Comments on: 18 Tips To Be The Great Artist Of Your Dreams http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html Art Marketing Secrets To Turn Your Artist Website into a 21st Century Art Marketing Machine Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:56:55 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Stan Bowman http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-694 Stan Bowman Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:24:59 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-694 I really like your suggestions but I think you missed mentioning the first requirement. You have to be lined up in attitude. You have to be really excited about making art, really wanting success as an artist, and finally really believe IT WILL COME TO YOU. Then you will be inspired to action and can get busy and work at all the things you so clearly spoke about. To take action without first being lined up runs the risk of getting discouraged, burning out, seeing only the failures of your efforts rather than the successes. I really like your suggestions but I think you missed mentioning the first requirement. You have to be lined up in attitude. You have to be really excited about making art, really wanting success as an artist, and finally really believe IT WILL COME TO YOU. Then you will be inspired to action and can get busy and work at all the things you so clearly spoke about.

To take action without first being lined up runs the risk of getting discouraged, burning out, seeing only the failures of your efforts rather than the successes.

]]> By: Patricia C Vener http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-679 Patricia C Vener Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:55:34 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-679 My second thought was, "Van Gogh had Theo." My first thought was "Huh, there are some good ideas here that I will want to review when I'm ready to implement them." Not all things that should be done can be done when they first come to mind. that's ok as long as one is doing the best one can. ;) My second thought was, “Van Gogh had Theo.” My first thought was “Huh, there are some good ideas here that I will want to review when I’m ready to implement them.”

Not all things that should be done can be done when they first come to mind. that’s ok as long as one is doing the best one can.

;)

]]> By: Christine http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-453 Christine Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:14:28 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-453 Delicious Daniel, This is really really really good! I celebrate as I see that I already do more than half! Yippee! :-D May you all have the time, desire, and space to achieve your highest and best good! Have a Magnificent Day! Christine Marsh www.christinemarsh.com Delicious Daniel,

This is really really really good!
I celebrate as I see that I already do more than half! Yippee!
:-D

May you all have the time, desire, and space to achieve your highest and best good!

Have a Magnificent Day!

Christine Marsh
http://www.christinemarsh.com

]]> By: Moshe Mikanovsky http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-424 Moshe Mikanovsky Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:52:32 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-424 When I wrote that note about the coach and the analogy from the sports world, I was thinking (but didn't really write it) that maybe we need a coach system that will actually pay for the coach, very much the same as in sports. This will give the coach the needed insentive to make the artist successful. A win-win situation... I know in the Art Licensing area there are coaches out there that help artists put together their direction etc, and there are also other coachs for art marketing, but it might be the least explored way by artists.... Maybe its the culture or maybe its the notion that artist is a one-man/woman-show-and-doesn't-need-help-from-anyone... I wonder.... Cheers Moshe When I wrote that note about the coach and the analogy from the sports world, I was thinking (but didn’t really write it) that maybe we need a coach system that will actually pay for the coach, very much the same as in sports. This will give the coach the needed insentive to make the artist successful. A win-win situation…
I know in the Art Licensing area there are coaches out there that help artists put together their direction etc, and there are also other coachs for art marketing, but it might be the least explored way by artists…. Maybe its the culture or maybe its the notion that artist is a one-man/woman-show-and-doesn’t-need-help-from-anyone… I wonder….

Cheers
Moshe

]]> By: Daniel http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-423 Daniel Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:43:53 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-423 Tanya, Thanks for the comment and great question. A better wording for what I meant was probably "commit to two major shows at a gallery or art center per year". The major should be referring to the effort and scale of the show and the emotional commitment from you more so than whether it is a major gallery or not. I also mention "art center" because it's quite legitimate to hire a space for a month and stage your own show too. The point is to get in the habit of showing your work and to make the effort to publicize and bring people to it. Re your question, there are different models with galleries. The more traditional model is purely commission-based but there are now quite a few that require you to pitch in with other costs as well. It's a marketing expense and may be worthwhile if you are trying to get some initial traction in the gallery-based market. We have a couple of clients who have done vanity gallery shows and they have been pretty happy with the results, but I have also heard some not-so-happy stories from other artists. I would do my homework and ask for some references from other artists who have exhibited with them. Also be aware that given the changing nature of the art market, you need to watch and see if the gallery-sales model is going to work well for you or not. I smiled at your "all combined with earning a living (no patron here) raising my kids (no nanny either) and maintaining sanity" comment and totally understand - life these days for most of us is like juggling 25 plates while standing on a chair with one leg :) That said though, one of the reasons that I recommend everyone read Irving Stone's, "The Agony and The Ecstasy" is because when you read it you see that Michelangelo had a complex life to deal with too. He was always having to deal with serious family or papal issues - frequently life-threatening ones at that. And yet he still managed to be the "great" artist. It was an exhausting lifetime and he did it! So, I'm not suggesting that he's the role model to follow but I am saying that if it's important enough you will find a way! Daniel. Tanya,
Thanks for the comment and great question. A better wording for what I meant was probably “commit to two major shows at a gallery or art center per year”. The major should be referring to the effort and scale of the show and the emotional commitment from you more so than whether it is a major gallery or not. I also mention “art center” because it’s quite legitimate to hire a space for a month and stage your own show too. The point is to get in the habit of showing your work and to make the effort to publicize and bring people to it.

Re your question, there are different models with galleries. The more traditional model is purely commission-based but there are now quite a few that require you to pitch in with other costs as well. It’s a marketing expense and may be worthwhile if you are trying to get some initial traction in the gallery-based market. We have a couple of clients who have done vanity gallery shows and they have been pretty happy with the results, but I have also heard some not-so-happy stories from other artists. I would do my homework and ask for some references from other artists who have exhibited with them.

