natasha
Natasha is a contemporary artist, illustrator, entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast living and working in Michigan. More about Natasha: www.wescoatfineart.com. www.twitter.com/natasha
Homepage: http://www.natashawescoat.com
Expanding Your Art Expertise: 4 Ways To Use Your Talents
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on November 1, 2012
In my latest blog, I’ve discussed the importance of expanding your art beyond the work itself. Not only for your own personal evolution as an artist, but in a financial aspect. Everything has it’s seasons and sometimes business slows down for work. I notice for myself, the typical seasonal slow downs are holidays, back to school and summer time. Everyone is off on vacation, away from home or busy dealing with the juggling of school plays or sports practice.
For some artists, taking a break is great. For the rest of us, we need to find other ways to make money. And while our goal is to create other automatic streams of income by art licensing, we should consider our potential in working on creative projects that aren’t entirely related to our fine art.
For example, doing projects in design, mural art, teaching an art class to kids or adults and even helping put on events for other artists is an example of things we could do outside our typical work.
KEY is to find ways to make money when the art isn’t selling or sales slow down.
5 Ways To Use Your Talents: Read the rest of this entry »
Pinterest For Artists: 5 Creative Ways To Share Your Work
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on January 20, 2012
by Natasha Wescoat
The newest craze in social networking is the highly attractive and addictive Pinterest. Drawing artists, designers, jewelers and other creatives, it’s a fun place to compile your favorite things, pictures you love or sharing dream ideas. Immediately, when I was introduced to it, I couldn’t understand why you would want to use this site. It reminded me alot of the popular fashion bookmark networks and we already had Facebook to share our obsessions. Why use Pinterest?
This is where it gets interesting…
1. It’s completely visual. Sharing and communicating with picture is it’s angle.
2. Demographic serves well for creatives and a buying crowd.
3. It’s newness means less spam, less noise.
PINTEREST IS PERFECT FOR ARTISTS!
Artist Guide: When to invest and when to request
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on October 3, 2011
In the unconventional and risky world of art lie several different levels and types of industry. Regardless of whether you are an Illustrator catering to an online audience or a fine plein air artist selling in local coffee shops, these rules should apply. Many ask how opportunities like art events, shows or press are handled in your career. When you’re new, how does it work? and when you’re established what is done or not done?
You never EVER sell yourself short or be taken advantage of.
This is a dog-eat-dog world but you know you have to pay your bills. But dues have to be paid where they are due.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE ART INDUSTRY
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Am I networking with others in the industry?
2. Am I investing time and money to attend industry events?
3. Am I willing to give away time and money for my career?
Click here to read the rest of When To Invest and When to Request…
Artist Guide: Practicing Detachment From Your Work
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on September 20, 2011
Emotional engagement with a painting. I tend to have this problem. It can create a foggy mind. A sense of no direction. I become listless and worrisome. All I can think about is that work.
Like veteran Abstract painter, Thomas Nozkowski, I find myself glued to a piece after I’ve finished it. I can’t let go of the idea, and I find myself going back to the piece over and over to fix parts here and there.
The idea becomes an obsession, and unless someone takes it from me, or I willingly let go of it, I’d probably be working on that piece for months. I always think there’s more to the idea or that I haven’t expressed it truly perfectly enough yet. I find myself still obsessing over particular paintings 5 years later, in the hands of a collector. I’m almost tempted to call them and ask if I can come over and work on it just a little more.
What’s a very powerful key of being an Artist can go nuclear.
Click here to read the rest of “Artist Guide: Practicing Detachment From Your Work”…
Artist Guide: Tell The Story
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on October 27, 2010
We forget sometimes that there is an art to presenting the work as well.
What is the story behind a painting?
What motivates you everyday to create?
Where are your personal interests?
People want to know these things. It gives spirit to your art. It helps them envision, imagine and understand. It empowers some to envision their own ideas.
How will you tell your story? How will you write the story of your art?
Sharing on the web is a magical way to share the journey with your collectors. In bits and pieces or epic blog tales. You can decide how much or how little you share, the color of your story or even if it shall be a fictional nom de brush tale (personas) or a vivid, personal experience of your real life.
