Author:
John Morris

If you are pretty talented at art you might not even consider going to Art College. Why should you, anyway? You can draw like the masters: Boticelli, Michaelangeo, Da Vinci. There wasn’t a landscape scene your brushes didn’t like, and there wasn’t any portrait you couldn’t draw. You can sketch anything that exists!

But as with any talent, you must have realized that this is one big world we live in. There is always room for improvement, and although your work might speak for itself, a degree behind you may be just what employers are looking for. Therefore, you muster all your reserves; you pack your easel, your brushes, and your palette and head north to the nearest art college.

1. Good choice?

Art school will definitely benefit you as an artist. Your innate talent will benefit from the proven concepts and techniques you can learn here. It may be that you already know the basics and the techniques of your art. Rest assured that there are always things the art school can teach you that you won’t already know.

Art school also develops in its students a love and appreciation for the different forms of art. It opens to the student new vistas of learning and expressing. Even if only for that reason, Art school would be worth every penny.

2. Who Is Art School Suited For?

Artists are a rare kind. They seem to be able to create masterpieces without complicated theories and computations. It’s as if they are moved by instinct to draw, paint, and create visually pleasing artworks. Some artists, when asked about their artwork, would simply shrug and say they didn’t know what motivated them, and they just felt like painting it. Art school should not aim to correct this freewheeling style of artistry. It should, however, provide the basic techniques and theories on art and creativity. Instead of suppressing natural skill, it should develop and enlighten it by explaining the concepts behind art. Unlike what most people think, there truly is a science behind art.

Artists sometimes just create art. But after Art College, they come to a realization of theories behind what they have done by instinct. Fundamental theories can only improve and supplement the talent students have.

3. What to Learn?

When choosing an Arts College, look into the nature of its programs.

– Is it solely a graphic design school or does it offer courses in other specific areas?

– Does the school provide any statistics or downloadable documents outlining the percentage of its graduates that are now working in their chosen field?

4. Specialize!

Remember that the subject of art is not just a big blob with the label art. It is composed of numerous subcategories and specializations. You need to choose a specialization because if you don’t, your skills will be diffused trying to learn the many branches of art. Try to improve the most at the area of your interest. It could be painting, sculpture, digital arts or others.

5. Be The Best

Also, look into whether the school participates in any graphical arts competitions or has accomplished anything of renown in the industry. This is a sure sign of their commitment to the arts and the education of its students. One of the best things one can get out of Art College is exposure to competition and industry standards. Such competition pushes one from being complacent. If you are to be a better artist, you should never be satisfied with what you already know. You should grab the opportunity to learn new and exciting things.

6. Conclusion

Your education might be the most important investment you make in your life. Without proper training, your chances at success are greatly diminished. A proper Art college will certainly train you and equip you with the tools needed to make it big in your profession.

About the Author:

For more great art education related articles and resources check out
http://www.artschoolstop.com

Article Source:
Why Bother with Art Colleges?

Author:
Kristin Royce

As an artist, the key to selling more artwork is maximizing its
exposure. The internet is an increasingly popular tool for
promoting original art, and if done properly, can be quite
profitable.

One of the most effective (and free!) online marketing tools for
artists is the blog. Artist blogs provide an easy way to display
your art, discuss your creative process, post exhibition
announcements and more. Best of all, blogs require no working
knowledge of HTML and the search engines love their dynamic
content.

What is a blog and how will it sell my art?

A “blog” is a web-based diary or journal. The author of a blog,
also known as a “Blogger”, publishes content on a regular basis
about a focused topic. These regular postings typically provide
a “community” feel by allowing site visitors to post feedback to
your journal entries. This mode of communication can deepen
relationships with potential art buyers, leading to increased
sales.

Blogs also have the ability to archive all of your previous
posts, dynamically creating an individual page for each journal
entry. The feature is great for art buyers using search engines
to find original art. For example, if you have a blog post
describing a painting that you just completed of the Golden Gate
Bridge at sunset and an art buyer in Florida goes to Google and
searches for “painting of Golden Gate Bridge at sunset”, there
is a very good chance that your blog entry will appear pretty
high in the rankings.
Cha Ching!!

Many artists have felt the pain of email marketing losing its
effect due to spam filters, junk email overloads and virus
paranoia. Blogs provide a new way to communicate with clients,
fans and industry professionals. This trend can support your
email marketing efforts by allowing blog subscription options
for site visitors so that they are notified whenever your blog
is updated along with providing a permanent place on the web for
all of your postings as opposed to newsletter emails that are
typically deleted.

How to start a blog

Blog Publishing Tools

To begin, visit some of these free blogging sites, all offering
unique template options that even an artist can appreciate,
image uploads and syndication ability.

Blogger.com
(Simple
to set up and multiple authoring ability)
MSN Spaces
(Create your own
mini site, with an exceptional blogging feature)
Live Journal
(Requires a
bit of ‘blogging knowledge’ to get it set up)
Blog Drive

If you’re interesting in reviewing additional blog features,
these sites require a small monthly fee to maintain.

Typepad
(starts at
$4.95/month)

Tripod Blogs
(starts
at $4.95/month)

Note to artists with MySpace accounts:

MySpace
provides members personal blogs, but it is important to know
that MySpace blogs are not currently listed in search engines,
which as noted above, is one of the main reasons to get a blog.
While MySpace works to remedy this issue, it is recommended that
you blog using a tool that is accessible to search engine
spiders.

Decide on a title for your blog

The title of your blog should be brief and to the point. You
can get creative with your language in the blog description /
tag line. A focused title will help with higher search engine
rankings and make it clear to visitors what the blog is about.

For example, the title for ThePauper.com blog is ”
Diary of a
Pauper
. The blog description is Rants and raves about the
careers and lives of starving artists.” The title is concise,
stating exactly what it is, while the description is a bit more
creative.

Blog theme

It’s important to establish yourself as a professional working
artist if you want to use your blog as a vehicle to sell your
art. Blog theme involves the layout and color of the page,
quality of the artwork images displayed and verbiage used for
blog postings. Select your blog template carefully and make a
habit to review your blog from the perspective of a potential
client. Is the page visually appealing? Do the images of your
artwork provide a link to an extra large version to see detail?
Does your content have a consistent theme? Here’s a good example
of a working blog by mix engineer, Ken Lewis:

http://protoolsmixing.
com/blog.html
The content theme is exceptionally consistent,
plus the colors and page layout match his website.

What to write

What’s beautiful about blogs is that there are no rules on what
to write, but if you want to attract and keep an audience, you
might consider some of these suggestions.

Keep your posts creative and interesting. Move and inspire your
readers by being completely honest about your creative process.

Use keywords in your blog title and post.
Using the
example mentioned earlier – if your post is about a Golden Gate
Bridge painting, be sure to use that exact phrase in the title
and body of your blog. Think about what people might type into
search engines to find your content and then use those keywords
in your blog. This technique will help increase the ranking of
your web page on search engines.

Post daily
, or at least twice a week. If you publish blog

entries frequently, you will see more return visitors,
subscriptions to your blog and comments from site visitors.

Proofread and preview your blog
entries before posting.
Some blog HTML editors have a way of creating weird symbols out
of certain characters and a quick spell-check never hurts.
(Note: be sure to create your blog entries using Word or some
other text editor. Many blogging tools tend to “time out” after
a certain amount of time and you could potentially lose hours of
work.)

Publish your blog
Finally! Your blog looks great and has
unique content. Now, depending on the blogging tool that you
selected, follow the steps to publish it to the World Wide Web.
Test the live URL that now houses your blog. If all of your
graphics appear correctly and the copy is flawless, then you
want to make sure that you promote your blog on your personal
website, in your email signature and by word of mouth.

Using the tools you already have to spread the word while
testing your dedication to frequent posting is the best way to
get started. Part 2 of will unveil tons of ways to promote your
blog online

About the Author:

Kristin Royce is a search engine optimization and online
marketing professional contributing online marketing and
promotional content for artists to The ARTrepreneur
E-Zine. The ARTrepreneur offers articles helping artists
focus on proven techniques to accomplish any goal. Read
More:
http://www.theartrepreneur.com

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
Why Every Artist Needs a Blog & How to Create an Artist Blog

Author:
c. b. murphy

If my title is not cynical, what can I possibly mean when funds are being cut to non-profits, when people look twice at the cost of theater tickets and stay home to watch broadcast television, when even masterpieces fail to bring in money for Christies? All luxury or nonessential purchases like books and art will be scaled back. Strapped corporations and executives are dumping their vanity collections onto the prestige auction houses who are seeing prices and attendance fall precipitously. Many small art-related businesses will fail, including bookstores, small theater companies, galleries, even museums. Surely this is a time for a great wailing to arise in the land of the creatives, who have already pinned their last hopes on a new W.P.A program that will surely be announced soon.

So why in Picasso’s name would this be a good time to be an artist or writer? Let’s start with Bush or should I say Bush-hating. Artists and writers have been a disproportionate amount of effort “fighting the man.” The stance, however justified, made it easy to structure plots and feel good about poorly realized efforts because the artist was focused on the urgent need to topple the evil regime. How much subtlety was required?

With a new dynamic Democratic administration firmly gripping power in Washington, there is no longer a need to waste any more effort haranguing the public about the war in Iraq, and his other unpopular positions. Soon “his” mistakes will be “our” mistakes as Democrats innovate and/or borrow from the previous administration and we will only have our own to blame. Only the farthest left of us (like the ones already unhappy with Obama’s practicality) will continue to use artistic outrage as their main source for inspiration.

