Comments on: Artists: How is the recession affecting you?

By: Some findings from my survey about artists and the recession — Art Biz Blog

Some findings from my survey about artists and the recession — Art Biz Blog — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:18:54 +0000

[...] a month ago, over 1000 artists helped me with a survey to try to understand how they are coping in this economy. I now see why survey professionals get paid the big bucks. I noticed all kinds of flaws in my [...]

By: Michael Singman-Aste

Michael Singman-Aste — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:43:09 +0000

Alyson, I hope you don’t mind my posting a link to my own blog. I just wrote a post on being “gainfully unemployed” in this recession: http://www.postdiluvianphoto.com/blog/?p=237

By: Amy Crawley

Amy Crawley — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:52:05 +0000

Hi Alyson, Sorry for the late response. I hope I can add a little to the discussion. * What is working for you? * What has changed for you? * What have you scaled back on? I continue to post featured ads 2x/month on my Wholesalecrafts.com page. I also ran an ad in their winter Buyer’s Guide. While hits to my page on their site are increasing, I haven’t received any new gallery orders since early January. I have received 2 re-orders and 2 catalog requests. Otherwise it is quiet. This is a big change over the past two years. Consignment sales, however, continue to provide a small income. Having both the wholesale and consignment options has been good. I’m using this time to work on new products in my fine art line. My vision is to have my fine art line become the primary source of my business income and less so on the production work. I’m learning how to create an e-newsletter and working on two new web sites. I also started a creativity coaching training class. Since I’m not shipping orders, that has been a cost savings. I’m also clearing out old supplies and reorganizing my studio. I am watching my finances and spending money where it will be most beneficial (along with set monthly expenses.) That means buying supplies as needed and maybe not splurging on something new. I’ve limited myself to one workshop in S France this summer which I’ve been saving for since last year. -Amy

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:47:42 +0000

I don’t have much to add but have found your responses very beneficial. I am new to art, leaving corporate America in December. I’m probably going back to my old field soon, hopefully for a year or so until I can make the art more sustainable. I am having trouble pricing with current economy. I get lots of interest but not many buyers. I hear “finances are tough” a lot. I have considered Etsy, so nice to hear some positive feedback there. I have several things in exhibits but they aren’t selling. I’m just going to keep marketing in person and online to get my name out there. Best to everyone!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:11:07 +0000

The biggest affect the recession is having is that my corporate projects are down. I had several large commissions for companies get postponed, despite receiving project approval, etc. The economy was always the reason — the thought was that purchasing artwork when employees were being scaled back, even if the company was doing fine financially, gave a poor public image. After sometimes months of meetings/ specs/ etc., this is difficult. The only large-scale project I currently have is being purchased by a university (education seems to be doing fine right now). I usually only have a few of these projects a year, but they are big ticket items, so it’s been pretty painful. On the other hand, small custom work is selling very well! Like others, I have an Etsy shop and have done well selling things there when I keep it updated. The designs are small, focused, and since I can pre-make many of the components, fairly quick and easy to make (I work in metal). My gallery sales are also down somewhat, but they are all still in business! I’ve balanced things by branching out to more venues, mainly out of state. I have wholesale and consignment arrangements with almost twice as many venues as I did a year ago, and things are still slow and steady.

By: mira

mira — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:56:48 +0000

I’ve been following this thread and find all of the responses so helpful and uplifting. Things that have changed for me include a lack of materials that I used to obtain from the construction industry. Also, my main outlet is now charging a membership fee, which I’ve struggled with. Instead of focusing on what no longer works, I am focusing on a new plan. I’m branching into teaching and have launched a blog on the creative process. The process of blogging my thoughts on the subject have forced me to organize and a syllabus, so to speak, is emerging. I’m also learning much more about my own process and why I do it, making me a stronger artist. In addition, I am focusing on innovating. I’m research and trying new techniques, focusing on a new product line that is in line with today’s values. (Economically and socially.) This gives me optimism. Finally, I am following blogs like this one, networking, Facebooking, blogging . . . As I told a fellow artist: I don’t know where it will all lead, but I trust the path. Thanks for all you do, Allyson.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:26:42 +0000

Thanks so much to everyone here! I think I will do that survey and hopefully we’ll come up with some useful stats. Your help with this is greatly appreciated.

By: sue smith

sue smith — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:59:58 +0000

Reading the above comments confirms that I’m not unique in my experience, and that most artists are adapting in similar ways. This is good, encouraging news because it keeps me motivated. I’ve entered several juried shows, and in the *decline* letters the sponsors all noted the unusually large number of entries, sometimes 50% more than in previous years. This means more artists competing in venues they previously felt that they didn’t need. That’s difficult if you are just *emerging* and relying on juried shows to increase visibility. My websites are going to get attention, too, as well as the focus of my blogs. I’ve been working on an Etsy shop, which is taking me longer to learn than anticipated. I’ve been selling well on ebay, with work I paint specifically for that venue. The silver lining with ebay is that it’s an excellent way to grow my mailing list – something I’ve struggled with over the past year as gallery sales disappeared. Keeping optimistic is difficult some days, but I’ve been challenging myself to think differently, paint differently, and approach my ideas of making art – the whys and why nots – differently. Where last year I thought about taking the Blast Off class but felt I wasn’t at the skill/defined level I wanted yet, this year I may look at it as a way to gain a clearer view of the road ahead rather than as a solution. Thank you for always looking at ways you can help artists navigate through these frustrating times. Art isn’t going to go away. When people emerge from this fog, the artists who used this time to move closer to their goals will be successful.

By: Tammy Vitale

Tammy Vitale — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Recognizing that I have a good inventory in my clay, I’m taking this time to learn new skills like glass bead making which has totally captured me and which allows me to make one of a kind jewelry. I’m making and selling more jewelry, and the price point hangs around $100. My sculptures will hold until the environment changes. I have some out in galleries and shops but they aren’t selling. One of my galleries will probably close at the end of the year. Decided to stay close to home and see what I can find/create in my own backyard, including introducing networks of folks to what we have available here in So Md art wise (a lot, actually. We could be a destination. I’d love to see our Econ Dev and/or arts commission actually have working artists working with them!)

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:56:06 +0000

I have painted mostly commissioned floorcloths for 20 years now and I am seeing a drop in the size of the pieces first off. People seem to be more carefully spending, but still spending. Most of my business comes from referrals from interior designers. This too has dropped back over the last year or so. At one time I sold wholesale and have considered going this route once again. I stopped because of time limitations and it also restricted me from doing the commssion work I love. Custom floorcloths are a very hard sell online and since I have not been traveling to exhibit them I am experiencing the fact that for the most part, people buy only what they can see. If I show one design in only one colorway, I will only get orders for that one colorway, resulting in lower sales. My blog has been a good tool for explaining a little more about options one has in ordering a floorcloth, although I try not to just talk about floorcloths or I don’t believe I would have regular followers. I have a small etsy shop that, if I did a better job of keeping fresh, I believe would be a good venue. I don’t mind transitioning to smaller works at all. 20 years is a long time to do one thing and although it’s really in my blood to design rugs, I love doing fine art as well. I’m trying to see this time as positive and maybe a good time to try new things. Our family will be moving across the country within the next year so we are in store for changes any way.