California figurative artists Marques Vickers presents a creative overview of his initial five years (1996-2001) as a visual artist with 85+ selected images of his paintings, sculptural assemblages and poetry. This personal narrative and expression by the Northern California based painter, sculptor and photographer provides a unique insight into his views on the artistic process, recollections of his own career genesis and the dedication and commitment which separates the professional from the hobbyist. (ISBN #9706530-4-2)
Anti Violence Art Project "Face to Face" at the Museo de Arte e Historia (Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, México)
(September)
Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley, California "Art, Science and Technology" Group Exhibition (July-August)
MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair 2001 Art Competition Selection (Marbella, Spain) (July)
Barnes and Noble.com Limited Edition Prints (1999-2000 Series) (June)
The Source Fine Arts, Kansas City, Missouri (June-May 2002)
Napa Valley Wine Auction-Wine Label Design For Franciscan Estates Winey (June)
COMMISSION PROJECT: 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction (Franciscan Estate Vineyards)
Three Wine Label Designs For Three 3-Liter Wine Bottles
Marques:
Thank you again for letting us use your art in our auction lot. Our lot sold for $50,000+-well beyond our expectations.
Christine Lilienthal, Director of Creative and Merchandising Services
Franciscan Estates
COMMISSION PROJECT: 2001 Barnes and Noble.com (BuyEnlarge.com)
Print On Demand Posters and Giclee on Canvas Reprints
ARTICLES:
"Vickers Honored with Three Golden Web Awards" (November)
"Barnes and Noble.com Distributes Series of Vicker's Posters and Prints" (November)
"Artist touts Internet sales in speech at Napa museum" (August)
"Updated Version 1.2 of "Selling on the Internet" Publication Released" (August)
"Internet Art Sales Are Here To Stay" (May)
"Napa Valley Museum Features August Speaker on Internet Art Sales " (May)
"Kansas City Art Institute Features Workshop on Internet Art Sales" (May)
"Vickers Work Selected at Spanish Contemporary Art Fair" (May)
"Schedule Announced for Figurative Artist Vickers Television Programming" (May)
"Figurative Artist Joins Tricom Pictures Programming" (April)
"Selling Art On The Internet" Ezine Available To Artists" (March)
Vickers Honored with Three Golden Web Awards
Benicia-based artist Marques Vickers has received three Golden Web Awards from the International Association of Web Masters and Designers (IAWMD) for the design of his websites www.marquesv.com, www.ArtsInAmerica.com and www.Uniqueseek.com. The IAWMD is an association of web professionals with members in more than 130 countries. The award is presented to those sites whose web design, originality and content have achieved levels of excellence deserving recognition". Vickers, a California Figurative artist, who is not a web professional, competed with hundreds of professional web designers throughout the world. A list of winners is featured on the Golden Web Awards site www.goldenwebawards.com.
Vickers received the Golden Web Award for three different websites. Marquesv.com is the website for his painting, sculptural and photography artwork. ArtsInAmerica.com is the site for Marquis Publishing Company which is responsible for his e-book and monthly e-magazine "Selling Art On Internet". UniqueSeek.com is the site for an international press release distribution service.
Vickers is becoming a recognized figure in the visual arts industry for his advocacy of the Internet as a marketing vehicle for visual artists and galleries. He is a regular columnist with the nationally distributed Art Calendar Magazine and has conducted seminars nationally on Internet selling through such organizations as the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Napa Valley Museum of Art and Amsterdam Art Supplies. He currently markets his own Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites.
He was recently selected for the second consecutive year as a contest winner at MAC 21 International Contemporary 2001 Art Fair in Marbella, Spain and was commissioned to design three wine labels for Franciscan Estate Vineyards for the prestigious 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction.
Artweek Magazine (November)
Barnes and Noble.com recently began licensed distribution of a limited edition series of 1999-2000 Posters and Prints created by Northern California Figurative artist Marques Vickers. The print on demand works are available for ordering in several formats on the Barnes and Noble website in conjunction with Philadelphia based publisher BuyEnlarge.com, a company with BN minority ownership.
For Vickers, this agreement becomes an additional commercial licensing agreement following his recent wine label design commission with Franciscan Estates Winery in conjunction with the recent 2001 Napa Valley
Wine Auction. Three of his images also recently appeared during May and June with a Tricom Pictures television production aired nationally.
Vickers, who recently authored an e-publication and currently publishes a monthly e-magazine entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" (www.ArtsInAmerica.com) currently markets his Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected as one of winning entries for the second consecutive year in a artist competition sponsored by the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 18-22, 2001 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations.