I am hoping the whole concept of “artist as politician” phase will come to an end. Sure, we can still support our causes of global warming, corporatism, land mines, and nuclear disarmament if we like, but adults in Washington will be doing their best to represent the constituencies that have promoted these causes. We no longer will have to shout at them, though there is no guarantee that we will like their solutions or pace. Nevertheless, artists will find the protest stance somewhat emptier, somewhat less compelling and, hopefully will be moving on to new, less knee-jerk, less repetitive, less strident content.

Back to the issue of business failures in the art community. It’s not that I think the art world is too fat and will benefit from a crash diet, but it’s worth thinking about who the market for art has been and who it might become. Art has been, in a sense, also feeding at the trough of the high finance world. How many people can afford a painting over say $10,000 (and I’m stretching here). Clearly the middle class doesn’t buy much original art. Why not? Because the content (often incomprehensible but supported by museums and academics) is largely non-compelling to average people.

In the literary world, where the readership is shrinking, agents and publishers are running scared. They want another J. K. Rowling phenomenon but aren’t sure where and how to find it. Meanwhile a tsunami of self publishers and bloggers are going around the publishing world for their reading. Both the sellers and makers of art need to accept this challenge. If they have something to say, how should they say it and where? New forms, hybrids and experiments are springing up and the world of criticism (e.g. The New York Times Book Review) are holding up their noses in hopes that the riff-raff will all go away soon and everyone will return to network television, Broadway shows and industry-picked “geniuses” in the print world. That’s not going to happen. People are entertaining themselves in new ways, from YouTube, to bloggers, to game designers, to “low-brow” art that embraces illustrators, graffiti artists and tattooists as “real” artists. Some see this as a devastating collapse of “high” culture, I see it as evidence that in many ways the arts have not been doing their job.

Music might be an exception as well as an example. While mainstream media continues to site declining CD sales something we’re supposed to fret about, an explosion of interest in music is happening all over the world. The internet is allowing us to create our own custom radio stations (e.g. Pandora), iTunes is making it easier to buy exactly what we want, and portable music devices have freed us from Big Radio and Big Music companies. This is partly because, unlike say painting or the literary novel (the bad ones not the good ones), the general public has never given up its love of music and never will. So music will lead the way. Will there be fewer superstar groups but more people creating the music they love? I hope so. Will it be difficult to find the new geniuses if they are not picked out of the crowd and promoted by Big Music? Maybe, maybe not. Most likely the internet will evolve forms of self criticism which will allow more diverse music to survive as the cost of getting that music to the public continues to decline. Overall will less money go to music because people are used to getting it free? Maybe. Inevitably good stuff costs money, think organic produce. People pay more everyday for both the label and the confidence in its quality and taste, even if they can’t prove it or taste it.

People will pay to be entertained. Collecting original art on a small scale could conceivably be something people do again once their more confident of their taste. How many people worry about their taste in music needing outside experts to tell them whether or not it’s good? I know what I like is the rule. In fact, for millions, if its popular it’s already time to dig deeper and find the creatives (the new new) that have already been there and done that and are now doing something altogether new.

So we might be on the edge of a burst in creativity. I’ll make my final point be referencing an economically difficult but extremely creative period another country experienced: The Weimar Republic. This from Wikipedia:

“The 1920s saw a massive cultural revival in Germany. It was, arguably, the most innovative period of cultural change in Germany. Innovative street theatre brought plays to the public, the cabaret scene became very popular. Women were americanised, wearing makeup, short hair, smoking and breaking out of tradition. Music was created with a practical purpose, such as Schoenberg’s ‘atonality’ and there was a new type of architecture taught at ‘Bauhaus’ schools. Art reflected the new ideas of the time with artists such as Grosz being fined for defaming the military and for blasphemy.”

There’s plenty of opportunity out there, folks, stop whining and get busy!

About the Author:

writer, painter, anthropologist

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
Why It’s a Great Time to be an Artist or Writer

Author:
Abhishek Agarwal

We are all creative beings just as the ultimate being is the divine creator. To create something is to bring into existence something that did not exist before. Creative genius comes when you bring into existence something that will enhance the lives of all who encounter your creation, including yourself. In order to tap your creative genius, there are a few considerations that you should be aware of.

There is one thing that your creative energy demands a lot of and that is time. You have to allow yourself enough space for your creative energies to flow. Some people are fortunate to have a form of employment which requires them to apply their creative minds on a regular basis. If you are a teacher you will continually creating new ways in which to impart knowledge to individual children. The best teachers are always creative geniuses. Others of us are in jobs that only require a certain set of skills. After we have acquired the skills we keep on applying them over and over again without much room for creative thinking. If you fall into this category then you will need to set aside separate time in which to work creatively.

Finding extra time is not always easy with modern daily schedules. Work, travel, family, health, are all things which take precedence over our time. After these priorities are attended to we are often too spent to begin thinking creatively about anything. The problem is that when we are not able to apply our creativity, which is an inherent drive within all of us, we become dissatisfied and unfulfilled. Sometimes we encounter disgruntled people in the work place and those who appear to hate their jobs. These people are often expressing the deep dissatisfaction they feel at not being able to express themselves more creatively in their lives.

To avoid becoming dissatisfied you must apply yourself creatively. The best way to do this, if you have a very busy schedule, is to channel your creative energy into those things you have to do everyday. A good example of this is food. Cooking is an excellent way to get creative and many of us have to do it everyday. Instead of preparing the same old meals everyday or relying on supermarket ready prepared selections you can create new ways in which you and your family enjoy food and stay healthy. If you travel to work everyday by bus or train you might use this bit of regularly occurring time to read. Reading inspires creativity and you can use the reading time to read something that will teach you something new about what you are interested in.

Although being creative is time consuming it can also be very relaxing. After a hard day at work, instead of slumping in front of the TV for the next 3 hours, you can use this relaxation period to apply yourself creatively. If painting or flower arranging or writing is your thing, this is a very good time to allocate toward pursuing such creative hobbies.

Those who do have a bit of extra time to spend being creative can consider attending a course or group that specialises in their chosen creative pursuit. Other people who are interested in the same thing as you are and who express themselves creatively in a similar way to you, provide a wonderful resource of creative energy which you can draw on to fire up your own creative thinking. Other members will be drawing from you too, everyone contributes and everyone benefits.

It is always a good strategy, for those who are able, to take time to visit somewhere else away from home. If you are able to get away to areas of outstanding natural beauty for example, you should find that the environment inspires you creatively. It is no coincidence that many artists have produced some of their best work in some of the world’s most fabulous locations.

The way to tap your creativity is to try to think creatively as much as you can even while occupied with mundane, non-creative activities. You should also understand that creative energy needs to be fed by time; you must find as much time as you can to apply your creative thinking otherwise you might not blossom into the creative genius you are capable of being.

About the Author:

Abhishek is a Self-Improvement expert and he has got some great

Self-Improvement Secrets

up his sleeves! Download his
FREE 81 Pages Ebook
, “Self Improvement Made Easy!” from his website


http://www.Positive-You.com/775/index.htm


.
Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
Your Creative Genius – How To Tap It For Success

Author:
Artistopia Staff

Artist development in the music industry has evolved over time, leaving most of the early progress to the artist themselves. For the most part, the days are gone when a record label developed up and coming talent. The question continuously arises for those young artists, “where do I start”? With the advent of the Internet, the possibilities are mind boggling.

Many artists put in their mission statement, simply that they want a record deal, thinking that is all they need to succeed for career in music. Most don’t have a clue what it takes to get that deal, let alone maintain that career.

Artist development is a huge area overlooked by far too many artists and bands. Let’s explore the question, “What is artist development”?

A record label A&R rep once “discovered” fresh new faces in clubs, bars or word of mouth and would then support them, cultivate their creativeness, build up their fan base, and guide their direction with the intent of turning them into superstars. All of this of course, was with the intent of selling those 45’s, LPs, cassette’s and CDs. Gradually, many labels moved more into product development, which meant they are focused more on the immediacy of sales of the latest CD (product) released, and not bringing the artist up to that point. And more often than not, naive artists were at the labels mercy.

In this Internet age, it is more the artist or band themselves that must build the quality sound that is ready as a commercially viable product. On top of that, they need to have an already established fan base, basic music business skills, perhaps even the early music sales of a well produced CD. Labels are looking for pre-packaged, very talented musicians that are already showing their value.

A music career is a charted path to follow. Artist development involves all the issues surrounding and arising from that charted path, and crosses into knowledge of product development the ultimate sale of the music.

Checklist on what artist and product development necessitate:

• Exceptional vocals, musicianship and/or songwriting skills
• Continued education and enhancement of musical skills
• Quality equipment
• Performance ability
• Image creation and maintenance
• Plan of action, goal setting
• Exceptional promotion materials, including photographs, press releases and artwork
• Business management skills
• Marketing, publicity, and promotion knowledge, online and offline
• Professional management
• Basic knowledge of recording, producing, engineering, and mastering
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing, distribution, and sales online, brick and mortar and air-play
• Good choices in members, staff and advisors
• Physical and mental preparedness
• Basic knowledge of finances, accounting
• Law and legal issues: publishing, copyrighting, trademarks, and an attorney
• Alternative career options even athletes need to have other options!

Tending to all areas of your music career may make the difference between a one hit wonder and longevity in this business. It’s been said, “If you think this is a piece of cake, you better go bake one.” The music business, again, is a business. Businesses need to make money. That’s worth repeating – the music business is a
BUSINESS
. Take the time to find out all you can about each of these steps in your journey.

That being said, an up and coming artist must begin somewhere…and if a career in the music business is the goal, then any naiveté must be addressed immediately! Knowledge is power. Power gives you leverage. And who knows…that entrepreneurial artist may just find they don’t need that particular record deal after all.

