Wednesday, 9 November 2016

2016 art auction FAQ



Read Terms and Conditions for 2016 Art Auction HERE

GENERAL QUESTIONS

When does the SALE start?
The sale will commence 8pm Tuesday 22 November and will run for THREE DAYS, ending 8pm Friday 25 November. All times are AEDST – Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (Sydney time). There will be a week of pre-sale viewing from Sunday 20 November right up until auction commencement on Tuesday 22 November.

Where will the artwork be available for sale?
On the 52-Week Illustration Challenge Wall—with images grouped into albums.

What can I sell?
Artwork that has both been created for the 52-Week Illustration Challenge and has already been posted to the Wall. Other artworks and upcoming artworks are not eligible. You can sell either original art (which will command a higher price) or quality prints. ‘Original’ or ‘print’ must be stated in the listing. Please also note if the print is giclée or on archival paper.

Who can buy?
This auction is open to anyone, worldwide, to both sell and buy. It is, however, at the discretion of the seller if they are willing to post their work overseas. They will state this in their listing.

How does the auction work?
The auction runs for three days and people can bid by leaving a comment on your artwork. The winner is the final bid standing at 8pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday 22 November. The Seller and Buyer are responsible for messaging each other to work out payment and postage.

What currency is the SALE listed in?
All prices are listed in Australian dollars (AU$).

Does it cost anything to sell?
Yes—a small fee. Details in the Seller section. No commission is taken on sales.

How can I find out the postage of the artwork?
If the postage isn’t listed by the Seller, send them a message with your postcode (Australian) or country and they can let you know. Buyer pays postage.

What if there are problems with a sale?
We regret we are unable to mediate at any time—the sale, purchase, posting and receipt of these artworks are the responsibility of the Seller and Buyer. Buyers—please don’t bid on an artwork unless you intend to buy. If you are having problems paying, please communicate with the Seller. The Seller can reserve the right to offer the item to the second highest bidder if the Buyer is not in touch within three days of the sale.

SELLER QUESTIONS:

When do I have to send my artwork photo and description?
All jpegs and item description must be emailed by midnight Friday 18 November. Please email Nicky with description details—52weekchallenge(AT)nickyjohnston(DOT)com(DOT)au—and make payment to PayPal to same email address at THE SAME TIME. Please send artwork in one batch—additions cannot be accepted later. See the Art Auction post for info on how to do this.

What does it cost to list artwork for sale?
We charge a small fee for this sale, to help cover the time we put into running this, and we will not take commission from any sales. We most happily run the Challenge voluntarily, and will only charge small fees for our time when members are able to benefit financially from an event. We only accept Paypal.

Listing Fee:
$10 – to list 1 - 3 artworks
$2 per artwork thereafter
To be paid to PayPal account: 52weekchallenge@nickyjohnston.com.au

Can I sell prints?
You can sell both originals and prints, so long as the prints are of good quality. Please state if they are giclée prints or limited edition or on archival paper, etc, in your listing. You can only sell one print per listing for the auction, but if other buyers express interest in buying a print of your image, you can sort this out privately after the auction ends.

Do I need to take a new photo of my illustration?
No, you can use the photo that you uploaded on the Challenge wall. Just make sure it’s lightened and cropped and looks attractive!

Can I sell artwork that wasn’t done for the Challenge?
No. This sale is ONLY for artwork created for the Challenge themes 2014, 2015 or 2016 (including bonus themes) and already posted to the Wall.

How do I work out the postage costs?
You will need to know the size and weight dimensions of the envelope or tube you plan to use. Remember that all items must be sent in a way that will not damage the artwork, so you should also factor in the weight of strong card.

Add the relevant information about your parcel and it will give you postage options.
A large letter maximum size:
Length 360mm
Width 260mm
Thickness 20mm
Weight: less than 500gm
Anywhere in Australia $3.50

Buyer is to pay for postage. We highly recommend registered post for tracking purposes. Artworks are to be sold and posted UNFRAMED. Matting is optional.
PLEASE send the artwork within a week of receiving payment.

How do I know when my item has SOLD?
You will be responsible for following your own sales on the Challenge Community Facebook Page. Once a buyer has placed a bid in the comments field, you will need to contact the highest bidder to notify them of the sale.

