Customer Reviews

How to Make Money as an Artist: The 7 Winning Strategies of Successful Fine Artists

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's no secret that if you're an artist (or do anything of an "artsy" inclination) that, sadly enough, sometimes what you're selling has little to do with your product (err, art) but rather your package (that would be you). I think most of the advice given in here is common sense, like you need to market yourself and act professionally. I also believe that this book could benefit from the use of anecdotes -- I would like to hear some stories of successful fine artists. Now for the specifics. The author's gems of advice for your resume are "Don't set your resume on a typewriter" (yes! a typewriter! I checked to make sure that this book was really published in the year 2000 and indeed it was) and "Use serif type. This is the most important advice you will ever get about typography..." He then goes on to state that the reason that print media often uses serif type is because it is "easier" to read -- right here is where the author starts losing credibility because usability studies have shown that actually sans serif fonts are the ones easiest to read. But no, he claims that sans serif is good only for "art directors and graphic designers" -- and naturally, no self-respecting artiste would want to be confused with a designer now, would they?! Another point of contention (out of many) is that he is a proponent of artists using free website hosting services such as Compuserve or making use of your space on AOL. I don't know if anything would scream "I am an amateur hack" then having your "professional" website hosted on Geocities, complete with annoying pop-ups. I'm sorry but to make your sale and complete your marketing package, you've got to be professional, and professionals are willing to shell out a little money to get something that looks like you've got it together. Another favorite piece of advice is that the artist should chop up color photocopies (or something printed from your all-in-one home fax machine/copier -- horrors!) to create business cards. Believe me, I know that artists are on a tight budget and all, but again, that is not the image you want to be projecting. Lastly, if you are an aspiring artist and did not get your BFA/MFA in Art, and have never had a gallery show in your life, this book is not going to help you break into the business in any way.

Aside from these nit-picky details, there is the fact that this is ostensibly a book about making money. But really it's not. Essentially an artist is an entrepreneur, and any basic business book is going to tell you that to have a successful business, you will need a business plan, some sort of way of tracking your finances/expenditures, profit loss statements etc. How else will you even know what is making money and working for you? I know it's unsexy as hell but any smart and savvy artist would need to know these basics if they really want to make it (it's a pity that they rarely mention this reality in school). I would recommend that you steer clear of this book and check out some really basic entrepreneurial books with an accounting bent instead. And pick up a couple of basic graphic design ones too to understand how to put together a compelling marketing package.

I've been raking the bookstores in search of all the information I can find regarding the subject of making a living as an artist. I've already read through two excellent books:
"How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist" AND
"Taking the Leap: Building a Career As a Visual Artist"

Both of those books had a wealth of information, and although they overlapped in some areas, they both brought their own perspectives, tips, and information to the table - and a lot of it at that. This book, "How to Make Money as an Artist" is a much thinner book, and only seems to overview a lot of key topics. I found the book too lightly skimmed the surface of many important issues that really do require a more in depth review.

I personally wouldn't recommend this book because I think you can get a lot more out of the other two books I suggested. If you only need a little guidance, and don't have a good grasp of the basics and common sense, this might be a place to start.

If you are a college freshman, this book may be useful. For anyone who is out of school, there are many better books available. One that has some depth is How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist. How do I know? I purchased both at the same time.

How to Make Money as an Artist is an easy-to-use guide for the working artist. It presents a series of simple everyday steps that will help any artist overcome the popular notion that success in art is an all-or-nothing roll of the dice and to move up into a broad middle ground where most professional artists live, work and make money. In addition to his over thirty years as a painter, Sean Moore's background as an advertising art director, graphic designer, and director of marketing provides tips and clear budget-conscious directions for creating your own graphic business cards, ads, and smart-looking brochures to promote and sell your art. Straightforward instruction on how to get in shows, how to get in galleries and join arts clubs, how to ready your artwork for showing and how to do your own basic public relations for those showings. Excellent both as a starter kit for the emerging artist as well as an oft-needed jump-start for the experienced hand.

Well here I am again off and traveling. I have my handy kindle with me and about 50 books. With 10 to 12 hour flights one much have something to do, for me it is reading. I love the variety I can download and the various subject. Ok, so I have my favorites and yes I give them and other good authors five stars, I don't waste my time giving negative feedback as it is so useless, like grandma use to say, if you don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all. I have to agree, it is far too easy to be negative. I find the positive more healthy and human, and so you will see me giving 5 stars but I am so super critical that when I give it, it means they are worthy of five stars. As a member of two very healthy book clubs with over 100 members each, I pass on good book and authors, read on, read on, enjoy. Here are a few books I highly recommend: The Boy He Loved - Obsession Into Darkness (Gay Suspense), From Boys to Men (Gay Classic), From Boys To Men - Revision By Hector Vance (Gay Romance), My Gay Socks (Gay Romance)and The Crane & Pelican (Gay Romance).

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago. I haven't read any other titles about making money at art but I found that this one has a lot of good tips in it and it's an easy read. I really liked the part about building your own website. My only dislike is that all the links/resources at the back of the book is for American artists. I think they should have included resources for Canadian artists too.

As an student of art, I found "How To Make Money As An Artist" highly informative. I will definitely use the book as a useful and needed reference. Mr. Moore's sound, artful insights are practical, his advice is based on successful experience and his book is written in a refreshingly readable and natural style. I particularly appreciated his motivating and respectful tone; one from an artist to his fellow artists. I could relate to this writer.

I take issue with a person who wrote that artists would do better buying a book on how to start up a small business. I question whether the reviewer is, in fact, an artist at all because clearly, he or she misses the point. Artists, like all professionals, relate to their own kind. Mr. Moore's expertise as a successful artist is directed at, and appeals to, artists who, like all of humankind, learn best from their contemporaries.

Any one can open a mutual fund. It takes a special sense to impart the nuanced wisdom that Artist Moore has done for his colleagues so masterfully in this book.