About the Author:

Artistopia – The Ultimate Artist Development Resource

http://www.artistopia.com

is an artist development service and community on the web providing music artists, songwriters and bands all the tools needed for displaying their talent, music business collaboration, marketing and networking. Online since 2003, Artistopia develops advanced technology solutions that leverage the Internet to both the music artist and music companies respective advantage.

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
Why Artist Development Makes a Difference

Author: Valery Satterwhite

Copyright (c) 2009 Valery Satterwhite

“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your Soul.” – Walt Whitman

For many artists, challenges are very personal. And one of the biggest challenges is the Critic in the room, the Inner Critic. This gnarly Inner Critic is the voice of your self-doubt and fear. It is the emotional ties that bind you, hold you back, keep you stuck, limit you in what you think is possible for you as an artist. This Inner Critic will critique and beat you up more than any audience or perceived expert ever will. If allowed, this Inner Critic will suck the life force right out of you.

“Being true to yourself is what feeds creativity, not self-doubt and criticism.” – Diane Arenberg

Why? Because it is a very frightened little creature. It acts nasty as a defense mechanism. What it really wants to do is crawl under a bankie with a sippy cup where it’s safe; where no one will bother him.

There are many ‘not safe’ zones for the Inner Critic. Here are a three:

1. Starting big project that you have never done before. (What if I fail?) 2. Having a bigger presence in the public eye than it has now. (It’s only a matter of time before they find out I’m not really that good.) 3. Rejection. (If they reject my art, then they reject me, and I will cease to be relevant – or even exist.)

Fear that you’re not being, or won’t be, acknowledged as an artist will hold you back. Fear that you’re not good enough compared with other artists will choke your expression. This fear may lead to anger, bitterness and even depression. Since you’re art is an expression of you, this fearful held-back state of beingness will be reflected in your art. There is a vast difference between deliberately illustrating and expressing pain, desperation, and other negative emotions and holding yourself back in your artistic expression as a result of pain, desperation and other negative emotions.

Here are some acronyms for the word FEAR (F.E.A.R.):

Finding Excuses And Reasons – Are you procrastinating?

False Evidence Appearing Real – Are you blaming other people or circumstances for being stuck your lack of success?

False Emotions Appearing Real – Are you beating up on yourself for not being ‘good’ enough? Here’s a clue: If you’re feeling ‘down’ then there’s a good chance you’re beating up on yourself.

And my personal favorite (drum roll please)

Fuck Everything And Run – Are you thinking about quitting, giving up on your pursuits as an artist?

You can deny your dreams but the outcome will be quiet desperation. The desperation becomes the safe comfort zone. You’re Inner Critic will fight hard to keep you where it feels safe. You may not like the desperate comfort zone that you find yourself in but it’s what you know. Safe. No surprises.

“To see far is one thing. Going there is another.” – Brancusi

If you find that your in a state of FEAR there is a little trick you can apply to help you crawl out of that dark hole. You can ask yourself the following two questions:

1. What am I getting out of staying in this state? You don’t do anything unless you get something out of it. What is staying right where you are in your artistic process allowing you to do?

2. Who would I be; what would I do; what would I have without this fear? Use your imagination to visualize that life. Run with it! Breathe it in.

The only thing standing between you and want you want to create for your art and your life experience is you. It’s time to get out of your own way. Or, head down to Wal-Mart and get yourself a nice bankie and sippy cup. Get several. You’ll be snuggled in, warm and comfy, for a long time.

“Remember, with every doubt comes a hitch in the natural flow of being.” – Ian Factor

Valery Satterwhite is the Founder of the International Association for Inner Wizards. She teaches artists of all kinds how to get out of their own way, eliminate personal and professional roadblocks, so they can fully express their artistic vision and succeed in the business of art. Empower the Wizard Within, tame the Inner Critic, unleash and Inspire the Muse. Get Free Artist Resource Directory today at http://www.InnerWizard.com.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Inner Critic Kidnaps The Artist Soul

 by:
Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman

An artist’s statement is a statement of ideas and thoughts that describe your
philosophy, vision, and passion towards your artistic creations.

Ponder over the following questions prior to writing your artist’s statement:

• Is your work whimsical, thought provoking, or edgy?
• Does it portray a series of stories?
• Whom or what has influenced you the most?
• How is your work meaningful to you?

How do you begin to write your artists statement? You could begin by writing
a quote that has inspired you and your work, or you could create a strong
sentence that summarizes your philosophy about your life and how art has changed
your views on life in general. You could also include what type of style and
technique that motivates you the most while creating your art creation.

Some artists have writer’s block when it comes to putting down their thoughts
on paper. I would suggest that you start with words that best describe your art
and inner thoughts then go back to edit them into definite statements. Most
artists know and feel what they are trying to convey to their audience, however,
writing it down becomes a huge task.

Personally, I believe your artist’s statement should be written by yourself
because of the personal touch you would be able to provide to it. No one knows
better about your artistry other than yourself. Your audience will get a feel of
what your inner thoughts are and how you find this passion to be a lifestyle and
not a hobby.

Make sure you aren’t using too many words that only artists would recognize.
Express yourself while allowing your words to flow. You are expressing your
passion; so don’t feel pressured to become a renounced writer.

While being an artist is a rewarding career, unfortunately, there are people
outside of this industry who would say it is a hobby. So, it is very important
to express how you feel about your craft through your artist’s statement.
Writing a one-page statement would be sufficient in getting your statement
across to your audience, but if it runs to a page two, that’s fine. Clearly, it
shows your audience that you are vividly and precisely getting your thoughts
across.

Your artist’s statement should be updated as your career inspires new
direction and when there are profound events that have captured new inspirations
in your creative vision. Your statement could be updated at the same pace
similar to updating your résumé.

If you’re still unsure how to get started, here are two excellent sites that
have sample statements:
www.mollygordon.com
or
www.naia-artists.org

Your artist’s statement is a very important tool. Take a block of time out of
your daily or weekly schedules to create the type of statement that will allow
your audience to understand how you began your journey.

Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_707.shtml

Author:
Jullie Harvard

Graduates with arts degrees often feel some difficulties to determine their career goal in the initial stage. In general view, most of jobs seem to suit the arts degree graduates but when come to decide a career goal, it seem like hard to define one. Unlike graduates from science and technology fields, graduates from the arts fields feel that their program of study hasn’t necessarily prepared them for specific jobs or careers. Many arts degree graduates become apprehensive once graduation approaches.

Are these the facts of art degrees? Is pursuing an art degree a waste of money and will only get you a job flipping burgers? These popular art degree’s myths affect many students who are interested in art degrees and they stop moving their step into art fields and force themselves to take science & technology related degrees for a brighter future.

The Facts versus Myths

In actual, the facts are contrary to the popular art degree myths, a variety of career possibilities await art graduates, almost half of all job vacancies available to new graduates are open to students with arts degrees. These employers are particularly interested in transferable skills.

Let review the true facts of these popular art degree myths and you will realize that you are totally employable with your Arts degree and arts degree graduates are really in high demand in the jobs market with well-paying positions.

Myth 1:
A Bachelor of Arts degree is not enough to find a well-paying, interesting job. You need to go to Law School, the Faculty of Education, or a technical training institute to be competitive for professional employment.

Fact 1:
Based payscales.com salary survey conducted in 2006, average salary for bachelor’s arts degree graduates in various job fields at United States are ranging from $32,000 to $55,000 annually, without having any further college or university study.

Myth 2:
A Bachelor of Arts degree will get you a job of flipping burgers.

Fact 2:
Based recent job survey conducted by a well-known survey company, arts graduates are often employed in a professional or managerial capacity (50 – 81%). This compared favorably with those in Commerce (60%) and those with technical or vocational diplomas from colleges and technical institutes (24 – 35%).

Myth 3:
A Bachelor of Arts degree is a waste of time and money and does not earn as much money as a bachelor degree in science and technology.

Fact 3:
According to a job survey report from “Express News” of University Alberta, Those with a general arts degree do well in the long term, although initially they may not make as much as graduates of professional faculties, what’s really striking is the gains they make over five years, the gap starts to close. This is because Arts graduates emerge with highly developed research, communication, creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are in high demand because they are difficult to teach in the workplace. Many employers want this type of well-rounded employee, who can be trained for more specific skills.

Arts Degree Students Are In Demand

Almost 50% of job markets are opened for students with arts degrees. Many of these jobs are within Arts students’ reach upon graduation, particular if they have already identified their unique interests and abilities. Career opportunities for Arts degree graduates are ranging from non-profit, to private business and to government sectors; examples of job titles held by Arts graduates are:

• Manager
• Events Planner
• Advertising Executive
• Program Coordinator
• Counselor
• Marketing Professional
• Facilitator

In Summary

Arts degree graduates are in demand in the job markets, a variety of career possibilities are awaiting for art degree graduates at a well-paying level and expandable career future.

Jullie Harvard is the author from

http://www.studykiosk.com

. Find out more information of
Arts Degrees
offered by Online Universities and what are
The Myths & The Facts of Arts Degrees
.

About the Author:

Jullie Harvard is the author from

http://www.studykiosk.com

. Find out more information of
Arts Degrees
offered by Online Universities and what are
The Myths & The Facts of Arts Degrees
.

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–
What are your Career Futures With an Art Degree?

Author:
Carolyn McFann

What is it like to be a freelance artist, and what exactly do you study to become one? I will tell you what courses I took in college that were useful to me later as a professional, and what I needed to know beyond my college education. There are many facets to being a successful artist, many of which aren’t taught in art school.

First of all, become well skilled in color theory, or, how to use color effectively. Using color is important especially to painters, interior designers and anyone who needs to choose colors for clients. There are many books on the subject, but make sure to learn about the Color Wheel, and buy the expensive colored paper packs called Pantone, to experiment with color usage. With color you can create moods, illusions and strongly influence advertisements. It is powerful to know color well so don’t underestimate it.

