About Us
Find fine art, gallery-wrapped, museum-quality canvas prints and other unusual originals in a West Bridgewater Art Gallery. Browse in.a spa-like atmosphere. We work daily to enhance your visual pleasure via scents, sounds and libations! Sit on the sofa by the fireplace or chat with a friend over coffee in the café. We are a fine art gallery at 455 West Center Street in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Owling Dog Art Gallery is housed in a 4-room section of an antique (c. 1800's) Cape Cod-style structure. Please come and browse for that special piece or consider a unique gift for someone important in your life. All products are made in the US with the finest archival pigment inks, papers and processes. Each print is provided to you with a Certificate of Authenticity and signed by the artist. Our prints with custom frames/mats or on gallery-wrapped, image overflow(mirrored) 1 1/2" canvas.
How We Got Started
My bedroom was overflowing with canvases and photos! :) I began getting interest from others who wanted to have copies of my work, so I slowly created a following.
I've had other businesses: a rockabilly band, jewelry sales, mural painting, house cleaning, screen print design.
The products and services we offer
Products & Services
Gallery-wrapped, archival ink (giclée) original on canvas or traditional frames with mat. All art is ready-to-hang. We also offer greeting cards, ...
Find fine art original prints in West Bridgewater's Owling Dog Art Gallery. Four photographers create a variety of styles for all artistic taste. A...
Try browsing our art pieces from the vantage point of the coral sofa. With a fire in the fireplace on a cold New England day, sip your tea and cons...
Gallery
Recent Activity
In reading the bill put forth (and I'm not a legal eagle) I thought the bill is straightforward. I have been a nurse for 14 years in critical care (ED, ICU) and psychiatry. In most hospitals I have worked there is already a maximum patient load, so for many (even big city) hospitals, the...
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In reading the bill put forth (and I'm not a legal eagle) I thought the bill is straightforward. I have been a nurse for 14 years in critical care (ED, ICU) and psychiatry. In most hospitals I have worked there is already a maximum patient load, so for many (even big city) hospitals, the requirement is not unreasonable. The difference is, the state is going to penalize those who do not have that reasonable max patient load. I equate it to the MA state child car-seat laws. Most parents are thoughtful, careful and very protective of their children. But, some parents are not. The state is there to ENSURE that even the 'not-so-careful' parents are at least riding with children protected in a car-seat. Do I like the state to tell me what to do? No, but I'm a reasonable person able to make good decisions for myself.
Hospital corporations fit into the 'not-so-careful' type of entity. Their bottom line is the dollar. More staff equals more money invested - period. Having worked for large corporations I know that it isn't the floor nurse who is invested in making money for the hospital - those employees are there to care for ill patients. The managers are in place to ensure that the budget given for each department is met(and other legalities such as licenses and certifications are up-to-date) and to manage staffing needs. They are told they cannot hire overtime when staffing is less than adequate. They try floating staff or changing shift/tours or hiring for 'comp' (unpaid for trade) time. If this bill passes, they will have to hire overtime or more staff to cover patient flow and acuity - no choice.
For patients and staffing this is only a good thing. In my experience, when staffing is inadequate, that's when bad things just seem to happen. The only way to handle those emergencies then, is to rip staff from other units - putting the other units at risk for an event (and over and over). Hire more staffing. Set patient-to-nurse ratio limits. Man up and pay for it. I already voted 'Yes.'
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I don't like the word 'better' because it is a matter of perspective when it comes to art (our passion). But, then - what makes us 'different' (and may be perceived as better by some and not by others) is that we eschew the museum-type feeling of an art...
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Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I don't like the word 'better' because it is a matter of perspective when it comes to art (our passion). But, then - what makes us 'different' (and may be perceived as better by some and not by others) is that we eschew the museum-type feeling of an art gallery.
We no longer have a store front gallery - the expense drove us away. But, while we were in the gallery store, we made sure it had a warm and inviting atmosphere. Rather than walk along a stark white wall, we tried to envelope the observer with some of the more natural pleasant vibes. In one area, for example, you would find a water fountain with soft lighting. In another area, sofas and tables from which to enjoy the photographs and perhaps envision them in your home that way.
We also offered local artists who created beautiful wares, sweet candles, local honey or we used antiques in unusual presentations. Classical, folk and ethnic music always played in the background. We created art not only for the eyes - but, for the ears, the nose, the fingers as well. Rather than standing out in the void of a sterile gallery, the viewer might become enveloped within it in a more private and personal way.
Many people loved to stay and chat, I think, because they were comforted by their surroundings. After all, the rent and input of this type of artistic studio/gallery was more than our pockets could hold out for. Although we continue to have our online gallery, perhaps we will open another store front in the future when the economy expands.
We wish you a lovely day...
Hello there, artist!
In my opinion, the best way is to walk in and introduce yourself as an artist. Then immediately make it known you're seeking a place to exhibit.
I have had some folks come in, browse as if they're looking to buy (ask pricing, so forth), then finally admit they're looking...
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Hello there, artist!
In my opinion, the best way is to walk in and introduce yourself as an artist. Then immediately make it known you're seeking a place to exhibit.
I have had some folks come in, browse as if they're looking to buy (ask pricing, so forth), then finally admit they're looking to exhibit. I am put off by this covert introduction. Let it be known right away - honesty is KEY! Then if you want to check prices to compare what you might ask for your own work, it's time to talk about how we price our artists.
I had one woman come in and the first thing she said was, "Oh, my! I can't believe there is a gallery here again. I'm a painter... looking for a place." I asked her that day to bring a few pieces to the gallery (unseen) and she did the next day - and sold a painting within two weeks.
