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! [...]

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. [...]

And it's what an artist must do to succeed. Put out little tendrils of hope - blog, enter a competition, update your website, give a workshop, join a great art group, give lessons, design a new business card, try a new technique, send out a press release, write an article, and: keep a running list of all these "ingredients." [...]

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. [...]

The old 'shotgun' approach of splattering 60+ artists on the wall to see what sticks, is dead. They will have to choose artists who are honest, have long term business goals and some genuine skill. [...]

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. [...]

There is no one thing that will make you or break you. There is only you, and your work. And an audience, somewhere, that will welcome you both with open arms. [...]

You're creative, and you're you -- if you give yourself a break and let yourself speak, you may learn some surprising new skills. But you'll never really know until you ask, and the best person to ask is yourself. While this sounds obvious, very few people actually do ask themselves hard, honest questions -- inside their head where nobody is going to overhear and scold them for the very thought -- and the first and most important step to being to thine own self be true, is getting in touch with thine own self. [...]

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. [...]

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!” [...]

IF you can afford the money… IF you can afford to lose that money… IF you’re ready to take a giant step, if you’re truly comfortable taking a big risk… THEN take the gamble. [...]

So...Did I feel lucky? The next few shows I did, I was very aware how financially precarious I was. I looked around me and saw many artists making the same gamble. The number of artists at each show was increasing. The number of attendees, decreasing. The number of quick, easy, big sales? Almost non-existent. Even commissioned works were being cancelled after the show left and right. We were all desperately hoping the sparrows were going to return to Capistrano--and hoping we weren't waiting for the buffalo to come back. [...]

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. [...]

What happens when you miss the trail going UP the mountain? [...]

And I find that there is good karma when you talk up another artist’s work and help collectors decide to purchase it. It usually comes back around in one way or another. It isn’t always right away. But it does come back around. [...]

We can spend our whole lives hating the state of art in America, modern art, represenational art, galleries, and everything else we deem problematic in the art world. But does this help anyone? Are our opinions on these matters greater than teaching others about our world and how we create our art? [...]

Yep, it gets hard when it’s hot, or windy, when my back aches and when sales are slow. But more and more, I try to relax. I embrace my customers, exchanging hugs as they appear, year after year, to see what wonders I’ve made in the months in between. I soak in the sunshine. I go with the flow. I eat my energy bar. I remember why I’m here, at this show. [...]

But this is what I think: The same philosophy that worked when things were good should be the same philosophy you use when times are difficult. I know that flies in the face of most business models, but then again, a lot of businesses go under in bad times. What I mean is that when times were good, I tried to make the best painting I possibly could. When times are hard, I try to make the best painting I possibly can. Doing the old "paint what sells" may sound like reasonable advice, but it is fraught with peril. Trying to figure out what sells in hard times is like trying to shovel steam into a bucket. And if you alter what you do, change your style to chase a trend, you'll stray further and further from what was once successful. I believe you have to stay true to yourself. [...]

If we apply this advice to making art and to running an art business, we will see that many things can be done to enhance our chances of success while actually building on the dealt hand. Each of us is different. We have different experiences, different understanding, and different intellectual and creative impulses. Depending on our motivation, we can learn new and useful things for improving our artistic skills, our business skills, and our people skills. [...]

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. [...]

If you are an artist planning on exhibiting at an art fair this summer, I'm asking you to bring your art. Bring your best art. [...]

You know the days when, if you could even get into the top fine craft shows, your success was almost guaranteed. When a single boldly done full-page ad in a magazine could generate tons of response, perhaps even measurable in (gasp!) sales dollars. A time when everyone yearned to have a beautiful handmade website of their work, because then the world would surely beat a path to your door… It struck me that these little missives are like messages in a bottle, veritable postcards from the past. Each contains a little whiff of hard-earned wisdom that still resonates today. [...]

