I have been working on my new website for almost a year and now I finally uploaded it. When the time finally came a few days ago, it was quite scary to start deleting the old files on the FTP. I’m not sure why, but when a huge project like this finally come to an end it doesn’t feel real somehow, for me at least. From time to time it felt like this project was a never ending story. I also knew when uploading the website I still had allot of things left to do, things like 301 redirecting many files in the Cpanel and complete the blog. The blog is taking it’s shape, but it’s still a work in progress. Probably there are some adjustments left to do and typos to search for too. I also know I need to validate all the html pages and delete some things in the code.

Let me describe the whole purpose of redesigning the entire website…

Two languages…

Fist of all I have two languages on my website. Because I had both languages in one folder it destroyed for my website in search engines. So I wanted to separate the two languages and created a folder named “se” for all Swedish html files. This way I could login to my google webmaster tool account and add a new website called www.pet-art.net/se and add the geographic target to Sweden. Sure I could register a new domain too, but that way I would have to build links for that separate domain. After a long research I found out that only creating a folder for the Swedish language would be of bigger benefit for me. Creating a sub domain was also something to consider, but still.. not a choice I made.

New website 2011

Simplifying…

Second of all, I wanted my website to look a bit more like a artist site. I wanted to create something darker, simpler and even easier to navigate. Using too many or too vivid colors actually destroys the feel I want my website to have. I figured; my paintings are most important, why not make them stand out most? This is why I only use black, grey and my special blue which I use in the logotype. Don’t you think they shine on the website now? I mean the paintings…

Using Divs…

Third, I wanted to create my website with only div tags. I only use tables on a few places on my website, but never as a template. Even though I have a slider ( called Nivo slider ) with many pictures on top of every page, the website still loads faster than it did before.

Shopping cart…

I also wanted to include a shopping cart, something I have been thinking of for years, but didn’t. You can see a little link on every page called “View Cart” along with a little image of a cart. The cart I’m using for this is the outstanding Mal’s E-commerce. I actually tried out 10 different carts, but each one of them had a downside which I didn’t want to pay for.

Since Mal’s E-commerce only care about the code behind, it’s actually possible to do just about anything with that cart. I added the possibility to order the custom portraits, framing, animal art, prints of portrait, gift vouchers directly to the html pages. Well, I actually already had that possibility before, but now it’s possible to purchase in more ways which opens a lot of doors. I also decided; The customers need to pay a deposit of exactly 50% to order a custom portrait. They can actually choose exactly what they would like to order and pay the 50% right away. The price-list and ordering is on the same page. Why I did it that way is because a little bird (thank you) told me that I don’t want the customers to leave the price-list, why not add the possibility to pay right there?! I decided not to have a total amount on the ordering page for a reason, but that would also be possible to do. All my base-prices are now in SEK (Swedish krona), since I live in Sweden I would like to get paid in my currency and in the exact amount my portraits are priced in.

Mal's Shopping Cart

Mal's E-commerce

The contact form…

I added a little cool contact form to bottom of each page, get in touch with me by email is the main choice of my clients and that is also the reason why I created this little contact form. The way I want my clients to contact me must stand out. The form also makes my website look a bit more professional, which is a big plus.

Cool Contact Form

The blog…

For many years (since 2006) my blog has only served as a work in progress section where I posted all artworks by each step. The blog is still used for that purpose, but now I also added one news and one FAQ section. The news section is about everything else than the work in progress. Studio news, personal news, completed portraits, framed portraits, clients photos and allot more. The FAQ section which I named “Ask The Artist” is for all fellow artists and clients where they can ask questions. I hope this section will be a great benefit for all people out there who have been wondering about things for some time.

I have been working (and still am) on the blog quite allot. Created my own theme, added pages, and customized those pages. The possibilities with blogs are endless and it’s really fun to work with that. I now have a static front page with links to recent posts and recent comments, and links to the different sections of my blog. Let’s see what else I will implement there.

The Blog - Katja's Art Studio

Work in Progress blog

The portrait galleries…

I wanted to change my galleries since it was too much going on there. I also wanted to find a way for visitors to look at my paintings and drawings in close-up without having to post another close-up image to the page. So I figured, a great way to actually see a painting close is to add a zoom to each and every page instead. This way visitors can decide if they want to wait for that image to load or not. The zoom script I use is free and can be found on the web.

Katja's Portrait Galleries

So this was the news about my new website in short. If you have any questions, just contact me at any time.

This is the next step of Doberman Harley in Pastel.  Next time I upload this portrait it will be the final scan, can’t wait to see it completed and then framed. I do have allot of work left on the background and on the portrait though.

Next stage of Doberman Harley in pastel

Today I received some lovely photos from David and Allison of the Polar bears I painted for them some time ago. They chose I beautiful frame which suits them perfectly. Thank you for taking the time to take the photos, I know you are busy. I will add these along with their testimonial to my new website.

Polar Bear Oil Painting

Oil painting of Polar Bears

Clients photos - Framed Polar Bears in Situ

The oil painting of Ripper got framed in Friday, but I didn’t go to collect it before today as the framer closes his shop early in Fridays. I took many photos of the framed painting and you can see a few of them below.

As the painting has warm colors and a background scene, we had to go for a simple moulding in order to suit the colors and the overall entirety. No dark moulding suited, instead we choose a lovely gold moulding. It’s a moulding which is not too  wide or too narrow and it really works with this painting. The under-painted  red and black colors visible in the moulding are doing a great job enhancing some of the tones in the painting. When looking at the framed painting I get a feeling of warmth and luxury, but still cute and simple.

Dog portraits in oil

Framed dog painting

Framed pet portraits in oil

Framed Ripper

This time I have continued with the background, it’s not completed at all as it will be much softer but it’s a step in the right direction.

Step three of Doberman Harley

This is how far I got on the pastel portrait today, I have only been working on the portrait. Tomorrow I will continue with the background.

dog portrait in pastel

This is going to be a portrait in detailed pastel. It’s of a Doberman on her favorite place, the beach. I will paint the water in the background a little more “blue”. I’m ( like I always do for my detailed pastels ) using the UART 600 grade sanded paper for this portrait. Anyway, here is the first step:

Doberman portrait in pastel

Yesterday I went to collect the framed portrait of Sauron and took some photos earlier today. So as promised, here he is…

Framed pastel portraits

Framed Groenendael pet portrait

Framed dog portraits

Framed pet portraits

So this is the final portrait of Schapendoes in sketchy pencil. The client wanted me to combine two photos into one drawing, to show at least one eye. Well, all fur is usually in the way…

This drawing took 5 hours to complete and it’s drawn on Fabriano 5 paper.

Schapendoes pet portraits

So Yesterday I scanned the final painting of Pitbull Ripper, and here he is. Even though it’s a fairly small painting I had to scan it in four parts. Of course the scan never does the painting any justice, but it’s nice to view the final result like this anyway. Hope you like it!

This week I will draw the sketchy portrait of Schapendoes which will be used to sell on various products and a contract will be written between the client and me. Of course there is an extra fee for reproduction rights, a one time fee or a fee which is paid each year, if the client choose to use it for a longer period.

I will also start with the portrait of Harley and I have really been looking forward to it. It’s nice to paint a detailed pastel every once in a while. I will also drive over to the framer and collect the framed sketchy pastel of Groenendael Sauron this week. I promise will take some photos and post them here.

Pitbull pet portraits

pet portraits in oil