Don't Worry; Be Happy and Carol Ann

Okay; I know I promised a lot of people I would have my website up and running by the next meeting of SOAL. I made huge head way this evening; but still have a ways to go. Feel free to check it out and you will see. Some of my links are not working yet; but I have at least got several pages up! http://jeanbourque.com

Many of you know our dear freind and fellow artist Carol Ann Rose recently past away. It was with Carol Ann and her gallery that I had rebuilt my website & hand coded it. This has been in my flash drive for over a year. I had uploaded at MTC college website and my website was intertwined with Carol Ann and her art work and A Carolina Gallery. I am real grateful her husband Tom was kind enough to let all the artists meet at A Carolina Gallery after the funeral. Only Carol Ann; would request a funeral where they played the CD; "Don't Worry; Be Happy". You know I have thought about that a lot; that is how Carol Ann lived. Right up to the end even with stage 4 cancer she believed and she didn't worry; she was happy despite the pain. I miss her a lot and having her images intertwined with my work has been a blessing and has taught me a lot.

Many people have said I am a prolific artist and you all know Guy Lipscomb is; but did you know Carol Ann was? She did so much art in the years she has been an artist; I am amazed.

Some of you know about the Wild Womens Tea Party a few years ago; where I was the art director for the silent art auction. This was were 30 artists volunteered to transform a tea cup or tea pot into a work of art. Of course; Carol Ann and I each did one and so did many of our friends. Her Gallery was one of the two drop off points for the tea cups and tea pots. So Tom Rose filmed most of them at the gallery and I have lots of pictures of those and I thought maybe some of the artists or the world may just find them interesting. Anyway; I will take Carol Ann's advice and Don't Worry. I will always remember how much she laughed and how she could get me laughing too. She was happy woman and I am too. So ....if your having a bad day and not inspired; think of our dear friend and remember her laugh and how she smiled and laughed right up to the end inspite of severe pain.

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Carol Ann; a truly wonderful soul; that I had the blessing to know. I will always miss her but be thankful for the time I had with her. She was truly special.

The final words..."Don't Worry; Be Happy" will forever ring in my mind.

About the artist; Jean Bourque

JEAN BOURQUE ARTIST, writer, web designer, art marketing coach, small business consultant, speaker, teacher, photographer, video artist, philanthropist, and so much more.
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Jean Bourque has been an artist at Ward Nasse Gallery on Prince St. NYC since the late 90's.
She also had shown her work at two other NYC galleries in the mid 90's. Her artwork traveled to R Trade Gallery in the Netherlands establishing her first international market before the turn of the century. She has received offers for shows from all over the world including Southern France, Brazil; St. Croix; Nigeria and Germany. Jean's prior career as a framed art rep where she had sold art throughout SC and parts of GA, set the stage for her own art marketing career.

She studied impressionistic oil painting for many years with Ilona Royce Smithken; the star of Painting with Ilona; pastels with Jason Chang of NYC, oil painting with the late Conrad Talbot of Boston, MA and collage with Gerald Brommer a national collage artist and many others. She worked with Guy Lipscomb on a daily basis in his studio and honed the craft of unique creations and marketing artwork. Jean is a forever student of the universe taking courses as far flung as Feng Shui, Faux Finishing, and Macromedia Fireworks as well as having earned a degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing. (earning a 4.0 in her major and minor!)

Bourque has taught art lessons to people from 2 years old to senior citizens. Students love it when she tells them throw out all the negatives; yes you can create. Follow your heart, be true to your soul; because only there can you truly find the artist within! With her positive attitude and gentle encouragement her students find a new way to express themselves.

She also teaches a workshop called Marketing for Artists at galleries and for art groups.

Workshop: "Marketing for Artists" taught by Jean Bourque

Learn how to get your art into galleries and juried shows, how to promote your work and yourself as an artist; how to work the internet to your advantage; how to market your website, and so much more. Get your art out into the global marketplace; send Jean an email if you are interested or have a group that would like her to be a featured speaker.

She has completed several public art projects for The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington County. Her "Op Art" Tree; a ten foot steel palmetto tree which stood across the street from the front of the SC State Capital during the "flag" debate; received national tv attention. She donated hand painted furniture to help the homeless after 9-11; and has been an art donor to National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations; Salvation Army, Sexual Trauma Services, the SC Heart Association, Artist Against Aids, and The Wild Woman's Tea Party in addition to many other charities. She was also involved with the Door Project; making a work of art from an old door to raise money for the Cultural Council.

Her door was the "Mondrian Door" a tribute to the famous artist; well known for his use of primary colors in geometric patterns. This door sponsored by Mike Kelly stood at Kelly and Suggs Law Firm on Huger St in Columbia; until it was purchased at auction by John Delgado, also a lawyer in Columbia, SC. For three years it was at the entrance way of John's law firm on Richland St. next to the Chamber of Commerce. For the Garage Art Auction Bourque created works of art from old car parts and to her surprise; 7 out of 8 of her Assemblage artworks; were auctioned quickly and raised money for charity.

Jean Bourque is a member of and former President of the Seven Oaks Art League. Prior to that she had been the art director at the WWTP silent auction and librarian at Crooked Creek Art League in Chapin, SC. She is also a member of Americans for the Arts, the Artists Round Table, The Cultural Council and SC Women in Business.
This Blog created by Jean Bourque March 2007

A Few Art Marketing Tips from Jean Bourque

Create happy customers and they will tell others about how wonderful you are.

Things you can do when someone is not quite sure- Offer to deliver and hang the work at their location; see how it looks; tour their property
Let them test it for a few days with their décor; usually this will result in a sale .
You can offer extras; mat or frame exchange, build the value.
If the piece has won any awards make sure the client knows that.
If you have just won an award, got into a major gallery or in a new show;
let your potential client know. Do not be shy; they are interested in you and your art.

I do not recommend reducing prices; it makes it seem like a bargain basement piece.
Remember Fine Art is valuable and should never be treated like a long sleeve shirt on clearance sale in the middle of the summer.

Wear name tags at shows so people will know who you are. Always carry business cards and have a portfolio in your car; You never know when you will need it

When you make a sale and have the clients name and address; send a handwritten thank you and let them know what else you have going on or other work that is similar to what they purchased; offer to hang it; offer to do a consultation; etc…

Create a website or gather materials that would be suitable for your web page
As an artist; you are missing opportunities if you are not using the web.
If you do not know how to do a website; I would be happy to show you.

Yours truly;
Jeanee