2014 was an impressive year for growth. As I was sitting down to do my yearly review, I realized that over 1600 artists have paid for courses here at this website. That’s a lot of people!
Coming up in 2015, things are going to get even bigger. The momentum in the art world is shifting toward artists who no longer want to be beholden to art galleries and instead want to be creative entrepreneurs, making art on their own terms and developing relationships with their own collectors. It’s a powerful paradigm.
I’m having more and more conversations with artists who have been successful with galleries who are dissatisfied with their arrangement. Artists have alway struggled with giving galleries a 50% commission, but the gallery always had the relationship with the collectors and so the artist was dependent on them. It has been possible for years now for artists to go direct to collector, and as more collectors become not only comfortable with the idea, but enthusiastic about buying directly from the artist, things are slipping every so gradually in favor of the artist.
Coming up in 2015, there’s a lot of really great stuff, and I wanted to throw all of it in this post to let you know what to expect.
Couchsurfing Across Europe – maybe with you?
Many of you know that I spent July – December in France. It was a great experience. I learned a lot at the various museums and got to meet a handful of local artists. I’m in Ireland now, until the beginning of February.
One thing I definitely have not done enough of is meet more European artists. I’ve been so focused on seeing the sites that I think I’ve missed a golden opportunity to meet some of you. To that end, here’s an idea that I had.
My wife and I would love to come crash in your spare room/cabin/couch for a night or two. We can chat, get to know each other a little better, and you can introduce me to some of your artist friends in whatever part of Europe you’re in. If I’m crashing at your place, I’m also happy to provide an hour of business guidance in payment for the room.
We already have some travel tentatively planned, so here’s the schedule. If you can accommodate us in Europe during that time, please let me know by email.
Schedule:
– Amsterdam Feb 8 – 11
– A mis-mash of Berlin, Prague, Rome/Florence. Feb 13 – March 1. We’re open to any of these cities or places close by them.
– Morocco – March 2 – 9
– London/UK – March 10 – 17
When I get back to the States, a similar plan is afoot, to go along with the new book, which brings me to my next point…
The Book Deal.
Many of you have asked me about the book deal. I mentioned it on Facebook and a previous email. The details in the contract are still being worked out, so I can’t announce too much yet – but rest assured that I will definitely be letting you know when I can. The book will likely come out in early 2016.
The Success of the TAA Community
Of the 1600+ people who’ve paid for courses here at TAA, I think I’ve done a very poor job of highlighting the success stories. One of my focuses for 2015 is to bring forward artists from the TAA community who are succeeding. You can read about Michael or Angela, of course. Here’s a blurb from our next upcoming case study.
“I made 2.5 times more in the second half of 2014 than I did in the first half. Thats a big difference. Personally i have found ways to write about my own artwork that don’t make me cringe which is great. I also feel more connected to my customers because they know more of my story, its fulfilling for me in a way that I didn’t expect.” – Adam Hall
Our first live session of the year started this week. We’ve got some artists who are doing phenomenal work, including a guy who sold 300+ pieces of art in the last 6 months, and a woman with 100,000+ video views on Youtube. We’re going to do some fun stuff in this tiny, focused group.
Several of the artists who applied for this advanced session had some questions about what the right course was for them. I’m working on a customer journey plan that will help you figure this out, but here’s a tentative guide.
I Want One-on-One, Focused Attention On My Art Business, and I have a budget for help. I’m generating a full time income and want to do more, or I have a good-paying day job but I want to escape it and go full time as an artist. I have a website, have an inventory of 15 – 30 paintings that work as a series, and I have at least 10 hours per week to devote to my art business. You’re a perfect candidate for one-on-one coaching.
I’m An Artist Who Has Sold a Few Pieces, but Not Consistently. I don’t have a website, or I have one that isn’t very good, and I’m not really sure how to talk about my art and my unique value. I’m doing social media, but it’s not generating the kind of sales I’d like to have. Here’s the course: Content Marketing for Artists. It’s our flagship course, covers all of those topics, and gets you access to our private mastermind group.
I Want to Take a Class, but I’m Not Sure I Can Trust TAA/I Don’t Have Much Cash. Our courses on selling through Facebook and Instagram are very affordable.
THANK YOU!!
2014 was a great year, but I can already tell that 2015 is going to be ever-so-much-better-er. Seriously.
For what was initially a lark project that I didn’t take seriously, TAA has turned into something much bigger than I originally envisioned. Helping other people succeed is my life now. That’s amazing.
