Arden Ellen Nixon
patreon
Of Thumbs and Thumbnails
🕑 Added 2025-01-17 18:52:49 +0000 UTCI'm a bit behind in the studio, thanks to a slight mishap....
... in which I tore my right thumbnail off.* Funny how that keeps me from holding a brush for a few days! I'm right-handed, so of course those days have been full of adventure, realizing just how crucial that opposable thumb is.
*While taking out the trash, I noticed my husband forgot to put his frost cover on his windshield, so I reached into his car's backseat to get it. Expecting only the cloth window cover, my innocent thumb/nail was jammed into the metal travel snow shovel hidden beneath it. Cut to me holding my hand between my knees, trying not to curse in the street!
Never one to sit idle, I've been updating my Etsy listings. This can be done with only nine functioning fingers, so yay?
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArdenEllenNixon
Etsy's shop requirements are forever evolving, which wouldn't be a problem if my product wasn't 2D. Multiple photos are now recommended, but my art IS the image. Videos are also recommended, but I'm not about to post without watermarks. Shops that don't meet these recommendations appear lower in search results, so it is very much in my interest to figure out loopholes.
Loophole #1: I handily have in-progress photos for most of the artwork listed, thanks to sharing them with you fine folks over the years! In a world of AI (don't get me started), it's also satisfying to prove that I come by my worn hands honestly.
Loophole #2: I figure if my favorite seed seller on Etsy can post videos of fields, I can post a video of brushes--see above! Note that I am modeling brushes with my unscathed left hand.
I've successfully updated all 34 listings with the video; a little over half also now have in-progress images. I'll chip away at the rest over the next few days. Straight Etsy chores for several hours on end tends to fry the brain and the eyes, especially when I'd already spent time earlier this week adding new prints.
The lion I shared previously should be finished this weekend. My thumb has progressed to where it's manageable with bandages, provided I don't whack anything. Painting is the only spatial awareness I have, so wish me luck! :P
Comments
Vanessa Zobeck
Yikes! Protect those hands!
Betti Steam
You could also take a picture of the side on the canvas the narrow edge with a ruler next to it, drop shippers got in trouble for not including real measurements and this way you wouldn't need a watermark bc the painting is not in shot
