Licensing - Ideas Re Acanvas?

never mind

Mike Savad - thank u for the quick post. I had no idea this was already moving along this much.

I do think that whatever setbacks are happening now, will be like my first mac in '92 or so. Workable but nothing I'd have around now, 'cept as a momento. :)

When you mention it's been sold out and still is, what is it that's sold out? I'm just not up enough on this yet to know what you might mean.

Also, I "think" I'd read in FAA's info material that the current projected screen for licensing through aCanvas was landscape, and that the image would be centered that way regardless if the image was vertical and that that was something to keep in mind.

I'm not sure I was imagining someone sitting waiting to have the image change. The material I'd read here from FAA said the package purchaser would be able to choose their images plus decide how long each image would show and when, and those settings could be changed and controlled as desired.

Thanks again for responding though. It helps me think some things through.

Adan

never mind

Thanks, Mike, all good points. Definitely concerns a business wanting to make this idea work would have to solve. I'm sure it or something like it will eventually evolve, but I guess we'll have to wait and see when and how.

I am looking very enthused about the launch of ACanvas as are many other FAA members.

This is going to be a win/win with zero downsides for those that sign up.

It really doesn't matter how many other devices are out there. FAA has over 500,000 artists and 5 million images, this is going to be about the images, not the device. All ACanvas has to do is get any piece of market share and it is going to be a winner.

Using the analogy givien, Apple should have never entered the cell phone business because there were already a ton of cell phones out there.

apple kind of started the craze of having a phone in the first place. most of what we have now, is thanks to them.

this is more like a fit bit, but coming out 5 years after it was popular.

photo frames were out for a long time, and were never popular then either.


---Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Felipe

I hope you understand that what Mike has said is his opinion only. FAA went into this because of the possibilities. Many artists are happy with what is happening and want to be in on the ground floor of a new concept in art sales.

Mike. Coming on and completely demolishing something that FAA is trying is, not only out of order, but not fair on the many artists who want to give this a go and who are looking forward to it. Your opinion on this, and many other things, is just that...your opinion. Please do not put your opinion out as fact.

Thank you.

Thank you, Abbie!



Mike, you need to check your history on the cell phone industry.

Apple was a Johnny come lately.

Motorola, Nokia are just two of the cell phone makers that were out way back in 1973. Apple did not enter the market until 2007.

But they were number two behind Research in Motion that was the market leader for years before and after the Apple phone.

But the first smartphones were by IBM, 15 years before Apple introduced the iPhone.

So, I am pretty sure there is room for another "photo frame" if it is done right and marketed right. But to call ACanvas just another "photo frame" is entirely inaccurate. It is much more and it is that "more" that a lot of us hope to make a buck on.

Isabella, I appreciate it. And I do appreciate what Mike has to say, but based on the info from FAA I just feel it's well worth the try, esp being relatively new to promoting my digital images, photos - paintings - sayings etc.

I've painted and taken photos for decades, tried my hand at a few print runs years back, and am continually amazed how technology has, I think, continued to open doors to what artists can do.

It's been the confluence of evolving technology and the current state of social media that makes me feel this well worth the try :)

Adan

Floyd - I can even see more and more paper banner scenes in subway cars, elevators, hotel & business lobbies carrying "something" along what aCanvas is hoping to do.

I've only done one of the big art shows (originally at the Javits Center) in NY, about a decade ago, and even then image-promo by poster reps was via small screens rotating samples of their inventory.

'Course back then I was mostly interested in the big new printers for artists. My wife saved up for a "long" time and got me one. One month of ink cartridge expenses told me I wasn't ready for that yet, lol!

What I think would be neat in community and local artist club art shows would be an aCanvas style screen with images of the work in the show, promoting the sale of print sales of the originals right there in the show.

Anyway, should be interesting how all this develops :)

Adan

It's not something I see as being successful for artists, though it may very well make lots of money for the hardware companies and the image brokers. If there were stats provided that showed images showing up on the aCanvas screen were at least somewhat correlated to physical sales I might change my opinion but with the royalties so small and the volume needed to make anything so large at this time I don't see it as being a viable way to earn anything.

Adam, stats like that would be very neat, but they'll all be hindsight by the time they're available. My expectation at this point is to give it a try. I'm so new to the digital aspect of my images my first goal is simply exposure and being curated to participate. Thanks, Adam, I appreciate the thoughts and feedback -

Adan

I'm glad you are not letting people sway you.... What does not work for one often works for many..

