Know the ins and outs of the business to start an art gallery

Take in as much information as you can on the type of art you’ll be displaying in your gallery. You want to be considered a professional. Look for similar galleries in other cities and visit them, either online or in person. Learn more about the artists who are making this style of work, both established names and newcomers. Your gallery will stand out as one that consumers can trust if they see that your approach is professional. A great thing you could do is to have each piece of art explained, along with its meaning and its relevance in the genre.

Find the space for your art gallery

Try to find a space that’ll feel right and have all the predispositions for your business to grow. To start an art gallery successfully, it needs to be in a good location. Lack of availability and approachability can be a massive deal-breaker for many art gallery geeks. Especially if you live in a city that tourists often visit, you’ll want to be easy to find. Another great piece of advice is to make the design of your gallery personal and unique. Of course, art should be the focal point; there’s no doubting that. However, visiting an art gallery can be an exceptional experience if the atmosphere is just right. Put a lot of thought into your gallery’s interior since it could be something that draws customers in.

Become familiar with the market

One of the first things you should get to before opening an art gallery is familiarizing yourself with all the trends in the art market. Researching your local market is necessary if you wish to be ready for everything that’s coming. A great way to do so is to arrange meetings with artists and other art community members to get a better insight and create bonds. By broadening your horizons this way, you’ll find the vision you want your gallery to reflect.

Embrace the Digital Era: Crafting an Online Presence for Your Art Gallery

To start an art gallery successfully, developing a strong online presence is crucial. In today’s digital age, having a dynamic website and utilizing social media platforms is essential for reaching a wider audience and attracting potential customers. Creating an engaging website that reflects the values and aesthetics of your art gallery will make it easier for people to connect with your brand.

Consider showcasing high-quality images of the artwork, providing detailed information about the artists and their creative process, and incorporating an online store for art purchases. Additionally, actively engage with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming events.

The Art of Connection: Building Relationships in the Art Community

Another crucial aspect to consider when starting an art gallery is fostering relationships with local artists, art communities, and potential patrons. Networking within the art industry can open doors to collaborative opportunities, introductions to talented artists, and partnerships with other galleries or cultural institutions. Attend local art events, join art associations, and participate in community initiatives to connect with like-minded individuals and gain insights into the local art scene.

Building strong relationships with artists can help you curate diverse and compelling exhibitions while engaging with art enthusiasts and collectors can generate buzz and potential sales for your gallery. By actively immersing yourself in the art community, you can establish your gallery as a hub for creativity and become a trusted advocate for both emerging and established artists in your area.

Utilize what you’ve found out to start a successful art gallery

Try to find a way to fit in and stand out in your area simultaneously. If the sort of art you’re envisioning for your gallery has sufficient representation in the area, people don’t need one more of the same. In this case, selling artwork might be an almost impossible mission. Then again, if your new gallery doesn’t go with the overall vibe at all, you’re in trouble. Finding a balance is tricky. However, it’s the only way to stay relevant and in business.

Focus on the business side of things

Before you open an art gallery, you’ll need to make some tough decisions. How are you going to conduct business? The best route you can take is to speak to someone who’s already been through the ordeal. Experience is the most valuable thing you can have in the business world. Creating a clear business plan that’ll formulate the way your gallery will operate will be essential for its growth. How will you get funding? In what way will your gallery make money? If you’re planning to earn income by the commission, what will your percentage be? These are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself.

Marketing is important

Of course, one of the most important aspects you’ll have to consider when it comes to your growth plan is your marketing standpoint. Nowadays, creating an online presence is imperative if you wish to be successful. Although it’s not the only way to market your business, it is the most effective one. This means you’ll need to get involved in social media, no matter if that’s your forte or not. Creating a dynamic website that’ll reflect everything the art gallery you’re opening stands for will make it easy for anyone to get interested. Reaching your target clientele has never been easier. So, be sure to take advantage of that.

Taking risks is part of the process

Although you need to learn from other people’s mistakes and grow your business smartly, this doesn’t mean that your working environment should be dull and homogenous. It would be best to aim for a peaceful and stable atmosphere that’s comfortable enough, of course. However, comfort zones aren’t suitable breeding grounds for growth. Make sure to stay educated, motivated, ambitious, and hungry. Calling risky shots from time to time will ensure that the art gallery you’ve started gets all the opportunities it deserves. Remember, no one’s ever made a massive success by staying inside the safe lane and a paved path.

Purchasing an already existing business?

Even though taking risks is something every business eventually benefits from, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider investing in a sure thing. If you don’t want to start an art gallery from scratch and have some savings, purchasing an existing business is a great idea. You should, of course, be careful and smart about this. Make sure to buy a place that has all the positive aspects already set in motion. We’re talking products and a delivery system, loyal customers, regular sales, a reliable staff, and so much more.

Author bio: Katie Stevens has been a consultant for U. Santini Moving and Storage over the past decade. Her specialties include packing, unpacking, and storing valuable art pieces and occasional random fragile items. Over the past few months, she’s begun to share her accumulated knowledge about the art world and business to help people looking to step into this world.

The post How to Start an Art Gallery appeared first on Art Business News.

Are you in, or are you out?

NETWORKING: A STAIRWAY TO SUCCESS

Getting out of your creative bubble and employing your soft skills can be nerve-racking. Let’s debunk the beauty of networking straight away: it’s awkward and often excruciatingly unpleasant (due to the “I’m only here to use you” – and vice versa narrative). For any genuine artist, entertaining the idea of mingling for work’s sake is nearly blasphemous, as it takes them away from the only thing that actually matters – creating. However, the harsh truth is: our art can only change the world if it’s being seen and consumed by another. So, yes, networking is paramount. It’s how we land gigs, establish collaborations, and build a future-proof client base. Proactive is the new artistic mindset. Omnipotency. Soft and hard skills combined. How do we establish new connections? By crashing the network party, even if our landing strategy may need some practice, granted.

THERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT

You can tiptoe through the tulips with Tiny Tim all you want; without networking, there are no opportunities on the table. Buffet? Forget it. How do you get into a gallery? Not by embodying a virtual recluse. Not anymore, not today. Surely, it all seems too familiar, a PTSD “high school integration drama series” rated PG 18. As we get more mature (and that extra existential patina kicks in), getting to know people becomes more challenging by the minute. Social butterfly? Unlikely. Porcupine? Best case scenario. Nonetheless, networking has statistics on its side. 95% of people in the art industry confirm that good, archaic face-to-face meeting is still pivotal in creating the necessary connections.

DON’T OVERSELL IT

Nobody likes the “The artist is present” approach. If you’re entering the networking waters, be sure to silence the aggressive-seller trait. It’s not cute. And it doesn’t work. It may sound counterintuitive, but the more we try, the worse it gets. Think of networking as an audition. In other words, the people you are trying to get acquainted with and befriend are looking for that relatable thread. It’s not about establishing control and holding the discourse reins; it’s just social interaction. Plain and simple. Therefore, lose the internal pressure. “Tonight’s the night. You’re going to make it.” Probably not. Networking is a slow process and if you’re in it for the long haul, you better learn to enjoy it for what it is, not for what it can do for you.

Like speed dating but for artists, therefore, the idea is to lay the creative network foundation, and opportunities will organically follow.

LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

What does networking in the art industry entail? Think big picture. Keep an open mind. Just because you are a painter doesn’t necessarily mean your network circle should solely include painters. It’s just too tautological, no? Too convenient. Too illiberal, borderline conservative, in a sense. Talk to everyone and leave no stone unturned. Patrons enjoy a good disguise these days. Furthermore, you never know from whose nods of approval your art could benefit the most – unless you spread those wings, butterfly. Branching out is the key. The mother of networking. “But we don’t share a common denominator.” So? You’d be surprised. Make connections and contacts with individuals working in other industries; these often make the best project collaborations. Lose the skepticism. Go for it.

PRACTICE THAT PITCH

The infamous ride or die: the elevator speech. “So, tell me, what brings you here tonight? What do you do for a living?” And it’s ready, set, go. This is your shot. So, what do we do? We don’t panic. And we have a pitch ready. Memorized, if need be (especially for the ones with paralyzing stage fright). Keep it casual, brief, and always to the point. Keep your verbal hook under one minute; provide your interlocutor with valuable information – what makes your work so intriguing and HQ? Too door-to-door sales for you? Maybe, all the same, it’s too potent to be put out of business. Art marketing rides on one’s ability to sell the work. To sell the artist (i.e., your masterful self). What are you going to do with all that unsold artwork? Exactly.

TO BRING THAT PITCH TO PERFECTION

Practice beforehand (giggle away, it’s solid advice). Come up with a memorable, idiosyncratic introduction. Make the pitch unique, yours. You’re an artist, no? Idiosyncrasy is your playground. Use it to your advantage. Schedule a roleplay date with your friends (not that kind, silly). Practice the pitch. The simulation will come in handy. Or, if you’re feeling too introspective, there’s always a mirror around. The Shakespeare hour unfolds. P.S. Be sure to time it.

LASTLY

It’s not all social anxiety and climbing-the-ladder turmoil. Networking in the art industry can be a lot of fun. Only if you know how. So, practice offline and online networking simultaneously. Do: TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook. Find artists who are well-connected within the niche of interest. Who do you see yourself collaborating with? Reach out via social media platforms. Charm your way up. Finally, don’t consider your competitors your nemesis; you can learn from them – and vice versa. Connect.

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Artist Bio:
Jerome Mack is a full-time blogger, currently working under City Movers’ wing. On his earthly leisure hours, he enjoys the beauty of Renaissance, astrophysics and African music.

The post Helpful Tips for Networking in the Art Industry appeared first on Art Business News.

1. Reevaluate the artwork

Evaluating unsold artwork is a crucial step for artists to understand why their work may not be getting the recognition they desire. Therefore, it’s important to take a closer look and identify potential drawbacks or improvement areas. And being completely honest about the strengths and weaknesses of your artwork is essential.

To best evaluate unsold artwork, try to view it from a buyer’s perspective:

• Would you buy this artwork?
• Would you pay the price you’re putting it as?
• Does the artwork convey a message or elicit an emotional response?
• Does the artwork have a unique or distinctive quality that sets it apart from similar works?

Understanding your artwork can help you make informed decisions about what changes to make. This process may be challenging, but it can ultimately help you improve your craft and make your artwork more marketable. So, don’t be afraid to take a step back and reevaluate your work – it could lead to great opportunities.

2. Offer the artwork to other venues

If your artwork isn’t selling, don’t get discouraged. Sometimes the first try doesn’t work, and that’s okay. Diversifying the places where you offer your artwork for sale can increase the chances of finding buyers and provide you with more things to do with unsold artwork. Consider reaching out to different venues such as galleries, art fairs, or online marketplaces to showcase your unsold artwork. Before approaching these venues, it’s essential to do your research and find the ones that fit your style and target audience.

When presenting your artwork to potential buyers, create an attractive portfolio or display that showcases your work in the best possible light. By presenting your artwork professionally and targeting the right venues, you can increase your chances of finding buyers and selling your unsold pieces. Remember, every artist faces challenges in selling their artwork, but with persistence and creativity, you can find new opportunities to share your art with the world.

3. Repackage the artwork

Repackaging unsold artwork can be an excellent way to give your artwork a fresh perspective and potentially make it more appealing to buyers. Repackaging can be as simple as changing the framing or display method or as complex as creating a completely new artwork by combining multiple pieces. Another option is for you to consider grouping similar pieces together or offer them as part of a limited-edition series.

