Join me on Tuesday, June 28th for an art print marketing webinar.
The 2-hour program is packed with useful practical information designed to boost your career. It will run at 7 pm Central Daylight Time. Click here to register now. There is limited seating, act now to claim your spot.
My friend and colleague, Tim O'Neill, contacted me about producing a webinar on selling digital paintings in the art print market. He is a wonderful supporter of digital artists and quite successful as one on his own. He is the publisher of Digital Paint Magazine and also operates the Digital Art Academy. His suggestion hit home with me as a great idea and I readily agreed.
I hope you can join and use the information provided to boost your giclee and fine art print sales.
You never understood that it ain't no good, You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you. ~Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
During the Q&A after a recent webinar I gave on how to achieve print market success, I had this question, "Do you think digitally created art is more difficult to sell than traditionally made art?"
While the question caused me to think art in general can be difficult to sell for many reasons, I came away believing artists today have the power to define their work and themselves as never before.
Digital art deserves respect. So do you!
Regarding selling digital art, it is valid to ask if selling it is harder. For me, the short answer is yes, depending on who is selling and who they are talking to. Nevertheless, I believe artists in the digital medium have the means to stand up and demand respect and fair market value for their work.
Isn't it true that nearly all artists find garnering success, acclaim, recognition and staying relevant a constant battle? These things do not come easily to most of us. We fight for our right to be seen and to be respected.
Genius can be plucked from obscurity
Yes, there is what seems like the occasional overnight success. One plucked from obscurity by some fluke occurrence as with Susan Boyle on some British talent show. But, I bet she spent thousands of hours perfecting her incredible voice, just like The Beatles spent thousands of hours in seedy bars in Hamburg perfecting their craft and, as the apropos lyrics from their tune Blackbird says,
I went on further in answering the question to mention there is Museum of Computer Art celebrating digitally made art, which is great sales cannon fodder. I pointed out the museum is mentioned in an Art Print Issues blog post titled, Overload - What Digital Art Tells Us About the Future. So, digital art is already on the scene, just maybe not conscious to buyers on Main Street. But so what, is that where your future is? Is Main Street where you will build your collector base?
The future is bright for digital art and any artist who seizes control of how their work is marketed
It does not take much investigation to find there numerous serious artists working in digital form. Take for instance, Bonny Lhotka. She has been around for decades and is a founder of the digital artist collaborative Digital Atelier. Other founding member are Dorothy Krause and Karin Schminke. The Digital Atelier® conducts research on digital imaging for fine art application.
The Digital Painting Forum is a beacon
Would a thriving community such as found on the Digital Painting Forum with a substantial viable paid membership be possible if there was not a bright future for digital art? In my opinion, making digital art is too compelling for many artists to be able to put it down or dismiss it. Giclee printing did not come from consumer or artist demand. It was a product for art publishers. Digital art is the opposite in that I see the demand on the artist side that eventually will take it into the mainstream.
I surmise in complete conjecture that perhaps older generations who can remember when a fax machine was cutting edge technology are less prone to accept digital art. But, those in subsequent generations have grown up on a steady diet of digital art. As such, I see the future as bright for digital art.
In short, my best advice in answering the question from the webinar is artists have control over how their art is defined if they are proactive. You can choose to let others define you, or you can choose to demand others take your perspective. How you roll on your decisions and actions is what will make the difference.
Confidence, courage and conviction will lead you to new art career heights
I know it takes true confidence in your work and what it stands for to be demandingly bold about its importance. As always, the meek will have a harder time controlling the buzz around their art. At the heart of it, you have to stand for something, believe in it and not let others, as Dylan says, "Get your kicks for you."
Certainly, if any one artist embodies what it means to stand by his work in the face of withering repression from those who wanted to define him, it is Bob Dylan. At the height of his soaring popularity as a folk singer, and unaccepted spokesperson for his generation title, he dropped his acoustic guitar and plugged in to begin writing the most powerful rock n' roll lyrics ever written, much to the deep dismay of his most loyal fans.
