*Special-Guest

This is Part 1 of the Featured Chat log with Susan McKivergan (^cosmosue).

You can find Part 2 here.


<tachy-on> Please help us in welcoming ^cosmosue to the first Professional Artists Featured Chat! Make her feel welcome folks!
<norke> There she issss
<bp-girl>
<jenepooh>
<gibbygibson>
<rachzee>
<athos-of-light>
<hellfirediva> cosmosue:
<miskis>
<jenepooh> :whistles:
<noticias> Hi, mi real nick is `edwheeler Colombian Senior
<thiefoworld> cosmosue
<katerina423> cosmosue:
<zzyzzx1337> ogmg sue YAY
<frozenpandaman>
<tsukinoken>
<jenepooh>
<keira-sama> :clapping:
<lemmonade42> CoRayBee: anytime! I'll ask stupid questions!
<shuttermonkey>
<norke> cosmosue:
<mynti> cosmosue!
<gibbygibson> :gigle:
<vaia>
<frozenpandaman>
<lemmonade42> HI!
<fallenrox>
<faiell>
<znow-white>
<tsukinoken> lol
<lyastri>
<keira-sama>
<cosmosue> Hello everyone!
<coraybee>
<jenepooh>
<frozenpandaman>
<raptorarts>
<guruubii>
<frozenpandaman>
<zzyzzx1337>
<starbat> Hi
<haikera-baiketsu>
<frozenpandaman>
<melicbot> Yikes
<znow-white>
<jenepooh> *throws flowers*
<rachzee>
<jensuhialeli>
<frozenpandaman>
<helen-baq>
<jenepooh> ssssssssssss
<frozenpandaman>
<jenepooh>
<helen-baq>
<frozenpandaman>
<dapineapple>
<bp-girl> Hey cosmosue!
<jack-lilac458> 69 ppl
<znow-white>
<zzyzzx1337>
<ellastasia>
<fallenrox> omg, I'm gonna pass out!
<purpelblur>
<tachy-on> Welcome Folks
<mynti>
<cosmosue>
<tachy-on> As this is a Panel Style featured chat, the Audience members have been muted for the remainder of the event.
<fallenrox>
<purpelblur>
<znow-white>
<tachy-on> The Panel will not only be asking ^cosmosue questions of their own, but also questions gathered from you, the community. The AR and MN Teams hope you find this event fun and informative. So, get settled in your seats, grab your favorite beverage and cookie, and enjoy!
<tachy-on>
<thiefoworld>
<purpelblur>
<katerina423> let the festivities begin!
<tachy-on> FallenRox: Would you like to introduce our Featured Guest?
<fallenrox> absolutely
<fallenrox> First off
<fallenrox> Thanks for all of your efforts in spreading the word about our first combined AR and MN@ featured artist chat. We're really glad you're here!
<fallenrox> The purpose of this chat series is to help educate the community about professional artistry in different mediums.
<fallenrox> Tonight, we are focusing on digital art with our own Susan McKivergan, or as most of DeviantART knows her, “cosmosue.”
<fallenrox> Susan is not only one of DeviantART’s digital gallery directors, she is also a professional artist and mother of two children.
<fallenrox> She is also a very encouraging and inspiring part of the community.
<tachy-on>
<fallenrox> Susan lives in South Carolina (USA) and is working toward a BA in Fine Arts.
<fallenrox> She has experience working in an eclectic art gallery, and also managed an art sales company.
<fallenrox> When Susan isn’t licensing her work for book , CD and magazine covers, she plays the flute, practices guitar, kicks ass on WoW and spends time with family.
<tachy-on> wow!
<cosmosue>
<tachy-on>
<fallenrox> At this time, I'd like to introduce Sue thanks for your attention and enjoy the chat!
<norke>
<fallenrox>
<tachy-on> Welcome cosmosue
<jenepooh>
<cosmosue> Thank you
<fallenrox>
<miskis> Welcome cosmosue
<cosmosue> Thank you for having me
<jenepooh>
<fallenrox> alexiuss: if you'd like to start grilling her
<fallenrox> feel free
<fallenrox>
<alexiuss> woooness
<tachy-on>
<znow-white>
<alexiuss> allrighty... since I'm elected as the grilling person, here goes it
<mynti> alexiuss: don't make her too toasty right off... leave some frying room for us?
