Saturday, August 23, 2014

Oops...

I just happened to notice that I never posted my final projects from the fall 2013 semester, and it's now the fall 2014 semester!

I did want to post an update, for those of you who've been following on my BFA journey thus far. I've had to take a hiatus from school until further notice, as teaching classes are getting thinner, and tuition is getting higher. Cheery news, eh? I've been upping my freelance writing work lately, though, so that's getting some more traction, at least.

But... pictures! Yes! I must share them! If you'd like more description, I did post more details at my portfolio website, www.designedbyniki.com, so feel free to check that out. I'm about out of word power after 6 or more hours of writing, so...



























Friday, May 23, 2014

Kickstarter Time!!!

Remember how I said I am illustrating a children's book? Well, here's the scoop:

Ginny the Giraffe Does Gymnastics (link goes to the Facebook page) has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help cover publishing and supply costs! Donations as small as $5 have fun incentives, and as long as we meet our minimum fundraising goal, we can get this show on the road! The more we have coming in, the sooner we can get published, because like most artists these days, we're doing this in our spare time since we like to, y'know, eat and have roofs over our heads.

Even if you can't donate much, every little bit adds up, so please don't be shy! We have to make our minimum fundraising goal to receive any funds at all, and there are only 60 days left to meet our goal.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hayleycooper/ginny-the-giraffe-does-gymnastics

Please share this link if you can--even if you can't afford to donate, simply getting the word out covers a lot of ground.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Project Teaser: Ginny the Giraffe!

I can't share too much yet, but I'm working on illustrating a friend's book for children, and here are a couple of teaser images for the main character (and my first two concept drawings). Don't worry--I'll be sharing more information, including how to buy the book, soon, but for now, just a little taste:

Mixed media (pen, marker, colored pencils) on 9x12" drawing paper

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Limited Time "Celebrating Sassy" Sale!

Five years ago, on April 7, I adopted the Brushstrokes mascot, Sassy, and she's been the love of my life ever since. In honor of the sunshine of my life, between now and April 7 at 11:59 p.m. central time, all custom portrait/painting orders placed will receive $50 off! This means the starting price for a 16x20" portrait, which usually starts at $150, is now $100! This is a temporary sale, ending on April 8, so don't wait too long!


Note: In order to qualify for $50 off, the down payment (generally $25) and contract must be received by April 14, at 11:59 p.m. This contract simply puts in writing the agreed-upon price and ensures both of us are clear on deadlines for both the project and the final payment in case of any miscommunications. It also puts in writing your requests and/or preferences for the painting so no one is operating on assumptions. :) 

I will send you the form (previewed below) by email once you've placed an order.

Contact Information

Full Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
               ______________________________________________________________________
E-mail: ________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number[s]: ______________________________________________________________
When is the best time to reach you? ________________________________________________
Preferred Method of Communication: ______________________________________________
Requested project subject: _______________________________________________________
Requested medium (i.e. oils, acrylics, pencil, mixed-media, etc.): ______________________________________________________________________________
Requested surface (i.e. stretched canvas, wood, doghouse, etc.): ______________________________________________________________________________

Copyright and Sharing Agreements:

Please check only the options to which you agree. Opting out of the publicity options will not prevent Brushstrokes by Niki from doing your project; however, deciding to opt out may result in additional fees. Please read each option carefully before submitting.

        I agree to allow Brushstrokes by Niki to use photocopies of my project for publicity and as portfolio samples for prospective clients.
        I do not agree to allow Brushstrokes by Niki to use photocopies of my project for publicity and as portfolio samples for prospective clients. I also recognize that by denying the artist permission to use this project in her portfolio, I will be charged a twenty-five dollar ($25) additional fee due to its not allowing the artist to bring in potential clients interested in a similar project.
       For one calendar year from receiving my completed project, I give the artist permission to contact me before various festivals and events in the Springfield area in order to borrow my project (at my discretion) for demonstration purposes as a vendor. As such, the artist agrees to return my project in a timely manner (generally within two hours but up to one week) following the completion of said festival.
        I choose not to allow the artist to borrow my project after its completion for any publicity purposes.
        I do not live near the artist, so the previous situation does not apply to me.
        (For pet portraits only) I give the artist permission to post photographs of my project on websites such as DeviantArt.com, which allow users to order prints of an artist’s work for a reduced (though far less customized) price; this means website users who have similar pets may have a photo-produced copy of my project for themselves. The artist receives a small profit (generally a very insubstantial amount) for these purchases. By agreeing to this option, I also give the artist permission to utilize my project in her own business on her own website for a larger profit should she acquire access to the technology.
        I decline giving the artist permission for the previously mentioned print option.
        This option does not apply to me.

By signing and dating below, I agree to the above terms as chosen.

Initials: _____ I also agree, should Niki deem it beneficial due to her own discretion, to paying a $25 minimum deposit (to cover basic supplies) to Niki before my project is begun.  

Initials: _____ I also agree to pay the full [remaining] amount due immediately upon receiving my finalized project. If I fail to do so, Brushstrokes by Niki reserves the right to retain my project for her own personal and professional use, overruling any previous decision to not allow the company to use or show my project, until I am able to pay the full amount. If I fail to pay the full amount within three months of my project’s completion date, Brushstrokes by Niki may keep my project and sell it to another customer looking for a similar project.  If my project is a human portrait and I fail to pay in full, Brushstrokes by Niki will not sell the portrait but will still show it at all future festivals, events, and online publicity. 

Printed Name: _______________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________________________________________________

Monday, March 24, 2014

*Carnival Barker Voice* Get Your Artwork Here! Step Right Up!

Ladieeees and gentlemennnnn... I have free time for projects, so please let me know if you're wanting anything painted or created! Generally, with the hours I have now, I can tackle about one 16x20" portrait per week, two weeks being my safety net, so don't be shy! I'm eager to have something to work on, and, well, I need the extra income for the next few months--at least until July. This is the best time there is all year long for ordering a portrait, so don't wait too long!

Starting price for a custom portrait, 16x20" being my basic size, in acrylics, is $150. You'll get a lot of time and focus for that price, so it's a good deal. Message me here, or email me at Niki@Brushstrokes-by-Niki.com if you're ready!


On another note, I posted the fall semester's artwork to my portfolio page, so please feel free to check it out!


http://www.designedbyniki.com