Pinole Artisan Carolyn Hess Profiled in New Book

Pinole Artisan Carolyn Hess is profiled in my new book, Sell Your Artwork & Crafts Online: An Insider's Guide to the Worldwide Arts Market. In the book, a comprehensive practical guide for artists who want to show or sell their work on the Internet, I profile six artists at various stages of doing just that.

Recently elected to the Pinole Artisan Board, Carolyn is a fine artist, illustrator and graphic designer whose primary medium is watercolor painting. She has been a professional artist since graduating from the California College of Arts and Crafts in 1994. Carolyn is a devoted plein air painter, and can often be seen around Pinole and surrounding towns with her easel and paints. She shows and sells her work locally at the Pinole Art Center Gallery and at art shows in the Bay Area. She also sells her fine art watercolors, publicizes her work, and directs people to contact her for custom paintings through the website that she designed.

In the book, I use the profiles of Carolyn and five other artists working in a wide variety of media, to demystify the process and to inspire others who haven’t yet taken the plunge to sell or promote their work to the international arts audience. A guide full of insider tips and resources, the book cuts through the confusion and multitude of options to sell and market artwork online.

The book is for Internet novices as well as for people who are already selling their art. I cover all aspects of online sales, including what skills you need, whether to get your own website, what other sites and venues are right for your work, best ways to market and advertise online, tips on using social media, how to get yourself motivated, and much more. 

Are you an artist or crafter who has been thinking about breaking into online sales? If you have any questions, leave a comment here and I'll be glad to answer. You're also welcome to join the Facebook page I started for people to ask questions and to network with other artists.  You can find out more about the book, which is available in a print edition, as a pdf download, or in Kindle format, at this page on my website. 

The book is also available in CD format at the Pinole Art Center Gallery. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., next to City Hall, at 2221 Pear Street.