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 This Past Month |
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At the beginning of February, we finished the big database and search function overhaul. See below for what you need to do to take advantage of this change. Then, mid-month saw the introduction of the zoom feature (more below).
Other events included removal of all traces of Artspan from the top of the Artspan Classic design sites. This does not include the Black and Grey design – that is coming.
Also, we launched the Printmaking portal which joins the Art in the UK and Art in LA Portals launched in December and January. These were the first of the regional portals, with Art in NY and more to follow. The Figurative Painting portal is also live. We thank our new Portals Editor, Nina Alvarez, who was responsible for the Printmaking portal and Brett Downey, who put together the two regional portals….outstanding work!
We are preparing to launch a new feature which enable us to assign RSS news stories to individual portals. This will mean a big jump in relevant content for each portal, and should increase their use to visitors and members. This should be up the first week of March.
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More on the New Artspan Searches |
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Please see the February newsletter for details on the complete redesign of the Artspan search functions.
To take full advantage of this and have your work show in more searches, you may still need to do the following:
Make more images searchable
Because searches are now more closely defined, we are able to return more images in the results pages. Professional plus sites have 15 searchable images, Professional sites have 9 and the rest of the sites have 6. In all cases, there are more searchable images. Make sure that each category subject has at least one searchable image that corresponds to that category and subject. And don’t forget to highlight the correct categories/subjects/mediums for each. This is very important for searches done with drop-downs, for directories and for having your images show in the Featured Member slots on the Portals.
Take some time with the keywords.
Try to think of how a visitor might search for your work, what terms they might use. Add those to the field. Don’t forget to add your name.
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Zoom |
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Visitors can now magnify images that you upload to your site with a small or medium or large magnification. This will be of interest to all of you, but for some members (i.e. jewelers), this is a critically important upgrade.
You will need to upload larger images for the magnifier to work. The largest dimension of the new images, heigth or width, has to be at least 1200 pixels. Artspan software will save a 1200 pixel version of your image (in addition to the other sizes currently saved) so that the zoom tool can show real detail. Once you have uploaded a new image, just click on the Enable Image Zoom checkbox.
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Prints of Your Work |
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We are working to put together a means for members to sell giclee prints of their work from their sites and from a separate site, artspanPrints.com. To this end, we have signed a letter of intent with a major art printer. A buyer will be able to select a work of yours, painting, photo or other, and order a giclee print of it (assuming you select this option) in different paper qualities and sizes. They will also be able to mat and frame the work in a wide variety of colors and styles. Finally, the printer will ship and we will collect the money. All you will need to do is make sure that the image you upload is large enough to reproduce and accurately reflects the original work. And then cash the check.
More details will be forthcoming. We will be working on the automated shopping cart billing this month, a necessary first step, so this feature probably two months away.
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Scam Alert |
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I have heard from a lot of members that they are receiving from “buyers” expressing interest in their work. Common threads are mention of sending cashiers checks for more than the sales price and for arranging shipping through their own shipping agent.
As always, you will be quite secure if you:
1. know your buyer...get contact info and other details, don't be afraid to ask, any real buyer will be happy to oblige.
2. Never do anything before funds completely clear your account (not just credited)....takes a week or more after deposit.
These things seem to come in bunches. This is one of those periods. We suggest you check the Forum thread for the more news on this
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Featured Members |
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| John Edward Marin |
| Abstract and Figurative Paintings |
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| John has two current collections of works. The first collection is an edgy
and fun twist on a technique that he has developed using latex
paint on his custom built wood panels. The second collection is a series
of figurative works and are deeply spiritual in nature and convey a
message of love, compassion, strength, and playfulness.
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| Lynnda Tenpenny |
| Mixed Media Collage and Abstract Paintings |
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Lynnda's art involves many layers that represent layers of meaning. She
developed many of the processes that she uses, especially the cast paper
leaf which she makes using a real leaf as the mold. She rarely uses any
paper that she has not painted or altered in some way.. |
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Legal and Other |
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Copyright 2008. Artspan LLC. All rights reserved.
All images are the property of their respective owners. The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of artspan.com members.
Thoughts or ideas for future newsletters? ask@artspan.com
Technical questions or problems? www.artspan.com/help
Visit www.artspan.com today! |
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