To market repackaged artwork, consider using social media to showcase the new presentation and generate buzz. Creating a newsletter or email campaign can also be an effective way to reach potential buyers and showcase your repackaged artwork. Alternatively, consider hiring an art agent who can help you repackage and market your unsold artwork effectively. With a little creativity and strategic thinking, repackaging unsold artwork can be a great way to breathe new life into your work and increase your chances of making a sale. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things – you never know what might work until you give it a try!

4. Store it for the future

Sometimes, artwork doesn’t sell because it’s ahead of its time or just not the right fit for the current market. It’s okay and storing it away for the future can be a smart move.

However, it’s important to store your unsold artwork properly. This way, you’ll ensure they remain in good condition and are ready for future opportunities. After all, imagine the frustration of removing your unsold artwork from storage to sell it, only to discover that it was damaged due to improper storage. Therefore, some simple steps to avoid many issues are using acid-free materials and avoiding direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. It’s also a good idea to keep an inventory of stored artwork and label each piece to make it easy to find in the future. If storage space is limited, consider renting a storage unit to keep the artwork safe and secure. By storing unsold artwork properly, artists can ensure their work is ready for future exhibitions or opportunities.

5. Donate the artwork

By donating artwork to a non-profit organization or charity, artists can support a cause they believe in while also generating goodwill and potential recognition. When donating artwork, it’s essential to choose the right organization that aligns with your values and mission. Research potential organizations and their goals to ensure that your artwork will be used in a way that you are comfortable with.

Some organizations that accept artwork donations include:

• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Schools and educational programs
• Museums and art institutions
• Charity auctions and events

Donating unsold artwork is a great way to give your art a home and support a worthy cause. Plus, it’s one of the many things to do with unsold artwork that can help artists positively impact their community.

6. Repurpose the materials

Sometimes, despite an artist’s best efforts, certain pieces of artwork simply don’t sell. In these cases, repurposing the materials used in the artwork can be a way to breathe new life into the pieces and make something new and valuable. Furthermore, it helps reduce waste. However, it’s important to note that this should only be considered as a final resort if the artist truly believes the piece is no longer of value. To safely repurpose the materials, artists can carefully deconstruct the piece and reuse the materials in a new project. For example, the canvas from an unsold painting could be a base for a new piece.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many things to do with unsold artwork. From repackaging artwork to repurposing the materials, artists have a variety of strategies to explore. It’s important to try different approaches and not give up on your artwork. Remember that unsold artwork doesn’t mean failure; there are always new opportunities to showcase your work. So keep creating, keep pushing boundaries, and keep believing in your artistic vision.

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Author bio:

Meet Samantha Davis; a teacher turned blogger. She is an avid traveler and writer who currently works as a consultant for Beltway Movers. Her love of travel has taken her to various art galleries and exhibitions around the world, inspiring her passion for art. She now writes about it any chance she gets. Through her writing, Samantha hopes to share her love of art with others and inspire them to explore its beauty and creativity.

The post 6 Things To Do With Unsold Artwork appeared first on Art Business News.

While many people want to work in the art industry, however, not a lot of them actually achieve that goal. The tech industry has a respectable 46% success rate based on childhood dreams, but only 21% of those wanting to work in art and design made it as professionals. The good news, though, is that a career in art isn’t the least achievable dream either. Only 3% of would-be entertainment professionals and 2% of would-be writers made it in their dream industry.

So, while it will take a bit of effort, a splash of creativity, and a heap of persistence, a career in the arts may just be within reach. Whether you’re a current art student, a recent graduate, or a mid-life career changer, you may find the following tips useful for breaking into the art industry and making your dream job a reality.

1. NETWORK WHENEVER AND WHEREVER YOU CAN

Whether you’re looking for new ideas, commercial exposure, or just some periodic moral support, networking in the art world is a must. Connecting with other artists and professionals helps you grow your reputation and expand your reach exponentially. If you know enough people, your name will eventually come up. A museum director may consider you for a local exhibition. An artist friend who isn’t a good match for one venue may recommend you instead. A podcast host may call you up for an interview.

The potential benefits of networking with art professionals are nearly endless. Fortunately, so are the ways to connect with others in the modern world. You can choose to attend meetings of a local artist’s group, join a national organization online, stay active on social media, touch base with old art professors, mingle at industry events, or even just pop by to visit that small gallery in your neighborhood. And don’t forget to pay it forward: genuine relationships with others will take you farther than one-sided efforts to market yourself.

2. GET YOUR ART (AND YOURSELF) OUT THERE

If you didn’t love to create, you probably wouldn’t be an artist. However, creativity is only the first half of the equation. The second half involves getting your art in front of an audience. Luckily, we live in an era where that’s easier to do than ever before.

Thanks to the internet, social media, and even “old-fashioned” email, you can get your art out to the world without leaving your studio (you do eventually have to leave, however, but more on that later). Follow, join, and scour art-related media accounts, and then take action! Respond to open calls for new artists, participate in contests, sign up to show your work at fairs, and apply to exhibit at events. Not only will these occasions give you the chance to showcase your art, but you’ll likely make new connections in the art world as well.

If you can’t find enough existing opportunities that suit you, then create some! Contact community groups with their own neighborhood spaces to see if they contract local artists. If self-promotion isn’t your thing (yet), join forces with other artists to form your own group exhibition or event. Group ventures not only take the pressure off you, but may also draw a wider audience thanks to a variety of styles and skill sets.

3. DO MORE THAN JUST MAKE ART (BUT DO THAT TOO!)

While the studio may be your safe (and productive) space, the business side of a career in art will eventually call you to do other things. If you feel comfortable in front of others, try leading workshops at your local recreation center, teaching classes with an area artists’ guild, or giving a talk either in person or online. Don’t forget to make yourself accessible afterwards—chit chat with attendees or answer questions at the end of your event.

If you’d rather let your art do the talking, look into expanding your options by experimenting with joint projects with other artists, accepting commission work, selling prints or other merchandise, or joining print-on-demand sites. Remember to do your research up front with these strategies to make sure that the investment in time (and sometimes money) will be worth it to you in the end.

