Gratis Libre

Author: Gratis Libre

  • Daniel Shaw

    Age 4 is when Daniel knew music would be in his life forever. His father gifted a brand new red Sears brand electric guitar and an acoustic. It was a magical moment that set the stage for a creative future. In-a-gadda-da-vida was his first favorite song. He listened on headphones and learned the drum solo by tapping on surfaces until drums were introduced to Daniel’s universe.

    It was age 11 when he took his first guitar lesson. He was taught Mary had a Little Lamb and basic blues patterns which were well-received and outgrown quickly. He met one of the coolest local rock guitar players in 1985, Jason P, That’s when Daniel was shown how to just listen and figure out the songs/play by ear. Fast forward a few months locked in his room learning his favorite metal and rock songs, he would aim his amp out the window and play various Black Sabbath songs. It was as close to being on a huge stage and definitely displayed his passion for performance AND playing music.

    There are various original bands he’s played guitar, bass, or drums in through the years. It was 2007 when Daniel decided to focus on more of his OWN music. He set up a micro home studio and began making beats and recording tracks. He created sequencer drum patterns for each song and layered and panned his 21 tracks of guitar and strange SFX and vocals. He’s recorded 27 songs up until 2018. That’s when he began: “uppercase D and the lowercases.”

    Utilizing Fruityloops and Caustic3, Daniel became heavily into using these programs to make “rock/metal/rap/etheric” songs, on software generally used for dance, hip-hop, and pop. Along with his songs, you’ll see his unique videos. As a true believer in straying from mainstream yet still knocking on it’s door with occasional deliveries tailored for listeners who enjoy simple or mellow music, Daniel uploads his songs on YouTube and SoundCloud for your enjoyment.

    “There’s a song for EVERYONE!” His grandmother never told him that, everyday.

    Links:

    uppercase D & THEE lowercases: https://www.youtube.com/@uppercasedtheelowercases3123/community

  • Jeri Dayle

    The Dove by Linda Belickis

    Turning Your Creativity and Artistry Into Business

    We often talk about turning our artwork from a hobby, or therapeutic ritual into a business – a topic on many artists’ minds.  “Sometimes you have a craft that you know, and a sense you should be sharing it with other people,” noted Linda Belickis, a New York artist who dabbles in many fields like calligraphy and jewelry, but is foremost into mosaics (and trained in classic Byzantine style). Linda recently took the leap, and began to sell some of her artwork.  Below are some steps to get you started on your journey into the business side of art.

    Start by Getting Business Help

    Since creative minds are different (that whole right vs. left brain argument) you’ll need help with the practical business elements. Try an organization like the Service Corps For Retired Executives, or SCORE, which is comprised of retired business executives.  They’ve been the entrepreneur’s best friend for 50 years,  providing free advice on everything from marketing, and accounting to patents, licenses, and resale exemptions. You might also want to get a copy of The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real. This award-winning book for artists is available at www.amazon.com.

    Learn to Network and Self Promote

    Says Linda. She promotes her work by displaying custom pieces in local retail establishments, such as the brightly colored lollipop that hangs in the candy shop.  Artists can also build a network of contacts on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com, which is good for those who do commission pieces, or want to license their artwork.  Use other social media, like Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter to showcase your latest work or announce a sale.

    The following are networking sites exclusive to artists:  Artpromotivate.com, Artbreak.com, Artrise.com, and Artslant.com.  They let you post a bio and portfolio, and some even enable direct to collector sales. 

    Sell Your Merchandise Online

    Church sales and flea markets are a start, but you won’t always reach connoisseurs there. Linda is one of those crafters with a shop on www.etsy.com.  A global community of purveyors of handmade goods, etsy has a motto that reads like this post: Turn Your Passion Into A Business.  You can also try Square Market, www.squaremarket.com or e-bay, www.ebay.com

    Explore Professional Groups, Contests and Gallery Submissions

    Another tactic Linda tried, is selling a piece through a professional collective (in her case SAMA, the Society of American Mosaic Artists.) The submission, pricing, and selection were all accomplished via the Internet, and her piece now hangs in a California gallery. Check a site like www.theartlist.com to find out what galleries, museums, and organizations in your area are looking for.

    Remember, once you decide to make it your business, it will become work. Treat it seriously, be patient for that first sale, and then keep striving.

    —

    Visual:  The Dove by Linda Belickis

     (Her 2012 study of a larger mosaic work housed in Ravenna Italy)

    —
    Jeri Dayle is a writer with credentials that span many genres including books, newspapers, magazines, advertising and marketing communications. She developed the children’s books Sock Crafts and Paper Bag Crafts for Random House, appeared for eight years in Queens Parent, and currently freelances for ad agencies and business clients. She is also an avid crafter (with a beaded jewelry business of course). Gratis Libre is one of several sites where she guest blogs.