Pop Rocket Article November 2008

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Monsoon Article November 2008

The Art & Soul of Melanie Banayat

by Katherine Koenig

Section 1: Page 10

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Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walk September 26, 2008

Come by the Grayleaf Galleria during this 4th Friday Art Walk – the gallery has added even more new artists including Pia Davis’ amazing bold photographs of blown glass and Bill Cramer’s captivating landscapes.

In addition to my original artwork that is hanging in the gallery I will have Giclee prints on paper available this Friday — Prices ranging from $55 to $300.

Creative Launch – Free Art Marketing Seminar

Come to my “FREE” Fine Art Marketing Seminar
“Creative Launch”

DATE:
November 12, 2008
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location:
Prescott Community Center
1280 East Rosser Street
Prescott, AZ 86301-5651
(928) 778-3000

I will be offering two different Fine Art Marketing Workshops right here in Prescott:  Fine Art Marketing 101, and Fine Art Marketing in Action. Come to the free seminar to find out what the workshops are all about.

The Off Season
When I owned and operated a seasonal fishing resort for 11 years up in Oregon I knew that the Off Season was no time to rest.  It was the time to prepare for the busy season.  Consider this ‘recession’ your ‘Off Season’.  This is the perfect time to get your marketing plan in order and get yourself trained and up to speed on the latest marketing techniques.

These ‘Fine Art’ Marketing Workshops are specific to the Business of the Fine Art Industry.  The workshops include homework assignments, real life experiences, and hands on training.  This is an intensive, interactive class that will be worth your time, effort, and yes, even your money.  You will be taking part in real business building projects where you will begin developing the cornerstone of your business.  Walk away with more confidence and feel more prepared to face the Fine Art Market in just eight short weeks.

To Register for the FREE Seminar:
Call:  (928) 717-9323

Art Giveaway Rules!

It’s true…I’m clearing out my Art Studio

to make room for more art!

I’m giving away a ‘Mother & Child’ Print on Canvas!

Mother & Child giclee print on canvas (unstretched)

This print that I am giving away is a second. I’ve been wondering what to do with all the beautiful reproduction prints that do not make the “A” list simply because they are a tad too bright or too dark, maybe slightly flawed to a highly skeptical eye, or the colors aren’t up to par. Nevertheless they exist in limbo in my art studio storage room, and I don’t believe in throwing them away. There is nothing wrong with these prints, except that they are seconds and don’t meet the standard I have in place for retailing at the regular price. Some of them I will be donating to charity, and some I will be listing for sale as seconds on my online store, so be sure to watch for those listings.  But I thought I would have a little fun by holding a few Art Giveaways as well.  I want my art to go to people who will give it a good home – someone who truly appreciates fine art.  This will be my first Art Giveaway in a series of Art Giveaways. “This is A REAL SWEET DEAL!  I’m telling you I’m giving away some good stuff here!”

Description of the print you will receive:
Title: Mother & Child, dimensions 24″ x 30″ (image size) on an un-stretched canvas with a 2″ white border.  I will sign and date the back of this print and mark it as a second.  If this print had been in mint retail condition it would be valued at $600 dollars retail! As a second I would discount it 40% – valued at $360 dollars.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!   Beginning October 1st 2008

1. Register for the Art Giveaway by sending me your email address (which I will not share), include your name, and also your blog address (if you have one).  Subject: ART GIVEAWAY.
Email to my : info at banayat fine art dot com address

2. Then all you have to do is post a comment (only one is necessary) on my MiliGirl Art blog between October 1st and October 31st, 2008, and you will be automatically entered into the drawing. This page is not my Blog!  You can find the link to my blog at the top of this page or simply click here. In your comment tell me what you love about the “Mother & Child” painting, and what you plan to do with it if you win.  Your comment must be made on the day that I post a NEW blog entry in order to count as a *valid comment. In other words you can only post on my new entries; you cannot go back into the archive and find older entries to post a comment on.  Do not post a comment on an entry that is even one day old or it might be missed. Post a second comment on a different day and your name will be entered a second time. Your name can only be entered a maximum of two times into the drawing.

3. Get Two Comments in One! You can post a comment about my art on YOUR BLOG (or website) and link your post to my blog & website.  Be sure to post a comment on my blog to let me know you linked to my site.  If you choose this option then your name will be entered twice into the drawing (after the link has been verified). Your name can only be entered a maximum of two times into the drawing.

4. Comments will close on October 31, 2008 12 am (MST). On Monday November 3, 2008 I will draw a winner and post the winner’s name on my blog.

Notice:
* A Valid comment is one that is pertinent to the content in the post, and does not contain lude or crude content.

On that note, if you win I will contact you by the secret email you sent me. I will need you to email me back with your accurate physical mailing address that will never be shared. I will ship anywhere in the United States for free!

What if you Don’t Win? :(

If you don’t win the print, other prints are available for purchase on my online store.  Giclee Prints are available on both heavy duty rag watercolor paper or on art canvas.