<jenepooh>
<alexiuss> cosmosue: Personally, I got all 80% fans through deviantart. 10% through elfwood and 10% through other random websites. How did you establish a professional reputation/fanbase?
<cosmosue> almost exclusively through deviantART - I started at a little forum site called Norrath's Studio where folks did Everquest fan art (a game much like WoW) and from there I found deviantART while looking for PS brushes so I would say 99% dA
<cosmosue> it kinda all just flew really fast after I came here
<cosmosue> in 2004
<cosmosue>
<jenepooh> cosmosue: If you have a style that is not so mainstream, what advice would you have in finding a market?
<cosmosue> There are a lot of art galleries out there, especially in the groovier parts of cities that feature the not-so-mainstream art, I worked for one in Dunedin, Florida that featured a lot of really eclectic works, you kinda have to search for them, but as far as online dA is very diverse with so many different types of appreciators
<cosmosue> You can call up and make appointments to speak with the gallery owners to view your works
<cosmosue> or contact them via email
<cosmosue>
<jenepooh> Thank you.
<tachy-on> jenepooh: Does that answer your question?
<jenepooh> Yes, it does.
<miskis> cosmosue How do you cope with the instability of working as a freelance artist? I know this puts a lot of people off of pursuing art as a full time job, not knowing for certain when and where the next job is coming.
<cosmosue> that is the catch, you don't know, but once you get a decent amount of clients the jobs seem to keep flowing. Just as anyone else working for themselves you can't really afford (at least in my case) to slow down too much on production and getting new works out there to be seen or you miss out on opportunities and people needing art will notice someone else.
<cosmosue> but its worth it to me
<cosmosue> many times one job will equal someones one week pay
<cosmosue> or even 2 weeks pay
<cosmosue>
<cosmosue> I am always making art if not for someone else for myself, because every work gives more exposure, gotta keep going
<cosmosue> there are two incomes in my household, that helps
<miskis> Thank You.
<cosmosue> your welcome
<mynti> Hey Sue! I've got one for ya that I'm sure most people are curious about I think.. The first time I seriously began drawing was a really personal thing.. Who or what inspired you to start your craft?
<tachy-on> Nice question mynti
<jenepooh>
<mynti> Tachy-on: thankyas.
<cosmosue> Well it was more so that I wanted to make fan art of that game I mentioned earlier, Everquest, but when I came here looking for PS brushes I came across a few photomanipulations that really caught my eye, and I knew thats what I wanted to do, so here I am I guess it just started as a hobby, I had always been interested in art though and drawing since I was a little girl.
<mynti> Haha... so what were the first photoshop brushes you got from dA then?
<cosmosue> ok
<mynti> Do you even remember, cosmosue?
<cosmosue> Im thinking that it was probably wings! Everyone who loves fantasy and fairies loves wing brushes and butterflies lol
<mynti> haha, probably Thanks, sue!
<cosmosue> it took me a while to figure out I could paint my own wings - and it took the tablet as well
<tachy-on> hehe
<mynti> Yeah, a tablet helps!
<thiefoworld>
<norke> Lot's of people wants the juice, cosmosue. So here we go. When it comes to projects, how do you make your price? How much do you charge and do you have any guides for starting artists to determine a decent price?
<cosmosue> if you are going to be a series digital artist - pick up a tablet, just a tip
<mynti> Norke: all about the dough
<rachzee> Good tip, Sue.
<cosmosue> price...well that has always been a toughie for me
<norke>
<jenepooh> *reads intently*
<mynti> Norke:
<purpelblur>
<thiefoworld>
<znow-white>
<katerina423> ... the suspense is killing us all...
<cosmosue> When I first started I started low, maybe too low, $50 or so for mixed works, but last year I got a corporate order and I quoted $250 - the manager hit me back with $900 and ever since then it made me realize - don't go too low
<jenepooh>
<norke> Would you ask per hour? or per project, cosmosue?
