Promoting Your Art

Hi Fred,

Sounds like your giving back to your community which is always good.

Over the years I have also donated artwork for fundraising for various charities.

I may be typical though on some things as I gravitate towards galleries for showing my work. I have also done the market scene.

I've entered competitions and when it comes to the web---I show my work in places where I'm the small minority as an artist.

People that don't paint buy art as well---thats why at times I'm confused when art sales pitches are made here on this board to other artists.

That's me Fred

Lovely post Fred! Thank you so much for sharing :)

I get a waiver immediately. Gallery owners does not look my portfolio and does not want to say with me. But my works are bought by people and collectors and I do for a living only in painting. I'm in a good situation, in spite of fate:)

Several years ago, when I first decided to get really serious with marketing my photography, I was relatively new to this community. I didn't know anybody or what was available here other than the Plaza Theater and the Fine Arts department at the local college. I decided to do an internet search for galleries in the local area (not limited to this town) and was surprised to find that there was indeed a gallery in this little town (Wharton, TX).

I got my photography portfolio together which, at the time, consisted of various flowers and historic structures, both in color and in black and white. I called the gallery and set up a meeting with the owner. She looked through that initial portfolio and compared my work with Georgia O'Keefe's work....that sure gave me the big head. :) Anyway, she welcomed my work into her gallery. From there, the library chose me as the Artist of the Month for August 2009. That month spilled into two...the library didn't want to end the showing because they were getting such positive feedback from it. Yep, enter Bigger Head. haha

The gallery owner placed several of my photographs on display in the Plaza Theater, as well as the local coffee shop/bookstore, both on the town square, and both regularly visited (we have a very active theater community here).

Sales haven't been what I would prefer, but that's the lot of an unknown, not just in the art world, but in the community. I was born a thousand miles away and spent the first 39 years of my life as a Carolina girl. Becoming a Texas woman has certainly been an adventure and slowly but surely I am getting known around here. One of the sales that I made of a print of the old Boling jail happened at my front door. They came looking for me, wanting to buy it.

I need to get more aggressive with my marketing. My art is moving in a new direction. I am more into abstracts these days than regular photography, but I haven't totally left it behind. There is room for both. I just need to figure out how to market to two entirely different markets and get out there and do it. Part of my current marketing plan is to join the local Chamber of Commerce, which I hope to do very soon. I am also planning to hire a web designer friend to do something about my "official" website. She's brilliant and I know it will make all the difference in the world. However, I can't justify the expense of several hundred dollars at the moment when nothing at all is selling.

It is a catch-22, as they say. You have to spend money to make money, but you have to make money in order to spend it. OY!

Hi Suzanne,
I feel your frustration and I understand your position so much.
The art business is not an easy one. To say the least.
Oh I know some of those artists will differ with me on that but they do things so easily and are
so talented that they don't really have to try very hard to succeed.
I had to work hard at everything. I studied and practiced for years until my skills improved.
I really don't like the marketing side of it. But it is so necessary.
I like to sell my art and I work hard to show it.
I have been in several galleries and I always go to the openings and talk to as many
customers as possible. It works for me.
They like to hear about why I painted the picture and what I had hoped to accomplish.
They like my cheerful attitude and my good humor.
Being of Danish decent I enjoy a good laugh and this usually make others laugh too.
Some of my customers have become my good friends.
I like to keep in touch with my customers if possible.
You are doing all the right things in your hometown and I admire what you have accomplished.
I will share with you my ideas and my history on selling.
I think the thing that has been the most important in my art career is my persistance and
my confidence in my ability.
I really believe that my art is worthwhile and that I will succeed.
With a good attitude you can do anything.
I haven't always had very much support from my friends and family so this has not been easy.
I still have kept my optimism.
Now they are beginning to see that I really am a fine atist.
So keep up your spirits and keep painting.
I enjoyed your email.
Best wishes,
Fred

Facebook has been the thing for me, my fan page there has been invaluable. I sell many more there than in person here in Hawaii or on FAA. I generally post one painting or photograph a day and have 500 friends and about 450 fans. By talking to the people on there, you establish trust and get to know what people like or what they would like to see. aloha!

Anyone ever exhibited something they do in a big trade show like a metro Home and Garden show at a convebtion center?

Hi Snake Dog, Yes, I did shows in the Astrodome at Houston. They had a winter show in November each year. These shows were well attended
but we didn't sell very much. It was fun though.

Hi Fred!

I'm setting up in an expensive booth shared by several other marketers and was invited by a very unique "Faux" painter who has a great following and is helping me design brochures for my mural business. My intention is to promote my natural history/wildlife murals and show plus sell tropical scenes at this winter show. It is motivating me to get out and present to the public at least.

It's not cheap.... however but one gets further by extending themselves a bit so I'm having a go of it. In addition I've opened a website and am in the process of designing with the help of some pros for the purpose of professional presentation. One thing I've been have a tough time of doing is to focus on one area because I am interested in so many in terms of subject matter, style and medium. I'm zeroing ion on making money now so I trying present some of my best efforts.

