Leslie Saeta Fine Art
  • Home
  • Abstract Paintings
  • Project Runway Collection
  • About Me
  • Interior Designers
  • Artists Helping Artists
    • AHA Hosts
    • Submit AHA Show Topic
    • AHA FORUM
  • My 100 Year Old Home

the everyday life of a working artist

What Do You Struggle With Most?

6/7/2017

21 Comments

 
Picture
One of the things I would like to do more on this blog is to provide guidance to make your lives easier as an artist. But the only way I can do that is with your help. I need to know what you would like me to talk about! What do you struggle most with as an artist? Is it finding your audience? Is it marketing your art or perhaps even finding motivation to paint? 

My background is in marketing so I am hoping that will be the main focus. If not then I will try to find the answer to help in the best way I can!

If you don't mind sharing then please leave a comment here on this blog post. I promise to start answering your comments right away.

​Thanks.
The Easiest Way to Create a Website. Weebly.com
21 Comments
Fran Decker link
6/7/2017 03:29:31 am

I've been selling my art for 17 years. I own a gallery, frangipanigallery.com. I have a website frandecker.com. I'm on Facebook and Pinterest. I did give up outdoor art shows, too much work. My sales have been declining for the past few years. Please help me find a new audience and new customers.

Reply
Chris Callen
6/7/2017 03:32:20 am

I'm an automotive artist that struggles with finding my audience. I get a nice comments but no commissions or sales.

Reply
Linda D'Elia link
6/7/2017 04:39:01 am

Hi Leslie, I've learned a ton from AHA about art marketing, but am struggling to find my market. I know from what I have sold (commissioned children's portraits) it's been mostly grandparents. I'm on Facebook and Instagram and have but now buttons on my website for non-commissioned work. So you hit the nail on the head with your question.

Reply
Margaret Horvat link
6/7/2017 05:37:18 am

Marketing and gaining a wider buying audience for my art is my main focus and would love to hear more ideas and strategies about that. I've listened most of your AHA shows - please keep up the good work!

Reply
Sue Furrow link
6/7/2017 05:37:33 am

finding my audience and marketing have always been my problem. As soon as I have $200.00 I am planning to get a critique from you. I'm also planning to do some FB Ads.
Thanks, Sue

Reply
Bobbi Heath link
6/7/2017 05:42:29 am

Hi Leslie, thanks so much for asking this question. I got so much out of your art marketing bootcamp, now I have a new brand, a new website, a wider scope for my blog, and a new focus for my painting. What I'm struggling with is creating differentiated content for my blog, Facebook, and Instagram on a daily/weekly basis. I don't like it when I see exactly the same thing on all three from one artist, so I'm trying not to do that. I seem to be able to do the blog and FB, or the blog and Instagram, but doing all three is escaping me at the moment. I'd love some strategies on this. - Thanks, Bobbi

Reply
J. D. Fields link
6/7/2017 05:49:56 am

My biggest problem is finding a audience to see my work? I am on FB, Instagram, G+, blogs I am in the art assoc gallery and I also have a FB group page to sell my work with no luck. With all that I guess you can say I lack marketing skills.

I get discouraged and frustrated but I still continuing creating my art for the love of it.

Reply
Nicole Belval link
6/7/2017 05:15:48 pm

I feel the very same way, I feel like I'm doing all the things you are "supposed" to do, but I'm missing something!

Reply
See Kirkham link
6/7/2017 05:51:20 am

How to fine sources to direct your marketing towards art collectors, designers and specific markets?

Reply
Susan Owens link
6/7/2017 06:12:40 am

I need to step off the cliff and really market myself. I have gotten myself to this point with a few sales along the way but nothing consistent. I want to be looking at sales every month. Right now I have what I consider to be a consistent body of work, a website, and post regularly on Facebook, Instagram. I post some on Pinterest and Twitter. I have yet to get gallery representation, which is one of my goals. The other to work with art consultants. I just brought 18 paintings home from a show at a new retirement community that got zero exposure after six weeks. Critiques, suggestions, action steps are all welcome.

Reply
Maureen link
6/7/2017 06:39:33 am

Dear Leslie
I struggle with the legal aspect of selling my artwork. I am afraid someone might find a way to sue me just to get at my wallet. Aren't you afraid to give people your address, or to show your beautiful house on line? The person who sells my prints in NC (I live in CT) suggested all his artists have legal representation just in case someone does something stupid with our artwork. Thats why I don't even have a web site!