If there was a bidding war close to auction end, you should ensure the final bid was posted ON OR BEFORE 8pm, AEDST, on Tuesday 22 November. Comments posted at 8.01pm are not eligible. To see what time comments are posted, hover your mouse over the winning bidder’s comment, specifically over the time they posted (eg: 2 mins, 4 mins, etc) and check that the bid was posted before auction end. Please note: this will only work on a PC; if you do not have a PC, ask a friend or admin to check for you.

You will then be required to private message the buyer and sort out payment options (whatever suits you both) and artwork delivery. If the buyer fails to respond within three days of the sale, you may offer the artwork to the next highest bidder.

Challenge admin will not be responsible for purchasing transactions or postal issues, and cannot act as an intermediary at any time.

When do I send my artwork to the buyer?
You can send your artwork once payment has been received. Please do this as soon as possible, and at the latest within one week of receiving payment. Remember, it may be wanted for a Christmas gift!

How will I get paid?
You can discuss best options with the buyer. We recommend either bank transfer (if in Australia) or using a Paypal account. (There may be nominal fees associated with receiving a PayPal payment, however the payment is instant and can convert international currencies.)

What if my artwork doesn’t sell?
You don’t have to organise anything. If you are worried that the artwork won’t receive any bids and you are willing to lower the price during the auction process, do be in touch with admin and we can do that for you. We do, however, strongly recommend that you have a start price close to the amount you’d like to receive.

What if someone wins the artwork and then decides they don’t want it, or what if I never hear from them at all?
Give your buyer three days to be in touch. If they fail, you can offer it to the next highest bidder. Be sure to message/leave comments for the person to let them know before doing this.

Remember that messages can sometimes go to another folder on Facebook and the Buyer may not see it, so in that case, leave a comment on your post, tagging them. On that note, be sure to check your Other message folders, too.

If someone decides they no longer want the work, you can also offer it to next highest bidder.
Please note that no listing fees can be refunded if the item doesn’t sell.

Will I get my listing fee back if the item doesn’t sell?
No. This fee covers the considerable preparation, administration and time spent organising and listing your item.

Can I add some artwork after the due date?
No. All artworks to be listed in the ART SALE must be received by Friday 18 November.

Can I withdraw the artwork from the SALE? (if it has been sold elsewhere)
No. This artwork needs to be available for the length of the sale. Please don’t list it elsewhere. If you have a legitimate reason for wanting to withdraw the artwork, please be in touch with admin, but remember no listing fees will be refunded.

BUYER QUESTIONS:

When can I start bidding?
Shopping will start at 8pm Tuesday 22 November. We will post START SHOPPING on the Challenge Facebook Page and Challenge Wall to remind everyone that the sale has begun. Make a note of the end time so you don’t miss out—8pm Tuesday 22 November, Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

I want an artwork. What do I do?                                                                                     
Place your highest bid in the comments. You are welcome to place more than one bid on any item, or increase your current bid, right up until the end of the auction at 8pm on Monday 21 November.

How do I know if I’ve won?
If you are the highest bidder at auction end, you will be the successful buyer of the artwork. Once the auction has finished, the buyer will private message you via Facebook, or you can begin communication. YOU MUST ENSURE YOUR WINNING BID IS ENTERED BEFORE AUCTION END, 8pm Friday 25 November, AEDST. Bids placed 8.01pm and after are void.

Buyers should respond to their Seller within three days of auction end. If they fail to be in touch at all within this time, the Seller has the right to offer it to the next highest bidder.

What if I win the artwork and then decide I don’t want it?
We suggest bidding carefully, as this will be a huge disappointment to any seller. If you genuinely can no longer buy the item, be in touch with your seller ASAP to let them know. Buyers should be in touch with their seller within three days of auction end. If they fail to be in touch at all within this time, the seller has the right to offer it to the next highest bidder.

How do I know how much postage will be?
If the postage charges are not listed in the artwork details, contact the seller PRIOR to the sale to confirm what the postage will be. International postage will vary greatly depending on weight and size of artwork as well as country of destination.
Postage costs will be paid for by the Buyer.

How do I pay for the artwork?
All prices will be listed in AU$. Buyer and Seller will need to agree on method of payment.

What if my parcel is lost?
We highly recommend that you pay for registered post for tracking and signing of the parcel. We regret that Challenge admin cannot be responsible for missing artwork, and cannot act as intermediaries at any time.

