“Art Should Sell Itself!”

That would be nice. But it doesn’t and it won’t happen. Not in your lifetime.  And curiously enough, artists actually know this.  But somewhere back in their mind is some group, book or individual whispering that phrase to them and early education is very powerful…..even if it is utterly wrong!

Artists who feel that their Art needs to only be displayed and the buying public will flock to their studio or booth at an art show and push money eagerly into their hands can be seen everywhere. and are easily identifiable by both their attitudes and how they dress.

The “Art Should Sell Itself” artists are especially prevelant at Art and Craft Shows where they can be seen reading a book, or instant messaging on their cell phones, or lounging sleepily in their chairs. They ignore possible collectors completely, or stand in front of their booths blocking the entrance and engaging in conversations with friends and relatives. Or they are gathering in groups with other vendors to complain about the show.  They are wearing their “official artist clothes”…..cut off shorts and flip flops and many unconsciously spend a lot of time trying to perfect their perception of what an artist is supposed to look like and do. Sometimes the green hair helps…..

Read the rest here: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/06/09/If-Art-Should-Sell-Itself-then-why-am-I-so-broke.aspx

Although I have shared my insights and successes about social networking before, (especially Facebook) , there is nothing I can improve upon in the following article from marketing book author, Penny Sansevieri!

I am constantly encouraged at how many artists, once they see their business as a business,  discover that ALL businesses operate in essentially the same fashion..and that their business is no different when it comes to the basics such as marketing, social networking, customer relations, etc.

Enjoy this nice, clearly written article from a writer’s perspective and see how it applies to you as an artist!

http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/04/04/The-Power-of-Social-Networks-by-M-Theresa-Brown.aspx

Meanwhile I am trying to reschedule my teen art class  to avoid a conflict this week…..and heading to the Gallery that I partner with this morning to meet two clients, stopping at the bank, the post office …..oh yeah, the early Thanksgiving on Sunday for a son flying out Tuesday to Job Corp……wonder if they’ll actually get the turkey into the oven?……LOL and I HAVE to start on that large family  oil painting, finish the smaller orders…….we even managed to get our custom Xmas cards printed and ready to mail out early this year (as in before Xmas)  but we need to hand address them all……did I mention getting out the newsletters to all of our clients and friends….oh, and I have to trim the hair off the Cockapoo…meet with the guys to finish the “we’re in the middle” bathroom makeover of 3 months…….I think I started to say something about an overwhelming  week but in fact it’s sort of typical (with the exception maybe of the workshops) of the real life that all artists cope with !

That’s why so many of the art marketing sites on the Internet are so….unreal . From what we have seen, very few, if any,  are written or presented by artists who are creating art as well as selling it….they fill their sites with tidbits from here and there, advice from many artists (none who make a living at it), all of which often makes it seem as though one artist cannot accomplish all the necessary tasks!   Most seem to have missed that essential element of real life as we all know it….living the day to day life that we all know it, with all the expected and unexpected events and yet create  art within that same context. THAT is what the “real” artist’s life is all about!

So regardless of where you are in your own world of art, stick with it! Embrace it and enjoy it. As overwhelming as some days or weeks may be, how you handle the challenges of real life as a working artist is what separates the artists who want to market their art from those who simply think about it! Even if selling your art isn’t your goal, simply exchanging the words “market” to “creating” is also what separates those who think about creating art from those who actually do!

Hey don’t you LOVE the time change?   Now I feel like I’m not starting in the middle of the night!