Reaching milestones is about looking back at what we’ve achieved and looking forward to the endless possibilities.
Barney Davey
Clinking glasses with FineArtAmerica.com! This post marks a double celebration: our ongoing collaboration and my 600th syndicated article exploring the ever-evolving world of art marketing.
A huge thank you to FineArtAmerica for their unwavering support in sharing these weekly insights with their artist members over the past twelve years. It’s been an incredible journey, revealing new and exciting (sometimes even a little scary) developments in nearly every aspect of the art business.
As we celebrate this milestone, we can’t help but peek toward the horizon. The future of art marketing is bursting with possibilities, from metaverse galleries to AI-powered collaboration. Buckle up, artists—we’re in for a thrilling ride!
Art Marketing News: A Journey of Evolution
My journey of publishing helpful content for artists began a few years before my FineArtAmerica partnership commenced. It started with a blog titled “Art Print Issues,” reflecting the focus of my first “How to Profit from the Art Print Market” book. As the art world changed, so did the scope of my advice, prompting the shift to the more fitting “Art Marketing News.”
Seven more art marketing books and numerous collaborations (including artist advocate Jason Horejs) later, I’m excited to share some critical trends for artists:
- The Metaverse Beckons: VR/AR opens doors for immersive art experiences. Imagine collectors viewing your work in a virtual gallery!
- Community is King: Building solid relationships fosters loyalty. Utilize social media platforms strategically to connect with your audience.
- Evolving Platforms: Stay informed about online art marketplaces and social media platforms to reach your target audience effectively.
- AI-Generated Art: AI makes waves but also presents collaboration opportunities for artists.
- NFTs and the Blockchain Revolution: NFTs offer a new way to authenticate and sell digital art, opening doors for new forms of art collecting.
- Timeless Techniques: Embrace traditional art forms and techniques that have stood the test of time. There is immense value in the skills and methods passed down through generations. These timeless techniques connect us to the rich history of art and provide a comforting sense of continuity and tradition amidst the ever-evolving art world.
A Reflection on Change
I’ve witnessed firsthand how technology disrupts and redefines industries. Remember the initial confusion around ‘giclées’? Today, the art industry not only embraces but thrives on such advancements. Similarly, AI-generated art and NFTs may cause unease but hold exciting creative potential, ensuring artists’ dynamic and secure futures. And despite the upheaval of unforeseen changes, traditional art creation methods have remained viable and intrinsically valuable through the ages.
Convergent Media: A Modern Art Form
For many artists, particularly those working digitally, “convergent media” aptly describes their process: transforming an original artistic vision into a high-quality, reproducible digital print. This descriptor evokes the traditional “mixed media” technique. I coined the phrase to provide an accurate name for the complex digital print creation process.
The Art of the Digital Print
Before a digital art print is ready, it undergoes a meticulous process. Whether the source is a digital photo, scanned artwork, or an entirely digital creation, the image is manipulated and enhanced using software like Photoshop. Color calibration is crucial, ensuring the original artwork’s colors are accurately represented on the artist’s computer screen and, ultimately, the final print.
While achieving a perfect color match is the goal, limitations can introduce slight variations. The critical takeaway is that reproductions, while attempting to replicate the original faithfully, are unique artworks. The advice is to trust the process and focus on creating high-quality art prints that resonate with your audience. They will neither notice nor care if some small aspect of a print differs from the original.
Preparing for the Future of Art Marketing
Here’s how you, as an artist, can stay ahead:
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: Commit to continuous learning through online courses, workshops, and conferences. Stay informed about the latest technological advancements impacting the art industry.
- Experiment and Adapt: Be bold and try new marketing strategies and technologies. Analyze the results and adapt your approach based on what resonates with your audience.
- Build Your Brand: Develop a strong brand identity that reflects your artistic style and values. Consistency is key across all your marketing channels.
- Embrace Technology: Technology is an artist’s friend, not foe. Explore how new tools and platforms can enhance creativity and reach new audiences. However, maintain a healthy balance between technology and traditional artistic practices.
The Art Marketing Evolution: From Hard Skills to Soft Skills
Over the years, I’ve championed various marketing strategies, such as building websites, crafting compelling copywriting, and utilizing effective email marketing campaigns. These “hard skills” form the foundation of a strong art marketing strategy.
However, research on artist behavior revealed a crucial truth: while artists valued this information, dedicating time to learn and implement intricate marketing plans was only sometimes feasible.
I discovered that artists are more likely to create a personalized marketing approach that resonates with them. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The beauty lies in crafting a unique strategy aligned with their styles and preferences.
This realization led me to understand the importance of underlying “soft skills”—self-awareness, storytelling, intentional connection building, and interpersonal communication—that enhance marketing efforts and all aspects of an artist’s life.
The good news is that these soft skills are innate in all of us. To bridge the gap, I’m thrilled to introduce the Artist Advocacy Project, my legacy project inspired by my mother’s lifelong love for art and artists.
The Artist Advocacy Project: Unleash Your Potential
This four-course program will reignite your artistic purpose and fuel your creative fire. The Artist Advocacy Project is your chance to unlock your creative and commercial potential by approaching it uniquely. It happens when you know what you want.
Self-awareness is the greatest gift artists can give themselves!
Barney Davey
You will learn:
- Self-discovery Exercises: Learn how elevated self-awareness, communication skills, and connections can empower you in life and business.
- Enhanced Marketing Skills: Marketing your art for the best results is crucial for building a successful art business. This program equips you with the skills to craft a compelling artist-brand story. You’ll learn the power of storytelling, intentional connection-building, and effective communication to connect with collectors and build a loyal following.
- Strategies for Success: Turning artistic passion into a thriving career requires more than creating great art. This program dives into the practicalities of the art of business. You’ll learn proven techniques for attracting new clients and making contact with exciting commission and exhibition opportunities. Most importantly, experience growing confidence in negotiating your worth.
Storytelling, intentional connections, and articulate awareness are high-level skills that empower you in the business of art. Whatever level you achieve will improve where you are…
Barney Davey
Substantially, if you’re all in and always worthy, no matter what!
The Artist Advocacy Project is more than just a collection of courses. The project teaches artists self-awareness, communication, networking, and storytelling. The experience is a four-course journey to discovering soft skills that open doors to the remarkable advantages only aware and articulate artists enjoy. Soft skills make everything better!
Are You Ready to Unleash Your Potential?
Visit our website today to learn more about the Artist Advocacy Project and enroll in this transformative program. Take advantage of this opportunity to turn your artistic passion into a flourishing career!
Together, let’s make your artistic dreams a reality! ENROLL TODAY. You will be glad you did.