I know I'm a little late for an introspective New Year post, but it is the time for me to plan out the year. This year is going to be a bit different since I'll be spending half of my time developing a new business and the other half running the business that I already have.
Here's an outline of how I plan to have the printmaking business just off the ground by May 1. There will be some multi-tasking, but this outline is mostly meant to be followed top-to-bottom. If things go anything like I plan, I'll start the year with nothing but some equipment and a dream and end the year with a retail booth full of my printmaking work.
JANUARY 1
- Education
- Focus on specific skills
- ink opacity
- color layering
- ink drying additives
- image processing
- Study historical artists
- Research current artists
- Product Development
- Focus on one style
- Develop products appropriate for each size
- Production
- Develop faster system for processing images to generate color separations
- Develop faster and more accurate system for registering and carving blocks
- Design and build print organizing system
- Design and build drying racks
- Develop systems for printing and drying multiple large projects at once
- Record-keeping is an important part of print work.
MAY 1
- Merchandising
- Develop and invest in protection for prints
- Cellophane envelopes
- Matting
- Framing
- Marketing
- Online
- Store
- Social Media
- Galleries
- Consignment
- Shows
- Retail Display
- Propanels
- Print bins
- Lights
If I'm going to be ready to apply to higher-end shows in 2017, I'll need a new booth full of new work so that I can take a "booth shot" this coming fall to use in next year's applications. It's a big goal, but if I just stay focused and do a little bit every day I should be able to get there just in time.
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