smART Resources for Artists
I'm often asked for suggestions on where to find things - from business cards, to information on galleries, to the perfect watercolor brush. So I thought I'd share links to some of the resources I use most often - or that have been recommended to me. Remember, though, they're just suggestions. Be sure to check out all offers and programs carefully before you purchase!
To help you find things easily, I've arranged these resources in alphabetical order within three sections:
Great news: Many purchases you make through these links support the annual smART Business Coaching Award - which includes six months of free art career coaching for the winning artist!So please bookmark this page, or add it to your "favorite places." And be sure to check back often, because I'll be updating the resources regularly!
Kathy
Cheap
Joe's Art Stuff
They claim to be "the friendliest
art supply house on earth." And while their art supplies aren't always
the most inexpensive I can find, they do have a great selection, and turn
around orders extremely quickly. Order online, or call their knowledgeable
- and yes, very friendly - phone staff. Sign up for their e-newsletter
which announces incredible sales and bargains.
Dick
Blick Art Materials
These guys have been around
since 1911 - and are now one of the largest art suppliers in the country.
They boast the largest selection of art supplies - and have exceptional
bargains on clearance items. You can shop online, through their catalog,
or at one of their retail stores - now in a dozen states. Online
specials weekly. Check them out.
FREE
Business Cards at VistaPrint
Design
and order your business cards online. There are lots of designs to choose
from, or you can import your own design. Get free cards with the VistaPrint
logo on the back - or pay just $19.99 for 250 premium business cards without
their logo. It's easy, inexpensive, and fast.
FREE
Film Developing at Snapfish
Yes, it does say FREE film
developing. On Snapfish.com you'll also find offers for free prints from
your digital photos ... online photo albums ... and much more. Great
place to get note cards made from your artwork - quickly, and inexpensively.
Check out this site!
Modern
Postcard
Fast, high quality, inexpensive
promo postcards that you can order online. Full-color photo or artwork
(from electronic file, or they'll scan for you) on one side of the card,
black type announcing your event on the back. Mailing and list services
also available. Free marketing e-newsletter..
Abebooks
Great place to find rare
and out of print books - including a huge selection of art and artist books.
Site has a very cool feature called "Book Sleuth": You can post whatever
scanty information you have about a book you're trying to locate - even
if you don't remember the title or author - and see if someone on the "Book
Sleuth" bulletin board knows the information you're missing!
Half.com
Is
there a book, CD, or DVD you'd love to own that's a bit out of your price
range? Check to see if it's for sale at a discount here. Wide
range of items available from individual and retail sellers, in conditions
ranging from "brand new" to "seen better days." Note: Check out seller's
feedback record before you order.
187
Tips for Artists: How to Create a Successful Art Career - and Have
Fun in the Process!, Kathy Gulrich
Yes, this is my book.
And yes, I recommend that you read it - whether you're a new artist who
wants to get off to a great start, or a seasoned artist who's looking for
an extra edge. You'll find down-to-earth, practical artist tips that
will help you become more successful - starting today. (Now also
available at amazon.com)
American
Artist® Magazine
American
Artist focuses on representational and figurative art - including both
inspiration and instruction in many media, from oils to pastel to printmaking.
In the magazine's new "Nuts & Bolts" section, you'll find technical
information - along with business and career advice for artists.
Art
and Fear, David Bayles and Ted Orland
I
love this book! From the back cover, "Art and Fear explores the way
art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of
the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way."
Perfect for visual artists, writers, musicians ... virtually anyone who
creates.
Art
Calendar® Magazine
A
monthly magazine with business, promotion, and marketing articles for visual
artists. Art Calendar's listing of show opportunities is the best
I've found: they do a great job of listing only reputable shows,
and list shows in every state.
Artist's
Magazine
This
magazine is filled with step-by-step presentations in a variety of media
- plus practical, technical advice about tools, materials and techniques.
It's a great source of information for artists - and includes features
and columns on business and career topics, including selling and exhibiting
your artwork.
The
Art Spirit, Robert Henri
Written
for visual artists, but speaks to all artists and creative people. Open
to any page, and you'll find something that seems to be written just to
you. One of my favorite lines: "You can learn much from others, but more
from yourself."
The
Complete Guide to New York Art Galleries, Sixth Edition,
Renee Phillips
Comprehensive listing of
New York galleries, including contact names, address, telephone, fax, email,
websites, hours, artists shown, description of styles and media, artist
selection process, how/when artists should approach the gallery, and more.
Drawing
on the Right Side of the Brain, Betty Edwards
This
new edition celebrates the book's 20th anniversary. Includes 50%
more new material than the original edition, which was already pretty fabulous.
No matter where your drawing is now, it'll be somewhere more interesting
when
you finish this book. Companion workbook
also available.
Living
Deliberately, and ReSurfacing,® both by Harry Palmer
Avatar®
is an extraordinary self-empowerment course created by Harry Palmer.
