Fifteen minutes of fame doesn't make a career. An article in a magazine, newspaper, interview on television or multiple print ads may stroke your ego, but nothing much else. An artist's career is a lifetime venture. Just because an artist is on top doesn't mean they are sheltered from a crash. As has been stated, the higher you climb, the harder you fall. [...]

When you know your work sells, then seeking a gallery or outdoor show is fine. Then, if an event or art gallery kicks sand in your face don't give up, keep moving forward. Use your brain and eliminate a lot of your personal agony. There are times when you should not take NO for an answer. But there are others when you should never put yourself in the place to be rejected to begin with. Seek the wisdom to know the difference and then go for it. Persevere in the face of disappointment. [...]

The secret of selling is continuing to ask questions that cannot be answered with a yes or no. Get your client talking and then listen, CAREFULLY. If you will listen judiciously, your client will tell you what you need to know to close the sale. I wish you good questions, happy listening and lots of closed sales. [...]

In all of us is the double conflict of two wolves. One wolf is negative; the other is clear and positive. The negative wolf can instantly give anyone who asks fifty reasons why greatness cannot be achieved. The negative wolf can explain with certainty why your ideas will fail. Most of the time the negative wolf is the one to receive the greatest amount of reinforcement. The positive wolf is ridiculed and given dozens of reason why his ideas are crazy. [...]

Clear your thoughts of trying to find some magical way to instantly and effortlessly sell art. The quicker you learn that art has to be sold, the faster you will reach the top. You can't mass market art. Art is sold one piece at a time. Escape the trap of thinking the internet is going to save you. Facebook can be helpful but it's not the ultimate solution to marketing your art. No doubt the internet can help, but broadband will not be the solution to all your selling needs. It's up to you to put your art in front of people who are interested in buying. [...]

You can certainly make it as a full time artist but I caution you to make sure you know you can replace your present income before you totally cut ties with your current job. Art is a business, treat it as such. [...]

Whiteism: Rejection can be painful, but never fatal. [...]

We all have limitations. The first step toward success is to find your weakness. [...]

We at FineArtViews (FAV) strive to offer solid insight into the world of art and art marketing -- by introducing readers to viewpoints concerning the state of the art world, and exploring a wide range of art marketing strategies. That dedication was stronger than ever in 2012. [...]

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

Just remember, be yourself. With patience and persistence you can reach your goals. [...]

The secret is planning your work and working your plan. If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you arrive? You can't stumble upon your destination. [...]

I'll leave you with a parting thought. No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery. Age is just a number. You are never too old to learn new tricks. [...]

One of the most wonderful things about being an American is our will to thrive during trying times. All is not lost. You have the exact same today as you had yesterday. With good planning, you can still earn a living making and selling art. [...]

The reason most artists don't succeed is their failure to focus on what works. They burn through pages writing down goals only to cave at the first bad turn in the road. Look back over your successes, expand on them and you will find more. You can be adaptable within your plan, adjusting your sails to catch the best breezes. Burn the bridges of Plan B behind you and go for it. You can reach your goals. [...]

The questions I get from the artists I help are mostly the same; basic variations of "what can I do to improve my art" or "is my work good enough to sell?" Everyone is searching for improvement. This is where danger steps in. In desperation for help, artists fall for vanity galleries, scam ads and workshops put on by people who know little about marketing art. It's important you look for "those who know" before you freely spend. [...]

There is always a reason; we may not like the answer. But we do have a choice. We can stand rigid as an oak or bend a little like the willow. Adjust our sails, modify our course and find the path to success. [...]

Remember, sometimes honest accounting mistakes are made. There are times when there is sickness or other things that prevent checks from being written. Gallery owners are people. [...]

The future of art galleries is dependent on us and those artists who follow. Art galleries cannot stay open if artists continue to sell work behind their backs. [...]

Don't cling on when your physical skills go away. Just to say, I'm an artist, is not enough - you need to be able to maintain an acceptable level. As Kenny Rogers sings, you have to learn when to hold ?em, when to fold ?em and then when to walk away. [...]

There is still a place for the truth in this world. Replace puffery with honesty. Let's work to do away with mendacity and bring forth the truth. [...]

