Year 2 of AndyKnillArt Studio starts…
So, the first year operating as an independent and solo artist studio / shop. Also the first year as a shopkeeper without lockdowns due to Covid.
An encouraging first year for sales and visitors plus customers. This is shown especially through the number of Art for Fun participants at 1045.
Targets going into this second year are;
a) sell some art (enough to pay rent, bills)
b) encourage trying art through Art for Fun vehicle
c) encourage new local artists through guest artist programme (pilot August to December 2022)
This first year I have taken on doing more of my own publicity. Google and social media especially Instagram and Facebook are getting information out to people who like my art already, to new visitors who have then followed my accounts, often after taking business cards from the shop.
I have tried using Yell.com website and boost in searches, but I won’t be repeating this as I can not see anything that proves that it adds anything to the work I have been doing already.
My online AndyKnillArt.shop hasn’t worked so far and I admit I haven’t put time into it as I prefer face to face interaction. If I can not get it developed in 2022/23 then I will consider cancelling it.
The best publicity has been the people that find me, often trying art for fun, maybe buying some work,or materials from me and children especially wanting to make return visits. The number of return visitors is growing steadily and I have now met people who holiday throughout the year. The art for fun numbers show that even if in a back street I can be found and am found.
A new idea as I wanted something different to do the other day is to add line drawings on some of the shop paper bags in addition to thanking people for visiting or making a purchase. It continues my quirky Andy theme.
I look forward to continuing to draw the pieces I want to do; develop more panoramas; add more linocut pieces; and generally have fun. Please keep reading blog posts and all feedback is welcomed whether it is a comment on the blog, a review on social media or Google, a written comment in the art for fun notebook.
