email from Eszter Burghardt informing me that WallPart.com was selling her images without her permission!

Naturally, I did some online searching to see what information I could find ...

Well, unfortunately, no one seems to be able to contact them or figure out who is behind this website.

So, it's probably a waste of time to try to contact them or ask them to remove your artwork - GRRR! :-(

However, I did find the following articles:

• Creepy Website is Stealing Photos and Artwork, Selling Them As Posters
• A Petition to ShutDown Wallpart.Com

So, I wanted to ask you a favour ...

In support of your fellow artists, please do consider signing this petition!

Let's show "companies" like this that ALL artists matter and their works should be protected! :-)

Thanks for your support of all artists and their works! :-)

Once again, here's an interesting article about how some artists are managing to become successful "artrepreneurs"! :-)

Here's a great quote from the article:

"According to a number of business authorities, morphing your personal talent and passionate interest into a full-time business is a terrible plan. But a growing number of artists and creative entrepreneurs disagree."

Enjoy the article and perhaps you'll get a few ideas and inspiration, as well! :-)

Here's to all our ArtSites' artrepreneurs! :-)

Here's a great article that looks at how artists may subconsciously sabotage their own value!

I strongly recommend that you read the article to see if any of the author's thoughts mirror some of your own.

That said, I thought this quote was a great one to summarize the message:

"Valuing yourself and your talent and your work, truly valuing your best qualities does not bring trouble, criticism and rejection; quite the opposite!"

Now, please go out there and value yourself FULLY! :-)

Enjoy the article! :-)

Bosa Development Corporation and the District of North Vancouver are seeking an artist team to create artwork associated with the Lynn Valley Town Centre Redevelopment located in the District of North Vancouver. The intention of the overall project is to develop an easily accessed artwork experience that will become a visible landmark for the residents of Lynn Valley.

The entire site is envisioned to be an artwork “palette” of integrated art, standalone iconic pieces and signature artwork. Three elements - history, geology, and water combine to form themes that will be expressed in the paving, feature plazas, site furnishings, and will provide a unifying, engaging and interactive language and narrative for the site.

Due June 19th, here's more information about the Expression of Interest!

Recently, I was asked by one of our artists for best practices and tips dealing with the public at an artist talk or reception.

She was both excited and anxious about the event!

A few of the questions she asked were:

• How do you make small-talk without being ostentatious and still remain approachable and true to your work and personality?
• How do you "extract" yourself from a conversation?
• What are some "safe" topics to talk about?
• What if you don't have an answer for a question asked?

I'm sure many of you have been in similar circumstances! ;-)

So, before writing up my article, I wanted to simply ask you what tips / suggestions do you have?

I'll summarize and maybe even quote a few goods one ;-)

So, please send me your tips and suggestions on dealing with the public about your artwork!

Thanks in advance for your "nuggets of wisdom"! :-)

And, here's to smooth future networking and chatting! :-D

Many of you have added social networking sharing buttons to your website.

While these do provide an easy way for people to "share" your website with others, a recent study states that less than 1% of people click on these buttons.

I'm not really surprised because if I think about my own "sharing behaviour", I rarely click on these buttons. How about you?!

Now, I'm not saying you need to remove these; I simply wanted to let you know that a VERY small percentage of your visitors will likely click on them.

(And, on mobile devices the percentage is even lower - less than 0.4%!)

This is just something to keep in mind if you're hoping these social sharing buttons will increase your traffic significantly! ;-)

Enjoy the study! :-)

Over the past few weeks, I've received a couple of emails from artists asking me to send them a Tutorial link.

So, today, I just wanted to let you know that you can access our Tutorials directly from your Admin Panel.

If you just look up in the right-hand corner (see image above ;-), you'll see a red "Tutorials" link.

When you click on it, you will see our long list of Tutorials.

I also recommend you check out our Tutorials periodically since we're always adding more! ;-)

Along similar lines, I was also asked recently when an artist's website was coming up for renewal.

If you click on the red "My Account" link (also in the upper right-hand corner of your Admin Panel) you will be able to:

• Change your password
• See your renewal date
• Review any previous transactions you've had with us

I simply wanted to remind you of some of the resources available to you! ;-)

And, as always, if you still have a questions, please just reach out to us and ask!

Here's to having the information you need at the click of a mouse! :-)

Over the years, we have added many new features to ArtSites.

And, while we always announce them in the newsletter, we don't assume you read every newsletter or go out and use those features immediately! ;-)

Recently, we were asked by one of our artists if we could give her website a "Quick Makeover".

She wanted to make better use of all the new ArtSites features and layouts, and also to make sure that her website works well for all the new mobile devices and screen sizes.

We agreed to do it as a "pilot program", just to see how this might work for others.

Fortunately, she was very pleased with the final results and I must admit, I quite enjoyed working with her to "refresh'' her website. :-)

So, Geoff and I have decided to offer this service to all our ArtSites artists! Woohoo! :-)

Please keep in mind that this is NOT an extensive, custom website redesign.

Rather, we will take a look at your current website and:

• Identify (and correct) any areas that may be an issue for mobile devices,
• Recommend how to use (and implement) some of our more advanced features and layouts, and
• We may also suggest some limited customizations.

Since affordability has always been our goal, we want to offer this to you for a simple fee of $50!

If you're interested in having us work with you to makeover your website, please contact us!

We really look forward to making your website "pop" & to showing off your art! :-)