Do You Blow Your Own Horn?

I do. Depending upon the situation determines how.

If you are an artist and want to be taken seriously and sell art - you better be using a fog horn - because few others will even think to give you a pinkie finger of help.

No, never. Very few people even know I'm on this site.

not nearly enough

Your work should speak for itself. If you have to brag about yourself then there is something lacking in either your work or yourself.

"If you have to tell people who you are, you aren't"...... M. Thatcher

I owned a trombone...and I blew on it.

I agree with John.

Roy,
you are so right, no one is going to sell for you. I sell also right off my phone, I keep my art work right on the first click of my phone.
I never give out my cell phone number, I don't even know how to retrieve messages, but I had a phone store put my web site on my phone
and my art work really looks great on it.
when any one tells me I have a different name I tell them I only have to sign my first name on my paintings.
(See how easy it is to get some one interested in what you do?)
I show them my cell phone and try and get them interested. then I send them to my
FAA web site. you really can't beat this web site. I also work in a Gallery in Scottsdale AZ. you learn to gently sell your self and others.
I used to be so shy, but the years go by and you get smarter and stronger.

I market myself and my work, but I don't boast about it.

I'm with you, @John. I don't think people should brag about themselves at all. But you do have to publicize yourself.

Richard and John, I appreciate what you are both saying and I admire both of your work (s),
However If your work was kept on your own computer or in your own house and no one saw it then where would be?
I think the point is to get out there, Both of you had to show your work to somebody somewhere to get noticed, once its out there then yes it should stand or fall on its own merits

Roy,
you are so right, no one is going to sell for you. I sell also right off my phone, I keep my art work right on the first click of my phone.
I never give out my cell phone number, I don't even know how to retrieve messages, but I had a phone store put my web site on my phone
and my art work really looks great on it.
when any one tells me I have a different name I tell them I only have to sign my first name on my paintings.
(See how easy it is to get some one interested in what you do?)
I show them my cell phone and try and get them interested. then I send them to my
FAA web site. you really can't beat this web site. I also work in a Gallery in Scottsdale AZ. you learn to gently sell your self and others.
I used to be so shy, but the years go by and you get smarter and stronger.

John, your work can only speak for itself if it has someone to talk to.

Coke, Mercedes, Oreo, Apple, Chanel...all household names. Their work can certainly speak for itself and they have large audiences to speak to. But they continue to spend millions blowing their horn. If it didn't work, they wouldn't be doing it.

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

Tony - I am not sure if I equate posting my work on a site like FAA or posting a link to my photos on a site like Twitter as blowing my own horn. I put my work out there and if someone likes it so be it. If they don't like it so be it. It is entirely up to the individual looking at them. If I posted something like hey go see my photos because I am one of the greatest living photographers ever, then that would be blowing my own horn. If I was posting on sites saying hey I am a top photographer or my work is great that would be bragging and blowing my own horn. It's like my lens is bigger than your lens. Or, hey look at my new photo and tell me how wonderful it is and don't forget to pat me on the back. When I see posts like that or ads like that I feel like saying "and I have a fish tank". Meaning, I assumed were talking about things that people really don't give a sh*t about.

No, if you are the one blow your own horn, people just covered their ears!

You're right about that, Dan. In fact, they would do most anything to be the only product on the block.

Back when that photo was taken in Memphis, we had a show called Dance Party with Wink Martindale, sponsored by Pepsi.

Pepsi blew their stack when they saw kids on the show drinking MILK from milk cartons. They threatened to pull the plug on their advertising if the station didn't get rid of those milk cartons.

Guess who won? Got Milk? Nope. Sorry. Only Pepsi.

I see what your saying Dan, I just don't equate advertising to blowing your horn. Or better yet, how one advertises. Sure some advertising is purely blowing your horn and some is here is my product, here is what it can do, here is where you can get it. I think the blowing of ones self turns more people off than not.

Ah Ok John , I'm with you there and I like the fish tank analagy

Tony, thank you, I can see John and I are the same page with this so I don't see a need to add to what he is already saying.

Appropriateness is the issue. Approaching strangers at a funeral about your gorgeous fudge cookie photographs is inappropriate. But approaching a cookbook publisher works.

Dan Turner
Dan Turner Fine Art
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online
To Enjoy Dan Turner's Pinterest Boards, Click Here

"toot" your own horn. Please don't blow it. ;)

Here's an example of Tooting your own horn: Two companies selling water: you know, H2O.

Both are selling water, folks. They spend millions telling you that, "My water is better than your water."

That's really blowing your own horn.

Well, if I won a contest I might brag a little because I'd be pleased about it. But tooting own horn for sales, never. I kind of share John's philosophy on that. If this were my sole source of income, and I were forced to advertise, then I'd be very aggressive about it. Survival is a strong motivator.

Dear Chuck, My blowing days are over...

Say it isn't so, Kelly.

When it comes down to tooting the horn, it may be in how you go about it:

I've been tooting the horn for hundreds of artists and photographers here, to help support and to promote work which might otherwise collect dust in FAA groups, never to be seen or acknowledged.

If and whatever might come back to me for extending that helping hand,.. I am deeply grateful for.


.

Funny that some who toot their horn the loudest aren't tooting here.

I don't.

I agree with the lyrics to the Eagles song "Certain kind of fool"

"It's a certain kind of fool that likes to hear the sound of his own name"

Isn't there a big difference between putting our work out there and telling other people how great it is?

If you aren't pleased with your own work, why would you bother to display and sell it?
If you are good at something, and applying for a job, wouldn't you say so?
If you do good work, and are telling people about it, because you enjoy the work and love what you are doing, is that OK?

