Black Lab Speed Drawing flip book

Artist Kate Sumners draws a Black Labrador Retriever in Charcoal. Prints available at http://KateSumners.com Commissions accepted at http://ESArt.Etsy.com

A big thank you to Diane M. for her support of the PAAA. She won a pet portrait of her PAAA rescue lab Bandit at Page Hospital's silent auction with all proceeds going to support the animals! Here's a time lapse video of me drawing his portrait.

Pastel Pet Portraits by Kate Sumners Video

Pastel Pet Portraits by Kate Sumners youtube video.

Can Artists Make Money Online?

Does art really sell online? Many new artists are hesitant to use the internet as a tool for their business. While caution is warranted and theft of art is a real danger, it is vital to my career. Today I looked back at sales of my artwork in the last couple of months. Since April, I have sold my artwork to clients in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia and many states including IL, AZ, NE, NY, CT, WA, PA, FL, RI, KY, CO, NC, MN, NV and HI. Most of these wonderful clients I could never have met if it weren't for the internet and my online shops. Great websites for artists to set up shop include Etsy, Zazzle and Fine Art America. And tackling international shipping and exchange rates is made easy by these websites. The answer is yes, the internet is a good place to make money as an artist. It, like everything worth doing, takes time, research and work. It is not easy money, but neither is traveling to art shows and galleries. If you are considering selling your art online, give it a try.

TV Commercial

So I've entered a contest, the winners get their photo on a national TV commercial for FineArtAmerica. Would you vote for me at the link below?

national tv photo contest 

Now Featured on Amazon

My canvas artwork is now available on Amazon.com! Just search my name Kate Sumners. The artwork there is filed in the category "Home and Kitchen". I'm adding more all of the time.

Kate on Amazon

They currently offer only canvas artwork, so if you are looking for something framed or on acrylic, metal, or paper your best bet is still http://KateSumners.com. 

Portrait Print and Reproduction FAQ

Will you sell prints of my pet portrait?

KateSumners.com

Yes, I do generally offer fine art prints of commissioned work I do of pets and animals. I have polled some of my clients, asking how they would feel if I sold prints of the artwork they commissioned of their pets. For the most part, reactions have ranged from fine with it to super excited that their pet will be ‘famous’! They also like the idea of a safe, easy place to order greeting cards of their artwork or extra prints in different sizes and on different materials.

In case you are wondering, copyright laws generally give the artist the copyright on their own work even if the original is sold unless otherwise negotiated. For the last few years just to be clear, I have been posting the notice on my listings that I retain full reproduction copyright on all of my work. But please, if you are unhappy that I may be offering your pet’s image for resale on prints or greeting cards, let me know. Making you happy is my top concern. Email me at or give me a call and we can negotiate you retaining the copyright on your commission. Many people like to have me sell prints of their pet portrait, because it increases the exposure and value of the original.

Commissions

Will you sell prints of my child or adult portrait?

No. My clients are much more sensitive to privacy concerns when it comes to themselves or their children so I do not sell art prints of human portraits that were commissioned. I may however use your portrait as a sample of my work in my portfolios or online. If you are uncomfortable with this, just let me know. If on the other hand you would like me to offer art prints and greeting cards of your child’s portrait to increase the exposure and value of the original, I am happy to oblige.  

KateSumners.com

Finding me online just got a lot easier! I'm now at KateSumners.com.

No more long confusing website addresses. If you can remember my name, you can remember my website. Just don't forget it's SumNers not Summers. Take a look!

Tabby in Profile

I've been really enjoying working with Fine Art America. One of my best sellers on my new website there is my charcoal tabby drawing. Take a look with the link above. Tons of great artwork for the cat lover on FAA!

<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/cat/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">cat art</a>

<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/golden+retriever/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">golden retriever art</a>

Colorado River Painting Project

My Watercolors

Lately I've been feeling a little creative itch to create something new and different. To scratch the itch I am going to focus on painting some non-commissioned artwork this month. I have decided to paint what I know: the Colorado River and other beautiful features of the dramatic landscape around my home.

There is something about the rich warm colors of the sandstone next to the cold green water and blue sky that really get my juices flowing! The sandstone around here is crimson, vermillion, orange, salmon, peach, pink, and gold all swirled together with dark desert varnish. As much as I love and will continue to accept portrait commissions, doing something new is refreshing. I recently read an article that pointed out that only ever painting on commission is a huge creativity killer. Although I do enjoy commissions, I must admit it is liberating to paint whatever I feel like painting. And right now I feel like painting home.

Painting Navajo Sandstone

Painting Can Be Dangerous

I got started yesterday and it feels great to do landscapes again. Except for this, I actually got this blister painting! That's a first. I must be excited.

Watch for a new series of Colorado River paintings soon on my website!

<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/colorado+river/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">colorado river art</a>