The times they are a-changin’,

As I write this in December 2009, I’m seeing growing pains in our society.  We’re in an economy that no longer supports the status symbols many people equate with happiness.

Sure, some people are still scrambling for overtime hours and second or third jobs.  Others have run out of options and sit at home, mourning the loss of their platinum charge cards.  (Last month, a friend received a platinum MasterCard with a $300 line of credit… when did that become “platinum”?)

However, many people are tossing out pretense and looking beyond status symbols.  They’re looking at the quality of life, and how that can be improved.  They may be at the “early adopter” level, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

As more and more people come to terms with the shallowness of status, they’re going to adjust their priorities.

I think we’ll see some or all of these resume their importance in daily life:  family, recreation, traditions, “the best things in life are free,” spirituality, beauty, deep emotions, and — of course — the arts.

We portray what’s important to us in our art, and people want those symbols around them in their homes and places of work.  Whether it’s a family portrait, a religious icon, or some other emotionally rich artwork, people will want the energy that original art brings them.

I believe that — once the economic dust starts to settle — we’ll see a renewed interest in (and support of) the arts.

However, between now and then, there may be some challenges.  Since so many people think of art as a luxury, it may be among the first to slump in the popular marketplace.

(Movies seem to be an exception.  In past recessions and depressions, movies appeared to gain popularity in direct proportion to how bad the economy was.)

Educating people to appreciate art — and to believe that they deserve it, and it feeds their soul — may take longer.  My recent article, Art as emotional education, suggests one plan of action.

Also, shortly after the U.S. recession of 1981 – 82, the Bread & Puppet Theater published the Cheap Art Manifesto.

Making a portion of our art products available at “cheap” prices may be a vital part of art education for our community.

Yes, we still need to earn a living wage.

However, I think we’re on the brink of change.  As we reinvent our society based on new economic realities, we have an opportunity to restore art to its rightful place among society’s priorities.

By stepping up and participating in these changes, you have a chance to make a difference.  You also place yourself in a position of visibility as an artist.

Short-term, it’s important not to abandon your art.  Don’t give in to the idea that nobody can afford art.  Above all, don’t stop making art.  Even if you’re merely showing it (at private gatherings in your home/studio) or practically giving it away… keep making art!

The times are definitely changing, but artists have always been the visionaries.  We see what’s ahead and find ways to make it even better.

We’re approaching a time when we can make art important again.  As you plan your next career steps, keep that in mind.

It reminded me of the potential leverage of past accomplishments.

As artists, we don’t make our resumes (CVs) a priority. We participate in swaps, group shows, and see our works published in zines and magazines… and all we do is tell our friends.

Everything that you do as an artist holds the potential to move your career forward.

No matter how small the project, or how many other artists were involved, your participation is still news.

It doesn’t matter if you were part of the project because it was open to the public and you simply signed up for it. Frankly, art collectors don’t always know which are invitational projects and which aren’t… and many don’t care.

It’s the quality of your work that matters, as well as the audiences that see it.

Sign up for every project that you can, if you can participate with quality work.

Then, be sure to add your participation — and a photo or scan of the art — to your website and your CV.

Some of your most powerful leverage is what you create for fun. That’s where the best energy can be, and it’s the energy — not necessarily the technical expertise — that separates mediocre art from art that soars!

For many people, success is about earning a living with art… and only art.  For others, it’s fame.  Yet others want to achieve a certain level of expertise or skill.

Your motivation may be different.

But, to achieve your goals–no matter what they are–it’s vital to dig deeper.

Earning a living

How much is ‘earning a living’?  Ask any rich person if they’re ‘rich enough’ and they’ll probably say no.  There’s always someone richer who seems to live a better, more lavish and happier lifestyle.

So, does ‘earning a living’ mean $280 a week?   If you worked a 40-hour week at $7 an hour, that’s what you’d earn, before paying taxes.  Is that enough?

Do you have another dollar value in mind?  Think about this.   Get at least a ballpark idea of the figure.  That’s the only way you’ll know how much your works (or performances) have to sell for, and how many you’ll need to produce to meet your financial goals.

I’ll tell you my financial goal:  It’s to make enough money to live comfortably (no yacht, but I’d like a nice house on the seacoast and an annual trip to see my daughter in Florida).  I want to be able to make my art without nagging worries about bills or expenses.  I have a general idea of how much that is, and what I need to do to reach it.

Fame

Many artists want to be famous.  Money is a secondary concern.

If you’re reaching for fame, what would it take to say, ‘I’m a famous artist’?

Would you need to be on the cover of a particular art magazine?  Would your art need to sell for a certain amount?  Maybe you want at least one of your paintings in a particular museum.

Until you know what you’re aiming for, you won’t know how to get there.

