Sharing Art Career Expertise With The Rickie Report And Artsy Shark Plus A Call To Artists

Carolyn Edlund (Artsy Shark) and Rickie Leiter (The Rickie Report) share a Call to Artists plus Part I of an interview which focuses on increasing your art audience.  The Rickie Report shares both and hopes you will not only apply to the Call for Artists ( DEADLINE  is July 7, 2022  at midnight), but consider how to grow your business.

 

 

 

 

 

Clockwise from top left: Cheryl Magellan, Hannah Billingham, Jane Yuen Corich, Karen Rand Anderson, David Tulbert, Emma Cavell

 

 

 

 

Your artist feature is promoted to our large social media following (80,000+) and emailed to more than 25,000 subscribers, exposing your art to a vast audience.

After your feature publishes, you will receive a PDF copy of your portfolio article in magazine style format to use as marketing collateral that continues to promote you as an artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The    Interview:

 

 

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Advice for Artists: Secure Opportunities and Promote Your Events

Arts advocate and marketing expert Rickie Leiter shares recommendations on how artists can make the most of opportunities and publicity.

 

Rickie Leiter, founder of The Rickie Report, covers the South Florida visual art scene. She publishes feature stories, presents upcoming events and opportunities, and provides helpful tips for artists of all types to publicize their work and further their art careers. Rickie outlines proven ways for artists to assess and successfully apply to calls, and gain exposure when accepted.

 

 

The Rickie Report

 

Why apply?

First, to determine why you are applying to a specific Call for Artists, ask these questions:

  • Do you have enough body of work to apply?
  • Has this been a successful show for you in the past?
  • If it’s a new venue, what are your goals?
  • How will being in this exhibit help your business grow?
  • Will it help you network with others to amplify your own work in the future?

Take moment to consider what being in an exhibit means for your business. While your goal is to sell and make a profit, you need to consider the exposure as part of your advertising and marketing budget. You have one, right?

Every successful business has a marketing plan, and it helps to create a two-year calendar for this purpose. The calendar will allow you to keep track of exhibits and shows you are in and those you are applying to and waiting to hear from.

Make an inventory list so you know which pieces may be committed to a certain exhibit or show. This prevents mistakes and avoids confusion.

Take note of exhibits and shows that have already occurred, but that you were interested in. Sign up for their mailing list to hear about future opportunities and place them on your calendar. Keep aspiring to reach new goals and grow your business—this means considering Calls to Artists that may be out of your current comfort zone.

The application process

Once you identify a Call you want to pursue, read every aspect of the application carefully. Many artists are not accepted because they miss small details in the application process. Make sure your jpegs are the correct resolution and are the best they can be. This is the first step of the jurying process that separates those accepted from those who are not.

Having juried online exhibits in the past, I can tell you that your images are your best shot (no pun intended) at presenting your work. If your artwork is textural, can the juror see the subtle changes in texture?  If the object is 3D, can the juror see all of it? Simple things like making sure your reflection doesn’t show in a photo say a lot about your professionalism.

On your calendar, note the details of drop off, set up, take down, and pick up. Will you need to designate someone else to drop off or pick up your work if you’re not available on the listed dates? Think about all the contingencies and have a plan.

When you are accepted

 

Your work isn’t over once you get accepted. Now is the time to tell the world how excited you are to be participating! Ask the convener of the exhibit or show for a press release and press kit so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Don’t rely on the show producer, exhibit coordinator, or gallerist to do all of the publicity work. This is a collaborative effort; each party has responsibilities to make the event as successful as possible. Contact your media list, social media list and email list. Share your excitement about the acceptance. And add information about the event to your website immediately, keeping your list of shows and exhibits up to date.

If this is a new show for you, decide how you are going to orient yourself before you arrive. Do you have a checklist of what to bring? (business cards and signage are the major items artists forget when I meet them at shows). Do you know anyone in the area? Are you involved in an organization that has a local chapter and can make some introductions?  If you have a specific theme, what local organizations might you partner with before you arrive? You may be an artist who works alone, but you need to enlist a team of supporters to be successful!

If you are not accepted

 

When you receive notice of non-acceptance, keep notes on any feedback that was provided by the juror. If none are offered, you can certainly ask! In my experience, sometimes an acceptance is merely a consideration of wall space. The juror liked your artwork and another person’s artwork. Their piece was a few inches smaller, so it was accepted and yours was not. Or theirs fit the theme of the exhibit better, once the jurying got underway. Learn from this experience. Otherwise, you will continue to throw your money out the window by applying for events with little understanding.

 

 

 

Art Gallery shot

 

Use your involvement to promote events and go beyond

 

 

Rickie’s 2-foot rule: Share your passion with anyone who comes within two feet of you! This includes your social media and your friends’ and colleagues’ social media. Include your compelling news in an email to everyone on your list. This is not the time to be shy. You are not asking for anyone to buy. You are sharing your passion.