5 WAYS TO TELL YOUR TALES THROUGH SOCIAL TOOLS Read the rest of this entry »
Artist Guide: The Hustle
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on August 24, 2010
A lot of the time that I’m working, I will spend a good majority of that time working on “The Hustle”.
What does that mean?
It’s dedication of time towards the promotion of your work and for making connections. I am asked alot, ”How do you get your licensing deals?” or ”How do you know this person?” “Where are you meeting these companies?”
You may not realize that one of the most important parts of your work as an artist or a freelance creative is in ”The Hustle”.
WHAT “THE HUSTLE” IS
- Making cold calls
- Getting referrences from contacts and customers
- Researching companies and entities
- Creating opportunities
- Sending pitches/proposals to potential clients
DETERMINE WHAT YOUR GOALS ARE FIRST
- Do you want a licensing deal?
- Are you looking to collaborate with other artists?
- Do you want to build a relationship with certain people?
- Do you want to have your art put up in a gallery, cafe, restaurant, etc?
- Do you have an idea you want to create?
Mobile Studio: Supplies for a nomad artist
Posted in Uncategorized on January 11, 2010
by Natasha Wescoat
In 2009, I took on the path of exploration and travel, connecting with others in the web-business/technology industry as well as venturing into opportunities that would open up for my art. In so doing, I’d learned many ways of supporting my work while on the road. Read more of Mobile Studio: Supplies for a nomad artist…
Artist Guide: Being a Career Artist
Posted in artistguide, Business of Art on September 6, 2009
by Natasha Wescoat
SO SEXY…
You could say being an artist is provocative, risque, adventurous and I’d have to agree with you. Those flash in the pan successes, feast or famine moments and a fly by the seat of your pants lifestyle tends to be a part of the whole being an artist thing. One moment, you are experiencing the time of your life, the next moment you wonder if you’re on the street the in the morning. Your job requires that you feel, express yourself, use your imagination and create something that comes from that. Though formal schooling definitely helps propel your talents, it cannot help you imagine. It doesn’t give you passion. It cannot teach you how to ‘be’.
You are, inside, entirely and completely an artist. It’s a part of YOU.
We’re like rebels without a cause. We follow our emotions rather than logic, make heavy decisions based on dreams vs reality.
Having an art career therefore is like a contractiction. Being in this “sexy” vocation and adding the term career to it makes all sorts of complications. You have to logically weigh the pros and cons of your decisions, weigh out financial issues and deal with things outside your creative mindset. Being a career artist isn’t as easy as simply being an artist. Taking your personal gift and monetizing on that is one of the most difficult and harrowing experiences one could have.
[Continue reading ‘Sexy Isn’t Easy: Being a Career Artist’]
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Artist Guide: The Unique Vision of A Creator
Posted in artistguide on August 11, 2009
(above) Natasha Goes Pop! series
SOME MAGIC
There is something about the creation of art that baffles others. I’ve often heard from friends and strangers alike how, when looking at a piece of work seems to humble them. They find it such a miracle that a human can create something out of nothing like that. Whether it be sculpture, a painting, or a machine. It’s fascinating to them, because they can’t envision what the process must be like. Some people can doodle. Some people can put together an engine.
But few can SEE something that’s not there. Read more »
Artist Guide: Not Taking Risks Is Foolish
Posted in artistguide on July 28, 2009
by Natasha Wescoat of NatashaWescoat.com
When you think of risk taking, you can see some person throwing all their money into an idea, losing their job, their family, their “riches” and ending up on the streets. Risk taking shouldn’t equal foolishness. Planning is part of risk taking. Planning and risk taking can work together. I explain how many of us artists make it work in the online world, amidst a struggling economy and evolving web. I explain how NOT taking risks is FOOLISH…
BUSINESS SHOULD BE REACTIONARY
I was watching a video by Gary Vaynerchuk (WineLibrary.tv) about how too many entrepreneurs try to plan out and predict the future and in turn continually lose out. I see business owners base their moves, their actions on what it may or may not do for them. They obsess over whether it will work or not, and miss out on the possibilities their ideas and businesses could bring out.
It reminds me of a topic I’ve wanted to discuss for so long on how an artist/creative business should go about promoting and selling their work.
How do I do it?
I don’t ask questions.
I don’t research for months before I try something.
I don’t wait.
Read the rest of this entry »
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