4. MAKE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE KNOWN

While its importance depends partly on your particular audience and medium, there’s no doubting the power of social media. It takes effort to open and maintain effective accounts, but you may find that a strong social media presence helps you implement all of the suggestions above. Social media can act as a one-stop artist’s shop, allowing you to showcase your work, market yourself, network in the community (and across the globe), announce upcoming events, and sell merchandise all in one place.

Which platform you choose is mostly up to you. While the visual nature of Instagram lends itself most naturally to artists, you may also have accounts on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, or all of the above. Whichever channel you choose (including your own website), make sure to have a professional presence, post/update consistently, and engage with your followers. Perhaps the only thing worse than having no online presence is having one that makes people question your professionalism, dedication to your audience, or even whether you are still in business.

5. GET READY!

As they say, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” While working to expand your opportunities in the art industry, make sure you’re prepared to take advantage of them when they arrive. Focus on honing your artistic vision and style, putting together a strong body of work (and professional portfolio), and polishing your online presence. It never hurts to have a stack of business cards and a short elevator speech at the ready.

MAKE YOUR DREAM JOB A REALITY

While some artists enjoy the more commercial and practical aspects of marketing their work, others find it a chore that takes time away from their craft. If the latter describes you, it may help to think of the business angle of your art as just another venue for your creativity.

You may discover that you have another skill that’s sought after in the arts industry, such as graphic design or digital marketing. If not, then hopefully these tips will help you make it in the art world until you can afford to hire your own business manager!

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Author Bio: Kelli Mason has been a leader in workplace inclusion throughout her career. As a Stanford Law student and Silicon Valley-based corporate attorney, she led Building a Better Legal Profession, a nonprofit that encouraged top law firms to increase diversity and pro bono participation. Kelli is a co-founder of JobSage, an employer review platform focused on what matters most to today’s jobseekers and professionals.

The post If Working in the Arts is Your Dream, Here Are 5 Tips to Make Your Break Into the Industry appeared first on Art Business News.

In my time in the field of art, I have encountered three typical prejudices: art comes out of nowhere at the whim of the artist, art is boring, and art is inaccessible. I emphasize that these are prejudices.

Anticipating these possible initial doubts about the worth of studying art, here are three short explanations:

1. Art is a language. It is an artistic language that can be spoken and understood. Art solves certain problems, not descends on the artist in the form of inspiration or creative impulse. First, the artist has an idea, then he translates it into the language of artistic images through technique, composition, choice of a particular art form, color, etc. To evaluate work in its entirety, it is necessary to understand how the internal (idea) is connected to the external (a work executed in some material).

For clarity, we can give an example from the history of art as it relates to the appearance of the Baroque style.

• The context: The 16th century. The Catholic Church had problems because of the Reformation.
• The task: To show the power and strength of the Catholic Church and its wealth. The task is clear. What is the solution?
• Artistic solution: A huge scale, dynamism, and impetuosity in composition and drawing, a riot of colors, the intensity of emotions and love of climaxes in the stories, the abundance of reliefs, carvings, and gold. Luxury in the flesh. Impressive? Of course, it is!

2. Art is available to everyone; the question is only the depth of perception.

• The first level is basic object recognition (for example, you see that the painting shows people in a room, one of them has wings, and there is a bouquet of white lilies in a vase).
• Second level – you can identify the plot, genre, or direction, that is, you can place this work among others.
• The third level is professional – you can put the work in context. You are at least at the first level of perception of art – that is, it is available to you, too.

3. Art is fun! The key is to turn learning into a game.

HOW TO STUDY ART WITH YOUR CHILD AT HOME?

First, decide what learning resources you have. The very minimum is the Internet, time, and great desire. Resources might also include art albums at home or from the library, children’s art history classes, and a nearby museum. Of course, it’s ideal if you can go to an art museum and see artworks live.

1. From what period or from which artists should you start your acquaintance with the world of art?

• Choose one direction or one artist. At first, stick to your choice so you don’t get confused.
• It’s best to start with classical art (pre-twentieth century). The post-impressionists are great. And start with figurative art (depicting the world around you in a recognizable way).

2. How to prepare for studying art with your child?

• Read at least a little about the era and the artist. Try to find a couple of interesting facts that will connect and remain in your child’s memory.

For example, in the world of art Alexander Benois collected a collection of children’s toys all his life and kept them scattered around the room so that the toys would be in their natural state.

• Try to find a picture of the artist, his studio, or him in the company of his friends – it’s easier for children to talk about a particular person. And that’s how artists are remembered better!
• Collect several reproductions of paintings that you look at with your child.

LET’S START STUDYING — SHALL WE PLAY ART?

1. Tell your child a little about the era (Were there telephones, airplanes, televisions back then? Were there huge stores? What did people use to get around? Where did they live?) You can draw on your own knowledge. You can begin your stories about artists of the early 20th century with the words: “In a time when there were no TVs, smartphones, tablets, and chewing gum when the first cars appeared and light bulbs were a rarity, there lived an artist…”. For a child, this artist has become almost an epic character — and with stories, it’s always interesting!
2. Show your child a picture of the artist, his studio, or his friends. Discuss the artist’s appearance (Do people dress like this now? What kind of character do you think he had?). Ask the child a question so that he can reincarnate as the artist for a moment (Show the gait of this artist. How did he show off in front of the mirror wearing that hat? What was the artist’s voice like?)
3. After that, it’s time to get acquainted with the works.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLE

We start the discussion with what was done, then how it was done, and in the end, we try to understand why it was done this way. That is, through simple analysis, we try to guess how the artist’s idea is related to specific techniques.

A SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR DISCUSSING THE WORK

WHAT:

• What do you see? (e.g., people, things, nature, etc.)
• What’s going on? (e.g., people running, eating, etc.)
• Have you seen other similar works? (e.g., have you seen other still lifes). Ask additional questions for the child to fantasize about the theme of the piece. For example, such as: What happened before or after the event depicted in the painting? Whose breakfast is this? Whose room is this? Where is that in nature?