If all you do is work in your studio and hope that fame and fortune will find you… Well, you could have a long, disappointing wait.

If you want to be in a particular magazine, contact artists–preferably artists in your area, so you can chat face-to-face–who were in  that magazine.  You may already know someone who writes for that magazine, now and then.

If your goal is to sell your art for a certain amount at a particular art auction house, go to their auctions.  (Be sure that they sell contemporary art, not just art from the early 20th century and older.) Chat with the people who buy there and who work there.  Find out what sells for high prices and why.

(It’s best to talk with the staff when they’re not busy selling.  Just remember that they want you to be a successful artist, too;  selling art is the only way they make their commissions.  Generally, they’re always looking for new, popular art–and artists–as well.)

If you want your art in a particular museum, find out how other artists got there.  Did they build their way up through galleries and lesser museums?  Did someone on the acquisitions staff ‘discover’ them?

Skill

Many artists set a goal of being ‘as good as’ another artist.

Just as with fame and fortune, it’s important to define that clearly.

Maybe that other artist–or one who’s nearly as good–teaches classes that you can take.  Maybe you can study with the same person who helped them find their best ‘artistic voice’.

There’s always a path

No matter what your goals and how you define ‘success in art’, there is a way for you to get there.

However, just as you can’t go to the airport and say vaguely, ‘I’d like to go somewhere in Europe,’ you need to have an idea of where you’re going with your art career.

Once you’ve clarified that, you can see the next step to get there.  You’ll know what your next action is, to move forward.

Success in art is achievable.  You simply need to know what your goals are, and the next small step to move towards those goals.

Do you dream of someday writing a successful book about the art that you love?

One day in 2005, I had coffee with NJ writer Mary Beth McCabe Temple.

She & I discussed what we have in common, which includes writing. And, she’s far more successful than I am, by a lot. She’s making connections at light speed and landing some amazing deals.

Of course, I wanted to know her secret. She generously provided me with some great contacts, but repeatedly emphasized the book, The Renegade Writer. Well, all of the local bookstores had sold every copy they’d had. So, I ordered it from Amazon.

A few days later, the book arrived. My first reaction was, “This is it? This is a skinny little paperback!”

Then, I started reading it. WOW! This is one of those books that is utterly jam-packed with one very practical idea after another, and many of these are… well, renegade ideas. After reading maybe five or six pages of this book, no wonder Mary Beth is doing so well!

See, I’ve been writing professionally–off and on–for over 20 years. I thought that I pretty much knew the routine: Ideas, queries, proposals, editors, contracts… everything.

I was really, really wrong.

If you’ve been thinking that it’d be fun to be published, either with a self-promoting article in Somerset Studio or in a best-selling book, buy this book.

I don’t say this often about writing books, because many of them just repeat the same stuff over & over again, and you can get all the info you need by reading a copy from the public library. Or, you can get the high points in a single issue of The Writer or Writer’s Digest magazines… which your public library probably subscribes to.

But, this book is VERY different. It’s a must-own if you’ve thought about getting published. You’ll refer to it often for advice and when you need a common-sense pep talk. You’ll highlight it, make notes in the margins… Really, buy a copy. Right now. Your first article sale will probably more than cover the price.

(Your browser must be JavaScript-enabled to view these articles. If you don’t see any article headlines or links, either your JavaScript settings are off, or there’s no webfeed from the web-source.net website right now.)

Skim through the titles and see what looks interesting. I won’t necessarily agree with everything said in these articles, but this kind of information often provides food for thought, at the very least.
Internet marketing & promotion
The Secrets of Internet Marketing Millionaires

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Short URLs and Redirection Without CGI

More web design tips
On Mouseover Alert Box

Business and sales
6 Proven Secrets To Writing A Trash-Proof Press Release

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Listen for the Sale

The bulk of my income came from three sources:

Original art

The largest part of my income came from my original work. I sold through galleries and art associations. I made the most at art association shows, especially one-day outdoor shows. My second best art association outlet was selling through banks; a local bank accepted our art (through the art assoc) for their lobby walls, and my most expensive pieces ($500+ in early 1980s) sold there. Art associations also take a lower commission than many commercial art galleries.

Writing articles & books

My second highest–and most consistent–income was from writing. I wrote & wrote & wrote… mostly how-to articles for magazines, for book publishers, for anyone who would buy. I found my markets through the annual guide, “Writers Markets.” (Always get the latest edition. Your library probably has a copy.)

I sold first rights and then reprints, and the money added up. Those twice-yearly royalty checks from books are nice!

A little here, a little there…

I also made money in peripheral ways… doing custom illustration for printers, doing graphics for convention brochures, zines, and so on. I was always finding new outlets for my creativity, and it paid off in word-of-mouth referrals. I placed no paid advertising for my art, anywhere.