I would say if the three questions above aren't answered yes, perhaps you should work harder on your art before publishing and trying to sell it.

i think you should speak highly of your own work, but don't shove it in their face. i mean, if you said,

you can look at my work if you want, but you don't have to, if you don't want to. it's nothing that special or anything, just something i made.

with an intro like that, why would anyone want to look?

however when i say

"Mike Savad produces one of a kind art, using his original method that turns photographs into an image resembling paintings. Images that lend the feel of both Rockwell, and paintings of the Renaissance."

well, which of the two would you want to know more about? toot your horn and get others to toot your horn. but you need work to support it.

---Mike Savad

I'm my own ad exec, my own agent, my own vendor. My own creative director, administrative assistant, intern.

I'm a full-time artist, and a big part of my job is getting the word out -- which is not the same as bragging, boasting, etc. -- though I do like to hear the sound of my own name. (I'm partial to my name . . . so sue me.)

Toot-toot! ;-)

Gregory, nobody said they weren't pleased with their work. Being here on this site doesn't mean we are here only to push and sell our work. I put mine up to share, learn, engage. I'm not afraid to toot -- just not interested in doing so.

I live in a town that lives and breathes tooting. They call it Hollywood. I never liked tooting, so it took me much longer to achieve some of my goals. My wife, on the other hand, could stop someone on the street and ask if they'd like to hear "The Merry Widow," or something, and break out into song. She embarrassed me. But she became successful enough while I was still "wishing" I could "make it."

It has only been since learning to market my art that I feel good about tooting. Now I'm tooting all sorts of things, and liking it. And achieving success.

Chuck, your work is worth tooting for! And your wife is adorable (see pinup photo). Good for you.

I think Dan hit it on head when he said it is about appropriateness. There are certain type of individuals or organizations that have every right to toot their own horn or brag. When Coca Cola says they are the number one soda in the world and they have stats and proof to back it up, then more power to them. When NCIS says we are the number 1 show for X-amount weeks running, they have the proof to back it up. When Mike Tyson said back in the late 1980s he was baddest mofo on the face of the earth, he could back it up to about 99.99% of people on the earth. Typically you need a body of work/career to prove your point or some statistics, or, you better be able to back it up behind a reason of doubt. Better yet, you know you are good enough to crow about your work or brag when other highly respected people in your chosen field are doing so. If none of those situation apply, as in my case, there is really nothing to brag about nor any horn toot. Just like Ms. Thatcher said, if you have to tell someone who you are (or what your work is), then you are not it.

Hmmm, I wonder how Coca Cola became the number one soda in the world? ;-)

I believe in letting people know you exist ... then once they see your work, it's up to them if they like it.

well initially coca cola had real cocaine in it, so that made it pretty popular and addictive at first. then once they removed that the hype and addiction set in. from there they advertise.


---Mike Savad

Well, for those of us who weren't around for Coke's 'addiction' phase, it's been all about advertising ("I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony. I'd like to buy the world a Coke . . . ") -- tooting their own non-cocaine-laced horn. Just like most successful products and services.

I do want my work to speak for itself, but it won't get a chance to do so if I don't try to get as many eyes on as possible.

Yes and no.

I put myself out there but never say I am the best thing since sliced bread either. I can name WAY to many people that do what I do only better to claim I am all that.

I do talk about my sales quite a bit on the forum but that is really trying to give back a little and try and let others know how I think I do it. I they can replicate it then wonderful.

I let people know me and my art exist but I never force my art into anyone's face and try to talk them into buying something. I figure if someone wants to buy it, they'll buy it. If they don't, than it's not their type. I'll continue to do art either way.

Many decades ago I had a pal who was kicked out of High School in his first year. He was a very odd person but very bright and an extreme extrovert. This was around 1960...And today?
He OWNS TWO Art Galleries in a major US city/state, is married to a beautiful woman and employs some 30 people. He knew how to promote himself and did...

In the two months I have been here on FAA, I have received about 100 compliments for my images. I also advertise on Facebook/Twitter and Tumblr with very little success about $70.00 worth of sales.

Problem is I have zero self promotion skills and the lack of results shows.

I only wish I could blow my own horn especially since my last name is Gabriel.

It's not about your work. It's about your name.

Like Patricia Strand said up thread: "No, never. Very few people even know I'm on this site."

That's how it is for me. I don't toot or blow my own horn, most people don't know I'm here, I'm very quiet. The few times I've tooted or blown my own horn it's been a little ppffftttt sound........that's about all. I need to borrow that fog horn and learn to use it.

I have to say, I've learned that no one else is going to toot my horn for me, so with that in mind...........where's that fog horn?? :)

For Robert

Funny, JC! And thanks for the kind words, Patricia.

is learning to...

When I started this discussion I asked: What suggestions can you offer to those who feel shy about promoting themselves?

One way I can suggest is using your bio to let prospective customers know something about you. After reading hundreds of bios, there's one thing for sure: All photographers got a camera at age four and all painters started with crayons on the wall and they were too beautiful to erase. Or something like that.

Art lovers spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars on art don't care about that junk. They want to read something that makes them feel they are getting their money's worth.

A bio is important as a log line for a movie or a TV show: In one sentence it tells you the story. Open up a TV Guide-type printing and start reading the one-line descriptions. Believe me, writing one of those is tough work. Try and sum up your life in one sentence.

After that you can embellish it with facts that reveal more about you and your work. Don’t waste their time telling them that they shouldn’t steal your work. Don’t you think they know that? Why show them your fear? If they’re going to steal it, do you think that little warning means anything?