<cosmosue> if you believe you are worth it - others will catch on to that
<tachy-on> wow, good advice
<cosmosue> per project
<cosmosue> I get as much info as I can and I go from there
<thiefoworld> I'm looking at you with new eyes now Sue
<electricjonny> cosmosue: That goes for selling your prints here on dA too, right?
<norke> thx for the advice cosmosue
<miskis> cosmosue: do you barter on price depending if its a corp. vs a single person?
<cosmosue> since most people know I mix medias, paint, and do photomanips it really depends, paintings are going to cost more - they take a lot more time not to mention they take more work and that shouldnt come cheap
<cosmosue> Im in the process of resetting all my print prices
<jenepooh> Where do you start though, or know where/how to begin with prices?
<cosmosue> and yes miskis I do take that into consideration, you are more likely to get more $$$ from corporate
<jenepooh> cosmosue: Where do you start though, or know where/how to begin with prices?
<fallenrox> cosmosue: can you define "corporate order?"
<cosmosue> I take into consideration 1) individual or corporate 2) amount of work involved (painting/mixed etc) and 3) time frame. Small graphic design projects sometimes only $100 but full digital paintings or mixed works I have gotten up to $900 per job.
<cosmosue> for instance I had a small order for xmas from a mom of this gorgeous little girl, I charged $125, but book covers, or CD covers things that are for market I consider corporate
<cosmosue> does that help clarify i hope?
<cosmosue> rush orders are always more by the way
<fallenrox> amen!
<jenepooh>
<cosmosue> I can be a bit of a procrastinator and I hate to be rushed!!!
<rachzee> Cosmosue: Getting down to the nitty, gritty nasty stuff on the dreaded taxes, esp. here in the U.S.: Paying income taxes due to all the various types of sales from your art, how have you figured that?
<limetastic> A rush order would be a week or 2?
<alexiuss> [link] I have a list of some websites that relate to how much one should charge people
<cosmosue> limetastic: yes
<tachy-on> alexiuss: nice, thank you
<cosmosue> ah the taxes question, the only one Im not entirely sure how to answer (to be honest) I do not do the taxes for my household lol - many corporate companies in the US will send a w2 - especially if you ask them
<cosmosue> but there is a special form you have to file when self employed
<cosmosue> and most of your art supplies can be written off
<cosmosue> does that help?
<jenepooh> wow
<mynti> cosmosue: Yep, a 1099 can be obtained too, if necessary, for big projects
<cosmosue> (Im terrible when it comes to taxes!!)
<rachzee> yes, it does, Sue. Thank you.
<tachy-on> I hate taxes
<cosmosue> mynti: ah yes thats it
<norke> cosmosue: what is w2?
<norke> for the non-english chaps here
<mynti> cosmosue: yeh I have to deal with that too
<jenepooh> cosmosue: When do you know that you have to do your taxes for something such as this?
<cosmosue> that is a form in the US that a company gives to their employees so they can file their taxes at the end of the year
<rachzee> Or you can pick up a 1099 and fill it out.
<norke> oh
<cosmosue> if I am given a W2 I have to file it, I don't get them for everything
<jenepooh> ahhh ok
<thiefoworld> Hey Sue! well.. we all now that not everything is good always, specially when you are starting with something, did you have rejection at first and how did you deal with it if so?
<tachy-on> pfft.. cosmosue has never been rejected.
<thiefoworld> Tachy-on: I know
<jenepooh>
<cosmosue> The only rejection I have had is with clients that I had already secured and was working with, like for instance if they didn't like a design I did. I will be the first to admit that it really gets under my skin when you are given a project and given a description only to have the work half done and they have completely changed their minds or decide to give you more details they left out at the beginning, and you have to start over or completely revise, but I have not done a lot of approaching people myself dA has been really great with exposure and I have a lot of people coming to me
<fallenrox> clients don't do that do they?????
<fallenrox>
<cosmosue> lol
<thiefoworld>
<fallenrox> that truly does suck.
