How to Become A Famous.....

Author Ariel Gore came out with a book a while back, and it has slowly been gaining steam...for writers. A great short read, this book is almost as helpful for artists as the writers she intended as her audience. "How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead" talks to us (it is written as if the author is conversing with an old friend) about promotion, helping others and yourself, and never giving up.

Her book is inspiring, like a cheerleader in your hands. She suggests mastering your craft, but not waiting to reveal it to the world too long. She tells us to study the work of others, but to be our own artist. She tells us to get off the couch and pursue our passion. The idea of starting small, like putting art in coffeehouses (or anywhere else they will have you), not just waiting until the National Art Gallery calls, is something you will hear from me over and over.

Give this book a read, then share it with an author friend. You'll both be better for it.

How to Become a Famous Writer Befor You're Dead, by Ariel Gore, $13.95, Three Rivers Press

New Modeling Book Reviewed

Book Review: The Art Model’s Handbook, the Naked Truth About Posing for Art Classes and Fine Artists, by Andrew Cahner

Andrew Cahner spent years as an artist’s model before penning The Art Model’s Handbook, and it shows. This is an excellent book for the curious or inexperienced, through the accomplished model, artist, instructor, and those trying to work with models.

Cahner explains what nude models must bring to the job, both mentally, physically, and in terms of supplies and back up. He then details what a gesture pose is, what it takes to hold longer poses, and how a figure class works. Advice about how to find work is excellent, as is the section about security and proper behavior for all parties.

He interviews models, photographers, artists, school booking personnel, and interjects his own experience and wisdom, for a 140-page “not too heavy and not too light” eye opener. Andrew is asking those who hire models to understand what they are offering, how they prepare, and how they wish to be treated. He is also suggesting to models how they might all improve their reputations, with helpful advice even non-nude models should know.

The book is available for $16.95 on Amazon.com, and more information can be found at www.artmodelbook.com.

Networking and Banking

As the Academic Dean at the Washington School of Photography, I am always interested in how students heard about the school, especially those who register for our year-long program. Recently, a young lady beamed when she saw who was teaching her Intro course. "This guy got me started here, it's all because of him" she told me. How?

She had been a bank teller for years, and this fellow would come in every now and then with a check to deposit. She saw who it was from (the school) and asked what it was. He gave her his business card and the website for the school. She quit her bank job in July, and will start classes in September. He sparked in her a curiosity, then in his work she found inspiration, and in our school, her new career path. Amazing!

To artists, I always say that you should be mindful of opportunities for marketing. Going into the bank, being friendly, talking to people, all sounds like "normal stuff", not marketing. But what if our instructor had used n ATM every time, was unfriendly, or didn't have his business cards on hand? We'd probably have one less registration, and maybe this lovely young lady would not have been inspired to seek her new career. So thanks, John, for marketing, even when you didn't know you were! And to artists - start going in the bank!

Copyright Office to Artists: Submit Digitally!

For some time now, the digital submission price for copyright registration has been $10 less than the paper submision price. As of August, unless Congress changes it (they won't), that subtle hint we've been given from the Copyright Office (whisper: it's $10 cheaper!) will become a lot less subtle.

The paper submission price will now be almost double the $35 that will remain as the digital price. (yell: WE WANT YOU TO SUBMIT DIGITALLY!!!)

This is a pretty straightforward message, and it will probably not change the lives of too many artists. It will, though, challenge artists who are not photographers, and who have a set paper and film system that goes back decades - the elderly - who can least afford a jump in registration prices. For them, a change like this can be a dealbreaker about whether to continue with registering at all.

So here is a thought....if we all found just one digitally-challenged senior citizen artist, and twice a year helped them to register their work....what a help that would be for our rights as artists, for their right to register without breaking the bank, and who knows...you might just feel good about yourself and learn something from them!

Where There's a Will.....

Where there's a will, there's a legacy, an owner, a right, a direction. If Michael Jackson's death has reminded me of anything, it is that an outdated will (or none at all) leaves an artist at the mercy of intent either outdated or never reduced to writing. If you die with no will, state law dictates where your art will go. Parents, kids, and spouses have equal rights in some states...in others the spouse takes 50% or 100%. Your work will be valued, maybe sold, maybe chopped into smaller collections. It is so much easier if you have a will, though.

Maybe you think your work is worth so little that it does not matter. That is possibly true. It is equally possible that 10 or 50 or 100 years after you are gone, your work could be worth a fortune...even a small one.

So think of your art, and all the other possessions and funds you have. Where do you want it to go? Chances are, that's not what the state would do. Get a will....it's the right way.

Someone I Never Met

Someone I have never met, never even spoke to, died today. I was told about it and wept. She was not yet 40, a beautiful, caring, animal lover, who had moved to Scotland with her husband not too long ago.

How do I know all this about her and why am I so upset? The internet. She was not famous, you have never heard of her. She was one of a few dozen semi-regulars on a sweet, closely knit website I frequent. I visit this webite a few times each day, to see if Anni in London has had her afternoon tea yet...if Janet has another trip coming up...if MJ has an internet conncetion in her RV wherever she traveled today...what new production Dan is working on for the theatre... if Jack has posted a new poem today....and what funny, witty mischief LCB has for us all. For two years, through a surgery, two years of law school finals, and pet deaths, these kind, caring strangers have given me a break, a laugh, a curiosity. I never say much, these people are so quick and witty, but when I do, they are always kind, fun, and respectful. The woman who died often posted that she was "shakin' her thang" as she danced to tell us some news of her travels or just for fun....and now she is gone.

Why post this personal bit to an arts busines blog, then? Because today's news proves to me how powerful the internet has become. It is powerful for your buyers, for your fans, for your friends and family, to see your art grow and expand. You may think no one is watching, no one is benefitting, no one is appreciating. The young woman who passed away today had no idea who I was or that she made me smile when I often needed it most...but she touched me with her humour and love of life.

So, artists....post that image....share that thought....find a few like-minded individuals around the neighborhood and the globe...and shake YOUR thang...it matters, it is appreciated, and the world IS watching and waiting.

Rest in peace, Ly....and thanks.

Are You A Business Couch Potato?

After grading my students’ Business of Photography I final papers today, I had to smile. One fellow wrote, in response to the question: where are you now (in your business), “I am on the couch, both literally and figuratively.” On the couch in business?

The visual this brought up was great: a little company, on the couch, eating popcorn and watching TV. Not out looking for opportunities, but taking it easy and enjoying the ride. Is your arts business “on the couch?” Sometimes you do need a break, and time for reflection, planning, or maybe just thoughtlessness...for a short period. It is way too easy for that short period to become a business model, though - a model to not having a business any more at all.

How do you keep your art business off the couch? The same way you keep yourself off the couch! Plan things to occupy your time....network, view others’ art, study, create, search out new things to do and see and accomplish. Have something more fun, pressing, or challenging than being on the couch and you’ll stay off. Don’t become a business couch potato!