Take figure drawing seriously. It teaches you the discipline and confidence of drawing live models quickly and accurately. Whether you go for minute detail like I do, or suggestion of a figure, drawing the nude is a wonderful way to know the human body and how to express it well.

Learn how to use lines and textures. One two-dimensional design teacher I had, assigned us to do pages and pages of just different lines and others of different textures. Then, we did a major drawing using those textures and lines altogether. It was a good way to learn how to add interest to your artwork, and to create different effects. I use these techniques in my illustrations to this day.

Try different mediums, just to get experience in them, such as metalsmithing, textiles, glassmaking, and others. This will give you an appreciation for other crafts and teach you different angles of the art world. It also gives you practise in design, color and other disciplines, in a different realm. When I look at a blown glass vase, I know how it’s constructed. I also know how glass is made, from silica powder in batches similar to cooking a recipe. Creating a bowl from a flat piece of brass is something I found relaxing and satisfying. Try new things. When you visit galleries in the future, you will be more aware of how the items in them are created, by skilled artisans.

Learn business. I cannot stress this enough. My school didn’t allow me to double major in business and in art, though I wanted to. So, after art school, I enrolled in business courses on my own, and have been building upon that knowledge ever since. Learn how to market yourself, customer service, how to do accounting and how to be skilled on the computer. These are skills that will help you to work the promotional end of your business, until you find someone else to do it for you. As it stands now, I let my agent handle the selling of my original work, but still manage my own business dealings for my online gallery. Make sure to keep up with the latest trends on computer marketing, and software. It pays to market your business well, so arm yourself with as much practical business knowledge as possible.

Be very disciplined about your work time. In college, it is easy to get sidetracked by friends, parties and other things. I used to work hard then go out with friends, until I wore myself out and ended up with mononucleosis from sleeping too little. It took awhile to recuperate, and I learned to pace myself better. Take care of yourself. Be disciplined, and don’t overdo it when you go out with friends. When school is over and you are on your own, the good habits you have established will definitely come into play.

Attend gallery openings, art fairs, and other art venues. See how other professional artists sell their work. Learn from those who are most successful. Ask questions and take notes. Much of the education for a freelancer starts after college. Join professional artists’ organizations and participate in discussions. The more people you know, the more support they will give you when you need it.

Being a freelance artist isn’t easy, it takes persistence, resourcefulness and cunning. Give yourself a head start by accepting freelance assignments from customers as early as possible. I was taking orders steadily from customers from the age of 16. And the business grew as I grew. I was naiive in the beginning, but in time, my skills increased and it got easier. It is possible to make money as a freelancer. Don’t give up, take a job or two on the side when needed for extra money, but never give up on your vision. It will grow naturally, the more you learn and apply your knowledge. Go with the flow, give it time and you will be an independent, fully functioning art professional. I highly recommend it, and wouldn’t have things any other way.

About the Author:

Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at:

http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats

. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. She has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico, among other interesting professional assignments in other countries. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.

Article Source:
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–
What you Need to Know About Being a Self-supporting Artist or Designer

Author:
Artistopia Staff

Your online music profile is the bottom-line essential information on WHO you are as a band, singer, songwriter and/or musician. Your profile, as to how it fits in the big picture at Artistopia, an artist development site for indie and unsigned artists, is your biography or resume that presents you to the music industry, other musicians, and your potential fans. That makes it a very important page on the Internet, right? It needs to be interesting, well-written, informative and to-the-point, for this is you marketing yourself. When writing this document, there is much to consider to make it presentable.

Consider these scenarios:

1

2

In the Internet world, any webmaster will tell you content is king. Why? Because it is how online visitors find you. The number one source for driving traffic to web pages are search engines, and it is content they want and nothing else. (Content is literally text, characters, paragraphs, sentences – it’s information.) You can easily improve the traffic to your profile by entering as much relevant content about yourself as is necessary to describe your music, history, act, image, and musical goals.

Knowing this and knowing that in this busy-busy click-happy Web world, you have to have your band description clearly stated at the top of the bio! The rest of the fill-in details are at the bottom. If you have captured the readers attention at the top, they will follow through and read more. Otherwise, they will leave your profile and look for another band that presents themselves better than you did.

The best place to start is by creating an outline, in Word (or other program). Know how many total characters you can use in the field you are entering information in. Use spell-check and save it for later updating. Collect your thoughts and make notes about your background, your musical history, goals, accomplishments, band members, who plays which instrument, etc.

* The music business is a BUSINESS so present yourself professionally.

The first paragraph should be an introduction. It is the lead-in to who you are, what your music specialty is (genre), where in the world you are from, and perhaps an enthusiastic quote given to you about your music. If you sound like a certain pro band or artist, what makes you different from them?

* Busy industry people may not finish reading after a few lines if the opener does not capture them quickly. And you have to live up to the hype you dish out!

The second paragraph could cover what you are currently up to musically. Here you might mention a new release you are working on, or music projects you are involved with. What promotional plans do you have to support your current activities? Mentioning an upcoming tour or gig would be good here.

The third paragraph will include band member information (who plays what) or brief mention of background experiences, instrumentation, and/or accomplishments, that accentuates your artistic development. Artistopia offers locations for detailed information on these entries, so use the available space to present yourself wisely.

The Mission Statement section will cover your music career goals and is aimed at the industry professionals that might be searching for your particular talent. The Influences section will be who your musical influences are, so there is no need to waste the readers time mentioning them elsewhere.

You have to remember, A&R reps, labels, producers, potential collaborators, are all very busy people that have heard it all before. Do not waste words but find a way to stand out from the typical. The music you create may bring them to your profile after they heard it to learn more about you, so it is up to you to show them that you are a person that they can work with.

It is absolutely amazing to see artists that don’t take the time to do this. In countless web travels and thousands of music profiles, you see artist descriptions from as short as a one-liner like “We want to be heard,” to certain social site artist descriptions that go for MILES. There is a big difference in giving the reader vital information that should be included your profile and info that no one will ever care about that should not.

Therein is the essence of what your music profile should be saying about you.

About the Author:

Artistopia – The Ultimate Artist Development Resource

http://www.artistopia.com

is an artist development and community on the web providing indie and unsigned music artists, songwriters and bands all the tools needed for music business collaboration and networking.

Article Source:
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–
What your Music Profile Should Say About you

Author:
Greg Katz

Everyone feels that the artist life is glamorous and easy, but that’s the furthest from the truth. The number of artists making their living from their art is small and those who do have a sustainable business work very hard splitting their lives between creativity and business.

If you want to create an “art business” the four pillars of success are: vision; challenge; perseverance and motivation. Developing actions surrounding the four pillars will give you a giant leap from “Starving Artist” to “Successful Artist”.

Vision
As artists we have over developed right hemispheres of our brain so creativity is not in short supply. The interesting thing is that we don’t use that creativity as it pertains to our business. Having a vision for your business will enable you to begin a different type of portfolio, a business portfolio.

Take the time to be specific about how you want your art to serve in your life. If your art is your bread and butter then you must treat it that way, with respect and lots of elbow grease. If your art is an avocation, then what do you want to accomplish and by when.

It’s important to develop the road map to success or you’ll wander aimlessly, you’ll become discouraged and you’ll put out the fire better known as your dream. Set an intention and once you’ve set the intention build upon that intention. Each action you take should support your vision, shoring up the first pillar of success.

Challenge
If the business of art were easy then every artist would be successful. When we challenge ourselves creatively we are looking for new ways to express ourselves. The same is true in our business, the challenge is to show potential buyers that you wear more than one hat and you do it with conviction.

One of the key challenges for artists is not confidence in their work, but in how they present their work to the world. Artists are notorious for engaging in conversations from a one down position. We feel as if there is a caste system and we struggle to be taken seriously as an entrepreneur. Standing in the role of entrepreneur takes practice. It takes support from others and encouragement from peers. When you take yourself seriously as an “artrepreneur” others will follow suit.

Perseverance
I’ve heard it said that it takes three years to become an overnight sensation. I believe that to be true and I see it as I attend gallery openings, poetry readings and other venues of artistic expression. Those who have separated themselves from the pack have one thing in common, perseverance.

The successful artist has to be focused and find renewable sources of energy to keep moving forward on the journey. The primary factor that hinders perseverance is isolation. When artists have a support system they are more inclined to stay the course toward their vision. They are able to unload the emotional detours that arise from not getting selected for a show or not getting a call back for an audition. We gain strength by the cheerleading squad we’ve assembled in our lives. Create a success team to help you navigate your unchartered waters and you’ll be amazed at the results.

Motivation
You would think creating beautiful work would be enough motivation, but that is the external motivating factor. How do you keep the internal flames that propel you forward burning bright? Reward yourself! We all love rewards and by creating our own incentive program keeps us in the game.

Having mile markers along the way that show your success in measurable outcomes is essential for maintaining motivation. Ever wonder why nonprofit organizations or religious institutions create a huge thermometer during their fundraising drives? It’s to show the public the progression of their mission. As they get closer to the top it draws others who want to be a part of putting the organization over the top. Create your own gauge and make it visible so it stays in your consciousness. When you hit the top of the gauge be sure and shout it from the rooftops because you’ve shown that motivation yields results and that is evident by your success, both personal and professional.

Greg Katz is a national juried artist and the owner of the Artist Success Studio, a virtual artist community that transforms “Successful Artist’ from oxymoron to declarative fact.

About the Author:

Greg Katz is a national juried artist and the owner of the Artist Success Studio, a virtual artist community that transforms \\\”Successful Artist\\\’ from oxymoron to declarative fact. Greg can be reached at 720-851-6736 or visit his website at
www.artistsuccessstudio.com.

