Internet for Artists
Navigating Cyber Space on a Budget – Websites, Blogs and Social Media
Tristina Dietz Elmes
This is the first in a series of articles by encaustic wax and mixed media artist Tristina Dietz
Elmes based on her 3 hour live interactive workshop for emerging and professional artists
about how to economically create and cultivate an effective online presence.
I recognize the chatter of teeth on
fingernails… it’s a subject that elicits
groans from artists universally when I
mention spending time on the computer
marketing myself rather than making the
art that is at the heart of our creative
business.
In 2011 I attended the Community
Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC)
supported “Artist as an Entrepreneur
Institute” training
(http://www.cultureforward.org/Our-Programs/AEI) in Broward County, Florida. The
one lesson from the series that stuck most in my mind was when a local successful
artist, Ceramist Steven Sylvester, shared with the packed room of over 100 creative
attendees that only 30% of his time was spent making art, and the other 70% of his time
was spent marketing his art. The room let out an audible gasp! I have since found
Steven’s words to ring true…
MARKETING OURSELVES
Marketing ourselves as Artists involves many activities including: taking pictures of our
works, editing and sizing them; submitting to local, national, and international
exhibitions; approaching galleries and retail outlets; being charitable by donating works
to worthy causes; going to exhibit and gallery openings; keeping our resume up-to-date;
writing artist statements for each series of paintings; holding studio open houses;