Practice will help you feel comfortable with your elevator speech. Make it your own. As a jewelry artist, polymer clay creator, and mosaicist, I have changed my own delivery a number of times. What has not changed is my inspiration to create.

If someone in the grocery store asks how my day is going, I tell them how excited I am that I just was accepted into a national art show with my artwork! First, they are usually surprised that anyone actually responds to the question. Second, I find that most people are excited for me. Third, when they see me again, they are invested emotionally in how my art business is progressing.

I know you’re reading this and rolling your eyes. Will that clerk buy a $250 necklace from me? I don’t know. I never assume what people spend their money on or how much money they have. (A good book about this is The Millionaire Next Door). If that clerk isn’t interested, he or she may know someone who is. That is why you share your passion.

Impress the press

 

If the event you are doing involves a non-profit, make sure they have your press release to send out to their clients, volunteers, and board members. (A written agreement should delineate what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for).

Don’t wait until the “end of the year letter” to connect with everyone. Do it now. Include local media, such as local newspapers, arts newspapers, PBS radio, and local television. Don’t assume they won’t be interested. You cannot know what story lines they are currently developing, and yours might be perfect!

Get in touch with your network of contacts and ask them to share your exciting news with their friends and family (you’d do that for them, right?)

My own publication, The Rickie Report, has a production calendar that is often booked by organizations 6-9 months in advance for articles. While I have openings, it is best to contact me 6-8 weeks in advance to book a publication spot. Please don’t wait until the week before the exhibit to ask for one. That said, there are sometimes cancellations, so it never hurts to contact media resources at the last minute just in case.

Send out your press release and then follow up. Emails can get lost or go to spam, and are often unopened. You work too hard to let this slip through the cracks. If you don’t feel comfortable calling to see if they received it, send a text and a jpeg as a reminder.

You can also make an impression by sending a snail mail invitation. If you’re presenting a lecture at a local restaurant, for instance, send an invitation with one tea bag (in sturdy packaging) and ask the person to join you. Even if they can’t attend, you have caught their attention with your creativity and by going an extra step!

 

 

 

 

For more information :

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

Carolyn Edlund:  410.977.2915

Carolyn@ArtsyShark.com

www.ArtsyShark.com

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

Artsy Shark Opens World Wide Call To Visual Artists Of All Media. Deadline To Apply Is March 17, 2022 Network With Carolyn Edlund And Increase Your Reach To New Clients

Since 2010, Carolyn Edlund has featured more than 1,900 artists from all over the world on Artsy Shark through individual articles that present their portfolios and share their stories with the world.  Artsy Shark is seeking 48 artists in all mediums to feature and promote in the coming months. Deadline is March 17, 2022.  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn Edlund tells The Rickie Report, “Artist features are promoted to our large social following (80,000+) and email list of more than 22,000 subscribers. Additionally, after the article is published on our site, the artist receives a PDF of their feature in “magazine-style” format to use as marketing collateral”.

 

 

Artist credit, clockwise from top left: Gerardo Lebarca, Hugh Walker, Chabane Djouder, Christianne Danna

 

 

 

 

Since 2010, more than 1,900 artists from all over the world have been featured on Artsy Shark through individual portfolio articles that present their portfolios and share their stories with the world. Artist features are permanent and always shareable; a prominent link in each feature invites the reader to visit the artist’s own website and follow them on social media. This gives each featured artist an opportunity to gain exposure, subscribers, followers and collectors.

 

 

 

 

 

Artist credit, clockwise from top left: Sandra LaForge, Katherine Klimitas, Heidi Zielinski, Kathy Dana

 

 

 

We are currently accepting submissions.

 

 

Deadline is March 17, 2022

 

 

Artist credit, clockwise from top left: Jose Cifuentes, Lesie Chandler, Ju Oshiro, Angela Verlaecht Clark

 

 

 

 

Featured artists are selected through a competitive juried process that happens only three times per year. We are currently accepting submissions through March 17 to feature in Spring and early Summer 2022. Application fee is $25. No other fees apply and Artsy Shark takes no commission whatsoever on any sales or contracts that result from artists being featured.

 

 

 

 

Visit our website to learn more about this opportunity and apply:

 https://www.artsyshark.com/become-a-featured-artist/

 

 

 

Artist credit, clockwise from top left: Gerardo Labarca, Hugh Walker, Laura McElfresh, Trish Mitchell, Beckie Kravetz, Christianne Danna, Rachel Tirosh, Eileen Terrell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

Carolyn Edlund:  410.977.2915

Carolyn@ArtsyShark.com

www.ArtsyShark.com

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

Art & The Blockchain Is A Reality: One Third Of Small And Medium Sized Businesses Now Take Cryptocurrency As Payment. What You Need To Know!

