new web site

[bluedogshuz]

I finally bit the bullet and put up a site. Its one of those preconstruct cookie cutters. Actually, I found out about it from someone that posted here. Anyway, its my first attempt and (well) quite frankly not my best work right now... however, I would like to get some feedback. I have paintings posted and I am wondering if I should stick to one thing etc. Plus your welcome to run down the photos work etc. I can take it believe me. www.patharrisart.com

Non Illigitamus Carborundum

[arcdawg]

nice site.

I think that you are selling your metal sculpture too darn cheap though

and are the copper looking pieces or are they painted ?

dawg

[bluedogshuz]

Thanks Dawg. Everything is mixed media, no metal invoved except for several coats of iron or copper finish then patina and sealer. Don't really know how to price them. They are kind of made like a boat and the large ones are maybe $200. material. As with anything there is work involved and each is unique. PS I didn't know I called them metal (whoops) :rolleyes:

[Landseer]

Man! looks real nice, not just for a "first site" but for a site in ANY experience category.

I have mixed feelings on these kinds of fee based community style hosts as you are using there, mainly because while yes it's a contemporary art site which is relevent to your work, they are charging twice per month what an entire basic web site host charges for web space and what exactly is the benefit they claim to using them?

The thing is your page is buried amongst 1,000 OTHER art sites on a host like that. While they list you in an index, you are listed with say 1,000 others, how likely is it that someone will browse beyond the first couple or three sites in the list?
It's similar on Ebay, you search for "Sculpture" and the results it kicks back might show an index page displaying Page 1 of 3,457 pages- items 1-99 of 46,436

I can't imagine as busy as people are these days that many sit and browse page by page by page that way- they don't even do it on Google. I think it's been said most people don't read Google's result pages more than about 4 pages deep.

It's a tough one, but if you have your own domain name it's a start towards getting in entrenched in search engines and linked to by other sites, and the link to to your domain will work no matter WHERE you park your web site.

Years ago the Geocities.com free communities web hosting was popular but you had to take the URL they gave you which was usually REAL long, and sometime later when they changed the whole layout when it was sold, all those old urls died.

[Merlion]

Nice site design.

My other quick feedback comments:

Showing dimensions and medium would be useful for some of the artworks, especially for the paintings and some others that are difficult to judge from the photos. And some dimensions seem to be too small to be correct.

It would be good to improve on the lighting and on the background behind the sculptures for some of the photos.

[bluedogshuz]

Thanks Merlion, I can with this company change the pics and I know the digital shots I have ae kindo crummy ie. dead grass, bad lighting! The sizes and prices also need to be adjusted.
Landseer-I had experiences like you are talking about, and these sites can go down etc. However $17. a month I can do, and it aint fancy but its dummy proof! As for people seeing it- I kinda figure I have to hand out cards, put a little article or one liner in our neighborhood paper $10. for one month. Try to get the locals to realize they have an artist living near them. I mean a lot of people have seen my work but honestly do'nt know its for sale! Or worse yet they think I'm a collector :o

[JAZ]

It looks good - clean and simple, easy to use. And the URL is easy. So, maybe people have to search through the main site's many artists, but when you send out postcards or business cards, the URL looks like your own domain and is easy to use. I think you've found a good solution at a reasonable price.
I agree with Merlion that size and media, even if you say mixed media, is a very useful thing. Your prices seem too low, but only you can determine that really.
In answer to your question about mixing the painting, I wonder if it would be possible to just add one button so that you'd have one for paintings, one for sculpture. somehow that bit of separation makes all the difference.
I think you will find this site makes it easier for people to see what you do.
JAZ

[bluedogshuz]

Thanks Jaz. One of the downsides to these premades is that you can't change format for the media so it is mixed together. I do mosaics as well. The reason I asked, is, when I am finished loading all the work I may need site two for painting, but I don't want to spend the $. Also the painting and sculpture is disimilar which was a concern I had.(Plus I've heard I'm a bad painter, hey whats new) You gtuys are right bout the price, looks too desperate!!

[arcdawg]

I have to say that its tough to price stuff, I make small crafty metal art and it seems that Im always under pricing my stuff.....even my father said so........ sell it cheap and its yard art sell it expensive its sculpture


gotta luv dad - :D

dawg

[bluedogshuz]

somone must have been listening. The web admin just added the multi gallery feature, go figure... looks better.
I think

[G. Murdoch]

Bluedog,

Greetings, congrats on launching a web site! It is not perfect, some of the the other feedback you have received I would echo: Better photos, more dimensions (For sculpture include mass as well as spatial dimensions), media, and HIGHER PRICES!!! Do not give this art away!!! Critique aside, I admire your work, the range of your media, and the fact that you have a website (launching a website has been on my to do list for about 7 years now). Congratulations, and keep up the good work.

Graham

[Merlion]

The web admin just added the multi gallery feature, go figure... looks better.
I think

Yes. I notice you now have two separate galleries for paintings and sculptures. I agree it is better. Your site is clearly more professional than mine.

[bluedogshuz]

Thank you for all your comments. Prices going up!!! I have to take the work to a park so I don't have ladders (duh) in the pictures. I am totally dumb about web design and template at $17. mo. is fine with me, that way I can get my hands dirty... plus the studio is for sale so I have to be nice and not mess it up for the new owners (I hope)! :cool:

[Julianna]

Nice site. It's clean and professional.

You might want to consider reshooting some of the photos. It would probably help the look of the site if the feature of the photos is the artwork rather than its environment.