Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Dust Off Your Statement

WHAT'S GOING ON

: : Class: THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT AND BEYOND : :
begins today, June 6
Can you believe it's almost summer?! Some of us are celebrating already. But don't let things go. Get your statement ready for the fall art season. The right language can make you sound more intelligent and help boost your sales. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/statement.shtml

Don't let it be said that I can't adapt to trends and changes in the market. My blog undergoes a huge transformation this week. It's been suffering from lack of focus and I'm getting it back on track now. Henceforth, it will be updated much more frequently (my pledge to all of you) and focus on the business of art. As a result, the "Find/Tip of the Week" in this newsletter will now be featured on the blog. The best thing about this is that there will usually be numerous finds and tips in one week. It also makes this newsletter shorter and less cluttered. This week's tips and finds:      ► Feeling Overwhelmed?           (Get organized and tackle the important stuff.)       ► Art Market Reform             (What you can do to make sure your dealer is above board.)       ► Collectors and Taxes            (What you need to do if you sell art across state lines.) Find out more on the Art Biz Blog (To add your comments to any posting, click on "comments" below the posting.)

: : THE ART BIZ CONNECTION : :
It's my way of giving back. A free marketing plan to encourage artists to get together and support each other. Grab a group of artists and work together in your marketing efforts. This new site gives you the tools and the structure to do it. It's designed for artists to meet, face-to-face, in a real space, for nine sessions. After you have your group together, all you have to do is register everyone. You'll receive instructions and materials to download. When you're done, everyone will have a complete marketing plan. Artists in Florida, California, Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Colorado, and Wisconsin have already started their groups. Don't miss out! Visit http://www.artbizconnection.com

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With The Artist Statement & Beyond e-class beginning today, I thought it would be a good time for me to remind everyone to dust off your statement and make it work for you.

I've read lots of advice re statements from so-called experts and, in my humble opinion, much of it needs to be thrown out with the trash. I don't think I have the magical answer to what an artist statement should be, but I do have some guidelines.

1) A statement is not a be-all, end-all, definitive essay. It's organic. It grows and changes as you and your work grow and change. When is the last time you looked at your statement with fresh eyes on your latest work?

2) A statement is short. It gets to the point and doesn't mince words. People just don't have the attention spans they used to.

3) A statement reveals the most interesting aspect about your work. It doesn't spill all of your secrets. It's just fascinating enough to hook people in.

4) A statement doesn't contain lots of jargon. It must be comprehensible and relate meaningful ideas that people can grasp.

5) A statement is about the current direction of your work. It isn't about art history or your education. It's about you and what you're trying to do.

6) Above all, a statement makes people want to quit reading and get back to looking at your work. That's what it's all about.

Read about The Artist Statement & Beyond e-class: http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/statement.shtml

2) Journal. Write about your art. Write about the art of other artists. Get words down on paper. No one has to see them but you. It's practice for the important stuff.

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Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield. All rights reserved. 

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