Reply
Jo Reimer link
6/7/2017 06:47:01 am

How did you begin marketing to interior designers?

Reply
Vpmaguire link
6/7/2017 07:09:26 am

Marketing, galleries or direct.
Not happy w website. Considering weebly... love to blog.
But whatever platform, I want support available.

Leslie, you do a fabulous job with all of your offering information. A joyful spirit that is so willing to share.

Reply
nina wickman
6/7/2017 07:54:14 am

are you going to do a class in cape cod this fall??????

Reply
Kristen Dukat link
6/7/2017 08:41:27 am

I remember you have touched on liscensing and commercial markets in the past but I'd be interested in specific markets such as hotels or beach rental home decor for marketing art. 😀

Reply
Nicole Belval link
6/7/2017 08:41:58 am

Finding the right audience is a challenge. I do primarily pet and wildlife paintings, I've targeted audiences via Facebook and instagram paid ads. I've gotten a couple of page likes and that has been the extent of the response I've received. Finding animal lovers is one thing, but finding animal lovers that are interested in buying my art seems a bit more challenging.
Love your blog and the podcast btw, I'm always going back and listening to my favorites for inspiration or marketing ideas.

Reply
Donna Pierce Clark link
6/7/2017 10:14:09 am

Yep! Marketing!

Reply
Fred Lunger link
6/8/2017 07:34:10 am

Leslie,
Thanks for everything you do, I know that I and probably the rest of the art world appreciates your insight. Two thoughts for your blog. 1st) I know that you are extremely busy, why not get some guest bloggers, and/or create links to other bloggers you frequent. 2) post little helpful hints. You had mentioned on the podcast about Instagram about sharing the work of others. But unlike facebook, I haven't been able to figure it out. The directions I have found, is to take a screen shot and repost, but if you know of a better way, it would be much appreciated.

Reply
Kristen Dukat link
6/8/2017 08:34:14 am

I agree Fred! Guest bloggers would be great! But it would be more time for Leslie to read all submissions?

Reply
Karen Alderson link
6/10/2017 08:35:10 am

I'm not a lover of doing marketing or of social media preferring to write a blog about the process of making. I've realised that I'm not an artist who wants to sell their work, the whole thing of finding galleries and displaying work is excruciating. I would much rather focus and write about the intricate details of realising work, the process of research and thought processes. How could I use my passion for this to help others. I'm interested in a more examined life and a slow way to do it than be stupidly busy. Social media just seems to be information overload and distraction from what really matters.

Reply
Sandra Bacon
2/18/2018 03:26:19 pm

Leslie, I just discovered you and your website today, 2/18/18, through my introduction to Negative Painting Addicted. From artists' work found there, I found your 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge. I retired teaching visual art in 2015, and have been experimenting with different mediums to find a favorite...I love aspects of them all! During this time different people have asked me if I would sell my work. Friends are encouraging me to create prints and other items to sell. As exciting and wonderful as this attention is, I am being pushed into an area about which I have very little knowledge. I have looked at other artists' work and their prices are all different. I'm in limbo as to know if I am pricing my work too high or too low. Too high, total embarrassment. Too low...I'd find more joy giving it away, which is usually what I end up doing. When I started cruising through your site and blog (how many hours ago?), I thought maybe you could point me in the right direction. Thank you in advance for any light shed!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Leslie
    Mom. Wife. Artist. Marketer. Teacher. Radio Show Host.

    Archives

    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    30 In 30
    Blog Advice You Definitely Need
    Cool Stuff You Can't Live Without
    Getting Organized ... There Is Hope
    I Am Addicted To Fixer Upper
    It's All About The Art
    Marketing Advice You Probably Need
    Marketing Advice You Really Need
    Marketing Boot Camp
    Project Runway Challenge

    RSS Feed

    My Favorite Things

    The Easiest Way to Create a Website. Weebly.com
    Picture
    New 150x150 banner-2
    www.dickblick.com
    CLICK.BUY. CREATE. Shop Michaels.com today!
    Picture
    Some of my posts contain affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for full disclosure.
Leslie Saeta
email me
website
415.213.2646
  • Home
  • Abstract Paintings
  • Project Runway Collection
  • About Me
  • Interior Designers
  • Artists Helping Artists
    • AHA Hosts
    • Submit AHA Show Topic
    • AHA FORUM
  • My 100 Year Old Home