Hi Snake Dog, I admire that you do murals. I have a friend here in Houston that does them. She is very successful. She belongs to several active
art groups and is well known. I have never done a mural. I enjoy doing my paintings on a smaller scale. I know those booths can be expensive.
I spent lots of money on those things for many years. When I started getting invited to shows in galleries I was so glad. I know what you mean by
trying to focus on one area. I have always liked to experiment and use different media. I had a wet darkroom for over 30 years. Now it is all done on my computer. I can still do many things with the computer. My clients really like that I can do so many different things. I make and design
business cards and still do photography for portraits. I admire what you are doing. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes, Fred

Good morning, Fred. :)

I think that it is a good thing for us to have to work so hard for what we want to achieve. I think it makes it mean more to us in the end than if it came easily. Some days, though, I'm all for giving 'easy' a chance. haha

I am a very introverted person and tend to shy away from people in person, and that makes marketing a challenge. The weird thing, though, is that marketing intrigues me in spite of my shyness. I like discovering what makes people tick, what might prompt them to buy this over that.

I have participated in one "Meet the Artist" event through the gallery before I got sick, but that was well over a year ago. I haven't participated in any of the gallery's events since late last year because of the health issues. I am slowly but surely recovering and plan to become more involved with those activities as I am able. I think this is going to be a fun adventure getting back into the swing of things.

Self-confidence is something that I have always lacked...I am glad that it is something that you have. That is wonderful and I know it helps a great deal, especially if you aren't getting much support from friends and family. I am glad that your folks are becoming more supportive and realize that this is for real, that you are an artist. My husband is very supportive of my art, but there is a lot of negativity to overcome from my childhood. Old thought patterns are hard to overcome. We're workng on erasing those negative thinking habits of mine. I am starting to realize that yes, I can be good at something, and that it is not bad for me to see something I do as good. Like I hear all the time, I am my own worst critic, and that makes it hard for me to put anything out there for people to see.

I think that Fine Art America is going to be good for me in the long run even if I never make a sale here. It is helping me to address the issue of putting things out there for folks to see.

It sounds to me like you're doing the right things, too. I think that it is great that you are involved with the Alzheimer's group. I have always had a heart for the elderly and my grandparents were the only reason that I survived my childhood. My precious grandma had Alzheimers...I'll never forget the day that she called me "mama". It was the day that my grandpa died. I have heard of using art as therapy with the Alzheimer patients and I want to somehow be involved with something like this once I am stronger. I have to get my emotions under better control before I can even think of entering a nursing home again. Grandma's journey with Alzheimers, and her death, made a tremendous impact on me.

Sorry to get off course there, especially with something so personal.

You mentioned being Danish. I have been to the community of Danevang and took some of my favorite photographs there. They are good people down there, very friendly and love to share their history with us. The museum down there is really cool. They treated us like family when we visited. I think that is an excellent way to run a business and it certainly promotes a good word-of-mouth campaign. :)

I get a couple of art marketing related newsletters and one of them suggested giving away art to help promote yourself. Aside from the charity fundraising/charity involvements that you have, have you ever done something like this? It was talking specifically about giving art to potential customers. The person in the example given to me was a watercolor painter and he gave 5x7 watercolors to people. They had to come to his studio/gallery to collect the free painting, but they didn't get to have it right away. They chose a work-in-progress and filled out a form giving him their name and contact information. He then would complete the painting and it was delivered to them later. This helped him to grow his mailing list for various events, as well as got more of his art into the hands of people. The more people that had his artwork, the more potential there was for even more people to see and hear about it. I thought that this was a very clever idea and I am trying to think of how to make this work when the majority of my work is digital. There has to be a way to make this same principle translate for those of us that are non-traditional artists. What are your thoughts on this?

Well, sorry to write a book here. I guess that I am Miss Jabberjaws this morning. haha Have a great day!

Hi Susanne, Your email is delightful. I wish you a good recovery from your health problems. I have had two open heart surgeries and wear a pace
maker. The last open heart surgery I had was a bad one. I developed pneumonia and it took months until I could breath and talk like I should.
It nearly took me. Today I am in reason
ably good health. I am thankful for that. I feel like we have so much in common. I am normally a shy person but have learned to be more outgoing. I have many friends in the art world and they often come to me for counseling. I am a good listener.
Sometimes it is hard for them to take my positive attitude but I always get them to laugh and I share many things with them. A few of them have
no other friends except me. I like to encourage them and to give them positive ways of solving their problems.
Giving art away is something I have done also. But my friends always tell me, "When you give it away nobody has any respect for it."
I like what the artist is doing with his 5x7 paintings to build up his mailing list. I sometimes donate a painting to an auction for a neighborhood
fund raiser. One auction we had raised enough money to support the activites at our local park for over 5 years. I have volunteered my services to
photograph many events. I photographed the 4th of July Childrens Parade for several years as a volunteer. I did the Secretaries Fashion Show in
downtown Houston, Several of the exhibits at Sharpstown Mall. I did a coloring book for the Red Cross as a volunteer. And several others.
It helped to give me some name recognition but it did not bring me many new sales. I like the way Fine Art America shows and sell my work.
They are so great. All I have to do is continue painting my pictures. I am working on a new painting and it is so detailed that it already has taken
me three weeks. I hope to finish it soon. I am not rushing it though. I feel good about the progress I am making on it.
During the year 2010 I finished painting 70 paintings. Not bad for a 82 year old?
I enjoy all my friends in art and some of them are so joyous about their work and the way their live. The Happy Artists use such wonderful colors.
I sent a story to the Danish History at Danevang about my grandfather who was from Aarhus, Denmark. His name was Hans K. Guldmann.
He lived an interesting life. He was in the import-export business with maritime shipping.
I haven't been to Danevang but my wife, Marion has been there. Marion is of Danish-Norwegian decent. We get along fine.
Thanks for sharing with me,
Best wishes,
Fred Jinkins

