for the Business of Being an Artist
From the category archives:
Different factors must be considered when you are confronted with questions in a face-to-face conversation rather than receiving them in an email. It’s a lot harder to duck out of a dialogue in your artist booth or at an opening! And you probably don’t want to.
{ 9 comments }
I’m not crazy about artist statement links in the main navigation menu of a website because most people have no idea what a statement is or why they would want to click on a link titled “Statement.” The best place for your statement is next to the artwork that it relates to.
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As you know, the Oreo® is a cookie with two chocolate wafers on the outside and light, creamy filling on the inside. When you’re critiquing someone’s art or marketing materials, think of the chocolate wafers (the parts that hold the whole together) as praise. The fluffy stuff in the center is where you can offer room for improvement.
{ 12 comments }
Your artist statement should be organic. Allow it to grow and change. You wouldn’t allow your artwork to stagnate, would you? Likewise, using old words to describe new ideas doesn’t make sense. Get that statement out and start honing it.
{ 6 comments }
Email blasts are often promotional. They can be newsletters, announcements, invitations, or the like. If you approach your first email with humor, you’re likely to get a better response.
{ 11 comments }
Someone wants your art for free, huh? Are you seriously considering giving it to them? Before you do, read this post and practice hitting the Delete button. (Wait! Not for the post–for the offending email.)
{ 38 comments }
You look less self-confident when you apologize for everything you do that is imperfect. Don’t dwell on it and call attention to it! Accept that it is what it is or fix it, redo it, or move on.
{ 16 comments }
While biographies are stiff and formal, your About page is informal. It’s injected with your personality! You can turn any fact into a more interesting story with just a little creativity (and I know you’re creative!).
{ 5 comments }
Artists need biographies for grant applications, websites, and more. If you’re confused about how to write your biography–or the different tones it might take–read this week’s newsletter. I give you an easy 3-part approach to writing a bio.
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Sometimes you cringe at the words people use to describe your art. Other times, you discover new ways of looking at your own art just by listening to people. What one word are you hoping they’ll say?
{ 54 comments }
