Social conditioning within the art world runs deep. Artists find themselves trapped by boundaries that they are conditioned to have within the art world itself. For example, many artists are conditioned to believe that they must do 'this and that' (move to NYC, earn an MFA, gain attention by a specific art magazine, exhibit at a specific art fair, hire a specific manager or art coach... etc.) in order to be a 'successful artist'. This rhetoric can spread like a plague -- spurring artists to question the value of what they do when compared to all of the 'glorified' hearsay / hype. [...]

It is not uncommon for organizations (specifically arts organizations) to hold fundraising auctions in order to secure extra funding. I applaud those efforts. However, these auctions often involve donated artwork – the result of a 'flood' of donation requests sent to various artists. There is only one problem with this process – several problems, actually. [...]

No matter how successful you become -- people will respect you if you still take the time to reach out to others. The snappy 'Do you know who I am!' remarks don't win fans... remarks like that tend to push away even the most dedicated supporters (we see that happen often with actors and musicians). Thus, strive to be as humble as you can be. [...]

We often forget that even the most praised artists created 'lesser' works. The works we view in the books -- and at museums -- likely reflect only a small percentage of what the artist created throughout his or her life. They tend to be the 'best of the best'. You have to step back and think of all of the 'failures' that led up to those works. Don't be fooled into thinking that those praised artists created one masterpiece after another. Heck, even the Old Masters made mistakes... so it is safe to assume that even they faced doubt while chasing perfection. [...]

It is true that some art collectors don't care about artist statements -- or details about artistic process, for that matter -- but others DO care. They WANT that information. In my opinion, it is better to have that info -- cover all the bases -- than ignore it outright. The art collectors who don't care about said info will likely avoid reading a statement if it is provided. Fair enough. That said, the collectors who WANT to read your artist statement WILL end up searching for it on your website. Imagine their disappointment when said info is not provided. They may look elsewhere... [...]

In the weeks ahead, I’ll share animal fables, showing how each artist…er, I mean, animal… dealt with this calamitous time in history. Ants, beavers, spiders and ostriches, all have a tale to tell. [...]

There are millions of public domain and Creative Commons images (many of which are free to use) in existence today. You could easily spend a lifetime viewing them all. Yet Richard Prince targeted specific copyrighted images created by Patrick Cariou. Considering all of the free possibilities that exist today... it is clear that Patrick Cariou's copyrighted images are a vital part of the images created by Richard Prince. It is a shame that Prince could not admit that outright. He disrespected Cariou... chipping at his own integrity in the process. [...]

The business-minded artist is technically operating a small business. Thus, the conflict over how 'fair use' should be interpreted is a business issues as much as it is an issue surrounding copyright itself. I, for one, think that an artist should be able to protect his or her business (which clearly involves being able to protect his or her creations – at least while living). Copyright -- strengthened by copyright registration -- is one of the best ways to do that... unless we sit back and allow a wide interpretation of 'fair use' to become the standard. [...]

This ruling won't serve the majority of artists. After all, most artists don't rely heavily on direct appropriation in the first place. In other words, I would argue that the majority of artists don't work from images they find online or elsewhere. This ruling serves a small percentage of artists... in some cases supporting their market while hampering YOUR market. I will go as far as to suggest that court rulings like this are a direct attack on self-representing artists. Pointblank, this decision is a major defeat for the majority of artists working today. [...]

I often warn artists -- specifically younger artists --not to be taken advantage of by musicians concerning album cover art. I have taken this stance since the early days of Myspace.com. The offers I observed on Myspace made me sick. Thus, I took it upon myself to openly and actively warn artists to stand up for themselves before creating anything for a band. My position has caused some people to think that I look down at artists who create album cover art. That is not so. I just don't want to see artists duped out of hard work. [...]

The online art world has provided me with the perfect 'jumping point' for communication about art. I'm certain that many of you feel the same way. That does not change the fact that the art world can be a lonely place if your connections exist primarily online. Don't get me wrong... solitude is not necessarily a bad thing. That said, 'cultivating' offline art world connections can become a strong source of inspiration and professional growth. [...]