Wondering what people are charging for commissioned art. Around here there is a $250.0 /hr. minimum.

Hi Snake Dog,
I did a big sign for a piano bar many years ago. I just charged $75.00. with a money back guarantee. They were pleased.
I don't do commissions in painting. I do sittings in photography for portraits. I get paid very well for this. Also I did many restorations of
old photogrphs and that paid well. Restoring photographs is an art. You have to paint in the parts that are missing. I drew horses in one.
That commission of $250. an hour sounds like a little much to me. Sorry I couldn't help with that. Best wishes, Fred

That figure ($250.00/hr.)is the going rate for attorney's time according to a friend who practices law here. I told him I am an artist and am worth a litle more than that. I think I am but I realize that art is more work and with more physical materials than law practice which is basically "knowhow" and "knowwho".
I've listened to the popular "Faux" painters tell me what they charge for wall covering with Venetian plaster and special effects and they are generally busy at $10.00/per square foot. Thyy are very much arists and they work in small territories within a 75 mile radius of their home.

There's seems to be much more of a demand for Faux painting and lawyers than self styled and crafted individual artist's work.I feel one should only advertise what they are best doing or more comfortable doing in art which is the way I'm going with it all and I love a commission if I can get one!

I have made over 50 subjects in wood cut prints. One of my customers asked me if I would carve the name of their sailboat for them.
I was tempted to do this until I asked them what the name of their sailboat was. They said, MY OBSESSION. They wanted me to do this
in shadowed relief on a mahogany plank. If they had said GULL or SWAN I would have considered it. But MY OBSESSION was almost a
six months work. Two sides of the boat on the bow and one on the stern. I told them I couldn't take that much time on one job but I had a friend
who was a student that might be interested. He needed the money and would probably do it. I don't regret not doing this one.

Fred; that was a kind act and it was thoughtful . Another artist is always willing to take a job that you are not willing to do.

YR RIGHT , GALLERY OWNERS ARE NOT VERY EAGER TO BUY STAIGHT AWAY. A NEW ARTIST LIKE ME ONLY GOES TO THEM AS A FAVOR SEEKING PERSON. BUT AS YOU SAID LASTLY ONE SHOULD TRY ALTERNATE SOURCES TO SELL YR ART.

THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO SPREAD THE WORD about your being an artist and where they can see it.
On your email you can click on OPTIONS and then click on SIGNATURE.
You can then make a three or four line message that will appear on each and EVERY EMAIL that you send.
Your email list of addresses is a good source of potential buyers.
Telling your email friends about your art will help build your name recognition and help them to remember that
you are a fine artist.
This is how my signature looks on EVERY EMAIL I send:

FREDERICK JINKINS - ARTIST - STILL PAINTING AT 82
http://fred-jinkins.artistwebsites.com/

This helps too when you are contacting a POTENTIAL CUSTOMER.
All they have to do to see your art website is click on the blue line

When you have a gallery show your email list of addresses is a good source of
places for the gallery to send emails to advertise your opening show.

I think this email advertising is very good and can produce good results.

see thats what i'm looking for.. the enjoyment of my first sale! thanks for sharing!~ cross your fingers for me!

Jacquelyn, Don't give up hope. Your sales will come. You have to believe in your art and keep painting. Every artist goes through this same
process. A few have early success but for most of us it just takes time. Art is not one of the necessities of life. It is not food, clothing, shelter or
transportation. It is one of the things we can enjoy and that can enrich our lives. I want to hear from you when you make that first sale.
I would share in your enjoyment. I have known artists that could paint outstanding pictures and who sold them so easily. But they sometimes
attached so little importance to that and some of them don't even paint anymore. I admire those artists who stick to their art and continue working
even when it seems nobody is looking. When I paint I don't think it is because it is for somebody else to enjoy. I paint those things that I feel are
the most important to me and that have the most meaning to me. Also you may have noticed, I don't copy anybody else when I paint.
I have made studies of the master artists paintings and I still do. Their work is worth studying. But when I paint my pictures it is purely my own work.
I looked at your photographs and I think your work shows much promise. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with us. Best wishes, Fred

This is one of my favorite quotations:

I CAN ONLY PLEASE ONE
PERSON EACH DAY.
TODAY IS NOT YOUR DAY!
TOMORROW DOESN'T LOOK
SO GOOD EITHER.

