Got a question? Ask me!
Go ahead, page down to the bottom and ask me!
I’ll do my best to answer based on my experience.
The more specific your question the better. “How do I become a famous artist?” That’s difficult to post an answer. “Where do I start to learn more about copyright?” That I can answer!
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Tags: art marketing, artist business consultant, business of art
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Comments (260)
Grace
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Thanks Ann. I will run the numbers and see if it is something I should do now or postpone.
What is your feeling about the donation? How should I approach it so it is a win win for both myself and the organization?
Thanks again.
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Ann Ryals
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I’m looking for a legal form that gives me permission, from the buyer, to exhibit my work, that have have purchased, at any time. Do you know where I can obtain this form? Do you know what the wording should be?
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Ann Rea
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Ann,
I don’t know of a form. Have you asked them? Why not ask them? Then document and questions or issues that come up in conversation, or in your head, in a clear agreement.
Be sure to have a business attorney in your state review your agreements.
Ann
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Jason C H
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sorry—I hit send by mistake. Hi. My name is Jason and well, I’ll try to keep this brief. I read your bio and it really inspired me. I am a 39 year old artist who has been in the restaurant business for 20 years. Many times I “thought” , I should sell my art but always lacked the confidence. Recently, I have gained confidence in myself and also, I have some pretty major health problems that could shorten my life and I want to do what I love for me and to make a decent living…which is art. I’ve started these different ideas and sites but I realized that I have no clue what I’m doing. I thought I’d do it “different” with my music commercials I made and such but it’s like having a passion to put a car engine together from scratch to create a beautiful, smooth running engine, with 1000 parts in front of you with not even a basic set of engine building directions, you know? I’m determined, I’m scared, I’m passionate about my art and selling it. Do you have any advice for me? https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.402784969757783.81746.401905383179075&type=3 this link is a facebook photo album of a lot of my work. Thank you!
Jason
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Ann Rea
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Hello Jason,
The scope of your question is a bit to general to offer you decent advice.
I would start be determining a SMART goal and outlining an action plan.
Kindly,
Ann
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Adele
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Hi Ann
I am looking at e-commerce options and wonder your opinion about sites like Fine Art America vs. one’s own e-commerce site? How does one decide which kind of site to use?
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Ann Rea
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Fine Art America is the last place I would go.
You need to own your own eCommerce site.
We are going to be rolling out an eCommerce Course and eCoommerce solution.
Stay tuned.
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Frustrated
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Hi Ann,
So i have had a tough week with an annoying client. I was under deadline to finish his storyboards by tomorrow. The sketches were already approved, so I did the final line art and sent him scans for approval of color comps. Wednesday night he send me a laundry list of revisions to be made after he already approved the sketches. None of his comments had anything to do with color, just the fundamental aspects of the drawings. So considering the deadline, I decided to enforce the terms of our agreement and told him that in order to get new drawings there would be an extra fee and I may have to push the deadline a few days. He freaked out and told me I was too difficult to work with and decided to scrap the whole thing. Keep in mind, this is the second project we have done together, and I have delivered all works in a timely manner up to his standards up to that point. I kept all of that to myself and sent him another message imploring him to change his mind and at least let me finish the project before we went our separate ways. He threw the offer in my face and asked to immediately be billed for the cancellation costs. So I let it go and sent him the invoice. He paid it. Done.
A few hours later….he is emailing me again telling me he has others depending on him for the art and now wants me to finish it however I see fit. I think he had an idea in mind to keep all of the scans that I emailed him previously for approval and get someone else to finish them. When I sent him the invoice, it clearly restated the terms of the contract that he signed stating “upon cancellation all rights revert to the artist and any copies/scans sent for approval must be destroyed.” I’m guessing that is why he is doing this.
I know I can get the work done. it will be a great inconvenience to me at this point since I already took another job but I know I can get it done by the time he asked for. I will just be miserable doing it. Should I just let the water go under the bridge and finish the work or tell him to beat it?
Thanks,
-Frustrated
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Ann Rea
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He sounds fickle. Get paid for the work you have done and get paid up front for the future work.
