Have you ever woke up wanting, needing to create?  The desire is nipping at your brain, but you are running on empty with ideas.  Artist block is a natural process that all artists go through.  It usually comes right before a huge growth period.  Your brain is telling you, it’s time to “fill-up.”

Just like the fuel in your car, you occassionally need to “fill-up” again.  The block may be Gods way of pushing us to grow and replenish our mind and spirit.  You are sharing your soul with the world through your artwork.  Therefore it is most important to fill YOU back up so you can better express yourself without any fears.

Artist block can be one of the most frustrating times in an artists life.  It certainly has been in mine.  After finishing a wood sculpture, I usually take a day or two to relax and re-juvinate my physical body.  Within a day or two, I know it is time to get back at the artwork, but my mind is blank.  Yesterday, I seemed to have numerous ideas, but today…nothing!  I use a variety of tools to create my sculptures, but they are all useless when I am missing the most important one…”I N S P I R A T I O N.”

So, How do I get through it and not go crazy in the process?  First, it’s important to realize that it isn’t the end of the world.  Walk away, don’t force ideas when they just aren’t there.  If I’m on a deadline, I do other things that need to be done, ie. yard work, home repairs, pay bills or run an errand.   In short, when I get the blahs, I do something to get me back on track to get inspired.  Here are some things that have helped me:

• Don’t force creativity.  It just frustrates me more  Sometimes a good break is helpful.  Maybe even a a few weeks.  Then when I hit my studio, I find ideas come more freely.
• Get outside.  I love to take long drives in a rual countryside.  I observe nature and experience things.  I like to look at everything as if I’ve never seen it before.  I look at rusting metal and see what different colors are in it.  I observe how tree roots grow,  how moss forms on rocks and how wood ages in the elements.  I do something out of the ordinary; like using my sences- sight, sound, smell, touch and taste.  I observe, sketch and photograph.   I carry a camera with me and I stop to smell the roses.   Inspiration sometimes comes slow, but it does come back. 
• I listen to music I like.  This usually inspires me and changes my mood.  Country western is my favorite.
• Clean your studio.  My studio is usually a mess, and full of sawdust from previous sculptures.  By spending a day or two in deep cleaning and discarding, I often discover new ideas or ones that I’ve filed and forgotten about.
• Review how you market yourself.  Use this time to review your marketing tools – business cards, brochures, website, press packets etc.  Even though I may not be creating, I’m doing things to help my career progress.
• Visit libraries and book stores.  Since I  prefer to follow a western theme in my sculptures, I often go to libraries or book stores and look through their selection of books on the old west.  I keep a collection of art magazines, and often refer to them for inspiration also.
• Visit other artists studio’s.  I always get excited and re-energized when I visit with Keith and Craig in the Hone studio.  Not only do I get great ideas from other artists, but their excitement over a project becomes contageous and helps me.
• Visit art galleries and museums.  I often get inspiration from things I see that other artists have created. 
• Don’t be afraid of making mistakes- try something new.  I mess-up all the time.  When I’m struggling, I often try something new. I challenge myself to try a new technique, or challenge myself to try something that may be beyond my current ability
• Don’t panic-don’t stress.  Don’t doubt yourself  and don’t stop creating.  I’ve found that sculpting a “crappy” piece is better than doing nothing at all.  The worst thing you can do is to retreat; mope around and do nothing at all.  It’s time to get back to work!

Artist block is different for every artist, so if this doesn’t work, try something else.  Play music, go for a walk, meditate or take a nap.  There are numerous ways to do it.  You just have to find what’s right for you. 

Well,  it’s time for me to get back to work.  I’m sculpting another saddle, and trying some new techniques.  Can’t wait to share them with you in a future blog.

For most of us, every little bit of extra publicity is welcome.  After all, good press ususlly means more art sales or commissions down the road.

