Dana Lysons' Blog

What’s Happening in My Art World……

dlysons — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:22:17 +0000

In the fall, one of my art pieces, “Proud Beginnings” was selected to be the main cover piece of a Futurity Horse Show program in California. I enthusiastically approved in exchange for a full page ad in their program. My significant other designed an absolutely beautiful ad that stood out so much I ended up changing the theme color of my website. I’ve now launched a brand for my little art business that will carry for years to come I do hope.

Proud Beginnings

The same individual who requested to use “Proud Beginnings” also requested a commission for me to do a drawing of her mom’s horse for Christmas. I completed it this very weekend and shipped it off.

Michael

Commission drawings are fun for me in that they are very special to the person who requested the custom artwork. It is an expression of love. People love to see their favorite pet or a loved ones immortalized in art.

A new beginning…

dlysons — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:37:44 +0000

I am finally all settled in the Western Slope of Colorado and now I have been focusing my attentions on uploading existing artwork to various art sites, and working on further plans to build my inventory. As it stands now I have about 10 years worth of art work planned, and a marketing plan to help spread the word about each new art piece.

A handful of some ACEO art card prints are now available on my Etsy shop! Please feel free to check them out here: Dana Lysons Etsy Shop; ACEO Horse Art Prints

My first focus will be horses, since they are my passion and I never tire of drawing their spirit and powerful beauty. General themes will include portraits, horse breeds, wild horses, horses in action, baby horses, and so much more. I wouldn’t want to spoil all the details of course.

If you are viewing my blog and have any suggestions on what you would like to see, please post a comment or email me.

Happy art creating!

Check it Out! I’ve Updated my website!

dlysons — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:14:09 +0000

I recently updated my website! I re-arranged my shop, updated my home page and added a recent drawings section. Feel free to check it out here: http://www.daynacreations.com/horseoriginals.html

The test of 2010

dlysons — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:07:44 +0000

This year has been an interesting year for me artistically. I accomplished more than I ever have in previous years. I proved to myself what I’m capable of and feel I have passed an important test to move on to the next phase of my art career.

The first quarter of 2010 I was much involved with creating works of art for the themed gallery show “Things with Wings”. Many people showed up during the month of the show and I was able to catch a glimpse of what it’s like to have my work hung in a gallery. While I have no plans to have my work appear in a permanent gallery collection or in consignment, if the path led that direction I wouldn’t complain. After the June show, I began working on artwork for the Brookfield Arts Festival. This was my first real experience with being a part of an art community and showcasing my work outdoors on a hot summer day! I also entered my work in the annual Ex Arte Equinus 4 International Equine Art competition. I have yet to hear on the results of that, but I expect sometime in January.

I sold some of my work at the Brookfield Arts Festival, and some prints on ImagineKind.com. I was thrilled when I saw people that were actually buying my art. It made me realize the potential if I really apply myself and how lucrative having prints available for sale is. I opened up my shop on Etsy.com, enrolled as an Artist Associate with EquiGifts.com, and became a member of a new group called International Equine Artists.

In between the busy-ness of my desk job, drawing, and life happenings, I’ve worked out a comprehensive art business plan and have formulated some ideas to implement for next year including an art catalog, exclusive artwork that will only be found on EquiGifts.com, a once a month recognition of other great artists on my blog, and a strategic residential change of art community to the Colorado Rockies. I’m sure my growth doesn’t end there either!

If you would like to be included in the mailing list for my art catalog, please do contact me.

You’ll be hearing more from me next year!

Have a great Holiday Season!

New Doggie Drawings

dlysons — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:15:39 +0000

Within the last few months I finished up 3 wonderful drawings of our faithful and loving companion, the dog! I love dogs, and I do hope to have one at my heels someday. I worked on three custom pieces over the last few months and all have been delivered satisfactorily with ooohs and aaahhhs.

Sadie, Custom Dog Drawing

Jamie, Custom pencil drawing

Thomas, Custom dog pencil drawing

Three completed dog portraits done in pencil on Bristol board and all very unique and special pieces that were given with love and gratitude.

If you are interested in a pencil portrait done of your own favorite pet or animal, please feel free to contact me through my website : www.daynacreations.com/commissions.html

Now available on Etsy!

dlysons — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:52:42 +0000

I’ve opened my shop on Etsy.com! Horse enthusiasts and art appreciators will enjoy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DLysons#

My Art Store!

dlysons — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:51:52 +0000

I’ve updated my website with my first store! It includes original horse drawings I have for sale and horse art prints that are available. http://www.daynacreations.com/shop.html

New series in the works

dlysons — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:35:30 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. After the Brookfield Arts Festival, I took a much needed break from everything.

My next series of drawings will be all dog related as it’s been forever and a day since I’ve drawn one. I ask myself now, have I ever finished one? If I have it’s been way too long. Well, a few weeks ago I started on my official first dog drawing and I plan on finishing it this evening when I get home. This weekend I will start on the next series of dog drawings. I hope to have them posted to my website in the next month. Keep coming by to visit and if you like my work tell a friend or two!

Prints available!

dlysons — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:43:12 +0000

The miracles of the internet continue to astound me most especially as an artist. So many possibilities abound for artists and its a matter of researching and spending time on the internet.

I’ve posted many of art works to Imagekind.com and FineArtAmerica.com available as open edition prints.These are great sites for artists to market and post their artwork as prints for sale. I’ve opened a store with Etsy.com where I will be selling my limited edition fine art prints and original drawings. This site is probably my favorite for it is cheap to list my artwork (.20 an image), very customizable, and I have complete control over my shop. I have the ability to contact customers directly, and that is key! DeviantArt.com is a great site for networking with other fellow artists both young and old, as well as another place to catalog my artwork. I have more here than anywhere else. They do have a shop, and I have some prints available there. I will say DeviantArt.com has been the most rewarding, since one; I’ve been there the longest, and two it’s HUGE! The feedback from other artists and art admirers is incredible. I have a paid account with them which has allowed me to customize my account page and upload high resolution images to be sold as prints.

Many plans are in the works to upload more artwork to other sites. The goal is to saturate the market!

The Art Fair Booth

dlysons — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:30:45 +0000

With the Brookfield Arts Festival coming up next weekend, I thought I’d take a little time and talk about the art booth. There was no way I was going to be able to afford a completely new art booth using conventional professional quality art panels and such, so my boyfriend and I decided to make our own. We found a great site that included a step by step instructions on how the artist built her booth using lattice panels, 2x4s and 2x10s. A very keen set-up, and albeit leaving out some minor details that left us guessing what we needed to do next came up with a functional booth to hang my artwork for the show! We have one more piece to assemble and then we can do our test run to see how it all fits together. I truly hope to not have to travel much for it is a cumbersome business of storage and these aren’t the most portable. More to come!

UPDATE: 07-11-2010 The art booth was a success at the Brookfield Arts Festival. We received lots of comments on it and it definitely served its purpose for displaying my work. Set-up and assembly took just under an hour, even after my boyfriend made a few last minute adjustments. The only issue is storage and transport, so my boyfriend wants to do a redesign and perhaps sell the current version of the booth. For my first arts festival it was a quite successful if nothing more, I met some great artists and great people who all were courteous and appreciative of my horse drawings. Next time, I will have more variety and include other pets and animals and my colored penciled works.

Here’s a photo of my booth set-up at the festival:

My first Art Booth set-up