Detail your deliverables with your invoice.
Use PayPal for immediate payment.
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John wilson
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Ann, thanks for all of your info and insight but I need to reach out to gallery owners in a larger market, what do you feel is the best format to send to gallery owners so they will actually take a look?
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Ann Rea
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John,
Artists Who THRIVE is about maintaining creative freedom through business savvy. We do not advocate taking the traditional permission based scarcity approach of working with galleries.
I can’t help you with that.
Good luck,
Ann
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Jamie Martyn
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Hey Ann!
Jamie here! (we met at the Meakin’s gala event and also the Polo) How are you? I hope well.
I was wondering if you could share what you would think would be a reasonable split between the artist and vendor? And vendor in this case would just be a blogger. There is no gallery in which my art is shown but rather someone’s blog.
We(me and blogger) are thinking about doing a collaborative project in which my art would be printed on tshirts and then displayed on her blog for people to buy. I would be providing the designs and I believe we would split the costs of the tshirt printing 50/50, but as far as the profits made from the sale of the tshirts, do you think 50/50 is also reasonable, or since the design is mine, do you think that 60/40 is better?
The blogger is someone who is really into a music scene, and some of her followers and music people might see these tshirts. She proposed 50/50 split, but I am kind of uneasy about splitting it right in the middle since my work is not in the space of a physical gallery but free website, also as the designer I thought 60/40 might be better.
I tried researching this online but couldn’t find good results regarding the split between an artist and someone like a blogger who would display their work.
Look forward to your response!
Thank you!!
Jamie
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Ann Rea
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Hi Jamie!
Everything is negotiable and that means there are no rules.
Negotiate and represent yourself the best you can.
Ann
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Billie Wells
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Dear Ann,
Thank you so much!
I learned so much during our session about target market. I have much to think about and work on. I can see so many possibilities. You really changed my way of thinking!
Thanks for your help and guidance!
Billie
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Ann Rea
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You are welcome!
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Paula Brett
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Hi Ann,
I’ve been looking through your Artists Who Thrive site- great info.
I did send you a comment about an ‘ecommerce solution’ you said to email [email protected] about. I did this, but received a comment from you to build a wordpress theme with an ecommerce theme.
I understand that you are working on unveiling a course and updating your site. Is this ecommerce solution you have something that I can purchase separately from the course? And if so, when will it be available?
In response to your comment to get a theme, I’m hot on the search for a good one. Right now I have something that’s free with no ecommerce, wp-folio. Thinking about Thesis, but not sure if this is good for artists. I also found Canvas through Woo themes, and it seems to look good.
I do love your annrea.com site and your ecommerce section- it’s really wonderful. I want something like this for myself. And finally, do you print and frame on demand, using local businesses?
I realize I’m asking a lot of questions, and I do appreciate your time in answering them.
Thanks, Ann.
-Paula
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Ann Rea
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Hello Paula,
We are looking at adding an “eCommerce for Artists” supplement to the “Making Art Making Money” course.
My prints are created in my studio.
Hope that helps.
Ann
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Gina
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In one of your workshops you mentioned a good book for business by Russell Simmons,
do you remember the title?
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Ann Rea
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Do You.
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Joanne Morton
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Hi Ann
If you find yourself in the Lowcountry area – Jacksonville, FL – Charleston, SC – I live in Savannnah, Ga. I love your emails – went to one of your seminar in San Francisco when I was there last May.
My art studio is in Anahata Healing Arts and might be an ideal space for an Artist who Thrive workshop/weekend. Savannah College of Art & Design has a lot of budding artists and there are a lot of Non Student artists calling Savannah home. I am in the process of growing my art business/sacred mission and your work speaks my truth!
The 20th Century artist was a starving martyr – the 21st Century artist is a entrepreneur millionaire!
I’m revamping my website this weekend – finally found a WP template that works for me!! We are a work in progress, right?!!
I’m thinking next fall or even early winter, could be an ideal time. I have a feeling you would be a HUGE hit with the Artists in Savannah …
thanks for sharing your Magic Passion Love by being a thriving artist!
