Marketing

In many ways this is the one skill that few artists learn well, yet it is also hugely important to do so. History is full of geniuses who died taking their talent with them to the grave, and often leaving debts and little else. It probably matters little that an artist is poor, but poverty can often prevent creative work being done, after all artists need to pay the rent like everyone else. It is sad when for a lack of appropriate marketing the artist cannot sell enough work to make ends meet or buy art materials. Marketing should start with a Web site. This is the opportunity to maintain a permanent online gallery. Next is to always be preparing for the next exhibition, and if a commercial gallery doesn’t offer a show then rent a space and make a splash anyway. Learn to talk to gallery directors, they are not your enemy, you just have to communicate and be tenacious. Be presentable, no one likes a smelly grot. It is never a mark of genius to be disheveled. Go to openings. It was said that Andy Warhol would go to the opening of a drawer. Networking is important. And most importantly, have good work to back up your claim to a spot in the sun.