Sell Your Art!

CALL TO ARTISTS!
At last - a way to sell your Artwork through more than just galleries! I'm receiving inquiries weekly from individuals and companies wanting to buy artwork and hire Artists… And don’t know where to find them, or haven’t the time to forage around on the internet.

They are asking me for referrals to Artists who can:

• Work Events
• Fulfill Commissions
• Restore Artwork
• Create Murals
• Do Caricatures
• Sculptures
• Glass Art
• Fine Art Paintings
• Create Unusual New Art Products… and the list goes on!

These opportunities to connect Artists to people who want to buy art and can’t find it has lead me to create a networking referral program to “Bring Business to Artists… and Artists to Business”.

In this network I now have a growing audience of people who want to see Art that is for sale.
Businesses that include:

• Multiple High-End Commercial Interior Designers
• Multiple High-End Residential Interior Designers
• Multiple High-End Architects
• Multiple High-End Home Buyers
• Multiple High-End Publishers
• Quality Printers offering Packages for Artists
• Multiple Corporations… you get the idea.

Some of these businesses provide full spectrum marketing in both the traditional method and on the web. In this network are companies who provide national exposure, open doors to large target audiences, and have the capability to put your Art in front of many multiples of high-end buyers… and the network is growing.

I’ve already put together a large group of Artists and businesses who’ve connected, bought and sold artwork and services, and want more!

Got Questions? Please read through the Sell Your Art FAQ's

If you’d like to be a part of this Referral Network, you’ll need to fill out an application. I you need help filling out the application, please give me a call at 949-551-1987 and I’ll be happy to help. There is a one-time $30 assessment fee because I need to know who you are, what your specialty is and how to contact you, so I know where to send your work and who to send to you.

Your information will be kept private. It will not be sold or used for spamming in any way. You’ll only receive emails when there is a new opportunity or when someone specifically wishes your work.

Questions?

Art Mentor has a NEW HOME!

A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!

More Fun, More Information
We can now offer you even more goodies too.... like extra pages. Check out "Free Stuff" (links to all sorts of helpful Artist sites that we get asked for all the time). And Art Tools such as Art Book Reviews and Cool Art Supplies that we, our readers and students recommend, plus there's more to come - 'cause we're still growing!

So head on over to www.TheArtMentor.com and read this weeks new post. All new posts will be added to our new site from this point forward, so if you've added this site in your RSS or requested email notification for weekly updates - please re-submit these requests on www.TheArtMentor.com. All notifications are automated (and unfortunately we can't do the forwarding at our end, but we can promise that you won't receive double notifications).

Preview:

How Much Does a Giclee Cost to Create

Giclee Printing is Inexpensive, Right?
Well, yes - in comparison to the old method of creating an offset or litho print run of say, 1,000 or 2,000 fine art prints (prints that have to be stored until sold, prints that have to be marketed….. (continued at www.TheArtMentor.com)

see you on the new blog!

Finding a Quality Giclee Printer

"How do I find a Quality Giclee Printer?"
It's super easy to buy a printer, advertise online and set yourself up in the business of printing. Scanning can be priced out at anywhere from $15 to $600 per scan and printing is sold by the square inch (including the white border space).

So how do you know where to go, who to trust?
Quality scanning costs more and quality color correction is an art - an art that is often billed at $100-200 per hour. Why? Like I said, it's an art.

Color correction isn't just a matter of making a few adjustments. It's having developed not only the technical skills for the program, but a sharp eye for color in a setting (and this is important).... in a setting with correct lighting (and this means not florescent lighting). Who views fine art prints under florescent lighting anyway?

An inexpensive printer may not have the best equipment and skills for the job.

You will need to research the best types of professional print equipment, the highest quality archival paper, canvas, and archival inks - then query your potential printer - ask to tour their facility. Get familiar with the process and ask to view samples of their work (you'll want to be able to compare an original to a giclee, not just see the giclees).

IF they won't answer you (or can't), then move on.

(next post: How Much Does a Giclee Cost to Create)

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A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!

Making Limited Edition Giclees

"Should I make limited edition giclees of my art?"
Having limited editions made of your artwork should depend upon whether you have name recognition.

If you are selling your work at a high rate - faster than you can create it, then yes, go ahead and have giclees made of your art.

If you've been selling your originals so quickly that you've had to raise your prices to slow down sales, then yes, go for the giclee market.

Many people can't afford high priced originals, so you'll be opening a new market for them.

Why Buy a Giclee?
Most people who buy giclees, do so because of the name. Of course, many buy because they like the art - and most find the art they like because....

• They have heard about the artist....
• They've seen their work....
• They know of others who own that artist's work and....
• They want to own it too.

In other words, they know of the artist.

There are those buyers purchase giclees and originals for investment purposes only and I've never known art to devalue.

If however, you have plenty of originals to sell and you aren't well known (yet), then I recommend waiting.

If you are trying to sell originals, and you add giclees into the mix, then you are essentially competing against yourself. You now have both items to find a market for and the body of your buyers will opt for your cheaper giclees rather than your more expensive originals.

(next post: Finding a Quality Giclee Printer)

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A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!

Copyright Protection

Questions Regarding Copyrights
Are you confused about Copyright Protections? What is a Copyright and how do you get it? When do Copyrights begin and end? Are you looking for a basic understanding of Copyrights and the Internet?