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Ann Rea
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Hello Joanne,
It’s doubtful that I’ll be in that area of the country.
But! I will be launching a guided, 8-week, on-line multi-media business course for artists this year.
Please stay tuned!
Ann
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Demetrios Papakostas
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Hello Ann,
I am an artist living in Montreal, Canada and have an idea of creating a studio and gallery in the same space. I thought it would be a way to showcase and promote my own artwork and even take on a few other artists to exhibit. Would it be wise to take on this added expense/work load or just stay put. I would welcome any advice, thank you.
Demetrios
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Ann Rea
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Hello Demetrios,
The concept is fine but the only way you can decide is to first understand that you will then be a “retailer” and an artist.
Are you ready for the additional responsibility?
Who will you hire?
Have you completed a business plan?
Do you have a marketing plan?
That’s how you will find your answer.
Cheers,
Ann
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Nico
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Hello Ann,
Interested to find out if you’ve got any tips for searching out and choosing the right venues to display your work in.
I’m thinking of getting some work up in alternative venues.
Also, when selling through these types of venues, what should I do to foster sales, since there really won’t be anyone selling for me.
Thanks!
Nico
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Ann Rea
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Hello Nico,
This is not something that I can answer properly in the space of a short reply.
It depends on your contacts, your work, its value, and your target market.
I can leaving you with “asking is free” and try different options until you find ones that work.
Ann
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Sari
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Hello Ann,
If there are still spots left, I am interested in joining your pilot program MakingArt/MakingMoney. I am ready to move out of being scared and ignorant about the art market and my potential clients and ready to launch into my heart-felt career as an artist. I am in Australia and am wondering if your program is flexible in terms of coaching call times and one-on-one coaching.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon,
Sari
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Doris Olsen
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Have been painting traditional art for many years. Took part in many art
& wine festivals for 15 years – sold well – husband passed last year &
am now on my own! Need a new business plan, blog, raising prices
on originals and giclees , finding a target market, etc. & I give art lessons
with a new plan! I think I need the “money-making lessons from you. Is
that where I fit in? Thanks Doris Olsen
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Ann Rea
| #
Hello Sari,
We are still in the process of accepting applications for Making Art/Making Money. I invite you to apply here:
https://artistswhothrive.com/4624-2/
You many also apply for one-on-one coaching here:
https://artistswhothrive.com/get-coached/
Cheers,
Ann
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Ann Rea
| #
Hello Doris,
Making Art/Making Money is designed to help you get what you need.
We are still in the process of accepting applications. I invite you to apply here:
https://artistswhothrive.com/4624-2/
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Carolyn
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Could you please tell me what software program or how you were able to put the framing and matting choices on your website for your customer’s to choose. Also, which webhosting did you select for your website.
Thanks so much for all your help.
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Ann Rea
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I recommend:
https://www.squarespace.com/
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Sophia
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Hello Ann, Thanks for a wonderful website for providing such helpful resources to artists. I am going to start selling my artwork online and am in the process of preparing my Certificates of Authenticity. Some prints will be limited editions and those print numbers will be included in the certificates, but I am a bit unsure of whether to use a numbering system to number the certificates themselves. Is this an extra hassle for the artist, or do you feel it genuinely increases value for collectors and the overall validity of the certificate? If so, do you recommend a separate numbering system for prints vs originals. Thanks in advance, Sophia
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Ann Rea
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Sophia,
I’m not sure that I understand you question.
Are you asking if numbering the certificates will make your prints more valuable? The answer is no. It may convey some perceived value to the collector.
Certificates are records. If you’re planning on legitimately tracking these records then, yes, you should number them. Just like you number an invoice.
Ann
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Sophia
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Thank you Ann. That is helpful and gives me something to think about.
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joshua lance
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Hi Ann, I currently have a wordpress site, but I’m thinking about getting a FAFO site because it is used by many artists and has e-commerce. I’ve been changing my themes often and want to get some feedback. About FAFO or my site. Thank you!