HOW (about the artist’s technique):

• Nice/ugly
• Similar / not similar
• Calm or dynamic
• What lines (straight, sharp, elastic, etc.)
• Are there many different colors?
• Are the smears visible?
• Painting with deep space or does it seem flat?
• What is the mood in the picture? (gloomy, sublime, joyful, etc.)

Finally, let’s move on to dessert! It’s time to play art and remember what we’ve seen.

EXAMPLES OF ART GAMES

1. Mosaic

Print the artwork and cut it into squares. Mix them up. You need to assemble a picture on the principle of an ordinary mosaic. You can race against each other.

2. Guessing game

Print out 8-10 pictures of works of art and write an art dictation. Show the child the picture for 3-5 seconds. He must write the name of the work. You can have a competition among the children. Whoever gives the most correct answers wins.

3. Drawing from Memory

This task can be turned into a competition for children. Show a picture for about 10 seconds. Hide it. Discuss who remembered what. Everyone tries to draw the composition of the picture from memory. Whoever remembers the most, whoever has the most similarities, wins.

4. Reincarnations

Ask a child to repeat the poses of the characters.

How and what do the characters talk about?

What is the gait of the characters?

Author’s bio: Jean Hartley is an essay writer for several educational services. She has extensive experience in professional assistance and paper writing. Jean loves teaching children and is happy to share one of her favorite topics.

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So, to create this article, we consulted professional artists who manage to find buyers for their paintings and earn their talents. Yes, imagine, they do exist in reality. If you want to become an artist, here’s what the pros had to say.

Tip 1: Learn the Basics

All sciences and crafts begin with basic knowledge. If you attended art school, you just need to refresh the information you got there. If you just picked up a pencil for the first time, it’s a good idea to enroll in drawing and painting classes or at least finds online art classes, read textbooks, and listen to audio courses. A true artist should be able to mix paints on their own and understand what color and color scale, shadow and penumbra, proportions and perspective are. These basics are not dead theory; they are basic knowledge that makes work easier.

An artist also needs to know exactly what tools they need to best do what they love to do. Then, when you decide on your style and technique, study it more thoroughly. And not to imitate another, but solely for the sake of mastering the secrets of skill.

Tip 2: Do Not Get Hung Up Going In Only One Direction

Many experienced artists are aware of their weaknesses. For example, one painter perfectly paints landscapes, but understanding the complexities of human anatomy was something he could not master, even after years of effort.

You can learn a lot by improving your knowledge and skills to become a universal artist and a master. Try to expand your horizons, discover new directions and styles, the culture of different eras, the art of different countries. Try to apply all the findings and techniques in your practice.

A narrow vision is not good for an artist; a creator should be able to go beyond the established patterns. Try to mix different styles and techniques. Your work will immediately become more interesting.

Tip 3: Study All Kinda and Genres of Fine Art

It is said that real artists must understand all the nuances of fine art. It is necessary not only to be able to draw with pencils and paints but also to study different techniques. You will only benefit if you learn how to work with various mediums: crayons, oil, acrylics, and watercolor. In addition, at least learn the basics of graphics editors. It’s an important component for business if nothing else. You’ll be able to process photos of your work or design a brochure and invitations for an exhibition.

Tip 4: Work Every Day

If the best testament for a writer is “not a day without a line,” then for an artist, it must be “not a day without a drawing,” or better several. Experienced artists know how quickly the quality of work increases if you force yourself to do 30 sketches a day. It takes a lot of work to become a true artist, to develop your original and recognizable style, to find your “zest.” Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to creativity. Inspiration is a capricious thing it does not always come, and often not at the moment when it is required. In rare cases, images or stories come to us almost ready-made. As a rule, everything is revealed in fragments, literally in crumbs.

So, what to do if there is no inspiration for too long? Keep working, overcome all the difficulties and build your creative life step by step, day by day. One painter I know, on occasions, when there are no new ideas and inspiration for a long time, just paints the view out the window. He lives in the center of St. Petersburg, so it’s not hard for him to find beauty.

Tip 5: Learn From The Greats

It is very useful for an artist to study in-depth the work of acknowledged masters. If you can’t see the paintings of famous artists, then study albums of fine arts, the Internet will help you! Try to look for the smallest details of the paintings of great artists of the past, who immortalized their names in art.

Do not forget that copying is welcome for educational purposes and despised for imitative purposes.

Tip 6: Try to Create Something New

An artist needs to hone his or her skills in the pursuit of perfection, such as depicting butterflies. To do this, you need to increase your skill level with daily exercises. In time, the exercises will lead to other priorities in your art. If you want to become an artist that everyone will recognize, you have to find a way to create work that hasn’t existed before you and offer the world a whole new product.

Some artists spend their entire lives painting nymphs as they were taught at art school and remain anonymous, despite their obvious talent and skill. Finding a new avenue in art is very difficult and painstaking work. Perhaps what you create today will be a total failure, or perhaps the opposite, a masterpiece. And you’ll never know until you try it.

Tip 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Show Your Paintings To the World

Artists who paint but do not show their work to the world should not hope for lifetime fame. You should not only create masterpieces but also show them to people.

Even if you create only for yourself, it never hurts to show your work to those who understand art. Many novice painters are afraid of criticism. But are you really going to let someone lower your self-esteem? You’ve put so much thought, effort and time into your work, only to have it relegated to a dark closet? That certainly doesn’t sound like a wise decision. Especially today when the Internet allows any creative person to showcase the product of their talent. You don’t have to have a one-artist exhibition right away.

Your paintings don’t have to be masterpieces or even finished works. You can simply publish a report on your blog about how a painting called “Portrait of a Lady in Blue” or “Sunrise over the Bay” is going. The more often you show your work, the easier it will be for you to deal with criticism. And, most importantly, this way you’ll be more likely to know what direction you should take.

