Making the Leap

[Robert Wardle]

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately my future spouse is an artist as well, so the likely-hood of her going to law school probably won't happen. Plus I think she would kill me if I stayed at home and painted all day while she works with the scum that lawyers have to deal with.

I have been analyzing my situation defining my goals, etc..., and it seems that the only way to get what I want out of my art career is to do what I have always been afraid of. Namely, I have to step out of my comfort zone and approach complete strangers and sell myself.

I have been told that my work is marketable and that I am a charming and handsome man, but every time the situation has come about to sell myself as an artist or friend, I picture that shy, awkward child I was in school and I tend to retreat back to my comfort zone. So what do I do to overcome this? How do I become an outgoing salesman instead of the calm quiet artist?

[Michele Rushworth]

Success as an entrepreneur in any field is 50% due to having a good product, and 50% being able to market it (or maybe even more skewed toward marketing, if you look at artists like Kincade).

Peggy Baumgaertner's advice on marketing is basically this: "Fake it til you make it". That is, "act" as if you were great at marketing your work, "act" as if everyone would want to know about your art, "act" as if you were already the successful artist you want to be -- and you will be well on your way.

If you don't know exactly what to do or where to start there are some wonderful books on art marketing. Check out the links on the SOG site for some suggestions.

[John Crowther]

This is a slight digression, Michelle, but it still relates. The architect Louis Kahn once said to Frank Lloyd Wright that "architecture is five percent creativity and ninety-five percent business." Wright replied, "I can accept the ninety-five percent business part, Louis, but I've seen your work. Where's the creativity?" Ouch. -- John C.

[Robert Wardle]

Thank you again for all of your advice, and your slightly off topic quotes. They are much appreciated.

Unfortunately it means absolutley nothing unless I get off my butt and try to sell. So thank you all and wish me luck

[Mary Reilly]

Robert,

Have you started getting commissions for portraits on a regular basis? Get your work out there to be seen by people and as you find yourself becoming busy with commissions leaving the corporate world will be a natural progression. One of the common denominators that I hear over and over again on the artist's journey is "perserverence". Be an excellent artist and don't give up.

I have a book published by North Light Books, it is entitled "Being An Artist" by Lewis Lehrman. Twenty artists share their journeys to becoming successful artists. Some of their stories will inspire you and may give you ideas.

Mary

[Robert Wardle]

No I do not have steady commissions YET. I have compiled a list of places to display my work. And I have even approached a few. With little success.People love the paintings but it seems every store out here is part of a large corporation and their decor is closely guarded.
I have been repeating two mantras now "I deserve success" and "My work is marketable". My hope is that if repeated enough I will start to believe it. Thank you for the book title I will look into it.

[Michele Rushworth]

I think only stores that are individually owned would have the option of hanging an artist's work. I haven't had any success with that avenue, myself. I did have a painting displayed in the window of a frame store once, but it didn't bring in any leads. Try some of the other options outlined in the marketing section of this site. Some good methods are donating to very high end auctions, contacting a well known person to do a freebie for them, demonstrating at high end art fairs, etc.