Category Your Art Career

A career as an artist can be one of the most creative, personally fulfilling professions available, but sometimes making art is less about self-expression and more about paying the bills. For Donna Dewberry—an acrylic decorative painter from Clermont, Florida, who has sold more than 500,000 books since 1998, is seen regularly on the Home Shopping Network, and is contracted with PBS until 2007 for her program One Stroke Painting With Donna Dewberry—art has become an art business, emphasis on business.

The positions in the Art Department at Pixar Animation Studios vary by level of experience as well as by specialization: character, sets, and shaders (the design of colors and textures of all the characters and environments). What follows is a rough description of the different job categories. (You can find a list of definitions below.

In the September issue of American Artist, our art business article discussed how collectors rely on certificates of authenticity–and how some states legally require artists to supply them to consumers. Here, we explore some of the specifics regarding the statutes some states have passed.States have different laws in place for fine-art prints and more.

Persuasive, cohesive grant proposals are key to winning funding for visual artists from private foundations, the federal government and individuals. Writing grant proposals is generally thought to be something that is extremely difficult and time-consuming, It doesn’t have to be. What distinguishes one proposal from another is thoughtful, systematic and cohesive writing.

The most immediately striking feature of On the Way Home on Route 62 by Sheryll Collins is its wonderfully rich color—the bright oranges of the tree are a delight for the eye. An analysis of why the color scheme works so successfully reveals how the artist followed one of the most basic principles of composing with color.

Sound financial planning will help ease fluctuations in income, prepare you for unforeseen expenditures and protect what you’ve worked for. To secure your future, follow these basic steps to financial stability:Step 1: Devise a long-term plan. Begin by writing down your sources of expected income from sales of artwork, grants, part-time work, teaching and investment income (stocks and bonds).

False check scams aboundCheck fraud was the third most common Internet scam reported in 2006, according to the National Consumer League’s (NCL) fraud information center. The average consumer loss reported was $4,053 dollars. “Fake check scams are a way for con artists to steal money from your bank and leave you holding the bag,” says Susan Grant, director of the National Fraud Information Center.

For the first time in many years, the creative community has been mobilized into action to deal with the “orphan works” bills currently pending in both houses of Congress. The problem arises when someone wants to reproduce or otherwise use a copyright-protected work but is unable to obtain the copyright owner’s permission because the copyright owner cannot be identified or, if known, cannot be located.

Artists can often find their hearts and minds in conflict when asked to donate their work. Charity auctions regularly ask artists to contribute a work of art that can be sold to raise money, and certainly there is satisfaction in helping a worthy cause.by Daniel GrantArtists can often find their hearts and minds in conflict when asked to donate their work.

You’ve just been invited to have a solo show in your top-selling gallery. Maybe you’ve won a prestigious award at a national show. Or perhaps you’ve agreed to lead a weeklong painting holiday to a spectacular destination. Whatever the situation, it’s news, and you’ll want to get the word out.You don’t necessarily have to pay for an expensive ad.

Most artists know the pitfalls of using fugitive materials that cause their artwork to deteriorate, but they are often less cognizant of other threats to the future quality and value of their art. Chief among those is the lack of documentation about what they created, how they executed their work, and how they pursued their art business careers.

Nothing is more frustrating than rejection, and many times artists inject a rejection letter—often merely a form letter—with more meaning than was intended: The art is bad; the artist is an idiot for submitting it; the letter writer is biased or expressed the opinion of the entire world.by Daniel GrantNothing is more frustrating than rejection, and many times artists inject a rejection letter—often merely a form letter—with more meaning than was intended: The art is bad; the artist is an idiot for submitting it; the letter writer is biased or expressed the opinion of the entire world.

Since my job is to choose frames for paintings on display at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, I’ve seen all varieties of framing dos and don’ts. As you search for the perfect frame, here are some questions to ask yourself to help you get the job done right:Are the frame-to-painting proportions pleasing?

Download a free PDF of the special report, “73 Best Websites for Artists,” from the October 2008 issue of Watercolor Artist, to visit any of the listed sites with just a click of the mouse.Click here to download the PDF.0 SharesNo related posts.Leave a Reply You must Register orLogin to post a comment.

Warm-up exercises are as important for artists as they are for musicians and athletes.by Daniel GrantWarm-ups for artists often involve being spontaneous, loosening up your muscles,and letting go. But jogging might work too!Athletes stretch before a game. Artists, too, often need to focus their attention and make sure that their hand and eyes are in sync, so that they can make the most of their time in the studio and propel their art business forward with confidence in their own work.

The next time you visit the nation’s capitol, add the art exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel to the list of things to see. Every year, members of the House of Representatives sponsor “An Artistic Discovery,” an art competition open to all high-school students in their respective legislative districts, and the winning entries are displayed in the Cannon Tunnel.

Numerous artists have found success selling art to the Christian market, a large segment of the population consisting partly of art collectors but mainly of people who are looking to purchase prints and posters that reflect their beliefs and values.by Daniel GrantThe Lord’s Blessingby Kathy Lawrence, 2005, oil,16 x 12.

1. Try to set up an appointment After you’ve sampled a sufficient number of galleries to know which you’re interested in, drop by and make an appointment to see the director—portfolio in hand. Requesting an appointment in person works better than making a call, since it’s harder for someone to refuse you if you’re standing right there.

It is not uncommon for successful artists to have assistants, but there is no uniform job description for them. An artist’s art business involves billing, bookkeeping, photographic documentation, recordkeeping, sales, promotion and marketing, shipping, inventory, website development, grant writing, purchasing office and art supplies, as well as the design and production of items to be sold.

Painter John Himmelfarb had been making prints for almost 40 years, but it wasn’t until Hudson Hills Press produced a catalogue raisonné of those prints in 2006 that the artist realized prints were an essential part of his career, generating 10 percent of his income selling art. A year after the catalogue was published, Himmelfarb bought a $17,000, 7-x-4 etching press that occupies a large portion of his Chicago studio.