Friday, July 29, 2011

THE BUSINESS OF ART AND THE ART OF BUSINESS


This has been a tough time for artists. Sales are down, funding has dried up & galleries and shops are closing. A pervasive uneasiness is in the air.

So what’s an artist to do?

Remember WHO you are & Remember your WHY. At its most basic level, art is communication. ( Drawing pictures in the sand may have been the first communication!)

The world needs art & artists now more than ever----to inspire, to lift spirits, & to empower. It’s about communication AND it’s about serving. And communication is interactive.

Artists are notoriously inept when it comes to business. The cultural icon of the starving artist who can’t function outside the studio is so strong that many artists believe this of themselves without ever questioning it. (I know–I have been there!)

I have been showing and selling my artwork since the 1970's. It has taken me a very long time to learn strategic ways to promote my business and to know that I do have a real business. I’m still learning. So how does one move forward?
I use a combination of Clarity, Mindsets, Personal Responsibility, Accountability and Strategy.

Here’s the deal:

Clarity means getting clear on your purpose, your audience and your goals.

Mindsets–this is about discovering and healing the false beliefs that hold you back from your success.

Personal Responsibility is about your ability to respond, and the necessity of a personal response.

Accountability is having either an accountability partner or a mastermind type group you work with who will hold you accountable to your goals and encourage you to stay on track and keep moving forward. This also gives you a sounding board to bounce ideas around.

Strategy is making a plan and creating a roadmap for your success so that you know what the next step is. Success is created one step at a time.

One of the things that has helped me to move forward on this journey while using these tools is to have the support of like minded individuals. By this I mean other entrepreneurs who are creating their own businesses around their passions and dreams. Being connected to a group of people with a wide range of talents, experience and business focus presents a fountain of knowledge.
I have been working with a mastermind group led by a fantastic business coach and it has been an inspiring journey. The blueprint of the mastermind group is a proven formula for success and a manifestation of the best aspects of community.

If you are looking for some help with promoting your art or staying plugged into your creativity, here are some ways you can work with me:

Painting with Gouache Workshop (Tapping into your Creativity)
A one or two day workshop for adults
Sun Aug 28 & Mon Aug. 29
10 am to 6 pm both days-- supplies are included


Individual Art Business Coaching
Call or email me for details

Coming Soon

“The Artist’s Self Promotion Toolkit” Ebook

Art Business Teleseminar
sign up on my website to get the latest updates

website christinedecamp.com
email christine@christinedecamp.com
phone 415-663-9646

1 comment:

cathyceil said...

Rockin Christine... i am so awed by your Wisdom Cards and your clear, concise communication skills for building your business. You are a quite the wholistic woman with clear sight. HIP HIP HORRAY!!!!!! Would love to know how long you have been working on your Wisdom Cards and if you are going to publish them soon. oxoxoxoxooxox love xoxox cathy