Banquet for the Starving Artist

new class at MCC

2008-05-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hi. It's been a while. I'm teaching a new class this summer about the business of art, called, of course, 'Banquet for the Starving Artist'. So, I've been spending a lot more time, reading and brainstorming ways to help artists.

I read a very good article in Art Calendar magazine by Jack White where he lists 12 ways artists hurt their own careers. It's called "12 Reasons Artists Fail". It's a very good article, although I agree with about 90% of it - I copied it for all of my students.

He lists: 1. No one can find you. 2. Lack of artistic focus. 3. Distractions. 4. Lack of business knowledge. 5. Jealousy. 6. Pricing. 7. No Goals. 8. Attitude. 9. The art doesn't 'connect'. 10. Failure to produce. 11. Not having fun. 12. Artistic Suicide. I think it's very good, practical advice - Jack, to me, is kind of like the Dr. Phil of the art world. Hey, and they're both from Texas! I say 90% because I think some of it is very generalized, which can be good for a very beginner, but I always believe in exceptions to the rule.

By the way, I can't say enough good about Art Calendar magazine. Anyone trying to make money on their art needs a subscription. Or you can check it out first at Borders.

no excuses

2008-03-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

The point of that letter is really that there are no excuses. There are ways if you find them. If you make excuses you just aren’t making your art a priority. It’s that simple. Maybe you can only spend five minutes on your art each day. It sounds like it’s almost not worth it if that’s all you have to give. But – five minutes a day is almost thirty-one hours in a year. That sounds a bit better, doesn’t it? Although once I figured that out I remembered timing myself to see how long it took to put on my makeup each morning just for the heck of it. When I really take my time and do a good job using moisturizer, mascara, the works – it takes 10 minutes. I thought, ok, not so bad – it’s worth it if it makes me feel good – well, I don’t like the implications of that! That’s about 62 hours in a year of putting on makeup!

I guess we all need to be reminded that life is finite and we should spend our time on worthwhile things. Sure, the laundry does need to be done and some basic housekeeping each day – but don’t let society and the fear of what other people think keep you from doing what is REALLY important to you. We all know how fast a year can go. MAKE the time. Cut out something else. Realize that small steps really DO add up. I had someone say to me once that when they die they don’t want people to talk about how someone could eat off her kitchen floor because it was so clean… she wanted people to remember the kind of person she was and the art she left behind. That says it all to me. It’s our life and we owe it to ourselves to live the life we were meant to live.

Have small kids or other distractions?

2008-03-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

I got an email from a woman in South Carolina who asked me this question: “Do you have any advice on creating art while taking care of young children? How do you do it?”

My answer: ‘When my own kids were small they were number one - above my art, but I also realized that kids do get more self sufficient and eventually move away so I needed to have something for myself. Not to mention if I didn't spend any time on my art I wasn't able to give as much to the kids. Not only was it a good example to them to see their mom taking care of herself, but necessary to my own well being.
If you do have help - a supportive partner who also spends time with the kids then by all means make an arrangement so that you can spend some time each week devoted to your art with no distractions.
If you don't have help you're going to have be creative in finding some. Is there another parent of one of your children's friends who you can swap time with? A family member who can baby-sit once a week?

I remember many years ago I came to the realization that IF I was going to paint, it was really up to ME and no one else to make it happen. That thought transformed my life because I could no longer use other people not helping as an excuse.

The most fun and easiest thing to do is set up your house so that you can work while taking care of the kids.
Having a place in your home where you can keep your work set up helps a lot so that you don't have to put away your supplies all the time - I've worked on my kitchen table and then had to clean it off for dinner way too many times. The problem becomes that it's too hard to take it out again to finish a project. I eventually made my living room (I was fortunate enough to have a living room and a family room) into my studio and my dining room into my office. A table set up in a corner of the family room, or dining room will help tremendously. It's much better to have a space of your own - even if it's small. And then have a space for your kids to do art projects of their own with their own supplies. Most kids love to be creative. You can set aside an hour a day (and it could last longer if you're all having fun and depending on your kids ages) to everyone working on their own art project - including you!

