On Marketing Your Art

Totally agree, LC. Eloquently put.

We're current discussing this topic in the 'cheap shots' thread, and I shared that wonderful video you posted there. You should take a look.
-- mary ellen anderson

I'll take a look. ;)

You have trouble expressing yourself?! You could have fooled me! Maybe you are having to come to terms with some deeper things earlier in life that many do much later, that would be difficult especially for a male, most females can talk more easily about emotional things, I can understand that. I'm sure you did a good job with your talk and you don't seem to have trouble writing.

I have often thought I was put on this earth in part to beautify it, that should be a mission of mine if I am true to myself. No one knows beauty like an artist that is why we should become the best that we can be to do the job well. Part of it is convincing others that beauty is important and gives a higher quality of life. When the space we are in is aesthetic it makes us feel good and we can function better in our activities. I don't believe you have to live in large spaces to have a great environment, it's all about how it is designed. Any space can be made beautiful and functional with art playing an important part.

I'm just now realizing after taking a look, I haven't answered your question!

My problem is a medical one Suzanne. My condition affects me both chemically and physically when I have to be mobile and articulate for a long period of time. I burn through blood sugar too fast and get hypoglycemic which leads to forgetfulness, and weakness. I often have to be seated when I do this sort of thing, and suck on a lifesaver or something similar. I am very good speaker, and and love doing it. I am just not built for it so to say. I wish I were because I would do it all the time. ;)

I also agree with you about your other insights Suzanne.

LC,

Excellent talk, thanks for writing it up for us.

Fine art has an over arching principle, how do audiences see art?

Better fine art carries the development of art forward for the viewers of any age.

This is a type of human activity or interest that engages my imagination.

This is a long drawn out history of how mankind thinks, works, expresses himself,
fights his wars, wins his battles, shows his love, shows his stature, cares for his neighbor,
or gets an insight. I am leaving out all the propaganda that Marx said built societies.

The best method for selling your art is to get name recognition, so when someone searches
for you on Google you have a sale. Name recognition far and away matters more to sales than
anything else.

As a fine artist, that is a grandiose reality.

Dave

Perfectly written!

It's odd LC, because although much of what you have written, I agree with, I struggle to relate to. I don't believe that when I pick up a paintbrush I am trying to be anything other than better than my last painting. I don't really care if I connect with my audience, I just want to do better than before, I want my technique to improve, my compositions, my use of light and so on. Now, if my audience see a big part of me in that new painting and like what they see, then great, but its not my principle aim. I am selfish as an artist...I only see the imperfections and how I can improve on them. I've been selling paintings for 20 plus years now and my motivation has never changed, so maybe that selfishness has paid off? I just want to create beautiful images and that sounds pretty shallow, even to my ears!

And you succeed, beautifully, Lara

What, at being shallow? ;) Thank you Abbie!

Everyone has there own way Lara. We're all human and have different struggles right? Why I create art is not why you create it, or the next artist. For some it is about the process, and others about the outcome. Some use it as a coping mechanism, and for some it's therapeutic. Some just love to paint, but not matter the reason I think we all care about the quality of our work. I think that should always be considered when dealing with visual artists. This particular talk was on marketing your work, and there was no time to go into anything outside of main message . What is important is that you found what works for you and the rest is handling itself because you made a connection. Some artist are very lucky in that way. Sometimes it is the art itself that is the connection. Animals are one of the easiest ways to make a connection with an audience. It is one of the the highest if not the most desired types of art there is. It is very easy to make a connection with certain subject matters, and animal artists have the easiest job of all because the audience is huge. You don't have to convince a German short hair lover that your paintings is worth buying if its a good likeness. They are already fans. Paint beach balls in winter and you might have a harder time selling it. Unless that is all you paint all the time, and you have built a niche for it. I like when Seth Godin calls it finding your tribe. There may be a tribe out there that loves beach balls in winter, or perhaps it's something waiting to be created. Sounds like a pretty fun idea to me. Having a preexisting tribe is very beneficial, and that is why partnering with associations, and groups is a very good source to gain followers. You already all have a mutual connection.

Agreed Dave. Name recognition is king in marketing. Product placement is the specific method that is being use with this sort of marketing. You are associating your name with an important cause, and organization. It's one of the more productive marketing methods for artists in my opinion, and it's for a good cause usually.

OK, so you work had, try to master your chosen field and gain recognition and if successful, your name becomes your marketing tool? Can you survive just on your name alone, or do you need to associate yourself with others of the same ilk to achieve more gravitas? Genuine questions here...marketing isn't my strong point!

Thank you for your precious thoughts LCBailey, I do totally agree on that point as for me the art creation is the same. I do care what Im putting into the art photography which Im creating. I do follow the principles of the spiritual way, the love which Im involving during shooting or processing the photos. For me its not only about capture the moment in photography but get the essence of subject to express my love to the world and nature. And im sure that the viewers and buyers feeling it. I never involved in the cruel or disgusting moments to capture and not collecting life trash by my camera. So Im totally sure that my works are healing and aslo helping to releave from the deseases and the serene naturals scene tranquilize the minds disturbed by this crazy modern rhytm of life. Yes the love and positivity in art really essensial, and Im glad the God gave me a talent to spread the beauty of nature as much wide as possible...
Thank you for thought provoking thread!

Name recognition is a process why which people recognize you, not a strategy in my opinion. At some point you might be able to survive on name alone but it would be very risky, and I wouldn't advise it. Very few get that kind of attention. Likewise you have to be careful who you associate with because if they get negative PR, it can hurt you. The main idea is just get involved in what you care about, and focus on your work and how you can use it help others. That's all you need to really do, and it will scale on it's own if you are making a connection wit the community.

Beautifully stated.... Thanks

Ditto JC...food for thought...

Sorry LC I didn't mean to be flippant, was trying to tease you. When you mentioned what happened to you in other posts I knew it was serious but didn't realize all that you go through.

I took no offense Suzanna. I just felt I should explain since not everyone knows about my condition, and might not understand what either of us were talking about. :)

Boy I kind of feel bad about that other thread Mary Ellen. I really had no intentions to insight such a riot. I apologize if I somehow over stepped and dragged you in to something negative. I appreciate those videos. It helps a lot of patients overcome their handicaps. A lot of them want to give up, and content like these videos, and books really help them to try harder when they need to overcome the odds. Of course this is personal for me because I had to do the same thing. I'm fine now and doing my part to help others, but perhaps that is why I was so hard on them. I just don't understand why some people think just because something can't help them that it can't help someone else in a completely different place in life. It's just a complete lack of consideration. One of the biggest things that I see change in patients is this overwhelming level of consideration that happens over a very short time. They loose their egos, and become very humble. When your life is turned upside down you tend to be compassionate to others, and sympathize with their struggle. I think it is one of the more valuable lesson in life and I honestly feel fortunate to have experienced it because it gave me a perspective on life that I would never know otherwise. I was guilty of being very self centered when I was healthy and on top of the world. I don't deny that. I feel fortunate in a way.

I don't know if any of your have watched the Red Band Society on TV but I think it is a great show that really exposes this change in perspective as they go through their treatment, and learn learn compassion and consideration. In the real hospital those are my painting on the wall, and I am the old artist guy that roams the halls giving them advises and wisdom. Heh

LC,

Just a reminder, we all have been through hard times and have significant failings. We are human.

Dave

I am unfortunately too aware of that David. It's almost impossible to escape. I honestly go spend time with the patients to get away from the chaos of normal life!