Hey fellow artists!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

Take a look at my website and give me some feedback..........I could arrange a DU discount! :)

www.johnmcalpineart.com

[greyl]

1. I like your stuff a lot! :)

However, I'm afraid the site design doesn't do it justice at all.
There are also some technical issues that could be addressed, like adding keywords to the meta content to help your site get listed by search engines. (I don't use Frontpage, but I'd bet it's capable of doing that)

I think it's of utmost importance that the homepage make a good first impression to hold the user's interest and curiousity. I sincerely hope this is taken as constructive criticism; the current homepage and banner doesn't exactly work to that end. I'd like to see more of a taste of the quality of your art on the first page most people will surf to.

I did these two pics real quick because if I can, I want to help ya. :)

They're both 461x142 so you won't have to change any code if you use the gif.
(looking at them now, I prefer the 2nd pic, the .gif, anyway.
If you want to use one of these, feel free. They aren't necessarily an example of how I think your site should be styled, I just think they're at least a slight improvement to the current banner.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. Thanks for the nice words! :)

I appreciate it. As for the mechanics of the webpage the person helping me is just learning how to do webpages and I am not in a position, today, to hire the job out.
Would you consider acting as an advisor? I can get your suggestions to the webmaster, if they don't know how to do what you suggest, you and I can talk and figure out how to get you access to the page etc.
Thanks again,
John

[greyl]

3. You're very welcome.

I'm glad you took it in the best way possible. :)

Sure, I could be an advisor if you like. That would make me feel more useful. ;) I wouldn't want to step on your current person's feelings, though.

If I were to adjust your site, with some respect to how it is now, these are a few of first things that come to mind:
- combine the content of the home and catalog pages, adding a bit from your bio, and make that the new home page. *reduce the necessary clicks to see your paintings.

- eliminate any non-textual art that isn't done by you. (like the pallette and the buttons) It should be text and your paintings, no irrelevant 'designs' to distract from them.

-reduce the file size (not dimension) of your bio pic. It took a long time to download. ;) I went ahead and did that. The optimized version is here. The dimensions are the same as your bio page calls for, so the code won't need to be altered - just remove the "b" from the file name first.

Sooo, I see you've done some nice pictures that are a abstract landscapes. When will we see an abstract still life from you? ...Now that I think about it, "Desert" comes pretty close. Remove the sun, pick the flowers, and baznoo! it's a still life. :)

btw, I removed the jpg from my first post because I don't like it at all anymore.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

5. Thanks again for the input

we are incorporating what we can at this time. I'll let you know when we've update the site.
Peace,
John

[cleofus1]

4. very nice

beautiful work!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. Thanks!

There should be more in a few weeks.......
:)