Today's Post is by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.  Find out how you can be a guest author

Many artists feel that truly meaningful or 'pure' art is created solely for the purpose of expression and must not be influenced by any outside force.  They argue that the inspiration must come from within and that any other influence or purpose behind the creation dilutes or contaminates its purpose.  It is no longer pure art, but rather has stooped to the level of 'commercial art' at best.

Is it really so black and white?  Can one make a living at art and create meaningful art which comes from within?  Are all artists who market their work selling out to commercialism?


I believe that it is possible to stay true to oneself in the creation of art and make a living at it.  There is a continuum rather than a fixed doorway.  On one end are the purest of the purists (those I described above).  On the other end are those who sell out their creativity to make a buck.  (I don't include commercial artists or illustrators, because I believe that there is a huge difference between being a commercial artist and selling out to commercialism - but this is a different topic for another day).  Each artist must decide for him or herself where that line is which, when crossed, prostitutes their creativity.

I don't claim to know all the answers, but rather I bring up a few things to ponder as you decide on your own career. This list is in no particular order and is not all inclusive.

• There is a difference between creating and promoting.
• Don't create artwork that you are not excited about.
• Be open to new ideas, though.  Growth comes from trying new things. 
• Do not promote or exhibit artwork that you are not excited about.
• I would rather miss an entry deadline to a show, than to submit a mediocre painting.
• Don't try to replicate someone else's successes.
• Don't try to duplicate your own successes.  Learn from them and apply what you learned, but don't do the same painting over and over trying to glean more sales.  If you have something additional to say about a specific theme or subject then explore that idea until exhausted.  If you have nothing new to say, move on. 
• Never be content with your current level.  Always strive to improve your skills.
• Find markets for your work.  Don't alter your work for the market.  
• Be selective in which shows, galleries, etc. you chose to exhibit.   A venue which may be right for one artist may be wrong for you.
• Commissions are difficult.  Apply principles 2 and 3 above to determine whether or not to accept a commission.  Don't simply say 'no' because the idea is not solely yours.  Don't simply say 'yes' to have a guaranteed sale.  Consider the request and discuss with the client their expectations and yours.  Commissions can be very fulfilling if done in the right way.   Be open but selective.
• Keep your prices in line with the market.  Some artists over price while some under price their work.
• Don't keep prices the same for too long.  Collectors want to know that what they have purchased was a good investment.  If they see that your prices have increased over the years, this confirms that they made a good decision. (Be careful not to artificially inflate prices, though).  They will be more willing to continue buying your work.
• However, don't encourage purchasing on investment.  The collectors must first want to live with the painting.  
• There are hundreds of marketing techniques and strategies, choose those that work for you. 
• Determine what you are trying to say with your art.  What is your motivation?  Why do you create?  Is there a common theme to all of your work (regardless of how diverse it may appear)?  This should be what your promotional and marketing strategies are developed around.
  
  
  

I could go on, but I hope this list gets you thinking.  Be true to yourself and your art, but don't be afraid to find ways to promote and sell it.  Even if you rely on galleries to sell your work, there is a lot you can do to develop your reputation and make your work more sought after.

Sincerely,

Keith Bond


PS.  Keep in mind that some of history's greatest works of art were commissioned.  Think of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Velasquez, Sargent, Rodin, and Dixon to name only a few.  It is possible to create great art even if the market becomes a part of the equation.   

[Editor's Note: This is a common meme among artists the "pure" vs. "commercial" debate.  If you want to discuss/debate it more, in "real time" join the discussion with us over on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/clintavo ]

Today's Post is by Lori Woodward Simons, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.  Find out how you can be a guest author.

Several blogs that I subscribe to have been recently arguing that making New Year's resolutions is useless and sometimes downright depressing - especially when listed goals are never met.  But since I'm a natural born list maker, I just can't help myself when it comes to writing down and revising my goals. In other words, for me... it's fun.

This year, I'm doing something a big different... I'm simplifying all my wishes into one or two main goals that come under what I've coined an Umbrella Goal. If I can reach this all encompassing goal, the underlying goals will have been satisfied.

So what is my UG (Umbrella Goal)? I want to make a decent living by my creative talents.  By decent, I am aiming for $50K, net. Many of my artist friends make way more than that. With my artistic abilities, along with my teaching and writing experience, I see no reason why this goal should allude me if I force myself to focus on one or two main tasks.

Working hard is a given, but the operative word here is "FOCUS". I can't possibly do all things well at the same time, so now - and for the foreseeable future - I will teach myself to focus my work. I want to increase my income, so I'll dedicate my time to those tasks which are most likely to get me there. Like many of you, I have learned to do dozens of things well, but at some point in life, it becomes imperative that I willfully place some things I enjoy on the back burner, so that I'll be able to master at least one thing.

I'll need to get a bit more selfish with my time. I'll put aside: teaching classes and workshops, trying to paint everything for everybody (especially gallery owners who make conflicting requests), working with individuals via personal mentoring, and portrait commissions. I believe that artistic skills grow faster when artists specialize and become masters at their medium and subject matter. 

So here it is, the two areas I'll focus on for the coming year: writing and painting. Writing for FineArtViews and Watercolor Magazine, and painting for one gallery, and then perhaps adding another -- when and if I have enough work to supply two. Although I love painting landscapes, I also enjoy floral still life. Since two gallery dealers are currently asking for my still lifes, there's an open opportunity for me to sell these. I'd be a fool not to take advantage of this situation.

I'll leave this post with a summarizing statement that I intend to make my mantra for 2009:

The time has come to get serious about my work -- by sacrificing my many interests so that I may master one.

For the time being, I intend to master Floral Still Life.  I've already got a decent start, have sold many still life paintings over the past decade, but I intend to build on the skills I already have. Feel free to follow my progress this year by watching my website:  www.woodwardsimons.com 

If I meander off course,do me a favor and gently point me back to my original path.

[Ed Note: Lori hits upon an important point here - it's important to have only one or two big goals so that you can get really focused on the things that will really make a difference.  One exercise that can help you get crystal-clear is to really put some thought into your artist statement.  Your statement is an opportunity to define yourself. It is a chance to assert, with facts and with clarity, the current direction of your work. Your statement is for a greater purpose than just words on a piece of paper. You will develop a method of putting your thoughts together in language you can use again and again throughout your career . . . . Now we have a resource that can help you develop your statement:  Learn More]