Recent Links Clint Has Shared on Twitter

There will always be someone who wants to buy the art you make - don't let these 5 reasons hold you back. :

"No one can give the permission you need to sell your art. I totally understand the need for approval - I've been there many times myself - but it's a dangerous rabbit hole to go down." - Tyler Tervooren
at 6/21/2010 9:54:39 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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"Show your passion for your work, don't describe it in purely technical terms, use language that helps potential buyers understand how and if your work is what they are looking for. " - Bill Weaver
at 6/21/2010 9:46:57 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Is your portfolio cohesive?:

"Use your studio time to extensively explore different directions, and perfect a style that is recognizable as your own. Then take the product of your hard work and present it professionally as a collection." - Carolyn Edlund
at 6/21/2010 9:41:10 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Do you make sure you're constantly connecting with new people? :

"It's easier than ever to meet people, but it requires effort. The results will be worth your time. Don't lament that you're not connected. Do something about it!" - Alyson Stanfield
at 6/21/2010 9:22:02 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Stape offers some tips on designing paintings when you're "en plein air". :

"The world is full of average paintings. It doesn't need any more. You need to look for ways to make each one special." - Stapleton Kearns
at 6/21/2010 9:17:08 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Barney continues his case against limited edition giclee prints. :

"Why should artists, dealers, galleries and printers be forced to shut off their income stream when a print with viral potential gets shelved because we are beholden to an antiquated form of marketing that doesn't make sense for anyone? " - Barney Davey
at 6/18/2010 1:24:11 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Persistence is a major key to any artist's success. :

"Any artist who finally achieves a major breakthrough in their career will tell you they worked very hard and devotedly for many years. They didn't give up after the first phone call wasn't returned or when several galleries rejected their work. " - Renee Phillips
at 6/18/2010 1:10:02 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Awesome paintings in the May 2010 winner's circle:

"Our esteemed judge, William Wray, has completed the judging of the May 2010 BoldBrush painting competition." - FineArtViews
at 6/18/2010 10:53:10 AM

Submitted By Clint Watson
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Some inspirational quotes from Sargent. :

"Cultivate an ever-continuous power of observation. Wherever you are, be always ready to make slight notes of postures, groups and incidents. " - John Singer Sargent
at 6/18/2010 10:12:39 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Robert Genn gives his thoughts on plein air painting. :

"The outdoor workstation is a place of invention as well as toil. The eternal puzzle draws us back. It was ever thus. We are not donut machines. " - Robert Genn
at 6/18/2010 10:01:24 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Clint is right on the money with this one - appreciate the followers you have instead of always trying to get new ones.:

"What would happen if you spent your time and creative energy on outbound? What if you asked yourself how you could "wow" 10 or 20 of your best followers? " - Clint Watson
at 6/18/2010 9:50:39 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Hazel tackles the copyright issue and explains why she uses a Creative Commons License. :

"As artists, we need to be focusing less on preserving our rights in our product and more on enhancing the value of ourselves as producers and being imaginative about how we exploit and extract that value." - Hazel Dooney
at 6/18/2010 9:47:27 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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When using photographic references, remember that cameras distort!:

"Most compact digital cameras have significant barrel distortion. The wider the lens, the worse the effect." - Jeremy Lee
at 6/18/2010 9:37:51 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Stape examines some more Winslow Homer paintings. :

"It isn't what you paint but how you paint it that matters." - Stapleton Kearns
at 6/18/2010 9:29:48 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Sue talks about plein air painting, expectations and learning. :

"You see, expectations are never a reflection of reality. They are either a wish or a fear. And either I am wishing that I can learn a new skill without risking miserable failure, or I am afraid that in failing I will negate everything I have already learned." - Sue Smith
at 6/18/2010 9:24:55 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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This article will help you discover your authentic writing voice for your newsletter and blog. :

"Yes, writing must communicate a message, and to that end the conventions of standard English are important. But in many instances, those rules actually hinder our ability to create a realistic voice. " - Joy Tanksley
at 6/17/2010 1:59:50 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Do people look forward to the things you write in your newsletter and blog? :