Tip 8: Enjoy Criticism

A few more words about criticism. Artists who live around people always get comments on their work. If an artist can’t listen to criticism calmly, then what kind of an artist is he? So be happy with any comments, both positive and negative, because they are necessary for your development.

If they criticize you, take it to heart, but don’t take others’ words as an attempt to humiliate you. If you are a beginning artist, you should listen especially carefully. Suddenly, there is something you can learn. In this case, you don’t need to abandon your original style, but perhaps adjust to incorporate other valid ideas and input. 

Tip 9: Speak More With Fellow Artists

More experienced artists can give you tips, teach you something new, or give a helpful comment about your work, looking at it with a fresh professional eye.

Attend creative workshops. It’s a great way to see how contemporary art lives, in what direction it’s developing. In the end, networking with your colleagues is always useful. Thanks to professional acquaintances you will have a better chance of being invited to an exhibition or finding buyers for your paintings.

Tip 10: Don’t Paint for the Sole Purpose of Making Someone Happy

The artist’s job is to find beauty, to create and share their experiences with the world, and then to move on. You don’t have to dwell on one painting for a long time and think about how else to improve it. No need to constantly worry about how the audience will react to your work. Don’t try to create to please any audience, otherwise, it won’t be art, but a commercial enterprise.

Author Bio: Gabriella Tou leads freelance projects as a content writer. She will give you the best recommendations on how to write my college essay. Gabriella is inspired by nature and paintings.

All images: https://www.pexels.com

The post 10 Tips for Those Who Want to Be an Artist appeared first on Art Business News.

If preparing your art for storage is something you have never dealt with before, you are probably unaware of all that is necessary before putting everything away. But don’t you worry! We have compiled a list of tips for you to follow to ensure all your precious artwork endures its undisplayed period.

Storing Your Artwork: 6 Tips to Follow to Ensure Proper Storage

There are some factors to consider when looking for ways to secure your art. Some of those include:

• The materials used while creating a piece.
• The size of the artwork — smaller pieces are slightly easier to handle than their bigger counterparts.
• The type of artwork — the process of preparing framed paintings for storage differs from preparing unframed paintings. The same applies to the preparation of 3D miniatures and sculptures.

Even though the factors mentioned above must be considered when storing art, these six tips for safe-keeping are applicable to all art.

1. Before You Put Away Anything, Make Sure to Prepare It for Storage

First and foremost, clean off any dust that has possibly accumulated. Experts recommend using a soft microfiber cloth to do so to avoid damage. If the framing is wooden, you can use wood polish to protect it further. If we are talking about metal parts, then use the metal polish instead.

Even though most artists, when storing art, opt to wrap everything in plastic wrap, this is not recommended. Plastic wrap of any kind doesn’t allow the artwork to breathe, and some moisture can easily stay trapped inside. This needs to be avoided as the trapped moisture causes the formation of mold.

Instead, you can cover the art with a cloth or parchment paper. Some people also use glassine, which is a type of paper galleries use to protect the artwork. Either way, when choosing the materials needed for proper storage, make sure whatever you are using is acid-free. Acid-free materials help the paint stay vivid longer and prevent the overall aging of paintings. This becomes especially important if you are interested in successfully selling your piece one day.

2. Consider Storing Your Artwork in a Place with a Climate Control

When safe-keeping your art, placing it within a room with a humidity level of around 50% is ideal. As far as the right temperature goes, it should range between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or rather, between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. The temperature is easily regulated with air conditioning, while the right humidity level can be achieved by using either a humidifier or a dehumidifier.

If possible, try to maintain the same conditions most of the time. Abrupt changes in humidity and temperature can cause irreparable damages. Try to limit the changes in the atmosphere to no more than 5% up or down.

It’s important to note that artwork is best kept inside dark rooms with no windows. Direct sunlight can cause the paint and dye to fade, canvas to start yellowing, and even warp!

3. Document the Condition of Your Art

Whether placing your artwork in boxes or inside a cloth, it’s essential to label every item correctly. Labels that are easy to read will allow you to find the desired piece in a faster and easier way. Plus, you won’t have to unpack everything while getting to it.

In addition to putting accurate labels on packaging, it is advisable to keep records of your artwork’s exact condition prior to storing it. You can document it by taking photos and writing notes. This way, once the time to take the art out of storage, you will know exactly if its appearance has changed.

4. Elevate Your Pieces

The rule of thumb is to keep your artwork above ground level at all times! It doesn’t really matter if you put it on a shelf or rack as long as it’s not just lying on the floor.

As a society-changing concept, art is supposed to be hung. Therefore, perhaps providing a  hanging space inside the storage room could be an option.

5. Consider Alternate Storage Solutions if the Conditions Aren’t Ideal

Storing your artwork at home is a great solution only if all the conditions are met. You will need a dark, clean room free of mold with no direct sunlight, and preferably one that you don’t use regularly. In addition, the temperature and humidity levels will need to be regulated. Meeting all these criteria can prove quite tricky. Therefore, if you find yourself struggling to arrange these details, keeping your art someplace else would be the right decision.

Perhaps a good solution for you is to keep your art inside special storage units designed for artwork safekeeping. These are equipped with climate control and meet all the requirements necessary for proper art maintenance.

6. Make Sure to Check the Condition of Your Works from Time to Time

Don’t think even for a second that the process of storing your artwork is over the moment you safely put it away. While you may have gone through every step perfectly, some unforeseen circumstance could still occur. Keeping an eye on your precious pieces occasionally is crucial as it will allow you to catch damages in time. If caught early, the majority can be fixed. So why wait for the problem to escalate when you can cut it at the root?

Author bio: Craig Johnson has been managing customer relations at Vision Movers for years. During his time at the company, he has helped artists with the safe transport of their works. He has managed to pick their brains and, along the way, become a true lover of all things art. Today, he spends his free time blogging about his interests and discussing his favorite art pieces with fellow creatives.

The post 6 Tips for Storing Your Artwork Properly appeared first on Art Business News.