Mike gave us a strong log line above. Let’s see yours…

Maybe this is too serious, but, If I am not for me, who will be for me? Just a thought to throw out there.

Miriam, your question is too deep for me, but I do like your quote at the beginning of your bio. And I do think you paint a lovely picture of yourself.

I wouldn't say I blow it?? But I do give it a toot every now and again. Sort of depends on the situation.

If I'm with clients, I have to, to give them a sense of security that the project will turn out okay. Of course here, I'm talking about more than fine art and pod sites.

And something else to consider ... enthusiasm is contagious. If we're not excited about what we're doing, how can we expect anyone else to be?

toot toot

; ))

Lois, you are so right. enthusiasm is very contagious, I agree with you. It's a wonderful way to go through life about everything. It helps.

Chuck, thank you so much ... my quote's too deep for me, too! :) I spent quite a bit of time composing the "artist's statement" at the beginning of my bio, and the rest of the biography, as well ... it took several days if not weeks and multiple versions until it had just the right mix of fact and atmosphere for me, and until it "felt right." I depend a lot on my intuition both in my photos and in my writing; the exact right moment to click the shutter, and the exact right moment to put down the pen, so to speak. Things just have to feel right.
I also think that our bio is information-sharing, not necessarily used to beat our chests with pride, but to let people know how we differ from other artists, and to help them decide if they are intrigued to look further. It is merely a tasty introduction to a larger cookbook - our images.

Well-said, Miriam. To me, this art thing is a business, not a hobby, so every aspect of it is important.

Including one's avatar. I am so amazed at some of the avatars people use. This is your logo. Your product identification. Think about it.

@ Chuck -- great advice on the artist's bio.

Use it to say something positive and/or informative about yourself and your work. Showing trepidation, suspicion, etc., is not the way to gain a potential buyer's confidence. My copyright notice is the very last thing on my bio. As for the body of my bio, it contains quite a bit of information, but is clearly broken into bite-sized pieces, encouraging readers to read only what appeals to them.

I also avoid the 3rd-person report, whenever possible. It tends to be stiff and formal, providing an emotional barrier between writer and reader.

As for suggestions for shy-artist-syndrome . . . pretend your way out of shyness, just as if you were filming a movie or were a character in a favorite book. You'll be amazed at how quickly it becomes reality! :-)

many bio's need work on this site. so many mistake a bio (a brief introduction), with a complete auto biography about their life, from infant to present. it's just too much, if you have written so much that it needs a second page, remove 95% of it. just the facts, and why they should buy from you. i don't want to see - well i'm a beginner, or i just started doing this the other day, or please buy from me i really need the money, or stupid things like that.

avatars -

GOOD - a symbol, a representation of what you do, or a good head shot.

BAD - a picture of your kid, baby, dog, cat, odd pose, cut out of an old high school year book, blurry, tilted, sideways, upside down, inverse, really tiny, head cut off of square size, head cut off large size, a facebook type shot. etc. people perceive all sorts of weird things. like i don't capitalize in the forums, though i do check the spelling when i can. as a description and such i do put in capitals. some people frown on bad punctuation, grammar, spelling, how you write it, etc.

and yeah, that 3rd person is a total turn off especially when they switch gears in the middle.

also don't lead people off the page with a bunch of nonsense links - like LIKE me in facebook, or sending people off to see your images on a critique site. also avoid showboating, just tell it like it is, but don't say your the best in the world or people will start comparing you - and you want to stand out as an individual.

online, being shy is ok, they can't see you, you can take your time, it's not like your going to meet any one.

basically speak positively of your work, and don't tell people how old you are. don't tell people that you just started or you hope they will like your stuff. at the same time, don't tell them your a travel photographer, when all you have are vacation snap shots - there is a difference.


---Mike Savad

My Sculptures rest within my Living room walls and pretty much the only people that see them are those here on FAA and Family Members on Facebook. There are others that see them in Digital images, but How can that possibly compare to the real deal?? With Lights and Shining reflection changing...

It cannot...and so there they sit...not being seen or shared with the world.... Unless I start honking my horn... I invite contractors in when they see them from the front door...friends have told friends and anyone who comes over always spends their share of time viewing them... I drop cards at the hardware store, (My art supply place)... everywhere I can...If you make it...and you didn't make it for your own personal private viewing pleasure...Ya Gotta Honk your horn....

I've never done it but I think about it now and then, since I have a Zazzle account: Do any of you wear your artwork or logos?

Like caps, T-shirts, etc. There's some free advertising and you can be shy and not say a word, until someone asks you about it and you give them a business card with your web address.

I've thought of sending mugs with my art and web address to galleries. Who doesn't like a decorative mug from which to drink their morning coffee?

What does everyone think about these FAA contests? I've been entering a few as I can (ok, about to blow my horn, here) and just today tied with another person for First in the New York in Color contest. The prize is good - a few days of exposure on a nice site, http://www.nydailyquote.com/
We are both getting linked for a short time back to our page on FAA.

I think this is something one can add to their resume, and to talk about elsewhere (Facebook, etc.). Anywhere you have a chance to show your work seems like a good thing.

Does anyone think that exhibiting is of use? It lends cache to your resume, but it doesn't seem like a good way to sell, since most people just look, in a gallery. The lucky artists get asked to show in a prestigious gallery which already has a buying public. I turned to FAA after showing for about a year in a few places with only one small sale to show for it. But it was a lot of fun and I'd love to keep doing it, if I can.

And do you find that the cafepress, etc., way to market your work is of value? I suspect that everything takes rigorous promotion, since nobody knows you're out there unless you speak up.

I enter the FAA contests mostly for fun and distraction while I'm at my day job - it keeps me sane! This one had an unusual prize.

