selling art Archives

The Art Biz ep. 13: Find a Niche for Your Art with Maria Brophy

Maria Brophy has served as an art agent to her husband, Drew Brophy, since 2001. Since then she has also helped thousands of other artists plan their careers, increase sales, and negotiate deals. Her experience and secrets are chronicled in her new book, Art Money Success.

I asked Maria what she was most excited about these days, and she gave me a pretty decent list.

I liked #1 on that list: niche markets. Done! Now we can talk.

In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, Maria and I discuss:

What is a niche market?
4 types of niche markets for artists:
1. Style of art
2. Lifestyle
3. Geographic location
4. Purpose
How to find your niche audience.

The Art Biz ep. 13: Find a Niche for Your Art with Maria Brophy Read

A Creative Idea for Unloading Earlier Art

There’s too much art hiding in studios, basements, and garages. If you have a problem with overflowing inventory, especially a lot of earlier art that you aren’t excited about showing, how about finding new homes for that work? At the same time, you’ll create room for new art, support a good cause, and earn income.

A Creative Idea for Unloading Earlier Art Read

©Tomiko Takeda, I Love Being By Your Side. Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches. Used with permission

Why That Prospect Didn’t Buy Your Art

You know the type. She attends your show and tells you what a wonderful artist you are. This makes you feel good. You’re happy for people to connect with your work this way. She comes to the next opening and gushes in a way that makes you blush. She raves repeatedly about your art. I

Why That Prospect Didn’t Buy Your Art Read

Earlier Work Hasn't Sold: What to Do?

You are up to your eyeballs in unsold work!

What you’d really like to do is just get rid of it. It’s taking up your energy and you can’t afford to rent storage just for early work.

Deep Thought: What do you do with early work that hasn’t sold and no one seems to want?

Earlier Work Hasn't Sold: What to Do? Read

Structure a Sale to Unload an Oversized Inventory

How do you get rid of an inventory of reproductions, note cards, calendars, or anything else you no longer want to promote and sell? Have a sale! Here are some parameters for structuring your sale. Count your inventory.

Structure a Sale to Unload an Oversized Inventory Read

When To Give Up On Your Art Business

You have to have thick skin and and iron stomach to endure the rejection and hard work that come with being an artist. Most artists weren’t born with this gene, but many of you have adapted. If you are missing the gene or haven’t been able to adapt to running an art business, there is no reason to feel like a failure.

When To Give Up On Your Art Business Read

Jenny Wilson's fine art studio in Denver

Art Marketing Tip: Share, Don’t Sell

If you are struggling with the thought of marketing your art – if it seems unnatural to you – I’m going to relieve some of the pressure for you right now.

Stop thinking about selling so much!

You don’t have to be a salesperson or do anything that isn’t natural. All you have to be is confident in your work and enthusiastic about sharing it with others.

You have to believe that what you have is of value to others, even if the value is pure delight.

Selling Suggests Pressure

Think of all the anxiety around sales and selling:

Art Marketing Tip: Share, Don’t Sell Read

What Papa Taught Me About Selling Art from the Trunk of His Car

Papa didn’t care for any art other than his own and didn’t know the “rules” of the art world. Heck, he didn’t even know there was an art world! Getting into a gallery never entered his thoughts. He just drove around with a trunk full of sculptures to show to people.

What Papa Taught Me About Selling Art from the Trunk of His Car Read

Ripping Through the Veils of Illusion Around Online Art Marketplaces

To plunge into the Web’s round-the-clock marketplace is both daunting and compelling. It’s delicious to imagine prodigious sales allowing you to “Quit Your Day Job” so you can ship hoards of orders in your Dr. Denton’s and then glide into your studio to make more.

Ripping Through the Veils of Illusion Around Online Art Marketplaces Read

Is Your Art a Product?

Product is a slippery word for many artists to embrace. Deep Thought Thursday: Is art a product? Is your art a product? If not, how is it different from a product?

Is Your Art a Product? Read