Name of your website?
Art for the Soul Studio Retreat
Your name?
Artist Ann Hamilton
Your Location (city, etc)
Fort Payne, Al, near Mentone, Al; Lookout Mountain; Little River Canyon; Desoto State Park
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Art for the Soul Studio Retreat’s purpose is that of fostering the creative endeavors of artists, writers, and photographers. It offers a perfect atmosphere for the growth of thoughts and imaginations into the making of something new.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
My love for art and my desire to share the experience of being an artist with others. Also, to offer a new retreat setting with a wonderful environment and atmosphere.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
I launched my first web site more than ten years ago, as a means of sharing my art with others.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
Art for the Soul Studio is about how art affects one's soul, and sharing this experience with others.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
The retreat is located in my home and it includes my personal attention as an artist.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
Of course, I hope, like most starving artists, to enhance my income from art with this endeavor. Just as important, however, is the potential it offers of forming relationships with other artists..to learn and to grow with them.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
My success is that I have been able to use my talents, both art and writing, as a way of making a living. The money this brings in is small in comparison to what it gives to me in other ways.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
If I had an unlimted amount of funds, I would market my web site in a way to get it "out there" among artists, writers, and photographers. In addition, I would continue to improve this 1890s Victorian Home Studio and its grounds. Too, I would travel to other places for workshops, and do more exhibits.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, I would hire professionals to help me
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
None thus far
What has been your biggest challenge?
Keeping focused on the task. I had rather be painting
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I am just beginning this process
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It takes more time than I had previously thought.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
Its an ongiong creative endeavor
Replace this with a question of your own
How have other artists been able to use web sites to be more successful?
What is your website address?
Art for the Soul Studio Retreat
