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A note from the FNO
newsletter editor
Hello to our FNO Artists and Craftspeople,
As you may have noticed, we have recently launched
some new
features here at FNO. You are now able to create a
Friends List, join in
Community Forum discussions, communicate with other members AND set up
your
own web site including: personal profile, blog,
photos/videos & a personal calendar! Start exploring the FNO Community today!
This month's article comes to you from Alyson Stanfield at artbizcoach.com
and provides some great tips on taking cues from other artists in order
to achieve your own success in the art world.
Best
wishes!
The FNO Staff
800.200.3737
festivalnet.com
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Gain Insight into Art
Career Success by Alyson B. Stanfield
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Every artist has a unique path, a singular focus. Regardless of your
definition of success, you can learn a lot from artists–artists who
might have a different path than you, but who, nonetheless, found their
way.
From successful artists, you can get ideas for marketing, promotion,
themes, media, and technique. You can find out how you might use
assistants in the studio or office. And you can be inspired by stories
of overcoming obstacles. In fact, learning from others’ mistakes might
be the best way to learn. I’m currently reading the book Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be
Persuasive. In it, the authors show that people learn more
when they examine mistakes rather than just hear about the best way to
do something. I think you also learn when you hear from other artists
who have tackled a problem in an unconventional way or just found a way
to make a living that is different from what you had always assumed.
You can even learn a lot from artists whose art is nothing like your
own. It’s fine and good to belong to the watercolor or pastel society,
the glass or fiber guild, or the oil painters group. But my experience
is that these media-focused groups become insulated. Everyone is
learning the same thing at the same pace. Do you want to stay at that
level indefinitely? Or are you ready to break out on your own–to find
the path that will distinguish you from the herd?
If you’re ready to make a big shift, here are three tips.
1. Read biographies of
artists you admire. Don’t wait for the book to come out. Google
their names! Read their résumés and bios on Web sites.
How did they get to where they are? What’s the story behind their
success?
2. Get a mentor.
Literally. Ask someone if they will be your official mentor. It doesn’t
even have to be an artist. It can be an independent professional whose
self-promotion efforts you admire. In exchange for their counsel, you
can offer to clean brushes, sweep the studio, take out the trash, work
the sales table, or stuff envelopes.
3. Listen to stories.
One request I get over and over again is that you (artists) want to
hear from other artists who have achieved success at some level. Well,
I’ve heard you. The series “Insights: Artists Spill the
Beans” features intimate conversations with artists who have
achieved success in one area or another.
KNOW THIS———-~>
Each artist’s path is unique.
THINK ABOUT THIS—~>
Are you stretching yourself or are you in a rut?
DO THIS————~>
Gain insight into art career success. Listen to artists who have
achieved success on various levels. Maybe they have a booming wholesale
business, love commission work, or have been featured in museum
exhibits. Or perhaps they lead art tours, teach workshops, or are
making a decent living. Whatever your definition of success, you can
learn from those who have come before you.
Alyson Stanfield is the
author of I'd Rather Be in
the Studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. She has
been consulting with artists to help build their art businesses since
2002. Visit her website and blog
or find her on twitter and facebook!
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