I’ve been selling my artwork for 30 years, but I have to say that most of what’s said here still applies - especially the Gut Check. I can easily get to painting for the market instead of following my muse and emotions. I do believe what you say about others sensing when we’re not emotionally involved.
Being true to yourself as an artist and not painting for the market is so important. However knowing you and marketing you as an artist is really important and not to be shied away from. Like how you say following your muse and emotions.
Excellent article for those just starting out but maybe even more so for us "old timers". After doing something for so many years, like being an artist, you tend to dig a rut in your thinking, even if you didn't intend to. It just happens. Rethinking your approaches and successes and "failures", tends to clarify your path forward. One thing I found out, as probably others have, is that the odds of you alone doing all it takes to be a successful artist, are very slim. You need to create and produce your "art" and be happy doing so but recognize that the business side of being an artist also needs to happen. If those are not your strong suit; then find someone that can help you with the accounting side, the pricing, the publicity, however you chose to do it. Then, you are still the main focus...you have to do the "your art" and the other tasks can be done by those that are qualified and "happy" in their choices.
Another great article. I look forward to the next two in the series. Regularly do a gut check with my artwork. I use Facebook and Instagram comments from friends and the wider world to gauge feedback on my work. So really appreciate when people add a comment and not just a like or love. Building myself a body of work and have a plan that I am building on for next year with an exhibition and arts trail. I think having some direction with what you are trying to achieve with your artwork marketing is important. And to know who you are as an artist and not be pressured into what others want but showing the world who you are through your art. And being confident in that.
I have been selling my work for a few years. I really appreciate the input and also the Gut Check! Good topic to re-evaluate where I’m at with selling.
I'm a professional marketer...but marketing art is different from marketing tech or research papers. People will pay for software or peer-reviewed research. But they don't want to pay for art... especially if they can get cheap prints through Etsy or Target. Only one of my eight siblings has ever bought a piece from me. I exhibit a lot at restaurants, but people go there to eat, not to buy art. I've exhibited at public shows. But again, people come to look, not necessarily to buy. They will call to ask for auction donations, though. Wall art is especially challenging because it requires dedicated space and a commitment. Jewelry, ceramics, etc can be used and then put away. It doesn't take up valuable real estate. These are my challenges.
Marketing art is more like marketing a church than a product.
Probably tech was too quick to call the death of galleries. Galleries and festivals are the only places people actually go to buy art. (And direct to the artist).
I'm just now moving from being a hobbyist to starting my art business. I am interested to know if oil painter artists have a working timeline or checklist for their work flow. I'd like to know practical considerations of how to plan and execute a collection of work (i.e. 10 paintings created Plein Air in local Master Gardener venues), give the paintings time to dry, varnish, price, procure materials to prepare art to sell and ship the art, create certificates of authenticity, make sure all artwork is photographed and recorded in a spreadsheet, frame or somehow prepare to sell, etc. Maybe there are other practices to include? Has someone written about or developed a general framework for a collection workflow or yearly workflow that I could tweak and make work for me personally?
I’ve been selling my artwork for 30 years, but I have to say that most of what’s said here still applies - especially the Gut Check. I can easily get to painting for the market instead of following my muse and emotions. I do believe what you say about others sensing when we’re not emotionally involved.
Being true to yourself as an artist and not painting for the market is so important. However knowing you and marketing you as an artist is really important and not to be shied away from. Like how you say following your muse and emotions.
Excellent article for those just starting out but maybe even more so for us "old timers". After doing something for so many years, like being an artist, you tend to dig a rut in your thinking, even if you didn't intend to. It just happens. Rethinking your approaches and successes and "failures", tends to clarify your path forward. One thing I found out, as probably others have, is that the odds of you alone doing all it takes to be a successful artist, are very slim. You need to create and produce your "art" and be happy doing so but recognize that the business side of being an artist also needs to happen. If those are not your strong suit; then find someone that can help you with the accounting side, the pricing, the publicity, however you chose to do it. Then, you are still the main focus...you have to do the "your art" and the other tasks can be done by those that are qualified and "happy" in their choices.
Another great article. I look forward to the next two in the series. Regularly do a gut check with my artwork. I use Facebook and Instagram comments from friends and the wider world to gauge feedback on my work. So really appreciate when people add a comment and not just a like or love. Building myself a body of work and have a plan that I am building on for next year with an exhibition and arts trail. I think having some direction with what you are trying to achieve with your artwork marketing is important. And to know who you are as an artist and not be pressured into what others want but showing the world who you are through your art. And being confident in that.
I have been selling my work for a few years. I really appreciate the input and also the Gut Check! Good topic to re-evaluate where I’m at with selling.
I'm a professional marketer...but marketing art is different from marketing tech or research papers. People will pay for software or peer-reviewed research. But they don't want to pay for art... especially if they can get cheap prints through Etsy or Target. Only one of my eight siblings has ever bought a piece from me. I exhibit a lot at restaurants, but people go there to eat, not to buy art. I've exhibited at public shows. But again, people come to look, not necessarily to buy. They will call to ask for auction donations, though. Wall art is especially challenging because it requires dedicated space and a commitment. Jewelry, ceramics, etc can be used and then put away. It doesn't take up valuable real estate. These are my challenges.
Marketing art is more like marketing a church than a product.
Probably tech was too quick to call the death of galleries. Galleries and festivals are the only places people actually go to buy art. (And direct to the artist).
I'm just now moving from being a hobbyist to starting my art business. I am interested to know if oil painter artists have a working timeline or checklist for their work flow. I'd like to know practical considerations of how to plan and execute a collection of work (i.e. 10 paintings created Plein Air in local Master Gardener venues), give the paintings time to dry, varnish, price, procure materials to prepare art to sell and ship the art, create certificates of authenticity, make sure all artwork is photographed and recorded in a spreadsheet, frame or somehow prepare to sell, etc. Maybe there are other practices to include? Has someone written about or developed a general framework for a collection workflow or yearly workflow that I could tweak and make work for me personally?