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 The Question: Today’s question isn’t a question at all, but a sweet letter of support… Dear Ms. Benson, There is nothing wrong with selling tee shirts. My son did it for a while when he was younger and did quite well. He is now a designer for Tommy Helfiger. There is nothing wrong with running an art gallery. But since you live in Key West you must have noticed that they come and go. It is a difficult business as you probably know. I saw your video and you have a great deal of presence. In this age of cable with hundreds of companies looking for people with “presence”, attractiveness and the ability to communicate I think you are wasting your time selling tee shirts. I am not sure where you get an agent but If you got one I would bet you would have a number of options to choose from.

I was just eating breakfast and my daughter was watching a channel
where they sell things. If I had something to sell and wanted to
make a commercial to sell it I would hire you. Best regards, Philip
Freedman

I am going to be in Key West at the beginning of April and I will check to see if your new venture is open. Good Luck. Best regards, P. Freedman

 The Response: Sometimes, somebody says exactly the right thing, at the right time, without even knowing it. Thank you so much. Most people don’t realize that ArtSlut is a labor of love. If it was about the money, I would have saved my self a fortune and invested wisely when I had the cash… Although I did ‘make it’ in the arts and did very well with that, thank God - the people that I sold my gallery to were unscrupulous and defaulted on a massive loan payment to me, in addition to selling all the art that was on consignment and keeping the money (so say the artists). Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting back to doing what I do best - making art and taking care of the artists that I represent. ArtSlutTV is still in the works, with a new producer and it will be fabulously symbiotic with the new gallery, I’m sure. In the meantime, if you come up with an agent for me, I’ll TAKE IT! Thanks again for the support. There’s no question that ArtSluts need love too. I really do appreciate the kind words. Have a beautiful day,

Barb

 The Question: Today’s question comes from the beautiful Lisa on MySpace. It’s about non-profits and auctions. She would like to know if it’s good idea to donate for exposure and split the sales price or what?? She also says she misses The Wave (my former gallery). So sweet..

 The Answer: Aw shucks, Girl! You can’t know how much that means to me! I miss The Wave too, but the new gallery’s gonna be a zillion times cooler! I’m dying to tell you all about it, but I think I better wait ’till we get a few things squared away. More on that soon, though! As for your question (it’s one of my favorites, by the way), it’s interesting that you ask about ’splitting’ profits. In that case, I would say it’s definitely a ‘go’, assuming it’s for a cause you support. You’d have to split 50/50 if you were in a gallery, too. So, this way you get to do something for the greater good - Awesome! I do hope they set a minimum bid, though. The ones that I don’t recommend artists get involved with are the ones that ask you to give freely of your art. This is your commodity and you deserve compensation for your efforts. They often say that it’ll be great ‘exposure’ for you or that you’ll be able to use it as a tax write-off. Those things are not true, at least for most. The only way you can use donated art as a tax deduction is 1) if you make enough money to pay taxes & 2) if it’s been proffessionally appraised. Otherwise, the only ‘value’ percieved by the IRS is the cost of the materials - Ouch! You know who does get a tax write off? The buyer at that auction does. Doesn’t that seem a smidge backward?

As for ‘exposure’ - Is having your name listed what you’re looking for? Is it worth giving up a client forever? I look at it like this: I figure that there are only so many people in the world who care about art, fewer who happen to love your work and fewer still who can find it and pay for it. It’s a slim market and not only that, but people tend to fill a space on the wall for ‘forever’, especially if it’s a sentimental reminder of what a beautiful evenening they had at that charity function. Now that they’ve been able to pick up your creative genius for nothing at an auction…. Well, Sweeties, you’ve lost an opportunity (at least to fill that space) for forever.

Don’t missunderstand. I know these things are run by lovely, kind people who are trying to help, but let’s face it- Artists are the most traditionally impoverished group of people since single moms. So, why in the heck is everybody expecting THEM to give? I think giving is extremely important & I do it often. I suggest giving gifts that don’t hurt you to help others. For example, you might consider giving the organization the right to reproduce your copyrighted design for a limited time. You could help them promote this by way of a press release and some good public relations, maybe even an event, then split the money from that. That actually would give you some excellent exposure. See what I mean, Jellybean?

There was an excellent book written by a wonderful man, sometime back, called “Making Money While Making a Difference”. I really believe we can (and should) all do that.

Whew! That was a big response for a little question! Nice to hear from you, Hon. Thanks for the question & I look forward to meeting you at my new gallery. Stay tuned! Barb

 Dear ArtSlut, I LOVE your column and especially how you handed that jerk his ass, yesterday. That wa hysterical. I’m a collage and mosaic artist. I work at home. So, I don’t meet a lot of people and I’d really like to find a great Valentine. I know it’s last minute, but any suggestions on that?

  The Answer: Hey Sweet Cheeks! Thanks for the love. Yeah, it is kinda last minute and truth be told, I probably know more about making it in the arts than in love, but I do have some suggestions…

1. First, everybody wants to meet the right person. So, stick to your guns and hold out for that one, rather than ’some one’. I know this is not the popular way, but it’s the one I happen to believe in. I sure as heck hope I’m right, or I’ve just wasted my life AND given you bad advice!
2. I totally understand becoming a hermit because of working at home, alone. Make a point of getting dolled up today to go run your errands. If you don’t have any, create some, or go out to lunch with a friend.
3. While you’re out there, looking casually fabulous, say hello to everyone you see.
4. Go to happy hour with the girls, today. You never know who you’ll meet.
5. Call up all your old boyfriends and tell them that you want them back - just kidding! Exes are probably exes for a reason. Avoid the temptation of lonely Valentines sex. It’ll just make you feel empty if it’s not right.
6. Oh, I know! Before you run your errands, go to the adult store and get yourself a special toy. Then go home and use it before you run your errands! You’ll have a lovely glow and an irresistably sly smile for the rest of the day, that sure to get you the attention of someone special… Or, you may just decide to stay home after all!
7. Uh, duh… If I knew how to find the right man, I’da done it by now - Oh, you just want a Valentine & not necessarily Mr. Right? Why didn’t you say so? March your butt up to the cutest hotty you can find, tell him you need a temporary Valentine and offer to buy him a drinkie. He’ll be flattered. You’ll chat. Then, who knows?

It’ll be great! As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s all kinds of spicy advice for what to do with him next, in my book: “The ArtSlut’s Guide to Makin’ It” Which is available on our store. Check it out and let me know how it goes!

Cheers! Barbarella

 The Question: Let me introduce my self. I use the name otto didacticus because my real name is already taken by some one else’s email account. You may call me OTTO. My real name is Nathanial. Your name is Barb?
If that is it then I shall call you Barbara or Barb or Barbie?…I will just call you Barb? Were you once a palm reader or some other false Side show Barker. So strange is your advice that it is almost campy and Kitsch–but I do not think that is your true intent. You speak as though you are an art advisor (one of those professionals in the art world who aid mid career artist out of stagnation) or (a professional who guides collectors and institutions in building collections) So what is it that you are doing? Do you think you are really helping any one. Do you believe that advise on how to market ones art is what art is about?
I am in the arts. But I think we are in very different worlds; one of pernicious dross and one of “relational aesthetics” or ??? I am wandering if Charlantry has become an actual dialogue…perhaps you have made an aesthetic out of the “Ruse”? Why Not. I would be curious to here back from you.

Otto or Nathanial

  Aight, people! I guess this should be addressed… Every once in a blue moon, we find someone who just doesn’t ‘get’ the ArtSlut magic, Boooo! You know what they say, ‘If you don’t get it, you don’t get none!” Anyhooch, I don’t usually bother with it, because more often than not, they’re either frustrated artists who have sadly, bought into the whole idea that ’suffering makes you a ’real’ artist, someone who stands to gain by keeping art for the elite, or somebody who desperately needs to get laid, but whose panties are too far up their bumms to let it happen. In this case, I’m making an exception, because the condescending tone, just annoyed the crap out of me… So, here goes, dang it.

The Answer: Okay, Otto-Dick-Tater-To-Us - Firstly, don’t ever call me ‘Barbie’ again, Ya Nitwit. Second, stop being such a hater and grow a sense of humor! Of course, it’s supposed to be campy and kitsch. It’s also TRUE! If you’d read the site, you wouldn’t have to ask what it was about and you wouldn’t be spouting off so rudely on assumptions. Didn’t your mother ever teach you that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all? Is there a chance that English is not your first language and the un-subtle nuance of the humor here are lost on you because of it? Or, maybe you’re angry because you are a frustrated, starving artist or because you hate happy, funny people (& sweet, of course)? Who knows?

 To answer your question: Yes. I do think I’m helping artists by sharing the business and marketing tips I’ve learned over my many years in this field and I’ve received many ’thank you’ letters that seem to support that theory. ArtSlut is intended to help artists by giving them some information, inspiration and a laugh that I really wished someone would have shared with me when I needed it. Have you spent your time and money trying to do good for others lately? Or, do you just sit in judgement of other people’s efforts? I would never be such a pompus jack-ass as to presume to tell anyone what ‘art is about’ (duh!) & I certainly never said it was about marketing (What??)! I will tell you though, that if you want to make a living in the arts (or any other business… Yes, art is a business if you’re trying to make a living at it) in this country, marketing is essential - whether you like it or not.

You say you work in the arts. Let me guess… you don’t have to depend on the sale of your art in order to make a living, right? Well, good for you! Now, have some compassion for those who do. If you want to hate me, ArtSlut, or artists who are trying to keep a light heart while making a decent living - knock yourself out, but don’t bother us with it. We are busy trying to make art and a friggin’ living and still be good people… Jeeze!

