Exhibiting at SURTEX has been a key to my success in art licensing. As my 8^th year as an exhibitor approaches, I find myself looking at the learning curve and wanting to help make it a little easier for fellow exhibitors.  

1/ Think about the needs of the manufacturer and the potential end use. 
It is important to not create in a vacuum. Always be sure to research the market, and observe the different elements of your artwork a manufacturer will need to complete their products.

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As I began my art licensing career and attended my first SURTEX show in 1988, I soon realized while the retail consumer is your end customer, and the retail store buyer is your secondary customer, the manufacturer is your primary customer. Knowing what manufacturers want and how to maintain a continuing relationship with them is the ultimate way to achieve your goal of forging a career in art licensing. So along with talent, a unique style, and a business sense, working well with manufacturers ranks as one of the must-have qualities an artist needs. Here are ten steps that I think will help guide you as you work with manufacturers:

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It’s exciting how colour changes the look and feel of art. It creates emotions, happiness, sadness, giddy excitement. Colours can be sophisticated, playful, relaxing and energetic. 
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OK, OK, I overstated to get your attention. My point is that in the art licensing business, the art itself is far more important than the artist’s name or “brand.” Artists frequently try to establish a brand quickly, but brand means little until the artistic content gains traction in the market and builds a following.

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Hi, we are Cathy and Ellen Heck, mother-artist/daughter-artist duo. We create designs for licensed products from our two studios in Austin and Berkeley. We love to show at Surtex, and not just because we get to be together in the same city.

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In store 2012 is sure to be full of patterns and vibrant color combinations! For the past few years, buyers have been a bit conservative-but the prediction is, that change is in the air! Designs that exhibit self expression and that are uniquely crafted are setting the trends. Think about giving your designs and products a special touch.

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There is an urban legend that says lightning never strikes the same place twice… but the reality is that lightning can strike any location more than once. Lightning is a highly concentrated charge of electricity with no memory about where it has or hasn’t struck before.

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Hi all!  I'm Khristian A. Howell.  Here's the cliff notes on me.  I make art, live to travel, and eat lots and lots of olives.

It's the start of another year, and if you are like me the goals for your business are pretty lofty.  That's a great thing.  I'd bet the fact that we wear many different hats everyday is also something we share.  Today I want to invite you to try on another hat - one of a buyer.  Luckily, I've spent some time wearing this hat so I'm thrilled to be able to share some thoughts with you.
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Wait no longer…SURTEX has officially entered the blogosphere! With as many as 11,000 unique visitors navigating surtex.com monthly, we feel the time is right to add another dynamic feature to provide even greater depth and keep you coming back. Blogging is unchartered territory for us, but an initiative we’re confident will provide our customers with informative, engaging (and sometimes entertaining!) commentary.

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