In 4 years of playing around with Contests....I have found that it's not that fun when you have great work but you never even get a single vote compared to the Popular people with hundreds of friends and average artwork.

The only contests I have enjoyed, were the Juried Sculpture contests because they are fair and if I lose to a fellow sculptor, It's usually a good piece that I lose to... Most contests when other medias are concerned, I never get a single vote... Too one sided and Biased... This is a Painters site Plain and simple.

Exhibits are a good way for me to get my work seen and it is fun interacting with other Artists and the public. Last exhibit I did shows that my work that can't win a contest here on FAA CAN win in the real world.... With two works exhibited, I got 1st place and peoples choice with one, And third place with the other....

nope, i don't like people knowing who i actually am. as it is, they get suspicious when i shoot a house, almost ready to call the cops. the last thing i need is to show them exactly who i am.

---Mike Savad

faa contests aren't something i would put on a resume as most people cheat. i only use it for exposure and i have made sales after that. it could be a coincidence but i don't think it is. however to make it more annoying people enter any old thing because they think they will sell it because it's a contest - where it just is then erased. cafepress is not a good way to find out your value. they have a strong advertising campaign which pushes you out of the search engines. and they undersell everyone.

---Mike Savad

Haha I know what you mean, Mike, about shooting a house - I'm always afraid someone's going to strongly object to my taking pics of them at work, on the street, walking by, etc. I'm basically shy but my photography obsession overtakes me and I just have to get the shot. It's worse when I take the same people over and over, who happen to work near where I work!!!!

In a few hours I will be going to about four art openings at different galleries in my area. Some will have a guest list that I have already RSVP'd, all will be fully stocked with booze provided by companies that want to toot their horns and introduce art lovers to their products, much of the artwork will be huge and sell for thousands of dollars.

Why am I going, to toot my own horn? Probably not, for you don't go handing out cards at these events, it would be rude. You wouldn't want to wear a T-shirt with your artwork on it. You would look like a jerk. No, you go for the festivities... hundreds of people here because of the ART! (And the free booze, I'm sure.) But you get to see artwork of all sorts and while you might not like any of it, it is still about art and there are mostly artists there to talk to. Just like we do in these discussions.

Wish you all could join me. Wouldn't that be fun?

Mohammad Ali directed attention to himself. You may have thought he was obnoxious for that, irritating, or a bragger. There were many however that admired him because he believed in himself and he could back it up. Now he's widely regarded as a leader, hero, and roll model.

I'm a modest person that basically can only depend on myself. I'm told by this very site, by people who are experts in the business, that you must market yourself. That's the same thing as advertising. Advertising is a must to become and stay successful in most endeavors. It's a nice thought that your work should be able to "speak for itself", but in the real world, you first must get them to "see you". It's not enough to be in the same room... you have to get their attention. After you've accomplished that (not so easy) feat, then, it may be easier to keep their attention if your work is good.

Interesting that you should post that, Brian, for I thought of you and your work tonight when I wandered into a gallery in Culver City that had 3-D artwork. It wasn't like yours. It was that material--plastic, I guess--where you stand in front of the art and move this way or that to see the 3-D effect.

I still remember seeing my first 3-D movie, "The House of Wax," in 1953 when I was a student at Georgia Tech. I saw it in the afternoon, then rushed back to the Frat house to round up my buddies and we went to see it together. That night I saw it for the 3rd time with more friends.

Later I bought an attachment to fit on my Bolex so that I could shoot in 3D. In the 70s my friend manufactured the first 3-D glasses. Last year my brother-in-law was one of the producers of "Piranha 3-D".

Someone stop me before I hurt someone.

In 3-D!

Thanks for the response Chuck. 3D in the movies has really advanced in recent years. The primary reason was to compete with the advancement of TV. Now TV is having to step up to the 3D capabilities we're seeing in the film world, and so it goes.

I believe from your description of the 3D gallery in Culver City, that the 3D stereo was done in something called a lenticular format. I have several images like that in my home although mine are most commonly created in two different formats called Crossview and Anaglyph. They are by far the most common and the anaglyph format is what theaters used until recently including the 1953 version of "The House Of Wax" with Vincent Price and Charles Bronson.

One of the last 3D stereo films requiring the anaglyph 3D glasses I'm aware of was "Spy Kids 3D". I went to a local theater that was showing movies at half price and asked if they had any leftover 3D glasses I could have and they gave me a box full from that movie. At the time I was an instructor and to break the ice, I could project images for my class to view. Now days theaters usually use polarized 3D glasses and the movie is basically ghost-free. You're supposed to drop the glasses in a bin to be recycled for other 3D movies when leaving the theater. They're sent back to the distributing company for that.

Many people probably don't realize that 3D stereo has been around almost as long as photography itself.

Blowing your own horn and bragging is one thing, marketing and letting people know where you are, where they can find your work, or that you sell your work is another.

I tend to be humble... if I win an award, or get accepted somewhere, I announce it as a marketing tool, but I do not boast, brag, or blow horns...but, I do market, I do put the work out there, not as myself, but as the work.

I work in both photography and film. Currently have a film that is in distribution negotiations, won best feature film, jury award, audience favorite, etc... in every film festival it showed in around the country.... I market the heck out of the film and the work, not me or what my connection is to it.

But definitely blow some horns!!! I'll listen for them! :D Best of luck!!

I make sure I let everyone know about my photography, but I don't think that's blowing my own horn. Generally that expression has negative connotations attached to it. Someone who blows their own horn lacks humility. For me letting people know what I do and exposing my work to them isn't coming from a boastful place, just simply stating what I do and letting them know where they can find it if they are interested.

