The point is to consider what you have to offer your fans and collectors and find ways to fill their needs and wants. Be creative ? that's what you are as an artist, by the way. [...]

The point is, when we converse with non artists, do we sometimes forget that they don't understand some of the concepts and vocabulary? Speak on their level. [...]

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. [...]

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... [...]

If you ask 10 artists about commissioned artwork you will likely receive several variants on how art commissions should be handled. It appears that there is no 'cookie-cut' solution as to how commissions should be handled in general. Each art commission is unique... because each client is unique. Thus, each commission involves unique factors /problems that must be worked around. That said, there are common factors that should be considered. These common factors can serve as a foundation for how you choose to handle the commission process. [...]

Don't forget that the Studio Hop is a community event. It may attract people from all walks of life ? and incomes. Thus, you may want to think about offering affordable art. For example, you may want to consider creating an affordable series of quick drawings, monoprints, or small paintings on various surface if your 'regular' artwork tends to be priced in the thousands. You might be surprised by how much profit can be made by offering works priced between $5 and $20 at events like this. I know an artist from Jacksonville, Illinois who walked away with over $500 in hand after offering affordable / quickly created small works during a local event! [...]

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. [...]

The Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) and Die Brücke (The Bridge) were both known for handing out make-shift booklets about their artwork -- including detailed information about their philosophy as artists. They used the booklets to promote themselves, their art movement, and other causes. This early form of artist self-publishing can still be useful today. Furthermore, it can be accomplished with little expense involved depending on how it is done. [...]

I feel very honored that people from all over the world are looking at my artwork and reading my blogs. I won't ever know the reason why they choose to view the paintings that they do, but just knowing that people want to take some of their precious time to share my vision of beauty is very humbling. [...]

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. [...]

As a writer I strive to offer current / factual information about artists to readers -- artists should strive to offer the same to their website visitors (which may include potential buyers, gallery owners, and art writers). [...]

Creating is a very personal inward endeavor. We, as artists, create from within. "You" focus on what "you" want to say with "your" art. "You" get inspired by "your" muse. "Your" work is an expression of "your" emotions or ideas, etc. And it should be. Your art needs to be genuine. Just as the desire to teach needs to be genuine. But how do you bridge that gap between creating for self yet focus on your collectors? [...]

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. [...]

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. [...]

But this principle doesn't just apply to those of you who teach. It also applies if you just simply sell the work you create. When I first learned this principle, I thought, "That applies to services, like teaching, mentoring, coaching, etc. But not to selling products like my paintings." But I have since learned that I was wrong. It does apply to my art and it applies to your art. [...]

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. [...]

I believe that when work is not well received it is 100% my fault. I failed in my part to connect with the viewer. There are reasons that it did not resonate with people. It is easy to say that people are not sophisticated enough to appreciate a piece. However in my opinion, people are a pretty good judge of authenticity. Even without any artistic training people know what they like and will not buy anything that does not speak to them. It is all feedback in the end and the best artists use this feedback to make the next piece something that will really touch people. [...]

When you look at a work of art, you've got about three options 1. you like it 2. you don't like it 3. you are completely ambivalent, which for all effects and purposes is just the same as #2 [...]

Despite what inspired you to create your work, despite your intentions, each viewer will complete the artwork in his or her mind. It may be similar to your intentions, but it may be vastly different. [...]

This article is not to tell you that you should lower your prices...nor is it telling you not to raise your prices. But I sometimes meet artists who feel that they made a mistake in their pricing and wish to lower prices but don't because of the old "never lower prices rule." This post is for those artists. [...]

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. [...]

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

I use a large, expensive piece to draw people into my booth. But I don't make it easy to see its price. Once they're in my booth, they'll see a wide array of pieces, at a variety of prices. Once they realize they'll find something affordable, they relax. They shop. And they fall in love with that one special piece. Then they can decide what's "affordable" and what isn't. [...]

This was my shot at a custom piece - which I must say made me nervous. Custom work is not the easiest since you can never completely see what someone has in mind. [...]

I had a hard time deciding to write about this strategy. I firmly believe we should NOT underprice our work. I believe discounts, "seconds" sales and such can undermine our efforts. We could disrespect our customers who were willing to pay our full price for our work. [...]

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. [...]

The question you need to answer is this: are you having fun playing with the 20% on Facebook, while ignoring the much larger network of people you can reach via the "dark social network?" [...]

I usually make a lot of my income from one major show. I set aside money for next year's show expenses, then restock my inventory of supplies. When I realized my cost of goods sold was about to go through the roof, I decided to take a closer look at the materials I already had on hand. I found ways to repurpose a lot of my "out-dated" inventory. I kept my restocks to a minimum, while enriching my design vocabulary with items I'd reworked, reformed or simply turned in for cash. It forced me to think "thrifty" instead of "let's try this and this and this and oooh look at these, let's get some!" [...]

Stay vigilant! Try to find out why other artists (in your price range and style) are selling well. Learn what they are doing or what their gallerists are doing to sell their work. I'm seeing pockets of success in sales today! Don't be fooled by thinking that artists who are getting awards and visibility are selling well... in some cases they aren't. In other cases, they are. I do think it comes down to savvy marketing on the artists' and gallerists' parts. More than ever, artists and sales people need to know how to get attention from collectors and close the sale. [...]

Remember, people aren't investing in you, they are investing in themselves when they buy anything ? whether a hot dog and soda or a fine work of art. People buy to fill a need. Identify both what and how your art satisfies collectors' needs. [...]

Your ideal collector is that person who you most enjoy working with. The more you know the characteristics, traits, fears, desires, etc. of your ideal collector, the better you can communicate effectively with that collector ? and the better you can reach that collector. [...]

I am tired of being controlled by my own emotions. Deep inside I want to be like the person who nonchalantly walks up to someone and breaks the ice by extending their hand and introducing themselves. I want to untie my tongue. [...]

I think the love of art is as strong for those who collect art as it is for those who create the art. [...]

I recently heard during a business talk that people shop for the best prices on daily "common" things, saving money to spend on the luxuries of life. Art is often considered a luxury item, and I find it one that brings lasting pleasure, a lift in my spirits, a reminder of what I value, pulling me back into peace. [...]

Who are your 20 people? If you don't know who they are, well, you should, and you've got some work to do. [...]

What comes after, whatever is made of our efforts, when we are gone, whatever it is those others who come after will understand, will be what serves their need, not ours. [...]

There are a lot of questions to ask yourself before you purchase a piece of fine art -- whether it is an original or a limited edition print -- but the most important one is one that people frequently overlook: "Do I like it?" [...]

An artist I spoke with put it this way, "I don't think people should complain about politics if they don't vote. I feel the same way about the art market. Don't complain about people not buying art if you have never bought a work of art yourself." Harsh words... but she does have a point. [...]

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. [...]