How to Build an Art Career in One Year

Building your business brand -- help for creative people

2012-01-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

If you are a creative person you are probably a Jack or Jill-of–all-trades . . . and master of many.

For artists and entrepreneurs, the world is full of shiny new things. We are curious, multifaceted, changeable and full of future potential. We tend to jump right in and lead with our hearts.

And this is a beautiful thing ...

Unless like me, and you need a better business brand.

Wondering what a brand is?

It is not just your logo, your business name or the colors you use.

“A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” Seth Godin

For creative people -- the operative word is “set”.

To build a solid business brand we must tease out a unique and particular “set” of expectations -- memories, stories and relationships -- from all that we are and do.

We must create a true (not phony) story about ourselves, make it the Reader’s Digest condensed version and stick with it.

Our story must be powerful enough to compel a consumer to choose us over another and it must be crystal clear.

Our potential consumers have rich, complicated and busy lives also. They aren’t our best friends or closest family. They don't have the time or inclination to know ALL of who we are.

Most importantly, we can't expect them to sort out the puzzle of what we can do for them -- for which they would be willing to pay us money!

I can know and teach this, but it is a case of “do what I say, not what I do.”

I love making art and am eager to try all mediums. I have a passion for art marketing, writing, art therapy, psychology, and creating magnificent art events. I love consulting one-on-one with artists, business people and am branching into non-profits. I am fascinated by technology, new ideas, start ups and social media marketing. I have a couple degrees and a couple of almost degrees. I am a mom and a grandmother. I love music, big cities, travel, hiking -- and the list goes on and on. (See how boring and confusing this is!)

The world is just too exciting for me. I want to do it all!

When someone asks me what I DO, however, I have a hard time coming up with a single succinct statement (better known as an elevator speech*.)

And that’s not good for business.

Last year I created a "Building your Brand Worksheet" and tested it with the social media marketing groups I facilitated.

It’s one simple page with easy questions and it is surprisingly accurate at helping people zero in on what story they wanted tell business-wise. It can also give you some clarity about what you want to leave out of your brand story.

You can download and print it here.

Use this worksheet individually or in a group. Doing this worksheet with a group is especially useful because others can validate (or challenge) your results.

With a group you can brainstorm logos, bodies of work, website specifics, mission statements, blog titles etc. -- all based on your results from the worksheet.

Download and print it here. (I suggest not reading the bottom line until you have filled in all the questions.)

It's a start!

Give it a try and let me know what you come up with.

*An elevator speech is a 15-30 second presentation of who you are, what you do and why someone should use your product or service -- all in the time you would typically have with a person during an elevator ride.

How art can change your life

2011-08-06T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of me with my new painting -- "Flying Fish."

I purchased this painting, created by a 16 year-old boy named Jordan, at "On the Veranda", the annual art show and benefit for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County. The CAC provides services for sexually abused children - one of which is a mentoring program using art in healing.

I met the young artist at the show – a likeable, fresh-faced, confident young man. I am not privy to his story, but knew that some tragedy in his life had brought him there.

I had heard about “Flying Fish” a couple of weeks ago on the CAC blog, “Change is Possible . . . Healing Through Art.” Michelle Wilson, author of the blog and the CAC Development Director, described it this way: “Fish flying through the air, defying gravity, defying the “rules” of order and expected behavior.”

She quoted Jordan as saying, “They are free. They are free to do whatever they want. You don’t expect them to fly, but they are free.”

Michelle also wrote: “I hope whoever ends up with that on a wall at home can feel some of the freedom that comes with the painting,and that the buyer sends some of the energy back to the young artist who is, like all of us, trying to find the freedom to fly himself, beyond self-imposed and society-imposed and abuse-imposed restrictions and expectations.”

Wow.

I had been having trouble sleeping, tossing and turning, replaying the same dream - plagued with grueling, but garden-variety adult issues like work, bills, relationships and children.

Sight unseen I knew I wanted this painting.

I yearned for a little bit of freedom.

As I drove home that night with “Flying Fish” in the backseat, I laughed at myself and thought, “This is a lot to ask of a painting!”

The next morning I rose and I went about my business not thinking of the painting. That afternoon, however, I had a life changing epiphany – one of those psychic shifts that only come to me once every few years.

When I returned home and saw the painting, I looked at it curiously and said to myself, "I wonder??? Could this painting have had something to do with this?”

In that moment I decided to believe that this was true – and why not?

I decided to believe that energy can be transmitted through a painting

I decided to believe that if a young boy can fly free with art and believe in the unexpected -- then I could too.

I decided (once again) to believe in the magic of art.

This painting now hangs over my bed.

Maybe art can save the world – and why not?

A brush with death and the pictures in my head

2011-07-27T10:18:00.000-07:00


All This Useless Beauty

Last month I had a brush with death. It was the closest I had ever come to the raw awareness of my own mortality.

I asked myself what I would do with only a few months to live. I was surprised by my answers.

I no longer wanted to travel, save the world, become famous, figure it all out or lose 20 lbs. Everything fell away and here is what it came down to:

1. I wanted to create a legacy of love-- experiences and memories -- to sustain my two children during their lives.

2. I felt a deep regret that I had not put more of the pictures in my head on paper.

I realized that, even if I were to go tomorrow, I had already done # 1 thoroughly and well. That was comforting.

So that leaves me with #2.

I guess I better get started.

What is on your list?

Art Marketing . . . we are all in this together!

2011-04-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

A local arts organization invited me to make a presentation about art marketing this month. I received their email newsletter announcing the event and was surprised to see myself billed as an "Art Marketing Guru." I am laughing at myself now because my first thought was, " Oh my ... a Guru .... what should I wear?"

The last time I heard myself referred to as a "Guru" was about a year ago and my friend Gaea told me, " Just don't take yourself too seriously."

I can't imagine that being a Guru would be any fun. You have to be right all the time and know all the answers. This just won't work for me now. I am enjoying making friends with my inadequacies. It is a much easier way to live.

Plus, the world of marketing is so deliciously chaotic right now. I would venture to say that no one really knows "what is what" and what will happen next. Calling ourselves experts or hoping that there is a know-it-all out there may be a way of managing our anxiety.

I do admit to a passion for marketing, technology and watching it all unfold. I do admit to a love of creatively sharing what I have learned with others. I do admit to finding marketing just as fascinating and creative as making art, and you won't find many artists who say that!

In reality I am probably a few steps ahead of some and a few steps behind others in this field (and everything else!)

What I am best at is creating collaborations, and this is not the wave of the future of marketing. This is the now.

My art marketing and social media groups are structured along these lines - less teaching; more sharing and supporting. The group members know that if they have a question that we can not answer in the group, I will assign someone the job of finding the answer and reporting to the group at the next meeting.

Less dogma; less telling and pushing -- more connecting, collaborating and sharing.

Fewer Gurus.

We are all in this together.

10 Beginner's Basics for Social Media Marketing

2011-03-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Are you having trouble wrapping your mind around social media marketing? This is the hand-out I give to the social media beginners in my Art Marketing Support Groups. Use these ten basics to help ground you, and make the "understanding shift" that is necessary for social media marketing success. It is not hard -- it just takes practice!

“There is no other way to spread a message to millions so quickly

without spending a dime.”

John Pozadizides – One Man’s Blog

1. Leave any negativity about social media marketing behind and approach it with an open, curious, and adventurous frame of mind.

2. Accept the fact that social media marketing is not going to go away.

3. Marketing is about bringing attention to something of value – your business! Social media marketing is just changing how we do that.