When I was growing up in the South, the last thing you wanted to do was brag, otherwise everyone talked behind your back and called you a "bighead" or, "can he still get through the door? His head is so big." I was so conscious of it, I wouldn't even comb my hair in the boy's room. Otherwise, they'd say, "Who do you think you are, James Dean?" or they would talk about how vain you were.

I had enough problems being the new boy in town AND living in a creepy funeral home. So I spent a lot of time with my best friend, my camera, and my other friend, the darkroom.

No.

No, I don't Chuck. I can do it for others easily, but not for myself. I do all the marketing and such, but not in a way to really bring attention.

Good one, Ricardo.

Just wondering, do any of you ever get "Subscribe" clicks on your artistwebsites, where people want you to include them in your email promotions?

Brian, my great-grandmother used to show me those 3-D pictures, then in high school I worked at a camera store and we sold these travel pictures on a circular disk that fit in a plastic viewer. I'm sure you know what that was, but I forget the name. Maybe Viewmaster?

Yes Chuck, I believe it was Viewmaster. My mom gave me one of those when I was a boy. I loved it! I thought the pictures were cool!

Zeana, that's why many people prefer to use the third person: you can write the facts without sounding like you're bragging. A gallery wrote my bio and then I had to write my artist's statement. My artist's statement told why I created art and a few other personal thoughts.

Anyone have any artist's statements to share?

I had a very hard time with writing my own biography for Fine Art America. I too felt like I was tooting my own horn and my shyness made it very difficult for me.
Someone on FAA suggested it be written by someone else after interviewing me and that is what we did. So it was written in 3rd person form and I was very happy with the result of what they did.
I think it has helped me sell a lot more on FAA than if I had written it myself.

These were the recommendations from one gallery:

Dear Artists

Your bio is a very vital tool which should reflect not only who and where you are currently in your career,
but which should also directly relate to the work you are actually exhibiting with us!

For example, if you're actually showcasing photography, we don't want to hear about your life as an oil painter.

To give us the clay we need to work we have listed the following questions.
Please answer each applicable question in a few sentences!

1) Where were you born / where do you live now
(if there is any interesting info here such as you were born on a base in Germany during the war,
definitely mention it... we LOVE interesting tidbits)

2) When did you start to be "an artist"

3) what career / job / studies did you do BEFORE becoming an artist (if applicable.)
If you have always been an artist don't worry about this question.

4) Was there anything in your childhood / life that affected you and led you to become an artist?
(maybe a relative / incident / experience good or bad that resulted in your need to create and express yourself)

In particular, for the art you are exhibiting at our gallery:-

5) When did you start this type of work?
tell us about your process, especially if it's an interesting one!

6) Why / what led you to this process or subject matter
(please try to give me as much as possible here)

7) inspirations / any other artists you admire

And lastly, we don't need a giant list of previous exhibits BUT if you have any exhibits of note
(particularly prestigious galleries / museum shows) definitely put those in too!

as well as... if you've had anyone of note purchase one of your works (such as a celebrity or known public figure / a corporation...
if you're in the lobby of McDonald's head office, put it down!)

if your work has appeared in TV or film, tell us what shows!

Super lastly... if there are interesting tidbits / trivia / stories that relate to your art or you as an artist, put them in!
(for example, if you cried when Wizard of Oz came out in black and white because you love color so much (this is a true story by the way) put it in )

That's it. Think approx 500 words (which will be edited down to under 300) and as a guide check out any of the bios on our website! There are lots!!

I used to blow this one 30-40 years ago Chuck, but as you can see someone has cut the ends off!. Just as well probably.

Michael, did you play in the high school band? I did. Played the snare drum. Got good seats for all the football games, and in college: 3 Bowl games! Go Tech!

No

First, I love talking art and everything about it, sharing techniques, processes, concepts, etc., about it forever, and anything related to creation. One's art does a great deal of tooting the horn on its own.

Secondly, tooting my own horn business-wise is something I must do only for myself since I work alone. Others must find what works for themselves. Taste differs from buyer to buyer as art is subjective, so my philosophy is that the artist's job is to get the art out there for as many to see as possible because that one buyer is out there somewhere. With me it's not so much the loudness of the horn but the direction that it's blown. Not only volume but targeted blowing is a good thing. It would be self-defeating to disclose just how I blow my horn.

I played in the school band and in a prize band, but my working life left all of that behind. I still like listening to a good brass band every now and then.

About the blowing your own horn though, some people think it is a crime to put a signature on their own work , even to the point were they are told that it will reduce the chances of a sale, why?. If I bought a painting or print, I would prefer that it had some form of ID on, so that at some time in the future it could be traced to a particular artist or time frame.

Art is about self expression, and if you can't even put your name on your own work, it is not very expressive.

The successful ones do put their names on their work as you have said, and look at it this way, your self promotion will raise funds to feed your family and pay to further enhance your work in anonymity if you choose.

The person that has never seen or heard about a product, has never bought that product.

Many artists I know blow their own horn ... LOUDLY! ... and then go into a long period of forgetful silence. I prefer to keep a steady, soft melody playing on the figurative "flute" of self promotion. It's quieter, scares off fewer people and actually keeps me before my collectors on a regular basis. Loud horns are annoying, especially if played for any length of time. Most people prefer to be serenaded with a soft sell to celebrate your achievements as an artist, photographer or sculptor without the loud commercial horn blowing that is so prevalent in the commercial world. "Keeping it soft and steady" is a strategy that has worked for me for 43 years as a full time professional artist.

