One of the most common questions I receive is how to pack a painting for shipment, so I thought I'd provide a video of how I do it.I learned this technique several years ago from a gallery owner who had used this process for many years without any issues.

This painting was done as a commission for a great collector. It is unusual in that it was painted on raw canvas, rather than canvas covered with primer (gesso). 

What do I mean by "To Niche?" I mean focus your work for a certain segment of the art market rather than trying to be all things to all market segments. I want you to be as successful as possible, that's why I am talking about this subject.

I have had quite a few requests from artists who want to get started in video and they have asked what type of equipment I use to film my videos. The first thing I'll say is that this is not a video on how to set up the specifics of lighting or cameras, simply an overview of what I use.

Your signature stands in for you when you aren't there (how many times are you actually with your paintings when they are in exhibitions, galleries, shows, etc?). Your signature is free marketing. Your signature says to the world, "This is my work and I am proud to put my name on it."

This is not a post with technical information regarding specifics of photography equipment, but rather a simple process that artists can use to get good results photographing their artwork.

One of my students emailed me recently to say that she was rejected by two galleries in her local area and that she was so distraught that she could hardly get to the studio to paint. She was devastated by the rejections and what one of the gallerists said about her work.

For this painting I am using a 48x48x1.5" square canvas. My intention is to use mostly black, white and gray with a bright red center of interest that snakes across the canvas. I have no plan other than the color combination.

I've talked about this topic before because I think it's so important for amateur or beginning painters to understand that you don't need inspiration to paint. My guide is always this famous quote from the great painter Chuck Close: "Amateurs wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get to work."

The concept for this post comes from a book by Seth Godin entitled, "Linchpin." In the book Seth talks about the importance of shipping your work out into the world so that others can benefit from it and enjoy it.