Comments on: Thriving as an artist in a rural market

By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 00:30:21 +0000

Suzanne: I’m glad you can accommodate both the in-person and online followers. Sounds like you have it under control.

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By: Suzanne Kleese-Stamps

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 22:46:25 +0000

I live in a rural/suburban county in GA. I am part of an organization where we coordinate an open studio tour of artists in a tri-county area. It’s a way for our art community to connect to the people in our small towns as well as draw in others from major cities nearby. We hold this tour each year in November and the number of visitors is growing big! This year, we’re encouraging visitors to wear a mask and social distance within the studios, but we’re also going to hold an on-line virtual tour and shop in December. We encourage our artists to collect names and emails of our visitors each year and have compiled a very large email marketing list to stay in touch with tour goers. It’s free and open to the public – and lots of fun for artists, and visitors too!

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By: Susi Schuele

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:40:00 +0000

In reply to Susi Schuele.

Muppets??? Shame on you auto correct. That should have said more of my market! ????

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By: Susi Schuele

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:38:20 +0000

Victoria Pendragon. Victoria, I face the same. I live in rural Wisconsin just outside Milwaukee. There is one local art council in this area and I am a member - even volunteering to help with their website. But I, too, am an abstract only artist. My work is also very vibrantly colored. This area leans heavily toward more traditional art and the "shabby chic" or "rustic" (and we won't even discuss Packers, deer hunting, beer or cheese ????). I share my art wherever possible and although received well, it does only sell to a very select few. I also did very well with a private viewing in my home where 3 pieces went to their appreciative forever homes. I'm online in every possible space I can be but sales rarely happen there. I've participated in exhibitions in neighboring towns where I thought there would be more if muppets market, but still I think they search for small, inexpensive trinket type items and not big wood fine art pieces. But I never stop creating or loving what I do. (The empty spaces in my house are quickly filling ????) I always look for great venues elsewhere. I'm reading "I'd Rather Be In The Studio" right now and getting great advice here on this blog that will propel me forward. At this time in my life, doing what I love is the most important thing. ]]>

By: Robin Edmundson

Sun, 05 Mar 2017 20:50:54 +0000

In reply to Christine Porter.

Christine – thanks for your responses here. I appreciate your enthusiasm and optimism. I love your approach. I’m inspired.

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By: Debbie

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 22:41:34 +0000

Lovely. Thanks for sharing your celebrations Christine, and I love that you made it all so personal. It sounds like the love event helps builds your email list. Do you do that others ways as well, and if so, what is most successful for you? Thanks,

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By: Debbie

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 22:35:35 +0000

In reply to Angeline Marie.

Angeline; I love your idea of event making… and an online event… what are you thinking to show? and how? Love to hear more when it evolves…

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By: Christine Porter

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 22:31:50 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Thankyou Alyson ( sorry about the misspelling of your name in my post). I think that my success has to do with how enthusiastic I am about my work and the journey. People want to be there for it. Some of the sparkle rubs off.
Yes, I am lucky that sales happen for me, but my work as a limited market – just like abstract or conceptual works does. It’s not that I paint “Australiana” for the market. I paint for ME. Then I take it to the marketplace. I can’t show my work in big contemporary spaces, or apply for grants to do with new work or attempt to win prizes in the cities. So I talk to my friends, they talk to theirs. I’m happy making the artwork, and enthusiastic. That’s what pays off for me.

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By: Linda Ursin

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 21:04:29 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

It could be better as far as sales go, but I’m working on that 🙂 I’ve made lots of good connections and I’m building relationships with my target people.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 17:24:38 +0000

In reply to Christine Porter.

Christine: This sounds lovely! Good work. And I love those figures you gave us. Not at all surprised that personal invitations pay off. I always recommend them.

I suspect much of your success has to do with your subject matter. Would you say so?

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