9. Art that Connects? What sells is art that connects. There is an exception: When art gets to the level of auction houses (like Christies or Sotheby), it then has more to do with ego-of-ownership rather than the art making a connection. My doctor spent $70,000 to buy a Nicolai Fechin. It's not one of his best, but my doctor can say he owns a Fechin.
Artist's whose art is not selling is simply not producing a product that connects. If you want to do your own thing, then keep your day job and fill your garage with your creations. One day your family will have the unhappy task of burning those masterpieces.
On the other hand, if you would like to enjoy some of the fruits of your labor while you are living, then you need to pay particular attention to what I am saying in this paragraph. Those who do not make art that connects with people will not earn a living with their craft. At an outdoor show I once saw a man who made a "chicken call" out of a paper cup and a rubber band. He had people lined up to buy his creation. I recall a couple drilling a hole in a big rock, sticking in some flowers and selling out the first day of their show. Their stuff connected. When we send a painting to one of our galleries and it does not immediately sell, we know we did not make one that connected to the buyers. The reason people buy art is because they feel linked to the piece. It may just be one color in a painting or the feel of the alabaster in the sculpture, but there is a correlation. Make art that connects or fail...this is the reality of our business.
10. Failure to produce. This sounds on the surface like something you would not have to tell artists. Yet, their failure is never having artwork to sell. Isn't this amazing? As we say in Texas, "You cannot sell out of an empty wagon." Failures suffer from an ailment known as "I'm going to." This is not like cramming for a history exam the night before. Artists must produce constantly if they plan to earn any semblance of a living from their craft. Of the two eBay artists I'm helping, one makes a dozen paintings a week and the other two or three. Guess which one will earn $40,000 this year.
11. No fun. Fun is one of the keys to success. If you cannot have fun, then art is not where you need to be. Great work comes from great joy. Leave the angst for the movies; do art that's fun. Your life is not a dress rehearsal. We only pass through one time. Select art you enjoy making. If you love what you are doing, there is a good chance others will feel your happiness and attach with what you are producing.
We purchased a clay pot from an artist at a craft festival because she was telling everyone who entered her booth how much joy she got feeling the clay. We later gave the art piece to an admirer who commented how warm inside the little pot made them feel. The clay artist was able to project her joy into the clay and it remained locked in the hardened dirt so strongly that the joy was still present when our friends saw the piece.
12. Artistic Suicide. I'm not talking about putting a rope around your neck and jumping off the balcony as my dear friend and master artist, A. D. Greer did. Nor am I referring to leaping off the Golden Gate Bridge. I am talking about things like this: Mikki and I were freely helping direct a young artist's career and seeing some nice results. I sent a blast email to friends, including him. This was early in our computer days when we didn't know about Bcc. The young artist took our mailing list and began an aggressive marketing program. What he failed to realize, two parties on our list were dying of cancer. As a result, he lost a free marketing coach because he committed "artistic suicide." Never cheat anyone, especially friends.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Pricing, Direction & Attitude -More from Jack White
Hi there my friends!
Here as promised are some more of the tips by Jack White.
I as an artist am finding them to be very helpful .
Im sure you will to!
6. Pricing. Art is only worth what people perceive it to be. Fine art is not something you do by the hour. A Van Gogh sold for $80 million because someone believed the painting was worth that amount. We look at our art as something we do where people are paying us to learn the trade. Every time a painting sells we need to replace the piece. We can use the money received from that sale to live to paint another one.
Collectors are paying for our art education by purchasing our art. So, the price we sell things for, really is not important. What is important is we sell art that has to be replaced. The more you sell, the more you must produce. Artists fail because they get a skewed idea of their worth. As long as your art is selling too cheap, then that is the price point you will be selling at. Like water, your price will seek it's own level. Artists think they should raise prices every year or so. Not so, raise your prices when you are selling more than you can produce.
7. No direction. Let me pose a question to you, "How are you going to know when you get there, if you don't know where you are going?" Successful artists just don't get up and think because they hang that tag around their necks one day, they will make it. I write, in great detail, in my books about a marketing plan spelling out where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Failure to set goals on where you plan to go is at the foundation of most failures. If you plan to drive from Carmel to Naples, chances are you will mark the route on a map. Make an artist career map.
8. Attitude. How you think about things is more important than the events happening around you. Artists develop a syndrome taught in art schools. It is a malady titled, "Artistic Temperament". With this temperament follows rudeness, excuses, slovenliness, laziness, clutter, addictions, non-commercial attitudes, un-professionalism and a perfect reason for
Meanwhile life goes on here at school. Today is "Class Day" Its a day full of celebrations for the graduating class of 2013.
