Blog on Art Marketing and Selling Art

So next time, you receive a rejection - not getting into a show, having to go to a gallery and pick up your work because it's not selling, receiving a hugely negative critique for an artwork that you thought was one of your best -- keep in mind that everyone who ventures into the professional art world gets rejected from time to time. [...]

'Change' by Lisa Fricker was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the May 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

'Spring' by Cuong Nguyen was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the May 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

An artist (Let's call him "Leonardo") recently wrote to me for some advice about a situation he's facing. It seems another person is painting "copies" of Leonardo's artwork and passing the copies off as original, without attribution...This happens from time to time. As someone who's been in the art business since 1989, I've seen it more than once. [...]

I have taken a bit of time since you emailed me and have tried to set up the website and other websites - but I had to write you and let you know that YOUR site is my VERY favourite - If I have a question, it is answered within an hour or less [...]

So how do you stay on top of everything you need to do? How do you organize your time? How do you organize you “stuff” so that you can be productive and find the things you need? [...]

'On the Little Table' by Melissa May Peirano was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic in the May 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

Art Links for Artists Who Want to Change the World [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Inspired by the masters of form, color and light - he strives to capture the subtleties that express the uniqueness of his subjects. [...]

An artist came into my gallery years ago to present his portfolio and was flabbergasted when we weren't interested representing him..."But I've got 30 years experience!" he protested....Here's the thing: "How" is more important than "How Long" [...]

'Great Hall - Ellis Island' by Thomas W. Schaller was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the May 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

Seriously, folks, whatever your thoughts on art and money, most artists like to believe their work has value. And many of us are thrilled when others value our work, too. Especially when they value it enough to actually buy it. Which is why it gets tricky when people ask us to donate our work. [...]

'Twilight on Market St' by Hsin-Yao Tseng was awarded 2nd Place in the May 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

Our worlds are so full of words and advice that it sometimes gets confusing for us to know what to hold on to and what to let go of. It's so easy to get pulled in opposing directions. [...]

May 2010 FineArtViews Contest Winners! [...]

Everything you do should lead people to your website. Facebook. Twitter. Postcards. Thank You cards. Packaging Material. You get the point. Do it consistently. Make me and others want to visit your site. Compel us. [...]

Art Links for Artists Who Want to Change the World [...]

'Lagos Harbor - Portugal' by Ned Mueller was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Our esteemed judge, William Wray, has completed the judging of the May 2010 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

Artists need (at least) two channels in their art marketing efforts: inbound and outbound...Inbound is where people tend to focus a lot of effort...The mistake I see a lot is tons of focus on inbound, and too little focus on outbound. [...]

'Almost home' by Dominic Avant was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]

After writing “My First Art Fair Checklist”, I received many comments with some great tips, encouragements and well wishes. And it was well received. I felt that many of you were there with me, if not in presence, then in mind and spirit. I also had several visitors to my booth who commented on the previous blog post. That was awesome! [...]

'Beaver Dam Island Reflection' by Kami Polzin was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]

In order to get your advertisement noticed in a publication where hundreds of works are vying for attention, your work must stand out from the crowd - and that is a tall order. [...]

As a former gallery owner, let me let you in on a "secret": I don't care at all what the cover letter on a portfolio submission looks like...Some of my top-selling artists sent me an envelope full of unlabeled slides and a note hand-written on a sheet of notebook paper. [...]

'Her Lantern' by Warren Neary was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]

Most people are not reading your blog because they have an inherent love for purple dogs and green sofas. They’re reading your blog because THE PERSON YOU ARE inspires them. They’re not reading your blog because they’re thinking of buying your paintings, they’re reading your blog because the way you approach your work inspires them. [...]

Know what success means to you. No one else can determine that. Only you. Have you identified the one BIG purpose or idea for your art? All of your efforts should support this big idea. [...]

'North Carolina Stream' by Linda Reynolds was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic in the April 2010 FineArtViews Painting Competition. [...]

"Sales coaches" talk about getting the customer to articulate their "problem." And then, as a "good salesperson", your job becomes to show the prospect how your "product" (artwork) solves their "problem." ...But Art is not a "problem" industry. [...]

Art Links for Artists Who Want to Change the World [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Something that I never knew when I started exhibiting was that it's very common to have the post exhibition blues. There is a let down after the huge event. You spend so much time focusing on it all; creating artworks, hanging, publicizing, etc. it becomes a massive high capped off by the opening. Then, suddenly, it's over and your life can seem...empty. [...]

We've created badges for BoldBrush Art Contest award winners. Here's an example from this month's winner, Aaron Allen {width:123px;background-color:#FFFFFF;border:2px solid #333333;padding:3px;}.bb_badge_top {font-family:arial;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;width:100%;text-align:center;color:#000000;}.bb_badge_image {margin:auto;width:100%;}.bb_badge_image img {border:1px solid #333333;}.bb_badge_bottom {width:100%;text-align:center;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;}.bb_badge_year {width:100%;text-align:center;font-family:arial;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;}.bb_badge_bottom a {color:#3B5998;}.bb_badge_bottom a:visited {color:#3B5998;} Winner Best of Show

Today we've added a small feature for artists who have won awards or FAV15 honors in the BoldBrush Painting Contest...You can now embed a digital version of your award on your own website or blog! [...]

'Bowl of Heirlooms' by Janet Broussard was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]

I’ve seen the heartbreak of those artists who did not choose well. Living in a place of regret is damaging not only to them, but for everyone around them—even their students. [...]

'Tea Party' by Frankie Johnson was selected as a Finalist in the April RayMar Fine Art Competition. [...]