Art Career Experts » sell your art

Arrtists-are you a problem solver or a whiner?

ace — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:28:17 +0000

Art Career Experts is a labor of love-not a money making “how to” designed to rip you off! SO as we’ve worked harder to pay our bills with the sales of our art, we’ve simply had less time to post! Like every sel employed person, we have had to solve problems!

The good news is that in spite of the economic woes that are obviously world wide, we find that “having” to sell to pay bills makes us more creative, taps into set aside skills and opens the door to continued creativity! IF you want guarantees, a magic bullet, a secret to success…well there are plenty of people out there professing to know the answers-go see them!

But if you have figured out that maybe, just maybe, success in what you do is down to hard work and that there is no ONE answer or secret, then everything we have written so far has made an impression on you! And we have done our job:-)

So are you a problem solver? Or are you still blaming everyone but yourself for your lack of what you consider to be success? Do you meet every suggestion with a whiny voice “But I tried that and it didn’t work!”? Things are changing daily. Look at what was available 20 years ago, 10 years ago and look what is available electronically today! How are you sending mail? How are you communicating? But marketing means you are marketing not just your art product but your skills as a communicator. Can’t communicate well? Then FIND someone to help you! Seriously folks…when I make a suggestion and get a bunch of whiners who say “But, but, but…..” then I am speaking to the wrong entrepreneur and you need to keep your day job! Plain and simple. An entrepreneurial artist FINDS solutions and answers and does not offer up excuses as to why something will not or did not work. I have heard EVERY problem imaginable from artists concerning their careers and when my every suggestion is met with a negative, I am wasting my time. You fall down, you get up. You get lost, find a map. You need sympathy? Go to your mom. Honestly artists, if you want success in your area of expertise, forget everything you ever learned in art school about selling your art and start listening to artists who sell.

Having said that, guess what? We have tried to help you-Don’t try to stab us in the back! We have had artists post on our Facebook pages, show up where we are, steal our articles to promote their own “how to sell your art” sites, try to monopolize our time at a show for free advice (surely worth a cup of coffee?) Seriously? Get your own life! I solved many of the unethical problems by simply slowing down my postings, not giving our locations or specifics and in general, spending more time in the areas in which we do ourselves the most good!

Art is all about problem solving-from creating your art to how to sell it. There are NO shortcuts. If, after all these years you are still waiting for me to give you the key to success, well you’re too late. You could have been there by now. So today you have to make a decision-re-think your goals and get to work or not. Yes. It’s that simple. BUT, if you decide that maybe the life of a full time artist is not for you, have the courtesy and maturity to accept that decision as one that YOU have made and not “blame” your spouse, your job, your kids or life in general for your decision!

Enjoy what you have and be happy!

Checklist for Outdoor and Indoor Art Shows-Stop forgetting!

ace — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 02:14:17 +0000

Setting up your tent at an art show as the wind starts to pick up is not a good time to realize that you forgot to bring the weights and tie downs. Feeling the sweat roll down your back while you slow bake over the asphalt at an outdoor art fair in Florida is not a good time to realize that you forgot the sunblock or your hat or the cooler. Discovering that the artists must all park 30 blocks from the show is not a good time to realize that you left the hand cart in the studio!

I could go on and on but you get the picture. Make a list. Make it detailed and make it thorough. Use ours as a beginning guide (all art forms are different) and life as an artist on the road will be easier, calmer and far less stressful when you know that you checked everything off on your list!

ART SHOW CHECKLIST coutesy of www.ArtCareerExperts.com
Use our list and add to it as needed for your partciular situation/art product. Make as detailed a checklist as necessary to make it easier to zip through your list for each show. For multiple day shows, have an idea of what you will wear each day and make sure that you bring those items.
Your personal list may be separate but it too should be itemized to prevent hyperventilating situations!

The following is divided into Outdoor and Indoor shows.

OUTDOOR Set up Tent or Canopy (Always know if your tent is UV protected and what winds/rain it can withstand. Be prepared!) All art shows tents should be 10′ x 10′. Booth display designs are built to accomodate that size.

