Artwork Finally Up

Did I ever tell you that I hate trying to figure out HTML codes for websites?!?!

Well, I do.  After searching and trying and searching and trying again, I've finally admitted defeat: I just can't create a fancy art gallery template on my website. 

A little back story: I decided to create an official artist website for myself using Google Sites about 3 weeks ago.  I chose Google Sites because a) I was already familiar with it and b) it is free.  So, I purchased my domain name and started to piece my site together.  Then came the hard decision of how to display my artwork on my new, professional website.  I come to find out the Google Sites is extremely limited with what it can do, display wise.  It took me about a week and a half, but I've finally just accepted that I do not have the patience or the knowledge to set up some overly fancy art web gallery.  I just made do with what I could do.  I'm actually happy with it.  Check it out at http://www.grandirstudio.com/gallery.  Let me know what you think (not that I can or will change anything now!).

In other news... TEN DAYS AND COUNTING UNTIL MY VERY FIRST ART SHOW!!!!!  I'm so, so excited!!!!!!!!!!  I just can't wait to finally get there and set up my booth and just be proud of all of my hard work! 

You'll be happy to know that I did my homework this past weekend and attended the Three Rivers Art Festival in downtown Pittsburgh.  I went with Steve and my mom.  It was a hot, sunny day, but I was in heaven. 

It was so interesting to be there and look at things in a more analytical way.  My mom and I walked together (with Steve waaaaaaaaaay ahead in the front) and we critiqued pretty much every booth we passed.  There were a few there we really loved (check out artist websites Jenn Cole, Just A Jar Design Press - BEST BOOTH!, and Meghan Olson). 

Looking at other artists' booths really inspired me on how to make mine even better!  And I'm all about inspiration and ideas.  The only downside to Saturday's Art Festival was the crowd.  There were so many people there you couldn't even get into any of the booths!  Seriously, it was just a line of traffic of people.  It was really discouraging, and it was upsetting to see for the artists-- it looked like no one was buying.  I was paying attention to how many people were carrying around shopping bags, and they were few and far between. 

If you are in the area, I definitely recommend going to the show and support our fellow artists!

Don't forget to check out my website.  Any and all feedback is appreciated (be kind!). 

Time to get back to my very long to-do list. 
Peacing out,
Nikki