John Chester, Wild Apple

Respect for Art

I was thrilled to learn that the National Endowment for the Arts just came out with a report indicating that the arts are a lot more important to the economy than people may have thought.  Titled Artists in the Workforce, the report counts almost 2 million artists in the US, 1.4% of the labor force, who earn a surprising aggregate of $70 billion annually. Not too bad for an industry often considered marginal.

Now, “artists” refers to more than visual artists, and includes actors, musicians, and writers among others.  Nevertheless, as part of the “creative economy,” it is great to see growing recognition of the monetary significance of the arts. 

For the report, see http://www.nea.gov/news/news08/ArtistsinWorkforce.html

Flood of Gratitude

Two weeks ago on a Saturday night / Sunday morning, we had a flood in our warehouse.  Remarkably, we didn’t lose any print inventory, we shipped all orders on time, and to look at it now you’d have no idea anything happened.  What might easily have been a disaster has ended up being cause for gratitude. 

• I’m grateful that our neighbor saw the nearby brook rising over the ice-jammed bridge, and called us at 6:00 AM.I’m grateful that a bunch of employees rushed over to help – one even bringing his family members. 
• I’m grateful that excavators were willing to work on a Sunday to unclog the brook and remove 3 feet of ice from the parking lot. 
• I’m grateful that there are such things as companies that focus exclusively on disaster recovery.  I’m grateful for a good flood insurance policy.
• Mostly though, I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who deal with adversity proficiently, gracefully, and with good humor.

Catalogue Envy

At Wild Apple we're testing whether size matters.

Bucking the trend toward bigger is better, we have just come out with a convenient, easy-to-carry, easy-to-use 2008 Wild Apple Catalogue.  In contrast to the guargantuan tomes so prevalent in the art publishing industry, this is a sleek little number you can actually bring along with you on a client visit.  Your arms won't lengthen and your back won't give out. 

It shows a lot of art in a simple, attractive format.  Even acknowledging that the website is the best way to search by subject matter, style, or artist, I think we all love the feel of a printed book to thumb through.  At one point I thought that the day of the physical catalogue was over, but then I came back to my senses - the senses of sight, touch, even the smell of ink on paper as I turn the pages.

I look forward to hearing what people think of the new layout.  Happy New Year!

Cool(er) Show

Decor Expo Atlanta, the art & framing show, took place last weekend.  There seemed to be a lot of grouchy folks.  I bristle at the negativity, because it was actually a decent show.  Yes, traffic was light, booths were smaller, and some exhibitors were AWOL.  Instead of generating excitement, however, people complained about this and that.  As one friend commented, the bad moods going into the show brought about a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Our contribution to mood-lifting was the Cruisin’ Cooler, as in beer cooler with electric engine and wheels.  This baby gets up to high speed on trade show straightaways…but it doesn’t corner too well.  Saturday afternoon we had the pleasure of delivering cold beers to friends. 

All in all the show was good to us: we spent time with key customers, made new friends, and created opportunities.  And had some silly fun along the way.

Rational Exuberance

The big news at Wild Apple is that Jeff Grinspan has joined us to lead our art licensing business.  He's not to be confused with former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, even though when Jeff speaks, people listen. 

Jeff is kind of a licensing guru (Yoda?), having run Sakura dinnerware and having worked with dozens of artists and licensing companies.  He's been tapped to put on various licensing seminars, which prove to be great venues for his stand-up comedy routines.

The official press release is at www.wildapple.com/company/press_room.html.  On a personal level, I'd term my feelings about this as rational (not irrational) exuberance.

As we welcome Jeff, I thank his predecessor, Charlie Kimbell, for his years of hard work, energy, and leadership at Wild Apple.  Charlie has started his own business, Kimbell Sales & Marketing, which is bound for success.

I Went To A Garden Party

With a short season in Vermont, anything green doesn't just grow, it sprints - including the weeds overgrowing the path to Wild Apple's entrance.  A bunch of us spent lunch sprucing the place up.  Certain boneheads (me) can't tell the difference between weeds and "good" plants, so received wheelbarrow duty (like an outdoor janitor).  A welcome change of pace, jovial camaraderie, good weather, and the place looks great. 

Spring, Finally

I generally think it's really boring when companies show photos of their headquarters on websites and in their marketing material.  But I just got back from a bunch of traveling, and couldn't help but be bowled over by the apple blossoms in front of the building.  Spring may be late in Vermont, but it's worth the wait.  Wish I could post the marvelous smell of these trees, but our technology isn't there yet.  

Pet Peeve

“It doesn’t just happen, you know,” said Laurie.  “It takes work.”  She was referring, of course, to publishing art.  We’re in an inherently creative and fun industry.  It’s hard to think of a business that could be any more fun.  But does it ever take a lot of work! 

There’s a phrase about art prints that drives me crazy:  “It’s just ink on paper…”  Them’s fightin’ words.  Please don’t say it in my presence – I may not be responsible for my actions! 

Every sample of “ink on paper” from Wild Apple contains countless hours of searching for artists, recruiting, negotiating, giving feedback;  tracking trends in themes, color, furniture, home design;  brainstorming and collaborating on new ideas;  critiquing, repainting, editing;  state-of-the-art detailed image capture / photography;  the industry’s leading digital color management;  consistent superior printing quality.  (There’s more, but you get the point.)  Every print we produce carries the artist and the whole company with it.

I guess I’m promoting Wild Apple even more than usual on this blog – OK, so I admit I’m proud of our artists and our team and our products!  Now you know what not to say.

Wonders for a Room

If John says it, who cares?  But if Martha says it, better listen up.

An ad for Martha Stewart rugs (by Safavieh) in HFN Magazine says, and I quote, "Art on the wall can do wonders for a room."  Yes!  That is exactly the message!  Sing it from the rooftops! 

The only problem is that this was an ad for rugs, not wall decor, and continues, "Imagine what art on the floor can do."  It's ironic that a floor covering company is helping do the art industry's job.

The quickest, most noticeable, and most personal way to change a room is with new artwork -- and it does not have to be expensive.  As an industry we need to keep driving that point home, again and again, repeatedly, redundantly (I don't care that you have heard this spiel from me before!).  Art is a natural focal point of the home and shouldn't be an afterthought in the decorating process.

Even though I'm in the art industry, it's still a marvel how fresh and energy-inducing new artwork can be.  Here at the office, we changed artwork in the kitchen last week, and it's an entirely new room.  As Martha would say, "It's a good thing."

Buy art. 

Room (with a) View

Last summer one of our customers suggested WIld Apple organize images by room setting (e.g. kitchen, bedroom, home office).  I actually listened.  I love the idea, because I'll bet (with no evidence or market research, of course) that when people are looking for art, more often than not they have a specific wall of their house in mind.  If consumers think that way, shouldn't retailers and framers -- and publishers?

It may have taken a while (there are a lot of images to categorize!), but it's up and running at http://www.wildapple.com/fineart/catsearch.asp.  It works best in conjunction another criterion (size, subject, style).  For instance, you can look for Oversized images for the Dining Room, or Floral images for the Bathroom.  Our hope is to offer one more relevant way of looking for art.

But remember, the room categories are just suggestions - you can put any image where you want it - it is your house, after all!