Comments on: Deep Thought Thursday: Recession lessons http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html for the Business of Being an Artist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:18:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rachel http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-800 Rachel Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:35:52 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-800 The recession is actually helping me to be more disciplined about marketing, and I feel like when the economy takes off, I'll have things more in place than if I didn't have to worry about making money. I've done a lot more online marketing, blogging, twittering, facebooking etc to spread the word about my art, and the amount of commissions I've gotten, at least this month, have drastically increased. Some parts of my sales are slower, but other parts have picked up due to marketing I used to have the luxury of being too lazy to do. The recession is actually helping me to be more disciplined about marketing, and I feel like when the economy takes off, I’ll have things more in place than if I didn’t have to worry about making money. I’ve done a lot more online marketing, blogging, twittering, facebooking etc to spread the word about my art, and the amount of commissions I’ve gotten, at least this month, have drastically increased. Some parts of my sales are slower, but other parts have picked up due to marketing I used to have the luxury of being too lazy to do.

]]> By: anna http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-799 anna Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:03:34 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-799 I wish I'd paired my studio studies with a marketable job skill. I wish I'd done an internship. I wish I hadn't stuck with retail through college. I wish I went for the PhD years ago because with this economic depression, who knows if I'll ever be able to afford it. I wish a lot of things. Not having any money is not so great. I wish I’d paired my studio studies with a marketable job skill.
I wish I’d done an internship.
I wish I hadn’t stuck with retail through college.
I wish I went for the PhD years ago because with this economic depression, who knows if I’ll ever be able to afford it.
I wish a lot of things. Not having any money is not so great.

]]> By: becky http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-798 becky Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:52:32 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-798 I can't think of anything that I could have done that would have left us in better shape now - my husband and I try to live somewhat carefully in terms of finances - avoiding large debts, living within our means, saving some, sharing some; so we continue that pattern. My husband had planned to retire this April - but after the blocks started falling he decided to stay on for a couple more years - we're SO glad he hadn't just retired. I do art/craft shows and am adjusting the kinds of things I make to see what will get me through this uncertain period. Have only had one show so far this year - and while mostly the less expensive pieces sold, I did have one commission for a larger piece come out of that - so I'm feeling a little more optiimistic. I can’t think of anything that I could have done that would have left us in better shape now – my husband and I try to live somewhat carefully in terms of finances – avoiding large debts, living within our means, saving some, sharing some; so we continue that pattern.

My husband had planned to retire this April – but after the blocks started falling he decided to stay on for a couple more years – we’re SO glad he hadn’t just retired.

I do art/craft shows and am adjusting the kinds of things I make to see what will get me through this uncertain period. Have only had one show so far this year – and while mostly the less expensive pieces sold, I did have one commission for a larger piece come out of that – so I’m feeling a little more optiimistic.

]]> By: Art Hilger http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-797 Art Hilger Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:13:11 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-797 What would I have done differently if I'd known a recession was coming? I think I would have skipped the heart attack. When you're healthy you can work your way out of most anything. More marketing, more production, take on a side job, sell your body on the street corner, take more commission work--Oh wait that's the same as the prior one. When you're sick, you ain't nothin' but road kill waiting for a friendly buzzard. So it's not what I wish I had done differently, it's what am I gonna do now? Answer: Suck it up. Work with what I've got left and enjoy life. Why waste of a good recession when you've been offered the opportunity to live through it? Art What would I have done differently if I’d known a recession was coming?

I think I would have skipped the heart attack.

When you’re healthy you can work your way out of most anything.

More marketing, more production, take on a side job, sell your body on the street corner, take more commission work–Oh wait that’s the same as the prior one.

When you’re sick, you ain’t nothin’ but road kill waiting for a friendly buzzard.

So it’s not what I wish I had done differently, it’s what am I gonna do now?

Answer: Suck it up. Work with what I’ve got left and enjoy life.

Why waste of a good recession when you’ve been offered the opportunity to live through it?
Art

]]> By: Sheree Rensel http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-796 Sheree Rensel Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:04:41 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-796 I know this might sound like an old story but I have learned from experience. I went through hard times in past decades. I have lived the bohemian art life. I have lived the life of waiting for sales. I got smashed each time the economy took a dive. I got hit one too many times. So I learned. MY WAY (maybe not your way) of avoiding disaster again was to take on a day job which was pretty much recession proof. Yes, I have to work this job about 190 days a year. I get a salary, benefits, and retirement. My paycheck is dispersed during all 12 months. This way, I have a comfort zone. I know I will have money coming in regardless of the economic climate. I can still make my art, order art supplies, and not be worried by the thought of financial demise. It has taken the pressure off. I am FREE to support myself and my art without the worry about the lack of sales. This has been a way for me to cope and alleviate the anxiety of my art life. This might not be the life you wish to have. However, it has worked like a charm for me. Sheree Rensel wizzlewolf.com I know this might sound like an old story but I have learned from experience. I went through hard times in past decades. I have lived the bohemian art life. I have lived the life of waiting for sales. I got smashed each time the economy took a dive. I got hit one too many times. So I learned.

