sharing some links on art and business

For a while now I've been doing some serious thinking, research and reading about the business of being an artist. I've shared some of my thinking about this here, here and earlier here. Today I thought I'd share some of what I've been listening to and reading lately about business and art. I hope you'll find something interesting and useful among the links.

I recently listened to this interview with Lisa Congdon and this one with Crystal Moody. Although very different, both offered lots to think about and plenty of inspiration, too. Both of those sites, Smart Creative Women and The Abundant Artist are great resources for information and inspiration if you feel like poking around a bit.

Have you been following along with all the changes going on with Etsy? The site is always changing and evolving. The most recent change is that they are going public (NPR has a good article on that here). With each of Etsy's changes there is always a flurry of discussion among the Etsy sellers. Some people threaten to leave Etsy. Some do leave. I'm not 100% sure what I think about all of it. I read an interesting post about different measures of success on Etsy and it brought up some very good points about the benefits of Etsy that aren't usually talked about. Do you sell on Etsy? What are your thoughts?

My friend Jaime has put together some helpful information for artists who are just getting started selling their work. It's hard to know where to get started and it's great that she's created this list. She is a wonderful resource herself. So helpful and generous with her experience. I love getting glimpses into her garden and her studio, too.

Do you know the work of Stephanie Ryan? Last month she wrote a post on her blog about her evolving brand. Branding is such a complex topic and there are so many ways of going about creating and developing a brand. I like getting a glimpse into an artist's thinking behind what they're doing, whether it be creating a painting or developing their brand.

Not too long ago I found the Elle & Co. blog when I was bouncing around Pinterest. Every time I visit I learn something new or come away with some food for thought. Her site is very clean, bright and easy to navigate and her posts are straightforward and informative without being dull. If you're at all interested in blogging, design or branding, go take a look.

Finally, although I have been trying to streamline and focus and weed out anything that might distract me from painting, the other day I saw that Creativebug has cut their subscription rate in half. Now it will cost only $4.95 a month for unlimited access to their classes. I cancelled my subscription as spring rolled into summer last year and I was spending more time in the garden, but each month I was tempted to start up again as they announced their new classes. This month I don't think I'll be able to resist any longer (hello, fabric design!):



What about you? What have you discovered lately?

Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing so much. I get so overwhelmed with all the options for artists.

    That's so funny. I'm going to sign up for Creativebug too. I was drawn in by Yao Cheng's beautiful paintings and then I noticed they reduced the subscription price. 5 dollars is not bad at all. While I think the Craftsy (knitting at least) classes are better I do like the aesthetics of Creativebug. Those knit socks and Easter baskets look so cute too.

    Now I'm off to look at all your links. Have a great day. :)

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    1. Yes, I was intrigued by Yao Cheng's paintings. Just love all those colors! Plus I'd like to take Lisa Congdon's sketchbook class and the calligraphy class, too. I haven't tried any of the knitting classes on either site, but I would like to eventually learn to knit... those socks look great.

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  2. I just wrote a whole heap of stuff before I realised I hadn't logged in! Anyway, I'm off to explore all the lovely links you have provided. Have a lovely creative week Anne. :-)

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    1. Oh no, sorry your comment got lost. So frustrating!

      I hope you found something interesting in the links! And I hope you have a lovely, creative week, Simone!

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  3. Hi Anne! This is a wonderful roundup of ideas to expand our thinking on what it means to be an artist online. There are so many facets to starting an art project or even an art business and the sheer number of online resources can be overwhelming. Thank you for sharing the ones you found meaningful. I'm have a membership with Creativebug and I'm loving Yao Cheng's beautiful watercolor arts. Lisa Congdon has a couple of wonderful drawing classes too. Thanks again for sharing your research!

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    1. Yep, Yao Cheng's watercolors are lovely. Her style is so different from mine that I think it could be fun to take her classes and just play with color. Just watching her is fun, too! I've been eying Lisa Congdon's sketchbook class and it looks like it would be fun. And there's a calligraphy class that I'd like to try, too.

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  4. Thank you for all the interesting links.
    I will wait and see what happens with Etsy. At the moment I'm quite happy there and had some good sales. But I certainly have to come up with a plan B eventually.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Carola! I'm glad Etsy has been good for you. I guess it's always good to have a plan B.

      Hope you have a lovely week!

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  5. Imagine my surprise as I'm reading your post and thinking to myself wow! Anne and I are really on the same wavelength today... hahaha and then I see MY name and a link. Thank you for the kind reference to my site and blog. I just added a bunch on that page today! I keep remembering great sites I visit or get newsletters for and finding new and promising apps. I'm glad to share.

    As far as Etsy goes, my first thought is well it is a business not a non-profit but I also think to myself how much money does one really need? I'm not terribly materialistic, okay I'm a hoarder but I pride myself in repurposing and the thrift stores and junk pick ups haha! But seriously it seems greed is the national pastime with businesses these days.

    Just like you and I discussed, I think each artist has to try things out to see what really resonates with them and fits their style of learning. This Creative Bug promo just gets your juices flowing though doesn't it?! I think fabric design would be so fun! I can never find fabric that I like. My tastes and style never seems to coincide with what is popular or available it seems. Have you seen where I think it's Cafe Press offers fabric in your own art now?

    You've listed a lot here that I've not fully checked into so I have got some snooping to do myself. There just aren't enough hours in the day, that's for sure!

    Thanks again for the shout out!

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    1. :)

      Your comment, "how much money does one really need" makes me think of the movie Holiday. It's an old b&w Cary Grant movie and in it he falls in love with the daughter of a super rich business man. He's talking with the father and says something like, "I've never wanted too much money" and the father responds, "too much money?" in this disgusted shocked way as if there is no such thing as too much money. I guess for some people that's the case.

      I didn't know about Cafe Press and fabric, but I love Spoonflower. They print wallpaper and gift wrap of your own designs as well as their fabric. I had some swatches printed to test out my designs, but I need to refine my designs before I print more. I was happy with how their printers reproduced my colors.

      You are right about there not being enough hours in the day!

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  6. Thanks for sharing my post with your readers! I'm glad it was a bit of a refreshing take on everything for you.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by my blog, Danielle. Really enjoying reading yours.

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