Name of your website?Taino Artistry
Your name?
J. Palagonia
Your Location (city, etc)
Naugatuck
Please give us a short summary of your website?
My website is dedicated to expressing native life through art and celebrating native culture of today as well as yesterday. My art work gives back those who inspired the work as well, part every sale goes to helping a native family living on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota helping me keep my promise to the Creator to always show gratitude for the gift that is art.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
The internet is an invaluable tool to reach people you would otherwise not be able to, it is also a very important part of native culture as it was said long ago by the Hopis that the world would be connected with a web that expanded the globe. How cool is that?
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
My very first website was The Mayan Monkey in 2000 where I was a brand new emerging artist. I was doing many shows and fairs and had a huge inventory of lots of things including my art. It wasn't until 2004 that I had decided to let the Monkey go, and it was hard because it had grown into what the Taino Artistry is now-but when I refocused on my art I knew the Monkey had already left long before and it was time to take myself more seriously.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
Deciding my name was pretty simple. First it could not be J.Palagonia artist like so many other websites-for the reason that it is considered boastful and prideful by my tribe to put yourself first. We always put the Creator first, even before family. So I decided to use my tribe's name Taino and what I do- create art, that way my art actually belongs to the Taino people and the Creator who inspires me every day.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
I think what makes my art different is that it is art that gives back. By giving a portion of my sales to a native family it keeps the circle in tact, and I show my gratitude for the wonderful gift of art by helping others. My art work itself is what I think fun to look at, moving at times, but ALWAYS done with a story in mind. There is never a painting in my portfolio that is "just a painting", there is history, lessons and so much more. I am currently working on a book to explain my art better so that others can share in the history as well.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My goal is to become what the Creator intended, if that is someone who is famous for art so be it, if it is someone who just paints yet does good with their work I would be ok with that too. Of course the ego side would like to be noticed, I wouldn't be human if I didn't want that, but I also understand that people are put in situations to best suit the needs of the many-never the needs of the one.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I commit a lot of time to my work, painting almost every day in the winter months and less in the summer. I consider myself successful when someone visits my site and apprieciates my work, and when I sell a work of art or print as it helped me put food on the table for a native family or buy items they need.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would buy lots of canvases and paint, get a nicer studio room (I have the space but have to finish the basement) and continue to paint. I would also enter more gallery calls and maybe even go to different galleries as well.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
ABSOLUTELY!
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Not much, we live pretty simply which is good in these days of high ticket items and high living expenses.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge so far is marketing, I would like to be able to support the native family, my own family and myself on my art alone, but the reality is that it unless you are well known in bigger circles artists like me fall through the cracks. I have seen some phenomonal work of art by people who are in the same situation as myself, and it is sad because we have so much to offer but sometimes it feels like no one is listening.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Submitting it to artists sites, this site of course, and google.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
My expectations are to be able to sell more on my site, I know it takes time as there are billions of websites too. My expectations are when it happens it will happen as planned.
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?
My site has been running for about a year (my last site was up for much longer but became very costly) I love my new provider (GO Bill Gates!) and will be up for as long as I can type and keep creating!
What is your website address?
Taino Artistry