A legitimate art coach won't promise you millions of dollars in art sales. He or she will be realistic AND tailor specific financial goals (if at all) on a case-by-case basis. If the art coach uses a pitch that reads like a 'get rich quick' scheme... it likely is -- and you will just be out money after everything is said and done. Seek legitimate art marketing coaches... avoid the art marketing roaches. [...]

Anyone who adds these desires -- the desire for fame and fortune -- to the top of their priority list from the get-go is likely doomed for failure (at least in the way they interpret life and success). You can easily defeat yourself with flights of fantasy -- daydreams can easily become nightmares. Stay focused on the 'here and now'. Focus on what you are doing today. Don't allow the art world 'rich myth' to consume you. [...]

For me, becoming an artist called for many deep changes. Putting myself out there with—and for—my art. I had to take initiative. Make decisions with no guaranteed success for outcome. Taking risks, like paying out big money for big shows, advertising, marketing materials, websites. These were not traits that “nice girls” were encouraged to show in the 50’s, 60’s and even the 70’s. So… [...]

There is NO golden art marketing plan to follow. There is NO guaranteed art marketing strategy. There is NO $19.95 magic ticket. What works for one artist may work for you... or not. I'm placing my money on 'not'. That is the reality of the situation. If a 'golden art marketing plan', 'guaranteed art marketing strategy' or '$19.95 magic ticket' existed... every artist would be rich because that information would have been leaked a long time ago. You may learn something from those tips... but don't expect to be swimming in money. This 'loud' myth -- the idea that ALL artists want to be rich -- creates a lot of useless 'noise' within the world of art marketing. [...]

I would often find a trail of our business cards on the ground when returning back to the gallery location or art fair booth space. In addition, I would often spot other discarded business cards that had been handed out by artists and galleries during the same frame of time. It was so bad at times that I would joke about not having to be worried about getting lost – I could just follow our cards back to the location. It was a trail of waste... wasted money AND wasted opportunity. [...]

Lack of recognition -- be it in the form of failing to win an art prize OR failing to sell a piece -- is not a reason to 'give up' as an artist. It is not a valid reason for tossing your passion aside. Lack of recognition is a common struggle faced by artists and other creative individuals. Point-blank, my artist friend is not the first artist to face these struggles... nor will he be the last. He needs to stop whining. He needs to toughen up... and get back to work. He won't receive pity from me... only pressure. [...]

We all have a personal definition for what art is. I, for one, feel that art is anything made with art in mind. I feel that the intention of creating art should be present during the creation of the piece. In other words, something is art if the creator of the piece intended it to be art from the get-go. I know that some readers will agree with my position -- while others will challenge it. These are arguments that are recycled year after year, decade after decade, century after century... it will continue. [...]

Art galleries are protective of their client lists for several reasons. There are financial and legal factors to consider. Keep that in mind before assuming that a gallery is 'out to cheat' artists by 'hiding' the client list. [...]

This downturn is real and some sobering and tragic stories have come out of it. But many people are still refusing to acknowledge that we're in a "new normal." Now I certainly don't mean to minimize anyone's difficulties, but for many smart, talented, able-bodied folks, if they would actually accept this as the new normal and be willing to make the necessary changes, they could continue to thrive. While the economy is sluggish, it's still a huge, huge, huge, innovative 15 trillion dollar economy and you are entitled to your piece of it. [...]

I understand why art galleries, as a business, are protective of their client list. After all, the client list IS the livelihood of the gallery AND the represented artists (that goes 10 fold if the represented artists have an exclusive contract with the gallery!). Point-blank, to reveal that information would be like committing 'business suicide'. [...]

I think that establishing a consumer friendly / transparent environment for art buyers is a vital step for the majority of business-minded artists and art galleries...IF they desire to thrive in the future. [...]

The market transparency offered by listing art prices allows art buyers to make informed purchases -- consumers, in general, desire access to information. Art buyers are no different... they want, as the Informed Collector newsletter stresses, information. It is up to YOU to provide them with specific details -- including pricing. [...]

While deception is not consistently easy to spot, identify, or label (it hides itself well), this doesn't mean that it doesn't exist, and it doesn't mean that we can't make an effort, as individual businesspersons, to grapple with the concept and determine that we will conduct our affairs honestly and honorably, at the same time that we use our intelligence and acumen. [...]

