The Mike Carroll Gallery has been a Documounts customer for many years and it's a true pleasure to have watched Mike and Kathy Carroll's business grow. Mike paints in oil and sells both original paintings and high quality prints of his paintings through their gallery. Ten years ago, he left a successful career as a medical illustrator in Chicago in order to pursue painting full time on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Lana'i.
We are lucky enough to have a series of Mike's prints in our Documounts office. The vibrant colors and spectacular island imagery take us away on a daily virtual trip to paradise. We hope you'll enjoy a similar armchair visit to Hawaii through this newest edition of Customer Success Stories. Plus, you're bound to learn something new about the business of selling art from this successful and talented artist.
How long have you been selling your work?
I was a commercial artist/medical illustrator in Chicago from 1978-2000; since 2001 I've been selling my original oils and prints on the Island of Lana'i, Hawaii. What were the first few years like for you?
Our first 2 years in Hawaii were pretty crazy! My wife, Kathy, and I would take the ferry from Lana'i to Maui every weekend to exhibit my work outdoors at the Banyan Tree Art Festival. I had paintings in boxes strapped over my shoulders, collapsible easels under my arms, and folding tables in my hands--I could just barely squeeze down the gangplank! Kathy had 3 large suitcases with our prints tethered together so they could be pulled like a train...the 50 other artists under the Banyan Tree called us the "boat people!"
What would you do differently if you could revisit your early years?
Part of me wishes that I had continued to paint in oil on the side during my illustration career...but that’s not how I work...it’s “all or nothing”. That’s why I distanced myself, in both location and lifestyle, from my “previous life” to return to oil painting.
Since I got back into oil painting later in life, I listened to suggestions from other artists before coming out with my prints, as I needed to do things the smart way from the start. That was how I found out about Documounts—my colleagues had nothing but good things to say about the quality and service of the company. And after 9 years as a loyal client, I still sing their praises. What Documounts products do you use and why do you find them to work for your business.
What advice do you have for other artists regarding the matting/framing process? Regarding the business of selling your art overall?
My advice is, whenever practical, use mats that are standard frame sizes, as this will save you and your clients time and money. We also have kept the same color combination on our double-matted prints since our first print--this promotes grouping multiple images.
How do you market your artwork?
We market through our art gallery, our website and exhibits at the resorts on our Island. We also send out online newsletters several times a year, and during the holidays we mail a brochure with our current limited and open edition print offerings. We also advertise in the "Island Air" magazine, and "Art Guide", a terrific regional publication.
How do you keep things fresh and stay current with new trends and with the changing market?
I'm constantly painting, and when we feel a new piece would make a good print, we "retire" an old print and add the new one in its place.
What do you find rewarding about this business?
Seeing the emotional attraction that clients have with my fine art was unexpected...and it has been such a joy. I can assure you that as a commercial and medical illustrator in Chicago, I don't think too many people got tears in their eyes when they saw one of my annual report covers (and I'm pretty sure that no one ever hung a painting of a spleen in their kitchen)!
You can find out more about Mike and his work at Mike Carroll Gallery. Thanks so much, Mike, for taking the time to be a part of this series.
We market through our art gallery, our website and exhibits at the resorts on our Island. We also send out online newsletters several times a year, and during the holidays we mail a brochure with our current limited and open edition print offerings. We also advertise in the "Island Air" magazine, and "Art Guide", a terrific regional publication.