Although it might seem at first thought to have a space far away from your main living area might be best because it's the most quiet place - I've found that having my work space near my family was what worked best for me because I was more likely to BE there. I wanted to know what my kids were doing and be there if they needed me. That's just my personal preference. I just got used to working with a lot of noise around me. As a matter of fact, as I sit here and type I've had to get up and let my Shelties in the house twice because they were barking at the neighbor dogs!
Another idea is that if the kids settle down to watch a movie each day there could be some quiet time for you - now, believe me, I'm not suggesting using the TV as a babysitter, but if you do allow some time for them to watch it - this could be a nice window of opportunity. They could look forward to seeing what you've created after the movie is over.

I would say that being PRESENT for your kids while you are sharing your day is the best thing you can do. Pay a lot of attention to them while you play, take them out, make meals - just every day stuff, and listen to them. They will be a lot more likely to understand YOUR needs if you give them some undisrupted time. And they won't be trying to get your attention every minute of the day if they feel they've already HAD your attention.’

If you don’t have small children, but other people or animals that take a lot of your attention, aging parents for example, you can use some of those same ideas or principles.

Just make some art

2008-03-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

So, let’s talk about DOING the art. “I’m so busy and tired when I get home from work that I don’t have time!” If that’s your excuse for not doing what you want, it is just that – an excuse. Unless you are stuck in prison (the kind where you don’t even get a pad of paper or a pen to use) – you have some time. But people sometimes put themselves in their own prisons and really think they can’t do what they want. But I bet you can.

think like a professional

2008-03-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Besides keeping a positive attitude you need to think like a professional. I once heard someone say that if you want something you need to start acting like you already have it. That’s great advice. Imagine yourself doing what you want and see if there is some of that behavior you can do right now. Even if you’re working at a job you’re not particularly crazy about. Even if you have no extra money to spend on your art. Even if it’s very hard to imagine. It’s your life. If you feel like an artist, you are an artist. Being an artist isn’t about selling. Yes, the selling and making money will come if you make it happen, but you can still ‘be’ an artist just by believing you are one and then acting like it.

I somehow just got this image of someone ‘acting’ like an artist wearing a beret and saying pretentious things. I don’t mean lying to yourself or anyone else. Be honest. Maybe you feel like the truth is ‘I wish I could be an artist because I like to draw and paint, but I’ve never had any training or sold anything because I’m not that good.’ But is the REAL truth ‘I’m an artist. I haven’t sold anything yet, because, until recently, I haven’t taken it seriously enough.’?

When I say ‘acting like an artist’ let’s start with the basics – making art. DO the art you want to do, have a business card made so people can contact you, tell someone what you do, take some free moments to look up art shows online, enter an art show, have slides made of your work. The list goes on and on. You get the point.

Go to my site: www.telfleur.com - you'll be able to get to my site soon by going to: www.banquetforthestarvingartist.com

Is someone you know making you feel discouraged?

2008-01-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

Undoubtedly you know someone in your life who thinks artists are just ‘playing’. Trust me, I know these people. When you say you want to be an artist – or that you are an artist they will immediately find ways for you to feel like that’s not a real job. This is where you really have to decide how to handle these people. Not only how to handle them (or hopefully get away from them), but how to NOT let their negative attitude get to you. We all come across negative people and sometimes - although I recommend avoiding them - you can't. Maybe they're part of the family or someone you just met. It can be a challenge to be proud of what you do when faced with negativity, but you can do it. I've found that quick, short answers are best because you don't want to argue or engage in conversation with these kind of people - you just want to shut them up. Have a sense of humor and realize when someone is negative - it usually has to do with THEM and nothing to do with you. Try quoting something positive you've heard someone say about your work and your dreams. For example: "Well, it's all in how you look at it. I've heard people say I'm going to be very successful someday." Or "Well, I feel the best way to succeed is to do what you're good at." or "I feel positive about my future." Smile, then drop the subject or walk away if you can.

more on promoting yourself - advertising

2007-12-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

Advertising in newspapers, magazines, etc. is very costly. I believe our lives are so complicated nowadays, there are so many events to go to, so much to do, see, and read about that paying for an ad is mostly a waste. Not many people actually read them. What people DO read however are short, to the point articles on a front page with a colored photo. So, great – how do you get that accomplished? It will probably be easier than you think.

Start with creating something newsworthy. What’s newsworthy? Well, this is where your brainstorming skills come in. Has anything new happened? Have you gotten into a National show? Are you having a local show and giving part of the profits to a good charity? Do you have a new business or a new website? Are you teaming up with another artist? Are you being featured in a local gallery, teaching a new class? Don’t be shy. What are you doing that people should know about?