One day or multi day shows

Tent

Weights and Stakes and ratchet tie downs

Carpet or Mat (RV Patio Mat or Indoor/Outdoor Carpet)

Hand truck / luggage cart (can be critical)

Rope and bungee cords

Cable ties

Booth SIGN

Display

Display Walls

Wall covers and hardware

Hooks and Hangers, velcro

Display Cases

Display Stands

Print Rack/prints

Table (4, 6 or 8 ft)

Table cloth/cover

Business Signs

Plastic drop cloths or tarps

Artwork!

Prints or Cards

Price tags / labels

Stool or chair

Extension cords

1 or 2 fans

Easels

Any art supplies needed if demonstrating on site

bungee cords

Tools

Hammer
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Cable/electrical ties
Duct tape
Spring clamps
Glass Cleaner
Paper towels
Towel

Office/Sales Supplies

Calculator
Money
Money box/fanny pack
Sales/receipt book
Pens/Pencil/Marker
Scissors
Stapler and staples
Price tags/labels
Credit card signs/logos
Square credit card processor/your cell phone
Boxes and/or Bags
Promotional items
Business Cards
Business Card Holders
Guest Book
Guest book pages
Portfolio of past work
Post Cards
Brochures
Name tag

Personal

Cooler / thermos
Paper towels
Sunscreen
Hat (optional)
Sweater
Insect Repellant
Towel
Breath mints/gum
Baby wipes
Hand sanitizer
Comfortable shoes

Medicines

aspirin/tylenol/ibuprofen
anti-nausea anti-diarrheal
hayfever/allergy

Cooler
Bottled Water
ice/drinks
Coffee
Food – sandwiches/ snacks

Not to do!
NO READING BOOKS
NO CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS
NO WEB BROWSING/EMAIL CHECKING
NO NEWSPAPERS
NO FAMILY REUNIONS OR NEIGHBORHOOD GET TOGETHERS
__________________________________________________________
ART SHOW CHECKLIST ArtCareerExperts.com
INDOOR Set up (No tent)

With the exception of no tent, everything stays the same EXCEPT yo will need many lights. ALWAYS have lights in an indoor booth. Put up more than you think you need! Using the energy efficient bulbs will keep your booth cool and not blow electrical circuits!

Lights LOTS of LIGHTS for indoor shows!

Extension Cords
Power Strip
Extra Light bulbs/energy savings bulbs (to not blow circuits)
Carpet or Mat RV Patio Mat or Indoor/Outdoor Carpet or Foam tiles, gel mats
Stool or chair
electrical ties-lots of them

Follow the list above from this point on for the outdoor shows. You may not need sunscreen but you may need a sweater. Be prepared!

What art to take to an outdoor show

ace — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:28:32 +0000

The following is my answer to a long questions about what to bring art-wise, hang a few pieces, a lot, display pieces, hauling it, etc…all good questions but a little impossible to reply to in just one post BUT the basics are here!

Go into any mall and look at the window displays. They did not drag someone off the floor to set up a window display-a professional does that.

Same with a grocery store. Sellers of the products to the stores will pay the store more to display at “end caps” and at eye level. It is also one reason that certain colors are used in products to market. Many years and lots of money goes into research that helps companies learn what attracts consumers.

So at an art show:

I make sure my walls have my art on them. Nothing displayed below waist high if possible. The medium and price are clearly marked (that does not mean they see them!) A small amount of space between them, but not much .

Prints in a separate rack, complimentary colors with any drapery in the booth. Ideally tables should be high enough so people are not bending over them (stick 6″ PVC pipe on bottom of legs to raise them ) Any written material set out clearly. You out of your chair and available to chat with prospects.

There is always a learning curve! We have been at beach shows where people remarked more over the horse paintings than the beach paintings.

