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I'd Rather Be in the Studio! [Paperback]

Alyson B. Stanfield
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)


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Book Description

February 3, 2008
I'd Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion offers practical approaches that help you sell more art and build an art career that lasts. Alyson B. Stanfield, the art-marketing guru behind ArtBizCoach.com, shares self-promotion tools that have enhanced the careers of thousands of artists. You'll learn how to: (1) Introduce yourself as an artist so people want to know more; (2) Nail your artist statement to discover the right words for all of your marketing messages; (3) Expand your mailing list and use it to cultivate collectors; (4) Create marketing materials that outshine the competition; (5) Become a media magnet so buyers come to you; (6) Take advantage of your Web site and blog to build a bigger audience; and much more. It would be great if there were a precise formula for getting your art into galleries, museums and private collections. But every artist's path is different. That's why I'd Rather Be in the Studio! provides easy-to-follow self-promotion practices that help you find your way at any point in your career. Match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of your career.


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alyson B. Stanfield is an artist advocate, workshop leader, and art-marketing consultant who knows all about self-promotion. Labeled an introvert early in life, she has challenged herself many times to come out of her shell in order to lead a rich and rewarding life. And that's what she does with her clients. Alyson has helped thousands of artists develop their careers through her online classes, publications, workshops, and free weekly Art Marketing Action newsletter all available through ArtBizCoach.com. Alyson used the self-promotion tools in I'd Rather Be in the Studio! to launch ArtBizCoach.com. Prior to that, Alyson counseled artists informally throughout her ten years as a museum curator and educator in the Midwest. She wrote this book for the many talented artists who remain professionally unfulfilled because their work is not seen and not purchased. Alyson's mission is to empower artists to say goodbye to excuses and hello to success.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 264 pages
  • Publisher: Pentas Press (February 3, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0974272582
  • ISBN-13: 978-0974272580
  • Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 8.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began consulting with artists informally 18 years ago as part of my position as a museum curator. When I left museums, my old artist-friends continued coming to me for help and advice. Everyone wanted an agent! A little research into that field led me to conclude that I wouldn't be doing artists any favors by doing all of the work for them. Instead, I decided to teach them how.

The neat thing is that almost everything I teach artists to do, I'm doing myself for my business. See? The art business isn't so different from the rest of the world. We all need to know how to promote ourselves and our businesses--online and off. To that end, I keep up with marketing, business, and artworld goings-on.

Here's something else you need to know: My work is deeply affected by my ten years in the art museum. Affected in a good way. Affected in a way that really helps my clients. I have loads of experience working with collectors as well as the general art-viewing public. That means that I know how people interact with art, how they approach it, what they fear, and how we can educate them and alleviate their fears. When you and I work together, I use this knowledge to shape the presentation of your work.

On the off chance that you've read this far, my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in art history, although I started as a painting major. For some reason, I got a kick out of sitting in those dark rooms looking at slides.

My work is inspired by artists I come across every day--in cyberspace and in galleries.

When I'm not in my office, you might catch me hiking in the foothills or in the Rockies; skiing in Crested Butte; cooking; watching the Food Network or an Oklahoma Sooners football game; or gardening. I was born in Great Falls, MT; raised in Oklahoma City, OK; went to undergraduate school in Laramie, WY and Norman, OK (BA in art history); worked in Washington, DC; went to graduate school in Austin, TX (MA in art history); and now happily call Colorado home.

Customer Reviews

Alyson B. Stanfield's book on self-promotion for artists is a true gem. Burnell Yow  |  32 reviewers made a similar statement
Alyson's book is very easy to understand and is very well written. Jean M. Judd  |  21 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Be a Thriving Artist, Not a Starving One February 24, 2008
Format:Paperback
Artists starve because they don't market themselves. And even if a budding artist wanted to promote herself, Where to begin? What to do? Well, says Alyson Stanfield early on, break the spine of this book and start using it - start with a chapter that looks appealing, or deals with your biggest excuse for not advancing your art career. The book's organized around eight common excuses she's heard as an art business coach who's helped several thousand people get out of their studios and get down to the business of self-promotion. This is not about running a business. It's not about how to advertise. It's about defining success for yourself and making a plan that will get you there. It's about organizing your artists' life with routines, writing your artist's statement (this is a biggie), doing newsletters, getting a Web presence, writing a blog, polishing your image, getting out there and letting the world know you're here. Among other things, Ms. Stanfield's intent is to get you back into the studio so you can do what you want to do, which is art. This little book is an enormous tool box, full of detailed how-to's and rich with resources, including - other artist's websites and on-going support at her own website. Taken as a whole, this book is overwhelming - where do I start, what do I do first? Ms. Stanfield deals with "the overwhelm" by saying start with whatever fits best and do a few things at a time. Each chapter ends with a summary (a "no-excuse principle") and a gentle nudge (a "no-excuse action"). Beyond all that, the book's really accessible - the writing's clear and direct and personal and the book's design is gorgeous. It's a very friendly book. Ms. Stanfield wears many hats here - teacher, muse, occasional nag, coach, friend, facilitator - and she wears them well. Do yourself a big favor and buy this book. Better still, use it
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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Basics need updating too... December 16, 2009
Format:Paperback
This book contains basic material for artists to market and self-promote. Something I am very much for...
When I purchased the book nearly one year ago, right away upon reading the chapter on blogging I found a dead link listing. I'd systematically looked up all the links and the [...] link was D.O.A. ( I found an article on their demise). Fortunately a lot of the good sites are long lasting, but some new sites are not mentioned...
*I'd Rather Be in The Studio* was published February 2008, and IMO there should be a second revised and updated version by now for full value for your money...
I gave the book 3 stars primary based on this lack of a second edition and the rather chaotic table of contents in the first edition.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for artists... April 13, 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alyson B. Stanfield's book on self-promotion for artists is a true gem. I've never been so excited by an art marketing book - and I own several different titles. What sets Alyson's book apart from the rest is not only the wealth of ideas, tips and advice - better have that highlighter and Post-It flags handy - but the intelligent and accessible way in which the material is presented. The book's focus is on the eight most frequently expressed excuses from artists about why they don't self-promote. Of those eight, I personally identified with five of them. Alyson tackles each one as the chapters unfold, providing insightful and practical solutions to get on with getting the word out about your art. And her optimistic style is inspiring. I feel like she's right there next to me offering encouragement and suggestions.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars So helpful
Alyson's information is clearly written, and the concepts are articulate. And plain spoken. I always want direct information, not wordy descriptions in reference books, and she's... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Occasional Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Guide
Twenty-plus years ago I was sitting on a wild beach on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, doing what I always did on holiday--drawing the rocks, the waves, the trees. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lee Schiring
5.0 out of 5 stars I'd rather be in the studio
This is a good book to have on hand .There is avice on a lot that you will need for you business.
Published 13 months ago by Delores A. Haberkorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Artists must have this book!
I read this book a while ago and constantly refer to it...it's a treasure of art marketing advice. The title is so appropriate but the problem is an artist cannot hide out in the... Read more
Published on March 22, 2011 by Ann Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
An excellent, excellent book. Well-written by someone who knows what she's talking about. Read it all, and then re-read a chapter every night for the motivation you need in the... Read more
Published on March 20, 2011 by Audrey
5.0 out of 5 stars If you only do one thing for your art, buy this book!!!!!!!
I have been teaching The Business Aspect of Art for about 5 years--at the local level and the national level. Read more
Published on January 20, 2011 by Deborah Fell
5.0 out of 5 stars Read, learn, and sell your art work!
I saw advertisement for a workshop by this author and decided to buy the book instead. What a great book! I learned so much about self promotion. Read more
Published on October 22, 2010 by Kathy
4.0 out of 5 stars I Rather Be in the Studio!
Good book. Well organized and timely. Needs images and examples for reinforcement of ideas. Definitely would recommend this book to other craftspeople.
Published on July 26, 2010 by cedartop
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally worth every penny!
This is one of the best business books I've read and I have read dozens in an attempt learn more. The perspective Alyson puts on the business of art is invaluable for the career... Read more
Published on July 1, 2010 by Josephine Geiger
4.0 out of 5 stars Studio!!
This book is great. Very useful for anyone in the art/creative fields looking to promote themselves.
Published on June 20, 2010 by M. Silva
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