She was nice enough to compliment our current artists (she never talked money and I suggested pricing for her).
For me, honesty is the best policy. :) Hope that helps and best of luck to you.
I run a coupon online biannually and for special events or holidays. It is free shipping on everything.
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I run a coupon online biannually and for special events or holidays. It is free shipping on everything.
Email marketing is similar to social media in that it is a communication platform; different because it is a one-to-one personal connection between our business and ONE customer/client. I use both and I use them differently.
I post frequently (3-5 days/week) on social media with information,...
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Email marketing is similar to social media in that it is a communication platform; different because it is a one-to-one personal connection between our business and ONE customer/client. I use both and I use them differently.
I post frequently (3-5 days/week) on social media with information, positive thoughts and our own graphics (photography). Sometimes I'll post other artists on our Facebook or Twitter page. Email communication is usually monthly and includes news. I rarely 'sell' on either and if I do - it's attached as an afterthought.
I love buying online from my own favorite stores, but if I receive too many emails from the same vendor I often erase them without opening. I don't want that to happen to my own business communications. I will use provocative headlines to folks, whom I hope look forward to this 'intrusion' from someone they begin to view as a friend, rather than an advertisement.
For me it is:
3. Getting my overall marketing strategy right
Any advice appreciated!
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For me it is:
3. Getting my overall marketing strategy right
Any advice appreciated!
1 Reply
I created a few different 'free' websites to play around with set up and then I happened upon Weebly. I had extremely limited funds, but I have a knack for software manipulation. Over the three years that I've had my website I increased my access to the highest offered in business; and for my own...
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I created a few different 'free' websites to play around with set up and then I happened upon Weebly. I had extremely limited funds, but I have a knack for software manipulation. Over the three years that I've had my website I increased my access to the highest offered in business; and for my own products Weebly has exactly what I need, so far. I did buy the option for my own IP as soon as I launched because I think it looks more professional from the get-go.
Because I knew literally NOTHING about SEO other than they were initials for something that exists in the ethereal 'network galaxy,' I had to do - and continue to do - a whole lot of learning. I watched Youtube videos from different experts. I have a relationship with a website designer for advice, (I am such a control freak) which is super helpful. I read, read, read...
I don't think you have to spend $$$ right away to get an online store up and running. Go online and hunt for website designers in your area. Look at the sites they've already developed to see if something strikes your fancy and then look for pricing within your budget. Another idea is to use a local college or university. Call and ask if their technology education has students looking for experience in website design. You never know, you may happen upon a very talented individual!
Like others have said in previous answers, non-networking 'networking' works well for me. Lisa, you mentioned charities and local events and I agree! I think this is very important to become known, especially as a small business like my own. I belong to a local business association. When I...
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Like others have said in previous answers, non-networking 'networking' works well for me. Lisa, you mentioned charities and local events and I agree! I think this is very important to become known, especially as a small business like my own. I belong to a local business association. When I volunteered to host the monthly meeting I met many other business owners, one of whom offered to do a ribbon-cutting ceremony when I reopen soon in a new location. Others gave great inside information and advice, so while they were not purchasing art - they did lead me to make more fruitful and advantageous decisions.
Stacey, I second your view about Alignable! I do comment sometimes, but I love reading others' comments. Not only do I learn new things, but often I like the support of knowing I am not alone in my endeavors.
Greg, I too use Google for business. Have you tried their Analytics? It gives you great insight about how our websites are doing - very insightful and free! Lenny and Joseph - absolutely, looking and listening are key to knowing not only where you might find other business, but following trends and needs. I do that by using Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus, not to advertise per se, but to market myself as an expert in my field. Sometimes, I present other non-associated artists' work and usually post encouraging thoughts for the day with our own gallery work. I notice on days that I post I get twice the usual number of hits on our website.
1 Reply
FB advertising and BOOSTS have not benefited my business. It never costs what you think it does, it's always more. The posts that have created the most activity and interest are the ones I post myself - some types of posts and graphics receive more attention than others. I have been taking note...
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FB advertising and BOOSTS have not benefited my business. It never costs what you think it does, it's always more. The posts that have created the most activity and interest are the ones I post myself - some types of posts and graphics receive more attention than others. I have been taking note of this and trying to follow suit and create my 'brand' if you will. I ask for business rarely and usually give advice or some words of wisdom. This seems to work best for me.
1 Reply
I use Excel to manage my finances. I do have formal training in accounting and I used Excel spreadsheet for statistical data in a previous career. But, don't let that scare you! For my own business I did what anyone else would do: use each column for business expenses throughout the year. I then...
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I use Excel to manage my finances. I do have formal training in accounting and I used Excel spreadsheet for statistical data in a previous career. But, don't let that scare you! For my own business I did what anyone else would do: use each column for business expenses throughout the year. I then had another section for business sales including the cost of each item I sold (Cost of Goods Sold-COGS).
At the end of the year I created categories of what I thought would be similar expenses and made a list of them. I brought this list to my tax person who is a CPA. He confirmed my categories that made sense. I asked him if he thought Quickbooks or some other accounting software would work better and he didn't think I needed it, based on how I used Excel. This year I created headings for the categories and I just plug in my expenses under these approved categories.
You DO need some basic math skills and knowledge of Excel formulas for sums and other simple ones. You can look these up either on Excel 'Help' or Google the formula you need. For instance, 'add percentages to a list in Excel.' I have a very simple business with no employees and just a small number of high end equipment to depreciate over time so it works perfectly for me.