Hi Fred, thanks so much for all the info. Was trying to find the Options- Signature feature you mentioned but can't. I am using Mozilla Firefox.

Fred;
Your doing shows at the Alzheimer center is not far from any showing because people will forget you quickly unless the artwork is made very uniquely and well.

This is true Snake Dog. The attendants, volunteers and families of the patients are there and they will remember me.

Is Facebook a good site for getting people to look at your work? My idea of facebook is that only those friends you notify will see your page. If you don't have lots of people co connect with, will others find your page?

Thanks all...Mary

Facebook is a good place to sell art... get yourself a Fan Page.... it works.
Like this: Lorraine Roy’s Facebook Page

But first you have to have great photos of your work to show.

Remember: there is no one thing that will work all by itself. You have to have excellent artwork to begin with. Then you have to have a web presence - ie, website and other sites. You have to market yourself at art shows and galleries. You have to be professional at every step - answer all emails right away, keep a contact mailing list, keep track of all your work, behave like a mature, dependable adult.

Also remember: it takes time. I would say 5-10 years from when you first begin to market yourself before you start to make a living at it.

That's good advice Lorraine and works for commercial sales of anything not necessarily art too I'm sure.

I've noticed however that the better known artists are noticed from official and documented gallery showings and art news publications and few if any of those artists who are getting respectable sales have any facebook accounts at all. Their face shows up at the right parties however. Newspapers often have only sweet little articles about local artists but when I see these I realize it's more of a one time fifteen minutes of fame thing and it's then over and done while the art section of the same newspaper whales on about a teacher at the local art college showing his or her academic presentation of minumism oragami sculpture. This artist is noted as "important" while the local artist is said to be talented or other stroking types of words the writer might say......anything but important. I've had a few of these myself. They amount to nothing.

Some artists get into "Who's Who in Art". To be accepted in this prestigious book there is a price to pay and you must be recommended by powerful and respected people.

Who's WhO as opposed to who aint' nothin and never likely will be sort of thing............unless? I sure don't know. An art career ia a lifelong succession of climbing the ladder? I think there are so many talented and skilled creative people and artists in the world today that the chances of earning a living at it and achieving such fames as say the 19th and 20th century artists have will be nearly impossible.

Knowing this then why knock yourself out in the foist place. Just stop and paint the flowers!

Lorraine I like what you said. Thanks for sharing this with us. I agree with you totally. We must use the many ways available to help get the word out and to contact possible buyers. Best wishes, Fred

Lorraine I like what you said. Thanks for sharing this with us. I agree with you totally. We must use the many ways available to help get the word out and to contact possible buyers. I looked at your Facebook Page and I compliment you on the good job you did on that. Best wishes, Fred

Hello Vincent, good to see you...

I hear what you're saying, and it boils down to this:

The famous artists you speak of, the ones who make big bucks, who don't have a FB page and who get to show up at flashy parties, make up one hundredth of one percent of all living artists in the world (most of them, by the way, paid their dues at the start, one way or another, and it's helpful to sleep with the curator). The other million+ are either regular, every day artists who can, and do, make a living from their work doing it the hard way, or those who have no hope of ever making a living, from choice or from circumstance.

It's not that hard really - you do have to be focused and organized. You can't take a break from it. You have to try to enjoy it a bit. I enjoy my FB page, I enjoy forays into FAA and I enjoy interactions with clients. The business/social side takes around 50% of my time. But I get to enjoy making art every day instead of going to the office 9-5.

I still look forward to the day when I get noticed at a party (with or without that cute curator)... but it's not a goal.... just icing on the cake :)

ps if a curator is reading this, here's my phone number....(private information for curators only)

Lorraine; Pardon me please if the following ramblings are too boring. True there are millions of factors than can happen to cause all the doors to unlock at the right time.

In each town and city or state there are a number of recognized artists on every level. I think that the ones who work hard at the marketing game are more successful selling but not so successful in ability from what have seen. It is a matter of having the correct financial skills and advantages of social connections both in friends and in business. It's the way it works. You are either "plugged in or not". This being the case it may be a fact that the best and perhaps the most brilliant artists in the visual arena will rarely if ever make a success of it because they reside in an already over-crowded field and time populated by lesser artists who are in pocession of great social and business skills greater than their craft skills. And it is basically OK because the sweetest people get ahead as a rule. Why weld if you can be a straw artist?

Famed artists most of whom hang out in N.Y.C.(eating midwest BBQ because it's better) have some secrets I'm sure they will not ever tell the public about regarding who slept with who to get where they are at. Bottom line it's who gets to the finish line first it appears. I remember seing an original Warhol fim in the 70's which showed young artists going through the "guantlet' of rich and important eccentric people by having to sleep with them before getting a break in the art field.

