Yay, I finished this EP! :)

[Ωbright]

Please let me know what you think of it!

It's even for sale if anyone wants the lossless files and copious artwork!

If you give it a listen, I hope that you enjoy it!

Savage Ohms - Zephyrus

[Nixon]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

I'll listen. Is there any way to buy a physical copy?

[Ωbright]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

Thanks...I hope you like it!

Can anybody recommend a good online place to sell physical CD's besides Amazon, who I refuse to use? I used Lulu for a long time, but they discontinued CD's about a month ago...which is fine, because their CD's SUCKED.

[EDIT] Oh yeah Yam...I can just burn you a CD of it and send it to you! It just might not have the artwork printed already unless I can borrow somebody's printer.

[Nixon]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

We can work something out. I don't want it to be too much hassle for you.

[highwind]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

What about CD Baby? Is that still a place?

[Novalis]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

Really liked the second track, "Klepsedra I." I'm getting a Dead Can Dance vibe from the EP, which I dig. Nice work!

[Ωbright]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

What about CD Baby? Is that still a place?

I just did some research on that baby of CD. Apparently, they charge $40 per album, and $10 per song (no physical sales). That's a 1-time charge, and there are no monthly fees or anything...but doing this on a per-cd basis would be much more affordable to me. A friend of mine (who is very successful) told me not to ever feel guilty about making a living. I understand him, and I agree with him, but when it comes right down to it I'm ashamed to ask friends for money, even in a fair exchange.

I just got through posting about this EP being for sale on faceborg, and about how prints of my paintings were for sale finally. Maybe it's because I didn't get much reaction...now I'm worried my friends resented being leaned on and advertised at. But in my defense, I really have had people asking for affordable prints for years, and I thought people would jump at it...that they would want to, not as a favor to me, but simply because they wanted the artwork or wanted to help support my art.

...So why am I glad that nobody bought anything? So that I won't have to feel so awful. Wow, I'm kinda pathetic! *takes picture* I know I'm just being stoopid. If they really need some artwork for their house, they would just be spending that much money somewhere else. I also only get about $10 per hundred spent, so I feel less bad, I guess.

Didn't mean to go off there, but the point is that I think there are cheaper ways of sending CD's to those that want them besides paying that website $40 in order for my friends to get charged also. I'm thinking I'm going to get some CD labels, jewel cases with clear trays, and use a friend's printer to make these CD's. I will enjoy doing it...it'll be fun.

But thanks for the suggestion! I know you didn't know about all of that.

Really liked the second track, "Klepsedra I." I'm getting a Dead Can Dance vibe from the EP, which I dig. Nice work!

Thank you! I love DCD, so any and all comparisons are welcome.

[Novalis]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

I just got through posting about this EP being for sale on faceborg, and about how prints of my paintings were for sale finally. Maybe it's because I didn't get much reaction...now I'm worried my friends resented being leaned on and advertised at. But in my defense, I really have had people asking for affordable prints for years, and I thought people would jump at it...that they would want to, not as a favor to me, but simply because they wanted the artwork or wanted to help support my art.

...So why am I glad that nobody bought anything? So that I won't have to feel so awful. Wow, I'm kinda pathetic! *takes picture* I know I'm just being stoopid. If they really need some artwork for their house, they would just be spending that much money somewhere else. I also only get about $10 per hundred spent, so I feel less bad, I guess.

Coming sort of out of left field here, but I wouldn't put too much stock into responses on fb. Have you tried setting up your own website or selling through an online gallery?

[Ωbright]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

I have accounts where I can sell my artwork on 3 websites, and 1 where I can sell prints.

I never sell anything.

Ever.

It was ok when I was 25. Now I'm 40, and it's increasingly NOT ok.

[Novalis]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

I strongly recommend selling through a gallery website, or better yet an actual gallery that can present your work with a specific marketing angle. Times are tough but every artist deserves to be paid for his time and effort imho. It can take a great deal of self-promotion and positioning in order to get other people to understand the value of your work. Don't give up! I like what you're doing!

[Ωbright]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

Technically, I am represented by an actual brick-and-mortar gallery called Xanadu Gallery in Arizona. The way that place works is, you start out as one of many artists represented online. You can pay to move your paintings up higher on the website, and if you generate enough interest, you can get a showing inside the actual building. Although after months and months of being "represented" by them, I'm finding out more and more that the only ones they really push are the ones that pay them for a pro membership or whatever, which is bull****. They should only make money when their clients make money. However, the reverse side of that is that I am willing to pay a little when they have to...I guess...for things like fullpage ads in art publications...? I don't know though...I was always told to be wary of art representation that asks for money other than from commissions. The same was true with literary agents. I'm just really sick of getting ripped off, and it's ALWAYS the artists, musicians, and writers that get screwed.

And then I think...what if they ARE promoting it (like they claim to begin doing as soon as you are accepted), and nobody is interested enough in it to even make an inquiry after 6 months? Then there's the whole matter of my contract. I never signed anything. I've been represented once before, and I got a contract in the mail to sign...not at xanadu. I'm not really even sure what that means. All I have is an email saying "Your work has been accepted."

In short, I AM LOUZAR.

I get fed up with it after a while, and turn to music for my creative outlet. Then I get fed up with THAT, and...well, rinse repeat. Then I give up on everything for a while, and a few months later, I'm like "WHY DO I WANT TO DIE?" lol...GEE. I wonder why.

So thank you for your words of encouragement. I appreciate them.

[Novalis]

Re: Yay, I finished this EP!

Your paintings look very textural, almost bas-relief, which doesn't always translate well online. I really like the images but I'd bet the pieces are much more impressive in person. On the site it says you're based in Georgia - have you looked into galleries or coffee houses in Atlanta? You might get more response if people are able to see the way natural light and shadow play across the canvases. Just a thought.

And Xanadu sounds like a racket invented by a pimp inspired by a pyramid scheme. You should NOT have to pay anyone to represent you. Evereverever.