4. The focus in social media marketing is not YOU -- the focus is your audience. It is NOT about pressuring, advertising or pushing your product or service.

“Great products aren’t sold. They’re bought.”

Peter Hirshberg

5. Social Media marketing is “Relationship Marketing”, and is therefore uniquely suited to women. Women – just do what you do naturally!

“Social Media Marketing is co-opting, re-packaging and ‘monetizing’ the very life force of the feminine – and calling it a revolution!”

Betsy Lewis

6. Be Patient. Social media marketing takes time (months) -- and it should. Creating relationships based on trust takes time.

7. You need a clear sense of who you are (brand), and you need to be visible. People are not buying into your business -- they are buying into you -- your story; your passion. You are going to need to use your real name and freely share things about yourself (there are boundaries.) If you are a private person -- this could be a challenge.

8. Websites are static, but necessary -- like reference books or business cards. Social media is alive and vital - more like a novel! In 2010 Facebook overtook Google in popularity among US Internet users.

9. Social Media is not a competition (at least overtly.) It is about giving, collaborating, crediting, and being helpful.

10. You must Participate. Don’t sit back and watch -- join, read, comment, and contribute value to the conversations. Get out there - be brave!

Artistic Success: An Ongoing Process

2010-05-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Airport Moment

David Lorenz Winston

This is a guest blog post by Fine Art Photographer, David Lorenz Winston.

After graduating with a B.A. in art from Penn State in 1965, I could no longer rely on teacher assignments as motivation to create work. I felt that all new work would have to be self-motivated. I decided then and there to create a habit of getting out regularly to make sure the momentum and support I received in college would not be wasted, especially since it was clear that I wanted to be a fine art photographer.

I always sensed that I had a degree of talent, but in the real world this was never confirmed until I entered my first art shows in 1976 and won awards in three of the four shows. Sadly, I didn’t sell one print in any of these shows. I concluded that future success meant people would want to purchase my work. Closely observing other artists that were much more successful at merchandising their work, I decided that smarter marketing would make the difference between selling and not selling. In the summer of 1978, freshly armed with new ways to market my work, I set out once again to do shows and was rewarded with a number of sales. At the time, this was the validation I needed and out of these little successes, I forged ahead with the feeling that I could make a living doing what I loved.

In some of the shows, I decided to hang two genres of work, color photography with popular themes that I felt would appeal to a larger audience and black and white work which I considered to be my most intimate and original work. My black and white work was virtually ignored, while color photographs of dogs, horses, flowers and the like sold regularly. The fact that my gut-level work was virtually rejected was a disappointment. At the same time, making money selling work at all gave me a growing feeling of success. Little by little I found myself creating more work with more appeal. It was more about work that had the best chance to sell, than work that was reflective of me.

Despite increased sales and more independence, I was drifting away from my real work. I had concluded that to make money and be successful, I needed to create work that others would find appealing. However, within this assumption, I aspired to create work that was done well, work that I would be pleased with even if it wasn’t a total reflection of me on a deeper level. I was willing to do this and to this day do not regret it. I feel that a number of excellent pieces have been created as a result. However, I have continued taking photographs that most closely reflect who I am, whether marketable or not.

Jumping forward, I now publish two online blogs, The Winston Weekly and Winston Unleashed. I am closely connected to the work on both blogs. The Winston Weekly appeals to a larger audience since its theme is mostly about overt beauty. Winston Unleashed is more about my quirky, somewhat introverted nature, the way I see the world. Today, success is all about creating and sharing the full range of my work to a weekly audience nearing 1000 and having never discarded my personal vision.

Fine Art Photography Stillness in Nature and Surprises in the Ordinary
www.davidlorenzwinston.zenfolio.com
www.thewinstonweekly.blogspot.com
www.winstonunleashed.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.arteventproductions.com

Join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artistbetsylewis

Join me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/betsylewis

Join me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BetsyLewis

Artistic Success and the Weather

2010-04-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

This is a guest blog post by Gaea Yudron, the director of Sage’s Play, a venture exploring creative aging, wellness and spirit.

Earlier in my life my definition of artistic success was becoming a famous writer. I wanted that big outer validation and thought that being famous and successful would make me happy. When I was in my 20s, 30s and 40s my artistic successes took place in a climate of striving and struggle. The weather was often overcast, stormy or tumultuous. These days I agree with whomever it was that said, “Success does not bring happiness, happiness brings success.”

Over the years, I certainly have had artistic successes. I published a best-selling book on herbs (Gaea Weiss, Growing and Using the Healing Herbs), and many articles and poems in national and regional magazines, wrote and performed two-one woman shows and created several shows of voice and personal stories with other artists. I channeled my artistic impulses into environmental activism and supported some very worthy causes. I became a healer and with the help of others, healed some of my old wounds. I became a Buddhist and learned about stillness, openness and compassion. None of which made me famous. (Such a blessing—I was allowed to grow and flower without much fanfare).

For years I have explored the links between creativity and happiness. Creative expression makes me happy. I love creating a well-written poem or essay, a beautifully sung song, an inspiring or provocative story, a beautiful drawing. When something really works, I disappear as the expression utters or creates itself through me. These are moments of joy. Who is creating here?
We live in a universe filled with countless billions of beings, so it’s natural to share artistic expressions with others. But does artistic success depend upon being recognized or considered notable by others? Not really, though I find it delightful to connect and communicate art with others.
“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody,” says comedian Bill Cosby. I have to agree. It can take a long time to find one’s voice and gifts, letting go of the need to please others. I took me quite a while. I finally know myself and am comfortable with myself. That allows me to be much more free to enjoy and share artistically. My artistic medium these days is the experience of aging.
It usually takes years of practice to become skilled in an artistic form, though some fortunate folks seem to have done their prep work in a mystery dimension. They arrive with their art fully formed. For most of us though it takes willingness to fail over and over and not lose heart but rather learn from each experience.

These days, after decades of struggle and striving over artistic expression and success, I find I’ve entered another territory. I love setting wildly improbable goals. I think what the heck, we create everything from nothing, so why not this? I enjoy the experience of creativity and sharing my art more than I ever have. And yes, the weather is always marvelous. Sometimes it’s chaotic and turbulent and sometimes gorgeous as a bright day on the beach. There are brisk days when the wind clears things away, making room for something new and days when I feel as if I’m walking through a meadow filled with flowers.
Artistic success-- like the weather-- is pervasive, fascinating and changeful. Like breathing it is completely natural and of the essence. When we relax into the experience of wholeness and rest in stillness — then whatever pours out as artistic expression is a gift and an offering to oneself and others.

Gaea Yudron's website is www.sagesplay.com and her blog is http://sagesplay.blogspot.com.

How to be a Success as an Artist

2010-04-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Courage Mandala

There is a lot being written about how to be successful. Yesterday I read a blog about how procrastination hinders success.

Reading about how to be a successful anything makes me anxious.

In this case I am particularly anxious because I have been procrastinating. I promised my readers a series of blog posts defining artist success. My plan was to kick it all off with THE definitive written piece on the subject.

It's not like I haven't been working on it day and night. I have surveyed, queried, researched and drafted. There are two brilliant guest blog posts sitting in my files ready to be launched.

I have been procrastinating, but for good reason! Here it is:

How I define artist success for myself is complex and emotionally laden. It is a "catalytic question," and seriously grappling with it will most likely rock my world and change my life.

You can see my problem.

