Where in the world would your muse go, if they left you high-and-dry?
I was tweeting with Alyson B. Stanfield on Twitter the other day and thought it would be a fun blog post if people would play along in the comments – are you game?
This is also a great example of how you can interact with others and have some fun in your day on Twitter…
It started with her tweet:
@abstanfield: Need an inspiration for making my #Valentine cards.#wheresmymuse
To which I replied:
<< in Cabo w/my muse? slow start today… 
She was surprised by this location saying:
@ArtistTaraReed I had no idea my muse was in Cabo! I was thinking, maybe, Florence
I had to double-tweet back to get my next thought out (remember, you only get 140 characters at a time on Twitter!)
Part 1: I think Cabo since I’m not a huge fan so it’s a good hide-out for mine… rumor has it our muses are friends! 
Part 2: but maybe WE should go to Florence and find NEW muses… would show them, huh? (And be fun!)
Now she’s on the same wave-length with my early-morning logic and replies:
@ArtistTaraReed Got it! So my muse wouldn’t be hiding from me anywhere I’d look. Must be in the Russian Steppe
Getting to know people on Twitter is as simple as that. And if you are an artist on Twitter – you want to follow Alyson – she’s a wealth of great information, advice, and fun. Alyson is the author of “I’d Rather Be in the Studio”* – a great resource I believe should be on every artist’s bookshelf so be sure to check it out if you don’t have a copy yet. Be sure to check out her blog – The Art Biz Blog* – as well – also great information about art, organization, inspiration and more!
Now it’s your turn – if your muse goes missing, where would she hide?
Remember, it’s probably somewhere you’d rather not be… leave your location in the comments – or come tweet me! Twitter tip: If you want to ensure someone sees something that you tweet, you have to put the @ symbol and their twitter name before you tweet – then it comes up in their “mentions” stream. I try to follow everyone who tweets directly at or with me but admit that I’m not the best at keeping up with checking new followers – it takes a bit of time so I follow those that interact.
Here’s to a little fun and interaction while building your business!
– Tara Reed
What are the implications of doing both Gallery work and Licensing – guest post by Alyson Stanfield
Alyson Stanfield, also known as the Art Biz Coach, recently emailed me to get my opinion on this question she received from an artist. Since I’ve never done gallery work, I gave her my best guess and suggested she let me share her opinions with everyone over here at the Art Licensing Blog. Here is what Alyson had to say…
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson licenses reproductions of her collages through home retail stores. She asks:
How does this affect the gallery and or collectors who hold the originals. As the artist we retain the right to the image, yes? So, do we have to notify the gallery that it’s going into licensing? or the collector who purchased the original?
Yes, it’s true that you retain the right to the image. I encourage artists and galleries to educate collectors* of this fact at the time of sale.
No, it isn’t required that you notify a gallery or collector that their original image has gone into mass reproduction. BUT, it is a courtesy. If you want to maintain healthy relationships with people, you should look at the situation from their point of view.
Collectors of original artwork aren’t necessarily savvy about the reproduction market. They have no need to be because it’s not where their interests lie.
Imagine being a collector of originals who happens to run into a work of art you think no one else in the world owns? You and I both know that owning reproductions isn’t the same as owning the original, but it has the potential to be an unpleasant surprise to the collector.
With a little bit of effort on your part, the collector will be thrilled to own the original source of such a popular image.
Now, about those galleries.
You should always notify a gallery that your work is going to be licensed. If you think a collector might be unpleasantly surprised coming across multiples of your work, increase that unpleasantness tenfold to get a gallery’s response. Or, just say bye-bye to the gallery.
The gallery has invested time, space, and sweat into selling your work. Check your contract with the gallery first and then discuss the situation with the gallerist. I would encourage this step before signing a contract with the licensing company. I would further hope that you would discuss this in advance of joining other gallery stables.
Why risk important relationships?*
It’s much harder to overcome damage to a relationship than it is to notify collectors and galleries in the first place.
– Alyson Stanfield, The ArtBiz Coach
Thank you for sharing your insights Alyson – helpful as always!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Alyson is the author of “I’d rather be in the studio!”* a great business reference for any artist serious about their business. I highly recommend it for your art library. She also has a wide array of audio and live class options that you can see on her site at www.ArtBizCoach.com*
* I’m proud to be an affiliate of Alyson’s and the links in this post are my affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you click them an make a purchase. I appreciate your support – it helps me keep blogging!
NOW is the time to get your copy of “I’d Rather Be in the Studio”
Yes, I’m talking about this book again. But with good reason…
1) I really like it and think it is a great resource for any artist wanting to make a business out of their passion and
B) Alyson is having one hum-dinger of a sale! (thru 12/17)
Not only will you get the book for $24.95, but you will also receive 7 other valuable bonuses and no – they aren’t Swans-A-Swimming.
So… grab one for yourself. Check an artist off your holiday list and give them a gift that will be motivate them to greatness… go check it out now.
Here’s to your creative success & saving money in the process!
– Tara
P.S. While you are at it, if you have any hard-to-shop-for women on your list, my friend Mary Foley has a new book out that’s sure to please – “How to Live Like Your Nail Color – Even if You Have Naked Nails” – here’s the link to check that out as well. CLICK HERE*
*disclosure: Although I never recommend anything I don’t know and like, these are affiliate links and I will earn a referral commission if you choose to make a purchase.
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