You can define how you and your artwork are perceived
In fact, "Like a Rolling Stone", tops Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest rock songs ever. I know you are reading this piece and that you are not likely to galvanize an entire generation with your artwork. Nevertheless, you can take a lesson from Dylan to realize displaying the courage to stand up for yourself and your art, to not be fenced in, to define yourself and to define your artwork is all in your hands.
The Internet flattens the playing field
Today, with the Internet greatly helping to flatten the playing field, the art arbiters have less power than any previous time. Artists are not beholden to galleries and agents to make their career. You can be as controversial as you want and still command respect and sales. The inestimable Hazel Dooney has proved this to all who admire her fearlessness when it comes making art and taking control of who her followers are and what message they get directly from the artist.
There is opportunity in market fragmentation
You are the artist. You are the message. You can use the Internet, blogging and social media to control the message. You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear, but if you are spinning silk, no matter what anyone else tells you or says about you, you can make art that collectors you develop will repeatedly buy from you.
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. ~ Anthem, Leonard Cohen
I talked a bit about market fragmentation in my webinar. It's made things different and all but sadly put traditional media such as Decor Magazine, Art Business News, Art World News, and tradeshows such as Decor Expo Atlanta and ArtExpo New York in the grave or on life support.
Use the cracks to let the light shine on you and your artwork
On the flip side, market fragmentation causes cracks. It is how the light gets in. It is in those cracks that artists, especially digital artists, can define themselves, create a market, and control the buzz about their artwork and themselves. That's a delightful unintended consequence that those paying attention are using every day to their distinct advantage.
It's my hope you are inspired by reading this to get your own kicks for you!
The Giclee Business Digital Fine Art Printing & Art Business Directory Debuts
If having a convenient, easy-to-use giclee printer directory, plus a digital fine art printing services and robust art business resources guide would help your art career, then you will love the Giclee Business directory!
Giclee printing and art business resources at your fingertips
Until now, artists seeking to learn more about how to get their original works reproduced as giclees have had difficulties finding giclee printers, fine art image capturing services and other fine art business resources.
Your problem is solved with the Giclee Business online directory of digital fine art printing resources and fine art business and art marketing resources. It contains a growing list of nearly 500 giclee printers, fine art digital printing service providers, and contacts for the art market's top art marketing and art business resources.
The Giclee Business directory connects visual artists and companies with services for them.
Here are some short videos to help you get started:
In addition to the videos, you will find answers to your questions on the Giclee Business Frequently Asked Questions pages. They are designed to help you find the information you need to get the most from the directory whether you are a visual artist user, or a company seeking to list and advertise to reach visual artists.
For giclee printers, and those companies providing art marketing and art business services, GicleeBusiness.com is a great place to affordably advertise to reach artists
If you want to reach artists in the most powerful way possible, this directory is for you. When artists and fine art photographers come to the Giclee Business directory, they will be seeking solutions to help them in their careers. There is no better time for your message to reach and influence visual artists than when they are actively looking for the products, services and advice you routinely provide them.
The Giclee Business Directory is produced by long-time industry pro, Barney Davey
This directory is curated and published by Barney Davey, author of How to Profit from the Art Print Market, a perennial bestseller on the Amazon.com "Business of Art" category since 2005. By being intimately involved in the fine art print reproduction market since 1988, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this exciting new giclee printer directory developed exclusively for visual artists and fine art photographers.
Since 2005 he has published more than 400 hundred posts and articles aimed at helping artists learn how to work smarter and keep more of the money they make. Most of that information can be found here in the Art Print Issues archive, one of the most highly trafficked and well respected art business blogs on the Internet.
Digital Arts Studio Rocks How to Profit from the Art Print Market and GicleeBusiness.com
Our good friends and supporters at Digital Arts Studio in Atlanta and Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale are already enjoying the benefits of their advertising in the directory and also in the 2nd Edition of How to Profit from the Art Print Market.
The ad for Digital Arts Studio seen on the right can also be found in the book. Look for a profile about this the premier giclee printing studio in an upcoming issue. You'll want to learn more about them.
Part of its benefit package includes an exclusive webinar provided for its artists coming up on Arpil 4.
Because the book is produced just like giclees with print-on-demand technology, it is never too late to start advertising. You can get full details here.