Also be aware that given the changing nature of the art market, you need to watch and see if the gallery-sales model is going to work well for you or not.

I smiled at your “all combined with earning a living (no patron here) raising my kids (no nanny either) and maintaining sanity” comment and totally understand – life these days for most of us is like juggling 25 plates while standing on a chair with one leg :) That said though, one of the reasons that I recommend everyone read Irving Stone’s, “The Agony and The Ecstasy” is because when you read it you see that Michelangelo had a complex life to deal with too. He was always having to deal with serious family or papal issues – frequently life-threatening ones at that. And yet he still managed to be the “great” artist. It was an exhausting lifetime and he did it! So, I’m not suggesting that he’s the role model to follow but I am saying that if it’s important enough you will find a way!

Daniel.

]]> By: Tanya Mikaela http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-422 Tanya Mikaela Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:34:17 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-422 Wow, lots to do!! And for me it is all combined with earning a living (no patron here) raising my kids (no nanny either) and maintaining sanity!! Okay, I am up for the challenge. I do have a question regarding the "commit to two major gallery shows per year". How major? And is this where the gallery hangs your work because they believe in you and take a commission, or does the artist pay for the show? I ask this because I was recently contacted by a respectable gallery that found me online and after meeting with me, offered me a show. However, there were many fees involved, much like renting the space, and they still wanted a 50% commission on sold work (a few of the fees did get deducted from the sale of the work). Is this common? Should I have to pay for a show and give a commission? I have had showings of my work recently without these fees, but they were large group exhibits which only included one of my pieces. Thanks for a great article! The fire is lit... Tanya Wow, lots to do!! And for me it is all combined with earning a living (no patron here) raising my kids (no nanny either) and maintaining sanity!! Okay, I am up for the challenge. I do have a question regarding the “commit to two major gallery shows per year”. How major? And is this where the gallery hangs your work because they believe in you and take a commission, or does the artist pay for the show? I ask this because I was recently contacted by a respectable gallery that found me online and after meeting with me, offered me a show. However, there were many fees involved, much like renting the space, and they still wanted a 50% commission on sold work (a few of the fees did get deducted from the sale of the work). Is this common? Should I have to pay for a show and give a commission? I have had showings of my work recently without these fees, but they were large group exhibits which only included one of my pieces.
Thanks for a great article! The fire is lit…
Tanya

]]> By: Daniel http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-415 Daniel Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:22:34 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-415 Excellent point Moshe. That would be the 19th point! If you look at Michelangelo his career was definitely made (at least in the beginning) by Lorenzo de Medici. Vincent had Theo. A mentor is very important - but preferably one who has some skin in the game with you. A favorite collector or fellow artist as you suggest is a great idea. If you look at Van Gogh for example he had Theo as financial and moral support and inspiration but he also bounced a lot of inspiration around with other artists in the Salons at various times. I think that a community of artists that supports and challenges each other is a great concept - hopefully without too much jealousy in the mix. We are talking about humans here though so there will always be competitive issues to deal with. Daniel. Excellent point Moshe. That would be the 19th point! If you look at Michelangelo his career was definitely made (at least in the beginning) by Lorenzo de Medici. Vincent had Theo. A mentor is very important – but preferably one who has some skin in the game with you. A favorite collector or fellow artist as you suggest is a great idea.

If you look at Van Gogh for example he had Theo as financial and moral support and inspiration but he also bounced a lot of inspiration around with other artists in the Salons at various times. I think that a community of artists that supports and challenges each other is a great concept – hopefully without too much jealousy in the mix. We are talking about humans here though so there will always be competitive issues to deal with.

Daniel.

]]> By: Moshe Mikanovsky http://artmarketingsecrets.com/2009/11/18-tips-to-be-the-great-artist-of-your-dreams.html/comment-page-1#comment-414 Moshe Mikanovsky Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:03:02 +0000 http://artmarketingsecrets.com/?p=1194#comment-414 The introduction and analogy for the athlete or businessman caught me and made the point, for me, very strongly! Everyone know that athletes need a coach to succeed, someone that pushes them and encourage them and show them the way, keep them in focus and make it easier in the hardest times. I don't think any successful athlete can do it alone. So maybe artists can't do it alone as well? Many advisors are talking about taking a mentor, which I find very important. But mentor is not a coach.... Maybe another way for artists could be a buddy-system or two artists working and helping each other..... Many of the Masters had patrons, which encourage them to make art by paying for it and by making the artist a celebrity... Others were prolific and successful in making art, but not so much in its business... Thanks Daniel, very good point for thought, and of course, for implementation! I sure hope I would have time to do even half of all these great tips Cheers Moshe The introduction and analogy for the athlete or businessman caught me and made the point, for me, very strongly! Everyone know that athletes need a coach to succeed, someone that pushes them and encourage them and show them the way, keep them in focus and make it easier in the hardest times. I don’t think any successful athlete can do it alone. So maybe artists can’t do it alone as well? Many advisors are talking about taking a mentor, which I find very important. But mentor is not a coach…. Maybe another way for artists could be a buddy-system or two artists working and helping each other….. Many of the Masters had patrons, which encourage them to make art by paying for it and by making the artist a celebrity… Others were prolific and successful in making art, but not so much in its business…

Thanks Daniel, very good point for thought, and of course, for implementation! I sure hope I would have time to do even half of all these great tips

Cheers
Moshe

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