I did something interesting today.

I like to think of myself as a fairly techno-savvy kind of gal. I've been on a computer since my uncle introduced me to his Commodore Vic 20. Although my husband and I shy away from television and all its inherent (and expensive!) evils (ie. cable, satellite, tivo, etc.) we still have a few sci-fi shows we Netflix and love watching a good movie.

Well, today I had a taste of the future. Not so much a new techo-toy, but a new way of interacting. I called into a tele-seminar. The tele-seminar was authored by Peggy Klaus and hosted by Alyson B. Stanfield, a well-known art business coach and guru.

I basically dialed into a party line and listened to a fascinating hour long part-interview - part-lecture with a brief question/answer period at the end. I was comfy at my kitchen table and, truth-be-known, multi-tasking a bit by signing my new prints. But..the point was..I didn't shell out $4 bucks a gallon for gas, waste travel time, hire a babysitter, or even change out of my favorite t-shirt! With the skyrocketing cost of transportation, is this the classroom of the future?

What about art sales? Word on the street (via art festival participants all over the US) is that attendance is down and sales are even worse at art festivals this year. Many factors can be cited but transportation costs are one of the top. I recently participated in a festival that was moved this year in order to be near public transportation in the future (electric rail-line) but this begs the question..Who wants to transport a painting home via rail or bus?

What does this mean for artists, craftsman, and photographers who make a living at these festivals? Will consumers get used to the high gas cost and proceed as usual about their lives? Will they have any money left after filling the gas tank? Will art festival artists be able to afford to drive to festivals?!?

Will consumers turn to technology like I did for my seminar? Art sales are starting to rise on site like the infamous E-bay and Etsy. Will this be the future of selling art? How much do you buy on the internet and how do you feel about buying fine art over the internet. If you are an artist, how are you utilizing the internet?

For myself, I have this blog, my website, Twitter, Facebook, My Space, & LinkedIn. I am also researching how to sell my prints on E-bay and Etsy and/or putting a shopping cart type store on my site to sell my prints. Can I do more? You tell me....

Art News
My last show of the summer is this weekend at the Dallas CityArts Festival in Downtown Dallas. Click here for maps and more information. It is going to be hot but I have a great fan in my booth some come on by and see me!

My latest print in back from the print shop. Last Two Beachfronts is now available as 7.25" x 16" archival print on Somerset Velvet watercolor paper and priced at $65.

Class News
The deadline for Summer Camp registration has been extended until June 15. I can't accept registration after that date so let me know if you are interested! See the schedule here.