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Do This! |
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| Current Issue: April 18, 2005 | ||
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IN
THIS ISSUE
What's Going On:
Announcements /Classes |
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The Do This! newsletter is sent only to subscribers. You can subscribe using the instructions in the column at left. Instructions for unsubscribing and changing your email address are at the bottom of each issue delivered to your inbox. WHAT'S GOING ON : : e-Class:
SETTING UP YOUR ART BUSINESS : : : : New
Book: CULTIVATING COLLECTORS : : Artists who previously purchased Effective Newsletters & Mailing Lists can request the new version here: http://www.artbizcoach.com/books/ccrequest.shtml
: : Travel:
AUSTIN - FRIDAY & SATURDAY : : : : Announcement
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DO THIS:
LEAVE YOUR MARK
Last week I discussed several rules for your art career--relating them to rules for hiking. If you missed that issue, you can find it here: http://www.artbizcoach.com/dothis/takeahike.shtml Today I'd like to continue the analogy. "Leave No Trace" is a motto for every person who enters the backcountry. Whatever you bring in, whatever mess you make, clean it up so that no one knows you were there. It's responsible stewardship of our public lands. Another way to say it would be "pack in, pack out."
But . . . today . . . I'm going to encourage you to do just the opposite. When you're trying to make a name for yourself, you must leave a trace. You can't run a business or build a career by remaining anonymous or shying away from the spotlight. You have to put yourself out there, take chances, and leave your mark. If this isn't easy for you, you're not alone. Very few people look forward to sticking their necks out. And when you're trying to sell your artwork, the ramifications can be personal. The ones who are successful will "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway." (Susan Jeffers' book, 1987.) They might not be comfortable, but they know the actions they take will lead to accomplishing their goals. Most artists say, "That's just not me. I like to be alone. I like to stay in my studio." Fine. You can do that, but guess what? You'll be leaving no trace. No one will know you were here if you don't tell them. I know a little about this. I, myself, am an introvert by nature. Every day I force myself to meet new people and, more importantly, make sure they remember me. I get through it because I have wonderful feedback from happy clients like many of you. That's one of the most important reasons I was able to keep going in the first year. Trust me, putting yourself on the line gets easier with time. I do what I do because I believe in it. And, in order to be true to my personal mission, I have to leave my mark. Whether you decide to leave your mark in the teaching, licensing, fine craft, or museum worlds, just do it. The road might be rocky at times, but the rewards will far outweigh the regrets you'll have if you don't go for it. |
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| KNOW THIS | People won't know you're here unless you tell them. | |
| THINK ABOUT THIS | If you like to be a loner and stay in your studio, that's fine. You might create some great art, but who will know about it? | |
| DO THIS |
Leave your mark. You can start by making
sure your name appears prominently on all your marketing materials.
Unless you're a production artist operating under a DBA, your name
should be clearly visible in all of these places:
Art history is a history of individual names, not of company names. Curators, critics, writers, and collectors want to know your name. Make it easy for them. |
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If you use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, you can forward this page to a friend by going up to your menu and, under "File," select "Send" or "Send Page." Or just copy and paste this URL into a message: http://www.artbizcoach.com/dothis |
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TIP / FIND OF THE WEEK: Taxes for Artists Now that tax season is over, it's time to get organized for next year. That's right: don't put it off! Take a look at Riley & Associates, P.C., a tax site just for artists: http://www.artstaxinfo.com Peter Jason Riley writes:
"Is Being an Artist a Business? "The first hurdle visual artists often have is the question regarding whether their 'art' is indeed a business for tax purposes. The heart of this matter is whether the I.R. S. sees the endeavor as a 'real business' or as a 'hobby.' Because the artist's ventures often (sadly) yields losses, the question then becomes when does the tax code determine an enterprise to be a true business as opposed to a hobby." Find out how the so-called "hobby" rules affect you by reading the rest of his article at: http://www.artstaxinfo.com/artists.shtml ARTISTS RESPOND: Take a Hike In response to last week's issue about the analogies between hiking and your art business, Susan Masters wrote: "If we keep our eyes on the ground the whole way we might as well be mice on a treadmill. Yes, we have to watch where we are going to stay out of trouble. And, it is just as vital to pause and connect with our purpose, our inspiration, our reason for being alive in the world. Look up from the trail, breathe deep the beauty around us, and realize our oneness with our surroundings. I absolutely know you do this, Alyson, you just forgot to write it down." Note: See the menu in the upper left of this page to view popular topics from past issues. |
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Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield, Stanfield Art Associates. All rights reserved. I encourage you to forward all or part of this newsletter as long as you include the above copyright information and this link: http://www.artbizcoach.com . Internet Explorer users can forward this page by selecting "File," then "Send" then "Page by E-mail." The Do This! newsletter is sent only to subscribers. You can subscribe using the instructions in the column at left. Instructions for unsubscribing and changing your email address are at the bottom of each issue delivered to your inbox. |
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ALYSON
B. STANFIELD STANFIELD ART ASSOCIATES,
INC. |