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Blog Entry 6 of 8 A Girl with a Gallery
This blog is a journal and dialogue of discovery,knowledge and questioning about all things cultural and artistic - fine art, craft, design, sculpture, architecture, food, fashion, theater, dance, spoken word, writing, poetry and anything else I can fit in! Although I am a Denver native, I lived, studied and ran my art business in London for several years. Moving back to the metro Denver area in 2003 was a big adjustment artistically and culturally. Art is a big part of my life and is present for me everyday.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~GalleryGirl

I'd rather be in the studio!

Contributed by: Kim Harrell   on 7/31/2008

The Other Side Arts (TOSA), located at 1400 Dallas Street in Aurora, put on a Business of Art seminar that I was privileged to be a part of as a presenter and observer. One of the other speakers, Alyson B. Stanfield,spoke about her book I'd rather be in the studio!: The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion which explores the seven excuses that she believes prevents artists from taking control of their career. The book offers practical advice and straight talk. This is not a book for someone looking for more excuses but for those who want the practical and motivational tools to get their art career going.

Now, I consider myself pretty educated about these things. I had run my jewelry business in London for seven years and supported my family for a year on my earnings. I was well known among my colleagues for my professionalism and ability to put myself out there and get results to build a successful business. Having said that, even from the initial 'dipping' into Stanfield's book, I was amazed at what I was not doing now to promote my gallery and my own work. Stanfield's writing style is straight forward as was her presentation. She will not let you get away with things, i.e. she will not enable the artist who isn't willing to do the work. I felt that when I was reading the book, it was like a mentor was whispering in my ear. I hope this book is required reading in the art schools and if its not it should be.

My enthusiasm and recommendation of this book is motivated by my passion for helping artists to help themselves. That's part of the reason I run a gallery and obviously the reason Stanfield wrote the book. Her credentials more than qualify her for sharing her advice. She informally advised artists during her ten years as a museum curator and educator in the Midwest. Her desire to empower artists inspired this book. Stanfield also has a website, www.IdRatherBeintheStudio.com with a continuous flood of tips and encouragement. If you need that extra support, she is also a coach. How can you not use one of these tools to be all that you can be as an artist?

To be honest, I have done many of the things Stanfield suggests in her book but I can see that I have left out some key elements like organizing my mailing list to be more efficient about addressing my clientele's needs. It seems obvious, but most of us are just happy to have anyone sign up to get our postcard mailings or e-newsletters! Its suggestions like these that over time will help solidify your success. Having this information at your fingertips to use as you are ready is truly wonderful.

The book is packed with practical information. It seems impossible that this gold mine is sitting on a bookshelf at your favorite bookstore or hovering on-line waiting for you, budding artist, to pick it up. Yes, there are other books out there and I can recommend a few that have helped me but why not start with supporting a local writer (yes, she is in Colorado!)as you look to launch your career!

You bet I'd rather be in the studio but I know that the time I spend out of the studio promoting myself and my art, means that I am nurturing my art as a career and not keeping it as a hobby. Take it from me, you will not get anywhere waiting for someone else to do the hard work and Stanfield's book is a step closer towards success and one that you can take today!

Get out of the studio and make it happen!


You can buy Alyson B. Stanfield's book on Amazon.com or on her website, www.artbizcoach.com where you can also sign up for her blog and newsletter.

The Other Side Arts (TOSA) is a non-profit organization that offers many opportunities for artists from exhibition space, seminars, career development and workshops. Check our their website at www.theothersidearts.com

East End Applied Arts is Kim's gallery and often features new, emerging and unknown Colorado artists. She will be exploring the possibility of Alyson coming to her gallery for a talk in the near future. You can visit her website to get her gallery newsletter at www.eastendarts.com

TOSA and East End Applied Arts are members of the East End Arts District in Aurora. You can see what is going on in the district by visiting www.eastendartsdistrict.org


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Showing 1 of 1 comments
Submitted By: Alyson Stanfield
posted on 8/5/2008 @ 8:05:35 AM
(Not Rated)
Kim, this means the world to me--coming from you! You certainly know what you're talking about and I, too, learned from your presentation at TOSA. I took a lot of notes. Thanks so much!
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Kim Harrell

Aurora , CO

Kim Harrell has posted 8 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 2/20/2006. Kim Harrell 's average blog rating is 4.86.
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