"Does your content create that same feeling of anticipation for other people? "I look forward to it." Do people look forward to your stuff the same way I look forward to reading say, Clay Shirky or Mark Earls?" - Hugh Macleod
at 6/17/2010 1:46:54 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Moshe shares some real gems of wisdom that he learned from his first art show. :

"People like to "find hidden treasures". I saw how everyone loved sifting through boxes of matted artwork. The art that they didn't see on the walls but had to go through in the box was hidden from them and attracted them. " - Moshe Mikanovsky
at 6/17/2010 1:38:49 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Do you work to create trust with your clients and potential collectors? :

"Your effort at establishing a trusted connection with your buyers will go a long way in building your personal brand and your position in your buyer's mind" - Bill Weaver
at 6/17/2010 9:50:26 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Never let someone else's assessment of you define your worth. :

"Don't forget who you are and what you have to offer." - David Billings
at 6/17/2010 9:40:07 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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More thoughts on delinquent galleries from Harriete Berman and Victoria Lansford.:

"Every story that I have ever heard about poor payment or no payment started with late payment." - Harriete Estel Berman
at 6/16/2010 2:25:15 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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When beginning any new painting, Resistance is at its strongest. Steven Pressfield offers thoughts on overcoming it. :

"Cover the canvas. If our new piece is "The Last Supper," sketch in the apostles, lay in Jesus, get the table down. Don't sweat the details. It doesn't matter if Matthew's hair isn't right, or Peter's left hand has four fingers. We'll fix that later. Get the picture down. Cover the canvas." - Steven Pressfield
at 6/16/2010 2:13:38 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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How can you be creative in your marketing? :

"When you stop doing business like everyone else, you find yourself sailing on a completely different sea. " - Cory Huff
at 6/16/2010 2:07:35 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some thoughts on perfectionism as an avoidance technique from Kirsty Hall. :

"What I am saying is that for perfectionists, the perceived need to get all our ducks in a row before we start anything can be a very effective stalling technique. It can be an excuse. And sometimes you have to be braver than that." - Kirsty Hall
at 6/16/2010 1:55:00 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Lori shares her thoughts on advertising for artists. :

"In order to get looked at in a publication where pages and pages of artwork are vying for attention, your work must stand out from the crowd - and that is a tall order. " - Lori Woodward Simons
at 6/16/2010 1:45:10 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Debunking the "talent" myth. :

"Mastery, he said, comes from steady practice, the willingness to embrace failure, and a positive attitude. " - James Gurney
at 6/16/2010 9:37:35 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some thoughts from Miranda on perfectionism in art and how it can hold you back. :

"Your job as an artist is not to produce good art, it's to produce lots of art. By producing lots of art, you will thereby produce good art!" - Miranda Aschenbrenner
at 6/16/2010 9:37:47 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Barney Davey gives his reasons as to why he doesn't agree with limited edition giclee prints. :

"You cannot judge how an image you reproduce as a giclee might sell. It is entirely possible you could create a print that would have enormous demand beyond your imagination." - Barney Davey
at 6/16/2010 9:31:47 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Persistence is the key to success.:

"As a famous Australian writer once observed, somewhat cynically, "If there's a secret to success in the arts, it's being the last man standing." Or woman." - Hazel Dooney
at 6/16/2010 9:26:06 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some ideas on how to assess if a gallery is reputable or not. :

"Get references about a prospective gallery. Discover other artists that they represent and contact them directly to ask of their experiences concerning timely payment, the condition of returned work, and the accessibility of the owner or manager." - Victoria Lansford
at 6/15/2010 1:42:44 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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A former gallery director explains why cover letters really aren't all that important:

"If the art is good.... then the. art. is. good. Period....If the art isn't good....your cover letter won't save you. " - Clint Watson
at 6/15/2010 1:28:36 PM

Submitted By Clint Watson
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Do you believe any of these marketing myths?:

"You can make the most exquisite sculpture. You can be the greatest singer in the world. You could have the capacity to make people weep with a single glance. If no one sees it, no one will ever know. " - Cory Huff
at 6/15/2010 1:24:20 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some thoughts on style and artistic voice. :