This seemingly innocent success question is my proverbial tip of the iceberg and I suspect it is for other artists also. Pat answers and conventional wisdom won't suffice. There is more work to be done. I am simply not able to write with clarity about something that is not yet fully formed and ready to be born.

So what's a blogger to do?

I began writing about something else. I wrote an artist statement, and in a roundabout way it led me to the next place I needed to go. See below:

***********************************************************************************
Betsy Lewis Artist Statement of the Day

ART made its debut late in my life. So many other things -- NOT ART -- had captured my attention and energy for many years. Finally, when I reached mid-life, ART decided it had waited for its turn long enough.

When ART came it seemed to want to pour itself out of me into circles -- hence my passion for Mandalas. Squares, rectangles, triangles -- I can do them too -- but circles feel better.

The mandalas I create are simply containers for the color and drama of my inner world. Like dreams they can sooth, confuse, transform and frighten me. As I draw them I usually don't know what will appear or why. Sometimes they tell me exactly what I need to hear.

People often say their creativity feels like a gift -- like something outside of them over which they have no control. I am not happy about this. I like to be in control. But like a true friend, ART doesn't always go along with me. And like my life, ART can be chaotic, brutally revealing and exquisitely beautiful.

Most of the time I have found that it is better to just step aside and let ART have its way.

***********************************************************************************
It appears that I must let ART lead me to a deeper awareness of who I am before I can write confidently about success and how I define it as an artist.

(Already ART is hinting that success may be more of a journey than an end product.)

But you don't have to take my word for it! I invite you to join me and my guest bloggers over the next few weeks as we explore the "catalytic question (s)" about Artist Success. Next up is a post by guest blogger, Gaea Yudron. Gaea is a playwright, poet, bestselling author and the writer of Sage's Play - a blog about radical aliveness in the later years. Don't miss it.

Website: http://www.arteventproductions.com

Join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artistbetsylewis

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The Golden Rule of Social Networking

2010-03-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

Many artists are taking to social networking like ducks to water. They are tweeting, friending, posting and blogging with astounding zeal and technical prowess!

Other artists find social networking a little unsettling. Understandably they resist sharing their personal lives with small square image boxes representing people they don't actually know.

What social networking lacks in the comforting familiarity of face-to-face contact, it makes up for in its awe-inspiring scope and speed. Still -- there is a slightly dehumanizing quality about it. "Communities" of people don't live in close proximity to each other. "Sharing" is more about the flow of information than the exchange of anything tangible. "Friends" aren't quite friends in the traditional sense of the word, (and "un-friending" is not personal.) Some social niceties are falling by the wayside. It is going to take some getting used to, and for private people of a certain age this may be an impossible leap of faith.

It may help to humanize social networking by bringing it a bit more in line, at least conceptually, with our real world social behavior.

How about something we can really hang our hat on? How about a good old-fashioned--stood the test of time--universally understood--rock solid RULE? How about this?

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

This is the Golden Rule. It provides human-kind with simple yet profound guidance about how to behave toward others. It is as relevant as ever -- perhaps even more so today in light of the ephemeral quality of our online relationships which holds us less accountable.

I am always so grateful for the support I have receive from my social networking friends, but it dawned on me the other day that I had not always "done unto others" in these circles as I would normally do in my physical world. I have let slide even simple opportunities to say "Thank you." So, I came up with a list of ten ways to apply the Golden Rule to my social networking behavior (which I am posting by my computer!)

The Ten "Do Unto Others" for Social Networking

1. Comment.

2. Share/Retweet/Link.

3. Volunteer.

4. Introduce.

5. Join/Subscribe/Follow.

6. Respond/Followup.

7. Invite.

8. Collaborate.

9. Acknowledge/Credit.

10. Say Please and Thank You.

Truth be told, social networking will never be the same as real life networking. The pace and quantity of information we are exposed to each day makes it impossible to be as thoroughly attentive to our friends and connections as we might like to be.

In the end, the motivating force behind social networking is human in nature. It is still about creating life enhancing relationships with other human beings. This is a simple, profound, timeless, rock solid truth we can count on and it is the heart of social networking.

And isn't the heart of any matter what artists do best?

To join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artistbetsylewis

To join me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/betsylewis

To join me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BetsyLewis

The Biggest Social Networking Mistake Artists Make

2010-03-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

I will get straight to the point. The biggest social networking mistake artists make is . . .

Not social networking!

(Or not doing it enough.)

I often hear artists say that social networking is too time consuming, and I admit, I used to say that too.

Now what I would consider more time consuming is this: Having to fly all around the world (or call) every day to check in personally with every single individual from my growing network of clients, friends and colleagues -- a task I can make short work of (and enjoy) in an hour or two from the comfort of my own studio!

Artists aren't the only social networking hold-outs. At a small business workshop I attended recently, social media marketing was not mentioned once. I could barely contain myself. I wanted to jump up, wave my arms and shout, "What about the Social Media Revolution???!!!" Listen up everybody! There are people out there, and lots of them, and they want to be our friends!"

There was an elephant in the room and no one was saying anything.

I am convinced that social networking platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and the like), when used as part of a social media marketing strategy, can be a powerful tool for building an art business. As I am finding with my own business -- this takes time and persistence.

And if you are just starting out -- you may need to be just a little bit brave.

Here's what one artist told me: "Reading and belonging to a social networking group is very different from being "active" in social networking. I read what is going on, but I rarely post anything. This is partially because I am kind of shy and partially because I need to take the time to understand social networking from a technical standpoint, so that I am comfortable posting something and know what I am doing."

So if you are shy or not quite sure how to proceed -- start small, take it slow and make a commitment to build your social network, knowledge and skill a little each day. Social networking is not a chore or a waste of time. It can enhance your life as well as your business. And if you get stuck . . . post a question for your network. There are lots of nice human-beings out there who are more than willing to help.

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have "Help" pages with good "getting started" information. For daily news and updates about all that is current with social media I subscribe to Mashable - The Social Media Guide http://www.mashable.com

If you need further inspiration -- click on the "Social Media Revolution" link below to view an amazing video. It is your (my) social media call to action:

Social Media Revolution

(And don't not see the elephant.)

Betsy Lewis

http://www.arteventproductions.com

http://betsylewis.blogspot.com

Social Networking: A Revolution or Business as Usual for Women?

2010-02-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

Last week I discovered a used copy of Judy Chicago's book: Through the Flower: My Struggle as a Woman Artist. It was tucked in among the stacks of books at Powell's bookstore in Portland Oregon. I have this magical belief that the books I am needing to read will find me like this.

Published in 1975, Chicago's book chronicles her revolutionary efforts to build a female artist community as a means of legitimizing the feminine experience and feminine imagery in art.

My consciousness has been raised (again).

Fast forward to 2010 where I am building my own art (and business) community -- online no less, with women and men alike -- using the medium of social networking. It is being called a revolution and, in technology and scope, it is. The business world has seen its value and jumped on board.

But what struck me today is that the true substance of this so called "revolution" is actually business as usual for women.

Consider some of the social networking terminology: friends, community, relationship building, affiliating, connecting, linking, giving, and sharing. These are not revolutionary words. For most women this making and maintaining of human connections is, and always has been, as much a part of life as breathing. It would seem that the business world is co-opting, re-packaging and "monetizing" the very life force of the feminine -- and calling it a revolution!

And I am not really complaining.

I say it is about time.

Only good can come from injecting a dose of feminine power into a business strategy. We can all do with a little less one-upping and conquering -- and a little more heart.