Please help spread the word to publicize the Giclee Business Directory
I will greatly appreciate your help if you would kindly share this post with your artist friends, blog about it and link to it. It will be a way to make it more useful and to make the many hours in its production all the more worthwhile.
A question visual artists and photographers often ponder is should they print their own work. The answer varies depending on the person. The most pertinent questions revolve around equipment (new/refurbished), software, expenses, savings, convenience, training, knowledge, affinity, time consumption and obsolescence. The last consideration is the ROI (Return on Investment.)
Since I know quite a few of those who operate professional printing services for artists and how intense the work is at their level, my inclination is to let them do the printing so artists can concentrate more on making art and marketing. My opinion on this subject, which I believe is informed, also undoubtedly is biased and certainly not applicable in all cases.
There is no unconvincing the committed
I have had many discussions with artists contemplating whether to print their own work. The result is I have not convinced even one to forego their plans to jump into the process. It has been cause to avoid such conversations because I already know the outcome. Apparently, when the printing bug bites an artist or photographer, there is no cure or turning back.
If you are on the side of printing for yourself, use the best resources to make the best prints
Great resources are available by merely Googling questions about making giclees and digital fine art printing. You will find lively active forums and discussion groups organized around digital printing. There is the bible of business, Mastering Digital Printing, Second Edition (Digital Process and Print), by Harald Johnson. He is a true pioneer in digital printing and his book is a must for those serious about the craft of digital printing.
Whether you call your work a giclee or digital fine art print, fine art photographic print, convergent media or something else, it does not matter. What does matter is if you use a digital printer for the end result of making prints no matter the name, and you are in charge of the outcome, you simply cannot have too much information about getting the work right.
Sometimes it takes little experience to recognize a real gem
Andrew Darlow is the author. The many images from his own work that help illustrate the book are proof he is a consummate professional photographer. You will find the information he provides is invaluable. A mere scan is enough to let you know his attention to detail and thoughtfulness in approaching his work as an author is equal to his incomparable photography skills. The extensive use of color images throughout the book make it a visual treat for anyone who enjoys creative imagery.
Feast on the visual imagery while you learn from some of the best in the business
Visual artists will find the useful insightful information in this book just as valuable as any photographer will. The book covers the gamut from making decisions on which printer is best for your needs to Photoshop techniques and printing techniques, color management, image capture and media selection.
You only need apply just one or two advanced techniques to make the purchase worthwhile. If you save time and cost from reprinting just one fewer proof, or sell just one more print because the lighting was brilliant, then the book pays for itself. It is inconceivable you would only find a couple of useful tips when page after page is loaded with advice and suggestions you can use right now to become a better printer. Order a copy today, I am sure you will be glad you did.
Whether you are making digital fine art prints from photographs shot with the intention of recreating them as prints, photographs or scans of original 2D flat art, or creating something wholly digital through the array of tools for such purposes, you still need a way to get the product of your creativity on some substrate, usually paper or canvas.
There are different paths depending on where you start in the creative process. For photographers, it's going to be different from painters. This post is to alert you to a series of blog posts on fine art printing from Brian Auer, a San Diego based photographer. This description is taken from his website:
Brian Auer is a photography enthusiast from San Diego, California. He's also the guy behind the Epic Edits Weblog. As a hobbyist photographer since 2003, his passion has been to constantly improve his photography skill set, to share his own knowledge with others, and to become an integral part of the photographic community.
Brian is proof positive that one turned on person can make a difference. His Feedburner subscriber shows nearly 6,500 other enthusiasts share his passion for photography. To get that many subscribers, it takes more than passion. One has to impart knowledge, wisdom and insight in such a way that others want to tap into it. He serves a great role model for anyone looking to build a following, a Tribe, as Seth Godin accurately calls them in his bestselling book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us.
To give his readers easily digestible amounts of information, Brian has broken his article on Making Fine Art Prints into four parts. I am sure you will find it worth the time to review his thoughts on this subject. While you are on his site, check out the rest of what he offers his readers. There is a reason he has a large following.
