preparing for Open Studios - The Talk
Message from John Melvin, the ArtSpan board chair - very relevant information regarding Open Studios and anytime you have a potential buyer come to your studio.
With SF Open Studios around the corner, I encourage you to take some time to
reflect on the experience of talking to your studio visitors about your
artwork. While many of us tend to measure success in terms of sales, I believe the most important benefit from SF Open Studios is the experience of talking about one¹s artwork to total strangers. As an artist who has participated in this program for many years, I have benefited from preparing a 5 minute talk that I can give anytime, anywhere about my work. Consider touching on how you became an artist, what materials you use, what you find to be the most enjoyable part of a specific piece, what the work means to you, the message of the work.... The list goes on. Be prepared to introduce yourself as the artist and ask the studio visitor if they have any questions, but don¹t be discouraged if you do not engage them right away...
There will be others who walk through your door.
My advice is to be prepared and to seek feedback from your studio visitors. The comments you receive will bring new insight to your work. Maybe you will consider changing your style, maybe not, but either way your opinions will be reinforced. At the conclusion of SF Open Studios, your presentation to viewers and potential buyers of your artwork will be more professional and streamlined. You will be more confident speaking about your work and generating questions, which will lead to more sales.
With SF Open Studios around the corner, I encourage you to take some time to
reflect on the experience of talking to your studio visitors about your
artwork. While many of us tend to measure success in terms of sales, I believe the most important benefit from SF Open Studios is the experience of talking about one¹s artwork to total strangers. As an artist who has participated in this program for many years, I have benefited from preparing a 5 minute talk that I can give anytime, anywhere about my work. Consider touching on how you became an artist, what materials you use, what you find to be the most enjoyable part of a specific piece, what the work means to you, the message of the work.... The list goes on. Be prepared to introduce yourself as the artist and ask the studio visitor if they have any questions, but don¹t be discouraged if you do not engage them right away...
There will be others who walk through your door.
My advice is to be prepared and to seek feedback from your studio visitors. The comments you receive will bring new insight to your work. Maybe you will consider changing your style, maybe not, but either way your opinions will be reinforced. At the conclusion of SF Open Studios, your presentation to viewers and potential buyers of your artwork will be more professional and streamlined. You will be more confident speaking about your work and generating questions, which will lead to more sales.
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