On Monday, I was browsing through Instagram Stories and did a double-take when I saw a piece of artwork I recognized in a round-up of Liz Marie’s favorite things from the new McGee x Threshold collection at Target…
Do you see it?! This is one of my oil still-life paintings and it was picked up for the McGee collection and is now being sold in Target stores and online! You can buy one HERE or see if it’s available at a nearby Target.
When I first saw it, I recognized it instantly as mine, but when I studied it further, I started to question myself. For some reason, I felt like it was better than my painting! I had a chance to look at it objectively, in a new context, and it gave me a new appreciation for my style. For a few brief minutes, I wondered if someone had created a painting off of my painting or perhaps off of the picture if I had posted it anywhere. I had only recently launched Artist Reference Photos and that picture hasn’t been posted there, so that didn’t make sense. I hunted down the picture of my original work and that confirmed it was my painting.
There was also a question if this was licensed through proper channels, but after my agent did some digging, we found it was an exclusive deal through one of our existing licensing agreements, so it is all legit and I will receive royalties on it. If you’re curious how licensing works and how a piece could end up at Target without me knowing about it, HERE is a post explaining the licensing process.
I’ve seen my paintings on websites and in some beautiful shops, but I never imagined I would see one in a Target.
It wasn’t carried at our local Target, which is one of the smallest Target stores I have ever seen, but they were carrying it in several stores within 30-45 minutes, so we drove up to Chambersburg, PA to see the print in person. It was featured right on the main display! As we rounded the corner, Jeff told me he spotted it and I got out my camera to record the moment. I was excited about it when I saw it online, but it was a whole new level of giddiness when I saw it in person, on a display, in Target. Wow.
Of course, I bought it. I could always paint one for myself, but I wanted to buy one so I could photograph it in my home and then I’ll probably give it away. At $32, it was worth the price.
I have received several questions about my art being sold under another brand. That is a part of art licensing and is pretty common if the artist isn’t widely known. The piece or design will typically go under the designer’s name and not the name of the artist. It’s one of the compromises made when you agree to license your work. My signature isn’t on the painting, but my name is on the copyright information on the back. Of course, it would be awesome to have prints of my work sold under my name and brand, but I’m just not a big enough fish in the sea for large companies to be interested. And, I’m okay with that at this point in my art career.
I was so thrilled to hear that Shea McGee selected my painting herself and it was one of the first pieces she selected for the new collection. It’s such a huge compliment that one of my paintings spoke to her and that’s how it ended up under her brand in Target. I love the matting and frame she selected for it. It looks much more expensive than $32. The printing is also very well done. The only downside to printing an oil painting on paper and putting it behind glass is you lose the yummy texture of the brush strokes and the glass creates a glare. The print is so well done, though, and I am thrilled with the quality.
I styled the print I bought in my kitchen over the range to take a few pictures of it. I threaded a gold velvet ribbon through the hangers so it could hang on the pot rail.
Of course, it’s a piece well-suited for a kitchen or dining room, but I think you can hang a fruit still life almost anywhere.
I haven’t done very much painting over the past several weeks because I’ve been spending so much time on home projects and outside, but as the weather gets too hot to be outside as much, I’m going to get back to my easel daily. This has also been a kick in rear to get going again to build up a new collection for an original art sale and for licensing clients…
Very cool!!! I would have been giddy, too. 🙂 Ha, think I would have told the Target manager that you are the artist; may have generated some extras sales….
I need to visit my Target today; will see if they have it.
I bought one this weekend and thought it looked familiar. I thought it looked like your work. It’s a beautiful piece. Congratulations!
Hanging it in your kitchen is so cool. 🙂 Your work is so beautiful that I bet you didn’t realize how marketable your art really is! Target has such good taste- haha.
I am very happy that your beautiful painting has been selected by Target. As a buyer I would love to see the name of the artist scribed somewhere as a respect to the artist!
A well-deserved congratulations to you! What a thrill it must be to see your success in a tangible way!
Off to Target!!!
how exciting!!!
I really need to dial back my spending on nonessentials, but I love your style so therefore whatever you do inspires me. MUST. Go.To Target!