They all look so fresh and beautiful as they paraded into the auditorium in their caps
and gowns!
Here as promised are some more of the tips by Jack White.
I as an artist am finding them to be very helpful .
Im sure you will to!
6. Pricing. Art is only worth what people perceive it to be. Fine art is not something you do by the hour. A Van Gogh sold for $80 million because someone believed the painting was worth that amount. We look at our art as something we do where people are paying us to learn the trade. Every time a painting sells we need to replace the piece. We can use the money received from that sale to live to paint another one.
Collectors are paying for our art education by purchasing our art. So, the price we sell things for, really is not important. What is important is we sell art that has to be replaced. The more you sell, the more you must produce. Artists fail because they get a skewed idea of their worth. As long as your art is selling too cheap, then that is the price point you will be selling at. Like water, your price will seek it's own level. Artists think they should raise prices every year or so. Not so, raise your prices when you are selling more than you can produce.
7. No direction. Let me pose a question to you, "How are you going to know when you get there, if you don't know where you are going?" Successful artists just don't get up and think because they hang that tag around their necks one day, they will make it. I write, in great detail, in my books about a marketing plan spelling out where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Failure to set goals on where you plan to go is at the foundation of most failures. If you plan to drive from Carmel to Naples, chances are you will mark the route on a map. Make an artist career map.
8. Attitude. How you think about things is more important than the events happening around you. Artists develop a syndrome taught in art schools. It is a malady titled, "Artistic Temperament". With this temperament follows rudeness, excuses, slovenliness, laziness, clutter, addictions, non-commercial attitudes, un-professionalism and a perfect reason for
Meanwhile life goes on here at school. Today is "Class Day" Its a day full of celebrations for the graduating class of 2013.
They all look so fresh and beautiful as they paraded into the auditorium in their caps
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Macrame
Hi my friends!
Yes...Im teaching some of my Juniors how to macrame!
It is coming back into fashion!
They have all made the woven type of friendship bracelets but now
they will be in the know with macrame bracelets.
There are many types of materials you can use for macrame.
Back in the 70's I used jute for just about everything from wall hangings
to plant hangers.
For the bracelet I am having the students use embroidery floss.
Any cotton cord will be soft and very flexible.
If I were to make a belt I would try and use leather or stiffer plastic cords.
Here are some photos of today's projects.
I love the twisted look!
This is an example of the woven friendship bracelet
Are they cute or what!!!
I love each one of them!!
Now back to Jack Whites
12 Steps to Failure
(see #1, 2 & 3 in last post)
4. Business knowledge or the lack thereof. The one thing I admire about those artists who do crafts for a living is they see their art as a product. They understand they are in business to earn a living from what they produce with their hands. They have no problem being commercial. Those, whose minds are warped by the "art-talk schools", see selling what they make as prostituting themselves.
Another big reason artists remain in the less than $1,000 per year income bracket is they never build a business plan. No business plan means certain failure. They get hung up on creating, not figuring how they will sell all the "stuff" they make. Unless you can see your art as a product and yourself as a businessperson selling that product, you will forever remain at the bottom. Art is a business, just the same as clock making. The only difference: there is a need for clocks. There is no need for what we make; we are selling "wants" not "needs".
5. Jealousy. I read where Picasso was jealous of Braque and Braque was jealous of Othon Friez. For those of you who have never heard of Othon Friez (1879–1949), he never reached much fame; however, when he and Braque painted together for a few years, he had a much easier time executing his skill than Braque, thus the jealousy.
I heard an artist say one time that he was jealous of the young children artists becoming so famous. I explained he only knew part of the story. One of the young "superstars" came to America with her parents from the war-torn Bosnia. Alexandra Nechita was eight years old when her parents bought her books on famous modern painters, stuck her in the basement and told her to paint. They found a promoter to market her as a "prodigy". He invested $200,000 and began the process of setting up a marketing plan. The promoter took 75% of all the money earned. The young lady became a star and the promoter got filthy rich. I ask you, Why be jealous of a child who has been robbed of her youth? We have met her on two occasions and find she has sadness in her eyes.
The only person who is hurt by jealousy is you. We harbor no jealousy. Eliminate that word from your life. Happiness is more important than money. I talk a lot about money in my books but only to show you wealth can be achieved. I don't suggest you covet filthy lucre.