Since this thread is about "promoting your art" then it stands to reason that if you cannot get a little local fame first by the impact of your art showings in real time(not facebook) then it's doubtful you will ever get fame outside of your area at least untill after you are dead for trying. I have a hobby of reading all I come across about the lives of really good artists who have died and they all had a very tough time of it most of the time.

Many of these really great and skilled artists I've read about have gotten side tracked into the commercial and or decorating arts too often and I think this has held them back. What made them great is dropping the commercial and going for all personal expression and fine art withiout thoughts od money as a goal.

Artists who are pushed to sell products and designs are always held back from producing brilliant fine art if they really have great talent in them which has not been accessed. The commercial side gives them some financial freedom and power and having money frees one up from the labor of life in order to make art. It's a "Catch 22" however. Can one have both? Probably not!

There is one exception; and that is one who gives it (material things) all up for making art. But how could they be happy without a family or at least a dog? These are free spirited types and have no time for T.V.s and computers. They drive a clunker if at all or a bycicle and make art. If they ever get a job it is as a menial position like a cook or a waiter in some cafe. This type of artist is rare and probably could care less about fame and fortune or ever worrying about the state of their missfortune and dissinherited state of being. Like a Monk; they are dedicated to the "religion of art".

By observing your style and presentation Lorraine I'd say you are about as good as it gets both in talent and presentation as well as marketing a career. You get an "A" in all areas from my point of view Lorraine.

Lorraine, I keep thinking that your needlework would make wonderful pictures to hang on the wall. Have you thought about maybe selling prints of your amazing needle artwork? Your photography is excellent and I like the subjects that you use in your pictures and needlework.
Just a suggestion. Best wishes, Fred

Snake... I was joking about sleeping with curators. Most of them are already married or of an inconvenient persuasion. ;)
Thanks Fred... I'm contracted with two companies, one in Toronto and one in Montreal, who both market and sell prints of my work. Unfortunately the royalties won't even cover a cheap bottle of wine once a week. I don't know how anyone can earn a living selling prints, the competition is brutal!

Great advice everyone!

I have been selling my art and jewelry designs at many different types of shows, I also do some consignment stores. Every show I do, I have a drawing for a prize to capture email addresses. I use constant contact and have over 1000 on the list so far that I try to mail to every month. This keeps me fresh in peoples minds and I get a lot of return customers that way.

My goals for this year are to work on perfecting my online presence and to get more product listed on several sites. I agree that the competition is brutal, but the opportunities are endless.

Shelia Howe
SassMama Arts • Healing, Intuitive and Hand Crafted Arts
www.sassmama.com (My Blog)
www.sassmama.etsy.com (Jewelry/Art)
www.shelia-howe.artistwebsites.com/index.html (Photography)
Connect with me!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/sheliahowe
http://facebook.com/sassmama
http://twitter.com/SassMama

Shelia; First want to say wow, what a name. Never saw or heard it before.
What is "constant contact" you are talking about and how do you get the winner the prize and what prize value?
Do you use brochures?


Anyone ever displayed and self-promoted at a non-art show like a Home & Garden show at a convention center?

Lorraine; I'm a curious currator. (curator of mammals).

Great stories and Ideas.

I guess I am losing out on a lot of sales by not promoting my work. But I am happy just knowing that someone out there likes my work. Maybe someday I'll start promoting.

That's what I always say Ernie. Maybe someday!

Hello Vincent, (Snake Dog) I enjoy all your comments and I like that you jump in and share so much with us all. I looked at your website and
your pictures are all unique and interesting. I hope you keep painting them. The sale of art is a little more difficult now because of the economy
but I think that this will change in time. Having a website on Fine Art America is an excellent way to show art and I believe it will pay off in the long run. I like that they will print, frame, mat and glaze and collect the money for you. This means that all I have to do is paint my pictures.
As you can see by looking at my website one of my favorite subjects is sailing and I like anything to do with boats and the water.
My Happy Fish are a subject I enjoy painting also. They make a good subject for greeting cards. The beach scenes are fun to do also.
I don't mean to advertise my art in this discussion but I do like to talk about what I am doing and what makes me happy.
Vincent you seem like a happy fellow. I think you contribute a lot in these discussions and it is always very interesting.
What kind of art do you enjoy painting? Do you like the greeting cards that Fine Art America can print for you? I think this is a uniqe way to sell
more art and it is also good advertisement. When they mail out your greeting cards they all have your name on the back.
The greeting card I sold in December has brought me over 65 visitors so far this month. I like all the comments I have received so far on this
discussion. I always believed that everyone has a great story to tell. I enjoy hearing every one. We have had many visitors who did not comment
but they are all welcome to visit and we appreciate their stopping by.

Jinks; (hope you don't mind the nic name)thanks for asking about my work. I never sell anything and am convinced that it is not important for me to sell anything as it obviously is to so many others here on FAA.

I noticed you have mastered woodcut printing. Have you done linoleum cuts as well and could you expound on these?

Fred; how many prints are you making from each of the wood blocks?