Blockchain is affecting the art industry, small business, and our lives in general. How will it change the way artists, galleries, and art buyers do business?  Here’s what artists and art buyers should know about this evolving technology. The Rickie Report shares an informative article about Art & Blockchain, written by Carolyn Edlund of Artsyshark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ART     &     THE      BLOCKCHAIN

 

 

Art as NFTs and the rise of the crypto art market have been all over the news lately. Headlines scream about artists earning veritable fortunes overnight, while others warn about energy usage. Some artists are clamoring to get involved with this hot new market. Others are vehemently opposed.  What is the future of NFTs and the blockchain technology behind them? I spoke with two experts to get answers and dive into big changes coming to the industry.

 

 

Why Blockchain Matters

 

 

Blockchain is a “trustless” protocol that records transactions through a transparent, verifiable ledger system which cannot be altered. The entire cryptocurrency market and a myriad of virtual tools and projects are built on blockchain platforms that provide fast, accurate and safe functionality.

 

Importantly, blockchain is a decentralized system which is disrupting the status quo. It tends to increase fairness and stability, and take power out of the hands of a small group of decision makers. In this way, blockchain mirrors the art industry itself, which has fractured and placed more control in the hands of self-determining individual artists.

 

To get to the heart of the enormous impact this will have in our everyday lives, I spoke with Shidan Gouran. He is an early blockchain investor and a serial technology entrepreneur holding degrees in Pure Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from the University of Western Ontario. Gouran is the founder of Gulf Pearl, a Canadian merchant bank focused on “financing both private and junior public companies in the information, communications and media sectors.

“Blockchain is now mainstream,” Gouran says. “Technologies come and go, and better technologies will come. The concept of universal databases that anybody can read and write to and that cannot be manipulated are very useful. Digital assets are here to stay. It just makes sense that things would move from paper to the digital world. Tracking and provenance of real world objects on the internet will become more and more common. Those are the realities.”

 

How prevalent is blockchain in our society? One-third of small and medium-sized businesses now take cryptocurrency as payment. Bitcoin can be purchased using Paypal. Mastercard, Visa, and American Express are all embracing blockchain technology. It is transforming the banking and “financial industries, and is the “digital DNA” of the internet 3.0.

 

 

The Question of Energy Consumption

 

 

Blockchain is undergoing rapid evolution and improvement. Detractors cite as a major concern the high energy usage in the “mining” process that drives transactions. Bitcoin is often held up as a major example of this excess.  “Bitcoin was the “first prototype; it is not the last system in existence,” explains Gouran. “Right now it consumes more energy than the Netherlands. Each transaction burns more than 700,000 Visa transactions as far as energy goes. When you consider these things, Bitcoin is not a great system. In my opinion, if it became the world’s currency it would be highly immoral, because of the energy consumption.”

 

 

How will this problem be overcome? Bitcoin operates on a Proof of Work mechanism which is energy ineficient. The Ethereum blockchain (which powers NFTs) and other platforms are moving to Proof of Stake, which is much less energy consumptive.  Gouran adds, “There are systems like Stellar and Ripple and when released,Facebook’s Diem blockchain, which would use even less energy than Ethereum’s Proof of Stake. A transaction on the Diem blockchain doesn’t cost more than a Visa transaction.”

 

 

Think of super efficient systems underlying the technology of finance and business that remove the need for offices full of workers using energy to validate and push through transactions. What are the energy savings when you don’t have to power 100,000 square foot buildings using light and heat and computers for hundreds of workers because they aren’t needed, all due to blockchain efficiency? We could end up with an actual decrease in energy usage.

 

 

 

 

 

Art as NFTs

 

 

NFTs (art sold as non-fungible tokens) have captured the imagination of the world and produced record-breaking sales. I asked art advisor, curator and crypto expert Georg Bak about this phenomenon. He says, “NFTs are certainly not just a trend. I believe that this market has a huge growth potential, not only for art but also for any kind of collectibles in the game, fashion and sport industry. At the moment the market is a bit overheated and many buyers are only buying NFTs in order to flip them instantaneously and make profits. I believe we will see a correction towards a more consolidated and matured market. There are so many historical digital artworks which never had a market and can be discovered by a wider public.”

 

 

What does this mean for the individual artist?  Selling platforms are cropping up like wildfire, offering an opportunity to artists who want to enter the crypto art market. Over time it will shake out and mature, and providers will address some of the existing technical limitations. Right now the sky is the limit. Once we have some history in the rearview mirror, the road will become clearer.

 

Benefits of New Tech

 

 

New technologies built on blockchain and the “smart contracts” they enforce and offer a level of transparency to an often opaque art world. This is good news for artists who create both digital and physical artworks, which can be embedded and tracked.

 

Bak says, “Blockchain technology will certainly not solve the authenticity and provenance issues of the past, but it can have a strong impact on future transactions. Nevertheless the data on the blockchain is only valuable if the physical artwork can be identified and assigned clearly to the data. There are different methods to apply identifiers such as for example RFID chips or surface scanning technologies.”

 

Once embraced, chips and scanning methods can assure the authenticity, scarcity and provenance of an individual piece of art. Artists will also use blockchain technology to track inventories, collectors, shipping and sales transactions. Another huge benefit of smart contracts is automatic payment of royalties to artists when secondary sales of their work are made.

 

 

Power to the Artists

 

As decentralization continues to put more control into the hands of individual artists, they are no longer in thrall to gatekeepers or third parties. How will our industry evolve as the power centers change?

 

 

“Galleries are certainly losing their monopoly over the market as artists can reach out to collectors directly,” says Bak. “The new gatekeepers are online marketplaces, and power is shifting from galleries to platforms. Even though platforms provide an interesting new revenue stream for artists, they don’t necessarily provide the same extent of curatorial exposure and content for artists as gallerists did in the past. Quite often platforms select artists according to purely mathematical measures, such as the number of followers on Instagram. Therefore, I think that galleries or artist managers are still playing an important role in promoting the artist’s career but probably they have to reinvent their business model.”

 

 

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

Carolyn Edlund:  410.977.2915

Carolyn@ArtsyShark.com

www.ArtsyShark.com

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

What Is Crypto Art And How Does It Work? What Effect Will This Have On Consumers Beyond The Art World?

A mega emerging marketplace has opened for artists to sell digital art online.  How does it work? What are NFTs and what does Blockchain have to do with art, music, and collectibles? How does this change artists relationships with brick and mortar galleries?  This is already producing ripples in cross-over industries. The Rickie Report shares an informative article about Crypto Art, written by Carolyn Edlund of Artsyshark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn Edlund Graham

 

 

WHAT     IS     CRYPTO     ART?

 

 

 

Crypto Art is a new market for digital artworks traded securely with blockchain technology. It’s often sold through online platforms using cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Artworks are paired in the crypto space with “non-fungible tokens” (NFTs) which authenticate each work as scarce and unique.

 

Blockchain technology is a decentralized, trustless system that provides transparent, verifiable documentation for the artist as creator and for collectors as the owners of the art, and shows provenance over time as a permanent record. It is even being used to authenticate and track physical artwork as a way to reduce fraud and increase consumer confidence. But the application of this technology actually has a vast number of uses, including financial services, security and privacy, legal applications and more.

 

 

“Rebirth of the Yesterbeasts” by Marc-O-Matic, sold for 3.75eth ($3,105) on Makers Place

 

 

 

Where does the Crypto Art market exist?  New online marketplaces such as SuperRare, Rarible, Open Sea and others have cropped up that allow digital artists to display and sell through auction or outright sale. NFTs are not always art; they can take the form of music, collectibles, and even digital real estate. This hot market has recently produced astonishing headlines and gained lots of interest from collectors, investors and others.

 

 

Marc-O-Matic is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia who entered the Crypto Art market during the last year and found it to be tremendously profitable. Marc describes his art as a compilation of illustration, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), designed to provide an immersive technology experience.

 

“Augmented Reality allows you to create an intersection between art and digital,” he says. “I fuse traditional skills with AR to present art in different engaging ways by repurposing illustrative work and augmenting it to become an experiential and engaging way to view art.”

 

 

In the immersive environment (which may be a gallery or other space) artwork is viewed through mobile phones or tablets to access the AR housed in an app he developed. The physical work acts as a QR code that triggers the animation. In the video below, Marc-O-Matic explains his work, while using AR to produce animation that mimics his facial gestures.

 

 

 

 

“The Inquisitive Hermit Crab”, by Marc-O-Matic sold for 14eth ($5,151) on SuperRare

 

 

 

His work is sold on several online platforms including SuperRare, a platform on the Ethereum blockchain which has a curatorial selection process (and a high volume of artists applying). Artists submit images and a video of their work for approval. Each sale made on SuperRare involves a 15% commission plus a charge to pay the “gas” fee charged when spending Ethereum. The artist will be paid again if and when a secondary sale is made, with 10% of the price going directly to them automatically through the blockchain—with no middle man involved.

 

 

Marc-O-Matic notes that digital art isn’t the only thing you can sell on the blockchain; you can sell physical art as well. “I’ve recently created physical painted prints,” he says. “Each artwork has a wax seal signature, embedded with NFT chips behind that seal that contain information about the art, its origin and more. When scanned, it leads to a website that shows records of the transactions of the physical art and its history of ownership. You can essentially embed NFT chips in your own artwork to authenticate ownership and value.”

 

 

That is part of the appeal of the blockchain, which eliminates the “smoke and mirrors” that can sometimes happen with brick and mortar gallery sales where artists don’t know who has purchased their work. The technology is transparent on ownership, allowing artists to benefit from royalties on their own work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Original Oculus” by Marc-O-Matic, sold for 4.4 eth ($7,103) on SuperRare 

 

 

 

 

When art as an NFT can be freely shared online, how does that affect the rights of creator and owner? Marc-O-Matic explains, “If you make a sale, the collector cannot redistribute or reproduce the work in any way, including physical copies. The artist cannot either. It’s a 1 of 1 edition. Doing so would defeat the purpose anyway, since the reasoning behind NFTs is artificial scarcity. The artist could, however, share 3D animations through social media and online, so long as they do not sell it again. And, as digital artwork that has been sold gets proliferated online and becomes popular, it actually adds value to the work. The more people who see it, the higher the perceived value.”

 

 

Why do people collect NFTs? “Everyone has their own drive when collecting,” says the artist. “Some like to buy art at a lower price, and flip it later, so that it pays off as an investment. Others are genuine collectors who see the value of digital assets. They understand that as we dive deeper into a digital world with immersive tech, having NFTs in place offers them importance as owners.”

 

Commissions are also a huge part of this space, as awareness of the investment value of digital collectibles increases. Companies are having NFTs made specifically for them that support their brand. The NBA recently dropped a series of collectible packs of player trading cards that has exploded in popularity. This opportunity to monetize is crossing industries and will increase in the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

CLICK  HERE   TO  LISTEN:

 

 

 

 

NFTs may have other functions included within them, above and beyond just the art. There are multiple uses, such as unlocking another world inside of a piece of art. Marc-O-Matic poses a potential use, saying “An emerging musician can create tracks with interactive visuals. Imagine purchasing a track of music as an NFT that includes an embedded interview with the artist or something else special. That may be originally purchased for $50.00 but could be worth thousands of dollars when they are famous.”

 

If an artist wanted to get involved in the Crypto Art market, how would they begin? He lays out several steps. “First, do your research in order to understand this new world, how it works, and what the value is. I recommend an article titled The NFT Bible published by Open Sea. It offers a breakdown of the history of tokens, the reasoning behind them, and what makes them so unique and special.”

 

 

The next step is to get set up. “You will need a crypto wallet, which is where you store your currencies, and how you conduct transactions,” he says. “It also is a key to unlock your account on certain platforms. So if I was going to sell a work on SuperRare, I need a wallet to unlock my account. Each wallet has a unique address, and I would use that address to distribute art on that platform. Metamask is one of the more popular wallets to use.”

 

 

Artists who want to sell would also need to acquire cryptocurrency in the form of Ethereum. This allows you to pay gas fees to process and validate transactions, and also to receive payment in the currency, to be held in your cryptocurrency wallet.

 

 

In order to find a platform to list your NFTs, you will need to evaluate those options. Some are curated, requiring a submission process and subsequent approval. Others (such as Rarible and Open Sea) do not. Then, upload your art and start trading!

 

 

 

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

Carolyn Edlund:  410.977.2915

Carolyn@ArtsyShark.com

www.ArtsyShark.com

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

A Top Artist Advocate, Rickie Leiter, Is Interviewed By Artsy Shark Founder, Carolyn Edlund. Meet Rickie On November 2-3 At Artists And Charities Hand In Hand Event At Palm Beach County Convention Center

Artsy Shark, a leading art blog, recently interviewed Rickie Leiter, publisher of The Rickie Report about what artists need to know to thrive in today’s changing art market. Founder, Carolyn Edlund, asked about the biggest challenges that artists face, how to stand out, and more.  We are honored to share this interview with you and we suggest you add your name to Carolyn’s blog of helpful resources for all artists who want to build better businesses! Come to the Artists and Charities Hand in Hand Fine Art Show on November 2-3 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center to meet Rickie.  Stop by and introduce yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Top Artist Advocate, Rickie Leiter,  Speaks

by Carolyn Edlund

 

 

 

Carolyn Edlund Graham

 

 

 

Arts advocate Rickie Leiter has worked tirelessly to provide support and resources for artists of all types. She offers her views on the current state of the industry, and what artists must know.

 

 

 

 

Rickie Leiter leads conversation at an arts industry networking event. Photo courtesy of Samantha Castro

 

 

AS:  In your experience, what are the biggest challenges visual artists face today? Have they changed significantly in recent years?

RL:  The biggest challenge visual artists face is deciding how and where to market their artwork. Because most artists have little or no business background, it is easy to fall into the “starving artist” syndrome, which is truly unnecessary. There are so many vetted resources that can guide them! Some major challenges they face are:

  • Maintaining a business model (updated website, constant social media about their artistry, marketing, and advertising, expenses to apply to exhibits, insurance of their artwork, how to pay themselves)
  • How to decide which gallery is the best fit for their artwork
  • Pricing their work
  • Maintaining an inventory
  • Standing out in the crowd
  • Understanding their niche market (if you try to be everything to everyone, you will burn out).

The proliferation of online art sales has become a reality. Brick and mortar galleries are folding under severe economic pressures to maintain the quality of art being offered, engaged art patrons, and continual sales.

Clients are eager to see the newest artwork available, which gives digital marketing an edge. Virtual galleries are being born constantly which eschew the normal expenses that physical galleries have. These expenses include electricity, water, property insurance, and insurance for the art, among others.

Even with virtual art marketing websites, artists must read the fine print of every contract! Does the artist maintain ownership of their images? How are sales tracked? How does an artist enter an art piece in another exhibit that just became available and fits their niche market?

In essence, artists have to ask themselves who their advocate will be. If they are relying on themselves, they must have reliable legal and financial advisors. It all boils down to a business plan. Creating is the “fun” part. You have to do the “hard” business part too, in order to be successful.

AS:  With galleries in decline and the art market in transition, individual artists must become self-determining. How do you view this trend?

RL:  Self-determination allows artists to network more freely, which I strongly believe is the ultimate marketing tool.

Artists need to do their homework, and move forward with a flexible but anchored plan. Go to a physical gallery and see if your work will fit in. See how the gallery staff responds to art lovers (not all of whom will be art patrons). Go to an opening reception and see who the clientele is. Do you see yourself there? Then, make an appointment to show your work; never just show up with a portfolio. If you are interested in a virtual gallery, contact some of the artists who use it, and ask for their feedback.

AS:  What is your best advice for artists entering the market today? How can they get ahead?

RL: I am not a car mechanic. When my car needs servicing, I take it to a dealership whose reputation I trust. I am not a web designer. When I gave birth to The Rickie Report, I surrounded myself with a knowledgeable webmaster who speaks in plain language, a business manager, an accountant who set up our billing and payment systems, and a graphic designer. I still rely on these experts at different times.

Take a business class. Make a business plan. Have a business consult.

AS: What are your best tips for standing out from the crowd?

RL:  I believe in dreaming big. And I dream “out of the box.” Here’s how to get started:

  • Make a list of the people you know in your life (living anywhere).
  • Share your passion (i.e. your artistry) with them.
  • Follow my two-foot rule: share your passion with anyone who comes within two feet of you.
  • Remember this is a moment for sharing, not selling.
  • When people feel your passion, they are eager to share it.
  • How can they help you? First you must tell other people about your work!

AS: Who else can an artist share their work with?

RL:  Think about different, unexpected ways your artwork intersects with other people’s lives.

Are you a member of Costco? Send a link to your art website with a short note about how much you enjoy the Costco experience. You might be chosen for a highlight in their member’s magazine. This kind of publicity…. wow!

Are you exhibiting at a unique event? Contact AAA (Automobile Association of America) and ask about a virtual listing of your event, with a link to your website. They have lots of readers and give you lots of exposure, even if they can’t make the event.

Partner with a charity who invites their patrons to an event. When you sell your artwork, offer a portion of the sales to the charity. This is a win/win and the art patrons will feel good about it! Give out business cards that offer a percentage of the next sale to the charity as well. That brings repeat clients and helps you build a collector relationship.

Do you understand your market niche? I know an artist who creates hearts in her paintings. Who can she network with, knowing clients will be in tune with her artistry? Connections I suggest include the American Heart Association, medical practices of cardiologists, Valentine’s Day events, Red Dress events for women’s heart health, hospital gift shops, etc. I could go on and on with ideas, which is why I enjoy doing consults with artists.

AS:  Your online newsletterThe Rickie Report   provides opportunities, publicity and updates for artists in the South Florida region. What other resources do you recommend to artists?

RL:  Artsy Shark is one of the best resources I know. Besides websites which are specific to art exhibits and entry opportunities, I find some of my best kernels of creative ideas from business magazines. They may or may not be art related, but I read them and take notes. Here’s my top list:

Additionally, I recommend that artists refer to publications, especially Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, and Handmade Business, which often have great articles for artists and other creative business people. They can often be read free of charge at libraries.

Stay in touch with Rickie Leiter by subscribing to The Rickie Report, and following her on Facebook.

 

 

Interview link: https://www.artsyshark.com/2019/10/02/a-top-artist-advocate-speaks/

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to our twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

YES PLEASE!

Carolyn Edlund:  410.977.2915

Carolyn@ArtsyShark.com

www.ArtsyShark.com

 

 

 

MEET  RICKIE  AT  THIS  EVENT:

 

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Sunday, November 3, 2019

    11 am – 5 pm

 

Benefits:

Armory Art Center

Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation

Peggy Adams Rescue League

 

 

artistsandcharities.com

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

The Clark Hulings Fund For Visual Artists Announces Art-Business Conference In Fort Lauderdale, February 1-2

The Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists (CHF) is excited to announce its Art-Business Conference in Fort Lauderdale, an event that seeks to inspire visual artists to “Conquer the Changing Marketplace.” This weekend-long business-development workshop will give professional working artists the chance to take a deep dive into the business side of their art careers. Scheduled for February 1 and 2, 2019, the event is funded in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners through the Broward Cultural Council. The two-day conference is co-sponsored by ArtServe, an active incubator for Broward County’s growing art community. The Rickie Report shares the details and urges you to sign up now for the cost-saving Early Bird (ends Nov. 15). In addition, we offer a $50 discount code for our readers! We look forward to seeing you there! This is open to all visual artists.

 

 

 

The event manifests CHF’s assertion that “Art is a business and artists should run it.” With the art market undergoing rapid and significant change—not only with regard to technology but also HOW art is marketed, bought, and sold—artists need to reclaim their rightful position at the center of the industry. The Art-Business Conference will help them to take charge of their careers, captivate their audience, maximize the extraordinary professional advantages they already possess and sell their art effectively and profitably.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics will include building an action plan, creating a brand story, rocking their portfolio, multiplying revenue streams, pricing for profit, selling art online effectively, building a strong support team, squashing resistance, sales strategies, and much more. All sessions are interactive, allowing artists to work together and engage conference leaders with their specific business questions.

 

Elizabeth Hulings

 

 

The program will be led by Elizabeth Hulings, CHF director and co-founder; Carolyn Edlund, CHF sales director, and events manager; and Daniel DiGriz, CHF education director. “South Florida has emerged as an important art hub,” says Hulings. “We are thrilled to be delivering tangible business skills and training in this exciting market.” Edlund, CHF sales director, and events manager; and Daniel DiGriz, CHF education director. “South Florida has emerged as an important art hub,” says Hulings. 

 

Carolyn Edlund

 

 

The event fee is $395, with CHF is offering an extra early-bird price of $295, until November 15, and an early-bird price of $345 until January 1, 2019, when the regular price of $395 starts. Tickets are available here. In addition to conference admission, ticket holders will receive one year of “Colleague”-level access to CHF’s Business Accelerator Portal, a comprehensive online learning resource for working artists.

Rickie Report readers!

Use the $50. cost savings code: RICKIE50 when you register

 

 

Daniel DiGriz

About The Clark Hulings Fund:

The Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists (CHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that champions economic sustainability for working artists. We do this by delivering business education and entrepreneurial learning through a rigorous Business Accelerator, a Digital Learning Portal, in-person education events in local communities, and a federation of artist- formed and artist-led networks of opportunity. All of this work achieves one aim: equip visual artists to thrive as self-sustaining entrepreneurs.

 

For more information, please visit https://clarkhulingsfund.org

For press needs, please contact Susan von Seggern at susan.von.seggern@clarkulingsfund.org

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Updated Information About “Marketing & Sales Strategies For Artists” Workshop With Nationally Recognized Expert, Carolyn Edlund

On Monday, December 4th, Carolyn Edlund presents a “Marketing & Sales Strategies For Artists” in Martin County, FL.  Carolyn will be available for some private consultations before and after the workshop.  She is the Executive Director of The Arts Business Institute.  This is a FREE event to members of Martin Artisan Guild and there is a fee for non-Guild members.   The Rickie Report shares the details and how to register — or become a member of the Guild.  Do not delay – these workshops sell out quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Artisan Guild

 

Presents:

 

 

Carolyn  Edlund  of  The Arts Business Institue

 

Workshop:

“Marketing & Sales Strategies For Artists”

Monday, December 4, 2017
6- 8 pm

Martin County Courthouse Cultural Center

80 SE Ocean Blvd.   Stuart, FL 34994

 

 

 

FREE to members of Martin Artisans Guild/ $40 for non-Guild members

Private Consultations are $30 for a 20 minute session 

Register on website/ Join Guild:

https://mcost.org/workshops/

 

 

 http://www.mcost.org

 

Workshop Details:

 

 

MARKETING & SALES: STRATEGIES FOR ARTISTS

 

 

 

Creative Marketing for Artists
What do artists need to know before marketing themselves? How to prepare your portfolio for the most impact, present yourself professionally, and get taken seriously. How to understand your target customer and market niche, and how to craft a message that connects emotionally with potential collectors. This talk also addresses why people buy, how to use features and benefits, and marketing methods, both traditional and new.

 

Carolyn Edlund Workshop

 

Sales Strategies for Artists
This talk presents opportunities that artists have to enter different markets, and create income streams. How to leverage your art through different formats and price point ranges; how to add value to your work; ways to structure your offering, and increase every sale. Making your art collectable; driving repeat and referral sales.

 

 

Private Consult with Carolyn Edlund

 

Carolyn Edlund:

 

 Carolyn Edlund has an extensive background as an entrepreneur, writer, speaker and art business consultant. Her background includes owning a production ceramic studio for twenty years, selling product into over 1,000 retail accounts during that time. Subsequently, she was an outside sales rep for the largest art publisher in the world, earning “Rep of the Year” honors. In 2009, she founded ArtsyShark, recognized as a “Top 10” art blog by Art Business News, which publishes art marketing and business articles, and features individual artists in portfolio articles. She is also the Executive Director of the Arts Business Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for artists and makers, that presents business workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally.

 

For more information about Carolyn Edlund:

Social Media Profiles:
www.Facebook.com/ArtsyShark
www.Twitter.com/ArtsyShark
www.Instagram.com/artsy_shark/

 

 

For more details about this event or other events with the Martin County Artists Guild:

http://www.mcost.org

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

Carolyn Edlund Of Artsy Shark Offers Workshop “Sell Your Photography As Art” On Saturday, November 11, 2017

Understand Photography Studio in Naples, FL. is honored to bring Carolyn Edlund of Artsy Shark as a guest instructor for “Sell Your Photography As Art” Workshop on November 11, 2017.  (This workshop was held in February and it sold out months ahead of time, so don’t procrastinate on registering)!  There is an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL to register. The Rickie Report shares the details and some photos of previous workshops.   Bonus: Understand Photography founder Peggy Farren will present: “What do judges look for in competition and for a juried position in an art show”?  Because of the personalized level of interaction, this workshop is limited to 15 artists only. Register early to avoid disappointment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn  Edlund  of  Artsy  Shark

 PRESENTS:

 

 

 

 

“Sell Your Photography as Art” Workshop

Saturday, November 11, 2017

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 

Taking place at: Understand Photography Studio

 

2383 Linwood Ave #302, Naples, FL

 

 

Price: $169.00 /per person*

*Early Registration: $169 through October 11, 2017

Regular Price: $199 October 12 -November 11

REGISTER:

https://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/events/238395701/

 

 

Understand Photography Studio tells The Rickie Report, “We are so honored to bring Carolyn Edlund of Artsy Shark as a guest instructor for this workshop. We held this workshop in February and it sold out months ahead of time, so don’t procrastinate on registering”!  This workshop is designed to get you prepared to take immediate action on your journey to sell your fine art photography.

 

Carolyn Edlund Photography Workshop

 

 

Topics to be covered:

Build Your Portfolio. What defines a saleable collection of photographic art? What are the common mistakes that undermine photographers? This presentation will address how to create a thoughtful, compelling portfolio designed to appeal to your chosen audience. Bring your laptop with your best images. We will be working hands-on with each student to put together their best portfolio.

 

 

 

Know Your Audience. Successful photographers have a clear concept that appeals to their target audience. We’ll help you niche, niche, niche to really understand the psychology of who will buy your artwork and why. This presentation addresses marketing principles, sales triggers, building value, and buyer behavior. Using examples of photographers with strong core concepts, we’ll take a look at how this works – then apply it to your personal situation and goals. This essential session can be transformative!

 

Carolyn Edlund Consulting With an Artist

Tell Your Story. Excellent photography is crucial to making sales, but your story is equally important. Buying art is an emotional decision. As you learn how to best share your passion, your technique and your expertise, you make yourself as the photographer an integral part of every purchase. In this workshop, you will begin to write and hone your own artist story, and understand how to tell it.

 

 

 

 

Brand Your Business. Once your portfolio is put together, you’ll need to think about branding. This includes your website, your color schemes, your framing, and your booth design if you are doing art shows. Build a memorable brand through consistency and professionalism – we’ll show you how.

 

 

 Carolyn Edlund in Consultation

 

 

 

Create Your Plan. What vision do you have for yourself as a photographer selling your work? What goals do you have? What are the options, and different marketplaces available, and which will you choose? This part of the workshop will focus on a step-by-step plan for each attendee to move forward after the program is completed.

 
Bonus: Understand Photography founder Peggy Farren will present:

What do judges look for in competition and for a juried position in an art show?

 

Carolyn Edlund:

 

 Carolyn Edlund has an extensive background as an entrepreneur, writer, speaker and art business consultant. Her background includes owning a production ceramic studio for twenty years, selling product into over 1,000 retail accounts during that time. Subsequently, she was an outside sales rep for the largest art publisher in the world, earning “Rep of the Year” honors. In 2009, she founded ArtsyShark, recognized as a “Top 10” art blog by Art Business News, which publishes art marketing and business articles, and features individual artists in portfolio articles. She is also the Executive Director of the Arts Business Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for artists and makers, that presents business workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally.

 

 

 

See an interview with Carolyn by watching episode 10 of The Understand Photography Show:

http://www.understandphotography.com/episode-10-show-notes-selling-your-art-ft-carolyn-edlund/

 

 

BRING WITH YOU TO CLASS:

Bring your laptop with your best images. We will be working hands-on with each student to put together their best portfolio.

Also pen and paper for note-taking. Prepare to be inspired!

LUNCH is included.

Recommended Hotel: Lemon Tree Inn: http://lemontreeinn.com/

 

For more information:

Social Media Profiles:
www.Facebook.com/ArtsyShark
www.Twitter.com/ArtsyShark
www.Instagram.com/artsy_shark/
https://www.facebook.com/UnderstandPhotography
https://www.youtube.com/user/NaplesPortraits

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986