I have the privilege of seeing a TON of amazing art. Seriously, I have like 100+ emails in my inbox right now from various artists all over the world. You people are inventive, original, talented, and dedicated! Thank you for sharing your vision with the world.
If it weren’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have this amazing business. I think I might have a crush. Like, on all of you.
Hi Cory,
What is your email so we can send you info on places for your family to stay?
Thanks,
Susie Cassens
Susie – you can reach me at cory@theabundantartist.com
Exciting stuff, Cory!
I agree that the middle man (in this case, the gallery system) is being less and less of a factor, and we’re seeing a similar vibe across many creative industries.
Which does indeed leave artists with the conundrum of providing “the other half” of the business. Thanks for all you do to develop artists’ ability to be their own boss and earn more doing what they love!
Thanks Mike. It’s a fun business and fun time to be doing it!
Hi Cory, welcome to London 🙂 by all means come and stay , knowing you are just down the road in Paris I’ve wanted to invite you ( even thought of doing a flat swap) but thought you might find the idea …let’s say ‘creepy’ … So yes you are most welcome to our humble abode. Best wishes Maggie
Thanks Maggie – I’ll be in touch!
We have a little guest house beside our old ferry house on the IJssel River in Zwolle just over an hour from Amsterdam. You and your wife are more than welcome as long as you don’t mind bird song and breathtaking sunsets.
Hi, Cory, what a great idea to do some couch surfing through Europe. You and your wife are very welcome to stay a few nights in my guest room in Amsterdam SouthEast (Bijlmermeer) from Feb 8 – 11. Not only do you have very easy access by public transport to the city center (a 20′ ride by metro, they go about every 7′) – but it would give you the opportunity to explore the Bijlmer, a unique, but less touristic part of Amsterdam with a rich and interesting social history 😉 . I would love to welcome you, and even if you would not stay with me, it would be great to meet you and your wife somehow, while you are in Amsterdam!
Hi there Steppeland – AWESOME! I’ll be in touch directly.
I clicked the link to the michael whitlark story and i was really struck by the similarities of our stories. The way he writes about overcoming fear and how he learned to respect his own artwork and share his story could have been written by me. Except i think he wrote it better. That fear is a part of me too, and i really connected to the way he overcame it.
You two do indeed have similar stories. Interesting. It’s almost like there’s a repeatable pattern to becoming a successful artist…
Love the idea of your visit. Know that you are in Europe for a while but if you do the same thing in the U.S., count me in. I live in Santa Fe the third largest art capital in the U.S.
I’ll definitely be making it to Santa Fe in late 2015/early 2016, so stay tuned!
Cory you and TAA Rock! I would have to say you were my starting point about a year and a bit ago in gathering info on how the heck to start my website and get selling! I am slowly growing my empire of love and creativity and getting that out to the world and I think I had mentioned to you before that you are definitely a part of that path! So thank you from my heart and I look forward to more great stuff from you and yours! If I lived in Europe you guys could definitely come hang your hat here!
Wow Cory, this site has really taken off. I guess I better get to painting this year and see about some of that coaching ;). I’m planning to definitely get more creative this year! I love the couch surfing through Europe idea and it looks like you have great invites coming your way. Wishing you great success in 2015 and can’t wait to hear more about the book!!
I’ll be here any time Crystal!
Cory, if you are on future travels to Australia, you have a bed in Sydney to crash =)
Enjoy Europe – so much fun ahead of you =)
Cheers
Sally
ooh…Australia! Thanks Sally.
2014 may be good for you but for me it has been a disastrous, humiliating and embarrassing.
I have lost interest in art. Before going online I have a little hope and if my art was not selling but it was being appreciated at least but 2014 has been traumatic for me. It is God who has always been on my side and saved me but one negative headed lady has have been trying her best to compel me take extreme step but I’ll never forgive her.
When you are in the US…..come and stay with me!!!! I’d love to host you and your wife!!! It would be an honor!!!
Cory,
I love it all!
You should look up Stephanie Levy (creativity coach, teacher, artist) while in Berlin, and Koosje Koone in Amsterdam (one of the co-founders of Sketchbook Skool.)
Have a blast and enjoy the wilds of Ireland!
I have to say that the sunshine must be agreeing with you Cory. You look happy in that photo above. How fun and exciting to be doing all the traveling with your wife and getting to meet and talk with so many artists. I look forward to hearing about all the couch surfing tales. Make sure to include a bit of LifeStyle info and pics in your normal TAA posts. Can’t wait for the book to come out! If you ever find yourself in southwestern Indiana, I’ve got a room for you and your better half 😉
~Jaime