Working at home

In those days, I did no teaching at all. I’m painfully shy (really) and even one-day outdoor art shows were excruciating. So, almost all of my work was done at home, with two toddlers underfoot, and I provided the sole financial support of my family.

Then I remarried, had a third (wonderful) child, and my career seemed to threaten my new husband.

20 years later, I divorced and began the rebuilding process. So far, so good!

Back on track

I have been very successful in the past, working almost entirely from home. I expect to continue in that mode.

The “starving artist” cliche isn’t your only option if you want to earn your living as a full-time artist. No two artists will follow the same path. Find what works for you.

Remember that the average toddler falls down over 300 times before learning to walk. If you try career options that result in dead ends, don’t give up. Hope that it doesn’t take you 300 tries to find your best career path, but don’t give up!

How Do You Face Your Creative Fears?

by Bob Baker

Gloria, a subscriber to my “Quick Tips for Creative People” e-zine, recently sent this note:

“Do you have anything on self-discipline and overcoming the fear of failure/success? I feel very enthusiastic when I do things, but the demons of fear just creep up on me. I do not want to repress them any longer; I am fed up with them. But I know it’s easier said than done. SOS: I do not want to be a chained slaved to my fears any longer. Help me help myself!”

Well, I’m flattered that Gloria felt comfortable in turning to me for some advice, but I’m also a bit fearful myself in tackling such a widespread obstacle to success. But I’ll give it a shot.

First, let’s turn to Marsha Sinetar for some perspective. In her book To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love, she writes: “Almost all of us fear our potentials … Generally, fear’s message is that we’re not yet ready to be, do or have what we want. The way out of this dilemma is through a change of mind about ourselves — not simply the gaining of technical skills or textbook knowledge.”

Throughout her book, Sinetar encourages readers to play with their visions of a life that’s true to their purpose. I agree. Using your head for “possibility thinking” is extremely important in gaining confidence and getting mentally prepared for reaching higher levels of success.

But I also belief the best formula for living dreams is a balanced combination of THOUGHTS and ACTIONS. Nothing gives you confidence like having attempting something new that is in line with your creative passion. Whether it’s taking a painting class, going to a theatre audition, writing the first chapter of your novel … each small step builds a stepping stone to the next level.

Taking a closer look at Gloria’s note, I find the solutions to her dilemma woven into her very own words.

She writes: “I feel very enthusiastic when I do things …” She feels best when she is engaged in your passion. As she continues to do more things, her enthusiasm (and belief that she was meant to pursue her path) will grow.

“I do not want to repress (my fears) any longer; I am fed up with them.” Gloria has taken it upon herself to face her fears, not avoid them. By acknowledging her paranoia, she brings it out in the open, where it’s far easier to tame. She’s also grown frustrated with her fears, and discontent can be one of our greatest motivators.

In her book, Marsha Sinetar also says that successful people have “belief systems and self-ideas that support their life’s objectives. Underneath doubts, stronger than fear, lives the thought: ‘I can do this. I will do this. I am doing it!’”

Gloria also writes: “Help me help myself!” This is the most encouraging line in the note. She’s not blaming the world for her ills or laying excuses at the feet of her circumstances. She’s taking on the responsibility of wrestling this demon herself, which makes me realize she is right on track to slay this dragon.

Keep in mind, though, artists never reach a point where their creative lives are void of fear. It will never go away. But with a solid combination of positive thoughts and self-affirming actions, you can keep the little monsters very much under control.

P.S. Be sure to take a closer look at Marsha Sinetar’s two best-selling books: To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love and Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow

Bob Baker is the author of “Unleash the Artist Within,” “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook” and “Branding Yourself Online.” Get a FREE subscription to Bob’s newsletter, “Quick Tips for Creative People,” featuring inspiration and low-cost, self-promotion ideas for artists, writers, performers and more. Visit www.PromoteYourCreativity.com for details.

Whose Fault Is It When You Don’t Get the Career Results You Want?

by Bob Baker

Human communication is a crazy thing. You tell somebody something with the intention of getting a certain response … and the person reacts in a completely unpredictable manner, sometimes with disastrous results. Let’s examine this topic and see how we can apply the lessons learned to promoting, selling and enjoying your creative talents.

You’ve had this happen to you at one time or another: You make a funny comment to a friend or family member based on something silly you’ve just been thinking about. Instead of laughter, you get frustration, maybe even a hostile reaction.

“How could they react that way?” you ask. “My intention was to make them laugh or feel good. How dare they misinterpret what I meant to do!” A lot of folks place the blame on the deranged individual who responded so radically.

Now switch to a freelance writer sitting down to write a sales letter she’ll use to drum up work. She knows she’s capable and has won a number of contests and has lots of published clips to show. So she gets to work writing about her qualifications and why editors should call her when they need freelance help.

The letters go out. Weeks pass by. No editors call.

“What’s wrong with these people?” she cries. “I gave them all the reasons I’m a good freelance writer, but none of these jerks is calling me!” She knew what her intention was. Why wasn’t her vision becoming reality?

This writer had made the mistake of not separating INTENT from RESULTS.

Intent is what you WANT or HOPE will happen. Results are WHAT HAPPENS. When it comes to communicating, your intent doesn’t matter. Results are the only thing you should be focusing on.

If you aren’t getting the results you want, do a little research and try a different approach. Even if you think your new brochure is the best thing since Ricky Martin … If it ain’t gettin’ the results you want and need … figure out what’s wrong and change it!

As a creative person, you are very focused on your art. You’re dedicated. Your brain percolates with dozens of ways to approach your current project. You nurture and refine your talent. In other words, you are very focused on … YOU.

That’s great for art … but not for marketing, promoting and selling your talents.

Our writer friend above, like many freelances, might eventually discover that sending letters that pitch specific story ideas get the most response from editors. Some writers I know even list five or six different tailor-made topics — one of which is likely to catch the editor’s eye.

Of course, that would mean the letter would have to focus primarily on the editor and publication receiving it … NOT on the writer herself.

So don’t get too attached to your intent, or get too angry when people don’t react as much and as quickly as you want. The only thing that matters are RESULTS. Focus on them and you may end up getting a lot more of what you want.

Bob Baker is the author of “Unleash the Artist Within,” “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook” and “Branding Yourself Online.” Get a FREE subscription to Bob’s newsletter, “Quick Tips for Creative People,” featuring inspiration and low-cost, self-promotion ideas for artists, writers, performers and more. Visit www.PromoteYourCreativity.com for details.

The Ultimate Creative Conspiracy Theory

by Bob BakerWhether it’s the second gunman on the grassy knoll, the alien mystery at Roswell or what really is hidden within the high-security confines of Area 51… conspiracy theories abound. Many of us are amused by the speculation, while hardcore buffs examine every nuance looking for clues to support their version of the story.

If you’ll notice, all of these conspiracy theories involve some type of dastardly deed or cover-up. Someone is out to brainwash us or hide the facts from the public. After all, “the truth is out there,” according to X-Files scripture. I never seem to hear people suspecting, for instance, a conspiracy by furniture salesman to stuff money into the nooks and crannies of the couches they sell. Yet I always find change under the cushions when I clean. Hmm… maybe they’re secretly… Oh, never mind.

There’s another kind of conspiracy conjurer. You know the type. The artist, musician or writer who believes the deck has been stacked against him or that nobody will ever give her a break. “This town is just not artist-friendly,” he/she proclaims. “This sucks. Why bother?”

To listen to these people, you’d think the radio stations, theatre groups, art galleries (or whatever venue applies) were all part of a sick joke, trying to obliterate creative growth. And just like the bigger conspiracy nuts, they find clues and plenty of ammo to support their claims.

“See, that guy never returned my call,” they announce. “I can’t buy a job in this town.” Anything even remotely inconvenient that happens to them lends credence to the devious master plot.

Here’s a fun little game that I challenge you to play. It’s called the Inverse Conspiracy Game. For one entire day, I encourage you to go through the day believing wholeheartedly that there is a conspiracy involving you. Only with this Inverse Conspiracy, the whole world and everyone in it are involved in a conspiracy to help you succeed.

If you’re familiar with the recent Jim Carey movie “The Truman Show,” you know what I mean. In the film, everything that happens to the main character is a preplanned scene — only he has no idea it’s fabricated.

So for one day, imagine that everyone is pitching in on a secret mission to help you. There’s a positive reason behind everything that happens to you. Even seemingly negative events are put into action in order to propel you toward a reward that’s just around the corner. And it’s your job to break the code and figure out exactly how the world intends for you to use what happens to your advantage.

True, this isn’t your father’s conspiracy theory. It will take some brain work to reorient your mental perspective — especially to keep it up for an entire day. But just think how this shift in attitude might alter your progress. You’ll be forced to view everything in a far more constructive light. And when bad things do happen, it will be your mission to find the hidden opportunity (instead of more reasons to stop trying to reach your creative goals).

Give this inverse conspiracy theory a try. You can always go back to looking for evil schemes and cover-ups. In the meantime, you just might discover an alien on a grassy knoll waiting to help you succeed.

Bob Baker is the author of “Unleash the Artist Within,” “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook” and “Branding Yourself Online.” Get a FREE subscription to Bob’s newsletter, “Quick Tips for Creative People,” featuring inspiration and low-cost, self-promotion ideas for artists, writers, performers and more. Visit www.PromoteYourCreativity.com for details.