Social networking is an important tool for a Warwickshire artist.
Claire Henley, who is well-known for her naïve paintings of British landscapes, has sold paintings through Facebook.
“I have had a personal account for the last five years but was only using it to chat,” says Claire, from Stratford. “Over the last two years I have been using a separate business page for my art and to gauge opinion of my paintings. “It’s great for posting my work and you can see how many people have viewed it and whether they liked it or not. My followers are increasing and I now have over four thousand.”
Not only have sales of paintings resulted from Facebook but Claire has been introduced to two new galleries through it as well. The Harbour Gallery in Cornwall contacted Claire through it last year and she now shows work with them as well as a hotel that the gallery works with. Towards the end of last year The Mulberry Tree Gallery in Dorset approached Claire after finding her Facebook page and she will now have four paintings in their summer show this year.
The National Trust is also a good way of finding new customers, Claire reveals. She exhibited at the Cheese & Pickle Festival at Coughton Court, the National Trust property in September.
“It was a popular event and I sold lots of cards and prints,” says Claire, who also exhibits at Packwood House and plans to exhibit at both again this year. Claire’s open studio at her home was also well attended in June and July and she will be holding this event again in 2014, as part of the Warwickshire Open Studios fortnight.
Image:Padstow by Claire Henley