At the end of her book Judy Chicago make some conclusions about the female art communities she created in the 1970s. From my vantage point in 2010 they feel prophetic. She writes "I was able to see that many of the personality traits that are inculcated into women and then disparaged by male culture (heightened intuition, emotional responsiveness, etc.) are actually valuable human abilities, which if developed by both men and women, would greatly improve our society . . . "

This was a brilliant observation and its time has come.

I also say that credit should go where credit is due.

So here's my bit . . . women you rock!

And thank you Judy Chicago.

Betsy Lewis

Betsy's website with career support for artists -- http://www.arteventproductions.com

The Art of Selling Art

2010-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

The Pearl District of Portland, Oregon is billed as an "exciting urban art and culture district." Portland is the closest metropolis to my hometown, so I made a visit there last week to familiarize myself with its art offerings. In one day I managed to visit eleven Pearl District art galleries. I returned home with some conclusions about how to sell (and not to sell) art.

Here is my first "The Art of Selling Art" conclusion:

Graciousness and courtesy go a long way toward selling art.

Unfortunately I am not able to give the Pearl District galleries high marks in these two areas. In seven of the eleven galleries I was ignored or brushed off by the staff. Getting answers to my questions was like pulling teeth at times. One gallerist barely gave me the time of day before she turned back to her computer screen and her intense gum chewing!

Mind you -- I was not demanding a lot of attention. I was merely asking one or two polite questions, as would any art buying customer.

After my positive experiences with galleries in Southern and Central Oregon this was baffling. What could possibly be the purpose of having a place of business where you are selling things, and where you ignore or are rude to your customers? Was it the economy? . . .the dreary weather . . . big city burn-out . . . dismal art sales?

Fortunately I did discover one real "pearl" -- the Froelick Gallery on NW Davis Street. The atmosphere was bustling and warm. I fell in love with the work of artist Jeremiah Goodman. A friendly gallerist approached me and -- with a low pressure combination of knowledge and enthusiasm -- completely sold me on this artist!

If I had had the thousands of dollars to purchase the work, I would have written a check right then and there!

My second "The Art of Selling Art" conclusion:

Knowledge and enthusiasm go a long way toward selling art.

Admittedly the Froelick Gallery is a high-end gallery with an experienced staff. However, graciousness, courtesy, knowledge and enthusiasm do not require a PhD. The fact that the Froelick gallerist spent time educating me about an artist whose work most walk-in customers can't afford, speaks well of this gallery. Because of my positive experience, it is quite possible I will return someday and purchase a work more within my price range.

The Moral of the Story:

Attitudes which create distance feed the "holier-than-thou" gallery mystique and negatively impact sales. It's off-putting to the public, and really shoots the art community in the foot. If we want to make art "an everyday essential" (my motto) and increase art sales, then we must make art buying user-friendly.

For Artists:

It pays to be a "secret shopper". How does the gallery feel when you walk in? Is the staff friendly and available? Do they talk confidently (and glowingly) about the artists? Look for graciousness, courtesy, knowledge and enthusiasm. In the end, be sure to factor your treatment as a customer into the equation when deciding if a gallery is suitable for your artwork.

The First Ten Steps to Building an Art Career

The Free and Simple Tool Essential to Your Art Career

What Not to Do in the New Year (for artists)

The Simple Truth about Building an Art Career

Getting into Galleries: A Hot Tip for the Cold Months

The Cliche that May be Hurting your Art Career

2010-01-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

People who work with artists often use the phrase "herding cats" to illustrate the difficulty of managing artists. They believe there is a need to indulge artists who can't quite "stay with the program".

In and out of the artworld there is a sense that artists are more temperamental and less reliable than people of other professions. I see hear and feel this frequently in sighs and eye rolls, and in the exchange of "knowing" glances and sly smiles.

This is just one of the cliches (stories, myths or archetypes) that negatively impact artists' ability to be taken seriously, or to take themselves seriously, as professionals. I would venture to say that it also impacts their ability to be paid fairly for their work.

Like all cliches, it is narrow and inaccurate.

As a former community organizer -- now independent curator of group art shows -- I find artists no more difficult to manage than any other group of people. As an emerging artist with years of professional experience in another field, it is unsettling to be suddenly patronized, albeit affectionately, as if I were a maddening but adorable kindergartner.

Artist cliches -- the unreliable, the temperamental, the eccentric, the starving and the mad -- run deep in the psyche of artists and non-artists alike. They are difficult to bring to consciousness and hard to root out. For artists there is a real danger that they can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

The solution is to become more aware, so that these undercurrents don't sabotage our careers.

With our "product" an artistic piece of our hearts and souls, it is no wonder we take refuge in an uncomplicated cliche that renders us a bit child-like (and may let us off the hook.)

It is challenging to change because, when we begin to percieve our profession as more accountable, we also take the risk of being fully responsible for our deepest disappointments.

Yet it is only by becoming aware of how artist cliches work in our professional lives, that we have a chance to lay claim to the full force of entitlement to our successes.

Betsy Lewis

Art Career Strategist

http://www.arteventproductions.com

Getting into Galleries - A Hot Tip for the Cold Months

2010-01-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's a dreary wet winter day here in Oregon -- overlaid with a post-holiday hush. January and February can be a pretty slow time for galleries since everyone is holed up at home, at work or at the gym.

Here's the tip:

This lull is a window of opportunity for you to check out some galleries of interest -- using good old-fashioned face-to-face networking. Gallery staff may have a little more time for you now.

I discovered this by accident last winter. Something caught my eye in a gallery window and I popped in. It was just me and the gallery owner. I did not have my portfolio and I did not intend to talk about my work.

This is what happened -- we hit it off -- and connected, without any business agenda, because of our mutual love of art. Although my artwork wasn't suitable for that gallery, I followed up by referring two of my clients who both received this gallery's representation later that year.

I went back into town the next day and visited every gallery I could -- no portfolio -- just a burning desire for connection. A few weeks later I did the same thing in a neighboring metropolitan area. Almost everyone I talked to was generous with their time and advice.

If the idea of popping into galleries sends you into "marketing panic" -- try this:

1. Don't bring your portfolio or visit galleries with any agenda to "talk up" your work.

2. Visit mid-week -- mid-morning or early afternoon.

3. Just be a customer and an art appreciator. Enjoy looking around. Chat with the staff if they have time.

4. Show a sincere interest in the gallery. Ask questions. Listen.

5. Bring an ice-breaker. I often bring a friend who is not an artist, but a vocal art appreciator.

6. Visit as may galleries as you can, and not just the ones you think might be receptive to your work. You are only building relationships and gathering information.

The process of getting into galleries have been likened to a romantic courtship. Consider this the first casual -- no commitment -- coffee date! You can decide later if you are a "match".

Do some window shopping this winter (or whenever there is a "cold" time.) This little outing could quite possibly set you (or a friend) on the path to getting into a gallery this year.

The Simple Truth about Building an Art Career

2010-01-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

At this time of year, advice about achieving goals is abundant. All these tips, tricks, secrets, steps and programs are great, but they can create an information log jam that is immobilizing. I am craving something "simple", so I offer it to you here.

My simple truth is this:

Building (as in my art career) requires that I actually DO things.

"Building" is a strong action word. Thinking, dreaming and wishing, while vital to an artist's creative vision, can divert us from getting the job done. I admit -- I hate doing stuff I don't want to do, and that may be boring or scary. I especially dislike doing things that may spot-light skill areas that I am still perfecting.

