Bryan Collins, a painter and illustrator, has done many things in his time here on Earth. He was a tattoo artist, was in a touring band playing the bass guitar, and has been an artist since he was a child. Many things have changed in his life, but art has definitely been the constant.
Currently Bryan lives in Fort Collins with his wife and daughter. He is a permanent fixture at The Gallery Underground, exhibits all over the country and has been featured in multiple art magazines including Flash Art, Target Audience and Literary Fever. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bryan and he had lots to share with us.
What prompted you to get your site started?
I decided to move my fine art to the next level and become a full-time career artist. I needed to get worldwide exposure for my paintings and illustrations, and wanted to have personal control over representation and sales of my work. I do have art galleries and other websites representing my art, but my own sites allow direct connections and communication between myself, collectors, and fans.
Who are you going after in terms of customers?
A wide range of people show serious interest in my art. I don't cater just to big time art collectors, and I never look at anyone as a one-time customer. Anyone who makes a purchase, be it an original painting or a trading card print, should feel they are becoming a part of something. I have an ever growing community of people involved with the art I create. I am going after anyone who wants to be a part of that community.
What advice can you give people who want to start an online business?
Longevity is key. Sometimes you will get immediate kickback, but most often you will need to stick it out with a very clear vision, diversify your promotional techniques, create lots of networks, find the right balance of following and setting trends, and be willing to give up some sleep.
How many different products do you sell?
Everything revolves around the art I create. My Cartfly shop offers original paintings and illustrations, open and limited edition prints, apparel, and light merchandise such as pin-back buttons and trading cards. Prices start around three dollars and go into the thousands.
What are some of your best sellers?
Limited edition Art Trading Cards (ATCs) do very well. They are an inexpensive way to get limited edition items, and building coffee table art books with them can be fun. Prints of all kinds are the fastest movers.
What can you tell me that people might want to know about you/your company?
My art has been featured by quite a few major magazines and websites. In my first two years as a professional artist I participated in over 30 exhibits. I have been drawing since I was a toddler and went full time in 2007. I update all of my web presences, including Cartfly, on a very regular bases so new stuff is coming out all the time.
Why should people do business with your company?
I have built a solid, consistent, reliable reputation on the web and with art galleries nationwide. When you make a purchase through my Cartfly store, you are dealing directly with me and not an agent or liaison. I make every effort to accommodate special shipping arrangements, creating custom (commissioned) art or prints, and maintaining communication with each person who embarks in a transaction with me.
How did you find out about Cartfly?
I saw Paul Moschell using Carfly on his Myspace page. It looked so easy for customers to use, and I wanted to provide the same convenience to my collectors and fans. I signed up the same night I found out about it.
How has Cartfly helped you?
Cartfly has relieved the burden of updating many different shops throughout my web presence. I can update my Carfly store in one location and everywhere my code is pasted gets updated all at once. People can shop through many different items from whatever location they are already in. The store plugs in nicely to my website, Myspace, and blog. Sales began coming in right after I started using Cartfly. I am recommending it to friends and fellow artists almost daily.
You can find Bryan's Cartfly store on the "Shop" tab of his official website, his MySpace profile and blog. For more of Bryan you may also follow him on Twitter.
We’d love to hear about your Cartfly Store success. Email us at info[at]cartfly[dot]com to be a featured Cartfly merchant and we’ll do a story about you!
Thank you so much for doing this. You are fantastic!
~Bryan
Posted by: Bryan Collins | January 13, 2009 at 04:54 PM