Newsletter Finally Ready

We are ready to "go to press."  The newsletter is being reread and the final touches added.  So if you haven't signed up for your copy now is the time to do so.  On April 15th I will be announcing the results of our drawing for a freebee.  I am giving away a print on canvas of Florida Treasures.  This print can be stretched on stretcher strips or can be matted.

Besides writing the newsletter, this last week has been busy with creating color charts.  You know the kind written about in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima.  Even after all these years of painting, I am learning so much about my colors and the beautiful combinations that I have never tried before.  With these twelve charts completed, I can match any color I see before me or use them to invent colors.

 I started them about ten years ago but wasn't willing to put in the effort in making the twelve boards required so I gave up.  Then about two years ago I found a new resource for making these valuable color charts.  I bought them but just kept putting off doing them.  After finishing the last big painting, I decided it was time. 

Check out their website from ColorFrontier.  Artists who are serious about mastering color, know the value of "doing the charts".  Now it's easier than ever and well worth the time.

Butt Pain from Sitting on the Learning Curve

    Is it just me or is this technology explosion causing you to ask . . . WHY?  This past week Robert Genn's s newsletter broached the subject of the lack of sales in this weak economy.  He stated that in a conversation with five artist, one being a technology guru (my words not his) sales were almost non existent.  Obviously if their work is not up to par all the advertising in the world won't help.  And during this same week I pulled up a site that I had bookmarked some months ago called ARTIST HELPING ARTIST.  This particular radio broadcast was about blogging effectively and all the strategies to have a bigger following.  I was overwhelmed with all the techno information.  I've tried staying current but new information and marketing information to promote my art has overwhelmed me.  I know that if you do the work you will increase your community of readers but is that enough?  Do you have to have a store with books and prints of your work to make it pay?  Why do a few artists (daily painters) seem to sell everything they paint on ebay.    What is the real goal for putting all this information out there?  I would love to hear your personal experience with being internet savvy.  I have included the broadcast at the bottom for those interested.  This broadcast is only one of many that are great and I recommend checking this site out.  Just be sure to have a pencil and lots of paper to make notes.  Looking forward to all comments on this topic.

Listen to internet radio with Artists Helping Artists on Blog Talk Radio

Business Planning for Artists - Part 2

Business Planning for Artists – Part 2
In my previous Blog Post on the subject of business planning we reviewed some basic per-planning elements that should be answered by all of us. These elements included your Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and answering the ultimate question of what business you are in. I suggest that you revisit the basic elements reviewed before moving on. That said, here is a basic outline for a general business plan beginning with the Executive Statement (which, by the way, should be written last as it summarizes the whole of you business plan).

1. Executive Summery
   What business am I in?
   My Vision
   My Mission
   Keys to my success
2. Business Summary
   My Strengths and Weaknesses
   My Experience
   My Education
   My Business History --- an on-going business or start-up
   My Location and Facilities
3. Products and Services (or both)
   What do I create (e.g. Custom Fine Art)
   What services to I provide (e.g. Commissioned Work)
   Competitive Comparison
   Source Materials Used
   Technologies Used
   Promotional Materials/Literature
   Future Products possible
4. Market Analysis Summary
   My Market Segment
   Target Market Strategy
   Market Needs
   Market Trends
   Market Growth
   External Opportunities and Threats
   Market Participants
   Distribution Patterns
   Competitive Factors
   Main Competitors
5. Strategy and Implementation summary
   Value Position
   Competitive Edge
   Marketing Strategy
   Pricing Strategy
   Promotional Strategy
   Marketing Programs
6. Financial Plan (there is a whole list of items that can go here, but I need to start making this post a little shorter!)
7. Personal Plan

Okay, this looks pretty daunting and is why most artists do little if any real business planning. I should also say that this outline is not chiseled in stone, so it is a starting point/suggestion not an absolute! The purpose of a business plan is to focus your attention to the grunt work of business. So if you were to work through even half of the elements of a general business plan outline, you would be in a better position business wise than the average artist. In addition, there are many business planning programs available for both the Mac and PC that will walk you through the planning process. None are all that easy to use in my opinion, but are still worth the effort to learn to use or master. I personally use Business Plan Pro and QuickBooks Pro to help me to better understand my art business and where I stand financially. I will have more to say about art business planning as others ask questions. Until then, please feel free to make comments, or ask your art related question using the comments area. I welcome and appreciate questions and input.

Business Planning for Artists - Part 1

As artists we do not normally think of ourselves as business people. However, if we plan to make a living as artists we are indeed also business people. Recently, through direct E-mail and Twitter, I have been asked about business planning for artists. Business planning in general is a topic that could fill a completely independent blog or website. Here, I will attempt to be brief but still provide some basic information and direction so that you can begin to think about writing your own artist’s business plan.  Sorry, no pictures on this one.

For starters, there are a few fundamental elements that you must think about in order to begin to develop your written business plan for your art businesses. Carefully consider the following points; in a brief paragraph or two you should be able to describe for yourself and have a good basic feel for each of these basic elements:

• What business are you in? Describe in seven words or less
• Your Basic Values & Beliefs --- who are you really
• Vision --- where do you see yourself in two, five or more years
• Mission --- why do you paint (sculpt or draw) in the first place
• Internal Strengths and Weaknesses --- what makes you different; make you less competitive
• External Opportunities and Threats --- gallery or museum invitations; the economy
• Competition (like it or not we all have competitors!) --- who are you compared to
• Your Products and Services, Customers, and Markets --- quality matters; who are your clients/collectors; what markets do you play in---sidewalk art shows, galleries

Let me say this right from the get-go: I know as artists that it is difficult to think of our works of art as products, but to the art show art buyer or the gallery owner/dealer that is what our art represents. If you or the gallery can’t sell your work, you are out of business plain and simple! Take a good look at your work or have an unbiased person take a hard look for you. Is the quality of your work equal to or better than others already in the market place you want to play in? Are your artistic skills and standards as high as or higher than those you compete against? Your work represents and speaks for you and you are judged as an artist accordingly. So what does your work say about you?

I will have more to say about art business planning in Business Planning for Artists - Part 2, or as others ask questions. Until then, please feel free to make comments, or ask your art related question using the comments area. I welcome and appreciate questions and input.

New Listing on eBay

        








"Used Up" oil on canvas birchwood panel
5X7"

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