Friday Feature ~ Frances Marin

Our Friday Feature this week is artist Frances Marin. She paints custom portraits of people and pets, illustrates logos, paints and makes textiles.

1. What is your Shop Name and URL ?
My shops name is Frances Marin and the URL is www.francesmarin.etsy.com

 2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SF Etsy

 3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
I sell custom portraits, prints of my artwork and some original work on Etsy. I also get custom requests for special projects. 

I have been painting and drawing since I can remember and I went to school for my BFA. 

My creative process involves being in a good headspace and environment, first and foremost. I get into the flow of working and lose track of time. I experiment with every brush stroke, learning new things and revisiting technique from years of practice. These days, I like to work loosely and simplify. I often conduct a little research to look at patterns, colors, places, so I am always learning new things by making art. That is an important aspect to my process. 

 4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
I went on an art residency in Cadiz, Spain last November. It was an incredible experience, working in a studio on the top floor of a museum that overlooked the sea. The ideas and influence that has had on me has been immense on my recent work. Also, I dropped out of high school my freshman year and later on received my BFA in pictorial art and and an MLIS (library science). I guess I like to do things my own way. 

 7. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
http://www.francesmarin.com/
https://instagram.com/francesmarin/

8. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
When the editor of HGTV Magazine ordered from my shop, as well as when I received custom portrait orders from actors in Belgium and from a band I love. Also, when Etsy featured my portraits on their blog in 2012. That's how the portraits took off! Thank you, Etsy. 

9. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?
I would sail a boat to a tropical island, swim for a little while in the crystal clear water. Jump out, eat some plantains, black beans and fresh fish. Then, lay in a hammock and sketch all day. Later on, have a bonfire with some good family and friends. 

10. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.
I love sharing my knowledge with others. Between my art and library science education, I have a variety of creative and research skills. I have developed a good knowledge of art business skills from a course I completed as well as the internet so I try to answer questions people have for me regarding creative business. If I hear of an opportunity that would be a good fit for an artist or maker I know, I will reach out and send it to them. Last summer, I was an instructor for the Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Program and this has led to some potential future opportunities for teaching. I have taught art to children and adults, even in a juvenile hall for girls some years ago. That was one of my favorite experiences in giving back. 

11.What's next for you?
I will be creating an art installation for the SubZERO Festival in San Jose June 5th and 6th. I love this festival since it is in my city and shows off all the artistic talent we have to offer. The range of art and music is mind-blowing so don't miss it!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, visit Our Team Page about joining SFEtsy!

Step Outside - Breaking Your Stride

It is said that Albert Einstein spoke of insanity as "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." While quotes from genius people may cause an eyeroll from overuse, there’s a reason why we listen to these brainiacs.

Albert Einstein by Frances Marin

I must say this quote really hit home when I read it last week. I had been checking my Etsy shop, looking at stats, hoping for new sales, waiting for something magical to happen when I had an epiphany. I hadn’t added new items to my shop for weeks, I haven’t improved my photos, I often only have one image for my listings (as opposed to the recommended five) and the list goes on!

Lately, I have been gaining more income from art fairs, trade shows and a public art project. It has been great to have various streams of income, but I do want Etsy to work better for me and the key is to stop doing the same thing again and again.

This quote can be applied to not only the technical aspect, but also the artistic perspective. I believe as artists and creators, we should never stop evolving and discovering new territory. When you look at great artists of the past, such as Picasso, or artists of the present, such as Wilhelm Sasnal, their subject matter and styles move around in ways only enabled by their willingness to be bold and try new things.

I had been looking at my shop as if I had been working really innovatively on it. Although I had been working hard, I had not been working better by improving what is already existing or creating new listings. Sometimes we have to step back from ourselves to see what’s not working and what we can change. I know that I have work I have created in the last year that I could be adding and I need to shoot better photos.

You can easily apply Einstein's quote to the items you create and the operation of your Etsy shop. Are you listing and relisting the same things again and again? Are your keywords the same? Titles? Photos? You get the picture. Try crafting in a new color, try drawing subject matter you would never normally draw, try adding a new decorative trim to that bag...

What can YOU do differently?

Original Drawing (sixtythree) by Cari Monster

If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

New Column: Step Outside

Hello! I’m Frances Marin, an artist, illustrator and designer on the SF Etsy team. I’m excited to debut a new column, Step Outside. I’m happy to have you join me on my adventure as I transition into a creative livelihood while sharing ideas and experiences along the way. It’s a scary yet exciting place to be, especially since I’m not exactly planning this strategically. I am simply working hard, following my instincts and embracing the unknown. Since finishing art school, I have worked as an art teacher, library page and most recently as a tech worker bee. While I have learned a lot from all of these experiences, I have found myself constantly returning to the the thing that makes me happiest: creatively using my hands.

My giant pile of post-it notes full of plans and ideas.

There were various signs that pointed me to this path. For one, I spent every waking moment living and breathing art and Etsy outside of my 40+ hours a week job. I wrote dreams and ideas down on endless post-it notes that I saved in my pocket and added to the pile when I arrived at my art studio after work. It became quite a nightmare to balance. Though I was making good money and grateful for the day job, especially considering the lackluster economy for the last few years, I found myself unhappy and overworked. I figured that maybe with hard work and determination, I would find myself working on my art full-time in a few more years... but something told me that was just too long.

I feel I’ve had a rocky time trying to figure out how to achieve my goals, but I’m determined to try again and again. I’m not making the money I was at a day job, but it’s so much more important for me to be myself. Eventually, I may need to get a part-time job, but for now I will happily devote my time to art. This column will be about trying new things, following our instincts, making mistakes and learning as we go. Join me every other Wednesday for new and inspiring articles!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!