"This marketing opportunity with Barnes and Nobles provides a broader exposure base for my earlier work," noted Vickers, "and I'm hoping to expand this series of prints and posters to incorporate my newer dancing and Flamenco centered images". For a full inventory of Marques Vickers' work, visit his website at www.marquesv.com.
Art Business News Magazine (November Issue)
"Artist touts Internet sales in speech at Napa museum" by Daedalus Howel
The updated Version 1.2 of the emerging popular artist e-book entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" was released this week by the Marquis Publishing Company (ISBN #0-9706530-0-X). Targeted towards the visual arts community including artists, galleries and art organizations, the publication has been expanded to include a section on protecting images online and features an updated directory of artist and web design oriented reference websites.
Authored by California Figurative artist Marques Vickers, the e-book addresses relevant topics including website design, generating website traffic, cultivating media exposure, "paying for clicks" , merchant affiliate programs, self publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries and art auction sites.
"Because the Internet has become such an evolving media, our strategy is to update information each 6-8 months to keep both the advice and suggested reference information relevant," noted author Marques Vickers. "Since the books initial release in December of 2000, I've received tremendous positive feedback from readers and the thirst for relevant knowledge and information in this segment of the Internet is increasingly evident. The book was written to de-mystify the 
jargon and general confusion over the Web that currently exists and chronicle the evolvement of fresh selling and exposure opportunities uniquely available online. Despite the recent Dot-Com carnage, the future is exceptionally optimistic for Internet saavy artists and galleries."
The two Formats for the e-publication distributed on compact disc or downloadable online are Microsoft Word and Adobe Portable File Document. The published retail price is $10.95 USD, $14 CAN and £8 UK. Copies can be ordered directly through the Marquis Publications website at www.ArtsInAmerica.com and through a growing number of Internet e-publication retail publication distribution sites including Amazon.com and ArtMarketing.com.
"The whole process of Internet exposure and direct sales for visual artists' is an infant industry that has lagged behind other retail segments," observes Vickers. "Substantial opportunities exist for Internet savvy artists and galleries. However, for most segments of the artistic community, the process of establishing an initial presence in cyberspace is confounding as there exist few proven guidelines for navigation. The Internet will permanently and ultimately alter the channels in which visual art is distributed and sold, but the restructuring process will be transitional and not immediate. Unrealistic expectations and an impatience for financially profitable business models will doom many of the initial art oriented e-commerce commercial sites, but opportunity has never been more prolific for entrepreneurial artists."
Vickers is a regular columnist with the nationally distributed "Art Calendar" Magazne and conducted seminars nationally on Internet selling through such organizations as the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Napa Valley Museum of Art and Amsterdam Art Supplies. He currently markets his own Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected for the second consecutive year as a contest winner at MAC 21 International Contemporary 2001 Art Fair in Marbella, Spain and was commissioned to design three wine labels for Franciscan Estate Vineyards for the prestigious 2001 Napa Valley Wine Fair. For further information on his publication "Selling Art On The Internet", contact Marquis Publications at (707) 748-1213 or visit their website at www.ArtsInAmerica.com.
Various National Publications (August)
I enjoyed reading your profile on the state of art sales over the Internet and found it both accurate and expansive in its coverage (if not a little sparse from the point of view of individual artists). The promise of the Internet for many visual artists is to serve as a form of empowerment to free themselves from their absolute dependency on the gallery network of distribution. Radical change and restructuring from an entrenched system (regardless of its inefficiencies) requires both time and an evolution in art buyer perceptions. As the Internet matures into a more reliable medium, purchasing confidence will evolve likewise.
This is good news for both artist and gallery and the notion that large art purchases will never be completed over the Internet is as naive and shortsighted as anyone sincerely believing the medium will eventually vanish from lack of interest.
The whole process of Internet exposure and direct sales for visual artists is an infant industry that has lagged behind other retail segments. Substantial opportunities exist for Internet-savvy artists and galleries. However, for most segments of the artistic community, the process of establishing an initial presence in cyberspace is confusing as there exists few proven guidelines for navigation. The Internet will permanently and ultimately alter the channels in which visual art is distributed and sold, but the restructuring process will be transitional and not immediate. Unrealistic expectations of and an impatience for financially profitable business model will doom many of the initial art oriented e-commerce commercial sites, but opportunity has never been more prolific for entrepreneurial artists.