Building an art career requires you to DO things about which you may not be perfectly confident, or for which you may have no education, training, or experience!

Yet, it is only in the DOING of these things that you can learn and succeed.

Think about gamblers who play the slot machines. They lose most of the time, but the reward of the occasional win is so delicious that they will persevere. This is the power of "intermittent reinforcement". Use it to your advantage. More DOING increases your skills and your chances of scoring "the win" -- the sale, the gallery, the publicity etc. -- that will spur you on to more DOING (and winning.)

At first you may want to consider just DOING as its own reward.

Occasionally DOING will reward you beyond your expectations.

Take writing this blog for example. Writing is like "pulling teeth" for me. But I do it, and I am deeply rewarded by connections with many beautiful artists -- who I have not yet met -- and who are out there in the real world struggling with my same issues.

You and I deserve to win. Join me, put on some blinders and DO until it happens (and it will!)

What Not to Do in the New Year (for artists)!

2009-12-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

If you are an artist, you probably have an art career "To Do" list a mile long. Any one of your "To Dos" could be turned into a resolution for the New Year.

This year I've chosen one simple "Not to Do" resolution. This is it:

I will not apologize for my art.

Not one bit. Not for the subject matter, the style, the framing, the medium, the technique, the pricing, or my marketing efforts. I will not offer up my insecurities to my viewers in any way, shape, or form.

I will not find sneaky ways to apologize either. I will not make jokes that diminish my work. I will not use the phrase, "shameless self-promotion." I will not respond to comments about my art with qualifiers and disclaimers. I will not back-peddle. I will not make excuses. I will not point out imperceptible flaws only visible to me. I will not turn sheepish when asked for prices. I will not seek therapy to explore the psychological roots of my compulsion to apologize -- I will just simply not do it.

You've heard of the "Just Say No!" and "Just Do It!" campaigns.

Mine will be the "Just Don't Do It!"

Life presents us with plenty of valid opportunities to apologize. Our art is not one of them. By apologizing, artists send the message to both themselves and their potential purchasers that their work is not good enough. This can be the deal breaker for sales. Much of the art buying public is insecure about art. If we aren't projecting confidence about every aspect of our work, they won't feel confident enough to buy it.

So, this year I resolve to treat my artwork like I do my children. In private I might belabor them, attempt to whip them into shape, agonize over them, throw my hands up in dismay, but once I've cleaned them up and made them presentable for public view -- they will be my pride and joy!

Happy New Year!

The Free and Simple Tool Essential to Your Art Career

2009-12-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

You are no doubt asking yourself, "Why is a QTIP essential to my art career?"

I will tell you.

The late Stan Dale, Founder of the Human Awareness Institute, began his personal growth workshops by holding up a QTIP and announcing, "This is the best relationship tool you will ever have!" He would pause, let the audience feel perplexed, and then reveal that QTIP stood for --QUIT TAKING IT PERSONALLY!

QTIP is one of the best tools for building an art career.

Good advice -- hard to follow. We artists are a sensitive bunch. It is part and parcel of doing creative work. When we begin offering our creations to the world, we open up a vulnerable part of ourselves to judgment, and what may be even worse -- disinterest.

But the truth is that everyone is always thinking more about themselves than about you!

"Taking it personally" can be the death of an art career. If, at the first sign of rejection or disinterest we run off to hide in our cave, the world loses the chance to experience our work. We lose the chance for the exposure and feedback which will help us grow as artists. This goes for experienced artists also, who may have found their niche, but hesitate to try something new.

Ten months into my art career, running headlong into rejection at every turn, (and doggedly reminding myself to quit taking it personally), our local newspaper published a story and a magazine article featuring my event productions and my artwork -- complete with many beautiful images. Another artist asked me how I was able to garner so much publicity in so little time. There were several factors. The most significant one was -- persistence powered by a conscious effort to quit taking things personally.

Now when I meet someone for the first time they say things like, "I've heard about you!!! Aren't you that politician . . . Betty Louie???" (Or some other perversion of my name and occupation.)

And hey, I don't take this personally. I smile. I know I am on the right track.

An original Betsy Lewis QTIP Corsage/Pin -- a valiant creative effort, but of dubious value -- (pictured below) -- will be mailed to all who post a comment here and send a mailing address to: betsy@arteventproductions.com

The First Ten Step to Building an Art Career

2009-08-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

( . . . Or the Year of Living Dangerously.)

By Betsy Lewis, Art Career Strategist

Many accomplished artists tell me they are feeling discouraged about their art careers. Here’s the story of a woman -- who at the ripe old age of 53 -- decided to be an artist and challenged herself to make a success of it in one year.

This is how she did it:

1. She created a “body of artwork”, logo, website, blog, newsletter, online store and gallery, and Myspace, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.

2. She printed a business card, rack card, posters, fliers, postcards and amassed a mailing list.

3. She appeared on TV, radio, and in the press.

4. She wrote resumes, biographies, artist statements, press releases, art articles and a gallery guide.

5. She networked, exhibited, judged, researched, submitted, collaborated, attended, joined, taught, mentored, donated and volunteered.

6. Not only did she do these things for herself -- she did them for other artists at the same time.

7. During this time she did not blame anyone or anything. She did not bemoan the economy or her own poverty or lack of time.

8. She decided to deliberately ignored fear, self-doubt and detractors who did not understand her vision.

9. When she didn’t know how to do something she hired an expert or found a teacher.

10. When she made mistakes she apologized and forgave herself.

During this year she sold 40 of her creations. This woman has a bright future in the art world.

This woman is me.

I tell you this not to toot my own horn but to prove a point:

If a completely unknown artist in her declining years can build an art career in one year . . . You can do it too!

*************************************************************************************

Building an art career is easy . . . . It’s just a lot of work!

Follow this blog to read the Betsy Lewis series titled "The Year of Living Dangerously" to learn more about how you can build an art career in one year!

Betsy Lewis
Art Career Strategist
www.arteventproductions.com
betsy@arteventproductions.com

Experience more joy in your life . . . take a walk on the Dark Side!

2009-07-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

This year Fourth of July dawned full of promise for sunny summer fun. Not so for me. I awoke with an irresistible urge to express my dark side . . . artistically that is. While working on an upcoming series of art events exploring “The Dark Night of the Soul”, shadowy images had been gestating within me for weeks. That day the Muse spoke to me, and I knew that when things are ready to be born, they must be born.

I began sketching scorched landscapes, nuclear winter skies and dying trees crushed by the weight of immense boulders. At the end of the day I thrilled to fireworks booming in the distance and I marveled at my capacity to hold both joy and deep sorrow within me in the same day.

Like many people I pay attention only when something “hurts”. The following day I went about my business not consciously noticing how happy and giddy I was feeling. When I became aware of this unusual “lightness of being” I realized that during my session with the dark I had literally pushed some of the “boulders” oppressing my psyche out on to my drawing paper.

Some may argue that inviting back dark experiences is unhealthy, and may in fact be “doing the devil’s work”. Marla Estes M.A., is an Ashland Transpersonal Studies mentor, teacher and group facilitator who believes differently. She says, “The Dark Night of the Soul has been maligned. We fear and try to avoid it, and with good reason. It can be excruciating and can change lives drastically and devastatingly . . . Worked with consciously, it can be the vessel to transformation, the letting-go of an old self and the making-way into the new -- a self more in line with our authentic selves; who we really are.”