I look at the art displayed in FAA and I am amazed at the quality and talent exhibited here. The watercolors are my favorite. I like to do watercolors also. I am in my studio painting every day. Sometimes I get up very early in the morning and paint several hours before breakfast.
I am always eager to return to my painting. I am planning my next painting all the time. I never run out of ideas. I like to do happy pictures.
When the weather is nice I like to go to the waterfront and take photographs of the sailboats and the fishing fleet. I also enjoy phtographing the
cargo vessels and the big tankers. One of my friends has spent years painting the scenes of Houston. He does wonderful paintings of the skyscrapers and the famous buildings here. The Astrodome is famous all over the world. When my friend came to visit me from France the first
thing he asked me to do was to take him to the Astrodome. We took the tour and it was really impressive. I only speak a small amount of French.
I wish I was better. When I was in France they often asked me why I didn't speak French. When my French friends come here I just do the best I can with understanding them and talking to them. We use sign language a lot! We often have a good laugh over a cup of coffee.

I visited with my sister-in-law and her granddaughter in Sicily is going to have a baby in March. That is so exciting. I would be an uncle to this child. Gloria is the mother and she is a beautiful girl. When she was nine years old she visited with me here in Houston and I gave her a little pen that is like a decoration that you can wear to take back to Sicily with her. She was so pleased. It is a pleasant memory for me. They are going to send me some pictures and I am eager to see them. I showed Gloria how to draw a cartoon of a lion's head. She learned so fast and I am sure she showed it to all her little Sicilian friends.

Thanks for a great post Fred!! I have done much the same as you, with donations for charitable events etc. Now I don't know what your government is like where you are but I come from Ontario Canada. We have a Women's Employment Resource Center that will not only help you find work, but help you with our own business as well - even if that's Marketing yourself as an artist. The center is for men also but they meet with the men at different locations. My work now hangs in a local retail artisan shop, a restaurant and I currently have an exhibition in a bistro gallery. But that would be my best advice. Find an employment resource center because they have a ton of great resources for everybody!

Jan thank you for your very nice comment and your nice post. Your progresss with your photography is amazing and I am sure this is just the beginning of a great career. If you would like to join my group WE PAINT EVERY DAY I would be honored. We have several photographers already and their work looks good along with our other talented artists. I have several good friends in Canada. Some of them are fine artists.
One of my Canadian friends is visiting their daughter in my neighborhood. We have coffee with them and go to breakfast with them once a week.
They are from Nova Scotia.

Hi Jan,
Good start with the Bistros and auctions and so on. The problem with Hamilton is that sales are unbelievably low. I don't know any artist who makes a living from sales in Hamilton, sorry to say because there is no reason for that. There are plenty of interested collectors in Hamilton, but they go to Toronto for their art. I'm not completely sure the Employment Centre will have expertise in selling art... art doesn't quite follow the same business model as other products (except for all the usual stuff like professionalism and reliability), and you really have to know something about the Art world in general to be of any use. Photography is even more challenging. It's changing slowly but in the meantime.....
My suggestion is to get yourself to Toronto.
Go to The Artist Project exhibition in March and see what it's like: it's a great winter show where clients see the artists with their work. The investment isn't too bad when compared with other shows.
Next, and even better, is the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition at Nathan Phillips Square in July... much cheaper, more visitors, and the best show ever for sales.
Both shows are juried. Go and see the shows first to get an idea of what you need to get ready, and talk to the artists (many of them are from Hamilton area :).
Once you have your foot in the door in TO, you can look for galleries that might represent you, or they will find you at those shows. Other opportunities will pop up as well.
Good luck with that, and keep the good faith! Your work is great!

Oh... and I keep forgetting to say, there is a BIG difference between 'making some money' and 'making a living' in visual art. An artist can always 'make some money' to help cover materials and extras. Making a living is a different kettle of fish and requires a focused approach.
Artists are advised to decide early which of those two models they really want to pursue.

Hello Sheila, I enjoyed your comment and I thank you for sharing your information about good places to post your art.
We all need to use all those things
that are available. If we don't make any effort to promote our websites there is a small chance of anyone seeing it. These discussions are posted on the web and we get many visits from around the world because of that. Many visitors just read this and don't comment. We welcome them and
wish them well. We are glad that they stopped by for a visit. Vists from artist members are welcomed and we all learn from these shared experiences. Sometimes they share the funny things that have happened in their progress to become a known artist. We all enjoy that.

Hi Fred,

I have been selling my own art work and taking portrait commissions for about 45 years and the last 20 of those years have seen my sole income from my art. I have been mostly a struggling artist, panhandler, beggar and give away artist for very low pay. But recently I have discovered a way to inject creativity into marketing and actually making it fun in the process. Here's one example.