The advent of the automobile did not immediately necessitate the construction of twelve lane highways, yet they became an inevitability. The art industry will adapt to the unique attributes of an international selling outlet just as Internet savvy visual artists now have the opportunity to expose their work universally, an option previously limited to a select minority.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Published May 2001 Issue
The Art Newspaper
California Figurative artist Marques Vickers will be speaking on the timely and innovative subject of selling visual art via the Internet at the August 11th monthly community outreach program sponsored by the Napa Valley Museum of Art. The presentation will be hosted by the Museum, located at 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville at 2:00 PM and is free to the general public. Further information on the program can be obtained by contacting the Museum at (707) 944-0500.
The focus of the talk will address relevant issues on this emerging media including new sales channels, website design and generating traffic, cultivating media exposure, changing legal position on artist's creative rights, self-publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries and online auction sites. The talk is oriented towards the visual artists, galleries, art organizations, collectors and fine art lovers.
Vickers, who recently authored an e-publication and currently publishes a monthly e-magazine entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" (www.ArtsInAmerica.com) currently markets his Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected as one of winning entries for the second consecutive year in a artist competition sponsored by the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 18-22, 2001 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations.
"The museum talk is an opportunity to provide an overview of how the Internet is in the evolutionary process of changing traditional buying and selling patterns in the fine art industry ," observed Marques Vickers. "The traditional art distribution network typically freezes out the majority of visual artists and the Internet has become an alternative medium of access to the disenfranchised. Artists are writing the history of proven sales strategies on the Internet as they navigate since up to this point, no sales tactic, no matter how well financed, has financially succeeded. For Internet savvy artists in this infant industry, the fun and opportunities are just beginning and will continue to evolve."
The Napa Valley Museum of Art based in Yountville features an extensive permanent collection including regional historic and contemporary objects, including photographs, paintings, lithographs, clothing, winemaking equipment, local Native American objects, and other unique artifacts. Included in the collection are permanent exhibits addressing the California wine industry ("Science of an Art") and local history, "The Land and People of the Napa Valley". The Museum of is open Wedenesday-Monday from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Various San Francisco Bay Area Publications (May)
Kansas City Art Institute Features Workshop on Internet Art Sales
Northern California Figurative artist Marques Vickers will be conducting a morning half-day seminar in conjunction with the Kansas City Art Institute Summer Class Session on the timely and innovative subject of selling visual art via the Internet. The course will be held on Saturday, June 16th at the school's Irving Building Computer Graphics Center. Enrollment cost for the seminar is $25 and further information can be obtained by contacting the Art Institute at (816) 802-3505.
The focus of the seminar will address relevant issues on this emerging media including new sales channels, website design and generating traffic, cultivating media exposure, changing legal position on artist's creative rights, self-publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries and online auction sites. The talk is oriented towards the visual artists, galleries, art organizations and collectors.
Vickers, who recently authored an e-publication and currently publishes a monthly e-magazine entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" (www.ArtsInAmerica.com) currently markets his Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He was recently selected as one of winning entries for the second consecutive year in a artist competition sponsored by the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair in Marbella, Spain, July 18-22, 2001 (www.mac21.com). The annual fair is the largest showcase of contemporary international artwork in Spain featuring some of Europe's most renowned galleries and art organizations.
"The seminar is an opportunity to provide an overview of how the Internet is in the evolutionary process of changing traditional buying and selling patterns in the fine art industry ," observed Marques Vickers. "The traditional art distribution network typically freezes out the majority of visual artists and the Internet has become an alternative medium of access to the disenfranchised. Artists are writing the history of proven sales strategies on the Internet as they navigate since up to this point, no sales tactic, no matter how well financed, has financially succeeded. For Internet savvy artists in this infant industry, the fun and opportunities are just beginning and will continue to evolve."
Various Missouri Area Publications (May)
Benicia, CA-For the second consecutive year California Figurative artist Marques Vickers has had one of his paintings, "Seducer or Seduced", selected as an award winner in an international competition sponsored by the MAC21 Contemporary Art Fair. The annual fair will be held July 18-22 at the Palace of Congress in Marbella located in the Costa del Sol region of Spain. The competition receives entries from artists representing over 60+ countries worldwide. Vickers entry selection may be viewed on the Fair's competition website at www.feriadearte.com/artemail
Vickers, whose Figurative dancers have been generating expanding interest within the art world has been an active advocate of integrating the Internet and other alternative medias into the marketing of his artwork. Three of his works, "Dance and the Fury", "Smoke and Vapor" and "Solitude" are being aired nationally on a series of telecasts which are projected to reach 50 million viewers within the United States through Tricom Pictures. He recently authored an e-publication and currently publishes a monthly ezine entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" (www.ArtsInAmerica.com) currently markets his Figurative paintings, sculptures and photography on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites.