By now, you might ask, “Where can an artist get that kind of free publicity?”  One good way, is to write a press release;  (really it’s just an article) and send it to the “lifestyle editor or a free-lance writer of your local newspaper.  The best time to do this is when you have an upcoming show, or just completed an outstanding new piece that you want to showcase.  Even if it seems commonplace to you, remember, that not everyone is as used to your work as you are.  So let’s get started.  Here are 7 tips to help yo write an attention grabbing press release:

1. If you are not a good writer, you really need to find someone to help you.  Think about it, newspaper editors are busy, and they’re always on deadlines.  Your story may not get into the paper if it means reassigning someone to write an article.  However if you can come up with an article that’s well-written and error free, newspaper editors are more than likely to just print it as-is.  And Wallah…You’re in the paper.
2. FACTS FIRST…Above the article, in either the upper left or right corner, include the title of your show or event, your name, and the date and location of the show.  In other words, basic information.  You can also include the words “for immediate release” if your show is coming up soon.
3. Grab attention quickly when writing the article.  Grab as much attention as possible in the first sentence.  This is where you make or break the entire article.  Ask a pointed question; make a strong (perhaps controversial)  statement, do whatever it takes…then once you have their attention, tie it in with your art.
4. Write in 3rd person. Write about yourself, not AS yourself.  Never use “I” or “me” unless it is a direct quote.  And quotes, by the way, are great for a little added color as long as you make sure to attribute the quote to that person.  Don’t feel weird about quoting yourself…since your writing in third person, no one but you will know.
5. Be Brief. Keep it short.  Three paragraphs is fine.  The first to gain attention, the middle one to talk about your art, and the third to wrap things up.  If the newspaper wants more, they’ll assign someone to write a longer article.
6. Include a Bio. and contact information.  Include a short bio after your three paragraphs, as well as current contact information.  Usually an e-mail address and website are enough.  Readers can use that to contact you.  The newspaper might also ask for a photo of you and your art.  Have both ready just in case.
7. Leave no errors behind.  Spell-check, Spell-check, Spell-check!  And while you’re at it, look for grammatical errors and factual errors too.  The last thing you want is to give a wrong date, place or time for the event.

Now a few words about getting national publicity in magazines etc.  This is definately more tricky or difficult, but it is possible.

• Find a publication that is right for your work.  (probably not Mechanics Illustrated if you are a fine artist.)
• Don’t contact the editor unless you’re told to do so.  It’s usually best to contact an associate or assistant editor.  They are always looking for something fresh and new to present to the editor.  A free-lance writer is also a good place to go.
• Begin with a compliment on their magazine, or an article that you’ve recently read.  Be sincere!  No “Snow-Jobs” here.  They will immediately cut you off if you don’t know what you’re talking about or if you are insincere.
• Let them know you are an artist.
• Give them an angle that will catch the eye of their reader.  This is what they will need to present to the editor.
• Ask for the article.

It is possible to do this yourself, but if you have a qualified person (agent, gallery owner, museum curator, collector etc.) that you can count on to do it for you, all the better.  This type of person can often have more creditability than you, unless you are very welll known.

Lastly, Don’t ever forget the “THANK-YOU” business.  This is most essential for future business.  Do it for your collectors, gallery owners who show your work, art show promoters, writers and editors.  Anyone who has helped you market your business.  Sometimes a simple handwritten “Thank-You” card is sufficient, but when someone goes the “extra mile” for you, do something special for them.  This one simple thing is often forgotten.  It is an absolute necessity if you wish to grow your business.  It is the one thing that will set you apart from  other, less than professional artists.

I’d like to leave you with two quotes:  the first, a Greek Proverb

“Success is doing what you like to do, and making a living at it”

The second is from an unknown author…“Find out what you love to do and do it better than anyone else can.  That way, You’ll never work a day in your life.

Thank you for your participation, and “Good Luck” with your new business in 2010.

Presented in a 3-part series

(From a break-out session at the “Business of Art” seminar 11/14/2009 in Kanab, Utah)

Note:  While many of the ideas expressed are those of myself, many have been gleaned  from other artists, internet sites and webnar presentations.)

How many people do you know who have high levels of artistic education and loads of talent, yet find themselves working at less than satisfying day jobs, but whose dream is to make their livings as artists?  Maybe YOU are that person.  Most of us have visions of fame and fortune.  We produce our work in hopes of selling it.  To be successful requires an artist to look beyond their talent and to manage their business.  Marketing is without doubt one of the greatest challenges in the life and living of an artist.  So for the next 3 blog sessions, we are going to explore how Marketing, Publicity and Press Releases can add income to your bank account.

Today, I’m happy to announce an “EXCITING” new business coming to your area.  It’s called….“YOU Inc., and YOU are the C.E.O.!  So, now you’ve got a business…Now what?

Our talent allows us to produce the art, but to sell it means marketing.  So there you have it!  If you aspire to make a living from your art, you’re going to have to get business like.  When art becomes a business, a business or marketing plan is necessary.

