Wake up and smell the coffee…. in my new Hug Mugs! There are four in the initial release and they each feature artwork from ‘The Sidekicks’ series ( click here for images).
I have been working with the lovely peeps at Ashdene for 9 years and their are many thousands of my designs being enjoyed in people’s kitchens around the world. I’m amazed at how many times I have been out and about and served a cuppa in one of my own mugs.
This project was super-exciting because it was my own concept and I got to design the packaging – that’s a big deal in the Licensing world.
I work with some wonderful companies in Art Licensing arrangements. This is where a business is given the Rights to reproduce artwork on their products. You see Art Licensing everywhere – Anne Geddes, Wyland, Kelly-Rae Roberts are a few other artists who License their work. In return, the business or ‘Licensee’ pays a Royalty for each item the artwork is reproduced on.
When you see “All Rights Reserved” as part of a copyright description, it means that the Artist is aware of their copyrights and is calling the shots on where and how their artwork is used.
I actually have my Art Business Class ( ABC with Jane Davenport! ) under development. I’ll be covering Publishing, Licensing, Exhibiting, Trade Shows, Online and bricks-and-mortar Stores, Blogging, Manufacture, Online Presence AND remaining creative and true to yourself. I have so much to share on all these areas of being a modern Artist!
Do you have any burning Art Business questions? Would learning more about these issues be of interest to you?
Let me know your thoughts below… I have 4 mugs to give-away for the most interesting responses.
Don’t forget to let me know which is your favourite Hug Mug so I know which one to send you if you win!
And one lucky person who joins one of my workshops this month will get a whole set!!!
So, if you have been hesitating about joining an online class, let this be the little incentive that pushes you over the edge.
xoxox
Jane
UPDATE:
Thankyou all so much for your interesting questions about Art Licensing, being an artist and creating art! It has really assisted me in sharpening the focus of my upcoming Business Class! All of these questions ( and many more!) will be worked through.
Being an Artist and maintaining integrity whilst still feeling fulfilled and creative seem to be top of the list. I will answer that in a blog post very soon- can’t wait until the Workshop arrives to answer that!
Keep your burning questions coming!
Update 2: Gemma B was the winner of the whole set- congrats!
Individual winners are listed in the comments section!
Thanks everyone!
56 Responses to Hugs to giveaway! And a chat about Art Licensing…
Jane Davenport
Jane Davenport is an internationally awarded artist, author and workshop leader. Her artwork is fervently collected by gentle souls around the world.
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oh pick me pick me, Id adore the owl mug! and the business venture class seems amazing, I get overwhelmed thinking about where to start!
congrats again on the mugs!
x Courtney
I just can’t get over how adorable that owl mug is. Love it.
I’m thrilled that you’re doing an art business workshop and I will definitely be taking that one! I think one of the more confusing issues is figuring out who my customers are and how to get the word out to them and attract more. Marketing. For my main Etsy shop, the art is about one very specific subject and that’s made it much easier to figure out. It’s doing pretty good right now. But I have another (that I’m just ignoring for now) where I’m at a loss. Can hardly wait for this workshop!
The fact that you are willing to share your knowledge on this topic is just awesome. So many creative people out there and they just don’t know where to start when it comes to the business side. This workshop will help so many people to get their work out there, which will be wonderful for all of us. I think one of the biggest things.. is learning not to under value your creative work! Way too many artists let copyright of their work just go for next to nothing and in some cases for free! Even though we all do it because we LOVE it… If you have a talent… it is worth something. So I guess my biggest question would be how do you know where to start with negotiating price for this sort of thing and tips on how to approach companies that you feel would work well with your creative style. Would love to take part in this workshop. Bec
Hi Rebecca,
Congrats you are a winner of the Hug Mug- email me your address and I’ll get it off to you! Look under the contact button for my email form!
Omg!!I would love to take a class on the business of art from you!!my question is how do you get a company to liscence your work? I LOVE the zebra mug so much!!!!
I think learning anything at all about art licensing would be fabulously interesting because I don’t understand it at all; it seems like such a big step. I’m also curious about the process of getting prints made of original work…I’d like to do that but have no idea where I would even begin. Please throw my name in the hat for this drawing because that snow leopard mug tugs at all my heartstrings! Each one of your mugs is lovely but that one…wow…just wow!
I would love to know how to go about approaching publishers to get a book deal. Do you need an agent? How do you go about getting an agent?
Jane ~ your ABC class intrigues me. I wonder, if perhaps, you might go into a mini suggestions/ideas/questions/guide to get one thinking, reflecting on whether or not an art business is truly for them. Creating art is amazing….sharing w/ others is a beautiful gift….earning an income doing what you love sounds priceless. So much to consider & learn…..
Mmmm….I completely ♥ the girl hugging the sweet~faced~panda mug!
Thank you so much for the generous opportunity! Have a goreous day! ~H♥~
P.S. My question is more about informing myself vs. confidence in myself. I once had a business several yrs ago (not art related…but running a trade show)…so, I have some idea of running a business….just not an art business & certainly not an online one….& well, things have changed since then anyway….especially, concerning the web.
Hi Jane would love to wake up to coffee in one of your cups. My intrest in the business of Art is as follows: I have recentley stepped out of my comfort zone of just creating for myself, into the role of teacher (mainly making Junk journals and creative collage workshops). My classes have mainly had ten main pupils plus a few ring ins, which is great as I have return customers…..but……. how do I get myself out there more??? Do i need a blog? A market stall? Youtube Vids? Business cards? Do I need to get out to local stores and demonstrate? I am on a disability pension and just don’t have heaps of funds to throw around.
I do know what I have is good enough!! Its just where to go from here, what is my next step?
I value your feedback as I know you have had the courage to step outside your boxes.
Cuddles to you and the fur babies
Nat xxx
Hi Jane, I’ve just sold my first painting and is working on the second one. When I have a few more completed paintings, licensing and all that will certainly be of great interest to me. I think about making my paintings available as prints, as well as postcards. But there must be more ways for them to be seen by the world, just like your beautiful cute mugs (I love the panda one the most). So I’d love to “steal” your wisdom. LOL.
Oh and I would also love any tips on making tutorial videos-what type of camera do you use? What sort of set up do I need? I would love to run workshops on art journaling in my local art center. How do I put together a workshop? All advice would be so welcome!
I love doing art but I do it for fun not profit and i wonder how to move into the selling arena and where to even start. What sells and what doesn’t? How to set up a workshop? So many details that seem overwhelming to me. I LOVE the snow leopard mug!!
For years, I’ve made one-of-a-kind cards, magnets, etc. It’s created problems on multiple counts. For one, when I sell them at the farmer’s market, they are hard to display. For example, they can’t just be tucked in a card spinner, as then people can’t tell that each is unique. So I’m wondering about creative display idea. Then there is also the idea that people always suggest: scanning my work and making multiples. I’m wondering where the best deals are for making multiples of a product and whether the copyright remains with me (and what if my goods contain old book pages and old photos that I can’t trace back to an original owner?) Also, people tell me I sell my stuff for way too little, and I sort of agree, but I at least sell my stuff when it’s at this price, whereas some places have tried to sell it for much more…and fail. Finally, I always wonder about creative license and the age-old question of if you can protect yourself from others glomming onto your style and type of product. I know that competition is inevitable, but is there such thing as stealing? I’m going through this right now with someone who “admires” my style so much that (surprise!) she’s now got a booth in the farmer’s market and is selling things that look quite a bit like mine… Thanks for this opportunity to unload all my questions and worries. And I’d love to win any of those mugs, especially the zebra one!
Jane,
I love them all but the owl is my favorite! I have a burning question I would love to know the answer to…..what is the best way to resell plaque or wood mount prints? I see these often and love the way they look. Unfortunately, I am not able to find out how folks are doing these – the costs seems to high to be able to make any type of profit.
Thanks for always being the source of a smile and inspiration!
Jane, I think an art business class would be awesome! Just the other day I was talking with hubby and how licensing artwork works. (I have NO idea!) People have asked if we would be interested in having others design stencils for us. (I don’t know how that works either!) We need to get out to trade shows with our products but we’ve no idea how to display or what’s involved at the business end. So hurry up and get this class up! I love your mugs… I’m partial to big bear hugs. But the Leopard one – the little girl looks like me as a child
It would be hard to choose 
My favorite is the owl with friend in jammies. I’m a night owl so I guess that’s why I favor that one.
I was wondering if you know anything about selling your images only to be used in Mixed Media. Lisa’s Altered Art does this and I buy her images to use in my jewelry and collages. I also print it on fabric to sew on my hand bags. I’m thinking of doing the same for others to enjoy using…your thoughts on that????