He also conducts seminars on the subject of Internet sales and has done so in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Amsterdam Arts, Napa Valley Museum of Art and other art and business organizations. To view a comprehensive inventory of his Figurative painting, sculpture and photography work, visit his award winning website at www.marquesv.com.
Various National Publications (May)
The production schedule for Northern California Figurative Artist Marques Vickers segment with Tricom Pictures Site2Shop television series was announced today. The show will broadcast nationally on regional NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and independent affiliate/cable stations. Vickers will be showcasing and selling three of his Figurative Expressionism canvas Giclees, "Dance and the Fury", "Smoke and Vapor" and "Solitude".
The programming schedule and market segments are scheduled as follows:
May 15 (Santa Barbara, CA Channel #63, 11:30 AM)
May 16 (Traverse City, MI Channel #33, 2:30 PM)
May 17 (Tallahassee, FL Channel #49, 1:00 PM)
May 20 (Gainsville, FL Channel #53, 7:00 AM; Montgomery, AL Channel #32 1:30 PM; Jackson, MS Channel #27, 11:00 AM; Alexandria, LA Channel #31, 9:30 AM)
May 23 (Terre Haute, Channel #38, 9:30 AM)
May 25 (Knoxville, TN Channel #20, 1:30 PM)
May 29 (Greensboro, NC, Channel #16, 10:00 AM)
May 30 (West Palm Beach, FL, Channel #67, 10:30 AM)
May 31 (New Orleans, LA, Channel #49, 10:30 AM)
June 1 (Nationwide, Product Info Network, 3:00 PM)
June 2 (Lansing, MI, Channel #47, 7:00 AM)
June 4 (Boston, MA, Channel #68, 7:00 AM)
June 5 (Wichita, KS, Channel #33, 8:30 AM, Scranton, PA, Channel #64, 10:00 AM)
June 6 (Washington DCV, Channel 60, 11:30 AM, Nashville, TN, Channel #28, 10:30 AM)
June 8 (Nationwide, Product Info Network, 3:00 PM)
June 15 (Nationwide, Product Info Network, 3:00 PM)
"With the Tricom's mass consumer exposure capabilities, infrastructure and credibility, I'm looking to expand the public consciousness towards my work at a far greater accelerated pace than exclusively utilizing traditional gallery and exhibition channels," notes Vickers. "The Site2Shop program is an integrated media site offering toll-free response ordering and Internet e-commerce sales outlets. This marriage of television and the Internet is the best possible exposure combination and capitalizes on the strengths of both medias."
Vickers, who has authored an e-publication and publishes a monthly international e-magazine both entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" currently markets his Figurative paintings and sculptures on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He also conducts seminars on the subject and has done so in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Amsterdam Arts, Napa Valley Museum of Art and other art and business organizations.
His own art world credentials include participation in the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair (Marbella, Spain) European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 (Cologne, Germany) and recent exhibitions at the Vorpal Gallery (San Francisco), Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars and Mark West Winery in the Sonoma Valley.
The process for product selection into Site2Shop programming involved extensive pre-production evaluation in the form of assessments by consumer focus groups and Tricom production managers. Site2Shop is listed on Nasdaq: (EBUY) and focuses their programming on unique, newly launched, and nationally branded consumer products using an integrated media site. Site2shop sells consumer products through 30-minute shop-at-home television programs, a retail store, and e-commerce web-sites. Tricom Pictures produces television programs to educate viewers on breakthroughs, emerging trends, innovations, and lifestyles. The company's fourth division is a full service state-of-the-art multimedia production facility that produces television, print and web material for site2shop.com as well as other clients.
Various National Publications (May)
Northern California Figurative Artist Marques Vickers recently contracted with Tricom Pictures to participate in their Site2Shop television series broadcast nationally on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and independent affiliate/cable stations. Vickers will be showcasing and selling three of his Figurative Expressionism canvas Giclees, "Dance and the Fury", "Smoke and Vapor" and "Solitude" on a series of telecasts which are projected to reach 50 million viewers within the United States. The segments will be taped in mid-April at Tricom's Pompano Beach, Florida studios for airing in their late Spring 2001 programming.
"With the Tricom's mass consumer exposure capabilities, infrastructure and credibility, I'm looking to expand the public consciousness towards my work at a far greater accelerated pace than exclusively using traditional gallery and exhibition channels," notes Vickers. "The Site2Shop program is an integrated media site offering toll-free response ordering and Internet e-commerce sales outlets. This marriage of television and the Internet is the best possible exposure combination and capitalizes on the strengths of both medias."
Vickers, who has authored an e-publication and publishes a monthly international e-magazine both entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" currently markets his Figurative paintings and sculptures on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He also conducts seminars on the subject and has done so in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Amsterdam Arts, Napa Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Valley Arts Center and other art and business organizations.
