So You Want to Be an Artist

In this unique book, artist and teacher David McClyment draws on decades of experience to outline essential professional practices for emerging fine artists. As he writes in the introduction:

"In art college, I never heard one word of practical advice about what to expect as a professional artist or how to engage with my audience. Nothing about how to talk to a gallery, apply for a grant, price artwork, and so on. Nothing about what to expect as a reasonable career arc in terms of recognition and financial reward. In fact, in 1980, the year that I graduated, the graduating class was told this: 'In ten years, maybe two of you will still be in the arts!' That was the sum total of my formal education in professional practices. The fact that some 40 years later I am still happily engaged in making art speaks more to my own stubbornness than anything else. But whatever I learned about how to survive and thrive as an artist, I did the hard way. Basically, by making every mistake conceivable. My hope in writing this book is to turn that dynamic on its head. I cannot and will not promise you that following the advice in this book is going to make you rich or famous. But I am hoping that it will help you anticipate what is coming your way as a self-employed fine artist, avoid predictable pitfalls, and find a path that will lead to ongoing happiness as an artist over a long and fruitful career."

Among the topics covered in So You Want to Be an Artist:

      Defining success as a professional artist

      "Day jobs" for professional artists-and why they're so important

      How to put together a winning portfolio

      Tips on how to photograph your artwork, how to digitally process photodocumentation, and how to present those images to key decision-makers

      How to craft effective artist's statements, biographies, resumes, and proposals

      Types of galleries and how to approach them

      Creating your own exhibition opportunities, including art fairs, group shows, and shows in unconventional locations

      How to effectively promote your artwork, including online and social media strategies

      Tips on pricing and selling your artwork

      How to obtain funding for individual and group projects

      Winning public art commissions

      The basics of setting up your studio

      How to install your artwork at an exhibition

      Strategies for fram...