Congratulations!!! This IS so thrilling! I can see why you are excited! I saw this print in her collection and did a double take and was sure it was yours!! Now truth be told!! I love it and it is worth more than the $32 cost….priceless! Enjoy this thrill!
Wow, that’s so cool! I am surprised to hear that they don’t put the artist’s name on items like that, especially in today’s world. What an incredibly low price too! I think it is good that it has the glass on it so that you could hang it in the kitchen without fear of it getting stained.
How exciting! I love Shea McGee’s sense of style, a lovely compliment to your artistry. One thing about her Target selections is they go fast.
That is fantastic!!! And so deserving!!! Congratulations.
I see it got five star reviews! Of course!
That is so cool! It must have been like when a singer hears their song on the radio for the first time. I’m glad that you were able to really see and appreciate your own talent!
Bravo and congratulations 👏👏👏
Congratulations!!!❤️
That’s so exciting!!!
I love that painting. Last year I bought two of your smaller canvasses at a gift store in St. Louis because I thought they looked like your painting and when i looked closer they were. I am thrilled for your success. I have been a fan of yours for awhile now. Congratulations
How wonderful! So proud to even be able to say I “know” you! How sweetly humble it is that you bought your own work! Very well deserved, and the colors fit in nicely with the rest of the collection…
Congratulations! It’s a beautiful painting and I can only imagine the thrill that it gave you to see it.
Congratulations!!! Not many people can say they have a print selling at Target!
Congratulations Marian! What a beautiful piece of artwork to display !!
It seems so strange that your artwork could be reproduced and for sale at Target without you knowing about it! I don’t know anything about how that works. I love your style of painting and this must be so exciting for you.
How wonderful – and well deserved!!!!!!
I really wanted to read this article, but the ads popping me all over the article make it impossible!
Congratulations. Although I am shocked that your name doesn’t appear on the print. I think the artist should be acknowledged, and not just on the back re the licensing, because let’s be honest, who will read it. And you may be a small fish for Target etc. but not for Shea.
Congrats!! Very beautiful!
How exciting! I love it in your kitchen and you might want to consider keeping it there because it is an AMAZING memory! i love you smill at Target! I would be thrilled too!
Congratulations, it’s beautiful! When you stated that your local Target was one of the smallest, I thought “then she should see how small mine is”. Then I remembered that we live in the same town now 😂
Ha! Yeah, why is it so small? I hardly ever go there just because it’s always disappointing.
That’s very nice! I am glad the licensing agreements were in order! It’s a beautiful work of art.
How exciting! Congratulations!
Oh how WONDERFUL and EXCITING for you!!! Congratulations!!!
I can totally understand why they chose that particular piece, as its got an appeal on so many levels and as you say above, while the subject matter lends itself to kitchens and dining rooms, it is a lovely piece for just about any room in your home.
I’m SO HAPPY for you and I’m sure that people will be flocking to get their own print of your work.
Well done, YOU!
Congratulations!!!! How gratifying that moment must have been to see your beautiful work in Target so prominently hanging. What a beautiful piece. It really lends itself to how much people love your work, you are truly talented. I love you reading your blog each day!!
Congratulations!! Your whole family must be thrilled. Cheers to many more prints at Target!
Congrats!!!! I love the print/painting and agree with you that 32 bucks is an unbelievable price. My question is…did you paint your kitchen cabinets blue??? Tell me it isn’t so because I love that dark green.
No, they are the same color. They were just leaning a little more blue/green in that light for some reason.
That is just too freaking cool.
I ran to Target the next day and purchased one! I can’t waiting to hang it in the kitchen!
How very exciting that Target has picked up your artwork! What a wonderful surprise for you. Congratulations! Of course you bought one for your own home. I think I need one, too!
Such a thrill for you!
I wish they would give you a heads up as to what they choose to use.
I remember the ‘Laundry Sign’ that was an accidental find quite a while ago.
The bunny does deserve a place of honor at Target!
So happy for you!
That is so awesome! Congratulations! I can’t wait to see it at Target. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of wall space in the kitchen but I’ll have to see if I can find a spot. It’s so beautiful.