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A 'website' is "arguably" the best marketing and promotional tool a working artist has ever had. But it’s only a tool; it’s not an answer to any and all marketing questions. Artists need to learn how to use their websites in their marketing. Happily, this is not hard. It doesn’t take a lot o. . .

A lot of people don't realize that the art world revolves around a seasonal schedule. Galleries begin their season in September, usually after Labor Day, often opening with their strongest artist and continue until about the middle of June. Many galleries use the summer months to mount group show. . .

By Alan Bamberger   This article was written shortly after 9/11, but is applicable whenever economic times get tough... Now is a difficult time for Americans as well as for people in many other parts of the world. The horrific tragedies of recent weeks have further weakened our already falterin. . .

Painting takes time.  Marketing takes more time, and money.  It's not enough to create great paintings, you have to also work at getting your name 'out' - recognizable by people who matter in the art world at your level.  How to accomplish this on a limited budget?  Thanks to the internet, many n. . .

I have always taken my own photos of my artwork and have turned myself upside down and inside out to make them look good and look real. Flash, borrowed lights, fancy cameras, I've done it all. I am by no means an expert and can not talk the talk about settings or stops or whatever all that mumbo ju. . .

Artists often ask me whether or not it is worth it to rent a gallery to put up their own work.  In general, I discourage the idea, unless artists have looked realistically at their goals and expectations.  In many cases, renting a gallery space can be a very effective way to market yourself to oth. . .

Someone wants something from you. Maybe it's exactly like your latest landscape. Only they'd like it in cooler colors to match their newly redecorated living room. Or maybe it's one of your signature sterling necklaces, but "could you do it in gold and add a sapphire? I know you don't like to work. . .

In order to have a successful career—whatever that means to you—you must be able to define yourself and your art in a sea of untold numbers of artists. To do this, you must first find your style. What is style? Style is a word that is bandied about freely. But what does it mean? In her book Livi. . .

I've been listening this week to a thought-provoking series on NPR's Morning Edition about "flops." On Day 3, they discussed the aftermath of failure--specifically, what happens when a movie flops. Laura Ziskin, producer of "Hero," said, "You think about your failures way longer and way more th. . .

Artists seeking to further their careers are constantly submitting proposals, including grant applications, public art proposals, and commissions. I was reminded this week how critical a good proposal is when the giant blue bear started going up outside of the Denver Convention Center. As I recall. . .

Learning how to document your own artwork can be time consuming and expensive. Having good quality slides of your work, however, is an absolutely essential first step in seeing yourself as a professional artist. Nine times out of ten you will not have the opportunity to show your original work. Re. . .

There are many times when an artist is asked to compose an artist statement. Sometimes, it is in response to a specific inquiry by a gallery or collector, sometimes in response to a particular grant proposal or in conjunction with a curatorial statement or exhibition. Other times, artists just feel . . .

You’ve worked hard to develop a cohesive body of work. You’ve done your homework, worked diligently to do the research to find a place to exhibit your work.  Perhaps you fell into a lucky situation and been offered an exhibition.  How do you prepare for it to get the most out of this valuable experi. . .

 Art Licensing is an exciting area in the licensing market and can possibly supplement and artist’s income and increase exposure.  Licensing is defined as leasing the right to use a legally protected name, graphic, logo, saying or likeness in conjunction with a product, promotion, or services.  It. . .

Planning Stage Long before you talk to any website designers, or start to think about the colors, features and format of your site, you need to spend some time thinking about what your goals are for having a website.  Building a website is like building a house. The more time you spend thinking. . .

Artists who regularly visit this website have acquired a lot of information on how to conduct their business practices. It's not easy trying to keep track of all the activities necessary to become a working professional artist particularly since most artists are just not suited for the day-to-day p. . .

Originally published in Artweek, May 5, 1994, Vol. 25, Number 9 " . . .the burden of responsibility has been shifting slowly to the artist . . ."   If you understand geology, you know that the earthquakes serve an important function. Beneath the earth's surface, a constant buildup of pressure occ. . .

The Internet has become an unavoidable fact of life.  Over just the last few years we have seen radical changes in the way this new technology is changing the way we live, think and shop.  Although many artists, collectors and galleries continue to have fears and concerns, even their reluctance is s. . .

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times from artists: “I don’t want to sound like a used car salesman when I sell my work.” My response: Who says you have to do that? Sales talk is hard for most artists. Heck, it’s difficult for most people in general. It’s unnatural and it usually . . .