To assume is said to make an a - - out of u and me. While this is true in most cases, being assumptive in selling is an entirely different scenario. I often use the assumptive close with art buyers. I assume they want to own my art when we begin the conversation. The moment the prospect shows real interest, I just assume they would like to take that piece home with them. My next step is to assist them in making their desire a reality. Because of my assumption that they want to own the art, I treat them differently. I don't sell; I help the client acquire what they want. [...]

Everything I read about marketing art makes it appear so complicated. I read about all sorts of grand schemes. Marketing art is not pulling off a Brinks truck heist or robbing a diamond merchant. No elaborate plans are needed. You do need to know where you want to go, so you will know when you get there. I've got a three point plan that anyone can follow. [...]

The purpose of this article is to persuade you on the importance of the potential client getting to spend a few minutes on the phone with the artist. If I owned an art gallery I would ask all of my artists to be willing to help by saying a few words to those interested in their work. On second thought...I do know a few artists I'd have to pass on, they have zero personalities. [...]

According to the money experts, we can expect many more months of this weak economy. The Wall Street Journal thinks the economy will become tighter before loosening up. Do what you have to do to keep your chickens in the air until the market comes back. Don't be concerned what others will think. [...]

You don't need reality TV OR a virtual farm -- art is (or should be) your reality. Live it. [...]

Would you be willing to dedicate five months to changing your life? [...]

The bottom line is clients are forever while customers come and go. [...]

You can't rely on the 'mercy purchase' OR specific forms of 'desperation marketing' (some forms can actually be positive depending on the context) if you want to be taken seriously as an artist. [...]

The moment the client smells fear, he's gone. The client wants buying art to be an exceptional experience. The best thing you can do is act like you don't need the money. Even if you want to fall on your knees and beg them to buy, resist the temptation. Make a silent vow today, "I'm selling the next person." You can do it. Take a deep breath and relax. [...]

You can spot a David Leffel or Richard Schmid clone when you see their first painting. It's interesting to thumb through art magazines and see artists copying these and other masters. Copy is all they will ever do, because they will never reach the level of their master. I don't blame the teachers for being so powerful; it's the fault of the student not to seek their own level. No matter how well you paint David's style you will always remain a copy. Your voice will belong to your teacher. Those who stand out have their own original voice. [...]

Scammers don't sleep - they are awake; 24-7-365. These lowlifes don't take a vacation. [...]

It's very difficult to help artists. If I don't tell them the truth, I'm not helping. When I tell them the truth, they get their feelings hurt. One guy offered to kick my 80 year old butt for telling him he was not gallery ready. [...]

Remember this, no one ever listened themselves out of a sale. You can learn a lot from wolves. Take their strong points, make them yours and follow them on your hunt to success. [...]

If you are bogged down by the complexity of getting everything done, figuratively find a tall hill to view the battle from. Then, look through the fog and focus on what's really important. We can't do everything, but we can do anything we place our focus on. [...]

You have the power to change how people perceive the worth of your work; it's up to you to prove them wrong. You can improve on your subject selection and increase the skill in executing your final work. Don't take where you are now as being your ceiling. Refuse to remain on the lowest rung. Climb higher, get better, learn more and build confidence in what you make. The only limits are the ones you self impose. Learn to love yourself so others will perceive you are worth it! [...]

Life is shorter than you think. The average lifespan of a pigeon in the wild is five years. They are known to reach fifteen when cared for by humans. It seems only a few years ago I was out on the road hustling sales. The older we get the faster the years fly by. This is why we must make the best of our allotted time. [...]

My best advice is stay focused until you master what you know. The fastest way to the top is being really good at something, rather than knowing a little about a lot. I see many, many websites where the work looks like ten different artists did the art. If you want to be successful, then find what you know the most about, then become an expert on that one voice. [...]

Looking back at FineArtViews (FAV) articles from 2011 shows that debate about art is alive and well within the FASO community. [...]

I find when new artists exhibit too much enthusiasm in the beginning they tend hit a flat-line as they move forward. When they run into the doldrums, the area in the ocean where there is no wind to fill their sails, they sit down and declare defeat. They start with intense energy, then when things don't go as easily as hoped these newbies begin to wilt like an unwatered sunflower in the hot, Texas summer sun. [...]