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
The Four Pillars for Artist Success

Author:
CD Mohatta

The nature of your portfolio will depend to some degree on the kind of art or craft you make. Sometimes it is possible to use the actual art and sometimes instead you need to include photographs or drawings of the art.

Use the original art where possible. This may determine the size of your binder. If you are to include photographs of your art or craft, you must learn how to take good photographs so that your art can be seen well. You can assemble a portfolio in three or four steps. If you have a lot of your work on hand, you may be able to make one in an afternoon, but even if you must start making your art or crafts from scratch, you should be able to have a portfolio completed within a month.

Your first step is to select and purchase a good binder or presentation case. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you want to take care that you choose something that is attractive and does not appear too cheap. If you are including original artwork, you may want to look for a larger size, perhaps 11″ x 14″ or 14″ x 17″. Larger than that can become awkward to keep with you and limit it’s use. Portfolios of modest size that hold standard typing paper are very convenient to carry, and still large enough in most cases to serve your needs. Very small binders about the size of a baby-brag book could be useful for showing jewelry, or as a duplicate portfolio small enough to keep with you always, but it is too small for most professional use.

Look for a binder where you can easily exchange your artwork or photographs, so that you can keep your portfolio current and improve it. Avoid permanently affixing any art or photo to the binder. Page protectors can be very helpful in keeping your artwork and photos clean, and you can then mount photos to pieces of quality paper with hinges and write descriptions on the paper. This also makes it easy to switch out examples of your work. Catalogs and art stores will have examples of portfolio systems for you to consider.

About the Author:

Social network users, add new
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–
Steps for Making a Binder Portfolio – Part 1 of 3

Author:
CD Mohatta

Your second step in making a binder portfolio is to assemble what you have at present to include. Also, make a list of other items you would like to have in your portfolio. Usually 12 – 24 items makes a good portfolio, and if you have twelve items now that is enough for a start. You may need or want to make arts or crafts to show what things you can do.

For some artists, their work is very large or involved, such as painting murals or harpsichords. It may not be practical to have a dozen projects like this completed to show in a portfolio before you begin your business. In this case draw good sketches of designs you could do, preferably in color.

Give yourself a deadline of when you will complete your portfolio, and if you must complete new items for it schedule your projects so that you do not delay. You should be able to complete at least one item a week. Every day without a completed portfolio you run the risk of losing business and income. Plan to complete your portfolio in one month’s time or less.

Your third step in most cases is to work out a system for photographing your arts or crafts. This is particularly true if your art or craft is 3-dimensional or large. Either film or digital cameras will work for a binder portfolio, but you will definitely need to get prints. A tripod will definitely help you to take better photos.

You also need to consider the background to your photographs and the lighting. For 2-dimensional work this usually means a clean white wall and some way of hanging your work. For 3-dimensional work this usually means a table with white paper or a white sheet draped from above on the wall behind the object and over the table in a C curve, so that no distracting edges appear in the photo. Choose a particular place in your home where you can get good results and photograph your work easily as you make it, without a lot of hassle to set it up.

About the Author:

Social network users, add new
myspace backgrounds
to your profile. Try out new
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and
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–
Steps for Making a Binder Portfolio – Part 2 of 3

Author:
CD Mohatta

Your fourth step is to assemble the portfolio. A nice, classic-looking portfolio implies you take great care in your art and work professionally, but also remember, it is better to have any portfolio and improve its contents and appearance when you can, than to have none at all.

On the cover page, include your name, address, and contact information. It is a nice touch to include a small professional photograph of yourself. You may also wish to include a short bio of yourself and/or an artist’s statement on that or another page. Your bio could be as simple as, “Jane Doe is an artist living in San Francisco with her family. She has been painting furniture for eight years and was encouraged to start her own business painting furniture in 2007.” Your bio could also include any awards, large commissions, art or craft shows you have completed, quotations of people who have admired your work, or anything else of interest. An artist’s statement should come from you. Don’t force one if you do not have thoughts about what you are trying to do with your art.

Center photos and art as if the background paper is a frame. You can choose any color for the background, but black, white, and cream are the most classic and least distracting. Short descriptions, typed or hand written on either the background paper or typed onto a small card and included in the sleeve, can help the viewer name and understand what they are seeing. An example might be, “Mt. Fuji, ceramic pot, raku, 2007.” The first, “Mt. Fuji,” is the name of the piece, followed by what it is or the medium, the method, and the year. Do not include prices on the pages that show your work. If desired, you can include a price list at the end of your portfolio.

You now have a working portfolio. Don’t hesitate to ask people if they would like to see it. Even if you are asking people who may not buy your work, you never know when down the road someone might mention to them they are looking for an artist, and they will think of you. Keep business cards with your portfolio to give people your contact information.

About the Author:

Social network users, add new
myspace layouts
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and
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–
Steps for Making a Binder Portfolio – Part 3 of 3

Author:
Cynthia Morris

The Starving Artist myth proliferates because it is often accompanied by that other myth: creative people aren’t good at business. With these ideas circulating, it’s easy to see how artists struggle to succeed professionally.

But I don’t buy these myths. In fact, I believe that artists and creative people make the best business people. Here’s why.

Artists are experts in seeing the big picture. They can hold an expansive point of view. This creative perspective, this ability to see what isn’t there and to relish possibility, is key to business success.

Good artists are adept at pinpointing the details. A painter knows the difference between cobalt and azure, a writer uses specifics to describe a character, and a sculptor’s strokes will make all the difference in the end expression on a sculpture.

Artists and business people are willing to risk. There is no guarantee in art, business, or life, but creative people take risks every time they go into the studio. In fact, any art worth its salt takes the artist and the viewer outside the realm of the known and shows them something new.

Artists are able to dwell in the unknown. Art making is the biggest adventure there is. If you do not know what you are creating, if it will appeal to anyone, or if you will make any money at all, you’re in good company with both artists and business people.

Business and art are fueled by a high level of passion. Any advice on running a business will preach that you need to be passionate to fuel the long stretches of challenging times. Artists thrive on passion.

All of these characteristics give artists an edge over others in the business realm. It’s great to be fueled by the knowledge that you do have what it takes to succeed, and you also need to operate in a business-like way to make it happen. Here are the keys to business success that I have used and enjoyed.

Vision. You have to want your creative success from a deep, deep place. What is this about for you, anyway? Have a vision for yourself and your business. Write a vision statement that springs from your values and passion for your art.

Commitment. In a business or art career, there will be plenty of ups and downs. It’s important to have a solid commitment that you can return to when times are tough. You will question this commitment again and again, but if you have a clear sense of your commitment at the beginning, the dips will be navigable. Write a mission statement for how you will fulfill your vision.

Follow through. Most success can be attributed to those extra actions we take – sending a thank-you note, making a call, going the extra mile, or researching a tip. Follow through is a key factor in being able to maximize opportunities, build connections and deliver on your promises. It’s also a key to being perceived as professional and on top of things.

Build authentic relationships. Do business with people that you want to be around. You want to be able to be yourself with your support team (accountant, banker, coach) and your clients (gallery owners, editors, clients). Connect with people who share similar values, interests and art forms. Some people say that building relationships is the key to success, so become a master at being a good human with others.

Maintain self-care practices. Making art and building a business is a lot of work. There can be a lot of stress involved with art and business, so having a stable personal life is key. Know your needs and do what you can to get them met. Know what helps you release stress. Make sure that you have play time, too, since it can be easy to work all the time at your art business.

Perspective. This is the secret weapon. Perspective is the most powerful tool we have. How you see the world, yourself, and your enterprise all have an enormous impact on how successful you will be. If you can shift your perspective easily, you’ll have a much broader range of options available to you in your art and business. Practice noticing throughout the day what perspective you are operating from. Does it feel good? Bad? In between? How does the perspective of any moment contribute to your work?

Systems. And, of course, for business success, you’ll want systems for operating your enterprise, for marketing your work, and for handling all the money that comes your way. Contact systems, marketing systems, bookkeeping systems, and ways to catalogue your art and record your sales are all essential for a thriving business.

If some of these essentials make the artist in you cringe, take that as an opportunity to see where you could grow. I can’t think of any other work that challenges us to grow more than art and business. If you want to stay safe and unchanged, you’ll want to choose another path. But why would you? Art and business are grand adventures!

About the Author:

Cynthia Morris of
Original Impulse
helps writers and visionaries make their brilliant ideas a reality. Author of Create Your Writer’s Life: A Guide to Writing with Joy and Ease, and Go For It! Leading Tours for Fun and Profit, Cynthia coaches from Boulder.

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–
The Art Of Creative Business Success

By
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Often, while viewing other artists experiences with their creativity, defined by pen to paper within their “Artist’s Statements”, I find myself thinking, “This reminds me of man trying to define God by putting creativity into a box.” Oft times too I wonder, “What the heck are they talking about? I wonder if even ‘they’ even know.”

I have met all kinds of artists. I always hope that I will share some kind of phenomenon with fellow artists, of an unmistakable vibration we both generate and feed off of. I hope that our connection will cause us to reach new heights and feel compelled to go home and create great things. I rarely come across artists like that, they are as different from one another as anyone.

I really do believe there is an ‘energy’ within art, colors, and it is that energy about a piece of art that people resonate to.. or not. Some only like only my precise artwork, of which I feel are renderings and not in my personal opinion, ‘true art’. It tells me that we are not connected in a ‘spiritual’ sense. We connect on other levels though so consequences of that kind of thinking are not something that needs to be brooded over, on the outside chance you find my opinion offensive or objectionable.