A business plan is a blue print for your business.  It helps you to

1. Set and achieve challenging, yet realistic sales goals
2. Plan your expenses
3. Identify where you’ll stand out from other artists
4. Look at where you are currently showing and selling your work and how and when to move on to venues that might be better for you.
5. Build a fan base.

Your business plan does not have to be complicated.  It’s simply a plan for how you want to run your business in 2010.  As just mentioned, a Mission Statement will help you to identify how you are different from the numerous other artists out there.  What are your goals?  How will you try to reach those goals?  What is your focus for the upcoming year?  How will you plan your expenses?  What income do you expect?  Where do you expect your business to come from?  It’ll be very important to decide how you are going to brand yourself.  And maybe most importantly, how do you plan to market yourself to reach your customers.

The main reason I like to have a business plan is that it keeps me on track.  It helps me to know where to focus my energies and my finances.  When I think about how much money I need to bring in, it helps me have more confidence in pricing my work.  Having a plan helps me to decide what commissions to accept or which shows to participate in, and which ones to turn down.  There’s always room in a plan for change, because after all, YOU wrote it.  It’s YOUR plan.

I can’t tell you how to write YOUR business plan.  That depends on you and your own personal dreams for the future.  I can’t tell you where to get the business from, or how much you’ll need to spend to get that business.  There are certainly more qualified people than I am to speak on that subject.  However, I would like to help you get the process going, so I’m going to discuss each of the questions listed above in more detail.  And remember, from this point forward, these are just ideas to get you thinking about the year ahead.

What all businesses have in common, is a Mission Statement.  Simply stated, it is what you intend to accomplish.  It tells people why you exist.  Here’s mine as an example.  “To produce high quality 1-of-a-kind western art in wood, for the descriminating collector.”    Simply stated and to the point.  Let’s examine what I’m saying.  

•  I am making a committment to my customers to demand of myself to always produce very high quality sculptures; never cutting corners.
• All of my sculptures will be 1 of a kind.  I will not cast or duplicate them.  Thus, helping to retain the value in the original that a collector purchases.
• I plan on staying with a Western theme, so people can look forward to each new edition to add to their collection.

Now just a few words about available capital and income expectations for your business.  It is important to realize that every business has start-up costs and continuing expenses.  If you are a beginning artist, plan both areas conservatively.  Start slow and build your business.  A couple words of advice

Seperate your business expenses from home expenses

•     Have a seperate bank account
•     Have a credit card specifically for business purchases.

   So, what is  Visual Branding?  Consciously or sub-consciously, we are constantly branding ourselves.  A visual brand allows you to get the maximum exposure possible for the money you spend on it.  Having it constantly before the public, builds memory and recognition.  Visual branding is a must in marketing.   Here’s a few examples to help you understand more about what I’m talking about.  There are no words on any of these, just a symbol or BRAND.   Stop and think….what do you visualize when you see…..

• McDonalds “Golden Arches ?”  ( Whether you are in California or Florida, you should know that it means fast food, consistent menu, quality and price.)
• Pepsi’s Red, White and Blue circle?  (Even if there was no name on the can, would you not know that it was Pepsi, a leader in the soft drink industry?  Whether in USA or Japan, you would propably feel comfortable in knowing of the quality was the same.
• The multi-colored apple with a bite out of it.  What company is it?  Would you not know it is a highly respected computer company?

I could go on with examples much longer, but hopefully you get the idea.  Now, as an artist and a business person, do you have a brand?  How do you plan on marketing that brand?

 Now, lets briefly talk about MARKETING.  Most major companies have large departments dedicated to how to market the goods they sell.  However as individual artists, we are usually faced with the task of doing most of the marketing ourselves.  As artists, we must develop our small business skills if we plan on earning a living at our artwork.  The whole idea of success in marketing is to present your work in a good, positive manner.  Artwork can usually speak for itself, but most people don’t have a clue about the Perception of Value about YOUR WORK or YOU, THE ARTIST.

If your potential customer senses the least bit of begin-er-ism in you, the trading will be a lot more problematic.  However, if they sense the POTENTIAL OF GREATNESS or Pro-fessional-ism in you, good things happen.  Simply stated, Those who get it succeed, those who don’t, dont!   Another thing to remember People must see you or hear about you a minimum of 6 times before they remember you.

In next weeks session, we’ll dig deeper into how to market YOU as an artist.