Who Do You Need to Follow Up With Today?
By Sergio Gomez, MFA
If you had met me some 15 years ago, I was not nearly as organized as I am today. I am sure that in my early years as an artist I missed great opportunities just because I forgot to do one simple thing… FOLLOW UP!
Yep, following up. It’s no so hard to do but, how easy it is to forget. Back in the day, I attended openings and events where I met some wonderful people. I would put phone numbers and business cards I’ve collected from people in my pocket and then weeks later I would find them around the house. By then, I didn’t remember who the person was or whose number I wrote on the napkin. LOL!
Well, those days are over. Today, I am very good at following up with the contacts that are important to me. As a curator and gallery owner I have to tell you that when I meet an artist and I am interested in the work as a result of a good conversation, I often ask him/her to follow up with me with an email. Half of the time, I do not get anything....
How Can You Read My Mind Dr. Gomez?
By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.
“I love to create, it’s my passion! But, once I finish my piece or series, I have a hard time speaking concisely about it. I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it let alone being concise.”
How can you read my mind Dr. Gomez? Yes, that’s one of my hidden talents ~ reading minds through screens! On a more serious note, if this is you, you’re not alone. Throughout the years, I’ve met quite a few artists with similar struggles. I call it the “I have a hard time speaking about my work” syndrome.
So, here are 3 suggestions to beat this crazy I-call-it-syndrome and ease the stress associated with it:
1. NO ONE knows your artwork better than you do. By default, it makes you the expert! I think that, as long as you talk about your work in an authentic and truthful manner, you will give people reasons to identify and connect with it. After all, no one can argue with you about what you say about your work....
Follow Your Passion Intelligently
By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.
I hate my day job! I feel miserable. The only thing I really want to do is what I’m passionate about. I have all these ideas and that’s all I want to do!
Sounds familiar? Many of us want the perfect job that is aligned to our passions. We love to follow our passions. And, frankly, that’s a healthy approach. But, passion without an action plan might not be sustainable.
So, before you quit that day job that you can’t stand anymore to follow your passion, hold on to your horses and let’s go over a few things you might want to consider. Do you have a strategy, an action plan? What is your goal(s)? What steps must be taken to accomplish the goal? What strategies do you have in place to make this new venture a sustainable one? Have you considered having various income streams such as writing a book, teaching classes, consulting or if you’re an artist, commissions, hosting studio events (art & wine), etc.
Find someone who is...
When Plans Don’t Go as Planned
By A. Yanina Gomez, Ph.D.
A while ago, I received an email from one of our followers stating that she’d created an amazing solo exhibition proposal, sent it to a few galleries and only received “No Thank You” emails. As you’ve probably guessed, she was feeling totally bummed out.
She is not the first artist coming to us sharing her feelings of frustration and disappointment. This seems to be a common issue, at least, among many artists we know.
Does her story resonate with yours?
I would love to share with you 4 suggestions to avoid feelings of frustration and defeat before they pop up:
1) Be patient, realistic and diligent! It takes time to build an art career. Overnight success is overrated and very random! If you are serious and committed to your art career, view it as such!
2) Set realistic (and challenging) goals. Write them down. There’s something about writing things down that make them official. Where do I see myself and my art career...