Sign your work!

As of today, thirty four NaMoPaiMo entrants have completed their models.

It's impossible to tell from these photos, but hopefully, most of these models bear their painter's signature.

photo and model by Jennifer Scott

Carra McClelland explains the importance of signing your work. She writes:  As someone who has dispersed two collections and is currently picking away at a third, please y’all, sign your work! When Kathy McKenzie died and her collection landed in my living room, she had loads of horses without even initials I could try to suss out. I spent hours trying to track artists down so I would not have to list as “Artist Unknown."

model by Karen Gerhardt

Elaine Lindelef adds: You may think no one cares, but you can't expect to remember what you painted twenty years ago, and you never know where that work will go. It's not just to give you credit, but also to keep your work from being represented as someone else's. The oldest customs are now fifty years old! Put a clear last name and year on every piece.

photo and model by Christina Riley

The most useful signatures include the artist's name and date. Initials, studio names and studio logos are better than nothing, but are generally considered less helpful than actual names. Of course, as Christina Riley points out, sometimes there isn't enough room on a micro mini for anything but initials!

model by Tiffany Purdy

The best signatures are small, discreet and easy to read. Most models are signed on the belly, the inside of the back leg or on the bottom of the base. 

model by Kristen Cermele

Models can be signed with paint, colored pencil or a Micron pen. Of these, the Micron is probably the best choice. Its ink doesn't fade or change color over time, and it come in all types of points.

photo by Karen Beeson

Sharpies, although popular, are not a good choice. They are not archival and will fade and turn an unattractive greenish, brownish, yellowish color over time. 

photo and model by Karen Beeson

Karen Beeson offers this tip for people like me who have trouble writing in a straight line: I cut a small strip from a post-it note to guide my signature and keep it straight. 

photo and model by Karen Beeson

After you sign, be sure to seal your signature with a spray sealant such as Testors Dull Cote or Krylon Matte. Thank you, Carra, Elaine, Christina and Karen for your help with this post!