While what he offers in the way of advice and insight is solid, it won't apply across the board to every artist. Nevertheless, there is useful information in his series of posts on making fine art prints. Perhaps just as importantly, there is much to be gained from studying how an self-proclaimed amateur photographer can carve out a meaningful place against the Internet's constantly changing means of putting together like minded folks. Bravo to Brian!
Every now and then someone comes along who casts a long shadow over some aspect of their chosen field. When it comes to making contributions to digital painting, Marilyn Sholin is such a person. She is an acknowledged master of the Corel Painter program who shares her talent, techniques and insights with thousands of digital artists and photographers worldwide.
As with many digital painters, Marilyn's path began with a professional career as a photographer. In her case, she has worked for more than 25 years to become a highly accomplished and sought after portrait photographer. Those who know Marilyn recognize a drive and indefatigable spirit that pushes her to take on new and interesting challenges. Those high achiever attributes undoubtedly are behind her becoming an expert user and teacher of the Corel Painter program and other digital imaging tools as well.
Marilyn's expertise has led her into authoring books and marketing CDs; all with the aim of helping others grow their talents in digital painting. She is also the founder of the Digital Painting Forum. It boasts more than 2100 members who have shared nearly 85,000 posts. What is truly unique is this is a closed paid forum. In an age where forums offering free memberships spring up like wildflowers in warm weather after abundant rain, it is refreshing to see and a confirmation of Marilyn's leadership and the dedication of its membership that the Digital Painting Forum stays strong and viable with its paid membership program.
Marilyn teaches classes around the country and overseas as well. If you are interested in learning more about digital painting, or want to advance your skills, you should check out her schedule of classes she offers from her home studio in beautiful Asheville, NC. I visited there last summer and spent some time with Marilyn. It was an inspiring trip on numerous levels. You can get information on all her upcoming events here. If digital painting intrigues you, as it has so many others, you won't find a better resource to improve your skills and advance your learning than through the stellar efforts of Marilyn Sholin.
There is no argument we are cursed to live in interesting times. Events of the past few weeks have made things too interesting by far for most of us. Let's hope the last minute maneuvering to save the US economy works. Too bad most of us are clueless as to how this happened.
On a wing and a prayer our economy flies now
We all understand home prices jumped to unheard heights when the interest rate was dropped down to record lows and stayed there for the longest time. In a nutshell, supposedly smart people who should have cared and known better turned out to be average people with above average greed.
Homeowners were sucked in along the way as many succumbed to the Pied Piper's tune telling them prices would not go down and they could use the equity in their home like a free ATM machine. It was a glorious party, but now the hangover and reality have set in with a monstrous financial headache. It's not that simple, but the essence is there and applies to the highest gilt-edged boardrooms as well as modest two bedroom bungalows.
Can these really be the best of times?
Now, if you are not so depressed about the undoing of our national financial underpinnings, you might be wondering how you can sell some art. I have been saying in workshops, consulting sessions and private conversations for some time that these interesting times are arguably the best of times for visual artists. How so you say? Simply, there are more ways to create your art and more ways to get your art to market than any previous time.
You are not relegated to choosing between oil and acrylics and paper or canvas. You might be start your creative process with the Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camerafor digital photography to capture an image and manipulate it in Photoshop. Or to perhaps learn exciting techniques for making digital imagery in Painter. If you choose the latter, you'd be wise to partake of the tremendous knowledge from Masters such as Marilyn Sholin. You might be digitally painting on the fabulous Wacom Cintiq 21UX 21.3" Tablet with Interactive Pen.
Are you working in convergence media?
If you are doing these things, I think you are creating something I call convergence media. Like mixed media, the term it borrows the name from, it requires pulling together in unique fashion an artistic vision using a variety of techniques, tools and products to create the final image. Then again, you may be putting paint on canvas as always and just using technology to do image capture to print giclees. And, there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
Just a few short years ago, you would have been doing none of this. Nor would you have a blog, or an online presence with your own Website, not mention the many worthy sites that will help you market your work. In short, right now, you have more opportunity to control how your art is made and more unique ways to find collectors than before.