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Ann Rea
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What is a FAFO site?
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Jonelle Summerfield
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Hi Ann,
I often paint pictures of interiors that inspire me. Sometimes cafes or museums (only the ones where photos are allowed.) I sometimes do this without asking the owner for permission. Is that something I always need to do?
In the past I would just paint this subject matter once in a great while, but it has become more popular and is now one of my main subjects. If I remember the name of the place, I often make it the title of the painting in case people want to visit. So far, I only sell one of a kind work… no prints, posters, etc. That may change, though.
Not only do I want to avoid trouble, but I also don’t want to offend the owners of my favorite places.
Thank you!
Jonelle
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Ann Rea
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Visit the US Copyright site to understand the law and do onto others and you would have them do onto you.
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J.G. Boccella
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Hi Ann,
Can i pay for my Monday session with VISA instead of PayPal?
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Ann Rea
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You may use your Visa to pay with PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to do so. We accept payments via PayPal only.
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J.G. Boccella
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Just completed my payment! Looking forward to the consult!
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Kim
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I’m having my first SF Open Studio this weekend. I would like to sell my work. Do I need to have a business license? If so, what type? Do I need to collect sales tax?
Thanks!
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Ann Rea
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Hello Kim,
It’s actually illegal for me to give you legal or tax advice.
My suggestion is to contact the city and BOE directly.
Ann
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Mihaela
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Dear Ann,
I was wondering how to put a story of my art in order to get to target a niche market? I see my paintings in modern houses, interior design stores and even interior design blogs, but I don’t know to address them or how to build a story arround my art. I know it is a complicated questions, but any tip or advise would be appreciated
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Ann Rea
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Hello Mihaela,
You are correct. This is too broad a question to answer here.
My first question to you is. Why? Why do you see your paintings in “modern houses…” and why would the owners want them there?
Your story should answer that question.
Before your story you should have a business plan and a marketing plan.
See an 8-part methodology for developing a creative enterprise…
https://www.makingartmakingmoney.com/#course-description
Cheers,
Ann
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Corinne
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Hi Ann,
First, I just want to say your story is inspiring! Thank you for sharing the details of your life (and some of your challenges) and how you came to find your success as an artist.
I have been a landscape painter for the past 7 years, but I would now like to focus on painting art for children. It’s a scary transition because I’d be leaving everything I know behind, including all my previous buyers, and I’m not sure if selling children’s art would be a successful enterprise. I did paint a few pieces for children back in the beginning, but my landscapes always sold much quicker (and for far more money) so I let the children’s art go in order to pay the bills.
Here’s my question: The website that I developed many years ago was never very good. I’d like to have a new one created. I’m wondering if I could possibly advertise both landscapes (so I can still do commissions for previous buyers and new referrals) and the children’s art on the same site. I read that it was a bad idea to combine two different types of art on the same website, but I’d like to hear your thoughts. Also, I’m trying to find a children’s artist with a successful business model that I might be able to follow. I haven’t found one yet and I was wondering if you perhaps knew of an artist in this field whose site might inspire me and/or give me hope that success can be found in the world of children’s art.
Thank you for your time and congratulations on your success! Corinne
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Ann Rea
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Thank you Corinne!
Forgive me but when you say “painting art for children” I’m really not sure what you mean.
Bottom line. You want to create a separate message for each target market.
Just like a message to your grandmother would be framed differently than the message to your science professor. Whacky example but you get the drift?
Cheers,
Ann
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YFW
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Hey Ann I keep getting the response that my art is too “urban” for what collectors want right now. How do I find people who will collect what I produce or should I look to refine or abstract it in a way that suits the market even though the idea of doing that breaks my heart a little.
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Ann Rea
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It sounds like you are trying to sell art to the wrong tribe.
What unique value do you offer above and beyond your art and who is your tribe?
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YFW
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These are things I have to figure out. I’ve been attending collectors meetings here in NYC to try and get an insiders view of the process because I thought the tribe was people who have money and buy work from galleries who show work I can relate to. Just reviewed your course and I think its something I need to invest in.
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