I think a lot of ‘art talk’ is mumbo jumbo, and is as redundant and boring as the latest football player explaining how his team is going to win the next game. Yet, I also think there is a need for the artist to describe the connection they feel with their art. Doing that, helps the viewer to enter their world, as well as the artist to understand ‘what the heck happened’ to cause them to create what they did.

Creativity is elusive, but the more we enter that gate, the more we find ourselves in the presence of something truly remarkable. I think the vibration of colors, coupled with the spirit of the dance of creative action, can be found in all kinds of art and no one has the market on that. Once in a great while we come across genius like Leonardo da Vinci and we stand in awe. Because of miraculous adventures of the soul, in any genre, it is our responsibility to pursue the unknown. Leonardo da Vinci only scratched the surface. Pursuing the vibrations of the elusive is often an alone experience. It is within that ‘prayer’ of sorts that mystics are uncovered. There are many ways of doing it though, as there are religions, so I don’t think anyone has the key to it all.

So how do you do it? How do you write an “Artist’s Statement” that makes sense? First define who you are within your work in your own mind. If you do not know, you won’t be able to write anything at all that others will comprehend. Be careful of the mumbo jumbo, but write out your heart as you look at your work. You may just discover a part of yourself you had not met before. Take your time, discover who you are. Remember da Vinci as well, nothing he did was done without extreme confrontation of what it was he was looking to explore, so laziness is not acceptable. Right? Yes!

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz:
http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htm

My newest website:
http://www.kathyostman-magnusen.com

Article Source:
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http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Challenge-of-Writing-an-Artists-Statement-That-is-Artistic-and-Deep-But-Also-Makes-Sense&id=2424623

Author:
Gary Goldstein

Most software programmers, photographers, game developers, and artists use licensing as a means of generating additional income from their hard work. Because the expenses associated with these pursuits often leave technical and creative professionals without a lot of revenue, licensing is usually done as a way to make additional money. However, there is one way that licensing is used that is more for promotional purposes than for income generation purposes. Many creative professionals are now allowing members of the public to download their works, but use them in a limited manner, through Creative Commons licenses.

Create Commons licenses
take into account the basics of copyright law, but offer a way for users and creators to balance their needs. Instead of creators maintaining all control lest they be taken advantage of, Creative Commons licensing allows creators to dictate how users can use their works. This gives users a means of using the works of other people without forcing the creators to give up all of their copyrights. Most people think of licensed Creative Commons works as being online. Many of these licensed works are found online, but offline works can also be licensed under the Creative Commons. When a Creative Commons license is created, anyone is able to use the work as long as they use it within the parameters of the license agreement.

There are several ways a creator can control his or her work under a Creative Commons license. The attribution non-commercial no derivatives license is the one that most restricts how a work is used. This type of license allows users to download and share a work with others, provided that they do not edit the work in any way. Additionally, the creator must be credited any time the work is used or shared. The attribution non-commercial share alike license is slightly different. This license allows users to download and share the work, and it also allows them to edit it, provided that the user is not using the work for commercial purposes (e.g. editing and reselling the work as his own).

The attribution non-commercial license is slightly less restrictive. While users must credit you as the creator of the work, they can create derivative works by editing your original work, provided they are not using the derivative work for a commercial purpose. Attribution no derivative licenses allow users to download and share your works freely, for commercial or non-commercial purposes, provided they credit you and do not change the work in any way. An example would be of a photo that is sold online. The user would have to credit the creator and would not be allowed to edit the photo in any way.

Many people don’t understand why creators would want to license their works without receiving any monetary compensation. The beauty of Creative Commons licensing is that the creator receives credit every time the work is shared or used. This can create excellent opportunities for the creator that he or she would not have received had they simply licensed the work to a user for money. For example, a magazine editor may see a photographer’s work and ask him to do a paid photo shoot for an upcoming issue of a magazine. These additional opportunities make
Creative Commons licensing
an attractive option for creative professionals.

About the Author:

Gary Goldstein is a top rated hollywood movie producer! Check out our web site today at
http://garywgoldstein.com/
to learn more about the screenwriting classes, business coaching, and success secrets teleseminars we offer. Click
here
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–
Promoting Your Talents With Creative Commons Licenses

Author:
Michael Bridges

Being an artist myself, I know how hard it can be to sell your art in the real world that is one reason you might what to try to sell your art online. A few years ago I decided to start selling my art online and I’m glad I did. Now, I’m not getting rich doing this, but I have made more sells online than I ever did in the real world. Plus I don’t have schlep my artwork from place to place.

Lets just take a look at some reasons you should consider selling your art online.

Convenience

In the real world you have to sale your art in galleries, art festivals, fairs, libraries or any place that will allow you to place your art and sell it. Now consider you have to pack up your artwork and carry it to these places and in some of cases hung the work yourself. Also consider that the pieces that don’t sale you have to take them down, pack them up and carry them back to your home or studio

However, when you sell your art online you just put up some photos of your artwork on a website with some information on the size, medium and price and depending on where you put it you may be able to keep your artwork there indefinitely. Even if the artwork doesn’t sale on a site where it has to be removed, all you have to remove is a photo and some information. No packing and no carrying bulky paintings back and forth.

You Have Total Control

By selling your art online you take over total control of your art career. No more middlemen telling you how much to price your art for and then taking a cut of your money when the art sells. Galleries will take anywhere from a 40 to 50% cut of your art sales. Art Festivals will charge any where from $200 to $500 fees just to be in the festival and demand that you have a certain amount of inventory, which you have to pay for. If you don’t sell anything at the festival you are just out all of that money.

If you sell your art online you can decide when where and how long you have your art up on a website and although there are some sites that may charge you to have your art on them, most of the places are free and the ones that do charge it’s usually a very small amount. Also most places where you can sell your art online will let you set your own price and won’t charge you a commission. So you can keep 100% of your art sells. Also on most places that allow you to put art on their sites, you can put up as many or as little as you want.

A Worldwide Customer Base

When selling your art in the real world your art sales are usually limited to the place where your art is at the moment. If you are exhibiting at a gallery your art sales are limited to that gallery and the people that come into that gallery. If your art is being shown at a fair your art sales are limited to the people that see your art at that fair. I think you get the picture. For the must part in the real world your art sales is going to be limited to local or regional sales.

On the Internet you have a worldwide audience to market your art to. Because of selling my art online I now have my artwork in Japan, France, Great Britain, Canada and other places that I would not have been able to reach in the real world. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world you will be able to reach people from different countries. An artist in Italy can sell a piece of art to a buyer Russia or an artist in India can sell a painting to a buyer in the United States. Your online presence is your art gallery to the world.

I’m not saying not to sell your art in the real world, but as you can see by opting to sell your art online you have more control and a wider buyer reach. However there’s no reason you can’t do both.

About the Author:

These are some reasons why you should consider selling your art online. For ways on
How To Sell Your Art Online
just click the blue link.

Article Source:
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–
Sell Your Art Online – Why You Should Consider It

Author:
Susan

It is often difficult for an artist to find a gallery prepared to take their work. Even if they do find an art gallery, the art gallery may restrict the number of art works hung and space or time permitted for an exhibition. But the main problem for most newer artists is the question of being unknown. Unless an artist is already known it is almost impossible to find a gallery willing to handle their work. But how to become known and how to earn some income in the meantime?

Even when an art gallery is located and terms agreed there is the question of commission and sales tax which can mean that the gallery and the picture framer earn more than the artist.

The commercial aspect of a working life in art is a difficult one to manage. It is rare that an artist makes a reasonable living from art without having to supplement with other work such as teaching. An artist can also attempt to raise their profile by entering competitions and with luck and talent gain prize money also.

Artists are turning to the internet to increase their audience exposure and assist in making sales of their work.

Many on-line art galleries however have no selection criteria for work submitted and further they do not permit dedicated space for each artist. The end result is that an artist’s work does not show in any cohesive manner, unless the user already knows the name of the artist and searches for their name.

On-line art gallery space with selection and dedicated gallery space per artist

About the Author:

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
On-line Art Galleries can assist in the career and business development of an Artist

Author:
Steve Morgan

Hi, My name is Steve Morgan, and I have been a Music Artist and in the Business since 1967, have been in verios bands of different genres like, rock, blues, jazz/swing, country… I have had a small recording studio for the past 12 years, and have been active in it, since about a year ago.

I have been working on this free website,

MusicPlaces.com

, dedicated to helping independent music artists promote them selfs, and sell their music on the internet, with a

Music Artist and Listener Community

. The site offers FREE accounts to all Music Artists and Listeners.

Artist accounts

feature a Main Artist Profile Page with a portable flash player that each artist and fans can use to post music on other sites getting even more exposure than most other sites give, also other site features like mp3 song hosting, video hosting, guest book, photo gallery,
digital music store, an artist promo kit in pdf format, Internet radio stations, and so much more!! There are so many ways to promote your music on the internet for free, and this is one of the best resources for independent music artists and listeners that love Indie Music!

Now, I would like to help artists get the most out of internet self promotion by giving you some sound advice about how to get started.

First, there are many free music artist sites that you can get free artist accounts on.

Join as many of these as you can, still being able to
monitor each of your accounts at least 2 times a month, keeping active and
putting fresh content up as much as possible. I would think that 5 or 6 of these would be some work,
especially if you are gigging and work a day jab too!

Try to choose sites that have been around for more than 2 or 3 years, as they are probably more established on the internet and have more traffic and listeners giving free exposure to your page.

Try keeping your user names (artist name) on all of these sites the same, as this will only help with search engine results when searching for your name or band name in a search engine.

Try being as active on all sites as you have time for, as this will get your name out there, and people on the internet will soon know who you and your music are!

