The Question: Artists are always asking me about art as a business. It’s not exactly easy, but with a little discipline and diligence, you can definitely do it.

Making art and making a career of art are two different things. Many of us are already swamped between a ‘real job’, family and whatever else you have going on. But if you want to be an artist as a career, you have to treat it as one. So, you may want to consider whether or not you’re ready for another job.

I suggest you commit at least 30 minutes a day tocare  er development. If you can’t manage 30 minutes a day, make it 2 hoursa week, whatever. What matters is that you are consistent and diligent about devoting this time, without exceptions, to the business of art. Your career assets will experience a better growth opportunity if you start early and remain constant. This ‘development’ time, is in addition to the time spent making your art. I hope that you can devote at least one hour per day to that or, one full day per week. Again, everybody’s work and attention spans are different. The key is to be diligent.

If you need some ideas about how to spend your 30 minutes, try using this checklist as your guide.

• Get a Business License and Sales Tax permit that allows you to purchase supplies wholesale and charge sales tax. YES. You must charge tax when you sell art, because you’re going to have to pay it to the government, when you show income. SHOW INCOME! It’s in your best interest, Honey.
• Get your domain name and establishan internet presence. Keep in mind that you may not be able to sell directly from your site, if you’re being represented. Still, get it now, before someone else does. The cost is minimal and you want it to be yours.
• Properly document your work, whether photos, labeld slides, whatever and be sure to save them as digital files - read my book for more on that.
• Come up with a target list of places (galleries, museums, consultants) that may be be good oulets to your work. Remember, if you do beautiful watercolors, the most avante garde gallery in town is probably not the best fit for you.
• Subscribe to art mags like ArtCalendar, Artweek, ArtNews, Art in America, Art Business news, etc. to keep you up to date on the scene, shows and happenings.
• Check out local exhibitions and see what’s SELLING, not just what’s hanging.
• Organize files to keep track of in coming and out going correspondence, emails, phone calls, and contacts. A contact management program can be invaluable, but expensive. Shop around.
• Get two cheap spindles from the office supply store - one for ‘incoming’ receipts & one for ‘outgoing’. Note on them,what they were for & save each month in a Ziploc. That way, you’ll have everything ready to rock at tax time. It’s easy & smart!
• Make at leat one contact per week that will familiarize a gallery, private art consultant, curator or collector with your work. Call ahead and ask them how they prefer to receive submissions.
• Send a link to your new site to everyone on your list. Ask them to sign up for a newsletter or update notifications and start growing a list of target galleries and potential collectors that may be interested in your work. Contact them no more than once a month, but regularly, with announcements.
• Make simple business cards printed with your name, phone number, email and website. Keep them simple, but make sure they display the ‘feel’ of your work. You may even use a photo of it or, of yourself. Make it memorable.
• Create an updated bio that outlines all your previous exhibitions, education, collectors, and awards.
• Write an artists’ statement - it’s the basics… ‘Here’s what I do and why.’
• Create a simple consignment receipt and bill of sale for future use. Any gallery will have their own, but keep it on hand, in case of unusual circumstances.
• You have determined pricing for your work - wholesale and retail and they are the same for everyone. Be sure to ‘pad’ by about 10%, because most galleries (shamefully) reserve the right to discount by that much to ‘close’ a sale. Also be sure to consider your cost of materials.
• Frames are exorbitant! Use your new tax ID to get them wholesale and remember, the gallery will double whatever price you give them on a finished piece, including the frame. So, be a good shopper!

Personalize this list. Add subtract and make it your own. But, if you commit yourself to taking care of the business   of being an artist as a career and over time, the results you see WILL give you the exposure you want and your work deserves. As always, you can find a lot more info, inspiration and some serious giggles in my new book.

Pick up a paperback copy right here, on this site, in our store OR on Amazon, at Borders.com OR at SAM FLAX Art Supply Stores

Saturday’s book signing with Nashawannuck Gallery was a hoot & a HUGE success!