Thanks, Isabella -

It feels well worth trying :)

Adan

Has anyone rmoved or made their signature on their image smaller in anticipation of being licensed via aCanvas, or do you think it really won't matter to that market?

Thanks!


Adan

Opportunity for more players to grab a smaller piece of the pie. At least that is how digital distribution of music has worked out for musicians. Smaller royalties but with more opportunities for new bands to be heard.

But the real question is what the overall market will be. While everyone has a smartphone or computer or car to steam music -- how many want or can afford or have a spot in their home or office for this screen on the wall? Already there are rental art companies for business and home owners who want to change artwork from time to time. Do they really want it changing every minute or so? How would a family or business be assured that the art shown is appropriate for all audiences?

Signatures - I only sign limited edition prints, not reproductions or screen views.

Edward - thanks so much for the info & thoughts (I enjoy browsing your blog and site for info & ideas too!).

>>Already there are rental art companies for business and home owners who want to change artwork from time to time. Do they really want it changing every minute or so?

I think that's a legitimate question, one I had and still have. I do think it's totally doable "if" the distributor is willing or able to use even current technology. Time spacing and variability should be a simple setting, adjustable for each image. First ideas re read doing that was via an app etc. I seriously think the winners will have voice technology usage. Hold image, pause, play again, etc.

I also think it'll probably reasonable, and maybe fun, to have a large selected batch, and play those images for awhile, letting one's moods and reactions determine which should play longer, or at all. There might be some favorites chosen for bedtime, or sunrise, etc.

>>How would a family or business be assured that the art shown is appropriate for all audiences?

That should be relatively easy with adult or political content filtered out.

All in all, these are just guesses on my part of course, part hunches & part semi-ideas based on what I've read. Usage will determine if this works or not, and how so. But it's human nature to wonder ahead of time. It's part of makes something work or not :)

>>Signatures - I only sign limited edition prints, not reproductions or screen views.

It's an old habit for me to break, as I've been signing work since the late 60s :) Still, today, I posted a small image w/out sig at another local - but - posted a slightly enhanced version here with my sig, better formatted for printing & other POD.

Personally it would not shock me if this takes off and eventually cuts into physical prints as Millennials and Generation Z get older and become the primary buyers of home decor. After all they are used to looking at screens and not using physical media, they are also used to getting things as soon as think of it - like bringing up a picture they want. Why should this be any different? As others have mentioned look at the music and book industries, both landscapes were completely changed by things going digital. Look at all the brick-and-mortars that are falling at the hands of the Internet.

There will probably always be a market for physical prints but don't be surprised if a good chunk of that shifts over to digital.

Very true, Toby, and maybe beyond my time to see it all unfold, being a young senior :) but I see my grandchildren treat imagery very differently being used to like you say bringing up images immediately.

I haven't heard much re halogram-technology since the 2000s, but it's getting nano-cized so to speak and could play a part too.

I do think "some" physical works, the ones folks really want, like now but even more so, will still be in demand, especially on products like offered here and other stuff. My granddaughters love stuff on shirts, socks, bags, all that.

Part of buying art is being able to show off your collection and your high level of taste. An electronic canvas has no "show off" factor. It won't impress your guests, so the problem is matching its high cost with its low level potential buyer. Basically the buyer of mass produced posters.

I can see it taking off if the dentist office can insert their own ads in the waiting room (ask about our teeth whitening procedures!) or Amazon can add clickable ads to people's living rooms.

Edward, there is something special about original art, our home is filled with it. I enjoy it in moments I don't expect, but don't really think of it unless someone visits and notices it cause original more traditional art is so unusual and has its own strengths. But honestly, I know almost no one who "shows off" the art on their walls as indicating taste or a collection. I grew up working class, am probably middle class now, and have little direct experience with folks like that.

The majority of folks I know would like an electronic canvas, or halogram, but the current perceived cost is too high - so I think you're right on target there. But I bet almost all those mass produced poster buyers have cell phones ($500 - $700) and cable and / or wireless internet, none cheap. So I'm guessing perception will be the key.

If the entry level price for an electronic canvas is low enough, the money can be made on low cost subscriptions, ala Kindle Unlimited etc.

Then it goes to what you mentioned earlier, "Smaller royalties but with more opportunities...."

And for me, at entry level in re to licensing and offering my images digitally, as it is with my creative writing work, opportunity is the door of hope.

