ArtBizCoach.com / Artist Marketing Newsletter

Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

Current Issue: February 14, 2005

IN THIS ISSUE

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Do What You Love / Love What You Do
Tip / Find of the Week: New York Licensing Show
Artists Respond: What They Have to Say

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WHAT'S GOING ON

: : e-Class: THE ARTIST STATEMENT & BEYOND : :
begins Monday, February 21
The right words can help you sell your art. And you want to come up with the right words for your art before someone else comes up with the wrong ones. In other words, don't let someone else describe your art. They might not do it in a way you appreciate.
http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/statement.shtml

: : Blog: THE GATES : :
I spent yesterday in Central Park with "The Gates" installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. See photos and read more on my blog at http://stanfieldart.typepad.com. I hope you can visit before they come down.

: : Articles : :
My review of weavings by Pauline Verbeek-Cowart and Beth Knudson appears in the February-March issue of American Craft magazine. Also, my article on artists and creative self-promotion appears in the current issue of Sculptural Pursuit, http://www.sculpturalpursuit.com.

: : Workshop: FROM FRAME TO FAME : :
March 5 in Fort Collins, CO
Step-by-step instructions and motivation for organizing your exhibition. One artist who attended the same workshop in Coeur d'Alene said, "Alyson put the pieces together for me." Another wrote, "It was so GREAT!!!!! Thank you so much!!!"
http://www.artbizcoach.com/fortcollins (Early registration incentives end February 18.)

DO THIS: DO WHAT YOU LOVE / LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Every once and awhile I am asked, "What's selling?" Or I have an artist tell me she switched from painting abstractions to landscapes because she thought it would sell better. Both make me cringe slightly.

Matilde Caceres-Zelinger , Funky Heart Two, 2004.
Watercolor, 6 x 4". ©The Artist
http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_2390_profile.htm

You are an artist because you must be. There's something in your blood, deep in your soul, that compels you to create for spiritual, emotional, and/or aesthetic reasons. What's more, you seek to share these ideas and creations with audiences--hoping that they will feel about them the same way you do.

You compromise yourself, your dreams and your career once you begin to create only for others. When you create only for others you lose interest and focus and start disliking the work. You procrastinate, ignore deadlines, and resent the "others." In a nutshell, your work goes downhill.

You have to love what you do in order to believe in your work. And you have to believe in it in order to share it and, yes, sell it. One of the most useful lessons Donald Trump taught his protégés in the first season of The Apprentice was, "You have to love your product in order to sell it. You have to believe in your product."

Beware of situations in which you might find yourself compromising:

►You join the arts festival circuit, but dislike talking to people and hate traveling.
►You seek gallery representation because you think you must, but resent the gallery owner's commission.
►You accept commissions from friends or family even though the requested work is nothing like your current direction.

Before taking on new work or forging a new path, ask yourself: Will I continue to love my work if I go forward?

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. Do what you love and love what you do.

KNOW THIS

If you do what you love and love what you do, you'll have an easier time selling it to other people.

THINK ABOUT THIS

You can create with others in mind, but focusing only on their needs diminishes your control and your passion for living.

DO THIS

Do these things to help you love what you do:

Take breaks and talk to other artists over coffee. Incorporate a gallery visit and you've maximized your time and energy.
Make your studio and office spaces more pleasant. Paint the walls. Clean the floors. Get rid of piles. Do anything and everything to love coming to work.
Play music.
Fight off tension with a brisk walk or yoga break.
Learn to communicate better. Ask a lot of questions and get agreements in writing before things get out of hand.
Trick yourself into doing things you think you absolutely despise. Set a timer and promise to do it for only 15 or 20 minutes. Better yet, reward yourself upon the completion of a difficult task.
Make it your mantra: "I won't allow anything into my life that I don't absolutely love." Say no to all the rest or limit your time with them.

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TIP / FIND OF THE WEEK: New York Licensing Show

If you've ever considered licensing your artwork, I understand that the Licensing Show in New York should be your first step.

Celebrating 25 years, Licensing 2005 International (June 21-23) is the premier annual trade show and conference where consumer product manufacturers/licensees, retailers, and marketers come to secure intellectual property rights, forge merchandising and promotional partnerships, network, learn, and preview trends that impact consumer spending.

525 exhibitors.
5,700 properties and brands available for licensing.
20,000+ high-profile manufacturers, retailers and marketers.

http://www.licensingshow.com

ARTISTS RESPOND: What They Have to Say

In response to the newsletter two weeks ago about giving back to your community and those in need, I received several emails.