Choose one of these sites to be your home site, and link to it from all of your other sites.
Usually when selecting a home site for your music, select the site with the most features for free first! Making sure that the site you choose is the fastest loading and works the best.

Most of these music sites that you sign up with have forums these days. Be as active in as many of them that you can, make a link to your home page as your forum signature, if they let you. Search engine spiders spider forums every day and the more posts you post, the more links you will have in google. The more links you have, kinking to your home page in google, the higher google will rank your home page.

Sites with portable players that you can put on other sites that play your songs are a great resource for getting exposure on places in the internet that wont host your mp3 songs.

MusicPlaces.com has a great portable player that will play your songs on sites that let you past code into them like myspace, tagworld, and other places that let you use html, including forums, blogs, guest books…

If you sell your music, most sites these days have a
Digital Store
. Put your music for sale on as many of these places that you can. Even if you dont sell anything, your songs and merchandise will be spidered by the search engines and you will get more exposure!

Have a good email address that works, and check it often, answering any enquiries and fan messages.

It takes some time to get real popular as far as google is concerned but, time will pay you with good results!

About the Author:

Steve Morgan, a internet DJ and Spoksman for MusicPlaces.com

Article Source:
ArticlesBase.com
–
Promoting Your Self and Your Music, as an Independent Music Artist, and Help Tips

By
Meilena Hauslendale

There is no such thing as a “small” job. Each function within our society aids our detailed technical lifestyles and well being. From a store clerk to a business executive, each position is an intricate part of the matrix of our world. We rely on these functions without even realizing their value or contribution to our daily activity. Each person has there place and each person has their purpose. The key is discovering and taking the time to find out what exactly you are to contribute to the world.

What is even more challenging is that often we are presented with serving multiple roles in our lives besides just our “purpose.” We are parents, workers, spouses, and children. All of which demand time and effort from our daily lives. What is important though is that we balance our time and our roles to nurture our purpose and inner abilities. It takes time and effort to discover your goals and ambitions, but it is a quest that need not go unnoticed.

A common excuse for not nurturing our talents is that we are too busy with other activities. When in actuality perhaps we have over extended our time and resources. Take a moment to sit down and note what in your life takes up your time. And then after you make that list, make a column and mark what is a priority, what really “has” to be done. Be sure to note how much personal time you get outside from all your other responsibilities. Start out small and see if you can allocate at least a half hour or an hour of your time a day devoted to yourself without interruptions. Use this time to evaluate the path of your life. Are you doing what you want to be doing right now? If yes, what could you do to further your progress? If no, what do you want to do?

Use free thinking in your evaluation. Free thinking means there are no limits. You can dream to be anything you want to be. Think about what you would like to do whether you were paid or not. Think about what makes you feel good as a person. Maybe you like the arts or maybe you like to work outside. Compare your aspirations with your current life situation. Are you close to your goals or are you far away?

Once you have addressed your aspirations, make notes in a special notebook dedicated to just you. It is great to see your ideas take formation when they hit the paper and also it is a great way to look at your progress on days where you may feel there is none. Plus you will need a notebook for further steps as well. Feel free to personalize this notebook and make it attractive for yourself.

Don’t feel guilty for taking this special time for yourself. Understand that your commitment to yourself will reflect off onto others. By bettering yourself, you become better in all the roles and commitments you hold. It is when we stop to listen to our true selves and the nature of our lives that we are able to create abundance in our environment and those around us. What you are doing is investing in a personal foundation.

If you only have a half hour or an hour a day, make a list of what you want to accomplish with that time. So once the clock starts ticking you are ready to be productive and work on your goals. Time management is good practice right from the beginning. So when you do figure out what your purpose is, you will be ready to use every minute you get efficiently.

Once you figure out where you want to go or what direction you want to take in your life, then take the time to research… research…research. Research is a crucial element of developing your career strategy. Go to the library or do a search online for the topic you are interested in pursuing. Find out what tools you will need to start your purpose. Will you need additional education or training? Will you need a business loan? Or will you be using your own personal resources for the start up? Don’t let money issues stop your progress. Remember knowledge is the currency here. There are ways to accomplish your purpose on little to no funds.

Remember real life purposes take real life work. Sure some people get lucky, but often others have to really dedicate themselves to their success. Have an open mind during this self evaluation period and the rest will follow. Most importantly, be patient with yourself the same way you would be patient with another person. Secondly, perseverance is essential in the formula for success. You have to be willing to make a serious commitment from day one to yourself. Your ideas may change form along the way, but at least you are continuing to reach towards self fulfillment.

As a summary for this step’s exercise, write it down, take a pen and paper and make a personal inventory of your ambitions or the things that you are good at and enjoy. What do you feel passion about? What would you want to do even if you didn’t get paid for it? Second of all, be honest with yourself. Don’t feel ashamed or guilty to recognize your talents… after all that’s what they are there for, to be recognized. It’s up to you to release them and share them with others. Make your purpose, your business.

Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena Hauslendale’s work and articles are displayed internationally. She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships. Email:
articles@meilena.com
http://www.meilena.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Purpose-Your-Business-Step-1—Discovering-Your-Purpose&id=26796

By
Meilena Hauslendale

In my previous article, Step 1, your challenge for the month was to research where your passion lies. Based on your research you might have discovered that self investigation can lead us to two places; either we find out our answer or we realize we need to ask more questions to get that answer.

Finding your purpose takes great effort, but can be effortless all at the same time. It seems that once we begin pursuing that in which we were intended, everything falls into place. But the matter we have to realize is that time plays a great role.

Sometimes people are over night successes and others have to nurture their purpose for years to come. Keep in mind though, as long as you enjoy what it is you are pursuing and the motivation you have is strong, than that alone will sustain your ambition and provide your passion longevity.

Remember you are making a commitment to yourself. You should treat that commitment the same way you would treat a marriage or devoted friendship. The key is to value yourself the way you value others. Having a good attitude from the very beginning can make the difference and not only affect your career, but the people around you. Self dedication does show and the commitment will be reflected in your professional life and relationships.

Assuming you now have a general idea of what you would like to do, now you need to visualize how to get from Point A, where you are now, to Point B, where you would like to be. Sometimes it is easier to set up a structure for your business if you look at the large picture of your purpose and where you intend to be in the future. Granted your ideas and goals change as you change, but your general purpose will usually remain the same, it just branches out.

Now that you have researched what you want to do, take the time to research what others in your area of interest have already done. Conducting market research will allow you to get a feel for the industry you are entering. It’s important to see what is out there. Look up trade journals and magazines. Really put some effort into getting involved with your career and learning about it. Every career has an abundant amount of resources available and a lot of that information is free. If you see a trade journal or magazine that you like, sign up for their newsletter. This will help keep you updated on industry events and trends.

Reading and researching can be one sided tasks. Sometimes it is easier to learn about your career by actually interacting with others in the field. This can be done on your own time instead of regular business hours thanks to the internet. Now you can find chat groups, users groups, and forums and you are not limited by time zones or borders.

One of my favorite resources is Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/. You can look up any particular subject and find a group where you can discuss some of your career objections. This is an excellent way to network with your peers and experts in the field. It is not uncommon to find a lot of other “newbies” in these groups as well as professionals. The most important thing is to not be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t know what questions to ask then reading over the archives of a group is a great place to start. Groups vary in size and subject so what I suggest is to join a couple to see which ones fit your personal needs.

Another resource you can use is ListServ lists http://www.lsoft.com/catalist.html. Typically you subscribe through your email client to a discussion group within your field of interest. You can also do a search for “listserves” or “user groups” on the internet to pull up a vast amount of sites that list an array of groups. Not all lists are treated equal so again use your own judgment when joining.

I also personally like forum communities. You can often search for “forums” online to find one in your career field. It’s a great opportunity to share your discoveries as well as learn from others. Not to mention you can do several searches within a forum and read old posts. This is a great way to see other member profiles which often reference their personal or business websites. Some forums even have a ‘members’ section that lists all their members profiles. Any profile with a “www” by their name usually has a live link to their site. Be sure to take the time and visit these sites for reference.

When you are visiting other people’s websites in your field, I advise you to check and see if they have a links page. I have found so many great resources through other people’s links pages. Also it helps you get an idea of what sites you can possibly request link exchanges from in the future.

By networking with others and conducting your own market research, you will gain a better sense of direction and get an idea where it is you want to be in the future with your career. If you see a website that you like, bookmark it. Then once you have collected enough information, go back and review your favorites once more. Ask yourself what do you like about it? What information was useful to you? Was the site visually appealing? Was the site easy to navigate? If not, what would you change? What information would you add? Take notes, write your thoughts down and remember… patience plus perseverance, equals purpose.

Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena Hauslendale’s work and articles are displayed internationally. She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships. Email:
articles@meilena.com
http://www.meilena.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Purpose-Your-Business-Step-2–Getting-From-Point-A-to-Point-B&id=26797

By
Meilena Hauslendale

In our previous step, Step 2, you were challenged to get active and network with other professionals in your field. By now you should have an abundant source of resources to reference and help you mold your personal aspirations. You should have a collection of bookmarks of peer’s and organization’s websites.

You can really gather a lot of information in a short amount of time when you are dealing with the internet. So I recommend keeping organized with your information right from the start. If you are keeping track of your information in a notebook, adopt a method to keep it orderly. Maybe have your notebook sectioned into topics, for example, ‘references,’ ‘organizations,’ ‘peers.’ If you are bookmarking your reference information through your browser, organize your list by assigning them to folders. This option is usually listed under your favorites menu, typically called ‘organize favorites.’ Do whatever makes sense to you and will help you easily retrieve the information you need in the future.