I have often wondered: What is an artist? No, not an artist only by name, but by his whole being.

The artist’s position in society is often uncertain. According to Artsy, in past centuries, an artist was a poor and unrestricted man, hardly understood by those around him, but always there at the events of wealthy people to charm them. Today’s artist has adapted to society, more or less.

First, the role of an artist in a society is to inspire. A person gifted in music, theater, or painting catches the attention of the public through their ability to turn the everyday into something beautiful and inspiring. More practical people, or perhaps those with less vision, are looking for an artist in the moments when they feel the need to relax and feed their souls with something different, something that takes them outside of their own reality.

Secondly, the purpose of an artist is to beautify a society whose interests are pragmatic and focused on money, progress in the workplace, and social position. In a mixture of interests and small battles for social benefit, the artist is a beautiful character that lives for others and that benefits from delivering joy to his fellow citizens.

Social Media Activity

Today, either we want to accept this aspect of the artist or not. If we do, one of the places we can find the artist is online delving into the social media aspects of our culture. Today, social networks play an extremely important role in our lives and that’s a reality of the times we live in. Social involvement and everything related to communication and human interaction can be uncovered in news, articles, blogs, and vlogs.

Here’s some advice to consider for your social networks — taken from the perspective of no one being in control of the scenario, and everyone experiencing something different.

• Feed the content monster!

Use an editorial calendar to manage content for the pages you manage: Google Docs, HubSpot, Buffer, Social Sprout, or Hootsuite.

• Don’t know what to post about your specialty today?

You will definitely find something interesting on Buffer, Feedly, Futurity, Alltop, Reddit, TED, or Smart Brief.

• Take advantage of any special day!

Is it a holiday, was there an earthquake last night or did Brad Pitt divorce? Get your post ready based on these current event topics.

• Start to boost your value!

Good things come in four forms: information, analysis, support, and entertainment. Just test the right combination for your business.

• Be active!

When was the last time you posted? Three days ago?! Try to post something every day and then track how your page progresses.

• Be graphic, easy to find, and precisely structured!

Use free photo or video content-generating tools for social media to help you be easily followed by people and at the same time make it easier for you to organize your posts.

• Always:

1. Integrate the posts in your blog/vlog
2. Don’t forget about YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn
3. Create a database of subscribers
4. Remember to reply to the messages promptly
5. Don’t request straight away for people to follow you
6. Don’t swear
7. Remember you are not a guru
8. Use statistics for Facebook pages
9. Interact with the competition’s Facebook pages
10. Bring in a call to action
11. Find ways to relaunch yourself in the market
12. Instagram – learn it, get used to it, master it!

Instagram – the power app

Even though I mentioned Instagram a couple of times above, let’s enlarge the concept because this is one of the most popular platforms used by artists. So, let’s find out why and how you can turn Instagram into the only app that you really need for your art!

Let’s start by exploring what # means on Instagram and what #s are the most helpful. The development of social media has led to the appearance of hashtags. They are keywords that have the # sign in front of them. But what is their role on Instagram?

The goal of hashtags is to group content that addresses the same topic. For example, the hashtag: #marble or the hashtag: #onlineconcert can group all posts made, based on the existing content posted on Instagram with that hashtag at a particular moment. However, both of these examples are considered general hashtags and do not build attention for someone who wants to become visible to a large audience. Also, the competition for these two general hashtags is going to be very high and it will be difficult to reach a top 10 post with those hashtags.

That’s why my favorites are specific hashtags. Their advantage is that they come with a low volume of competitiveness and offer you the opportunity to enter into a top post position. Of course, you also need to take into consideration the type of audience you want to attract with your Instagram profile.

We are all free to choose how we use Instagram, but when you want to grow a community, it is important to choose a niche (a domain) on which you want to work. Then make your own list of hashtags relevant to the content you want to share on Instagram.

What you need to know about IGTV and Insta-Stories

IGTV is a stand-alone app but is also a dedicated section in the Instagram app. It is a platform launched by Instagram for the distribution of longer videos, designed to function as a TV channel. Functionally, IGTV is Instagram’s attempt to rival YouTube and Snapchat Discover. IGTV offers you the opportunity to add an external link in the description of the video guiding people to watch your video content.

Instagram Story is another feature of the Instagram platform that allows you to connect with your audience through videos, photos, text, drawings, and music. These posts are available in chronological order for your followers for 24 hours. Also, if you have over 10K followers, through the stories posted on Instagram, you can send your audience to an external link. This feature is known as Swipe Up and allows you to gain the attention of your followers and lead them to your desired outcome.

Conclusion

So, in the end, social media may not be the ultimate key to guarantee triumph for all those who try it, but you’ve got the tips and tricks that can help you build your social audience.

I hope you enjoyed reading these tips about Social Media Activity and found useful information. Check out other art-related articles on https://artbusinessnews.com/.

About the Author:

Thomas Lanigan has work experience for 4 years as a marketing specialist, social media manager, assignment writer, journalist, and editor for EssayWritingLand. Also, he is a professional content writer for write my term paper on such topics as marketing features, progressive education programs, blogging, and business. Feel free to contact him on Facebook or check his Twitter.

The post The Importance of Social Media Activity For Artist Success appeared first on Art Business News.

If you’re looking for reasons why such hanging systems are growing in popularity, here is what you should know:

1. Conveniently Rearrange Art Pieces

With art hanging systems, it is very easy to adjust the position and height of the pieces. You can easily rearrange the art pieces to create different combinations and ensure that the display looks unique and creative. The traditional art hanging approaches didn’t offer this level of convenience and flexibility.

In the past, it was very common for people to try different layouts and combinations by laying the pieces on the floor. But this generally failed to provide a clear idea about how the pieces will look on the wall. The art hanging systems offer the freedom to install and rearrange art pieces directly on the wall.

2. Instant Alignment

Professional displays are all about correct alignment and grouping. With the help of hanging wires and nails, this could take at least a few hours. But with hanging systems, you can make instant adjustments by simply moving hooks to the required height or position.