Thank you!
I don’t have a website, but my angel images are on Facebook, under Victoria Gobel
Hi Jane!
a) How do you choose from all those gorgeous mugs? My fav’s – the ‘African’ animals- the leopard and the zebra.:o)
b) A class on art licensing would be awesome! For me, I would love to have prints made and perhaps gimmicky goodies like magnets; mugs
); cards etc. But- I wouldn’t know where to start!! How do you begin to test the market to know just what will sell? There are also so many of these kinds of things out there, that one needs to do something unique, of course.
I continue to dream about starting some sort of business with my art, but till I took your classes, it had remained just that- a dream. Now I see a teeny light beginning to shine – just maybe it is possible!
I’d love ANY of the mugs, the zebra and owl are my fav’s though! I admire anyone who starts a business, but a woman who starts one and is as successful as you are deserves even more admiration! I wonder…where is that fine line between “copying” and “inspiration” when it comes to art inspiration? How do you feel personally about people using your art in their art as inspiration? I am not interested in starting a business myself, but interested to know how those of you who do protect yourself against the theft of your beautiful creations!
THanks for the opportunity!
Yes, yes, Jane, to ABC! There’s so much I don’t know. So much info seems to be in the shadows. What is branding and do you need a portfolio to present, and do you need an agent, and so much more? There is appreciation for all the Hug Mugs. It would depend on my mood. Well, Owl with a “bedtime” beverage would look delightful on the night table. Thanks!
Message to Tinsel: Pick my name! Thanks!
Hi Jane,
Your LATEST fare of mugs are just adorable. My favs – if one must define it would be the cat and the zebra.
I am thrilled to hear about your new book/course coming out. Having been in business _ and online business and consulting businesses on their online work those needs are not as pressing to me. I understand however they are very important to our artistic community. But I do echo a bit of the conversation- how to best produce prints, how should your art be packaged, and MOSTLY – can you keep a life of joy and simplicity while dogging the publication dates, art requirements for license agreements, travel schedules, emails, social media….etc… I intend to transition into art full time over the next 24 months or so, but I don’t ever want to lose the joy of it. If that is a MAJOR risk, I would rather continue serving the community through online marketing help. and always keep the art for the heart. Please Jane…say it isn’t so!!!!
Oh I LOVE that panda bear mug!
As for art biz questions…I would like to know how to get people to follow your art journey and (hopefully) purchase your art. Or, how to make a living off of art? (Small question, right?)
Jane, when do you find time to breath? These mugs are so cute. I’m torn between the owl and the panda one. Time management is my big thing. My toddlers are so demanding I feel like I never have time to do art, blog, clean and so forth. I think you have fairies working for you
.
Love all that you do. I would be interested in learning about licensing. I just wouldn’t know where to start but how to find the right person and Aussie information would be great!
Thanks!
Love the owl mugs. I have been collecting owls since I was about 12 years old.
My question is: Can you have an arts business if you have no artistic talent?
What percentage of people will make it to success?I’ve payed to dream,but that is all it is….good luck to those that are willing to give there dreams a go.
Hey Sharon Fawcett, are we related?! My question would be, as an artist, what should I do if I unconsciously copy someone’s work too closely? I would never do it on purpose but having taken several classes from very talented people (Ms. Danger included, one of the best, I must say), I always worry that I might do it by accident! Yes, hard to choose which mug, I love them all but the cheetah and the owl are my faves!
Wonderful mugs jane, they look fabulous. A licensing business class sounds great, so many things to know. I would like to know more about how you choose the designs you wish to market, how do you know what manufacturers are looking for to make a portfolio that is going to get attention.
Oh my goodness they are soooo cute. Love the panda girl! I hope that we can get them in the US!
where did my comment go?
since my fun comment got blocked by the spam blocker I am just going to have to join another class and go for the 4 mugs…LOL Supplies me here I come… well soon anyway
blah blah blah blah Licensing blah blah complicated blah blah blah blah class blah blah Aweome! Blah blah blah understand blah blah now… Blah Love blah Panda blah.
based on an old Far Side cartoon… about what the owner says and what the dog hears… meaning Art Licensing is so foreign to me A class would Rock..
Hi Jane ! I think a class/workshop on the business of Art would be awsome !! It is by far the most challenging aspect of doing anything creative for a living and I am hoping with a lot of practice and some hard work I can get there . Right now I am sooooo enjoying your classes and learning a lot !!!
