Write White Write and Write Some More

Variety of art journals in our gift shop and gallery.

This podcast is an interview with Alyson B. Stanfield, A.K.A. The Art Biz Coach.  She discusses some extremely important steps to becoming a professional artist.  Her four tips are devote yourself completely to a studio practice, create an online emailing list, connect with other artists, and start writing about your work and never stop.

This last post is a response to "writing about your work." As artists, we probably think about artist statements when we think about writing. Though artist statements are a significant aspect of the writing that an artist is expected to produce, we can practice writing about our work in other mediums as well.  In addition to journaling, a blog or various social media platforms including Facebook.com, Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, PitchEngine.com, Pinterest.com, LinkedIn.com, YouTube.com, Twitter.com and even personal websites provide perfect opportunities to write about your work.

Some of WOW's artist social media links
Bethel's Beadwork on Facebook
Deise Patton on LinkedIn
Felicia Follum Design on Facebook
Hannah McNamee's  Website (We have more member websites in the right hand sidebar)
Laramie Art Guild Blog - This site has work from several of our members

If you only plan to use one of these, go with Facebook see why in Top 5 Reasons Artists Should Have a Facebook Page. A blog and website are other top options as well (some would argue for these over Facebook).

The ArtBizblog.com addresses the four topics a bit more.

See the other parts of our Professional Artist Podcast Series using the links below
Part 1 Devotion to you Work
Part 2 Email Lists
Part 3 Networking

Post links to your writing below.  If you would like your work and writing about your work to be featured on WOW's blog or Facebook page, be sure to comment below or let us know on Facebook.

Networking

University of Wyoming Student Art League show Opening at WOW

This podcast is an interview with Alyson B. Stanfield, A.K.A. The Art Biz Coach.  She discusses some extremely important steps to becoming a professional artist.  Her four tips are devote yourself completely to a studio practice, create an online emailing list, connect with other artists, and start writing about your work and never stop.

Part 3 is in response to "connecting with other artists."  WOW can certainly help you connect with other artists and build an art community.  Some of the networking opportunities that we offer include gallery openings, professional development workshops, and a variety of classes (blog post from a past class).  In the near future we would also like to add opportunities for open studios as well as residency programs.

You can find other artists on Twitter, Facebook or Blogs or you could plan an artist meet-up by posting a flyer in a coffee shop or on Facebook.

To see future events at WOW check out our Events page on Facebook (You do not need a Facebook account to view our events).

Stanfield's post about Connecting with other artists offers some more hints and tips.

See other pats of the Professional Artist Podcast series.
Part 1 Devotion
Part 2 Email Lists
Part 4 Write about Your Work

Be sure to contact Works of Wyoming for more information on professional development for artists.

E-Mail lists

Stamps created by Cynthia Norcross Willson

This podcast is an interview with Alyson B. Stanfield, A.K.A. The Art Biz Coach.  She discusses some extremely important steps to becoming a professional artist.  Her four tips are devote yourself completely to a studio practice, create an online emailing list, connect with other artists, and start writing about your work and never stop.  I have already discussed Stanfield's first tip and I will address the other topics in each of my next three posts.

This post is about creating an online emailing list.  An online emailing list is significant when it comes to building a community focused on your work. This can also be done through online marketing tools such as Facebook, Twitter, a blog, a forum or a website.

Tips to remember


A free platform for mailing lists is MailChimp.com.  
ConstantContact.com has a monthly rate option.


Make sure everyone on you list requested to be on the list and know the anti-spam laws. MailChimp will help you with this part.

Use the Blind Carbon Copy tab instead of the Carbon Copy or To options. This is out of respect for those on your list.

The Art Biz Coach discusses this in more detail in her blog post.

See the other parts of this series
Part 1- Devotion
Part 3 - Networking
Part 4 - Writing about Your Work

Contact WOW to learn more about email lists and professional development for your arts career.

Devotion

Interactive book created by Sylvia Fonfara.

This podcast is an interview with Alyson B. Stanfield, A.K.A. The Art Biz Coach.  She discusses some extremely important steps to becoming a professional artist.  Her four tips are devote yourself completely to a studio practice, create an online emailing list, connect with other artists, and start writing about your work and never stop.  I will address one of these topics in each of my next four blog posts.

Part 1 of this series will focus on "devoting yourself to a studio practice."  This tip is more for those artists who weren’t forced into the studio practice and competition through art school.  Every artist needs to mature in their field and be prepared to compete.  This means not making excuses and often times making sacrifices.

Let's first look at this competition and how making excuses will not help you succeed.  My car didn’t start, my alarm didn’t go off, or I was sick are all reasonable excuses but none of them will get you the job or help you meet a new client.  This is not saying that you don't need to take care of yourself, or that your personal life is not important.  You do, and it is.  However, a professional artist will often times be less successful if they leave out the professional aspect.

In addition to not making excuses, a professional artist must also make sacrifices the same as any other businessperson.  In the beginning, you may need to make sacrifices, in your vacations, and family time, or in your budget.  Not everyone is willing to do this and that is fine.  Professional artist make art because they have to, not just for fun. Not everyone wants to be in the studio 8 – 12 hours a day. "Is this a hobby (which is often more enjoyable)" or are you willing to make the sacrifices to be a professional?

“It is hard work to be an artist!”

The Coach's Post with more hints on how to devote yourself to the studio practice.

See the other 3 posts
Part 2 Email Lists 
Part 3 Networking
Part 4 Write about Your Work

If you are devoted to your artwork, come on in to or email Works of Wyoming for some tips and information about how to advance your art career.