The idea behind the auction is usually to generate excitement and encourage sales. Many times they are fundraisers. Most of the time, I see auctions billed as “a way to get a great deal for a work of art.” And most of the time, it lives up to that expectation. Rarely do works go for retail and even rarer are the times the works are bid up higher than retail. [...]

The summer art fair season has started for some, and will happen soon for the rest of us artists planning on partaking. With any luck at all, there will be patrons walking by. Will you do the big box store thing? Let your customers fend for themselves? Will you greet them like you're annoyed, or maybe even not greet them at all? Will you just stay sitting on your directors chair, countenance impassive? [...]

So what does removing the mask mean? This means communicating to strangers like they are our friends. Don't be afraid to give your personal opinions or tell stories about your personal life. Post pictures of yourself working on your art. And most of all, it means talking to anybody who takes the time to engage in conversation. This means comments on Facebook, personal emails, and reviews of your work. It does not need to be a long response, but just a sign that you are listening. [...]

Don’t make art with the goal of making money. Make art with the goal of making a gift. The money will come. [...]

It's not an option any longer... artists cannot expect someone else or even their galleries to promote their work adequately. No one has the time, money, or desire to promote your work better than you do. [...]

Spontaneous to me implies lack of thought and planning, a certain what-the-heck-I’ll-jump-and-I-hope-there’s-something-on-the-other-side attitude, not to be confused with funloving, adventurous, exploratory, and bold. As an artist working to get your work out there, you are bold indeed. If you keep good records, analyze your situation and what’s coming up, plan for various contingencies, and research new possibilities before trying them, this does not take away from your boldness. It simply adds intelligence and acumen to it. [...]

So how do you answer this question? Well, that depends on what they REALLY want to know. Sometimes, they’re trying to determine if you have what it takes to be successful. Whether you’re a fresh new face or a grizzled veteran, galleries and highly motivated collectors care about this. Your answers will help them decide. [...]

I get that many artists are totally comfortable with offering discounts. It’s a growing trend. After all, when even designer stores and luxury goods are open to bargaining, it seems short-sighted not to go along. But whether you discount or not, you WILL get asked this question. And even if you never discount your work, there are ways to keep the conversation going... [...]

So essentially... sales beget sales. It all boils down to finding ways to increase the demand for your work. There are dozens, if not hundreds of ways to go about this - and savvy artists will take their individual marketing and painting personalities into consideration when making business plans for the coming year. [...]

Here’s one last reason not to give in to the lizard brain: Whatever you say about another artist to ‘cut them down to size’ will eventually get back to them. Worse, it will be misquoted, or taken out of context, or magnified in malice. And they will never forget. Our art world is too small for that kind of bad energy. And life is too short. Lead with your big, loving, highly creative heart. Be gracious about who you’re being compared to. Then give yourself the highest accolades of all. Tell the powerful truth about your own beautiful work. Forge the connection, then take it to the next step, on your terms. You’ll come out smelling like the proverbial fragrant-yet-hardy-shrub-rose! [...]

The important thing is to make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity available – and in order to do this, it helps to recognize that opportunities come in different forms that aren’t always obvious, predictable, or traditional, and in marketing your art, you will expand your horizons beyond the easy, customary, and expected. [...]

I feel we, as artists, are missing opportunities that are right under our nose for marketing and selling our work. It takes a lot of thought to remember where we can place our work or ponder how to make news about our paintings that are for sale before we are received in professional galleries. [...]

Some people will never understand. For them, anybody’s work is simply something for them to copy and replicate. Their actions go far beyond merely being inspired by a use of colors or a design detail. Anything you do or make, is fair game for their own use...But there are many people who truly mean no insult or harm by their inquiries. Often, what they are hungry for, it turns out, is encouragement to find their own story, and follow their own path. [...]

If you spend any time around the artist at all, you've probably seen some of his or her work, heard him talk about it, know her style. If you hate the artist's style or, more likely, don't understand it, let the artist know (maybe not the hating part, but definitely the not understanding part) and feel free to ask questions so that you can increase your understanding. Artists love to talk about their work to people who are serious enough to listen. [...]