Archive for the “Art Marketing” Category

Art Biz Coach, Alyson Stanfield, just released a short, but powerful video of affirmations as a tool for artists and craftspeople to use to respond to today’s belt tightening economic climate.  This is an uncertain time period financially and politically that has the potential to play with artist’s psyches in crazy ways and affect pocket books. The video includes a variety of art work in different media and I’m humbled that Alyson asked if she could include an image of a set of my nesting bowls in the video.

When times become difficult, it’s a natural instinct to batten down the hatches and abandon seemingly frivolous pursuits to get a “real job” that offers a steady predictable paycheck.  In my opinion, that is counterintuitive to living a fulfilling life and I think that if what you do is your calling - whether it’s pottery, painting, metal smithing, printmaking, photography - or even accounting, car mechanics, cooking, teaching -  now is the time to make a deeper commitment to yourself and your art (and I write that with respect to all professions - there’s an art to everything). I am not discounting being able to pay your bills, visit a doctor, being able to put food on the table and a roof over your head either; but letting the squirrels run amok in your brain is not the answer.

Rather, now is the time to get inventive to satisfy all needs and wants! I know it’s worth it because I spent 15 years too long in a 17 year career with an airline that strip mined my soul and made me miserable  - all for a steady paycheck and benefits.  The more senior members at the airline called it “the job with the golden handcuffs.”  Ouch.   I have committed myself to my chosen path and I’m so much happier - just ask my family.  My solution to the economic times is to evaluate my market, find ways to save money on supplies, tools and equipment, economize kiln firings, making smaller less expensive work in addition to more experimental work, looking at advertising & marketing message, and even trying to make my work better while not compromising my path or values.

It can be tricky to accomplish, but not impossible.  In some ways, my husband, daughter and I have already accomplished the tough work to weather leaner economic times years ago when I left my job after the events of 9-11.  We’re now planning for the moment when he will voluntarily leave his job to do something else.  It’s exciting and full of endless possibilities.

Another one of my favorite blogs is written by musician and public motivational speaker, Christine Kane - check out this post on whether it’s time to shrink or expand for a bit of inspiration and whose message goes hand in hand with Alyson’s affirmations.

Visit Alyson Stanfield’s website for information on workshops and subscribe to her blog for great tips and information about the business of art, a topic about which artists often learn the hard way.

Meanwhile, I’ll be spending the day glazing work for the Colorado Potters Guild Fall Sale and Show that opens on Thursday evening. I fired my last bisque load yesterday and think that I’m going to glaze everything just in time.

~Cynthia

P.S. It’s come to my attention that a few emails sent to my address sometimes bounce and is returned to the sender as undeliverable. I think I’ve taken care of the problem now, but if you receive a similar message, I can be reached at cynthiaguajardo at gmail.com (substitute @ for at)

Tags: alyson stanfield, artist affirmations, christine kane, colorado potters guild fall sale

A few months ago, I realized that I needed some new cards because my old business cards didn’t even have my email address on them and still sported my old blog url.  The Colorado Potters Guild made the decision to allow members to have business cards available at our fall sale upon request at our last meeting and I got to work.  The CPG was formed more as a coop and has never been keen on promoting individual members work, so this is a new turn of events for our group.

I like the card a lot more than my old one and even changed my Twitter page to match.  I don’t do a whole lot with Twitter, though I suspect that there’s more to it than I realize - another app to occupy my time.

Meanwhile, I’ve become the unofficial web marketing person for the Colorado Potters Guild and designed generic CPG cards for members who either don’t want individual cards or who don’t have the software to design a card.   It matches our website and has pertinent guild info printed on it.   These cards will be included with purchases at our fall sale and available for people to take home for future reference.  I wanted to add next year’s sale dates, but was voted down.

For those of you on Facebook, do you think I should make a separate page for the guild as a marketing tool?

Must run now - going to my daughter’s school Halloween party (the kids start a mini fall break tomorrow and won’t be in school on Halloween),

~Cynthia

Tags: business cards, colorado potter's guild, overnight prints

Last week, Alyson had a short blurb on her blog about updating photos of oneself in action in the studio to add to websites or other marketing materials. I personally enjoy seeing photos of other artist’s at work and of their studios and know that this has been on my to do list for quite some time. My current photo was taken in 2002 while I was still a student at USM - and was taken by a fellow student and photography major, Lisa Emery (a quick search on the web revealed no website or other info). I loved the sepia tones of the image, but it might be time to upload a new one. So yesterday, I enlisted the help of my daughter to snap a few photos of me working on the wheel. So where do you come in? If you have time, please take a look at the photo on my “about” page to see the sepia toned one and the three photos below, and then vote for your favorite. I can tell you that I’m leaning towards the b&w because the background is very busy - but, I’m interested in a general consensus.

Black and white image

Working on pot in color

Looking up from work in color

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Meanwhile, I encourage you to visit AKAR to view the Yunomi Invitational Show and Sale. I tried yesterday when it opened and there were so many people visiting the site that there server crashed. I was a little disappointed today, that many of pieces from my favorite artists have already been sold - especially Cathi Jefferson’s work. I should have been more persistent. Don’t know what a yunomi is? It’s basically a teacup that is taller than wide with a foot - whereas, a tea bowl is wider than tall. There is even some work from some of my favorite ceramic bloggers in the show!

Have a great weekend,

~Cynthia

Tags: action studio photographs, akar, alyson stanfield, yunomi invitational