<tachy-on> cosmosue: Has that gotten so bad that you've rejected the project?
<cosmosue> sooo frusterating, just one of those things I guess, but its worth it to me
<rachzee> Do yo utake a retainer fee before starting those projects?
<rachzee> *you*
<cosmosue> without saying the name of the company I can say that yes, that has happened, with a gallery in another state that licensed some work and had me create new works, wanted big edits without really giving me a better idea of what to do, and then put off paying me lol I would never work with them again
<cosmosue> and yes usually I take 1/2 up front
<katerina423> cosmosue: do most of your clients come to you from dA so that you rarely have to approach someone yourself?
<cosmosue> most see my work on dA yep and magazines like ImagineFX, and finally word of mouth from previous clients, that is a great feeling when you get a new client because a former client referred them!
<cosmosue> or a repeat customer
<fallenrox> nice
<purpelblur> cosmosue: Has anyone ever had a problem with paying half right off the bat?
<jenepooh> wow
<cosmosue> usually not
<purpelblur> ah good
<tachy-on> znow-white: You're up now I think.
<cosmosue> there has been a couple larger companies that wanted to wait, and they over nighted my check instead when the work was done
<alexiuss> cosmosue: I find that it's usefull to have an Agent working for you, selling your art to publishers. Do you have an art representative or agent? Would you recommend to other artists to get one?
<znow-white> Hi sue How did you find your niche, and determine who your ideal client, and target your market.
<cosmosue> depends on how their payroll department handles things I suppose?
<cosmosue> ok I will answer alexiuss first
<znow-white>
<cosmosue> I have not had an agent before, now I do have a company that sells some prints for me, and I get a little check every so often, and I do have some offers from a couple others who want to do certain things with my work and offer them to people giving me a cut but as for now I trust myself and I kinda like the way I run things
<cosmosue> I think it just depends on just how far you want to take it, personal decision really, I'm busy, but not so busy that I need an agent - yet! lol
<thiefoworld> cosmosue: maybe in the future!
<cosmosue> I hope that answers it? I don't really have too much experience with agents for now
<cosmosue> znow-white: hello
<znow-white> hi
<alexiuss> Since I do have an angent, I'll add on to the answer. Agents help make money through extra sales, especially if you have them in different countries- they can sell to publishers in languages you don't speak in. A good rate to give an agent is 10-30% from sales.
<cosmosue> my niche...well I would say I've been getting into my niche for the last two years mostly, developing my skills and over come limitations, after all the clients I have so far the 2 ideal clients are the ones who wish to license out a work already created, with limited editing, its like getting paid for something you did for yourself for fun, and someone wants to buy it, its great, also corporate clients who need book covers, or cd covers and know exactly what they want
<tachy-on> Nice, thanks alexiuss
<cosmosue> thank you alexiuss that is helpful
<cosmosue> I do have th eone company who sells some of my work fo rme at conventions, and its extra money on the side really it just keeps selling itself and doesn't really require me to do much except collect the money into my paypal account
<purpelblur> awesome!
<cosmosue> I have a few works that are already hands off as far as selling to others (besides in prints on dA) because they have been licensed out to people
<jenepooh> That's wonderful!
<rachzee> Convestions are great, but difficult to get booths. So that is great you have someone do that for you.
<znow-white> that is wonderful
<cosmosue> I always ask to retain the right to sell prints here on dA because I am attached to my works and some fans are as well and I want to make sure they can still get prints of works that are no longer available for purchase out right
<rachzee> *conventions* (Sorry, can't spell tonight) lol
<thiefoworld> Rachzee:
<norke> There are non here
<cosmosue> there are very few conventions around where i live, in florida there were many but I was not into digital art then, had I been I would have loved to be apart of the street art fairs and such I do miss that part
<jenepooh> Oooo we have those here...
<znow-white> have to ever thought of spreading your works further a field to the euro market
<cosmosue> I have had a few clients in the UK, Australia, and I was published in the middle east once lol
<cosmosue> oh and Ireland
<znow-white> wow
<norke> spinegrinder: