This was the third in this library program series that I attended with Joyce. She spoke about various famous artists and their work, as well as her own experiences. Next, she educated us about the ways artists make money from selling their work.
First, Joyce repeated her quote: “as we think, we become,” and reminded us that “actions will follow thoughts.” She said that Theo Van Gogh supported his brother Vincent’s art. She mentioned the book Dear Theo by Irving Stone. This also reminded me of when I read the YA book Vincent & Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman. It makes me want to give that one a re-read. It was also apparently made into a movie, upon further research.
Joyce then spoke about the artist Salvador Dali who loved getting money for his art. One of his famous paintings, which I happen to love, is called The Persistence of Memory” (the one with all the clocks). It’s just so odd and cool to me because they look like they’re melting.
Marc Chagall was a painter who blended this sense of purpose and his spirituality with his art. He made stained glass and murals. I love the quote that Joyce shared from Alexander Calder: “Above all, art should be fun.” I went to this talk, even though I don’t really plan on selling any of my current art. Who knows? Maybe I will in the future.
Joyce told us how Jackson Pollock’s wife, Lee Krasner, promoted his art. Pollock had the highest selling painting at $8,000 which was really great because it was before 1950. Lee Krasner faced sexism, being called “Mrs. Pollock,” and never promoted herself when Pollock was alive. Lee then created the Pollock-Krasner Foundation through Pollock’s estate, and gave back once she could. You can visit it at PKF.org.
Yayoi Kusama was a very interesting artist to me, because she was a Japanese artist who dealt with mental health issues, and saw dots. She then created most of her art with dots. She’s also met with sexism and racism. A male artist copied her and got three times the money and got very famous for it. However, in the 1980s, she was the highest selling female artist at the time. She’s also known for doing a collaboration with Louis Vuitton.
Alma Thomas was an African American woman who did the painting “Resurrection” in 1966. She started her career in her late 60s. She has a one-woman show at the Whitney Museum at the age of 81.
Here are some ways for artists to make money from their art:
-Have an art rep who can sell your work to collectors
-Get public commissions/grants with the state/locality
-Ask for help to approach or negotiate with people
-Artists have a second job a lot of the time such as being a teacher/professor of art
Art Galleries
-Commercial
-Artist-run gallery (co-op)
-Vanity gallery
-Exhibition spaces (non-profit)
Exhibition Spaces
-Restaurants
-Community centers
-Libraries
-Etsy
-Social media
-Studio visits
Marketing
-Email list
-Website
-Social Media
-Networking
-Word of mouth
-Printed materials
-Advertising
-Art rep
-Document/photograph your work
-Artist statement
-Resume/CV
Agreement With Gallery
-Get it in writing
-Read it carefully
Hire a lawyer when needed
-Get it signed!
Two last inspiring quotes from Joyce:
“Art can transform great pain into great prosperity.”
“You don’t have to be a trained artist to sell art!”
Michelle’s Bookish Life 