I discovered that shining a light artistically on the dark nights of my past helped lighten some of their ill effects, and opened up space within me for more joy. As a seasoned veteran of more than one “Dark Night of the Soul”, I know that this rite of passage may again be waiting for me around the next corner. I hope I will be up to the challenge of facing it consciously!

Estes advises, “If you ever find yourself in your own dark night, persevere with strength, courage, faith and self-love. Something is being incubated that cannot yet be voiced. Remember that there is gold at the end: your own liberation, growth, and more and more health and well-being. The same thing that was at the bottom of Pandora's Box is at the bottom of a dark night . . . Hope.”

* * * * * *

Betsy Lewis is an Artist, Art Career Strategist and Founder of Art Event Productions LLC. This fall 2009 she is assembling Rogue Valley artists, poets and experts in the field for a series of art events titled “Shining Light on the Dark: The Gifts of the Dark Night of the Soul” The scheduled events include two art exhibitions, a poetry reading and a personal growth workshop – all exploring the role of “The Dark Night of the Soul” in healing and transforming human lives. Marla Estes, M.A. Transpersonal Studies, will be a featured speaker. For more information and a full schedule of the events visit www.arteventproductions or call Betsy Lewis at (541) 890-1453.

--
Betsy Lewis
Art Career Strategist

Art Event Productions LLC
P.O. Box 4394
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 890-1453/(541) 245-2583

betsy@arteventproductions.com
www.arteventproductions.com
http://betsylewis.blogspot.com

A Facebook Success Story . . .

2009-07-04T04:24:00.000-07:00

"Water's Fine" Collage (digital) 15" X 11" by Melissa Markell

Ashland Artist Melissa Markell Wins International Competition, Signs Contract

With the economy in a slump most artists' careers are languishing. Not so for Ashland artist and Public Arts Commissioner, Melissa Markell. Two of her works were selected in the "Best of Mixed Media and New Media" category in "Celebrate HerStory", an online international juried art competition. She decided to enter the competition after making a Facebook connection with local Art Career Strategist Betsy Lewis who referred Melissa to her Facebook friend - Renee Phillips of Manhattan Arts International, the "Celebrate HerStory" sponsor. Soon after, Melissa was contacted by Minnesota-based art licensing agent, Lowell Thompson of American Art Images, to sign a contract.

In its sixth year, the Manhattan Arts International "Celebrate HerStory" competition drew approximately 1,000 entries from around the world. An exhibition of the winning works will be displayed June 10 through September 10, 2009 on the Manhattan Arts International website: www.manhattanarts.com . Winning artists receive national and international exposure. The entries were judged upon how well they expressed the "HerStory" theme, originality, innovation and technical expertise.

Markell, a chairperson for the Ashland Public Arts Commission from 2007-2009, has been instrumental in creating a public arts master plan for the city of Ashland during the past four years. She has been creating custom commissioned collage/mixed media artwork for the hospitality industry, cruise lines, corporations and private collectors for the past fifteen years. Her clients include the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, Toyota Motor Corp., Samsung, Concentric Network, Monaco Hotels, St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Del Coronado Hotel on Coronado Island, Teleflora, Kaiser Hospitals, Shades of Green Resort in Orlando, Florida and many more.

Markell specializes in custom work, often theme oriented, telling a story or portraying a specific time in history. Her work is created using vintage imagery that she has collected - handmade papers, found objects, old maps, postcards, "just about anything that provides the right feel and texture for the piece". Melissa Markell's work can be viewed at: www.melissamarkell.com

Betsy Lewis
Art Event Productions
www.arteventproductions.com

"Doorways to the Soul" - The Mandala Art of Eve Margo Withrow

2009-06-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions invites you to "Doorways to the Soul", an exhibition of the Mandala art of Eve Margo Withrow, taking place this Friday during Medford's Third Friday Art Walk at Rogue Gallery and Art Center from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Pictured to the left is Eve's mandala piece titled "Iris Mandala."

This is what she has to say about her Mandala series . . . "Mandalas are perceived as doorways to the soul. Occasionally, when working with Mandalas, we are blessed by being invited instead, through a doorway and into a place of peace, expansion and clarity; a place where we experience our own essential beingness. Thus the title of this particular Mandala series, "Soul Merge."

Rogue Gallery and Art Center is located at 40 S. Bartlett St. in Medford. Eve Margo Withrow's exhibition may be viewed through the month of June. This is the second to the last Mandala show in this year's Mandala Art Events presented by Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions. To find out about mandala art, future Betsy Lewis art events and upcoming calls for artists visit: www.arteventproductions.com.

Medford Library Mandala Art Opening

2009-04-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

Join Rogue Valley Mandala Art enthusiasts this Tuesday at the Medford Library from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for the opening reception of the "Women and Man-dala Show" - a one-man, six-women show. Mandala artwork in a variety of media will be exhibited in the Main Hallway.

Next Saturday's Free Mandala Art Workshop is almost full. If you are interested in attending, please contact the facilitator, Janet London M.Ed, at (541) 608-9238 as soon as possible to register.

The Medford Library is located at 205 S. Central Avenue. Both the reception on Tuesday and the workshop on Saturday will be held in the Large Meeting Room. For questions please contact Betsy Lewis at (541) 890-1453 or visit www.arteventproductions.com

Mystifying Mandalas by Frank Williams

2009-03-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

Mystifying Mandalas by Frank Williams

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions invites you to "Mystifying Mandalas" - an exhibition of digital fine art mandalas by Frank Williams at Grilla Bites in Ashland, April 1st - April 30th. The opening reception is this Friday, April 3rd, from 5:30 - 8:00 PM for Ashland's First Friday Art Walk.

Frank Williams is a recent transplant to Southern Oregon. He is a professional photographer who established and operated a successful award winning studio and commercial photography business for 25 years in Colorado.

Frank's new mandala works are nothing less than splendid! Hidden within their kaleidoscopic patterns may be a flower, a skyline, a bird's beak or the fringe of a tree. They are images within images, stories within stories, and slices of life which he says "bubble up from his soul." They draw a viewer inward toward their center while simultaneous expanding them cosmically outward!

Come and be mystified!

Local Artists use their inspiration as a path to personal discovery

2009-03-22T08:51:00.001-07:00

Betsy Lewis creates mandala images in her Medford Studio. Mandala art was part of her therapy in healing from depression.

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions mandala artists and art shows are featured in a Medford Mail Tribune Sunday Life article - March 22, 2009. Click the link below to read the full story and for details about shows and events taking place in the next few months.

Mail Tribune Story

The 2009 Healing Power of Mandala Art

2009-03-14T17:47:00.000-07:00

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions presents the 2009 Healing Power of Mandala Art Events.

Twelve mandala artists at six Rogue Valley, Oregon locations will present their mandala artwork - now through October 2009.

The Artists are:

Betsy Lewis - Copic Art Markers on Paper
Frank Williams - Digital Photography
Janet London - Pressed Flowers
Niki Tamminga - Pastels and Pencil
Jannie Ledard - Stained Glass
Duane Sample - Mosaic
Carol Irwin - Watercolor
Katie Gomez - Art Quilts
Jinny Brown - Acrylic on Canvas
Eve Margo Withrow - Liquid Acrylic and Mixed Media
Augusta Lucas-Andreae - Pencil and Watercolor Pencil
Sarah Rose Marshank - Watercolor

Visit: http://www.arteventproductions.com/events.html for details about the dates, times and locations of these exhibitions.

