Answering Your Questions!
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Recently I had sent out a survey to gauge interest in some projects I have been considering working on. Mostly what I was after was if there was any appetite for a Black Abbey Studios Patreon Community, and also a coffee table style art book featuring my work. I would love to thank you all that took the time to fill out the survey. I truly value your thoughts and want to provide the best expereinces and products possible!
If you haven't filled out the survey yet, I would LOVE to hear from you! It is super short. It will likely take you less than 2 minutes of your time. You can respond here:
At the end of the survey I asked if there was anything else you might want to see from me, and I got a lot of nice feedback! Some of the things you all asked for I already provide or can collaborate on. So I thought I would take a few moments to share with you here things you might not see in the shop, or miss on Facebook, or aren't so clear in my FAQ's. Again, thank you all so much for sending your thoughts and giving me ideas on what might make the studio grow and give you content you are interested in seeing. Here are some of the highlights you asked for:
Larger selection of print sizes:
If you currently visit my shop you will see most prints are available in either an 11 by 14, or 16 by 20 sizes. These seem to be the most popular and work well scaling accurately with the canvas sizes I work with in the studio, meaning nothing is cut out of the print, and nothing is stretched or warped. I also try and keep my work to standard sizes so they are easy and more affordable to frame. Custom framing is so expensive! However, If you are interested in something larger or smaller, I have done, and love to do custom sized prints! Not every single piece will work with every single size, but if there is something you want at a custom size, please message me! I love hearing from you and respond quickly, and can get you a quote that is reasonable comparitively to the prices of my current print sizes. If there is a specific size you think should be listed on the website, let me know! I just might be able to add it! If you aren't size savvy, but would just like something "as big as I can get it" or "as small as I can get it" let me do the work for you and let you know what I can do!
Commissions/Custom Work:
I do take commissions! I love them! But....I do have a few caveats. For example, if you look at my body of work, there is certainly an overlying theme. I love doing dark and elegant art, figure painting, flowers, and increasingly, still life, with lots of wildlife thrown in the mix. I feel this is my wheelhouse, so if you are interested in say, an abstract painting, or a landscape piece, or a family portrait, I just don't think I'm your gal. I want you to be thrilled with custom commissioned artwork, so it is best for both of us if it fits in with my current work and style. If your idea falls within my style, believe me I would love for you to reach out!
Video Streams/Podcasts:
Ah....this is the big one....my white whale! I get asked a LOT about live painting, streaming, video how to's, and the like. Let me tell you...the struggle is real. While some folks can just hit a button on their phone and go, I have found this such a challenge. To get my art in focus, to get my big old head out of the way so you guys can see what I am doing, to get the lighting in the room right so you don't just see one giant reflection bouncing off the canvas...its a lot of work! Never take your streaming artists for granted! It's like its own profession!
I've been trying to figure out a way to get some video content out there over the last couple of years and well...I am BAD at it. The truth of the matter is that currently I do not have the gear and lighting set up, nor the space to get you guys quailty video and do the work justice. That said, I'm trying to formulate a plan. I think video is probably the future, especially in the pandemic, so it is probably just a matter of time. Bear with me until I can figure it out!
Podcasts are an interesting idea. I suppose I didn't consider them because art is such a visual medium. I myself have gotten into listening to podcasts heavily over the last couple of years, so it is an interesting thought. I'll definitely consdier it!
Coloring Pages:
I got the request for coloring pages and think this is a super interesting idea. It might take a huge amount of work to translate painted works into black and white lines for coloring, with lots of digital help. Hmm....let's put a pin in this one for now, but never say never going forward!
Again, thank you all so much for the feedback! I am always so grateful when someone wants to connect with me and my work. If you have yet to fill out the survey I'd love it if you would. If you would like to hear more from me as Facebook just LOVES to hide content, you can become a member of my VIP Club. It's free, and members get a monthly update from me as well as discounted pricing on prints and a free one time postcard! You can sign up here and once signed up send me an email with your address so I can mail you your postcard!
For custom sized prints, commissions, questions, or anything else you'd like to reach out to me for, you can reach me on Facebook, Instagram which are both linked on this website, or email me directly at theblackabbbey@gmail.com
Thank you! Take care of each other and you'll hear from me again soon!
Elizabeth
