Act Like a Professional, Part 1

The coffee cup really pulled this get up together, color-wise.  I later made the dress into a bag and brought it to Africa.

Once I accidentally wore these shoes to a wedding.  I think they thought I meant to, as no one commented on them.

Artists are generally characterized as scatterbrained and weird.  It’s a convenient, “off the hook” label; I can wear whatever I grab from my closet, and get the “She’s an artist,” pass.  But we take it too far when we rely on the stereotype as an excuse to be unorganized and unreliable in our art careers.  Gallerists, framers, publicists and accountants rarely expect professionalism from artists, but we certainly expect it from them.  By presenting ourselves in a more professional manner, we artists can improve the way our work is perceived and received by galleries and clients alike.  Following is the first of a two-part series on key tips to be taken more seriously as artists.

Timelines: This should go without saying, but don’t be late. Even basic, entry-level jobs require you to be on time, and you’re representing your art career here!  Getting to [your own] receptions and events early, submitting dues and applications in a timely manner, and completing commission work before deadlines will help you stand out among your procrastinating peers.

Correspondence- Answer emails and phone messages promptly, within a day for sure.  Begin each reply with kind, personal words, like “Thanks for contacting me [person’s name].”  Send a personalized thank you note along w/ shipped work. Thank your galleries who send clients your way, and refer people to them as well.  When buyers see this trust and respect between a gallery and an artist, they’ll value you both.

Presentation- You might dress like a weirdo, but when you ship or deliver art to galleries or clients, make sure it’s properly attired: wired to hang, and has the title and year, your contact info and backing material -a certificate of authenticity is a nice touch. Properly wrap and pack your work.  Treat your art as if it’s very valuable, and others will value it too.  In advance of a gallery show, email the gallery links to digital images of your work.  I use Google Docs, and email the link to a folder containing everything a gallery might need for my show: Artist Statement, CV, images and a price list with thumbnails and information.  This makes it easier for the gallery personnel to create a price list and enter works into their computer system.  It also makes it easier for them to discuss your work with prospective buyers.

Artist Statement- Rather than an ostentatious parade of art term vocabulary, your artist statement should simply make the reader want to see your work. Show -with words- what you do and why you do it, and “how” only if your process is particularly unusual.  Don’t get caught up in long, erudite explanations to justify the meaning or value of your work.  If the viewer needs a “product manual” understand your art, you’ll appear aloof and desperate to impress.  Likewise, avoid over-used phrases like: “capture the unseen nuances,” “sense of place,” “emotional connection between…” etc. Peruse some artist websites and read through their Artist Statements and you’ll recognize which ones sound trite or pretentious, and which ones make you want to experience the art.

Branding: Some artists choose an obscure name for their art business, or spell their name differently for their art- Don’t do that!  Make sure your domain name (your website URL) is simple and contains your name.  If someone else is using your name as their domain, add “studio,” “art,” or “fine art,” but don’t make up something people won’t remember or be able to find online.  Design a logo using your signature or your name in a font that people can recognize, and put it on all your materials, website and business cards.  If your signature is pretty but impossible to decipher, make sure your website (containing your name) is readily visible below it.  Graphic designers can easily help you with these tasks.

Forget “dress for success.” Using these tips to present our work and ourselves in a professional manner will increase our reliability as business owners, as well as improve sales and favorability with clients and galleries alike, no matter what we’re wearing. 

 

I'm obviously not on my way to a wedding reception here. Safety first.