Watercolor: Alverno (and handling rejection in the art world)

The art world is rippled with contradictions related to what qualifies work as good, or collectable art. I believe most art has a potential collector somewhere, and it’s a matter of bridging the distance between the art & the patron. Social media gives artists a hand up on the ladder, but that only helps if the artist perseveres, and puts his/her work out there, strategically & consistently.

I’ve attended art festivals where nothing sold, which is a kick in the shins after the time and dollars invested to plan, promote, pack, drive, build the booth, hang the work, pitch to crowds for two days, and then break it all down and drive home.  No sales doesn’t mean the art is bad – it means you didn’t reach your collectors at that show. Maybe they weren’t there, or maybe you need more practice at conversing with them when they stop in your booth. So you regroup, and do it again.

Scottsdale Art Festival

The lessons learned over time, by painting a lot, framing, arranging & hanging, titling & pricing, choosing best subjects & sizes for different shows, and talking about your art are priceless. While every show is a crap shoot, and you have no control over whether your patrons will attend, you *do* have opportunities to polish your game, and get rock-solid at making your art, and perfecting your presentation. You get better at all of it.  Practice makes perfect.

If you sell your work, I believe it’s important to remember this; each time you display the fruits of your creative efforts, the shift of attention & affinity moves  from you, the artist, over to the collector. It’s not about you anymore. Each person looking at your art is searching for something, whether it’s simply inspiration to get back to their own art, or a certain piece to match the couch in their new Aspen vacation home.  If they walk away without purchasing a piece of your art, they are simply not one of your collectors. You don’t have time to take it personally, because there’s work to do. You have to get busy, making more art, and finding your patrons.

Art Quote
Art isn’t only a painting. Art is anything that’s creative, passionate, and personal. And great art resonates with the viewer, not only with the creator.

What makes someone an artist? I don’t think is has anything to do with a paintbrush. There are painters who follow the numbers, or paint billboards, or work in a small village in China, painting reproductions. These folks, while swell people, aren’t artists. On the other hand, Charlie Chaplin was an artist, beyond a doubt. So is Jonathan Ive, who designed the iPod. You can be an artist who works with oil paints or marble, sure. But there are artists who work with numbers, business models, and customer conversations. Art is about intent and communication, not substances.

An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. And an artist takes it personally.

That’s why Bob Dylan is an artist, but an anonymous corporate hack who dreams up Pop 40 hits on the other side of the glass is merely a marketer. That’s why Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos, is an artist, while a boiler room of telemarketers is simply a scam.

Tom Peters, corporate gadfly and writer, is an artist, even though his readers are businesspeople. He’s an artist because he takes a stand, he takes the work personally, and he doesn’t care if someone disagrees. His art is part of him, and he feels compelled to share it with you because it’s important, not because he expects you to pay him for it.

Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium doesn’t matter. The intent does.

Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another.” 
― Seth Godin, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?