A few years back when I started this blog I never had the notion that it would ever be anything more than a hobby. It began as a simple information outlet for a  webzine I was running at the time. That webzine is now moth balled but this blog remains. And the more I worked at the blog and the more I learned about everything relating to blogs and blogging the more I liked it. Out of that a passion for blogs, specifically WordPress blogs, grew. I can understand how to many people the idea of having a passion for blogging is odd. Thankful passions are not something we need to justify.

Exactly a year ago I left the security of a full time job to pursue a life of writing. I know at my core I am a writer but I did not know exactly what that life would look like because writers come in many forms. And mind you this was just a week or two before the economic meltdown hit the news. I choose to leave my job, I was not laid off. At first it seemed like horrible timing because I was venturing out on my own during a historic recession. In hind sight though I am thankful that things played out the way they did. If I was at my job when the economy tanked I probably would have hung on to it out of fear of the poor economic climate and not begun the adventure that I’ve been on the past year.

I’ve kept myself and my family afloat this past year by being a wordslinger for hire. Using my skills and my pen to do what ever writing related work I could find. And I am thankful that for a year I have managed to survive. Even while having to endure unexpected auto repairs and very high medical bills the freelance adventure continues.

Through this year I’ve also been working on developing Art Palaver more. Because at the end of the day of all the projects and creative endeavors I have going this site is the one I care about the most. Recently I had a story come through my pen about chasing mountain tops. (Find it here.) That story helped me to gain a sharper focus and a stronger drive for Art Palaver.

I am writing this post today to tell you that I am going for it. I am going to pursue my passion of being a full time professional blogger right here at Art Palaver.

What does that mean?

Good question. Bottom line it means that I must generate income from this site. Before you say anything I want to tell you that does not mean Art Palaver is going to be full of ads. I like the clean and simple look of Art Palaver so I am not going to muck it up with ads hoping for nickels when people click on something. What it does mean is that I am going to start rolling out products and services of my own here on Art Palaver.

My passion for Art Palaver comes from my passion for creativity and my belief that creativity is very important, that it is what makes us human, and we would all be a lot better off if more people worked on their own creativity. It is because of that belief that I started to work with artists of all types in helping them sustain themselves through their craft. So far it has been mostly on the local level but through this site I will be able to help many more artists no matter where they are located.

Going full time with Art Palaver means there will be more posts. It means the site will evolve faster when it comes to design and function. It means I will be available more to answer your questions and reply to your emails. It means more podcasts and videos. It means it will get better and we will all learn a lot more. It means new adventures and new friends. It means a lot to me to be able to write this post to you. I am thankful to be in a place where I can go for it.

So please join me on this adventure that is Art Palaver. Together we can learn a lot, we can go to amazing places, and most of all live very creative lives.

Thank you,

Join Me On The Adventure Of Art Palaver is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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The blog “The Tools Artists Use,” is showing us just what tools other artists use. The bulk of the blog is interviews with artists that focus on the instruments they use to create their art.

The blog was started by Bill Turner who was inspired by the Comic Tools blog and the book An Illustrated Life.

“With the Comic Tools weblog now focusing more on comic art tutorials, I felt that a site focusing on what’s used in creating art was missing. Plus, I want to include artists of all kinds and not just comic artists. I’m always curious what types of pens or paints or paper that other artists are using to create their art. Whether the artist is a self-taught notebook doodler or a RISD-trained professional illustrator, the process of creating art fascinates me.”

If you too are curious about the tools other artists use head over to http://thetoolsartistsuse.com/ and satisfy your curiosity. You can also contribute your own interview to the site by clicking here.

What are the tools other artists use? is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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Albert Einstein

There is a pretty well known quote from Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” These past couple weeks I’ve had some conversations with artists that make me wonder if they are going insane. They continue to manage their art business the same way they did in months past and wonder why they are not getting the same results.

Things have changed. The economy has everyone a little freaked out and wondering about the future. Many artists have been directly effected by the change in the economic weather. I’ve heard many a complaint about how the phone is not ringing and sales are drying up. But what I don’t see is artists adapting to meet the challenges of the economy.

What ever worked six months ago probably will not work today. I can’t tell you what changes you need to make. Each artist has their own unique economy to work in. Take a look at your business and evaluate everything from pricing, marketing, resources, and everything in between.

