The inimitable Will Eskridge responded to one our articles about AI + fine art business.
“I have used it to streamline my apparel and print (never for my original paintings) descriptions for SEO…overall I don’t see it much different than when photography first came on the scene just before the turn of the 20th century and the portrait painters were understandably up in arms (as many gigs were turned over to photographers) Concept artists for the entertainment industry seem to be taking the biggest hit. Ironically these artists are working on iPads with code-generated brushes, textures, and palettes. What about the Mosaic, Impressionist painting, and pop art painting filters that have been in Adobe Photoshop since 1997?”
He went on to make a great point about the fact that even after all of these things, people still seek out original experiences and fine art. Will can be seen all over the US state of Georgia making murals, and his backyard art parties are legendary. See our feature of Will here and a podcast episode with him here.
The thing that truly made me laugh out loud was the part of his email where Will took the question I asked in one of our previous articles on AI and put it into ChatGPT.
“What is an artist who wants to make a living from their work to do?”
What he got back from ChatGPT was 10 bullet points with a few sentences for each one. It’s all surface level advice that needs a LOT more explanation and personalization from people who are experienced in the fine art business. Here’s a few excerpts with some comments from me.
Develop a Unique Style: Focus on developing a distinctive and recognizable artistic style. A unique approach to traditional mediums can set you apart in a crowded art market, attracting collectors and art enthusiasts who appreciate the authenticity of handmade creations.
Build a Strong Portfolio: Curate a diverse and compelling portfolio that showcases the range and depth of your traditional artistic skills. Ensure that your portfolio reflects your personal voice and the themes that resonate with you.
Suggestions like ‘develop a unique style’ and ‘build a strong portfolio’ are good generic starts. That’s what art school and classes are for, and these things can only happen by putting in years of work and having the bravery to make the work you want to make.
Seek Art Grants and Residencies: Explore opportunities for art grants, residencies, and sponsorships. Many organizations support traditional artists through funding or by providing dedicated time and space for artistic exploration.
ChatGPT suggests seeking out art grants and residencies. It can’t tell you which ones are right for your type of work, or how to successfully apply. We have some articles on how to write artist grants and find artist residencies, but there are literally hundreds of both. It takes work to filter through them and understand how to apply.
Attend Art Conventions and Craft Shows: Participate in art conventions, craft shows, and artisan markets that cater to traditional art forms. These events can attract audiences specifically interested in handmade and traditional artistic expressions.
Should you really ‘explore traditional art marketing’ or ‘attend art conventions and craft shows?’ That depends on which of the five art business models you want to follow, which of course depends on what kind of lifestyle you want to live.
These are all things we cover in How to Sell Your Art Online 101. Class starts on Monday, January 22 and we’d love to see you in class. There’s just six spots left as of this morning.
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