Interested in hosting a book signing with Barb? All you have to do is purchase a half case or more of books. They will be delivered to your store, school, gallery or whatever, pre-signed with a little love note from the artist. Along with the books, your organization will get a fully finished, professional press release about the book, merch & ArtSlut project. All you have to do is send it out to your local (or national) media list.

It’s true that a virtual booksigning typically sells more books & related merch than a regular one, but the magic of the Virtual variety, is what it does in terms of PR for your organization. People are mesmerized, shocked & excited. It’s hysterical to watch patrons interact with Barb as her ‘ArtSlut Annie - alter ego”. Just ask Marlies Stoddard of Nashawannuck Gallery, who reports that every single paper in her town wrote about her upcoming event with ‘The ArtSlut’ & sent this afterwad: “Barb, Thank you and congratulations on a sucessful event! Everyone had a great time and there was a buzz about your presence. The guys, in particular,loved you! Funny to see so many blushing men! One comment was from a guy who came from Greenfield (our age - short hair with big studded earrings). This is a far way to come for The Eastahmpton ArtWalk. He said that most artwalks he goes to, people just walk through and maybe eat a piece of cheese, but THIS artwalk was FUN! He really enjoyed chatting with you. I am guessing that maybe he is a reporter???”

JOIN ME for a Virtual Book Signing, TONIGHT 5-8PM Eastern time!

Click this link to sit on on my Skypecast… 

 

Find out more. Just enter ‘ArtSlut’ in the search

bar & join us!

 Join me, this Saturday (that’s tomorrow) Dec. 8th from 5-8PM Eastern time, for the next Virtual Book Signing with me - Barb Benson, the Top ArtSlut & Author of ‘The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It ~ As a Visual Artist’!

Listen & watch LIVE - it’s Freee!!

All you have to do is Join Skype. It takes literally, 5 minutes, it’s free & you won’t even need a webcam to watch. It’s real-time interviewing, questions and advice, yada, yada, all during a huge gallery opening in Nashawannuck. Then, just follow this link: https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/skypecast/detailed.html?id_talk=3653350 to watch & listen as I share ArtSlutty Advice with fans, artists, book buyers & gallery goers in Nashawannuck… All the way from Key West, Florida!

Did I mention the girls & I scammed some free wine & will be having a little get together of our own, while I get ready for an evening on the town?

Don’t miss it! There’ll be bustiers & clay masks, garters, art, drinkies… what the heck? It’s the life of an ArtSlut - back in the tropics, where she belongs, Thank God!

Get The Book & all the ArtSlut Stuff, right here on ArtSlut.com!

*Also available at finer bookstores, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com & of course the Nashawannuck Gallery! See you tomorrow -or, I guess you’ll see me!
 

 The Question: I have cardboard pieces that i want to paint. But I’m a little stumped as to the best paint to use. Choices I’m working with are watercolors, oil, or acrylic, then there’s charcoal. Please let me know which will be best. THANKS!! AdinaDesigns

  The Answer: Hola Chica! Here’s the dealio - Water color is to wet, messy & translucent. Oil will take too long to dry & much of it will ’sink in’ to the very porous cardboard. Survey says! “Acrylic will work fabulously. It’s opaque, easy to use & clean up. Charcoal is fine too & will work beautifully in conjunction with the acrylics, but remember to seal it or you’ll have a dusty black mess on your hands. Depending on the look you’re going for, you may also achieve some pretty cool effects with conte crayons & gel medium. Cardboard has a lot of acid & I recommend sealing it all, regardless. One way to do that is with the gel medium, which can also give you a cool texture, but if you’re using something delicate like charcoal, use a spray sealer especially made for pastels & charcoals. I hope that helps! Send us a picture of the finished piece & we’ll post it on the site!

Meanwhile, check out the e-copy of my book - I’m sending it to you as a ‘thanks’ for your question. Be sure to get the paperback version for gifts for all your artsy friends & clients too! It’s available right here on this site’s store!