Back from Atlanta Gift Market. Mixed bag of thoughts. Was able to spend time and share in a few meals with good friends and discuss the current state of affairs in the art licensing world. In a nut shell, things are rough sailing. Between manufacturers dropping licensing and preferring to go the easy route and buy clip art or buy off the shelf from Asian manufacturers to the quasi strike at the ports, things are difficult at best and could potentially get worse. On a brighter note, some Artist friends are doing well and so are some of the manufacturers.

The gift industry seems to have morphed into companies offering giftware, apparel and jewelry, from their previous core offerings of resin and ceramic product. Understandable they would chase the consumers whims, but crazy to get too far outside a known lane. When you want to survive, you will do whatever it takes and changing lanes sometimes is what it takes.

Lots of vacant real estate in Atlanta at the Mart. Disguised with Americas Mart offices and lecture rooms, press rooms, buyers lounges, show windows for current showrooms, and the basic empty space offered for lease. The temp floors and now vacant save one floor which is not 100% utilized. This is down from a few years back when there were three and a half floors of temp space. Only a couple of spaces with the high country lodge offerings and only a few years ago there was a complete half floor.

Things change with time. This is crazy change. I am confidant that it will reverse course and head back the other direction but only after the next election. It matters, so vote. Vote for business and commerce. The progressive movement is anti business except for reaching into their bank accounts and increasing taxes. That's as far as I'll go with politics here. I think everyone has their reasons for what or who they vote for. Mine are mixed with economics and freedoms. Freedom to conduct business is of utmost importance, and we have been hindered in the past several years.

Evergreen Enterprises has added a new image from Diane Knott to their flag program. Her "Bless Our Land" will be included in the September supplemental catalog for Garden.
Evergreen is a leading manufacturer of Home Garden Decor, based in Virginia.

Press Release

Diane Knott Signs Licensing Deal
August 6, 2013, 9:00 am PST


Stockton, CA- Image Connection, Art Licensing Agency representing Diane Knott, LLC, announced this morning it has completed a licensing agreement with Northcott Silk, Inc. " I am very excited to be partnering with a company that produces top quality and has such a talented group of Designers, said Ms Knott. She brings a well known reputation in the quilting industry with her art and design, as well as several book credits published with her daughter Holly.


Northcott Silk Inc. is an International Distributor and Converter of fine cotton printed fabrics for the quilt, craft and home decor industries. "We are delighted to be working with Diane. She is very talented, easy to work with and able to execute winning designs very quickly”, says Deborah Edwards, Design Director for Northcott. The company was founded in 1935, originally as a fashion textile converter.They are based in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. They have US offices in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.


Image Connection, LLC, is a full service licensing company based in Stockton, CA. Information regarding Ms. Knott or the Image Connection program can be obtained by contacting Alan Korsgaden at 209.951.4088 or akorsgaden@yahoo.com. Images and links can be found on the company website at www.iconnectart.com.

SURTEX 2013

Surtex starts in about three weeks. It's always a hectic time getting ready and a crap shoot trying to decide what art to show on the booth walls. It's also stressful wondering what buyers and art directors will show to take a peek and if they are in the mood to talk about the new art and take some on with new licenses. Very difficult for the Artists as its the premiere show of the year. I dont think its a tell tale of any of their talent but it can make your year if you leave with a good feeling that the buyers liked something or better yet, the majority of it. The show is not only all business, but it's a good time for the Agents to share war stories of the past year and to catch up on personal lives. I always enjoy the visits no matter how short the time may be as many have become very good friends.

Atlanta Gift Show was productive on all fronts. Buyers were there buying although the numbers seemed down. A few people I've spoken to may disagree disagree. They thought it was packed. Wondering if, with four buildings now, they travel in packs and certain areas get lots of traffic at once while others are sparse. I left Saturday so missed the majority of local traffic focused on the temps. Some great product and art based licensing seems to be on the rebound from the color and geometrics that have dominated for the past several years. With the election year behind us, regardless of anyones politics, business needs to get back on track.

At right is Julie Ueland previewing her Seabreeze Collection at the C&F Enterprises Showroom. Here's hoping for a fantastic 2013 for everyone!

SURTEX 2012 Show finished with a great upbeat note. Generally good praise from other exhibitors and Attendees. Not a lot of newbies wasting time in booths. Survival of the fitest looks like its weeding out the companies not able to adjust with the changing economy both domestically and abroad. Lots of flat fee deal requests which is bothersome, but expect to see many more of them as the nex few years come and go. Lots of follow up to get on top of. Looking for a big percentage of the contacts to pan out into good deals for our great group of talent! Always great to see friends and catch up with both personal and professional lives. Life is short, enjoy it and the people whos paths you cross. I am blessed to have made so many friends in this business and although you dont want time to go any faster than it already does, I can't wait for another SURTEX to show up on the calendar.

New Calendar from Lang

Lang, a division of Perfect Timing, Inc. has introduced an Abundant Friendship 2013 calendar illustrated by Image Connection Artist, Diane Knott. The calendar rolled out at the Atlanta Gift Show in January and is now being offered for sale online at http://www.lang.com/calendars/wall_calendars/1001545.
The calendar retails for $15.95