DISCLAIMER

The 52-Week Illustration Challenge takes no responsibility for the sale, purchase, postage or use of artwork sold during this auction. Responsibility for all aspects of this sale remain with the Seller and Buyer. We cannot be held responsible for artwork going missing—this remains with the Seller. We regret we are unable to mediate at any time.

nicky's picks - week 44: SPAIN

What a brilliant way to feel like I am travelling! Thank you Challenge members for showing me the delights of Spain, I have thoroughly enjoyed the week filled with colour and delight!

x Nicky

Alfonso Lourido

Daniela Ba

Emma Kaufmann

Izabela Ward

James Leong

Janet Murphy
Judy Watson

Leonie Cheetham



Jo Bone




Lisa Jones

Lotten Broden - Maja 8 yrs

Matt Glover

Melissa Johns

Penelopes Nest

Peter Hinton

Prue Pittock

Ramona Davey

Sally Fawcett

Sarah Ang

Sarah Harris

Sharon Wedel

Susan Hoppe

Tanja Hilgers

Wednesday, 2 November 2016

tania's picks: week 43: RAINBOW


Melissa Johns

I seem to score the most beautiful weeks when it comes to 'picks' here on the Challenge blog--but then, I guess all weeks are beautiful on the Challenge!

Nonetheless, I was truly lifted up and taken somewhere over the rainbow during week 43--what a truly gorgeous week of colour-spectrum-delight.

Here are the images that resonated with me this week. There are many, many more amazing illos on the Challenge wall right now--so do take a peek!

Tx

Prue Pittock

Cara King

Anna Freeman

Penelopes Nest

Shani Nottingham

Fiona Weir

Harvey age 9

Viki Lea Stokes


Leonie Cheetham

Lotten Brodén

Luis David Lopez‎

Ashleigh O'Lynn‎

Markjohn Glass

Tanja Hilgers‎

Ramona Davey‎

Sally Fawcett

Tina van Dijk

Marie Laure Fontan

Friday, 28 October 2016

challenge success story: Matt Glover


Shapes, Lines and Dots: Cartooning, Creativity and Wellbeing for Kids
byMatt Glover



On October 7th 2016 it finally happened. I held the first copy of my very first book!



I’ve had a variety of careers but a constant has been the freelance work that I have done in cartooning and illustration.

Five years ago, after an unexpected and traumatic change of life circumstances, I found myself back at Uni studying a Masters in Counselling and on the path to opening my private counselling practice in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.



Around the same time I opened my practice, a friend suggested that I try my hand at running cartoon workshops in schools. These quickly became very popular and I found myself travelling all over Victoria feeling slightly guilty that I was getting paid to have fun!

I see lots of students during the course of a year - in 2016 I will see just over 10 000 young people! I always hope that the students and teachers will have a good time, but what I didn’t anticipate was the repeated use of a particular word to describe my cartoon workshop experience.

Repeatedly teachers have used the word “therapeutic”.


Suddenly I found my counselling world and my cartooning world on a wonderful collision course. Cartooning started to feature more deliberately in my counselling rooms, with very good outcomes. Counselling techniques (such as mindfulness and emotional awareness) started to feature in my cartoon workshops. I put together a course on “Cartooning and Wellbeing” for adults as part of a conference in Sydney and was booked out.

Then I started to get asked, “Where can we buy your book?”



In July of 2016 I started putting together what was to become Shapes, Lines and Dots: Cartooning, Creativity and Wellbeing for Kids. I used my school visits as a test run for the drawing exercises in the book and included all the favourites. I included mindfulness activities suitable for Primary aged kids and weaved them into the chapters. I pestered Tanya McCartney and Nicky Johnston about all things book publishing. I spoke to as many authors that would listen to me about the various aspects of writing a non-fiction book for kids. Against all better judgement, I decided to self-publish through my counselling practice.


While I can draw, I haven’t got an eye for design. I put out the call on Facebook for a designer and challenge member Cara King was the right person for the job. When it comes to patience, Cara is second only to my wife! Cara’s experience, knowledge, suggestions and design skills turned my idea into a reality, and I’m thrilled with the results.

I joined the challenge about three years ago and it has been instrumental in broadening my own artistic experience and has improved my skills more than anything else has.  Without the constant encouragement of the 52-week community, and some experienced and helpful individuals, this project would not have happened. Thank you to all of you!




Shapes, Lines and Dots: Cartooning, Creativity and Wellbeing for Kids can be used by schools as a fundraiser for their wellbeing program.

Purchase your copy HERE

Volumes two and three are in the pipeline and will be due for release in time for book week next year. Assuming Cara has fully recovered from this one…