What If There Were No More Art Galleries?
What if there were no art dealers, no “art reps”, and no commercial galleries to sell our work?
What if we summoned the courage to take full responsibility for our careers instead of placing our future in someone else’s hands?
What if we used our creative abilities to think up new and exciting ways to market our work?
What we embraced the very real fact that artists are entrepreneurs?
What if we stopped making excuses, and started making choices?
What if we stopped trying to find "collectors" and worked harder at building relationships with people who have shown interest in our work?
What if we were less afraid to step into the spotlight and stopped hiding behind our work?
What if we stopped expecting our art to “speak for itself” and became the passionately vocal champions of our own work?
What if we stopped worrying about accumulating lines on our resume and focused our energy on building relationships with would-be buyers?
What if we told everyone we met that we are artists and confidently invited them to see our work?
What if we stopped blaming the economy?
What if we invested in marketing classes?
What if we stopped waiting for external approval?
What if we worried less about “the art world” and focused more on creating a productive and consistent studio practice?
What if we finished what we started?
What if we stopped searching for a quick fix?
What if we developed discipline?
What if we stopped treating out profession like a hobby?
What if we talked less about what we want to do, and skipped right to the actual “doing” part?
What if we stopped apologizing for being artists?
What if we asked for help when we needed it?
What if we stopped feeling afraid/ashamed/nervous about making money?
What if we learned to price our work in a way that doesn’t under-valued our skill and experience?
What if we stopped comparing ourselves to others?
What if we were less afraid?
What if we spent just as much time marketing our work as making our work?
What if we reached out to help other artists instead of seeing them as competition?
What if we stopped waiting to be rescued?
What if we rescued ourselves?
What if we summoned the courage to take full responsibility for our careers instead of placing our future in someone else’s hands?
What if we used our creative abilities to think up new and exciting ways to market our work?
What we embraced the very real fact that artists are entrepreneurs?
What if we stopped making excuses, and started making choices?
What if we stopped trying to find "collectors" and worked harder at building relationships with people who have shown interest in our work?
What if we were less afraid to step into the spotlight and stopped hiding behind our work?
What if we stopped expecting our art to “speak for itself” and became the passionately vocal champions of our own work?
What if we stopped worrying about accumulating lines on our resume and focused our energy on building relationships with would-be buyers?
What if we told everyone we met that we are artists and confidently invited them to see our work?
What if we stopped blaming the economy?
What if we invested in marketing classes?
What if we stopped waiting for external approval?
What if we worried less about “the art world” and focused more on creating a productive and consistent studio practice?
What if we finished what we started?
What if we stopped searching for a quick fix?
What if we developed discipline?
What if we stopped treating out profession like a hobby?
What if we talked less about what we want to do, and skipped right to the actual “doing” part?
What if we stopped apologizing for being artists?
What if we asked for help when we needed it?
What if we stopped feeling afraid/ashamed/nervous about making money?
What if we learned to price our work in a way that doesn’t under-valued our skill and experience?
What if we stopped comparing ourselves to others?
What if we were less afraid?
What if we spent just as much time marketing our work as making our work?
What if we reached out to help other artists instead of seeing them as competition?
What if we stopped waiting to be rescued?
What if we rescued ourselves?
BIG Love,
-Kesha★
-Kesha★
Interesting questions and food for thought. I'm guilty of several of those and it is good to ask myself why.
ReplyDeleteCarrie- I've got news for you: at one time or another I've been guilty of about ALL of these. How do you think I came up with the list? ;)
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that it's totally possible to leave all of that behind and start thinking about ourselves differently.
It's all about mindset.
hi Kesha~
ReplyDeleteexcellent ?'s and points to take action on!
Lucky to be YOU*
This is one of the best art blog articles I have read that really says out loud what really needs to happen in the world of art:
ReplyDeleteArtists take your rightful place on the pyramid:
THE TOP!!!
Thank you for your great inspiration!!
Ashley
paganheart29
Ain't the truth! Artist need to understand that they actually have options. Self Publishing is one example. And not just books, but all media.
ReplyDeleteToo many of us give up our power to other people.
ReplyDeleteEnough already!
Inspiring post - you make everything seem possible!
ReplyDeleteMeaning I aught to use both sides of this brain?!! Wow!! I've never considered the other side all that functional. You are right Kesha, considering the possibilities must be a good place to start. Think I'll try it!
ReplyDeleteRather simple answer...I live in a UK City with about 250, 000 citizens and there are no remaining bricks and mortar art galleries. So my website works to sell my art 24/7 every day of the year selling to three main markets: The Uk, Europe and North America. Artists must now do their own marketing rather than rely on a 'retail gallery' that is only open for a few days each week and then only for a few hours, Sort of a no brainer really.
ReplyDeleteI should send your list to members of the dance community here in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteBut before I do that it is physician heal thyself for me as I must ask myself the same questions. I mean to set up business as a workshop faciliator but I am finding it hard to focus...
Thanks Kesha for putting me on task.
Hi Kesha
ReplyDeleteI thought I am the only crazy artist working this path of revolutionizing the relationships of the artists with their audience.I can't express how happy I am to meet you and realize there is actually someone who is taking this revolution seriously.
For me all these questions are everyday triggers for action.
Thanks so much
Josef