Do you need to look at your art business through new lenses?

This week I broke down and went back to the eye doctor. I started wearing glasses to read and for the computer again last year – after a 6 year hiatus. (Yeah eyes!) Recently, I found myself getting eye strain and headaches again… worse yet, having to stop working because my eyes hurt and not because I wanted to stop.

I came home with a new prescription and cute new glasses – I kiddingly tweeted that maybe I would see things differently, now that I have these new lenses. This lead me to wonder if I needed to do that figuratively as well as literally.

Would looking at my art business through different lenses make a difference?

It’s a good idea to do a regular check on how you do things and what you believe on a regular basis – do it every 3,000 miles while you wait for an oil change. Are your beliefs about the economy, your abilities, your business – giving you headaches and holding you back? Watch this 2 minute video and see what you think…

I know that lots of artists that read this blog earn money with their art in other ways as well. Here are a few blogs and resources for artists that I have found along the way, that aren’t licensing specific:

Alyson Stanfield – The Art Biz Coach* – Author of “I’d Rather Be In the Studio”, workshop leader, blogger, etc. etc She’s been helping artists earn more from their art since 2002
Aletta De Wal – Artist Career Training* – a working artist who helps artists make a better living making art.
Ariane Goodwin – smARTist Telesummit Founder* -the only annual telesummit covering a multitude of topics for artists from experts in the industries. Live each January and home editions available as well.
Lori McNee - an amazing fine artist who has an equally amazing blog with tips about fine art and marketing
Daniel Tardent – Art Marketing Secrets* - a great site for art marketing of all kinds, SEO for Artists eBook* and more.
Maria Brophy – art licensing and art business – great info on her blog! “Helping creative people to design the career and lifestyle of their dreams”
Carolyn Edlund – author of the ArtsyShark.com blog – an amazing and inspirational resource for artists
Barney Davey – art print market information
Cory Huff – the abundant artist – Dispelling the starving artist myth
Helen Aldous – an art blogger from the UK I just discovered on Twitter – check out her Artonomy Blog for lots of marketing tips
Art Bistro - a great art resource and community by Monster.com

And another feel-good inspirational song to make you smile…

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

FTC disclosure: links with an asterisk are affiliate links – if you click them and make a purchase, I will earn a referral fee for leading you to these great resources. Which helps me spend time on free resources here so I appreciate your clicks and support!

Another Great Blog Resource for Artists: ArtsyShark.com

It seems like everyday I am amazed a newe resources, blog, information or inspiration that I find online for artists.

A few weeks ago I discovered (and was discovered by) ArtsyShark.com.

I had the pleasure of talking with Carolyn Edlund, the owner and author of this blog for emerging artists. Here is her story, as she tells it, taken from the “About” page of her blog:

Although I am not currently a working artist, I spent twenty years running a production studio making ceramic jewelry and one-of-a-kind ceramic and mixed-media pieces.

Upon graduating from college with a degree in Fine Art, I had no preparation for embarking on a career other than some art skills, a lot of motivation and passion for what I was doing. It took a lot of mistakes to learn what worked – why people buy art, tricks of the trade, dealing with wholesale and retail buyers and having a profitable career that balanced with life.

After closing my business, I went on the road representing art publishing companies and card and paper lines featuring artist’s work. This experience gave me another perspective on the business of art and the realities of the marketplace.

Often I meet aspiring and emerging artists who are hungry for knowledge, opportunities and a chance to make their true passion into a career that really works.

Hopefully this blog will be helpful – it is designed to contain interviews with companies that buy from artists, educators who counsel art students, and successful artists themselves who share their best advice and encouragement to the next generation. I hope you will enjoy Artsy Shark. Subscribe, pass it on, participate and submit your ideas for discussions you would like to share.

Carolyn was interested to learn more about art licensing and shared the information with her readers in a post:

Is Art Licensing Right for You?/Interview with Tara Reed

As well as “how-to” interviews about different aspects and types of art businesses, Artsy Shark also interviews artists, features galleries and more. It’s worth taking a look and see if it is another blog to follow to keep your creative juices flowing!

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed