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Contact: Alyson B. Stanfield
(o)303.273.5904
alyson@artbizcoach.com
http://www.idratherbeinthestudio.com
Artists Can be Tricky
It's Up to You (the Artist's Patron) to Make Sure They
Get Out of the Studio and Share Their Art with the World
by Alyson B. Stanfield
Artists, you might not want to listen to this. I know you would rather be in the studio than anywhere else. But you know (at least I hope you do) that no one is going to see your art if you stay locked up in your studio with it. You have to get out of the studio and share your art with the world.
So, I'm really talking to the friends and family of artists. It's up to them to devise all kinds of sneaky ways to get out out of your studio. To all friends and family of artists: Below are some ideas to tempt your artists out the door.
- Mention the 75% off sale at the art supply store. It doesn’t matter what supplies are on sale. It’s a sale and it’s art supplies. They’ll leave the studio to buy them!
- Guarantee you’ll write a brilliant artist statement for her if she’d only get out of the studio. Trust me. Your artist will do almost anything to avoid having to write a single word for public consumption.
- Leave a trail of Reese’s Pieces from the front door. Hey, it worked for ET!
- If your artist has committed to giving a gallery talk, offer to give the talk in his place in exchange for his attendance in the audience. This is effective because artists are no different from anyone else in their fear of public speaking. In 1967, Allen Midgette pretended to be Andy Warhol on a four-campus college tour. When asked why Midgette was sent in his place, Warhol said, “because I don't really have much to say, he was better than I am . . .”
- Remind your artist that the Abstract Expressionists met outside of their studios often—at The Cedar Tavern in New York. (Perhaps your artist would appreciate stimulating conversation and a cocktail.) And the Impressionists were all about being outside of their studios and capturing a rapidly changing modern life. Imagine what more these artists of the past could have accomplished if they had been loaded with caffeine from the Starbucks on every corner?
- Promise food. Any kind of food will do, but comfort food is the best. I suggest macaroni and cheese, French fries, and chocolate. Aren’t those the basic food groups?
- Blast loud, obnoxious music outside the windows of your artist’s studio. The definition of “obnoxious,” of course, depends on the artist in question. When U.S. troops invaded Panama in 1989, they blasted rock music show for days hoping to offend the ears of Manuel Noriega enough to force him from his compound. Your artist might be more offended by Barry Manilow, Britney Spears, or The Chipmunks.
- Imagine you’re back in the dorms and pull the fire alarm. (Not one I’m recommending.)
Your attempts to lure your artist out of the studio may be met with resistance at first. Later, I promise, you’ll receive nothing but gratitude from your artist. Congratulate yourself for a job well done!
Alyson B. Stanfield is the author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self Promotion, which helps artists avoid the Top 5 Mistakes.
I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion
by Alyson B. Stanfield
ISBN 978-0-9742725-8-0 264 pages printed on 100% recycled paper
Trade Soft Cover
$24.95 U.S.
Published by Pentas Press
Publication date: February 3, 2008
For photos, articles, and more information visit the media room or contact the author at alyson@artbizcoach.com or 303.273.5904.