It’s always great when a professional can share tips and insight on how they made their way to become successful .
Looking forward to getting my Creative Courage !!!
Hi Jane, I am VERY new to all this and have only started painting and making resin jewellery in the last 2 years. I find it difficult to determine what my target audience is and how to go about getting my products out there. it’s a shame I’m not in Perth as your workshop sounds like just what I need! I have had a winery interested in using my artwork on their labels, I guess my most pressing problem for now is how much to charge, whether I sell them the artwork outright or I keep some control???? It’s exciting but overwhelming!!!
By the way, I love your hug mug series, such a cute idea, my fave would have to be the panda as I love the contrast of the red dress on black & white.
Wow Jane they are all awesome! If I have to choose, I love the between the girl with the own
. Clever idea and all the mugs make me HAPPY!!!
Sorry meant to say owl…so cute!
Dear Jane – I am so happy to have found you through “Do What You Love” today.
I am about to put some new work up in a Zazzle shop – on pillows, mugs, prints and a few other home decor items. My question is – Would this deter companies from licensing my work, or is it a good way to show the kind of thing I do (and want to do)?
Thank you so much! Oh – and the zebra mug, gorgeous!
mj.x
Another question is when is one ready to start an art business?
I would love to take your art business ecourse. I have already taken another ecourse on this subject but I would be so interested to hear your experiences with art licensing etc. It would be great to hear a different perspective on the subject so I can learn all I can for my art career. Thank you in advance for offering your valuable experiences to us.
Karen
P.S. my fav is the zebra!
I definitely need to get my hands on one of those snow leopard mugs sometime soon- they’re so cute!
I have a few questions:
* what is the best way to organise prints (DIY scan and print, or commercial places?) for selling
* some time management advice would be incredibly helpful. My big concern about actually starting to sell my work is that it’s going to take time to manage it, and I’d love to see how people make it all work. How on earth do you get it all done?
* the fear factor: how do you get past that voice of doubt that says you’re not good enough? On that train of thought, when you were starting your business, did you tell everyone you knew, or did you keep it a bit of a secret?
* How do you keep the love alive? I know quite a few people say that once your art becomes your income, it sucks the fun out of it. That it becomes as boring a job as any other. That… seems wrong. That you can get to be artistic all the time and not love it. I can see where they’re coming from, in a way, but I’d love to hear advice on how to still love what you do after you make it your vocation.
* Costings. What is a fair price to ask for your work? Is there a percentage that people often work to?
* If your mixed media work uses stencils or pages from Twilight or scrapbooking paper as minor elements, do you have to ask permission from their creators to sell the work? I’m unsure where the line is around your ability to use stuff not made by you, and I’d love clarification on that.
* Has making a living from art changed the way you create? How? Does having art as a ‘job’ mean you need to make more time to create for play?
* Where do you draw the line with free stuff? I know with creative writing (which I’m currently studying), it’s useful as a way of getting your name out there, but there’s debate about whether or not you should still do free or cheap stuff once you’ve got work. I’d love to hear your thoughts
Ok, I think that’s it. Sorry for the question overload
I would love to know if you think trying to make contacts online is better than going to anykind of marketing shows? I hope so as i doubt i would ever get to any shows in person as i live in a very small town in the middle of nowhere! I think my favorite mug is the owl by the way!
Well, my great problem is overcome my “I’m not ready” phase, and have the courage to SELL my work , I always gift it, and put a price is really difficult for me.
Thanks, I am very interesting in this AB class, I love all your mugs but my favourite is the Panda Hug
Wow! Thank you for all these questions! They really help me ascertain which are the burning issues and where I can be the most helpful with the Workshop.
Making a living from your art is a BIG leap, for MANY reasons… But it is worth it!
Your works are great!
Congratulations!
Hi Jane, selling the art I make is a very real problem for me. I know very little about the business world as it is so very different from the creative one I like to think that I inhabit! Any and every question about the business of selling art would be a very good advantage gain in today’s world. The part about choosing the mug I love the best is hard from the standpoint of loving them all and having a connection with all four images. When I was in high school we were that Wayne High Zebras, I saw my first and only Pandas on a trip with my sons when they were 4 and 9, I have a young French semi adopted daughter that adores owls, and finally I think the Snow Leopards are the most beautiful “cats” I have ever seen and the difficulties they go through just to keep their families alive and fed is amazing. If you were to choose me any of the four would be perfect! Thank you for the opportunity!