Sandy Meyer of North Platte, Nebraska, wrote:

"I started painting when I was having radiation treatments for cancer surgery on my right wrist. Now, 20 years later, I teach lots of places, but my favorite class is my cancer survivors. I teach a free class each Tuesday morning to 20 cancer survivors and people still going through treatment. The hospital helps me pay for supplies but the classes are completely free to painters. The first year we published a calendar of their paintings. We just finished our second calendar. The hospital and local banks like to have us show our work. They do the advertising for us. At the hospital the gallery wall is near the cafeteria, which I thought was a weird place, however, every doctor and nurse, and some visitors go past the artwork at least twice a day and sometimes more. Great place for sales, and they take no commission.
"It is a great feeling to be able to give back. However, the press is great too! I sell paintings because of my giving back and I am stopped by complete strangers telling me what a great thing I am doing. Actually, I am doing it for me to increase the size of my heart. One of the doctors came by the house recently and bought 8 paintings to decorate his summer home in Delaware. The painting class is responsible for that sale."

See Sandy's work at http://www.noyesartgallery.com/archive_SMeyer.htm.

Deborah E. Watson of Dunkirk, Maryland wrote:

"Thank you for and inspiring newsletter that 'hit home' with me. This year I am involved with a charitable Artists Showcase which previously was all about performing artists - musicians, actors, dancers, etc. The performers each choose a non-profit organization in our county to represent, and an equal share of the proceeds go to their chosen charity.
      "In having a chance conversation with the president of the non-profit organization which puts on the showcase, I had the idea to incorporate visual (2-D) arts into the greater scheme of things. The Calvert Artists Showcase, in its five-year history has donated over $270,000 to non-profit organizations in our county. This year, I am coordinating the First Annual (hopefully!) Juried Art Exhibit in conjunction with the Showcase. Artists who are juried into the show will have a short bio and business cards alongside their art. The artists will donate their pieces, which will then be offered for silent auction at the after-event party for the sponsors and guests.
      "I have also donated a painting that includes portraits or representations (i.e. a handbell for a handbell choir) of all of the performers, from which giclée prints are being made and will be for sale to the patrons of the show. Each act will receive a framed print as a thank-you for their participation.
      "This is a win-win situation. The artists who are juried into the exhibit will have their art exposed to at least fifteen hundred people, their art will be purchased by admiring patrons and charities who do good work in our area will benefit from the added funds that will be awarded to them. All this for the small cost of one work of art.
      "As you stated in your newsletter, sure, you receive publicity for being involved, but it makes you feel so good to be able to do good for others. Thanks for being sensitive enough to encourage artists to use their gifts to the benefit of others."

Mary Erickson in North Carolina wrote:

"You are so right! Like you, my mom always gave to a charity that touched her heart. Sometimes it was as little as $2, but she always gave. She raised three of her own children, and two nephews on a meager salary, and an absent husband. (I still don't know how) Her house was always filled with neighborhood children, who she cared for, counseled, and loved.
      "I have always felt that showing my art was sharing my vision of this world. But I felt that there was something else I should be doing. Some time ago I got involved with Big Brothers / Big Sisters as the chairperson for their annual art auction in Venice, Florida. Even though I am no longer in Venice full time, I still donate art heavily to them, because I know what a great organization it is, and all the work they do for area children. Every year I donate an original painting for their fundraiser, in addition to framed prints. Every year I receive publicity for this, and it has made my business prosper.
      "I moved to a small rural community in North Carolina several years ago. Many of the people here live near the poverty level, and have minimal education levels. There is a group of women that helps young minority students with scholarships, sometimes only to the local community college. Education may be the only key to end the cycle of poverty here, and what these women do is give hope and support in addition to scholarship money. I was invited to an annual dinner meeting of this women's group and was so moved that I went home and wrote a check for $500 and sent it to them. I had no idea where the $500 would come from at the time, I just put it as my #1 priority. Within a week, I received an order that tripled the amount I gave.
       "I do not give to get something in return. I give because I truly believe in the organizations I donate to. But it seems that the more I give, the more I get in return.
      "I remember hearing once that 'a closed fist cannot receive.' Picture someone's fist clenched around dollar bills, then picture an open palm.
      "My artist's statement on my website also shows my commitment to the environment: http://www.maryericksonart.com I believe you should choose a cause, or causes, close to your heart, and give everything you can.
      "Winston Churchill said 'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.' So true.
      "Thank you for the insights you share."

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