Some time off and a clean slate

Sunday: Well all this time off, painting the deck and stuff gave me time to develop a revised business plan I can start fresh with. So far it fits well as a unit, a process of working efficiently, plus an organized "after" plan for marketing. In truth little has really changed other than painting "collections" based on a singular idea. Nothing new there... artists and designers have been doing it forever. It just took me a little while to get there. My last collection "Singular Focus" about Koi and Lilies was the start that led me to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. What does that mean exactly; well I think it means "the beginning years are finally over and shelved". It's actually very liberating. I know from past experience decluttering needs to happen periodically for anything to remain viable.

THE PROCESS

1. It starts with one painting at a time  - in collections - until the energy is gone. Benefit: technical and atheistic improvement and a cohesive body of work called a "collection".

2. Obtain quality image scans for the reproduction market before releasing the collection. It could be narrowed to only the speed-bump paintings. The images are the long term investment from the lucrative reproduction market....or not. It's a good option to have tho.

Before you say never happen, consider the new advances in 3-D printing technology fast becoming main stream. It supposedly can capture the feel of depth in art work.

CELEBRATE A BIT 

3. Announce the completion to the galleries with good images looking for any interest they might have. The communication also lets them know you still exist and are producing work. Besides good PR they are always interested in seeing new work from artist they represent.

4. The solo exhibit would be an ideal way to release any new collection of work. Timing could be an issue - exhibits are set well in advance...hopefully you are on the list. If not, do it other ways..... website, social media, instagram or rent a space and do it yourself........commonly done by fashion designers.

A young artist I started collecting recently actually set one up online with email RSVP invitations and a release time. Very clever thinking on his part and something to look into.  

5. National Advertizing - a must for national exposure - galleries find new talent there too. Pick the best of breed to release each collection by doing a single image full page ad. I use American Art Collector... plus they also give you side article opportunities. Collections are generally tied to seasons with a max (4) ad budget $10,000 +

Half page ads are ineffective and waste valuable resources.

6. If you get a party, hopefully with some sales, collect your work and it's over.......you get a much needed break to think about the next collection or vegetate.

The break has no time limit. It could be the end game and you never pick up a brush again, because if you complete a collection there is a beginning and end. How cool is that!

AFTER MARKET

7. I think there is one duty left, the "after market". Release the collection to the galleries or not. But do release the images into the reproduction market, which also works around our seasons. This can be done at any level your comfortable with or the market allows. First and foremost it's our long term investment with dividends that should not be ignored by any artist. 

My choice was a simple licensing agreement allowing the professionals to do it for me. My real interest lies in making art, not selling it! That's a job for galleries and the after market reproduction guys. I'll gladly do my part and leave the rest to them.

THINK OF YOUR ART AS A LONG TERM INVESTMENT AND HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON IT.