What people don’t always realize is that newspapers are looking for ideas. When you present an idea to a reporter or editor they usually want to write about it. Or better yet – YOU write about it in a press release and send it to them. This takes pressure off of them but still fills the newspaper. The easiest way is to email it and this is really the preferred way nowadays. But because they are very busy and under daily deadlines they often overlook a press release so you have to remind them without being obnoxious. This can be tricky. You don’t want to get arrested on stalking charges. When I worked at my office job my boss taught me one important thing when we were calling companies and trying to find people. He said “make friends with the gatekeeper.” – meaning the secretary or whoever answers the phone. So, go ahead and call as a follow-up and it's usually appreciated.

I keep forgetting to mention in these blogs - go to my website to see my art - www.telfleur.com Thanks! ; )

more on brochures

2007-12-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

Just like any kind of brochure for a business, an artists brochure must include the same type of information. You want a little bit about anything important, but not too much. Make them want to see more. The main idea is to write something about yourself or your inspiration – perhaps your artists statement, some photos of your work, a small black and white head shot of yourself (a professional one is good unless you know someone who can do a professional job – my daughter took mine and I’m very happy with it), a website address, and of course your contact information. If you can design this yourself you might want to ‘google’ brochures or tri-fold brochures and find some samples done in Word that you can use as a template. If you can’t do this yourself, get some recommendations from a college or from other artists and see if you can find someone who is good and can do it for a price you can afford. In office supply stores you can find special paper now made for tri-fold brochures.

Promote yourself

2007-12-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

This is for Bob (even though you once said being a freelance artist sounds like too much work : )

Promoting yourself is something often difficult for artists since it seems like your art should speak for itself – but if you don’t promote yourself – who will? I have my days where I would just like to sit in my studio and have the public come to me. Being in business is being in business, even if your business is art. The more you see it this way the easier it will get. Just don’t lose the creative side of yourself in promoting yourself. You must find the balance between the two.

Business cards are a very basic way to start. They are something small that you will keep with you at all times. When someone wants to know what you do, you can hand out a business card. It’s especially nice to have a website so that people can see your work.

Brochures are an extension of your business card. Brochures are for people who are serious about your work. They will be more expensive to print than business cards so you don’t want to just hand them out to everyone. Give them out to people who take the time to really look at your work and talk about it.

You're good enough

2007-11-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

Don’t waste time thinking you’re not good enough. If you feel passionate about what you’re doing I am willing to bet you are good enough. Good enough to make it in some area of art doing what you do best. Take a look around you. It’s not always the most talented, but it is often the artists who believe in themselves who get jobs. If you don’t believe you can do it than no one else will. I’ve learned a lot by trial and error. Most of all I ask you to please not let rejection or negative comments from people get in your way. I have faced many, many rejections and I always try to learn from it. Maybe the lesson is something I can change. Maybe the lesson is simply – this is not the show for me, so I won’t enter it again. Whatever it is, feel it and move on to the next thing. If art is your passion you should never give up. Just take it day by day and follow your dream. It may not manifest in exactly the way you imagined, but it will happen.

get motivated

2007-11-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

If you feel you want to create, but haven’t in so long that you’re stuck in a rut or don’t know where to begin, what medium to try, or where to learn – don’t fear. There are many places to get inspiration. You could start by taking a class that sounds interesting. Colleges and community colleges have many classes for credit or non-credit, as do libraries, park districts, art supply stores, and art centers, to name a few. Classes are great because once you pay for the class you feel you’re wasting your money if you don’t go. Then you are not only exposed to different ideas, but you try things you wouldn’t try on your own. You also get to know people interested in the same things you’re interested in and get to see how different each person’s art is – even when you’re all working on the same assignment.

Welcome!

2007-11-01T01:21:00.000-07:00

I want to write about the business of art here every once in a while so that other artists can get some ideas of what has worked or not worked for me - it also keeps me thinking of new marketing ideas for myself.

One thing I’ve found in my many years of working as an artist is that most successful artists don’t get ‘discovered’. Being successful both financially and personally is usually something that builds up little by little by little. One good thing happens, a few rejections here and there, another good thing happens and pretty soon over a matter of months or years you find that you’re actually making money doing something you love. Listen to your instincts and trust that it will happen if you make it a priority. That doesn’t mean you should quit your day job immediately. It just means you can do small things every day that add up to much progress over time.