But what ever you do change. Adapt. Survive. And always live to create.

Don’t go insane!

Are You Insane? is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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1. Turn it up a notch. When times are lean it becomes survival of the fittest. This is a good time to focus on your skills and be more intentional about being a better artist. By focusing on improving your art you will be moving towards setting yourself apart from other artists. You’ll stand out in the crowd.

2. Kick over more rocks. Think about what is important to you. Is it more important to be making art in any form, or to stick to your guns and make only the art you want to make? Are there commissions you’ve passed up in the past due to your artistic integrity? Now may be the time to reconsider them. And now is the time to seek creative work in places. Craigslist is a good place to start.

3. Maximize Internet marketing. The web is full of free tools you can use to promote yourself and your art. Whether it be MySpace, Facebook, Deviant, or your own blog, commit time each day to using these tools to get your art out there. Sit down and draw up a strategy for doing this. These options only cost you your time and can be a very powerful way to sell your art.

4. Get out in the world. Get your portfolio in order and head out into the world and show to anybody who will look at it. There are restaurants, coffee shops, bars, office buildings, government buildings, and of course galleries looking for local artists to decorate their walls. Do they know you? Have they seen your work?

5. Don’t watch/listen to the news. Taking in too much of the media can be paralyzing. Hearing about the job losses, foreclosures, and bankruptcies can foster a "why bother" mentality. Don’t buy it. Put on the blinders and keep working and keep going for it. Discover your own reality and draw your own conclusions.

I wish I had a magic formula for you. A tried and true way to prosper as an artist and to continue doing what you love to do. I can only offer suggestions and ideas. And I am know there are better ideas out there. What are they? What are you doing as an artist in these tough times? Tell me about it.

Making Art In Tough Times is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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Colorado high school students with more access to art courses did better at reading, writing and science, regardless of their ethnicity or socioeconomic status, according to the study funded by the Colorado Council on the Arts.

Denver Post

Too bad schools have constantly had to cut funding for art programs in recent decades. 53% of high school students do not take art courses. Maybe this study will be the beginning of change in our public schools.

See also:

• Educators say art education improves test scores
• Art and Education 2008 Study

More Art Is Needed In Public Schools is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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Have you dreamed of being a famous artist? While your alive? It has been done. And it can be a good way to make a living. This post is part of a series of posts discussing artists and fame. What defines fame for the artist living in 2008? Is fame a good goal? How can an artist become famous? Please join the conversation as we discuss fame for the 21st Century artist.

My last post in this series mentioned how a blog can be a tool for internet fame. One of the blog examples that I cited was Skull-A-Day, which is written by Noah Scalin. It is a blog that is just what the title suggests. Starting in June 2007 Noah began posting a skull he had made each day, he did this for one year. Now the blog posts skulls made by its readers. Simple. And it is a subject that some might find strange. But it is working for Mr. Scalin.

Skull-A-Day got a book deal. The blog to book is happening more and more these days. The book has gotten Scalin even more attention, including an article in The New Yorker. Which I am sure helped him pick up a few more fans.

His blog also won a Webby this past year. A Webby is a lot like the Academy Awards for the internet. Skull-A-Day won People’s Voice Award for Best Personal Web Site. The fact that Skull-A-Day won the award based on the People’s Voice demonstrates that Noah has built quite a fan base from his simple blog.

And oddly enough an artist who used a blog to publish a skull he made each day for a year is finding himself on the Martha Stewart Show. You read that right. No matter what you think of her Martha Stewart has a huge following and I am sure Noah is going to pick up some more fans after his show airs. Further building on his fame as an artist. (By the way the episode with Mr. Scalin airs October 10th if you want to tune in.)

The root of all this is a blog. A free blog at that. Noah uses Blogger which is completely free. And based on his web address Noah has kept using the free version even though he has gotten all this attention. So you can throw the excuse of cost out the window if that has been holding you back. If a guy using a free blog platform to post a skull a day can land himself an appearance on the Martha Stewart show I am sure there is hope for the rest of us.

Check out this video of Mr. Noah Scalin:

• Post One in this series: Do You Want To Be Famous?
• Post Two in this series: The Internet Famous Artist

Speaking Of Fame And Art | Skull-A-Day is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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This post is part of the discussion "How Do I Price My Art?" A common question for any new artist working in any medium. Often it is the last thought given to the idea of selling art. Here we are going to bring up some ideas and some ways on how an artist new to selling art can begin to price their art.