A friend of mine has a beautiful boy child that I have been photographing intermittently for the first two years of his life. When he was one year old I promised them a portrait for his birthday. I couldn't seem to get a good shot of him that his mom liked so when he was two I tried again. The right shot happened and I created a charcoal drawing to die for. I marched into his birthday party and presented it to them in front of all their friends with their kids. I was immediately swarmed and asked for my card. At the party I got two portrait commissions. During that month (last October), I got a total of 7 portrait commissions of which I still have one more to do. They were mostly pastel and watercolor which pays a lot more than charcoal drawings and I was glad for that. Now here's the glitch. The only portraits I got from the party were the initial two I picked up when I was there. I have yet to hear from any of the twenty parents that took my card and said they would LOVE to have a portrait done. The other five came from an email I sent out with the picture of the charcoal drawing, a posting on my visual artist Facebook page and one person actually found my website right after I posted the image there.

Just thinking about boldly walking into a party full of people that I don't know carrying a piece of my work terrifies me into paralysis. But this time I just did it because I'm tired of being afraid. I did get very nervous several times while I was surrounded by lots of people and I wanted to run when I felt like I couldn't breath. But I stood my ground and only said something stupid one time that I know of. The fact that I was in my head and judging myself the whole time, looking at everyone else and thinking how much smarter, richer, talkative, prettier than I they were, made it hard to focus on my goal of obtaining more buyers. So I failed to asked the important questions like "could I please have your phone number so I can call you as soon as I get a lull in my schedule?", or "When were you thinking of having the portrait done"? I also didn't bring a calendar with me to open up and look for a good time to meet with them or a receipt book to whip out while asking them for a good faith deposit right there on the spot. All of the above just freezes me to the spot and I can't seem to work it naturally into the conversation. But I am very aware that this is the only way to know, in a crowd, who is sincere and who is just blowing hot air at me.

Thanks Fred for giving me this opportunity to share my experiences and thoughts on the subject.

Hi Kathryn, Your message is welcomed. I like your story and I can share with you the things that can happen when you try to promote and market your artwork. Although I was making a modest amount of money with my art many of my friends and relatives chose to ignore my art and
my painting. I had a artist studio for over 30 years and painted and did photography. It has only been in the past few years that they have begun
to recognize the importance of my art. I still have been able to keep on painting and taking photos. I really believe in my art and that the things
I have created are worthwhile. Sometimes when I am in a group and start talking about my art their eyes seem to glaze over and they look
surprised. I just keep on. They would like me to just give them pictures but that is not what I am willing to do. Your success with your portraits is
admirable and I am so glad for you. I think portraits are not easy and a good portrait artist is certainly in demand. I give out lots of my business cards. I also design and print business cards for my clients. I get a few calls this way about my art. When I get those telephone calls asking for
money and asking me to subscribe I always tell them I am an artist and I give them my website so they can see my art. The people that I do business with are also targets for my little promotional talk. The doctors, the dentist, the podiatrist,the barber, the drug store, the computer store, the people at Starbucks, the grocery store, the accountant, they get my business card and also I tell them that the money I am spending comes
from the sale of my art. There is no harm in any of that. Getting phone numbers, email addresses and names is important. I always ask.
If they don't have a card I carry a sheet of folded paper and a pen and I can write it down. I prefer to write it myself because their handwriting is
sometimes not legible. I keep in touch with all my prospective customers and with my clients. I get repeat business this way.
I use the internet for most of this contact. I just tell them some of the interesting things that are happening in my life and about what things I have
been working on. I use a calender on my email to keep track of what I am doing and the appointments that I have.
Your message really was great and I am so glad to hear about your success and your artwork.
Best wishes,
Fred

This discussion has been a rewarding experience for me. I am so happy that so many have wanted to share their stories with us.
I try to answer each one and I try to do it with kindness and gentleness. I hope you don't think that the only reason I started this discussion was
to get publicity and to just promote my artwork. I think that this dialog has been helpful to each one of us. We can all learn from the experience
of others. I love the stories that have been told and I look forward to many more. The hardships and the successes are all great stories of our
time and they give support to all of us who share them. Some of these stories have really touched me. I hope you don't mind that I say so much.
Sharing your dreams and hopes with others is not a bad thing. The artists life is usually a solitary one. I seldom go anyplace. When I go to the
grocery it is my weekly adventure and gives me a place where I can socialize with others. I know many of the crew there and some of the people
that get coffee at Starbucks are friendly. They all know me. The contact I have had with others on this discussion has been very pleasant.
This is more than I ever expected.

Fred, I loved this discussion. Every artist that sells their work has something to contribute to all of us. Whether they do it or not, it is all valuable.
Reasons for withholding are many and not for me to question. But this is a very good and decent discussion you have opened. I hope it stays open for awhile for more artists to stumble across it and give their input.

What you said about talking about your art in a crowd or group or to an individual. I started doing that back in high school just boasting shamelessly about my passion, my gift. I believed it was the only thing people would like about me. I did get portrait commissions back then and still do 45 years later. But I am not a rich artist or even live comfortably. I do not give up however and have seen success in small waves now and then. I just do it because I can't not do it. I know that is not a new saying by any means but it certainly applies to me.

My best advice is to just stay connected to as many people as possible. If on the internet, get your work seen on as many websites as possible. Social networking isn't the best but it is another venue. I've shown in quite a few gallery shows but that didn't sell my work. I sold my work just by talking about it here, there and everywhere. Still I feel most of the time I am no one to give advice because I am of the starving artist variety.