Moreover, as the systems can be used for art pieces of every size, every display work can take advantage of its benefits. Be it your personal display of art at home or office or a professional display in a gallery. There are now brands that offer an extensive range of hanging systems and hardware to provide the best results.

3. Economical Exhibitions

Most of the smaller museums and galleries don’t have a large budget for every exhibition. But they still need to ensure that the exhibition looks unique and welcoming. With the help of an art hanging system, this is a possibility.

Moreover, as professionals install these systems, you can rest assured that the final outcome would be way better than your expectations.

Professional Art Displays with Art Hanging Systems

As you can see, there are many different ways in which art hanging systems can make the whole process of hanging art more convenient, flexible, and economical. It is also one of the best ways to keep your expensive artwork protected. If you want to hang art in personal or commercial settings, consider quality hanging systems and professional hanging services for lasting results.

Systematic Art’s Jaclyn Thom has been involved with interior designing for art galleries for the past 10 years and wants to share her knowledge with others. 

The post Art Hanging System – The Easy Way appeared first on Art Business News.

Decide on a Purpose

In order to sell your art on social networks, you don’t have to focus on sales in each post. In fact, you shouldn’t do this. At the same time, art is about the spiritual, emotional component, and only then about money. Too much marketing, obsession, or constant attempts to sell will not please your target audience.

Therefore, you need to keep a balance and follow the logic of the sales funnel — and let your relationship with subscribers develop gradually. It also makes sense to create personal posts, show your personality, create welcome posts for every thousand new subscribers, share ideas and even sneak peeks of an artist’s highly anticipated unfinished work. Then your social profile will be a place for fans to watch the range and development of the art, artists, and your point of view, not just about sales.

Provide a Background

Do you still remember learning in high school the key elements for writing an essay? Well, writing a post for a social network also has certain key elements and recommended methods. Starting your post, it makes sense to familiarize readers with the theme of the artwork you are showing, provide them with brief background information. In other words, you need to make a first impression — and at that moment your subscribers will decide whether to continue reading your post and learning about this artwork.

Tell a Story

Storytelling is a marketing technique. Since our goal is to sell paintings, we can absolutely use a story to work in your favor. Tell the story of the artwork. Describe the artist’s inspiration, theme, difficulties encountered, and emotions experienced when creating it. In other words, everything that relates to the art and can be turned into an interesting story suitable for creating a selling post for social networks.

Evoke Emotions and Draw the Picture With Your Words

You are not selling a physical object — you are selling emotions. This is true for any product, but for art, it is almost a guarantee of successful sales. After all, art is actually about emotions, feelings, experiences, and the inner world. And when a potential buyer understands that the artwork portrays his emotions, he makes a decision about the purchase. Each of us subconsciously wants to surround ourselves with things that are close to our spirit and inner world. Show the inner world of the artwork with words — let everything unsaid in the picture become clear in your post. And it will resonate in the hearts of your subscribers.

Relate the Art to Something Actively Discussed and Essential

This is also a marketing ploy that successfully works on social networks. You need to provoke a discussion and thereby increase user engagement. Therefore, if it is possible, then you should find a way to combine the work of art and any hot, discussed and controversial topic. Since all ideas implemented in art come from modern realities (or utopian fantasies based on them), then most likely it will not be difficult to find the relationship between the artwork and something that can get users thinking and posting.

And what’s more, you need to invite subscribers to share their opinions with a call to action. Sometimes even a simple phrase like “What do you think about this? Share in the comments” may trigger a wave of discussions.

Create a Catchy Headline

You don’t necessarily need a headline for Instagram, but most likely you will need it for Facebook and Twitter to promote posts on your site. And by the way, Twitter with its 140 characters is the perfect place to practice creating attractive headlines. There is no universal advice — practice shows that something controversial and hot (yes, by analogy with the previous paragraph) is of the greatest concern. Plus, you need to use the correct and popular hashtags, but we’ll talk more about this later.

Pay Attention to the Photo Quality One More Time

It is always good to use a photograph of the artwork that is high-quality and attractive. Practice taking attractive photos and use a photo editor if the desired result cannot be achieved given the capabilities of the camera or smartphone.

In addition, you definitely need to present a single style for the artist in the social profile. This is especially important for Instagram because here the visual perception of the profile as a whole plays a very important role. In general, if the artist adheres to one style in the art, then posting that style on social networks will not be difficult.

Show How the Art Fits Different Interiors

Besides showing the art as a finished piece, it also makes sense to show how the work fits into different interiors. This takes a bit of planning, but worth the outcome. The first thing to do is to understand where the target audience will place the work. Will they hang it on the wall in the bedroom? Or is it more suitable for business spaces, night clubs, hotels, or restaurants? Find the answer to this basic question and show your followers images of how the artwork looks in multiple settings.

Use the Right Hashtags

Social media hashtags also work like keywords in search engine optimization. Therefore, in order for your posts to be visible, and to constantly receive an influx of new subscribers, you need to use the hashtags correctly. Here is a workable strategy.

You definitely need to use your brand hashtag to create the right associations and increase the recognition of your gallery, your artists, and their work. You need to use some common hashtags to increase your reach, such as #art, #modernart, #streetart, #artforsale.

Plus, add another three to five hashtags that are very specific. Do some research before choosing them. We recommend using hashtags that display the name of the artwork, its main theme, a social component, a controversial or hot topic to engage users, for example, #abortion, #womenrights, #ecology.

Add a Link

And of course, be sure to add links to your website, blog or online store. If you do everything right, your site will work as an auxiliary tool to your social networks. And don’t forget to promote and advertise your posts, engage users through contests and quizzes, and work with influencers.

Get started and see what you can accomplish using social media as a tool to drive your sales.

Nancy P. Howard has been working as a writing expert at Online Writers Rating for a year. She is also a professional writer in such topics as blogging, IT and marketing. She loves traveling, photography and always welcome to meet new people.

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