Someone famous said this--not sure who: "If your works speaks for itself, don't interrupt"

Thanks, Chuck, for posting this question and this thread. You reminded me why and how I toot my horn, and caused me to tweak again how I do it. Over the years it has become so natural that I don't even think about it or how i do it. You also jogged some thoughts that I'd like to share ...

"The gifted man bears his gifts into the world, not for his own benefit, but for the people among whom he is placed; for the gifts are not his, he himself is a gift to the community." ~ Henry Ford

"The time is past when anyone can boast about 'hard work' without having a corresponding result to show for it." ~ Henry Ford

I feel the short sentences that Dan provided summed up what everyone else is saying, but in different ways. I, however, wish I could write in short sentences like he does .... so here we go:

Coke became the number one beverage by Branding three words - " The Real Thing".

When you buy something, especially art that we are talking about, isn't that what you're looking for - don't you want the real thing?

I have perfected my "elevator pitch" because in our information overload world the average person's attention span is that of a gold fish - NINE SECONDS.

My bio is this, for example, when someone asks me what I do: " I have spent my lifetime perfecting how to make a great picture and to put my audience where my subject is. .... I call this [ Pictures People Listen To ]. ". Those four Branded words in the brackets brings people to see my work, and a relationship, usually more than a sale, is born.

I was raised in a family business and the unwritten rule was that your work will not sell until you make it sell. I have also noticed that many artists I've known over the years who have been most successful in terms of sales was more about how they marketed themselves than how good their work was.

My story ( and how I've done it ) is that I was shy as a child, so the best way I found to have my viewpoint heard was through pictures. Because I didn't talk much I did a lot of people watching. So most of my pictures use body language to tell the story, and this speaks to people.

On last thing ... Before a prospect will call you, or buy from you, they will check you out on business social media.
I don't use a bio on FAA and mostly talk product because I want and know people will most likely check me out elsewhere before they buy ... considering the number of artists here and most sales are not an impulse purchase. I also push greeting cards because it works well for me to get potential buyers comfortable with the FAA shopping cart with a 'pocket change purchase' ... less buyers remorse. Touchy feely greeting cards in the hands of my buyers are free advertising for me.

I learned much of what doing now in my marketing from a great book "Social BOOM!" by Jeffery Gitomer. Find it at your library.

Thanks for your indulgence with this long post .... and thanks, Chuck, and everyone for your dedication to photography and art, and sharing with all humanity.

Thanks for sharing, everybody. I believe, also, that prospective customers are smart enough to Google a name to see what comes up. When you purchase a large art piece here and include the shipping, you're laying out more than pocket change, so wise shoppers know how to do their research. Even my 11-year-old granddaughter knows as much about research as I do.

Right now there are 288 members online, says "Who's Online" in Community Features. Some of those are lurking buyers who read these posts to see what the artist is all about. You think you're shy? They are more shy because they know little about art and they won't ask questions because they don't want to seem dumb.

How do I know this? Because that was me until a couple of years ago. I'm a television director. I did that for 25 years and am really good at it. (Blow my horn.) But I didn't know much about art, never took one art appreciation class. I just bought what I liked. Now I create art that I like. If no one bought one piece, it really doesn't matter because my work is hanging on my walls and it pleases me every day. I really like my work and, in my world, I'm the only one I have to please. So I never ask for a critique, because it would only hurt my feelings if someone panned it.

I hope more of you will share your thoughts with us. And I invite lurkers to join in. We're harmless.

This has been a super-fun discussion. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to participate!

It's been said that if you have a gift, it's meant to be shared. I have several "gifts" but because I'm so introverted and shy, not many know about them. It takes a lot for me to be vulnerable enough to allow someone else into my world. I'm extremely sensitive and to bare witness to negativity as it relates to my talents is a jolt that sets me back a few paces. I think however, that it's a waste if I don't share my talents and perhaps an insult to God if you consider that as the source of your gifts.

If no one else finds out about your gifts then no one else will benefit from them or be inspired. I consider myself a complicated but usually humble being. There are times however, that you know you must do things against your nature. Common sense tells me that I'm responsible for my work being seen. To do that, I sometimes "bite the bullet" and try to get exposure for my work. If you want to call that "tooting your own horn" then so be it. I call it marketing... not bragging.

Maybe some people take the term "tooting your own horn" as being something more arrogant or egotistical than what I think of it as it relates to art (I'M TRYING TO SELL!). It's not going to sell itself.

At the beginning, when I told how this fellow worker told me that, I took it as a lesson learned.

There's some old proverb about hiding your light under a basket. Even if you grow potatoes, how are you going to sell them if you don't toot your own horn?

Do You Blow Your Own Horn?

Don't need to (a little irony here ;))

Chuck, I am absolutely lousy at blowing my own horn!
Any tendency to do so was very quickly beaten out of you by the others at my school in England.
I have been making an effort to publicise my work on social media, but although I have many in my "circles" and a hundred or so FB fans, I have yet to sell my first piece...

"Your work should speak for itself. If you have to brag about yourself then there is something lacking in either your work or yourself.

"If you have to tell people who you are, you aren't"...... M. Thatcher"

John Rizzuto,




I don't agree John.
Andy Warhol even after became famous and had worked with many agencies and very well recognised he was always thinking on how to don't be forgotten. Because of this he transformed himself in a brand and developed even his "costume" in order to become recognisable.

I don't even have to talk about Salvador Dali, the showman king.

I'm beginning to, but I find it difficult. It seems that no one is really interested. I struggle to keep from getting depressed about how to get noticed, how to get sales, how to really break into this market. I recently completed a project for our local Spring Art Walk that everyone said completely surprised them. That means: they didn't take me seriously as an artist before and I surprised them with something more tangible then 'just another photograph'. See my latest blog for a summary. http://fineartamerica.com/blogs/final-outcome-of-experiment.html

Thanks for this thread Chuck!