You have to wonder if people will have the same ideals about having a 'showoff' piece in the future.

After all, people used to proudly show their record/cd and movie collections. Now people just stream their music or have it all stored on their phone. Netflix and on-demand are slowly putting an end to physical media sales of movies. Video games are going the same route - another thing a lot of people used to like to show off on a shelf.

Are there still people that buy physical media and show it off on a shelf? Sure but that's the minority of people that listen to music and watch movies. Most people think of a song they fire it up on Amazon prime, Spotify, YouTube or iTunes.

And if this thing eventually becomes indiscernible from an actual print using e-ink or some other technology like they are touting then what would really be the difference in looks between this and an actual physical print? Maybe they could also have an assortment of frames to snap it into.

Felipe I also anticipate good things coming from A-canvas for the same reasons Toby sighted.

Like it or not life is changing and it is fast paced and highly technical. We are even reaching grounds where there will soon be robotic servants to do the household chores in almost every home. It seems very Jetsonish to me and probably many others but that is the way things are going. A digital frame depicting favorite pieces of art grabbed from the web doesn't seem so crazy. Even one in each room as it becomes more main stream and affordable. Maybe even in offices and shopping centers.

Already my favorite picture in my home is not art on the wall. It is a digital frame I have in the dining room exhibiting all my Father In-Law's art one by one for us to gaze at and admire. The ACanvas concept doesn't seem much different except that it is larger and is streaming online like most of the television and movies we see in our homes these days. Not nearly as far fetched as a car that drives itself or is powered by electricity.

Toby, I like that idea of an assortment of frames!

In terms of assortment of e-inks, I personally think many images (comparing an original to its reproduction) look better digitally, there's often more glow generated via a screen; texture's a different question of course, at least for now :)

I used to like to paint on glass with acrylics cause of the light that'd show through but never did much beyond play with the idea. Digital images can lend themselves to capturing that effect I think, if desired.

Leslie, my son has something similar, small but by the sofa, of family and vacation shots :)

And as the viewing timing and scheduling becomes more voice controlled, then immediacy plus desire meet.

Can't help thinking your father in law is touched by ya'll's gesture!

Plus, it's not like physical art will disappear, I think - but rather become more personal in terms of the artists' sensibilities, almost a liberating of the form. We'll see :)

Sadly, Felipe, he has passed on. He painted many pieces for us and many for my sister in-law and of course many more for his own home. All that, grouped with what he sold while he was alive adds up to more than a gallery full. Since none of us can take from each other and as long as my mother in-law is still alive no one would dare take a picture from her wall we were given these frames as Christmas presents shortly after Parkinson's took his gift away from him. One of our more sentimental Christmas's.

We feel very blessed that he photographed each and every painting before sending them off into the world. Technology can be a great thing that we only need embrace. Might as well cause it isn't going to slow down for us old coots. ;)

Electronic wall art will eventually become the actual walls, floors and ceilings. This will enable owners to switch from hipster college dorm chic to sophisticated black-tie dinner decor in the blink of an eye.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Leslie, what a wonderful tribute and way to remember and share the love ya'll have for each other! I can only hope I leave as nice an imprint on my children's and grandchildren's lives :)

And yes, technology's def not slowing down for us, lol! Sometimes even feels like its racing us! :)

That's what I'm waiting for Dan. I want my walls and ceiling to convince me I'm living in a jungle at a secluded lake with a waterfall, and macaws flying overhead and toucans in the trees.

Oh wait... that's the Holodeck, isn't it? Either way, I'm game.

___________
Susan Maxwell Schmidt
So-so Board Moderator and
Artist Extraordinaire

Dan / Susan - y'alls visions might be the most enticing yet! Total mood switch imagery :)

In many ways maybe technology brings us around to our same desires in new ways. It was right round 50 years ago, young HS kids, we'd go down to one of clubs near the bayou downtown Houston and all of us would lay down side by side on thick blankets. Lights played the walls and music covered every waiting pore.

"...hipster college dorm chic to sophisticated black-tie..." or "...living in a jungle at a secluded lake with a waterfall..." - both sound doable to me :)

Oh wait... that's the Holodeck, isn't it? Either way, I'm game.


ah the game were to eat a human being in Ray Bradbury's Holodeck, The Illustrated Man. Rod Steiger.

Never smoke pot at 3 am and watch that movie. Just a heads up.

Dave