Organization doesn’t just stop at notebooks and bookmarks. It goes much deeper than that. Make sure you are personally organized before you start our next challenge. Clean up your workspace. Take care of your priorities or any tasks you may have been procrastinating. The key here is to not just clean out your physical space, but mental space as well.

Now we can start working on creating your collection. Your ‘collection’ is going to be the foundation of your purpose. If you are creating art for example, it would be your artwork. If you are a writer, it would be a collection of your writings. If you are intending on being a merchant of other sorts, it would be your product.

So the first question to ask yourself would be: do you have a collection? If you do, now is the time to organize your work. Again, maybe break your collection into groups, organize your work by likeness or by time frame. This can be done by simply creating categories and assigning your work to the appropriate heading. This will help you set the stage for your web presence. Now is the time to keep in mind some of the sites you went on in our previous step. Think about what sites were easy to navigate and what sites were not. Did you like how a particular site was organized? What did you like about it? Apply your answers to your own concept of organization.

If you don’t have a collection, then now is the time to work on acquiring one. Establishing a collection does not happen over night. So be patient with yourself and set realistic goals. My very first website was created by a friend of mine when I lived in California, before I started designing my own site. The first collection was composed of only 13 works of art, but it was a start. Now seven years later, I have a collection of around 160 paintings. You don’t have to have an extremely large collection of works or products to get started. One of the best things about opening a store on the web unlike a brick and mortar store, you don’t have to have a large product line. Granted it helps, but it is not always necessary. The key here is quality not quantity.

Once you have your collection created or organized you can now work on the information side of your collection. Assign your collection or product names, titles, or SKU numbers. Write up descriptions for each piece or group. Be as informative and descriptive as you can. Put yourself in the consumer or viewer’s place and think about what information you would need to know in order to make a proper buying decision. You do not want to be vague here at all. Your description not only aids your buyer, but it also protects you as a seller. Describing your product or service honestly, prevents any likelihood of surprise to your buyer. As a result you should have less returns and refunds and more customer satisfaction.

Once you have developed your collection or product sheet, make a column for pricing. Pricing can often be the most challenging task of designing a web front mainly because you are being asked to place a price on yourself and your own value. This is especially true if the services you provide are rendered creative. A normal or typical marketing tactic is to research your competitors and get an idea of the market value of your product. If you are working in a creative field or freelance field you can search for guilds that offer pricing guidelines.

After you get an overview or others’ pricing then you need to realistically figure out what it will cost you to perform your services. You want to consider the amount of time you spend on a project, the cost of materials, the tax you will have to pay, and the cost of shipping and or transportation. Your cost may be very different than your competitors. Pricing is a personal choice and decision, so base it on what you believe the item to be worth. You want competitive prices, but worthy prices. The biggest mistake I see creative people make is under pricing themselves. Buyers believe they get what they pay for, so make your pricing valuable to them.

Develop a confidence in your work, but back that confidence with experience and knowledge. Believe that what you are creating has a value to more people than just yourself. Most importantly, be excited! Your enthusiasm will be conveyed in every area of your work. If you are not excited, then you need to go back to step 1 and reevaluate what your purpose is.

Your challenge for this month is to get organized in your personal and mental space, organize or create your collection, and then write effective descriptions for your works or products. During this process, continue to network and continue to learn and you will develop your path… your purpose.

Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena Hauslendale’s work and articles are displayed internationally. She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships. Email:
articles@meilena.com
http://www.meilena.com

Article Source:
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http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Purpose-Your-Business-Step-3–Organizing-Your-Resources-and-Collections&id=26801

By
Meilena Hauslendale

Step 4 – Organizing & Developing Online Content

If you have done your homework then you are ready to organize and develop what will be your online content. Your content is very important as it will be used for promoting you, your work, and your website. Content serves a variety of purposes; it displays public relations, target marketing, and general information to build a platform for your product (your purpose).

One of the main items that need attention would be your biography. If you are an artist or writer, you will get asked for this pertinent information every time you make a submission or apply for competitions. Your biography is an essential piece of information that often can get viewed prior to your work. Even if your target audiences are publishers, agents, or clients, you have only one chance to intrigue them and make a good first impression.

There are several ways that you can address your audience. If you would like to be up front and personal, you can write in first person, using “I” in your sentence structure. For example, “I was born in Silver Springs, Maryland.” If you want to have a general sound or professional structure, you can write in the third person, referring to yourself as stated in this example, “Meilena Hauslendale was born in Silver Springs, Maryland.”

It’s really up to you on how you would like to address your audience. I personally prefer writing in third person when referring to my work mainly because I feel it conveys a sense of professional etiquette. It creates a press release persona that can maintain your audience’s attention. However, if you prefer to write in first person you can do that and still have strength to your sentences. Either way you want to spark your audience’s interest in you and your work.

The difference between a how a hobbyist or a professional artist or writer can be determined simply on how they are conveyed through content. You want your sentences to have strength and power to them. Each word and phrase counts because they are performing a difficult task, representing you, when you are not there to do so. For example you could say, “I’m an artist from Erie, PA. I am trying to make a living doing art. Hope you will look at my work.” This sentence hardly provides any credibility to my name or my art. It conveys that I am not really serious about what I’m doing, but I still would like you to look at my work. That’s a lofty expectation to have of my audience when I lack taking myself serious.

A professional sentence structure as an example, “Meilena Hauslendale was raised in Erie, PA and began her career as a professional artist in 1997.” You want to state who you are, where you come from, and what it is you do. You want your opening sentence to really state a few basic facts about you and your work. This is not an easy task and perhaps one of the reasons why many artists and writers procrastinate completing a biography. Perhaps one of the reasons why, just as Alan Wilson Watts states, “Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”

It’s quite the challenge to write about yourself and really expand on your talents. You have to convey your work and yourself from almost another person’s perspective. Imagine yourself as a Public Relations Specialist and you were just hired to write about an artist or writer. What are some things you would need to know about that person? What strong points do you want to enunciate about this person’s life and accomplishments? What active role does this person assume now?

You don’t have to be overly personal but you really want to give your audience a sense of who you are. Let them know how you began your career. Write about your technique or your style. It is possible to be personal but also professional. You may have to work on several drafts until you get a nice flow of words and a functional biography. The time you put into writing this valuable piece of information will pay off by getting people to take notice in something very dear to you, your purpose. So share your passion with your audience. You just may notice that your enthusiasm might be contagious.

You want to have a short version (100-150 words) of your biography and then a long version (500-1,000 words). It’s advisable to work on your long version first so then you can easily copy a short version by taking excerpts. As an example you can view my biography online: http://www.meilena.com/portrait/?q=biography. I had a shorter version posted several months back, but because of numerous requests to know more about me, I had to rewrite it. You may experience similar feedback from your viewers. The long version will be for your website and the shorter version will be used for promotional websites that commonly limit your biography to 100-150 words.

You can also write a statement about your work. A statement simply is a personal claim about your work or perhaps on what inspires your work. Get creative here and really just type what you feel you need to express about your creativity. I was asked for an artist statement back in 1999. I had no clue what that was but I wrote one down. I’ve used the same statement ever since. You can view it online to get an example: http://www.meilena.com/portrait/?q=biography

Take time to really write down your talents and accomplishments and don’t be afraid to express them in your content. The more people learn about you, the more they will be able to relate to you.

Your challenge for this month is to create a full length and short version of your biography. As a bonus create an artistic statement if you would like. Read other artists’ or writers’ biographies and ask yourself which ones interested you and then explain why. Which biographies had strong statements, which ones were weak? Then take that information and apply it to yourself. Evaluate what traits you want to express, organize an outline, and then write your biography.

Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena Hauslendale’s work and articles are displayed internationally. She is the founder of Silence Speaks International Artist Association and the Editor of Intrigue Magazine. Published books include, Making Your Purpose Your Business and Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships. Email:
articles@meilena.com
http://www.meilena.com

Article Source:
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http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Purpose-Your-Business-Step-4—Organizing-and-Developing-Online-Content&id=26802

By
Nina Alvarez

You’ve found your niche online and have interested readers filtering into your website through forums and social networks. How do you get them to make a purchase?

*
Know your competition.
Study the work of other online artists with work truly comparable (popularity, experience, subject, style, size) and note their prices. Take a hard look at what they’re offering and for how much. Then undersell them. People shop online because they are looking for good deals. Give them one.

*
Know your audience
. Try posting a friendly, anonymous survey up on your site, asking your reader some basic questions: where they live, age range, gender, and their art-buying price range. If they already like your art, they will be happy to help you out. If they don’t, then you don’t need their demographic information anyway. Use your findings to think strategically about where you promote your website and how much you sell your work for. (Note: Many blog servers like Blogger and WordPress offer survey widgets which will also do the trick.)

*
Write Like a Pro
. Pull out your best writing skills to describe the pieces you want to sell. Include a bio and artist statement on your site. Often, a timid buyer will be reassured by this professional touch.

*
Make buying REALLY easy
. Allow your potential buyers to become actual buyers. Next to each image of your art keep its price, shipping costs, and a “Buy Now” button (use Paypal if you don’t have a shopping cart). Don’t force them to go through the rigmarole of sending you a query email and awaiting your response. More likely than not, you’ll lose the sale.

*
Give them a reason to come back
. Just because someone leaves your site without buying doesn’t mean they won’t be back. Collect email addresses with a newsletter sign-up on your webpage. Promise it’ll be a good read and deliver. Once you have their email address, follow through at least once a month with a newsletter that is sharp, witty, informational, and full of your art.

Nina Alvarez, Chief Editor of
http://www.Artspan.com
– an online artists community, and writer of the Artspan blog on art marketing. She also created the Philthy Art blog offering encouragement to writers and artists, and the popular poetry blog NinaAlvarez.net. Nina has an master’s degree in English and is

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