Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hey there.

I should be sleeping, but I don't believe in sleep.


THINGS YOU SHOULD DO THIS SEMESTER:

1. Put work on ebay.
Andy recommended this to me, and while I haven't had much success yet, he has and Veronica started out this way selling small sketches and paintings for cheap.

2. Set up an etsy.
I've made over a hundred dollars in a week selling small (8" x 4") paintings with simple color schemes that were fun to do and easy/quick to make. People like small samples of unknown artists' work because it's something to hold onto when the artist gets popular and it's affordable for students and fans.

3. Build a website.
(I know I'm still behind a few of you on this, but I'm working on it.)
Like Andy keeps saying: get it done before graduation. Try to get a name for yourself online - you can get fans from all over the world that way. (I still have the same people commenting on my deviantart since 2003 and I've never had a real conversation with most of them, but they continue to give me good feedback and encourage my work, even though it's changed so much over time.)

4. Get your work in galleries and plan events.
The only thing I love more than going to a gallery show with one of my favorite artists is going to a show with SEVERAL of my favorite artists. We're all in the same boat - we should do something cool that will expose our work to the rest of the school and possibly outside sources as well.

5. Promotion.
Postcards, business cards, buttons (people fucking love buttons), customized packaging/labels, anything that will scream YOU about your work. Start a mailing list and send out little goodies and holiday cards every once in a while. It will remind people (especially people who are farther away) that you're actively doing art and that you appreciate the people who look at your work.

6. Keep making art.
Do it as often as you can.
You get better with every piece.
I'm so glad to know such talented people (though I'm afraid you're all going to run away and leave me when we graduate), so keep it up. You'll always have a huge fan, and it's me.



-Allison

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

We need to get a button maker for the Fish portfolio class.

Anonymous said...

Allison could not be more right.
This very week I put up a quick sketch on eBay-- it went for $15. In the old days of eBay (and I'm talking six months ago) it would have gone for $200-- recession/depression is in full swing.

BUT-- and this is a BIG but-- one of the guys who won a piece commissioned me for over $1000 worth of art-- not a bad return on a 35c eBay listing.

I don't know why we need a button maker but I'm all for it.
Andy

Allison Bamcat said...

Because buttons are COOL, Andy.

For Senior Portfolio Night last year, at least 95% of the tables I went to had pins for the taking. They're something good to sell later as well at zine fairs and markets (such as the Mass Market at MassArt).

Pins are also more resilient than a business card. :)

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, the button, how silly of me. I think it's a valid point and I'm pretty sure Irena has one.