It's Not All About Creating Art

My new business cards and rack card that I designed.

I believe that most people think that the life of an artist is all about creating the artwork.  In a perfect world, most artists wish this was reality. It is not.  Most working artists spend, or should spend, over 50 percent of their time working on the business of selling.  I try and utilize all the resources that are available from social media, to website and SOE as well as developing marketing materials. I am a member of several art organizations and subscribe to countless gallery mailing lists and art organization call to artist email blasts.  

Next week, an organization of which I am a member, Ojai Studio Artists, will be spending the day at my studio creating a two minute video highlighting my work and my process.  The video will be used to market the organization's big event scheduled for October this year.  So I have spent the last hour prepping what I am going to say in a voice over recording.  Two minutes is not a long time, and I need to figure out how to get across a ton of information without sounding rushed. 

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Work that needs framing.

,​Writing such a statement is a great tool for stopping and thinking deeply about my current work.  How has my work changed? Has my message shifted, and what informs each mark that I make on the surface of the paper?  How can I concisely express what is behind my palette choices? I want this recording to be an authentic representation.

I also need to finally address the lighting issues in my studio.  It is an expense that I have been avoiding since revenues are at $0 due to the pandemic shutting life down for a year.  With the availability of vaccines and the case numbers slowing, it is probably time for me to do something about getting nice gallery lighting to showcase the art.  It's an endless list of should-do expenses and a lot of time consuming research and implementation.   

As I am writing this blog post, I am remembering that my list is endless! Order boxed cards, research glassware and other items for sale. After all, not everyone who walks into the studio gallery can or will afford to buy my original art. But they might want to buy a little something to take with them to remind them the of the experience.  Revenue from this type of merchandise is what keeps the studio lights on.  I am thinking to myself, "Lesley, you need to get your butt into the studio earlier each day if you are going to keep this cart in the road!"  The last year has made me slooooow! Oh! New work needs to be taken to the framer as well!  Time to recharge the batteries and get at it!  After all, if there isn't inventory ready, what are collectors going to buy?! Onward.

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