What things are Copyright Protected? What isn't..... How about those "free" web graphics or stock photography - are they really free? Is it okay to link to web images? What does public domain, royalty-free and fair use mean?

I'm always getting all kinds of questions, regarding copyrighting one's artwork.... and guess what?

Remember my posting Making a Living with Your Art? It's about a really fantastic Artist's Resource The Thriving Artist - a super affordable course ($97 usd investment in YOU) on how to sell your art through more than 25 different avenues. Well, even though I bought that course months ago, Steve Popkin still sends me these wonderful little gems (no charge).

So I wanted to share a portion of something with you, that he shared with me just the other day.....

Here's what Steve had to say:
".... I thought I would turn you on to some great information.

I found this site that gives some real good suggestions on the subject (of copyrights). I would recommend that you review this information but also consult a local attorney should you have any legal questions.

Here is the link for the site:

www.WhatIsCopyright.org

I hope you find this information helpful!"

Thanks Steve, from all of us!

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A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!

Donating Art for Charity

"I've Been Asked to Donate My Art for Charity....
Is This a Good Thing for my Career?"
There is one thing you want to keep in mind when donating your Art for charity..... you don't have to just give it all to them. Let them know that you need a certain dollar amount for the work, so you aren't working at a loss - unless you are willing to donate your work as well as the proceeds.

It's okay to ask for, at minimum, the cost of your supplies. They can start the bidding or auction at your cost, plus a beginning donation from the bidder.

Pricing
The last time I was asked to donate a giclee (not an original) for a silent auction, my out of pocket expense was $500. That was for printing, color proofing, stretching, framing and delivery costs. I wasn't prepared to donate $500 out of pocket to the charity, however, I was prepared to donate everything over my costs.

Keep in mind that too high a price can scare bidders away. People often come to auctions looking for a bargain.

So set the minimum acceptable opening bid and selling price as low as possible. If you need $400, have them start the bid at $250. Let them know that it should only sell when it reaches $400. If it doesn't sell, at least you will have bids. It's totally embarrassing (and looks bad) to have no one bidding on your item.

Research the Organization
Do research on what kinds of items the organization normally auctions and how much they usually get for those items. If your costs are higher than what they can get, or what you have to offer is of little interest to bidders, then bids on your item will be low or non-existent.

If however, what you donate aligns with the organization and it's bidders tastes, you'll have a better chance of it being bought AND, of bidders becoming collectors.

OUCH!

I attended an art auction recently featuring some excellent and well known artists. Most starting bids began between $300 and $500 - however one was set at $2,700. This $2,700 piece got no bids.

The artist was from out of town and had flown across the country with high hopes for the auction. This artist did not do his research. Many other pieces went for much higher than $2,700 - but that piece went home with the Artist.

Attend a few auctions before donating. It will give you a better understanding of what to donate, what sizes sell better and how the process works.

Sometimes pieces are raffled off rather than auctioned. Here too you should research the charity - attend some of their functions. Get a feel for the crowd and for the organization.

Finally - remember to get a receipt for your taxes!

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A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!

Little Step, BIG Promotional Opportunity

Are You a Lurker?
Lurker is web slang for one of the 'silent majority' in an electronic forum. One who regularly reads a newsgroup, BBS, blog or who sits in a chat room, but does not participate or post.

This isn't necessarily a negative thing - unless you are working on Promoting You and Your Artwork. I'm not talking about 'just browsing' or 'doing research' and hitting a site once, although even in these instances, participation can be a MAJOR way to Promote your Art.

Paying It Forward
I'm an Artist. I'm an Artist who earns a living through licensing her art as well as through teaching. I'm a forever student of the arts which means, I LOVE TO LEARN and pursue new knowledge daily - yup, daily - that's me!

I totally enjoy sharing what I know and learn with other Artists - from drawing and painting, to self-promotional skills. I'm also known as a 'Teachers Teacher'.

This blog is for YOU!
When I found out about blogging, I realized that I could share with Artists outside of my local community, who also wanted and needed to know what I teach.

Most of my posts have been written in response to questions asked by my students and by friends in other communities to which I belong.

So..... What Do You Want to Know?
Click on "Comments" at the bottom of this posting and ask your question, or email me at Wendy@Froshay.com and I'll answer your questions in upcoming posts.

Free Publicity for You
Include your name and website link with your question and receive exposure to all Art Mentor readers. ArtTIPS by Froshay readers also read this blog, so you'd be getting connections there as well. Exposure and publicity are key to promoting yourself.

Growing Readership
Scroll down to the bottom of the right hand column of this blog and you'll see a map - a map of readers. Readership is growing weekly. Forward the Art Mentor blog to everyone you know. They'll ask questions about things you hadn't thought of, and you will benefit from that - plus, more readers means more exposure and publicity. I also participate in many other forums and groups, so I'm continually bringing in more readers.

This is important - HUGE!
Leave Footprints! Take this active first step in your own growth. There are things you want and need to know - so ask the questions. There are things you know that others could benefit from - leave comments, suggestions, tips.

Leaving your footprints on the web by posting QUALITY comments and questions on blogs and posts, here and in other communities, will give your own publicity a shot in the arm. Remember they should be quality comments, not just postings of ads for yourself - that's considered spamming.

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A New and Improved Art Mentor
Yes, you read it right. We've outgrown this site! The Art Mentor blog has moved to a new, bigger and better location. And because it's bigger we've been able to combine the Art Mentor blog with the ArtTIPS blog so you'll now get twice as much blog for your click!