If you had helpful suggestions, rather than just attacks, I would have responded much differently, but in the end, you just sound like a big fat meanie that’s trying to mask his own insecurities by being judgemental and condescending. Try making a positive difference in the world.

All kidding aside, I do genuinely apologize that my efforts were lost on you. It was never my intention to harm or offend anyone. I hope you can see that even if you don’t like what we’re doing, the effort comes from the right place. Meanwhile, no more nastygrams from you, Bucco!

If you really want to know what I stand for, buy my book. After you read it, you’ll know for sure…

Have a beautiful day (& I mean that), Barb

 Today’s post is in response to years of questions from artists who are looking to get ahead and my observation of many painful disappointments and miss-understandings. I hope this short list of some important ‘Facts of Life for Artists to Succeed In Business’.

Success means something different to everyone and in this case, we are speaking about success in business - not in life, nor in terms of mastering the technical skill of your art. Think about it…what are the things you think you need to accomplish before you consider yourself successful? People get into the arts for many reasons, but for most - it really boils down to social acceptance. I know, people don’t like to hear that, but it’s true. If we really didn’t ‘care if it sold’ or if ‘anybody liked it’, we’d put our paintings in the garage and never risk the pain of rejection that a low sale exhibition gives… Believe me, EVERY artist (no matter how successful) has had their low points. 

Regardless of your definition of success, these are facts ya gotta face in the biz of art. There are exceptions to every rule… I heard an urban legend about somebody who had a benefactor once, but the closest thing I’ve ever seen in real life was a rich bitch who paid an artist’s bills in ‘exchange for some lessons’ and became a cling-on freak, who wouldn’t go away and finally, tried to rip off the artists work and (un-successfully) become her competition- Ptoowie! Anyhoo, brace yourself, for a little reality check, Sweethearts:

 1. You will not magically get “discovered”, unless maybe, you wear an ART SLUT t-shirt, everywhere you go!

Marketing your art is hard work. There are thousands of artists making extraordinary efforts to promote their work each and every day. Waiting for an angel benefactor or hoping for a patron, is just silly. You need to stop making excuses and put a plan into action to deal with the reality of the hard work it takes to get recognized. A minimum of 3 hours of week set aside to do business is essential.

 2. You will not find a gallery that “understands your work” and feels as passionately about it as you do… And, who cares, anyway?

Although many galleries are passionate about the artists they represent, educated in art history and articulate, the majority are primarily interested in selling art, which is as it should be! Galleries are in business to sell art, and that is exactly what you are hiring them for. They are not there to make you feel good and if you ‘don’t care if it sells’, don’t waste everyone’s time. They do not need to understand your work, nor be emotionally moved by it…what they have to do, is be convinced they can sell it and do so.

3. There are literally millions of creative geniuses in the world. So, S*can the ‘tude, be gracious, and get to work. Also, no matter how original you think your work is, it has been done before, sorry.

Originality does not define quality. Perceived value is all that matters at the end of the day, in terms of business and that is largely determined by what you’ve accomplished so far, as well as skill and ‘originality’. Regardless of whether or not your work is original, what makes art exceptional is concept and execution, paired with presentation and promotion. Btw: As gallery curator, there were many times that I turned an artist away, because of their primadona attitude. There really are TONS of great artists out there and most curators aren’t gonna put up with snotty BS because they ‘can’t live without you’… whatever.

4. Just because your work looks just like Jackson Pollack, Picasso (or, fill in the blank) doesn’t mean it’s as good, or that you can price it the same. In fact, probably to the contrary. To be ‘influenced’ is cool, but directly derivative, not so much.

The right price is what the market will bear. That has to do with your exhibition and sales history, more than anything else. In evaluating how to price your work, you should be looking at other artists in your same career range, and the prices people are willing to pay for YOUR work. That is how you establish a market value.

 5. You won’t be able to make a living off the sale of your work - unless, you treat it as a career.

To make a decent living you need to sell over $150,000 worth of your art to net $75,000 before taxes. That will make your net approximately $50,000 beforeexpenses for studio space, art supplies, framing, advertising or promotion. So, how do you do it? Open your mind to the possibilities. Become a business person and make your work work for you, instead of you working for it. That means, in addition to selling reproductions that you produce, look into licensing your intellectual property out in exchange for royalties. This is not for the artist who’s in it for the ego of being shown at The Lueve. It’s for the artist who’s in it to make a living while doing what they love and there’s not a damned thing wrong with that! Find more info on that at www.LIMA.org

To put it in easy terms (are ArtSluts really easy?) What I’m saying is:

1)Work hard and dedicate a specific amount of time to your art daily, like you would any other job. 2)Learn to gracefully promote yourself 3)Be gracious, professional and polite 4) Don’t just think outside of the box. Throw it away altogether. Don’t let your ego get in your way of success. and 5) As Leonardo Davinci said, “Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose.”

You can find a lot more helpful advice in our new book. Get one in our store!