Much will also depend on the show you attend. One or two paintings on each wall of your booth with high end lights, drapery, etc….may work fine in a very exclusive show. But frankly the average artist at an average juried show is there to sell and it does not unfortunately help to say “I have one at home in the studio.” The best decision is to make every effort to streamline your carry in/carry out. Hand carts are a must, plastic bins are a must…anything with wheels will make your day.

Finding a travel/show buddy is an excellent idea (as mentioned earlier) as two can spread the labor. I suspect that checking around will find more people than an artist thinks in her area that have wished for a sharing the load situation.

I cannot emphasize more bluntly than to say don’t put up a crappy exhibit. Make bags to insert your framed images so they don’t get banged up. Be able to alternate exhibits and always have your stuff “road ready”….which also means that you have to be the type of person who knows where your insurance info is, your bills, your client list, etc etc.

Know your organizational weaknesses and make a decision to overcome them because if you do not, then every show will become an ordeal……very often it is not the work that is the biggest issue but how we are seeing it and handling it!.

A show is work but taking your “gallery” to the public is an excellent way to become known….use common sense-hit the shows in your immediate area as much as you can!

Theresa

Controversial Art

ace — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:20:25 +0000

This is an interesting article on controversial awards.
What would your opinion be on something like this in the US?

The first paragraph……

Controversial art

A giant penis spray-painted on a bridge has won an art prize.

By Sergey Chernov

The St. Petersburg Times

Published: April 13, 2011 (Issue # 1651)

The controversial “Dick Taken Prisoner by the FSB” — a 65-meter penis painted on Liteiny bridge to face the FSB (former KGB) headquarters in St. Petersburg when the bridge was raised — won the Culture Ministry-backed Innovation prize at a glitzy ceremony in Moscow on Thursday…….
http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=33851

7 ways to put that “useless” degree to work!

ace — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:24:59 +0000

This is a very helpful article on 7 ways to put that “useless” college degree to work! You know the ones that everyone rolls their eyes at: art history -or any degree in art!, poets of the 18th century, Greek mythology, drama, etc.

So rather than throw up your hands at the money spent, and wonder what you were thinking, re-think what to do and how to view it!

http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/blog/7-ways-to-put-your-useless-degree-to-use

Set your Art Career in Motion!

ace — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:09:40 +0000

Art Career Experts Set your Art Career in Motion! Our seminar Sunday Jan 16 from 12-6 http://www.jerrysartevents.com/seyoartcainm.html

We can’t wait! We take the failure out of art marketing and put positive results within reach of the artist!

Spoofing the art shows

ace — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:07:55 +0000

Who of us who has ever regularly participated at an art show has NOT experienced something like the following hilarious spoofs on art shows?

Listen closely to these YouTube videos-The art is computerized but listen to the words carefully and you’ll laugh out loud! They deal with the Art Fair application, Art Fair Neighbor and the Potter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fXoPl5b58&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8kaYg3XjVQ&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEAnG3nWqcI&feature=related

The Value of Customer Service!

ace — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:13:20 +0000

Only fools and teenagers (lol) do not know that being nice and helpful to the people who support you is the only way to advance in life AND your art business!

Steve just delivered my portrait to our client in Virginia. He hung the 30 x 40 oil high above her shelving unit (moved out to accomplish this) to hang side by side with a portrait I created of her 5 years ago. We had no problem offering to help her with this task even though she had not asked us. Over the years she had invested not only her money but her trust in our abilities and we rank our clients among our friends and acquaintances!

When we create art for a client, we offer everything from recommendations for the framing to delivering it and to installing it! Simple courtesy goes a long way in customer/client loyalty! And every business that sells anything to the public knows this and makes every effort to make sure their client is satisfied with every aspect of the sale! Artists have a tendency to think that clients owe them when it is, in fact, it is the other way around! Don’t confuse today’s art client with art clients from the past who were taken in (with the help from art galleries and their agents) with the arrogance and actions of a few of the artists of the twentieth century. Today’s consumer is savvy, knowledgeable and rarely needs her hand held. Unlike her teenager, she does not need to put up with an artist with an attitude!

