http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/05/09/The-Total-Art-Experience-by-M-Theresa-Brown.aspx

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http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/01/12/A-Tale-of-Two-Vacuums-by-M-Theresa-Brown.aspx

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

With a business to run, and other communication tools such as a website to update, many Facebook pages unfortunately become inactive. How can a business owner make use of a Facebook page without devoting too much time to its upkeep?

http://blogs.constantcontact.com/commentary/so-you-have-a-facebook-page-now-what/

Looking back, I wonder at the huge expense my parents incurred for me to go to college, to the school of art, and leave with no marketable skills nor techniques for painting!  Everything I know today, I learned on my own and with much trial and error! And the interesting fact is that an artist never stops learning or re-inventing techniques, even when she thinks she “has it down!”

Even the simplest of art workshops nowadays empower the participants with knowledge and skills they did not have before entering! So when we hold a workshop in our studio, I take great pleasure in watching the delight of the students when they leave with a painting in a matter of two hours or less! It is the feeling of “I did it myself” that makes their day! So whether you teach an occasional art class, lesson or regular classes, realize that you have just given the gift of discovery to whoever you are teaching!  And especially with adult classes, you have opened up a future for many of them. A future of an endless opportunity to discover art in a thousand or more ways! And that surely beats sitting in front of the TV or computer!

As a parting thought, this couple has embraced the artist life in retirement and were delighted at what they accomplished! It doesn’t get any better than that!

So join a class,teach a class……when you have students who have paid to be there (including you) you have their full attention, enthusiasm and…doesn’t that make YOU feel good?!

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

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!

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!

This guy is humble, funny and has an amazing story to share…so what if he is a writer? Everything he shares pertains to artists as well!  Read the entire article here:    http://1stturningpoint.com/?p=4965

Browse through the many articles on 1st Turning Point where I am a columnist. Relevant materials for authors, artists and musicians!

And, hey relax! Opportunity is everywhere!

Maybe some people call it a Zen thing. I call it the “Art Zone”. No matter how long you have procrastinated or how many chores still need to be done,  clients  to see, bills to pay, kids’ games to see…….somehow, it all goes away when you are creating.

I suppose you can compare with that quiet time everyone tries to steal for themselves at some point in the day- that perfect cup of coffee, a good book,  an evening glass of wine, a peaceful moment .

All artists have their  Art Zone moments but it is the same universally. Lost in thought, concentration…..whatever you are creating seems to just …..happen.  For a few minutes or hours you can become immersed in another world-one known only to artists who create.  This is the art time that flies, the concerns of the outside world fade, and the immersion is total.

When all is said and done, it’s what makes you tick as an artist. Call it what you will, the Art Zone is  the balm of artistic people.  And for those creative people who don’t pursue this sanctuary in some form, nothing in your life will be complete or total until you make the time to go to the Zone.

So whatever it is you like to create, go do it!  Once you step into the Art Zone, however momentarily,  and experience what it does for you, you’ll make the time to enter it regularly. Not only will it change your life for the good, it will have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.  And really, life doesn’t get much better than that!