Page 12 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2018

Business
SDP Business News
EMBRACING THE ELECTRONIC AGE!
By Cindy Harrison, Purely Acrylics LLC
It is not easy to learn something new. It can sometimes be so frustrating you want to quit! However, we all know by now that computers are here to stay! They have become somewhat of a necessity if you want to stay connected, learn new things, find places and simply be in the now.
As a business owner in the decorative painting industry, I’ve noticed a slow growth in decorative painting businesses using new technology. Remember the VHS tape? What a great breakthrough that was, being able to take the teacher home with you. I still have Painting Baby Animals With Peggy Harris on tape. Eventually we were introduced to DVDs, which are now being replaced with, guess what, the Internet! If people want to learn something new, they go online.
There are many decorative artists who offer lessons online; however, the number is a small fraction of the artists in our industry.
Once while attending a local convention, I heard rumors circling about our seasoned artists looking to retire from travel- teaching due to cost and/or health. It brought great sadness as they have so much to offer. The thoughts of not being able to take a class under their tutelage seemed like a great loss.
Also, over the years I’ve noticed there has been a downturn of local Chapters and studios teaching decorative painting. This is probably due to the fact that many families today are working families and cannot afford the luxury of time off to attend a workshop, seminar or convention. Class times are not always convenient either.
It became apparent to me that the Internet was an excellent way to bring artists and students together. It’s a WIN – WIN! Artists can continue to share their talents, and students can receive a “private” lesson in the comfort of their home at a time that is convenient for them.
In the fall of 2014, 14 wonderful artists, the top in acrylics, had joined me in an online adventure called Purely Acrylics. Each artist created an original piece and supplied full written instructions, a line drawing and a video lesson. The e-course was well-received; yet, there were still teachers and painters who showed skepticism. Facebook was full of conversation about online classes, both the pros and cons.
While discussing these concerns with my family, my son Alex suggested we bring the concept to the people. Alex set up computers and the e-projects for the first time at the 2015 SDP International Conference & Expo in St. Charles, Illinois. The exhibit caught the eyes and curiosity of attendees, students, teachers and vendors alike.
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG
10 The Decorative Painter • ISSUE NO. 2, 2016