These days a lot of artists find their first opportunity to sell their art in places other than galleries. Coffee shops, restaurants, spas, doctor’s offices are becoming more and more common places to find art. And the wall that your art hangs on with its "For Sale" sign effects the price.

People do not walk into a coffee shop thinking about buying art. Coffee is the first thing on their mind. And that is why they are willing to pay $4 or $5 for some espresso diluted with steamed milk. And the next thing on the list after coffee is usual socialize or check my email. But while they do those things they just might notice the art on the wall.

But even if they notice the art and like the art most likely they are not in art buying mode. Art for the average person is a big purchase. And big purchases require forethought. Which is something people often have when walking into an art gallery.

And hopefully the shop or restaurant is not taking as high a percentage as an art gallery. Use that to make your art within reach of the patrons. It is a simple fact that art on a gallery wall has more value than art on the walls of a coffee shop. Price accordingly.

The experience is always good though. And those venues are great places to learn from when working toward gallery representation. And there is always the possibility that a gallery will notice your work in a restaurant and want to represent you. If you can get your art in front of the public it is a good thing. After all that is one of the reasons you created it isn’t it?

What do you think? What has been your experience selling art in non traditional locations?

Where Will Your Art Be Sold? is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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It is based on this feedback that I have shifted the focus of Art Palaver to the global art community. But I still desire to be a part of the Fort Collins art scene and continue to help it prosper. That is why I have switched the format of ZAF622 to a blog.

Having ZAF622 as a blog will allow me to update you on things happening in and around Fort Collins in relation to art and artists. And you will still find interviews with Fort Collins artists. So if your in Fort Collins and your looking for the content this blog used to carry you can now find it here.

But maybe you read your blogs using a blog reader. You can subscribe to ZAF622′s RSS feed right here.

Or subscribe you email address and receive ZAF622 updates right in your inbox. Do that here.

Hope to see you over there.

Dear Fort Collins Reader is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

Related posts:

1. Lessons Learned In Attempting To Foster An Art Town

"I will click on this link right now and read the article on goal setting."

Say those words to yourself, click the link, and bam! you’ve accomplished a goal. Doesn’t it feel good?

And while your there take a look around Mysterious Flame. Mr. Blackman has a lot of good things to say.

Mysterious Flame On Goal Setting For Artists is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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The web site www.sitepoint.com is offering a little of that help. For a limited The Photoshop Anthology is available for free download. The ebook is a tutorial on Photoshop for web designers but even if your not a web designing Photoshop user the book is worth the price for any Photoshop user.

According to Sitepoint we have 99designs to thank for the book.

So "Thank You" 99designs.

Free 278 Page Photoshop Book is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

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As you may have noticed the posts have slowed down a bit as of late. It is about time I told you about that. I’ve been working hard under the hood of Art Palaver and also ZAF622. It is taking more time and effort than I expected. I hope in the end though both endeavors are better.

First let us talk about Art Palaver. Art Palaver grew out of my ZAF622 Project which is a webzine dedicated to the artists and art of Fort Collins Colorado. And I have kept the primary focus of Art Palaver on Fort Collins and art close to home. Based on my audience I have decided to change the focus of Art Palaver.

This blog will no longer be focused solely on Fort Collins Colorado. Art Palaver will now be taking aim at what it means to be an artist living in the 21st Century. How does an artist do what they do living in the Internet Age? How does new technology and social trends effect artists? How can artists use these new tools for self promotion and career growth? How can artists connect and learn from other artists these days? Questions like these will be asked from here on out in the posts of Art Palaver.

My goal is in the very title of this blog. I want to have a discussion about art. I want to build a community of artists around this site. I want to connect people. I want to help artists. That is the bottom line.

But I am not abandoning my beloved Fort Collins. ZAF622 will be the place that I continue my focus on the art in the community I live in. That site is undergoing a complete rebuild as well. The mission for ZAF622 is the same though, to meet artists and tell their story.

Thank you everyone who has supported Art Palaver and ZAF622. It is very much appreciated. And very much needed.

I’ll see you in the future,

Keeping You Informed is a post from: Art Palaver The Artist Marketing Resource.

Related posts:

1. Lessons Learned In Attempting To Foster An Art Town