"As an artist you must master your craft and then transcend it: Stop thinking about what others have taught you. Let go of your crutches and fly solo. When you let your unique voice soar you lift the world with you." - Renee Phillips
at 6/15/2010 1:19:37 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some tips on how to create an effective, professional cover letter. :

"A good cover letter captures your reader's attention. Attention is the first step to relationships. And relationships lead to sales." - Aletta de Wal
at 6/15/2010 1:08:04 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Learning some of the basic rules of design can help you market your art more effectively. :

"Learn about typography, copywriting and white space. Add these skills to your toolbox and use them in your business marketing. " - Pamela Wilson
at 6/15/2010 1:02:59 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Are you waiting to be "discovered"?:

"Leaps look good in the movies, but in fact, success is mostly about finding a path and walking it one step at a time." - Seth Godin
at 6/15/2010 10:07:57 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Robert talks about painting at a mountain retreat. :

"A great deal of painting is noticing the occasional things that you do right. Time and contemplation allows this. Lucky happenstance can be expanded upon in the next painting or savoured in the present." - Robert Genn
at 6/15/2010 9:57:54 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Can you describe your art believably and effectively? :

"If you want to play with the big girls and boys, you have to be able to articulate what your art is about." - Alyson Stanfield
at 6/15/2010 9:51:03 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Harsh but honest advice on why people don't read artists' blogs. :

"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." - Hugh MacLeod
at 6/15/2010 9:39:12 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Don't spam people - get permission to email them and build relationships:

"Sales is always about relationship building. It is your job to create a process that will build positive relationships - not negative ones. You want to be engaged in those relationships for a long time. That won't happen if you fail to ask for permission first. " - Diane Helbig
at 6/15/2010 8:01:34 AM

Submitted By Clint Watson
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More proof that your number 1 marketing asset is your mailing list:

"none of that "hot PR media action" has moved my business forward nearly as quickly or effectively as this one simple thing: My newsletter subscribers telling their friends about my newsletter, and suggesting that they sign up." - Hugh MacLeod
at 6/15/2010 7:34:03 AM

Submitted By Clint Watson
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People buy art because they love it, not because it solves "problems".:

"Just because someone is a great salesperson in another industry, doesn't mean their ideas will work to sell art. " - Clint Watson
at 6/14/2010 2:58:16 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Are you committed to your dream? :

"Having a steadfast commitment to a dream means following through with hourly, daily, weekly and monthly goals. It means setting priorities, taking risks and investing substantial amounts of time and effort." - Renee Phillips
at 6/14/2010 2:35:45 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Do you stick to the same comfortable routines, or do you shake things up sometimes to get a new perspective?:

"Discomfort is valuable. It gives me a chance to pay attention to what actually happens when I shake things up - to look over the edge and align my behavior with what works best instead of sticking to my easy chair." - Ariane Goodwin
at 6/14/2010 2:30:57 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Do you separate art & business? Or do you see one as an extension of the other? :

"Stop thinking of your business actions as separate from your art. Everything you do for your career and business should be directed by the art you do. Your art should be central to your business plan, your marketing, and your goals." - Alyson Stanfield
at 6/14/2010 2:19:04 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some great thoughts on having purpose in your social interactions. :

"Do you have purpose when you socialize? What is that purpose? Have you ever thought about that? Do you steer the conversation to attain that purpose? Do you market yourself or your art or both? " - Keith Bond
at 6/14/2010 2:12:39 PM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Some thoughts on bitterness and success within the art world. :

"There's always someone who has more, so respect and appreciate what you have achieved." - Joanne Mattera
at 6/14/2010 9:47:29 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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Hugh doesn't sugarcoat this one - why people aren't reading artist's blogs. :

"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." - Hugh Macleod
at 6/14/2010 9:26:45 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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How are you titling your artwork? :

"Untitled or loosely titled works allow the viewer more freedom to interpret, but most people need and want guidance. An interesting title might be enough for a viewer to stop, think, and look back at the art." - Alyson Stanfield
at 6/14/2010 9:15:01 AM

Submitted By Sarah Lacy
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