Author’s Note: Every Saturday, I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece. Just imagine having a weekly update from your favourite living artist. How cool would that be? (I’m not saying I’m your favourite living artist, but if Jean Dubuffet had a weekly blog, I’d read it! Or if Karla Knight had a Substack, I’d pay to read it.)
If this piece is too long for email, you can read it here in Substack. Or download the app.
It’s been a fairly low-key week in my art world, my daughter has had a funny tummy (feeling better now) and my main, besides her, has been to focus has been on getting my website ready.
Thriving artist business school
True to form, there was a big pitch at the end of the webinar and the price was just shy of £2000. I know it’s worth more than this, but many artists don’t have this kind of money just to spend on a course. Once I learn this stuff, as I said last week, I will support people who don’t have that kind of budget, for free.
I bought Amanda’s eBook for £27; it’s got the high-level overview right there.
For your eyes only, I’ve asked my mate ChatGPT to give a summary of the eBook.
Brief Summary of "How to Build a Highly Profitable Art Business" by Amanda Heath
Introduction
Amanda Heath shares her experience and lessons to help artists achieve their goals through authenticity, passion, and integrity.
1. Get Clear on Your Vision
Define your ideal artist life, set sales targets, and focus on specific work types.
2. How to Stand Out
Identify your unique artistic passions and drivers to ensure cohesive art and messaging.
3. How to Plan
Choose multiple income streams, balance time-intensive and passive streams, and build a value ladder with consistent pricing.
4. How to Shine
Ensure your brand visually represents your values and invest in high-quality photography.
5. How to Connect
Utilize Instagram effectively, build an email list with a lead magnet, and develop a professional website.
6. How to Engage
Identify your Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA) and use emotive language to align with their desires and struggles.
7. How to Sell
Create a comprehensive marketing plan with engaging email sequences and social media content, highlighting the emotional benefits of your art.
Systems to Scale
Implement systems to automate marketing, sales, and customer engagement, using software and templates for streamlined operations.
Additional Resources
Provides further support through the Passion into Profit program, offering guides, templates, expert sessions, and a supportive community.
This guide helps artists streamline processes, enhance marketing strategies, and increase sales and income.
SLART NOTE: Hmmm, I guess a bit too vague. It does go into more detail, and I’ll update you once I implement more of it.
The New SLART Website
I said last week that I would have my site finished by now, but the more I look into it, I don’t want it to be rushed. I’m adding all of my previous artwork which will be sold as museum-quality prints, t-shirts and perhaps other merchandise. The e-commerce part is the biggest part of the site, everything else will be copied over from my existing website, which won’t take very long at all. Maybe 4 hours of focused time.
ADHD?
I’ve always wondered if I have ADHD. I don’t feel particularly hyperactive though, but I have struggled with focusing my attention for the most part.
When I do focus, I really focus and I get loads done, I just need a bit of nudging. You’ve probably heard the quote “The way you do one thing is the way you do everything”, this appears true to me. For example, when I am vacuuming, I don’t vacuum across the floor in a logical order, I get bored with a patch of carpet and I move somewhere else, but I get the carpet vacuumed fully.
In the kitchen, I might be cooking, cleaning and putting things away, and it’s in a weird order. But the food is served hot, the dishes are washed and previous dishes are put away. It’s just not in logical order.
When I paint, I don’t paint orderly, I might start one painting and then move to the next, but I always finish my paintings.
When I work in my day job, I don’t mind having a Todo list to remember what I’m working on, but I don’t usually do things in order. But I still get stuff done.
Who can relate?
Exhibition at The Crypt Gallery
If you’ve been reading my Weekly art practice posts, you’ll notice that I have lots of ideas, but I almost always take some action on them, they might not happen in order, but the ones that I’d like to happen usually do. I’ve been thinking about an exhibition at The Crypt Gallery in London. It’s the perfect venue for a memento mori theme. Once I’ve finished my website I will put some ideas together on a nuanced theme that I can share with my curator.
Watch this space…
Instagram and TikTok
I did schedule some posts earlier this week but then I just decided to delete the apps and not post for a bit. What I have found is that it’s enjoyable for me to create video content, but it’s also distracting me from getting my website ready. Yes, I could create content and schedule for a week at a time, and maybe I will do that, but for now, I’m enjoying not using these apps. I also deleted the Substack app as I use it in the same manner as TikTok and Instagram. Those habits are still there despite the format of the app.
Thank you for joining me in my art practice for this week.
Best wishes,
Don’t be shy! Meet me in the comments and let’s discuss!
Q1. What features do you think make an artist’s website stand out?
Q2. What are your thoughts on investing in high-priced courses like the Thriving Artist Business School? What would you need to know before committing?
Q3. Have you found any particular routines or habits that help you maintain a productive workflow as an artist with ADHD?
Q4. What do you think makes an artist’s brand really stand out?
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