January 2 , 2006
Quit Looking for an Agent
At some point, almost every artist says to herself, "I wish I had an agent." How do I know? Because artists say it to me almost every day. My response? Quit dreaming! Come back to reality and quit wasting your time. Plant both feet firmly on the ground so you can get your head out of the clouds.
Good fine art agents do not exist. At least I have never heard a success story. Especially in the beginning of one's career. Oh, there are plenty of people who would be happy to take your money, but no one can be a better agent than you. No one knows your work better than you. No one believes in your work more than you. No one wants you to succeed more than you.
No one can sell your work better than you.
Think about it. People buy the artist just as much as they buy the art. In an age of mass production, Pottery Barn, and all other things evil, your art is made by hand! Buyers—especially seasoned collectors—want to know the artist. And gallerists and curators do not like for a third person (a rep or an agent) to come between them and they artist.
You have to learn to do it yourself. Moreover, you have to learn to enjoy it in order to be good at it.
You have made a commitment to be in business for yourself. Resolve this year to stop complaining about not having enough time. Resolve to "buck up" in 2006 and do the work that is required of someone who owns his own business.
Resolve to:
►Improve your artspeak and artwriting, especially as it pertains to your own art.
►Get organized. Have a good database, action list, and a clear focus of where you are going. Look at Setting Up Your Art Business, which begins today.
►Meet more people. Stop saying you'd rather be alone. Relationships of all kinds make the world go around. Cultivating strong ties will be a boon to your career.
Resolve to take charge of your future rather than leaving the results to others.
 Know This . . .
The mythical agent who will discover you and make you rich andfamous does not exist. There is, however, at least one situation for which I can recommend outside sales help. Read about it on the Art Biz Blog.
Think About This . . .
Most of us would be much more productive and effective if we would quit whining about what we don't have and start working harder toward what we want.
Do This . . .
Hire other people to help you with other aspects of your life and business. Since agents are not the magic pill some believe, why not spend those funds in other places? Hire accountants, lawyers, Web designers, errand runners, secretarial or database help, virtual assistants, personal shoppers, lawn mowers, gardeners, and house cleaners.
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