Living Deliberately tells the story of the discovery and development of
Avatar; ReSurfacing has 30 exercises that will enable you to experience
the power of Avatar for yourself. I highly recommend both books,
and the Avatar Course.
The
Portable Coach: 28 Sure Fire Strategies for Business and Personal Success,
Thomas J. Leonard
Lots
of great ideas, broken down into short, easy-to-digest chapters - each
with exercises and strategies you can put to use immediately to change
your life. Great for anyone (including artists!) ready to change
careers, start a new business, or move to the next level of their current
career.
Seven
Mistakes Artists Make - and How You Can Avoid Them All (Audio CD),
Kathy Gulrich
This
is my brand new Audio CD - created specially for new artists.
This instructional CD is full of practical suggestions and action steps
that will help you turn the most common artist mistakes into your personal
checklist for success. An indispensible guide for artists just starting
out! Learn more, and see what other artists have to say about it
here.
The
Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book: 20 Steps to Success,
Susan Page
This
is a terrific step-by-step guide that can get you from 'notes on a napkin'
to a published book. It's the most comprehensive book on the subject
I've found. Includes a great section that gives the pros and cons
of self-publishing vs. selling to a publisher.
smART
business e-newsletter
Every
month, smART business gives you tips, advice, insights, ideas, and
more - all designed to help you have a more successful art career.
You can read articles from past issues of the
newsletter - or if you're ready to subscribe now,
click
here.
Walk
on Water, Lea Belair
If
you're ready to make a change, this thought-provoking, powerful guide is
for you. Author Lea Belair's helpful distinctions, illustrative case studies,
and practical action steps will guide you on a journey of self-discovery
that will help you thrive in transition. Worth purchasing for Lea's
hand-selected book recommendations alone!
Access
Arts' ArtDeadline.Com
A great source for income
and exhibition opportunities. A searchable database and magazine
that lists local, national and international juried exhibitions, competitions,
grants, art jobs, percent-for-arts, art in public RFP's, festivals, residencies,
internships, & much more.
ArtLex
Art Dictionary
Whenever you bump into an
art term or phrase you're not sure of, ArtLex is the place to head.
You'll find definitions for more than 3,500 terms - along with thousands
of supporting images, pronunciation notes, great quotations, and cross-references.
Check it out!
Avatar®
Mini-Courses - FREE Downloads
Explore one or all of the
five Avatar mini-courses now available for free download: Personal
Integrity, Basic Attention Management, Basic Will, Creating Definition,
and The Forgiveness Option. Developed by Harry Palmer, these mini-courses
focus on experiential exercises that are available for your independent
study. Great stuff!
CafePress
Have you ever wanted to
get your artwork on mugs or t-shirts or calendars, but not want to pay
money up front for production? Head to CafePress, who will do it
all for you - and give you a page on their site where you can sell
your products!
Craigslist
Started in San Francisco
in 1995, Craigslist now has sites for more than 30 cities in the United
States, plus sites for Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and London.
Whether you're looking for a job, a dining room table, or a hot date, chances
are you can find it on Craigslist. All postings are free (except
for job opportunities) - so you never quite know what you'll find.
DrawSketch
This is by far the best
website I've found for free online art instruction. You can search DrawSketch
for literally thousands of free lessons and learning guides - on topics
ranging from figure drawing and landscapes, to anatomy and perspective.
Worth a look.
Modelalisa
The
next best thing to a live model. Modelalisa is a French site that
gives you interactive models that you can download, or order on a CD.
Once you choose a model and pose, you can rotate it left and right (even
up and down) to get just the pose you want. Click on '"Your present"
to get a free sample.
New
York Foundation for the Arts
When
you get to the NYFA home page, click on 'For Artists' and you'll find articles
on the business of art, plus a live helpline (phone assistance for artists;
they'll hook you up with the appropriate organization, if they can).
New York State residents can apply for one of many $7,000 grants.
The
Pauper
This
is a terrific resource for artists of all kinds: visual artists,
actors, writers, and musicians. Head to this site for loads of article
and website resources, and to connect with other artists. And if
you like, take advantage of their offer to show three pieces of your artwork
on their website - at no charge! Check it out.
United
States Copyright Office
Yes,
you can copyright your work by simply writing © along with the year
you created the piece and your name. But unless your work is registered
with the U.S. Library of Congress, you may not be able to prove your copyright
in the event of a legal dispute. This site will tell you everything
you need to know to register your work with the Library of Congress - and
protect your copyright. Downloadable forms available online.
Volunteer
Lawyers for the Arts: New York
This
helpful organization offers free legal advice, plus low and no-cost workshops
and seminars on the business of art.
Volunteer
Lawyers for the Arts: Nationwide
The
St. Louis Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts website offers a wealth
of information for artists (ex: a sample artist-gallery contract),
plus listings of volunteer lawyer organizations for most states.
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