Paula's Blog--Keep Up With the Day to Day of a Gallery Owner 

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The Business of Selling Art 

Or how to convince people that you are actually working

Why is it that many people do not understand that artists are working when they create their art? Making artwork is often labor intensive, backbreaking, time consuming, and material rich work. What is it about art and artists that make people think otherwise?

As both an artist and a gallery owner, I can tell you that being an artist is like being an entrepreneur without any business training. Most trained artists learn how to do many types of artwork in theory and technique in college but never are taught how to run a business. And that is what making a living as an artist is all about.
Artists need to do the same things that all businesses do: design and produce a product, market it, and sell it. Then they need to account for it and pay taxes on it.

And they need to be able to find the time to create.
The most interesting thing about this whole process is that often people do not understand that artists are working people just like everyone else. Most artists think, breathe and sleep their work. They spend time in their studio, then they go to weekend art shows and openings to promote and sell their work. Shows are often extremely long hours in the sun, rain, and wind and that does not count the packing, hauling, and driving to and from the event. And many artists do this in the spare time when they are not working their full time job. It is not surprising that only the most dedicated and persistent artists survive in the art business.
In addition, the art world is fiercely competitive. It is hard to compete in a world of computer generated photography, graphics, and machine manufactured components. Artists need to find a niche that they specialize in and then convince their audience that what they are designing, creating and selling is worth the price of the extra time it takes to make a handmade item.
How many people really appreciate the love and care that is put into a handcarved stool or a custom made mural? What makes a handwoven blanket better than buying a afghan online?

This is the difficult task that artists find themselves with on a daily basis.

Business and Art Books 

A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity

by Bill O'Reilly

Release Date: 09/23/2008

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $15.60 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $26.00
Used Price: $16.59

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Pieces of My Heart: A Life

by Robert J. Wagner, Scott Eyman

Release Date: 09/23/2008

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Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $25.95
Used Price: $15.20

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Loving Frank: A Novel

by Nancy Horan

Release Date: 04/08/2008

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Amazon Price: $8.40 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $14.00
Used Price: $7.13

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Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

by David Allen

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Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $6.71

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The Glass Castle: A Memoir

by Jeannette Walls

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Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 10/13/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $2.32

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Photos from Flickr about Art 

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Art Shows Depend on Good Weather 

What is the Weather Like Today?

Great YouTube Flicks about Art 

Santa Barbara Museum of Art : ...

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Female in Contemporary Art

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Art:21 - Art in the Twenty-Fir...

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Sun 01 - Fiber Art Artist Des...

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Beginnings 01 - Green - Fiber ...

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Art Critic Slams Kid Artists -...

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Vote on Books about Art and Artists 

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How to Draw the Human Figure: Famous Artists School, Step-by-Step Method (Famous Artists School : Step-By-Step Method) by Cortina Famous Schools Staff

This book introduces you to an exciting approach t more...0 points

This book introduces you to an exciting approach to figure drawing. It was especially created by a group of America's most eminent artists who have demonstrated the methods they have used in their distinguished careers.<br /><br />You, too, will find that figure drawing is one of the areas of art that can bring you much fun and excitement. Not only will you gain rich satisfaction from drawing or painting, but you'll discover that people admire creative talent-- and you'll experience....0 points

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Let's Meet Famous Artists by Harriet Kinghorn, Jacqueline Badman, Lisa Lewis-Spicer

Here is a sensational resource to teach your stude more...0 points

Here is a sensational resource to teach your students about 19 famous artists and to provide art activities in each of the various styles that made these artists famous. By doing art activities that are related to the artists, your studentspractice the skills of observing, thinking, and creating. Also included in this book are biographies, activities, evaluations, a bibliography, a glossary, and extended activities to enrich your students; understanding of artists and their art.0 points

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The Clarks of Cooperstown by Nicholas Fox Weber

<p>Nicholas Fox Weber, author of the acclaim more...0 points

<p>Nicholas Fox Weber, author of the acclaimed <i>Patron Saints </i>("Exhilarating avant-garde entertainment"-Sam Hunter, <i>The New York Times Book Review</i>) and <i>Balthus </i>("The authoritative account of his life and work"-Michael Ravitch, <i>Newsday</i>), gives us now the idiosyncratic lives of Sterling and Stephen Clark-two of America's greatest art collectors, heirs to the Singer sewing machin...0 points

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It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir by Gloria Vanderbilt

An elegant, witty, frank, touching, and deeply per more...0 points

An elegant, witty, frank, touching, and deeply personal account of the loves both great and fleeting in the life of one of America's most celebrated and fabled women.<p>Born to great wealth yet kept a virtual prisoner by the custody battle that raged between her proper aunt and her self-absorbed, beautiful mother, Gloria Vanderbilt grew up in a special world. Stunningly beautiful herself, yet insecure and with a touch of wildness, she set out at a very early age to find romance. And find i...0 points

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The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara G. Forden

<p>Did Patrizia Reggiani murder her ex-husba more...0 points

<p>Did Patrizia Reggiani murder her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, in 1995 because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all?</p><p>In this gripping account of the ascent, eventual collapse, and resurrection of the Gucci dynasty, Sara Gay Forden takes us behind the scenes of the trial and exposes the passions, the power, and the vulnerabilities...0 points

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My Job is Work! 