Julia, you have some nice work, as many do that participate in the discussions, yet others have few or no sales as well. But stick with it. Time will tell.

I will say this: don't price your work too low, because your work is original, and when you DO get a sale, it should mean something. I would look at the cost of a gallery wrap, for instance, then make your sum close to theirs. If they charge $200, you charge $200. It will hurt for a little while, then you will get over it. ;=)

Many thanks for the encouragement Chuck. Maybe I shall increase my prices - after all it can't have a negative impact on my sales!

Let me tell all of you a story that helped me think about one's worth and such. And it isn't about blowing my own horn, for it took place when I was not in a good spot.

I was a director at TV City for CBS News and the network was sold and we all lost our jobs, so my brother-in-law, a producer, hired me to drive James Spader to work on a movie every day for a couple of months.

Jimmy was a pain-in-the-ass to the producers: He had to have his own private cell phone, his own Chinese food from a particular restaurant every night, even if we were 50 miles away, and many other amenities that were too numerous to mention. I laughingly mentioned that he was a pain-in-the-ass, even more so that my brother-in-law, who's job was to account for every dime spent. Jimmy said he never knew how to blow his own horn until he met Rob Lowe, who taught him: If you don't blow your own horn, who will? You are worth it! You are special! Accept only the best, for that is all that will do.

Jimmy's life changed after that and he felt no problem asking a million dollars for this or a million for that. Spader is an artist. You people are artists. You either have it or you don't. If you have it, don't be afraid to ask for whatever you want. If you are good, people will respect you for being pricey. Please believe me, that's the way life is.

Today I put together this piece just to backup my feelings.



OMG, I'm blowing my own horn. Please forgive me...

I'm listening....

My days living in north Hollywood....blowing my own nose in Charlie Chaplins hunting lodge on Vasanta....and a rather ungainly horn safely tucked away...what more can I say?

(amazing piece Carmen)

@ Chuck -- Anyone have any artist's statements to share?

When I sit down to the odious task of writing a Statement, I remind myself of a few things:

1. Be brief, but share a little personality -- an artist's statement is not a bio or resume (CV).

2. Speak plain English -- this is not the place for excessive jargon, hyperbole, or esoteric, stream-of-consciousness rambling. Over-inflated writing is a big turn-off for most readers.

3. A Statement is not journalism; you're not required to address who? what? when? where? why? and how? But, hitting a few critical points -- specifically, just a touch of who? what? how? is a great way to . . .

. . . 4. Make your point -- never leave your readers thinking, "Huh? I still have no idea what this artist does!"

I frequently tweak my statement depending on whether it's attached to a show proposal, contest submission, leave-behind portfolio, etc. Here's my latest version, written to hang with a specific gallery exhibit:


"If a little dreaming is dangerous,
the cure for it is not to dream less
but to dream more --
to dream all the time!"
~ Marcel Proust (1871-1922)


It was just a matter of time until my 'day job' experience with computers and technology collided with my self-taught photography skills. This creative geekery -- digital art -- immediately captured my interest, and quickly became my primary artistic focus.

As an escapist living in an all-too-real world, I utilize digital cameras and a variety of computer hardware and software to create my art, which is then printed on paper, canvas, metal, and other materials. My images range from 'nearly real' photo-based landscapes and cityscapes to 'we're not in Kansas anymore' digital abstracts and fractals.

To tell my two-dimensional stories, I use vivid color (occasionally, carefully considered black and white), along with bold shapes, visual texture, and an endless supply of imagination.

For the viewer who is listening, each of my images shares ideas, emotions, and a lifetime of diverse experiences . . . always with a promise of more to come.


"My dreams are always in color."
~ Wendy J. St. Christopher


Here's a fun but educational blog post, highlighting the many ways an Artist's Statement can go horribly wrong -- :-)

http://glasstire.com/2008/06/03/art-narc-bad-artist-statements/

I agree, one needs to blow their own horn as long as it doesn't step on others to do it. There is a balanced way of promoting without having the ego look like a jerk. My mom thinks one should be more humble,passive,quiet, I can go on and on. She is not ambitious like me and wonders where I get it from. She gets sick of me talking about art and everything that comes with it and making a living. She every once in a while will encourage me to get a "Real Job" since selling art is unpredictable. Whatever I say and keep trucking along painting, doing shows, promoting and have my voice heard with my work. It means everything to me what I do. Wish I had more time to work on this piece I started about 4 days ago, but am preparing for my husband coming home from the hospital soon. "The Bacon Shortage"

@ Leah -- I am so surprised to hear your Mom thinks you should get a 'real job' - your art is amazing!!! Don't quit ever =)

@ Chuck - "You either have it or you don't." Is there a secret to 'knowing' if you have it or not? When should you give up and move on to something else? Should you base it on sales (for us here) ? Does that tell you if you have it or not? Just asking cause I don't know the answer to that question and wonder all the time.

Thanks Francis, I think some Moms think they know best. It's weird though my step father was always hard on me and rigid when I was younger he is very supportive of my work and wants me to concentrate only on art and says I am talented and have something special that is going places. I really thought my mom would have said those things instead of him. They have kind of reversed with their personalities with their age

Francis - I'd like to think the "it" is your desire and your drive. Are you driven to do what it is you do - no matter what ?
The ones that get noticed - are usually the ones who just won't quit.
There is always a path on the way to travel, but not every step of the journey provides us with satisfaction.
Hopefully the detours will lead us to pleasant surprises.