So do you, your art and your reputation a favor and add a little customer service in with your art sale. Courtesy goes a very long way! And don’t worry, the teens eventually figure this out!

All done and loving it!

Rainy Days…….and the artist life

ace — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:14:26 +0000

Rainy days and ……

It has rained steadily for two days. I’m not complaining. September in NC has been hot and dry. So the first day of rain saw us standing on the front porch with the wind blowing the rain in our faces and we enjoyed it to the max! Of course on this, the following day, the perspective changes a bit. I am now preparing to go outside and re-dig the trench from behind the ponies shed so that the water run off does not pool and run into their dry space. The goats are very unhappy. They do not like rain.

Still, the steady rain the second day has not dampened my spirits….in fact with Fall finally beginning to be felt, it is more that cozy feeling of expectations that always, as a kid, meant that all those glorious activities of the fall months were laid out in a long stretch!

It also means a heightened activity in the studio, with art classes, plenty of commissioned artwork and the general “getting ready for winter” feeling. I love it!

The dogs are a little confused. DaVinci, the Rottweiler, has an insatiable appetite and the dark afternoon has confused him into thinking that 3:30 means dinnertime. I ignore him. So he sits with his big head in my lap while I try to type, slopping a wet kiss on my hand if I put it near his mouth and his big eyes say “Feed me.”

An artist’s life in regards to hours and paychecks is not a real predictable affair. We work when other do not and do not work when others are at work. We get paid sporadically and in terms of income, it can be far more or far less than what someone who is not an artist may make.

It’s a good life in its unpredictability.

Steve on a sunny day!

Looking Good the First Time

ace — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:53:09 +0000

LOL-There is nothing to add to this excellent article on making sure what you write is proofed before publishing on your web or blog! So whether you write, paint, sculpt or create sculptural ping pong balls, the point is to present yourself in a good light in all that you do! I have posted the entire article for you to enjoy. -Theresa

Looking Good the First Time

Posted By Eilis Flynn on September 2, 2010

Author Eilis Flynn: The Reality Beyond

If you don’t bother to sepll-cehck, nobody’s going to take you seriously

As a copy editor, the one thing I’ve noticed over the years is that everybody thinks that their spelling and grammar and punctuation are just fine. “Oh, you don’t have to do anything to my work,” they always say, sometimes with a smirk. “My mom’s always said that my writing was so good!”

Well, guess what? Your mom lied. Your work needs editing. It needs to have the spelling double-checked (and no, if you’re an American, you can’t use British spelling, and no, you can’t just randomly capitalize words because you think it looks neat), the grammar double-checked (and since grammar is no longer being taught in schools, double-double-checked), and if you can’t figure out when to use a semicolon and when to use a colon, why would you think they’re interchangeable and everyone else is wrong when they say they’re not?

Anyway, as you might have gathered, I think it’s fair to say that everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to have their work proofed and read by someone else. This needs to happen simply because your work—your writing—is the face by which you want to be known. And if your work is littered with misspellings, poor grammar choices, and illiterate attempts at punctuation, your work doesn’t come off so good. Spell-check, while it is a wonderful stopgap measure, can’t do it all. First of all, remember that the feature was designed by engineers, and engineers are notoriously poor in their spelling, grammar, and punctuation choices. And second, spell-check was designed to make sure that the words being used in the document are real. Whether the words are appropriate in the document, again, that’s not spell-check’s job; it’s yours.

Haven’t you ever looked at a website that’s littered with typos and grammatical errors and winced? Of course you have. Everyone has. And if that website’s a retail site, trying to entice you to buy something, haven’t you had second thoughts about buying? After all, if the website owner can’t be bothered to check for spelling and grammatical mistakes, who knows what else they aren’t bothering to do? That goes for your writing, too.

So do yourself a favor. Read and proofread your work. Learn the grammatical rules and apply them to your own work. Punctuation isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a given. Make your writing the best it can be by making it the easiest to read. Or I’ll hunt you down and I will use my red pen on your work. Don’t think I won’t.