To find out more about mandala art and its healing properties, or to find out how to participate in this event in 2010 - contact Betsy Lewis at 541.890.1453 or visit www.arteventproductions.com

BETSY LEWIS "MANDALAS FOR TRANSFORMATION" ART EXHIBIT AT PANGEA IN ASHLAND

2009-03-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions invites you to "Mandalas for Transformation" - an exhibition of the New Mandala Art Work of (none other than) Betsy Lewis at Pangea Restaurant in Ashland from March 10th through April 21st 2009.

Pangea is located at 272 E. Main St. and is open every day from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

This show is the first in the series of the 2009 Healing Power of Mandala Art shows being presented by Betsy Lewis. The Pangea show is one of a total of six other mandala art shows which will take place in various locations in the Rogue Valley, and which will run through October 2009. Twelve mandala artists will be exhibiting their work during these events this year.

Watch for an article on this art form and its healing properties in March's Healthy Living Magazine. Details about the artists, their work and the upcoming series of shows will also be featured in the Sunday Living section of the Mail Tribune on March 22nd.

For more information about these shows, mandala art in general, or to find out about other Betsy Lewis Art Events call Betsy at 541.890-1453 or visit www.arteventproductions.com

ROGUE VALLEY MANDALA ARTISTS GATHER

2009-03-01T11:50:00.001-08:00

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions 2009 Mandala Artist Potluck

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions held a Mandala Artist Potluck on Sunday, February 22nd. This gathering was held in advance of the series of mandala art events and shows sponsored by Betsy Lewis which will be taking place at various locations in the Rogue Valley starting March 10th and running through October 2009.

Ten mandala artists participating in the upcoming seven exhibitions and workshops were present. This was a first introduction for some of the artists to other like-minded individuals working with this art form.

The attending artists were Janet London, Sarah Rose Marshank, Eve Margo Withrow, Duane Sample, Betsy Lewis, Katie Gomez, Augusta Lucas-Andreae, Niki Tamminga, Jannie Ledard and Carol Irwin. Not present, but also exhibiting in the upcoming shows, are Jinny Brown and Frank Williams.

Each of the artists brought a sample of their work to share with the others and had a chance to communicate to the group the inspiration and spirit behind their work. One of the attendees, mosaic artist Duane Sample, noted that there was a decided lack of ego involvement with this particular group of artists!

Watch for a feature (with images) spotlighting the 2009 HEALING POWER OF MANDALA ART in the Mail Tribune's Health Living Magazine for March, and a Sunday Living article (with more images) in the Sunday Mail Tribune Newspaper on March 22nd.

For more information about this series of events, mandala art in general, other Betsy Lewis Art Events, or to find out about participating in this event next year - contact Betsy at 541.890-1453 or visit www.arteventproductions.com

BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS MANDALA

2009-02-26T21:27:00.001-08:00

I was honored the other day to have Christina Johnson, a junior attending South Medford High School in Medford, select my mandala "Beautiful Beginnings" to be the subject of a descriptive essay for one of her classes. I found her opening paragraph to be particularly exquisite and I told Christina I would post it here on my blog:

A Beautiful Beginning
By Christina Johnson

Everyday dawn shatters twilight. A sun soars into the sky. It transforms purples into yellows and blues into oranges. The dawn forges a scene that leaves any person awestruck. When dawn comes, it conveys a beginning for the day, as people convey beginnings to their lives.

There is a mandala circle that titles itself “Beautiful Beginning.” A message rests in it, waiting to be interpreted . . .

Thank you Christina!

The 2009 Gallery Hot List for Artists

2009-02-05T08:18:00.001-08:00

Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions LLC announces the release of the 2009 Gallery Hot List for Artists.

This 15 page guide lists and describes Southern and Central Oregon's hottest gallery and alternative exhibiting spaces for new artists. All of the galleries listed are currently reviewing new artwork. Details about how to make a submission to each are provided.

Pictured are Betsy Lewis and her assistant, Stephanie Johnson, on the job in Eugene, Oregon. Braving frigid winter weather conditions, Betsy and Stephanie spent a day and a half combing the streets of Eugene's culturally rich downtown area to determine which of the galleries were the "hottest" in terms of being open to showing the work of new artists. They are pictured here standing in front of an art quilt exhibit at the DIVA Gallery - Betsy's all around top gallery choice. Other criteria for selection were the quality and location of the gallery space, types of media shown, and whether or not the gallery appeared to be supportive and welcoming toward artists.

Also included in the guide are five tips for contacting galleries - all suggested to her by the gallery staff with whom she spoke.

Betsy spent hours examining gallery websites and sending email queries. She also personally visited the galleries in the Rogue Valley. In all, the guide lists seven exhibiting spaces in the Rogue Valley, five in Eugene and one in Bend.

Free Delivery in the Rogue Valley. Or, to order by mail - send a check for $28.50 ($25.00 plus $3.50 shipping and handling) with your mailing address to: Betsy Lewis at P.O. Box 4394, Medford, OR 97501. Call 541 890-1453 to arrange for electronic or personal delivery.

OBAMA'S CALL TO ARTS

2009-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

BARACK OBAMA IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE ARTS

On this - the eve of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration - it is exciting to note that he will be entering the White House with an Art Platform - the first of its kind in the history of our country!

The platform opens with: "Our nation’s creativity has filled the world’s libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books – Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression."

A Christian Science Monitor article published on January 15th elaborates on the features of this plan which include support for Arts Education, creation of an Artist Corps and Obama's intention to use the presidency to promote the importance of art for our nation. The article also points out that there are many "tools to help the arts within a potential stimulus package."

All good news for artists!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!

With Hope,

Betsy Lewis
www.arteventproductions.com

BETSY LEWIS ART EVENT PRODUCTIONS IN 2008

2008-12-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

2008. . . . . . REFLECTIONS ON THE YEAR IN ART

Whew - what a year for me with Art Event Productions LLC!

Actually, it has only been six months as a business - my start up date was July 7, 2008. I decided to review my accomplishments so far. The picture on the left was taken in August at the first solo show I produced. You will notice that I am standing. After I reviewed my list of accomplishments for the first six months I felt I deserved to sit down . . . possibly even lay down for awhile (and rest on my laurels.)

Here's the list:

1. Produced 4 Solo Shows
2. Made Public Art Submissions for 2 Artists
3.Created 5 professional Artist Packets
4.Made 7 gallery submissions for 4 Artists
5. Created 4 Artist Resumes
6. Wrote 3 Artist Biographies
7. Wrote 2 Artist Statements
8. Created 5 Cover Letters
9. Created 7 Image Identification Lists and Corresponding CD/Slide Images
10. Designed and printed 3 Show Postcards
11. Designed and created 5 flyers.
12. Created 2 Price Lists
13. Created Artist Intake, Resume, and Statement worksheets.
14. Designed my business website, rack card, logo, stationary, business card, information packet,newsletter, blog, cafe press store, LinkedIn, Facebook and Myspace, set up Adsense
15. Got 1 artist image, 3 art show announcements, and 1 paid ad in local newspapers
16. Spoke at a mandala workshop
17. Created 2 Artist's Business Cards.
18. Coordinated the gathering and shipping of the work of 14 artists to a show in New York
19. Recruited 10 artists to participate in a gallery research project - the results to come in January 2009.
20. Appeared before one art committee to present a proposal for a group show - it was accepted!
21. Wrote 2 Exhibition Proposals
22. Recruited 9 Artists and 5 locations for a group mandala art show in April 2009.
23. Volunteered at Rogue Gallery
24. Recruited 3 Artists to join Ashland Artisan Gallery
25. Gathered an email list and sent out frequent art announcements.
26. Created 8 framed Mandala works and 15 black and white mandala coloring pages.
27. Produced a packet of the 15 Mandala Designs for Coloring and have sold 14 of them so far.
28. Set up and participated in a radio show interview of 3 Mandala Artists.
29. Wrote a poem - "Ode to the Artist"
30. Joined WESO - Women Entrepreneurs of Southern Oregon - and have received lots of good advice and support and discounts on business services.
31. Met many times with my business advisor Ruthie Painter at SBDC - Small Business Development Center.
32. Participated in a Small Business Fair where I was interviewed by Kirk Flatter of Channel 12 TV about the state of the economy and its impact on the art industry.
33. My favorite part - NETWORKING - I have spent countless enjoyable hours speaking with anyone who would listen and met lots of local artists with whom I have shared countless cups of delightful cups of coffee and meals .

