Maybe your name has more consonants than words from the U.S. Spelling Bee. Or let's say you have a thriving career, and don't want professional contacts to know how much time you spend on your passion. Perhaps your name is John Doe. Whatever the reason, a lot of emerging artists consider working under a pseudonym. Been there and done that, boy was it fun.. not. Here's the real scoop on what to think about before using a snazzier name for your art.
Paradise Haze by Todd McPhetridge
My given name is Todd McPhetridge. A little bit lengthy, and surprisingly easy to mispronounce (the 'Ph' makes a "Feh" sound, by the way.. as in MC FEH TRIDGE). I've been called every name in the book, from Mctheridge to Muppetridge and everything in between. As an online marketing consultant, I know that in the web-O-sphere, keeping it short and sweet is often the ideal. Pretty sure nobody got rich off www.supercalifragilistic.com.
When I wanted to market my art, I thought it made a lot of sense to give myself a pseudonym for that work. My art needed a simpler name. Easier to find online.. you know something more "marketable" I approached constructing my pseudonym like some major brands test market their new consumer product. Ahem.. meet Todd Ridge. Snazzy huh?
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