“ IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE?”

I read so much on the Facebook that does make me wonder sometimes what Artists really think is happening. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but sometimes Artists forget that this is a business, its called the Art Business and it really is a business.

In this business paintings are sold for under $50 and some for more than $50million, its all part of the same business.

An Artist contacted me and wanted to ask me if I could help him as he was totally frustrated with the Art Business and he did not know what to do next, we had talked before and I had given him some pointers.

He started to tell me that sales were slow and it was hard to get people to buy and that he blamed the bad economy.

He said he got lots of likes on Facebook but they seldom translated into sales.

He was showing in street Art Fairs and in group shows but people were not buying, they talked to him and those who were interested asked for discounts which upset him and he would get a little angry and then tell them how long it took to paint the paintings and that they were his creative babies and that they were worth the money, of course they did not buy.

I listened as he talked.

He told me Artists deserved a salary and that people should support local Artists, I agreed.

Finally after telling me all the woes of the Art Business and how much materials cost and his costs going up he finally finished with, but I know its the economy and there is nothing I can do, just life.

I thought about what he said, his story was not new and repeated many times to me by Artists.

I looked at him and said,

“ You know the Art Business will not change, it will remain the same mostly, give or take a little.”

“ The economy will not change, it will be more less the same as it always is.”

“ Peoples attitudes will not change, it the way its always been.”

I asked him if he had started to lean to sell and watched all the videos I gave him?

No, he had been very busy.

I asked him if he had written out his goals for his art and his life?

He said I needed to understand that he did not have extra time to do that, he had been very busy.

I asked him if he had begun to work on some of his personal shortfalls, his swearing, his bad attitude, his negative out look, his questionable work habits and his continued education?

He said no, he had not got around to doing it yet, he was very busy.

I said, “You know the Art World will not change, the economy will not change, people will not change, there really is nothing you can do to change them, it will not happen.

There is only one thing in this world that you can change and that is you, but you are to busy.

If you want the world to change then you need to change.”

You see I really believe that being a successful artist is no different than being a successful business person, just different skills in play. But the thing both Artist and Businessman have in common is that they both deal with the same world, same economy, same people, same challenges. The successful person knows that they need to change to improve them selves, build self confidence and to continue to learn new skills, adapt to the times we live in.

I asked these questions of this Artist and I wonder why he does not get it?

Do Artists need to sell their paintings? Yes.

Then why not learn to sell?

People upset you when they do not buy and ask for discounts? Yes.

Why not work on your people skills?

I ask you what do you want to achieve and what are your goals? Not sure.

Why don't you sit down and write them out?

Artists we can all be to busy but if you want success in the Art Business then you are going to have to change and learn some new skills.

If you cannot sell, learn to sell.

Lots of great free material on You Tube and the internet.

Learn to deal with people change and learn new people skills?

Its not hard, it just take some effort.

This Artist told me he was to busy, so I asked if he watched tv and he said, “Yes.”

I said, “ I thought you were to busy but you have time for tv?”

He said he needed to relax and of course everyone watches tv.

I said, “I don't. I have no tv, I am to busy reading and trying to improve my self and my skills.”

You see friends even though I am past 60 years old, I believe I need to have goals, I write them out every day, I need to learn as much as I can if I want to be a continued successful person, the world will not wait or change for me. I need to work on me to be better able to face all the challenges that the Art world can throw at me.

I do not want to wake up one day a tired, complaining old man, it is my desire to continue to improve right up to my last breath. Why? Because that is good for me, I want to change for me and so should you want to change for you, to be a better you?

You can blame the economy for lack of sales if you want, it will not change anything, still no sales?

You can blame the customers for not buying your paintings and how terrible they are, but it will not change anything, still no sales?

Or you can decide to change and be a better person, learn to sell, get good people skills, set goals for your life and read about how to run your Art Business better.

In the end it is up to you?

There are two types of Artists, those who make excuses and complain.

Those who change and set goals and work hard to take them into a successful Art future.

The choice is yours?

I hope I have inspired some, encouraged others and challenged some to change.

Thank you for all your nice emails and comments, it is much appreciated.

Love your paintings, love painting, love yourself.

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.