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Do You Love Your Job??

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I love my job, I love my job!!!

Work is work, and play time is when I have fun!

 

 

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Art Shows--How Do You Choose? 

Are Art Shows a Good Venue for Selling Art?

What criteria do you use to choose a show to be in?

First of all, before you choose your shows, you need to decide why you are doing them. Your choices of shows will change based on what you are selling, and what your goals are. Make sure that your target market will be attending the shows.

Here are things to consider as you choose your shows:

Do you want to sell or just show your work?

Are you marketing for future work or selling existing work?

What is your typical price point?

Does your style mesh with the crowd that will be attending the show?

How many pieces do you need to sell to make the show successful for you?

Do you have a handout to promote your business so that people will check you out later?

How will you fare against competition? Does your work stand out? Or do you do better when there are 10 or less artists to compete against?

There are lots of places to sell artwork--cultural festivals, home shows, art shows, craft shows, organizational shows--the list goes on and on. Which shows bring the demographic that is most interested in your work?

Are there shows that will attract people that you already know who have never seen your work? Word of mouth is one of the best ways to advertise.

Does your work appeal to younger people, women, or only Irish people?

Are your pieces food related?

Are you looking for family shows or shows that will have a lot of children?

Remember that there is no guarantee for any show. Many factors affect the outcome of a show including weather, economy, time of year, holidays, and competing shows.

And please consider this, Art Shows are not the same as they used to be 10 years ago. They are not always the best place to sell your work. They are extremely competitive and many customers are there to browse, not buy. You may want to think of them more as a marketing venue for future sales.


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Links to Art Forums 

What are artists saying about art and business?

Etsy.com

This is an artist direct selling site with numerous artists of all types

Lake Erie Artists Gallery

This is a gallery of Cleveland artists with links to blogs and other information

Funky Finds

Dedicated to promoting independent artists, crafters & designers world wide

Kimberly Monaco Designs

Great jewelry and interesting blog

Here is a Great Bag to Carry To Your Show 

Sunflower by Paula Atwell
by

lakeerieartists

Design a Bag On zazzle
See other Painting Bags

How to Choose A Gallery to Represent Your Work 

Your first question should be--who is my target market?
Then look for galleries who market to the same target.

Once you find them--then as the gallery owner or manager interviews you--you need to interview the gallery.

How do they promote your work?
Are they in a good location?
Do they do a lot of PR?
Can you have a one man show?
How do they draw people in?
What is their average price sale?
What is their high end sale?
How long have they been open?
Are there any hidden fees?
How often do they pay out?
What about competition within the gallery?
What kind of contract do they have?
How many other places nearby are you selling your work? Don't dilute your saleability too much.
Do they have a website?

Look at the other artwork. Would you like to buy it?
Once you have made the decision to join a gallery, then you have to keep in touch and follow up with the gallery manager.
What has sold and do they need more?
Do they want to trade out pieces?
Do they want to have you come in and demo or meet customers?

As an artist, you need to take an active role in the sale of your work.

What Misconceptions Do You Find In Your Business? 

EverythingMouse I admit that I had not really thought of it from this point of view before. One day I think my daughter will be an artist. She loves it and has a real talent for it. Hey, Digg must be working because I found you there too! Posted October 02, 2008

funwithtrains 5 stars and a Digg! Posted September 29, 2008

JaguarJulie Ah, I know my sister would tend to heartily agree with you about selling her art as being quite a lot of work. Posted September 13, 2008

More Lenses by Paula Atwell 

My Love Affair With Coffee

I admit it! I am a coffee addict, and a bit of a coffee snob. The whole thing stems back to 8 years of managing a coffee shop for Borders in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. After being surrounded by quality coffee for 8 years and learning the ins and outs...

Artist/Designer Showcase: a benefit for Habitat for Humanity

Lake Erie Artists Gallery hosts the Artist/Designer Showcase twice a year. This event is designed to allow local artists to sell their work, network with other local business people, designers, architects, decorators, gallery owners and other people...

Lake Erie Artists Gallery

Okay, I admit it. I love my job! And this time I truly mean it, because I finally am doing something I completely believe in and that is promoting local Cleveland artists to the world at large. I am the owner of a unique gallery in Cleveland, Ohio--L...

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For the last three years, I have been spending all of my time as a business owner running a unique gallery in Cleveland, Ohio called Lake Erie Artists Gallery promoting local Cleveland, Ohio artists. I myself am an artist, a jewelry designer, and ma...

Keeping It Green--Recycled Art in Cleveland, Ohio

It may surprise you that Cleveland, Ohio is one of the best places to find incredible recycled art. Being green in Cleveland has extended to the art world, and is well supported by the green movement in Cleveland in general. .! This lens is just an i...