MY WAY (maybe not your way) of avoiding disaster again was to take on a day job which was pretty much recession proof. Yes, I have to work this job about 190 days a year. I get a salary, benefits, and retirement. My paycheck is dispersed during all 12 months. This way, I have a comfort zone. I know I will have money coming in regardless of the economic climate. I can still make my art, order art supplies, and not be worried by the thought of financial demise. It has taken the pressure off. I am FREE to support myself and my art without the worry about the lack of sales. This has been a way for me to cope and alleviate the anxiety of my art life. This might not be the life you wish to have. However, it has worked like a charm for me.
Sheree Rensel
wizzlewolf.com

]]> By: Jenny Floravita http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-795 Jenny Floravita Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:47:50 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-795 I've seen so many people lose good jobs, homes, businesses this past year and as a result, I feel really fortunate. For the most part I've felt more fortunate in recent times than ever before. And from the responses above it seems like many also count their blessings. Now to answer the question above, I did everything I felt that I could do last year in terms of marketing and developing my art. Part of what helps is that I keep 0 debt and that allows for a lot of wiggle room in tight times. I have no idea how shows will pan out this year but in the least, I'm prepared to continue making the best work possible. I’ve seen so many people lose good jobs, homes, businesses this past year and as a result, I feel really fortunate. For the most part I’ve felt more fortunate in recent times than ever before. And from the responses above it seems like many also count their blessings.

Now to answer the question above, I did everything I felt that I could do last year in terms of marketing and developing my art. Part of what helps is that I keep 0 debt and that allows for a lot of wiggle room in tight times.

I have no idea how shows will pan out this year but in the least, I’m prepared to continue making the best work possible.

]]> By: Royce http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-794 Royce Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:14:30 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-794 I went out on my own several years ago as a graphic designer/illustrator. I've never regretted it. Prior to dumping the 9-5, I went out and hoarded supplies. We have a small 30's home and storage is a challenge, but I didn't let it stop me. I take a small percentage (from every check) of the money from my graphics and invest into my studio. I want my fiber arts to support them selves very soon, but until that happens the graphics will have to help. The most important thing we have done to make this all happen was we had no debt when times turned sour. My car is 12 years old and we haven't been on vacation in 3 years, but because of that I'm here in my home and not in some cube. I went out on my own several years ago as a graphic designer/illustrator. I’ve never regretted it. Prior to dumping the 9-5, I went out and hoarded supplies. We have a small 30′s home and storage is a challenge, but I didn’t let it stop me. I take a small percentage (from every check) of the money from my graphics and invest into my studio. I want my fiber arts to support them selves very soon, but until that happens the graphics will have to help. The most important thing we have done to make this all happen was we had no debt when times turned sour. My car is 12 years old and we haven’t been on vacation in 3 years, but because of that I’m here in my home and not in some cube.

]]> By: Jane Heinrichs http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-793 Jane Heinrichs Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:52:58 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-793 This is food for thought. I'm working as a freelance illustrator. I earn income from many sources, but my most regular is from doing political cartoons and editorial illustrations for a small newspaper. While this was fine in the good times, this newspaper is currently struggling to fill its advertising space, making its future uncertain. Had I had foresight, I think I would have tried to diversify my income streams so I wasn't reliant on only one source. I think diversification is the key for surviving a recession. This is food for thought. I’m working as a freelance illustrator. I earn income from many sources, but my most regular is from doing political cartoons and editorial illustrations for a small newspaper. While this was fine in the good times, this newspaper is currently struggling to fill its advertising space, making its future uncertain. Had I had foresight, I think I would have tried to diversify my income streams so I wasn’t reliant on only one source. I think diversification is the key for surviving a recession.

]]> By: QuinnCreative http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-792 QuinnCreative Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:50:08 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-792 From a purely marketing point, my husband should have stayed on the East Coast while I built up my business here. But you can't make artistic decisions through your wallet all the time. So we took a beating on the house and are together. Money isn't everything. In fact right now, it's almost nothing! From a purely marketing point, my husband should have stayed on the East Coast while I built up my business here. But you can’t make artistic decisions through your wallet all the time. So we took a beating on the house and are together. Money isn’t everything. In fact right now, it’s almost nothing!

]]> By: Zachary Brown http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html/comment-page-1#comment-791 Zachary Brown Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:01:18 +0000 http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/deep-thought-thursday-recession-lessons.html#comment-791 I would've hoarded canvas and acrylic paint instead of having to go buy as I need like I am right now do to cash flow concerns. I would’ve hoarded canvas and acrylic paint instead of having to go buy as I need like I am right now do to cash flow concerns.

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