His own art world credentials include participation in the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair (Marbella, Spain) European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 (Cologne, Germany) and recent exhibitions at the Vorpal Gallery (San Francisco), Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars and Mark West Winery in the Sonoma Valley.
The process for product selection into Site2Shop programming involved extensive pre-production evaluation in the form of assessments by consumer focus groups and Tricom production managers. Site2Shop is listed on Nasdaq: (EBUY) and focuses their programming on unique, newly launched, and nationally branded consumer products using an integrated media site. Site2shop sells consumer products through 30-minute shop-at-home television programs, a retail store, and e-commerce web-sites. Tricom Pictures produces television programs to educate viewers on breakthroughs, emerging trends, innovations, and lifestyles. The company's fourth division is a full service state-of-the-art multimedia production facility that produces television, print and web material for Site2shop.com as well as other clients.
"There are fundamental shifts reshaping the contemporary art industry," observes Vickers, "and innovative mass marketing should be a future component of every artist and gallery's sales portfolio. Whereas international viewership and distribution was once a luxury limited to few visual artists, the Internet and television are providing the means by which the global community can judge an artist's merit and commercial appeal".
To view an extensive body of Marques Vickers' work including his influences and career background, visit his award winning website at www.marquesv.com.
Various National Publications (April)
Marquis Publications, based in Benicia, California is making complimentary subcriptions available to visual artists, galleries, art organizations and members of the media to their monthly published e-magazine "Selling Art On The Internet". Debuted in January, 2001, the monthly publication is unique in its coverage of the Internet sales industry for visual art. Each issue is distributed by email on the first week of each new month with circulation currently at 2000+ and growing.
The focus of the ezine addresses relevant art industry topics including website design, generating website traffic, cultivating media exposure, "pay for clicks", merchant affiliate programs, self-publishing artwork, virtual and portfolio galleries, and auction sites. The editor and publisher is California Figurative artist Marques Vickers whose credentials offer a unique insight into an emerging phenomina in art sales.
Vickers, who recently authored an e-publication entitled "Selling Art On The Internet" currently markets his Figurative paintings and sculptures on over 30+ Internet auction, B2C, B2B and business exchange sites. He also conducts seminars on the subject and has done so in conjunction with the US Small Business Administration, Kansas City Art Institute, Amsterdam Arts, Sonoma Valley Community Arts and other organizations.
His own art world credentials include partitication in the MAC 21 International Contemporary Art Fair (Marbella, Spain) European Art Channel EXPOART 2000 (Cologne, Germany), exhibitions at the Vorpal Gallery (San Francisco), Gloria Ferrer Champagne Cellars and Mark West Winery in the Sonoma Valley. He recently signed a contract with Tricom Pictures, to participate in their syndated television show SITE2SHOP which will be reaching 50+ million viewers later in the Spring of 2001.
"The whole process of Internet exposure and direct sales for visual artists' is an infant industry that has lagged behind other retail segments," observes Vickers. "Substantial opportunities exist for Internet savvy artists and galleries. However, for most segments of the artistic community, the process of establishing an initial presence in cyberspace is confounding as there exist few proven guidelines for navigation. The Internet will permanently and ultimately alter the channels in which visual art is distributed and sold, but the restructuring process will be transitional and not immediate. Unrealistic expectations and an impatience for financially profitable business models will doom many of the initial art oriented e-commerce commercial sites, but opportunity has never been more prolific for entrepreneurial artists."
To request a complimentary subscription to the e-magazine "Selling Art On The Internet", send an email to marques@neteze.com with the word "SUBSCRIBE" typed in the subject line. For archived issues of the publication, visit the Marquis Publications website at www.ArtsInAmerica.com.
Various National Publications (March)
Ascent Magazine: "Cover Art-Marques Vickers" (November Issue)
American Artist Magazine "Cyber Selling Savvy" (November Issue)
Ascent Magazine "Artist Profile: Marques Vickers" (September Issue)
Woodwest Magazine: "Beyond The Hype Of Internet Expectations" (May/June Issue)
Wired Hearts Magazine: "Sculptural Art of Marques Vickers" (March/April Issue)
Columns:
Art Calendar Magazine: "What's In A (Domain) Name?" (December Issue)
Art Calendar Magazine: "Cashless Transactions Emerging As Art Sales Outlet" (November Issue)
Art Calendar Magazine: "Protecting Your Images Online" (August Issue)
Art Calendar Magazine: "Beyond the Hype of Internet Expectations" (June-July Issue)
Art Calendar Magazine: "Driving Traffic To Your Website" (January Issue)