A word in regards to the new changes that EBAY once again implemented and more to come in 2008. 
One major change is the way EBAY tries to get you, the buyer to search their site. Why would I care? Well since the NEW changes I notices a dramatic drop in views on my listings. That is in direct relation to the changes. Where I used to get about 200 +viewers I am down to less then 80 for a 7 day listing. I did some research using their new search boxes, the result  explained at lot. 

I executed some searches using the new narrow down selection, sorting by date, price, style, etc and to my surprise I was NEVER able to find even one of my painting to show up in any search results. I was careful to make sure to use searches that should have resulted in my listings to show, even going so far as narrowing so specifically that one of my items that matched all the search requirements. It should have shown but it did not! I clicked through all the search result pages and found non related items but mine that matched ALL the search requirements was no where to be found. What I did see was the first page  almost exclusively one seller art made in china. I was searching only in the art category since that is where I sell my work. I used one of the new features that included to show only sellers with EBAY stores (which I do have) but my listings where nowhere to be found in the search results. No wonder I thought that my views have dropped and so have my bids and sales. Once again EBAY's constant changing things around is interfering with my business. At this point I would not be surprised if EBAY can exclude some sellers to be found in search results, or simply prefer other sellers and give them preference in search results, at an additional charge  to be announced in the future, but that is just a speculation on my part. Maybe it's just a technical glitch in the EBAY system, but just that same it hurts my business. Not finding my work when searching on EBAY does not only hurt me as an self supporting artist, it also hurts collectors and other buyers. After all if someone looks for great original art, directly from and rising artist like myself, they should be able to find my work. It would only enhance the EBAY world to have such great quality artwork available and findable!!! (Did I just invent a word?) 

Another point: I found that, all this narrowing down, the clicking on check boxes to specify, to supposedly find what I was looking for, I did not find in the first place. I had to go back, un-click boxes, clicking on other ones, feeling like it's all a crap shoot, supposedly saving time, it was just the opposite. It was a waste of time an at the end I would have been better off with a simpler approach.

A word to the wise if you look for art on EBAY. DO NOT USE THE SEARCH Features. This feature has become hyper specific and counterproductive, inaccurate (at least when I did my searches on October 25th, 2007) and misleading (if you think it will show you just what you are interested in) In my experience if leaves out a lot and sometimes maybe just WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!!!)

If you are looking for my work, always use my name, Ginette as a search word in the art category and my listings will show up. 

If you are looking for other works or art, I still recommend browsing and maybe using one narrow feature, art/ listed by artist / and then maybe a search word for what you are looking for, for example the word ORIGINAL if you are looking for an ORIGINAL and the word WATERCOLOR of that is what you are looking for.

 The preset searches on the left bar often do not include everything that fits that category, as I seldom find my listings that way. Also it gets very confusing to try to narrow it down too much especially when you get bombarded with listings that at the end don't really match your search. 

I still buy on EBAY sometimes and I usually just enter a certain category like Home & Garden and then use search words in the top search, which works best in my opinion. If you are like me you like to browse and see what is available and what new sellers may have to offer. Browsing and looking at pictures is a big part of how I shop. Just imagine if you went to a large department store and in every department you had to go through a tunnel that leads you to a very specific unique singled out item or set of items that match certain categories and you had to decide which tunnel to use. At the end of the tunnel you may or may not find what you think you should find but you never know if it was at the end of a different tunnel since you you did not have the opportunity to browse and see an overview of a lot of things. That is what the narrowing down in the art category and I'm sure other categories on EBAY does. It makes you think you save time and will find just what you want when in fact you miss out on more then you think. EBAY may be able tp control these searches in more then one way and possibly manipulate your shopping. If you want to decide what to see and how to find that treasure that great deal I recommend BROWSING.  

 I'll give you an example of one of the real world stores that I love to shop in "Tuesday Morning" when I shop there I enjoy my shopping and have fun. They don't offer just a certain type of thing  and it's not a place where you want to go if you look for a very very specific item. But if you look for neat things, unusual, including great quality and great deals, then browsing at Tuesday Mornings is the thing for you. I think of EBAY in the same way. I browse different categories, Porcelain, Art, Collectables using some key words in searches and have a ball finding neat things, sometimes not exactly the color I first wanted but if I had just searched for yellow I would have missed that one item that is as good of not better then what I first started out to find. I hope this makes sense to you.

Now EBAY is trying to control every click and direct you where THEY want to you go. I hope you take this little article to heart and when you shop for art on EBAY look around and you will be surprised as to what you may find and never would have though to search for.

Bottom line, don't use the narrow down features and browse by using keywords in the search category. If you are looking for my art just search fro Ginette in the Art Category.

If you have an opinion on this topic, especially as a buyer I'd love to hear form you

Read this thread on EBAY Board pertaining to the new search system. Vote if you like it or not

Read what other buyers and sellers have to say about searches on EBAY in the EBAY  forum CLICK HERE

email here

Today I listed this large oil painting for all the people that love my Italy Cinque Terre Art. 
It's a one of a kind opportunity to own a larger painting. So don't miss out on this and bid early.

Tomorrow is my Birthday and I will have a small celebration. 

I decided to work on it today. Even though most  areas where tacky I was able to do lots of dry brushing and  important  detailing.

This is getting close to finish. 

I am extremely happy with it so far.

I can't show just how amazing the painting is when standing in front t of it. I'll post close up detail images when it is declared finish.

I have been painting on this faster then I normally would with a large piece, but sometimes things just go so well and I feel great about everything that I just can't stop, as in this case.

Well this is how it is making progress.

This will have to dry a few days. The I will evaluate and work out the areas that I am not satisfied with so far. I think glazing certain areas to bring out the warm light in contrast to the dark shadows is what I'm after next time. Plus working on the reflections in the water the boats and the distant areas in the far left.

I actually learned today that the landscape format of this and another painting I did in size 60 x 40 inches is actually too large for the panels in the airport atrium. 

I will have to paint the next ones to fit a 8 foot tall and 4 foot wide panel and they have 15 panels to cover. I'm not sure if they actually will cover all 15 panels with art, but when the times comes I want to be ready.

So back to painting... 

Making Progress.

After this stage has dried I will begin dry brushing and adding some serious paints.

 So far it's been mostly glazing.

I may first do a  glaze with zinc white in the depths area. 

Still milling it around in my head..

Under painting stage one &  two

There is some glare from the left.

Will now have to dry overnight.

I'll post again when I am at stage three.

If you are an artist or collector and are interested in the paint I used for this stage, you may e-mail me with questions
 

I've been starting a new large oil painting "Venice Sunset"

60 x 40 inches

This is the charcoal sketch.

I wont do much blogging especially on a daily basis because I have to get 10 to 15 large paintings ready for a display at the airport next year. Time is of the essence. I will post progress picture of the various paintings I am doing.