Gwenn Seemel on Art Marketing

So, Gwenn Seemel wrote a book on art marketing, and it’s awesome. I sat down with Gwenn to talk about it a couple of weeks ago, and now I’m sharing that interview with her.

We’ve interviewed Gwenn for the blog before, but this time we got into more detail about how Gwenn has made a living from her art for the past 10 years. Enjoy!

Why this book matters – 1:30

Gwenn has made a living from her art for 10 years. Some artists give her a hard time about that. This book is Gwenn’s response to those people. (I don’t understand why anyone would give her a hard time either – Gwenn is adorable!)

Why market your art at all? – 3:10

So you can sell more art so you can make more art, duh! But Gwenn goes a little bit deeper.

Marketing is a creative exercise – 6:30

Marketing is communication, which we all know is frequently irrational and always emotional. Perfect for the creative mind. Learn the rules, then break them!

How the genesis of your art is your marketing message – 7:30

Gwenn’s art emerges from things that she is passionate about. She’s good at talking about her art. Most artists are not, so watch and learn!

Think about your art from an outsider’s perspective – 10:25

Want to be a good marketer and a good conversationalist? Learn to think like others and get outside your own point of view. Art creates conversations and ask questions – this is a strength!

How do you get started marketing your art if you’re a beginner? – 14:30

Gwenn has done this multiple times. She knows how to take a series from concept to creation to market. She’s really good at it and gives good insight into how to get started.

Why context is king – 17:20

It’s not just about showing off your art – it’s also about understanding the physical and emotional context in which your art is presented. Also, Jackson Pollack was a CIA tool. Really.

Once again, you can get Gwenn’s book here.