I certainly agree with you that it is hard to be recognized amongst family & friends. Quite frankly it behooves people that you maintain your status, & your position in their lives.

& the FB crowd ? Nothing but a bunch of screaming Mimi's - who have no interest in sharing air time with you - or anyone else, unless you are feeding into their drama.

So, where to go - is a good question. I guess you just have to go where people are looking. What are those billboard signs called that people wear on sidewalks to sell chicken ? Lol. I might try that.

& Wendy - that was pretty darned funny. I was certainly hoping that I would NOT see myself there.

@Wendy, thanks for the artist statement suggestions. I've still yet to write one that satisfies me.

@Leah, paint, girl, paint! Your work is your artist's statement.

@Francis: "You either have it or you don't." Is there a secret to 'knowing' if you have it or not? Good question, Francis. As many have stated above, I wouldn't wait for family members to decide if you have it or not. I knew I "had it" as a photographer when I was a teenager because everyone wanted me to "do" them and the newspaper called me and asked me to be their staff photographer after I won a Kodak contest, which I did during the summer, but I never wanted to be a professional. It was just a hobby and I took pictures mainly so that I could get them into the darkroom. The darkroom is and was where I do my creating. Then I went into the army, to Europe, so I took 35mm slides: One picture for each location. Film was expensive, but I had to prove that I was there.

Six or seven years ago I bought a scanner and scanned all my slides, made prints and took them to a gallery. The curator congratulated me on my work, said they would make nice calendar pictures, but if I wanted to "make it" in the competitive art world, I would have to come up with something original.

So I went back home to the computer and started "doing things" to the pictures, the same way I did things in the darkroom. I took those experiments back to him and he put me on the calendar for a future show. After some of my work was published in the newspaper, I had galleries calling me and I had about six shows my first year.

Then the economy crashed and galleries went out of business left and right. Soooo, the reason a lot of artists aren't making sales now is because: people either don't have money or they are afraid to spend it. But things are getting better.

Francis, don't be afraid to take your work to a gallery you respect and ask them if you have a chance with them. Most of those people are pretty bored during the day and will take the time to talk to you.

Thank you Janine!

Thanks Chuck - I've been considering that. Thanks for the thread and subject!

Do You Blow Your Own Horn?

There was this incident, it was Cinco de Mayo and I had been consuming burritos, tacos, and enchiladas as if there was no tomorrow, then..................................

Those will get you every time...

@ Chuck -- the more I visit this thread, the more I'm enjoying Mr. Woody Wall, Love the photo! :-)

Thanks, Wendy, I love the photo, too. I think it really tells a story: My body language pretty well sums up my feelings at that time. And 1950s state-of-the-art TV cameras in the background. His son contacted me on FB about a year ago because he found a WHBQ tag and I told him I actually knew his dad and had a picture of him. I emailed him a copy but I don't think he liked it for he never wrote back.

I was thinking about how lucky I was to work in television, because we had all those great lights all the time. Now it's art galleries--great lighting.

Black and white with back-lighting really was a favorite of mine in movies. Grew up with and loved those old movies and still see the lighting and camera moves in my head.

All I wanted back then was to be a cinematographer. But when I moved to Hollywood, what did I discover? A closed shop.

I can't tell if that enigmatic 'look' you're giving is directed toward the shooter or Woody Wall? It is a wonderful photo -- very illustrative of place and time; but, it's the expressions on your faces that lays the groundwork for any number of great stories.

I would kill to sit and look through your photos! I think they'd appeal to three very demanding slices of my personality: the geek, the people-watcher, and the TV & Film fanatic. You must have a dozen books in your head! :-)

EDIT to add -- Sorry to hear Hollywood wasn't what you hoped for. I feel the same about the music business and, possibly, the art world . . .

Speaking of blowing horns: Elvis footage I shot in 1956 is showing on Encore tonight at 8. "This is Elvis" shows him cutting a cake and feeding a jellybean to my wife. It's about 20 minutes in.

Fascinating thread. Much food for thought!
Like Julia, my childhood conditioned me that tooting my own horn would bring unpleasant results. I've since become a big fan of the "Let your freak flag fly" philosophy, but there is still a lingering hesitation deep inside that I'd like to erase.

While I tout that I toot, I still have the same old problems when it comes to selling my screenplays. I still feel uncomfortable calling myself a writer. I guess because I haven't sold one yet.

I didn't know that it was you in the background.
With that added bit of information - it now tells a story. Lol. Body language is everything. The camera often picks up the subtle nuances that we miss.

I don't think anything is ever what we thought it would be. The curse of the idealist ,but that may very well be why we become Artists.

Great shot, thanx for sharing.

Key word - "yet"!

Thanks, Janine. And I know you're right, Kathi. I'm finally feeling more comfortable and know that I must "get out there and beat the bushes."

Here is a very long article on selling that some of you may care to read:

How to Increase Your Art's Market Value and Make the Most of Your Career as an Artist

http://www.artbusiness.com/maxprice.html

Great article Chuck! Thanks for sharing!

You are welcome, Fran, and I took a look at your work. It is excellent! Not just good: Superior! I am such a fan of textures and I use them all the time.

Artists: While I go work on my screenplay, take a look at Fran's work and tell me what you think:

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/francis-riley.html

Oh my gosh. Thank you Chuck. Your very kind and I appreciate the support! Thank you for "tootin' my horn" for me =)

@Fran:I never toot a horn that doesn't deserve it!

I hope some others join the discussion. It's been so much fun.

I just took a quick look and Chuck you weren't kidding... Fran, your work is great!

Check out Fran's " White door" in the Doors & windows Gallery. My favorite.

I am very humbled by your wonderful comments. Thank you very much!