These are the best of times to release all your creativity
If you have a spirit of adventure and a streak of creativity, you ought to be thinking of how you can use this new technology to create new ways to make and display your art. Why do vehicle graphics have to always be a movable billboard. Why can't they also be a piece of movable art? Do you have the resources, vision and chutzpah to graphic wrap something larger than a Hertz bus? Challenge yourself to go beyond your traditional thinking. How can you use your creativity to create something unique memorable and fantastic? If you rise to the challenge and answer that question and succeed with your vision, you are certain to have your ticket punched for the fast lane to awareness for yourself and your art.
Maybe your vision, budget or stomach for adventure is more mundane. Why not think about using wood, mylar, plastic or other substrates to create art. Here's an idea; you could work with a custom furniture maker to create art that is part of the furniture! The only limit is your imagination being throttled by yourself.
Below is an example of how Dutch photographer Suseela Gorter is using technology to create new ways to have her work displayed and appreciated.
(TREND HUNTER) These Flat Flowers stickers are the work of Dutch photographer Suseela Gorter. Flat flowers are photographs of flowers in a vase printed on a clear and static material. You simply stick the Flat Flowers… [More]
Start your own creative wheel turning. Let your mind wander. Daydreaming is essential to creative thinking. Write things down as you think of them. Use The Brain to capture and connect your thoughts. You have the capacity to do something unique. If you challenge yourself and respond, good things are bound to ensue.
I'm honored to be giving a presentation titled Making Art & Money in the Digital World at the Digital Arts Studio in Atlanta next month. The company is an industry leading premier digital printmaker. The talk is slated for Wednesday, August 13 at 6:30 pm at company headquarters. The address is: 1082 Huff Rd NW, Atlanta, Georgia Phone: 404-352-9779 Toll-free: 866-352-9779. Space is limited. RSVP via email by August 8.
Here is a synopsis:
Any artist wishing to improve their business will benefit from attending. In a fast-paced hour, you will discover new perspectives on art marketing for visual artists and photographers. Q & A to follow.
Tips on marketing, advertising, publicity, blogging, Web sites, social marketing and gallery alternatives will be provided. Artists will learn unique ways to market themselves and about attributes shared by successful artists. An extensive resource list will be included with the presentation handout.
The presentation will shed light on the rapid changes in traditional art print market and what it means to visual artists and photographers. You will gain insight to help decide to self-publish, seek a publisher or do both. The talk will include the attributes on every art publisher's dream artist list and the merits and pitfalls of both self-publishing and working with a publisher.
A discussion will be provided on how visual artists and photographers can use the print market and digital printing to:
• Grow awareness for themselves and their art • Increase sales • Diversify their price points and consumer mix
I'm looking forward to it and promise to do my best to make it fun, informative and worth your time!
Pop artist Noah G Pop rocked this year's 30th Annual ArtExpo New York show, which took place February 28 - March 3. It is obvious he seeks to put more glide in your stride, more hip in your dip, more zig in your zag and more cut in your strut. In other words, this dude knows how to throw a party and have fun. That he manages to do it around promoting his art makes him just that much cooler.
When it comes to enjoying success in the art business, marketing and promotion are the twin synergistic generators that drive (AIDA) attention, interest, action and desire. Noah gets this in spades and that he effectively executes around making these waves as a SOLO exhibitor makes all he does more impressive.
Putting POP in Promotion, Party and Prints
In Noah's case, you find a confluence of terrific visual art and fun promotion creating a memorable experience for all involved. You can see for yourself, his party and attendant promotion pack as much punch as his art. Both deliver on the promise of visual treat and stimulating exciting times.
His art is themed with the Pop influences of decades past, but as with any talented artist, he manages to make it current and specific to his artistic vision. It is no surprise he did well with his Jene NYC piece, shown here. It is hot, colorful, sexy, glamorous and fun. All the things one can hope to experience when attending ArtExpo New York.