Happy Commenting!
Peace & Love,
Melanie

Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walk

Press Release – For immediate release

Friday August 22nd   5pm – 8pm

To ‘Segue’ is the act of changing smoothly from one state or situation to another. Come see the new changes going on at the Grayleaf Galleria At Prescott’s 4th Friday Artwalk.

New Art, New Artists, New Genre!

Come meet the artists, view the art, and take part in the lively conversation, good food, fine wine, and music.  All the makings of an excellent Friday Art Walk.

Melanie Banayat’s artwork is now being represented by the Grayleaf Galleria in Prescott, Arizona.  Located at 124 South Granite St.

The gallery is located 1/2 block south of Gurley Steet across from the parking garage, right next door to the Wild Iris Coffee House.

For all of you who live in Prescott, as always, I hope to see you there!  For those of you in the Valley – by golly come on up and get out of the heat!  I’d love to see you, too.  And, oh yes, bring all of your art loving friends!

Sincerely,  Melanie Banayat

Hello World!

“Helping Women Let Their Hair Down One Notecard at a Time”

Definition of Fruition: Something that is made real or concrete; “the victory was the realization of a whole year’s work.”

(well, it’s been more than a year, but I stopped counting a while back and decided to just enjoy the journey – for once.)

Welcome!

I’m happy to say, “We’re finally online! Woo-Hoo!” This has been a long-term project that I’m so excited to see finally come to fruition!  How sweet it is!  There is much going on with the launch of the MiliGirl Collection online store; my multi-tasking skills are really being put to the test.  All-in-all, this is very exciting.

Retail Locator

We will continue to add more features to the site as the month’s progress. Soon there will be a Retail Outlet Locator where you will be able to find a store near you to enjoy the real tactile shopping experience.

Sales Reps & Retail Outlets Wanted

Are you a greeting card sales rep, distributor, or a buyer for a retail store?  If you would like to carry the MiliGirl Collection Notecards please contact our office at (928) 717-9323.

•    Please have a look around the entire site and let me know what you think.

Artist Finds Peace Amidst Chaos

Article by Lorin McLain, The Daily Courier
Thursday, January 31, 2008

Melanie Banayat’s artistic drive goes beyond self-expression – the inspiration of her latest work helped her avoid personal catastrophe.

Haunted by the skeletons of broken marriages . . . Click to read full article

Mission Statement

The mission statement of Banayat Fine Art and The MiliGirl Collection is simple; We wish to reach as many as possible in quiet, yet affective ways.  Not shouting, “Change! Improve! Fix!”, instead, softly sending messages into their souls, “You are an amazing being…allow love into your heart, and into your mind; let yourself love who you are — that is where peace & joy in the world begins.”

Every gesture we convey through our products will be for one reason only:  to express simple words of inspiration.

We wish to rouse communication and conversation, so that we can all understand the common threads between us, and become active toward bringing forth thought and reaching out to others one person at a time.

Tagline

Helping Women Let Down Their Hair One Notecard at a Time.

Slogan

Every Life Lived has a Myriad of Chapters and Stories to tell, so kick off your shoes, relax, and exchange chapters and stories.  Send a tangible notecard to someone via snail mail today!

Green Promise

Banayat Fine Art and the MiliGirl Collection is proud to be an Eco Conscious Company.

We do our best to keep our paper consumption & production to a minimum.

• We use recycled cardstock to produce our notecards.
• We only supply Category Sleeves when ordered, because we know that some retailers do not always need them for every card design with every order, and some do not use them at all, while others simply need replacements for specific cards and not others.
• We utilize “email blast” newsletters for regular updates, announcement, and special offers on products and services.  We don’t like receiving “junk mail” either, so we do our best to send information only to people who request it.
• We use recycled products as filler in our shipping boxes.

Greeting Card Reps…

Great Places to Market the MiliGirl Notecards

Brainstorm: Think “Women”

Yoga centers, Pilates Centers, Day Spas, Spa Resorts, Retreat Centers, Female Fitness Centers, Boutiques, Hair Salons, Nail Salons, Hospital Gift Shops, College Bookstores, Bath & Body Stores, Bookstores, Flower Shops, Women’s Health Centers, Naturpathic Centers, Message therapy centers, Gift Basket Companies, Flower Shops, Scrapbook Stores, Craft Stores, Artisan Stores, Coffee Shops, Tea Rooms, Baby Furniture Stores, Baby Clothes Stores, Restaurant-Gift Shops, Woman’s Expos and  Women’s Conferences and any other business or organization that is ‘Female’ oriented.

The ‘Male’ Factor

By the way, I want to point out that many men buy the Miligirl Collection Notecards.  As I have surveyed the men who have purchased my cards I’ve heard comments such as, “Right now me and my 21 year old daughter are not seeing eye to eye on things, and I can see how some of these cards might help break down the wall between us.” Another Comment: “I have an ex-wife, a girlfiend, and three daughters, I need a little help communicating with them!” (He stocked up with 12 different cards)

Greeting Card Rack

Retail Outlets can order this 24 Pocket Black Metal Greeting Card Rack Spinner with the Gold Leaf or Silver Leaf Wire Rack Packages.  Contact your Greeting Card Rep or the Banayat Fine Art-MiliGirl Collection office to place your order.