Some critics feel that the United States art market needs to be regulated by the government in order to halt what has been described as rampant consumer discrimination. I can't help but wonder if these arguments will eventually be applied to self-representing artists and the way they conduct business. [...]

Sure, it's "smart" to figure out how people think, but when you use that knowledge to manipulate people into doing what is best for you and not necessarily best for them, this becomes questionable. And when people find out that they've been used -- and believe me, truth comes out, and usually at the most inopportune times -- they feel stupid, and that ultimately is not good for your business. [...]

If you 'run away' from your art practice during tough times... reflect on the reason why. Take a deep look. Write your thoughts down. After doing so -- decide how to improve upon those weaknesses. Find ways to alleviate the struggle you feel when faced with specific art world related situations. You may not be able to eliminate every angle of doubt ... that said, you may -- by means of self-reflection -- be able to bolster some inner grit. A little grit can go a long way (just ask Jack White). [...]

While none of us likes to be classified as an idiot, or think of ourselves that way, it is too easy to fall in with contemporary society's belief system of doing what it takes to get to the top, regardless of what it takes to get there. [...]

All the worry in the world won't sell your art. If buyers are not in the position to buy... they won't -- end of story. BUT the story of art -- and that includes your art -- goes on. Eventually the page will turn... new chapters will be written. YOU should do all you can to be a part of that. [...]

I would suggest that the current direction in graffiti art -- at least the institutionally critiqued version -- can be described as a selfish act. It is a thirst for fame and fortune, rather than a tool for facilitating real change... it is a market ploy rather than a tool for exposing social struggles -- a chunk of culture reduced to a mere gimmick. I refuse to defend that. I won't. [...]

Economic woes are nothing new -- you are not the first artist to face them. [...]

The artist can't take a cookie-cutter approach to developing a 'thick skin'... the artist must take a strong look at his or her personality traits -- and 'build' from there. Needless to say, self-reflection is a must if the artist desires to develop a thick skin. [...]

The problem with labels (which boils down to the need to categorize), specifically within the art world, is the fact that people tend to expect artists to 'live up' to the labels that have been attached to them -- they expect the artwork created by the labeled artist to 'fit' a rigid view of what his or her art should represent based on the label. [...]

Authenticity is extremely valuable to an artist – how you acknowledge authenticity can make or break your art career [...]

Your artwork may be highly marketable today... but will it be next year? Will it still be a marketable force 5 years from now? What about a decade from now? You just never know for certain. [...]

The exploration of video games as an art form has been a buzzed about topic in recent years. [...]

I recently read a great article by Cory Huff of The Abundant Artist. Huff's article, titled The Myth of "Good Art Sells Itself", challenged several myths about selling art (both online and offline). I've tackled some of these same myths in the past. It is important to keep these topics at the forefront of debate concerning art marketing in general. I must tip my hat to Cory for targeting the issue. Artists need to discuss these myths now more than ever. [...]

Every sale takes an extraordinary amount of work and promotion. I am a product of the recession. I need to push constantly to move forward and think in new ways and make an effort to meet collectors to get out there. I think it is easy to resent the present state of the market, but I don't have any bitterness. I realize that this experience has really been a trial by fire where you must be strong and work hard to sell your work. I think I have gained skills I would have never learned in a strong market. [...]

You might be thinking... crazy is a strong word. However, when I spend too much time online, I get stupid - I can't remember diddly; I've been forgetful and have missed deadlines. (I never used to miss deadlines)! My brain can only take in so much stimuli before it starts shutting down. I get zoned in on my computer or Ipad screen and my life and responsibilities begin to slide by, while I live in a dream world by viewing what everyone else is doing. In the end, I've got to stop looking at what y'all are doing all day so I can return to my life. [...]

If an artist is SO against BIG money, consumerism, corporations...etc. -- well, you would think that he or she would not be interested in selling art for BIG prices, merchandising images, or establishing their own corporation... or at the least do as much as he or she can to avoid those factors. In other words, if money / consumerism is such a BIG issue for an artist -- maybe he or she should stand by his or her message and NOT embrace 'the system' that he or she is criticizing. [...]