But in the end it is up to us to turn a window shopper into a buyer. And that skill takes practice. Most marketing books and sales manuals can be converted to a script to sell art. Then it's up to us to make it flow naturally from our lips.

Kathryn,
Your message is lovely. What you said is so true. I am not rich either but I enjoy my life and wouldn't trade it for any other way. I have had times
of success and I treasured and enjoyed those times so much. I don't think richness will guarantee happiness. I think that happiness is an attitude
that is something you acquire by adjusting to your life and the way it is. I know a few rich people and they are often not very happy.
I like what you said about talking to a group or a crowd about your art. I think you have to blow your own horn. No one else will do it for you.
Your advice is from the heart and so true. I think it is valuable because it is to true. It is so funny where I find my customers. I have a man take care of my garden and he was always interested in my art and how I am doing. He became one of my customers! I was sitting in Starbucks and met the manager of a large corporation and we had an interesting talk over our coffee. I gave him my card and he later invited me to have a show
of my art at his place of business. There is just no way of knowing where or when your next customer will appear. I was at the Musuem of Fine Art
in Cafe Express and standing in line I met a gentleman from Germany. We had a nice visit. He was there to see to the exhibit of his old paintings in the show for the German Impressionists. Max Liebermann was one of his painters that he had showing. We traded cards and I was thrilled to have met a art dealer and exhibitor for fine art from the old days. Who knows what this meeting may bring! So I just keep meeting new people and
keep telling them about my art and sharing my cards. I agree that the internet opens many doors. I use as many things as I can on the internet.
Each day I check out a new avenue of possible marketing places.
Kathryn, thanks so much for your comments. Lets keep in touch.
Best wishes, Fred
My email is hapyom@yahoo.com
hapyom means Happy Old Man

Fred, one of the most surprising customers I ever had was a woman who was sewing bridal gowns in the back of a store in Beverly Hills. She was from Argentina, had 3 small boys and a drunk for a husband. They lived on her income alone. I was in there meeting with the woman who owned the store because she was commissioning me to paint a mural in the reception area. During the 2 months I was working on the mural, the seamstress came out to watch me and saw my portfolio of portraits in the window. She asked me to paint her 3 boys and I told her I would charge her half my current fee. She said that was fine if she could pay payments. I decided to take the chance because she had worked for this same woman for 20 years. She paid me on time, monthly for 15 months. I never had to call her to ask where the payment was. She was so thrilled to have a portrait of her boys because she told me she knew I would be famous someday. I made a promise to myself right then that I would try not to let her down. That was at least 18 years ago and I am no closer to being famous or rich, but I say there is always hope. LOL.

Hi Kathryn,
That is a great story. I think you will be famous and I hope rich also.
My wife wanted a painting from one of my artist friends and they bargained about the price and the payment.
They agreed that she would pay $10.00 a month until it was paid for. I stayed out of the discussion.
He came every month and she paid him.
It is kind of a joke now.
When he comes to our house he always looks at that painting and she always reminds him of how she paid for it.
I always enjoy your stories. Thanks for sharing.
I finished a new painting today. It is not a masterpiece but I think it is very nice.
It is a watercolor painting of Dubrovnik.
Best wishes,
Fred

Lorraine!! Thank you! Yes - I realize everybody's neighborhoods are different. I'm just starting out so the Women's Resource Center was a great help for me. I know it wouldn't work out so well for well established artists. I'm not sure I'm ready for Toronto! But it will be worth to go check out those exhibits!

The one suggestion that really sticks in my mind is the one that said, "Stay Connected".
This is an important tool for any artist to promote his/her work.
Working through your connections with friends, customers and people you do business with
is a lot easier than making "cold calls" on strangers.
Just think of all the ones you know, the barber, the doctor, the dentist, the computer repair guy,your auto repair guy,
your grocer, your gas station guy, your office supply guy, the electrician, the income tax guy, etc.
When I go to the doctor and ring the bell and the glass window slides open I say, "Your artist is here!"

Hi, I just spent awhile writing up a post of some ideas and experiences and forgot to copy it before sending. Of course FAA had timed out during that interval and my post did not register. So I will have to come back later when i can recall all of it.

That is the comfort zone you ned to move away from "friends, customer and people you do business with". The only successful salesperson are the ones who make cold calls without fear. Ferar causeds you to run back to former customers. Reject this if you are a true artist and seek new customers before the former customers begin forget you. Let the former customers know about the new and so on.

Snake Dog I'm with you on that. The well dries up sooner or later and what we need is Seymour. Seymour Prospects. LOL.

Just sold the original watercolor of this image on Etsy.com. Just posted it there last night and sent an email to my mailing list and it sold this morning for $475.00. Not too bad for a days work and an evening of promoting. That's a very high price for Etsy.com also. I put a high price on it because I didn't necessarily want to sell it so soon. So maybe that's my magic formula.

Congratulations on your sale Kathryn. Beautiful painting. Your deserved a nice sale. Best wishes, Fred