WORDS OF WISDOM FOR SURE!!!
All for now
Hugs:O)
Mair
Yes...Im teaching some of my Juniors how to macrame!
It is coming back into fashion!
They have all made the woven type of friendship bracelets but now
they will be in the know with macrame bracelets.
There are many types of materials you can use for macrame.
Back in the 70's I used jute for just about everything from wall hangings
to plant hangers.
For the bracelet I am having the students use embroidery floss.
Any cotton cord will be soft and very flexible.
If I were to make a belt I would try and use leather or stiffer plastic cords.
Here are some photos of today's projects.
This is the straight knot look
I love the twisted look!
This is an example of the woven friendship bracelet
I love each one of them!!
Now back to Jack Whites
12 Steps to Failure
(see #1, 2 & 3 in last post)
4. Business knowledge or the lack thereof. The one thing I admire about those artists who do crafts for a living is they see their art as a product. They understand they are in business to earn a living from what they produce with their hands. They have no problem being commercial. Those, whose minds are warped by the "art-talk schools", see selling what they make as prostituting themselves.
Another big reason artists remain in the less than $1,000 per year income bracket is they never build a business plan. No business plan means certain failure. They get hung up on creating, not figuring how they will sell all the "stuff" they make. Unless you can see your art as a product and yourself as a businessperson selling that product, you will forever remain at the bottom. Art is a business, just the same as clock making. The only difference: there is a need for clocks. There is no need for what we make; we are selling "wants" not "needs".
5. Jealousy. I read where Picasso was jealous of Braque and Braque was jealous of Othon Friez. For those of you who have never heard of Othon Friez (1879–1949), he never reached much fame; however, when he and Braque painted together for a few years, he had a much easier time executing his skill than Braque, thus the jealousy.
I heard an artist say one time that he was jealous of the young children artists becoming so famous. I explained he only knew part of the story. One of the young "superstars" came to America with her parents from the war-torn Bosnia. Alexandra Nechita was eight years old when her parents bought her books on famous modern painters, stuck her in the basement and told her to paint. They found a promoter to market her as a "prodigy". He invested $200,000 and began the process of setting up a marketing plan. The promoter took 75% of all the money earned. The young lady became a star and the promoter got filthy rich. I ask you, Why be jealous of a child who has been robbed of her youth? We have met her on two occasions and find she has sadness in her eyes.
The only person who is hurt by jealousy is you. We harbor no jealousy. Eliminate that word from your life. Happiness is more important than money. I talk a lot about money in my books but only to show you wealth can be achieved. I don't suggest you covet filthy lucre.
WORDS OF WISDOM FOR SURE!!!
All for now
Hugs:O)
Mair
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Getting back in the game...
Hi my sweet friends!
What do I mean by the title of this post?
Getting back in the game...
I have been so busy all year with my work at school
that I failed to keep up with my website and blog as much
as I would like to.
I have been doing some reading about what to do and not
to do as an artist.
• Here are some tips I came across from artist/writer Jack White.
Its the "12 Steps to Failure"
1. No one can find you... I am an artist and people like my work but...
How many people are out there that have not seen my work...?
We artists need to let the public see our art. I can do this
by up dating up my web site and blog.
2. Focus... As Jack White says-"Until an artist can find a voice/style that connects with the buying public and stay with it long enough for the foundation to take root, he will always be way back in the pack, frustrated and angry because he has not been "discovered."
I am guilty of this as I love experimenting with different styles and techniques.
But...I must say I always go back to realism.
3. Distractions- Artists can find excuse after excuse not to produce work.
What do I mean by the title of this post?
Getting back in the game...
I have been so busy all year with my work at school
that I failed to keep up with my website and blog as much
as I would like to.
I have been doing some reading about what to do and not
to do as an artist.
• Here are some tips I came across from artist/writer Jack White.
Its the "12 Steps to Failure"
1. No one can find you... I am an artist and people like my work but...
How many people are out there that have not seen my work...?
We artists need to let the public see our art. I can do this
by up dating up my web site and blog.
2. Focus... As Jack White says-"Until an artist can find a voice/style that connects with the buying public and stay with it long enough for the foundation to take root, he will always be way back in the pack, frustrated and angry because he has not been "discovered."
I am guilty of this as I love experimenting with different styles and techniques.
But...I must say I always go back to realism.
3. Distractions- Artists can find excuse after excuse not to produce work.
"Art is a jealous lover; she wants all your attention."
