Alyice on March 11th, 2008

The Business Side Of Things

Have you ever wondered how some artists are able to make a nice living doing what they love? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How do I get there, too?”

Art is such a subjective thing in that what one considers to be art another does not. And so, in order to succeed as an artist, one must be willing to be susceptible to the criticisms of others. That’s no easy task for an artist. Artists create with their souls and their works are an extension of who they are on the inside. It’s like that expression often used when someone is transparent in both body language and words. But instead of saying “She wears her heart on her sleeve” we say, “She wears her heart in her work.”

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I suppose that’s why you often hear artists of every gender, age, and media say, “I’d rather be in the studio.” It’s hard to be told how to create something. It’s hard to be told that something you created, in which you thought was simply brilliant, was missing its mark. And yet, those are things an artist must endure when building a business around their works.

That’s why I was excited to discover Alyson B. Stanfield’s new book, “I’d rather be in the studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide To Self-Promotion.” It truly is jam-packed with thought provoking questions designed to make you think about your art in a whole new way.

Are you a hobbyist or are you an artist on a mission? Do you want your art to replace your income or do you simply want it to supplement your income? And if you do want to make an income from your art, how are you going to get there? These are questions you’ll ask yourself as you delve into Alyson’s book. And these are questions you’ll find answers to if you use her book as the home study course it was designed to be.

As someone who already runs a successful online business, there’s a lot of information I already knew, like using the Internet and the press to promote my business, taking advantage of blogs, websites, e-zines, and utilizing online networks. But there were so many other things that pertained specifically to the art industry that I did not know and that’s where I got the most bang out of the book. Like did you know that an “Artist’s Statement” could mean the difference between getting into a gallery showing and being turned away—even if your work was good? Did you know that too much talking during an exhibit, about your work could turn buyers off, but just the right amount could actually get you the sale? And did you realize that you can actually begin following up with past buyers—even if it’s been two years from the sale?

Seriously, if you are thinking about making money with your art, increasing awareness about your art, or taking your current art business to the next level, you’ll want to pick up a copy of “I’d rather be in the studio.” There’s some solid advice in the book. In fact, I have several pages earmarked for future reference.

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Alyson B. Stanfield says:

Thank you, Alyice. I am thrilled that you found value in the book.
Posted at 4:19 am March 12th, 2008
Tina L. Miller says:

I can SO relate to this. I think that’s why it is important to do some of our art just for ourselves, for our own self-fulfillment. I know that after a photo shoot, I will have certain images I just LOVE because they feel “artsy” or images I will enhance in particular ways because my spirit moves me to. Those are not always the images that sell to the client, however. I think it is possible to do both–do some things for the client, to meet their needs and desires–and to do some thing strictly for myself, whether it specifically sells or not. I also believe that by doing what I love and showcasing that, I will ATTRACT clients who love what I love and will want to buy what I create!

At the same point, I recognize that art is subjective. So if someone else doesn’t love what I LOVE, I understand. Each person has their own taste and personal preference. It’s just like having a favorite color. We can all agree to like what we like. We don’t all have to like the same things.

And that is the essence of art . . . variety, style, individuality . . . and that’s what makes us artists!
Posted at 4:02 pm March 13th, 2008