AND . . . there is more to come in 2009!

For Future Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions coming up in 2009 keep an eye on the Events Page of my website www.arteventproductions.com I just got these event announcements off to my webmistress - so keep checking if you do not find them posted right away.

Warmly and with great hopes for ART in the New Year!

Betsy Lewis

JOY MANDALA AND RADIO SHOW LINK

2008-12-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

"The Joy Mandala"
Betsy Lewis
11" x 14"
Mixed Media

Joy! Christmas is almost upon us!

It has been snowing quite a bit here in Southern Oregon and many of us are staying home with a good excuse for not taking to the roads. My offering today is a link to the radio show which was broadcast on November 20th of this year regarding the Mandala Art Movement in our area. If you did not catch it that day - take a listen now if you get a chance. . .

http://www.kskq.org/showcase/audio-archive/ArtViews/art20081120.mp3

Happy Holidays!

Betsy Lewis
www.arteventproductions.com

ROGUE VALLEY ARTISTS TO SHOW IN NEW YORK GALLERY

2008-12-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

14 Rogue Valley artists submitted work to Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions to be mailed to New York for an exhibition at Metro Picture Gallery. All the work was 4"X6" postcard size and all will be exhibited on January 9th and 10th, 2009 at the Gallery www.metropicturesgallery.com.

Pictured is the postcard I sent. I call it "Madonna" I drew a smaller version of it at the same time, which felt like the child of this larger one. Interestingly at the time my daughter Hailey was living with me while her husband was in training. Unbeknownst to me was the fact that she was pregnant. I believe I drew a "knowing" of this fact that did not yet have the words! On August 12th of this year, my grandson Gavin was born!

I stumbled upon this call for artists for the New York postcard show while creating an artist resume for one of my clients. This client called this effort "squeezing blood out of a turnip," because despite the fact that she does beautiful work, she did not have the experience or training that looks good on conventional artist "resumes." This postcard show announcement jumped out at me as a creative way artists can get gallery experience (and a NY gallery at that!) for their resumes.

Thus was born a Betsy Lewis Art Event Productions Annual Benefit! It is such a win win for everyone. I get to meet artists and have a way my business can contribute to a good cause and artists, who are notoriously giving people when it comes to donating their art, have a yet another chance to contribute also. From an Art Publicity perspective - it is a great way for artists to get the coveted New York Show, and have another opportunity to (fairly painlessly) bring attention to their art - which is "what it is all about" from a sales and growth perspective.

I am excited about doing this next year. I will be making a general call for artists and following up with a Preview Show and Reception for the community in advance of the mailing. In the plans also is a "Fine Art Poster" with images of all the artists works from the 2008 effort - for sale - with the proceeds going to Visual AIDS also.

If you would like to receive notification of this and any other Calls for Artists, please contact me at betsy@arteventproductions.com, or visit www.arteventproductions.com!

A few thoughts on the economy and some of the listlessness we are observing in Art Sales in our region. This may be a time for pulling in, honing your craft, building the essential "Body of Work", creating new bodies of work, building up your inventory, getting a business plan in order, updating your promotional materials, or trying out new ideas or techniques artistically. This is not bad news! As we re-evaluate our priorities as individuals and as a nation/world - the beautiful things will rise to the fore when we are not distracted by the desire to acquire. Art of course is one of those beautiful things which can speak to others and heal and take a more meaningful place in our lives. Lets make sure it rises to the place that it deserves in the heart and mind of humanity.

Yours From the Soap Box!

Betsy Lewis

ART ON THE RADIO

2008-12-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Mandala artists on the radio "ART VIEWS AND INTERVIEWS" with KSKQ radio host Catie Faryl.

Pictured are Medford Oregon mandala artists Betsy Lewis and Janet London at radio station KSKQ 94.9 during a November 20th interview with radio host Catie Faryl. Catie hosts a weekly program each Thursday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM, interviewing the art personalities and movers and shakers in our local art world. Not pictured is Ashland mandala artist Niki Tamminga, who was also part of the group interviewed.

The topic was Mandala Art - which is becoming somewhat of an "Art Movement" in our region. These artists have discover the power of mandala art in personal growth and healing and are spreading the word. As a counselor and group facilitator, Janet uses the work to help the individuals in her mandala coloring classes come to know themselves better and bring balance and harmony into their lives. Niki, who was diagnosed with "terminal" cancer 12 years ago, described how she used mandala art to take her to her healing source - Love. Betsy Lewis described the events that her business, Art Event Productions, is sponsoring this Spring around Mandala Art.

The mandala coloring images pictured at the top of the page are a part of a packet of 15 created by Betsy Lewis - all of which speak to the theme of Transformation and are useful in mediation. The packet sells for $14.95. To purchase the coloring packet or to find out about upcoming classes visit Janet London's website at tamlondonhummingbirdarts

A list of Mandala Events for 2009 will be posted in January at www.arteventproductions.com

Happy Coloring!

ART POEM

2008-11-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first installment of my blog. It seems like just a few months ago I was asking my 14 year old son, "Whats a Blog?" Well here it is, and what a fun and creative opportunity it is for me to get on my soap box about art.

I have called it "Altruism Activism Art" because I am, and always have been an idealist/ activist career-wise and because I am passionate about art and want to integrate and weave all the parts of who I am into one. For my first blog entry I will start with a letter and poem I wrote this September 2008 :

Dear Artist Friends,

I am a full three months into my new business - busily finding my niche and seeing where I can be of service to artists. The best part of my job has been the many opportunities I have had to meet all of you and see your beautiful, heartfelt and inspiring work. For talented people, creating the art is probably the easiest part. Doing the work to get the recognition you deserve and having your work validated by purchases is often a challenge for many artists. Galleries are closing in Ashland, the economy is unstable and people are tightening their belts. Still your work is extremely valuable and probably more so in these times of trouble. Through whatever medium you use, you are giving a "voice" to our shared humanity in a way that it can be "heard" more deeply than through our everyday communication. So - Take Heart! Keep up the good work (as if anyone could stop you!) You work speaks to me and has moved me. Below is a poem I wrote a few days ago which I dedicate to all of you:

ODE TO THE ARTISTS

So much goes unsaid
So much unheard
So many rumblings underground
So much thick loam shoveled on

So much covering
anguish
bitter winters
heroic love
fireworks
joy
smoldering genius
and
our most
tender
tentative
beauty

Yet!
Some still strive.
Those valiant little sprouts,
to reach up
to the light
to be heard

They are the Artists!

And sometimes
there is no other way
when the world
closes in on you
and does not hear
your Spring
or your little deaths
shouting at it.

Betsy Lewis
September, 2008