You mean i have to pick my fav???? really?????
Can i just have the one you like the best? I love them all.
I really would be interested in learning how you stay true to who you are as an artist and not let the bull and grind of selling and exploitation that can happen as your art becomes more popular. How do you keep that buring deisre and that passion and not let the grind of making everyone happy wear you down.
How to balance that inner artist with the outer artist? How does it remain sacred?
ANg
PS i love the Panda
Dear Jane, Have you ever felt that working with marketing people, whether it be your own You Tube comments used for a company’s purposes, or you making an arrangement only to find that you had just lost control of your material was a serious issue? How well do the artists fare in marketing? Do they become products too? Also, I wondered which means of exposure you think has added the most dramatically to your tremendous (and well deserved popularity)–word of mouth from former students, YouTube viewing, or the big Art Festivals?
Dear Jane, Amore reflective question this time. I know Tam has had concerns about remaining a “real artist” while runing all these classes and doing everything else. It seems to me that you don’t let that worry you at all, you just pull your art into everything you do. Are you the exception to the rule, or do many artists find it necessary to choose between being a full time artist or being a businessperson? Do you watch your Mum carefully to see how she does things and how you would do it the same or differently? I love your tiger mug. Well, I actually love them all, and the prints, and your photos and….
Hi Jane, I’ve taken KRRs Flying Lessons but a course directed to and /or with information relating to Australians would be great. Info such as getting an ABN, paying taxes, who to contact re submitting your art for licensing in Aust, your personal story on licensing and Ashdene etc. Thanks, Michelle.
Hi Michelle, Congrats Katie you are a winner of a Hug Mug- email me your address and I’ll get it off to you! Look under the contact button for my email form!
I love the panda bear one!!! adorable!
I love that you are offering this class, it is good for someone such as yourself who has been there and done that to teach it, opposed to those who drool out textbook gibberish but have never actually tried to succeed in the art business. I would love to open up a studio one day but I don’t want to be a forgotten shop in a hidden corner. I think my biggest thing would be, how to successfully market and create the demand to bring people into the art world you want to share. Because no matter how on par you are with all the technical aspects of the business (which is very important!) it does no good if no one wants to share and partake in your world.
And to laura above who asked about the percentage of people that make it, I recently had a college course that touched on that a little and I liked the way my professor answered that. Keep in mind that success is measured very differently by different people but I think right now you are asking in terms of art as your one and only career. He told us that there is always going to be a lot of “no” answers in your life but if you get a yes just 25% of the time, you are considered successful. You just have to keep trying past the nos in order to get to the yes. And in the art world, you can stop as many times as you want, but you’ll only quit once. So take a pause as needed but never give up.
This is a wonderful opportunity! I was wondering if you know if the licensing regulations are similar worldwide or at least similar in the USA as in Australia? Maybe what I really need to know is if licensing covers the artists rights worldwide? Thank You!!!!
I really really really liiiiikeee the Panda!!!
Ely
Hi Jane!!!
I am a Mullumbimby local and watercolour animal artist. I have recently left my job to pursue my passion for art and animal art in particular.
I have made my own business cards, set up my website, have a facebook page and am putting the steps in place to create a business.
BUT…. No one know I am here!! I really need help with marketing and developing a presence.
Some other questions I have are;
1) how to approach gallery’s to sell your art. Do you have a contract? What happens with commission and advertising etc
2) Prints vs originals….. How to organise Giclee and price them? Should I sell originals? Im living hand to mouth at the moment so its hard not to but all the work I have put in is then gone…..
3) How to price your work.
4)Selling art from your website (gst, overseas sales)
5) At what stage have you gone from a hobby artist to self employed
Oh I have sooo many more questions….
Im happy to catch up if you would like to brain storm or chat about it!
P.s I loved your supplies me course.
And I like the Zebra Mug
Looking forward to your much needed Business course!!
Love Katie
Congrats Katie you are a winner of the Zebra Mug- email me your address and I’ll get it off to you! Look under the contact button for my email form!
Hi Jane,
Would love to know about the business class if it becomes available and about art licensing in austrlia. I have been following Tara Reed for quite some years its something i soooooo want to do .. but alot of the information is US based !!
let us know how things progress 