So yes I have a family and a full time job but... YES...
I can make the time to produce art if I am serious about it!
This is just 3 of the tips he writes about
I will be back with more!
Hugs to you all!
Mary
Monday, May 20, 2013
Month of May
Hi my friends
I am back!!!
Usually the month of May is my favorite month
and I get all energized from the
warmer temperatures and the beautiful
blossoms that are in bloom.
This month I celebrate my Birthday and also most
importantly I celebrate the
life of my precious Father.
My sweet Dad went to Heaven on Saturday May 11th at 2am.
His passing leaves my heart broken and my mind numb.
Daddy became ill on Sunday April 28. One thing just led to another
and on Saturday while at my Grandsons Birthday Parties in Pennsylvania
we received notice from my brother that Dad
was now also suffering from pulminary emboli in
both lungs. My sister and I quickly flew home.
Monday things looked much better so they released Dad
from the hospital. The EMT who drove the ambulance was
actually from Worcester MA so it was interesting to speak with him.
On Wednesday (my Birthday) Dad slept all day and the Dr. said he was
gravely ill not to go anywhere. My sweet daughter CandyBar and
her husband came to KY with their darling little baby son.
On Thursday Daddy woke up and was able to see his darling grand
daughter, her hubby and adorable Great- Grandson!!
Then that afternoon Dad took a real turn for the worse and Hospice
was called in. My sister and I took turns sitting and holding Dad, we sang to him and
read the Bible to him too
In the wee hours of the morning Saturday we were called to hurry in as Dads
condition was rapidly deteriorating.
How lucky I am to have been blessed with such a treasure of a Dad!!
He was so smart and had a quick wit about him. He loved children!
He LOVED his 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great
grand children. And we all certainly loved him back!!!
Daddy
-Forever in my heart
I am back!!!
Usually the month of May is my favorite month
and I get all energized from the
warmer temperatures and the beautiful
blossoms that are in bloom.
This month I celebrate my Birthday and also most
importantly I celebrate the
life of my precious Father.
My sweet Dad went to Heaven on Saturday May 11th at 2am.
His passing leaves my heart broken and my mind numb.
Daddy became ill on Sunday April 28. One thing just led to another
and on Saturday while at my Grandsons Birthday Parties in Pennsylvania
we received notice from my brother that Dad
was now also suffering from pulminary emboli in
both lungs. My sister and I quickly flew home.
Monday things looked much better so they released Dad
from the hospital. The EMT who drove the ambulance was
actually from Worcester MA so it was interesting to speak with him.
On Wednesday (my Birthday) Dad slept all day and the Dr. said he was
gravely ill not to go anywhere. My sweet daughter CandyBar and
her husband came to KY with their darling little baby son.
On Thursday Daddy woke up and was able to see his darling grand
daughter, her hubby and adorable Great- Grandson!!
Then that afternoon Dad took a real turn for the worse and Hospice
was called in. My sister and I took turns sitting and holding Dad, we sang to him and
read the Bible to him too
In the wee hours of the morning Saturday we were called to hurry in as Dads
condition was rapidly deteriorating.
How lucky I am to have been blessed with such a treasure of a Dad!!
He was so smart and had a quick wit about him. He loved children!
He LOVED his 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great
grand children. And we all certainly loved him back!!!
-Forever in my heart
Friday, May 3, 2013
Ring a Bling!
Hi my dear friends!!
Look what they've done to my phone ma!
(remember the song by Melanie from the 1970s?)
Look what they've done to my phone ma!
(remember the song by Melanie from the 1970s?)
Anyways....My phone is a lot less slippery
and a lot easier to find now!!!
Been a busy and hectic week here but I wanted to say hi and
let you know I'm here working in the studio .
Have a wonderful weekend all!!
Hugs,
Mary
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Myrtle Beach 2013
Hello again :O)
Yes... I am still dreaming about the fantastic
and fun time I had last week in Myrtle Beach S.C.
I havent uploaded my drawings and watercolor sketches from
my vacation but will do so very soon!
In the mean time I have 2 photos taken by my husband John.
What do you think of them?
.jpg)
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Come back again soon!
:O)Mary
Yes... I am still dreaming about the fantastic
and fun time I had last week in Myrtle Beach S.C.
I havent uploaded my drawings and watercolor sketches from
my vacation but will do so very soon!
In the mean time I have 2 photos taken by my husband John.
What do you think of them?
.jpg)
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Come back again soon!
:O)Mary
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