The Fun Is Back, Let's Hope It Stays
Noah singlehandedly managed put back into ArtExpo a component that has been missing for some time. And, I'm sure he did it on a budget that would put to shame some of the corporate or show producer managed invitation only parties that run on the sedate side. The history of the experience of ArtExpo was there were always happenings. You didn't dare miss the show or the parties around it. The exciting open-to-all party element has been sadly missing in the past few years. As the show declined in size, it lost some of the zest that had made it special. Thanks to Noah G Pop, the fizz is back and the buzz around his art and his next party, which he already planning for next year are already in full swing.
Here is the content of his post-show email. Read it and you'll see he hasn't stopped having fun. And, while you are reading it, think about how you can put some fun of your own into your own art promotion:
3 More Important Things I Want You to Know Direct from the Noah G POP Playbook:
1) First, I would like to thank everyone that attended my opening night bash at the Star Lounge and believe me there were a lot of you. Our counter finally stopped somewhere north of 400 guests including artists, models, actors and a whole plethora of all-around cool people. The vibe was definitely one of peace, love and FUN, FUN FUN! I so much appreciate the support of each and every one of you. Personal highlights for me included my Mom and Dad, my brother David, my sister Farrah, NYC Fashion Designer Grace Edwards, Iconic NYC Socialite, Philanthropist and Human Rights activist Zelda Kaplan, two of my favorite artists, world-renowned Painters Fabian Perez and Ford Smith and of course, it wouldn't be a party without the Naked Cowboy. Also, special thanks to Rob Base who showed up and performed his hit single, "it takes two to make a thing go right".
Now, for those of you that missed it; DON'T PANIC! I will be hosting an evening of art, music and modern dance at the Grand in April (details to follow) and believe it or not, we have already begun planning our opening night bash for ARTEXPO NY 2009 (seriously). Cue the cocktail music! Yes! This one will be bigger and better (think skylight cruise) and YOU ARE INVITED SO SAVE THE DATE!!!
2) I would like to thank everyone that stopped by my booth to look at my work. Thanks to your support and interest in my art, we had another killer show selling at least one of each piece with the big winner being Jené NYC who now has 5 new homes. Thank you, thank you thank you.
3) I just saved a bundle on my car insurance! I kid again. I wanted to take a moment to speak to all artists but particularly my fellow SOLO artists. Sharing your gift with the world can be a wonderful and magical experience. It can be filled with excitement and joy but can also be stressful at times. As someone that has personally experienced the broad spectrum of emotions that can accompany an event like artexpo, I applaud you for having the guts and the drive to share your art with the world. For those of you that had a great show, I congratulate you and for those of you that would have liked to have a better show, encourage you to keep pushing, keep learning from your experiences and keep striving to share yourself and your art.
With this in mind, if I can be of any assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or simply to bounce some ideas off of each other. After all, we artists have to stick together. Be on the lookout for Noah G POP Management in 2008.
I thank you for all of the support that I have received over the past year and of course, most importantly, Enjoy my art!
The final tally on its Website for exhibitors has a count of 467 companies. It's possible there are more, but even with last minute additions, it's hard to believe the exhibitor list came anywhere near the 600 touted by show management for the '07 show. The number of blog posts about the show is down from last year too. Here are a few I found you might find interesting:
It's great to see Noah putting forth his energy into ArtExpo. For all the show has suffered from changes in the marketplace, revolving ownership and other circumstances out of its control, it remains the single best place to showcase artists in the print medium. There is still no place like the Big Apple for such a show. The Las Vegas show last fall proved nothing can come close. Let's hope the promise of young energetic talent like Noah G Pop and his contemporaries help revive the show's sagging fortunes.
I was honored to be invited for a Q & A interview with Eileen Fritsch, the editor of Great Output magazine. It is the cover story for the July/August issue. Although I primarily work with painters, I've lately found many photographers and convergent media artists interested in learning the nuts and bolts of the fine art print reproduction market. This feature story is an example of the growing interest in developing a following from photographers in the art print market and art marketing, primarily in the form of giclees.
Here's the description provided on the publication's Website:
GREAT OUTPUTis our bi-monthly printed publication for photographers who want to know more about how to print, finish, display, and sell digital images. Eileen Fritsch continues her leadership role in compiling and editing newsworthy and commentary content that has, over the last three years, earned a quality reputation and built a loyal following.
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