Featured Artists who combine talent with good business skills

We love to brag about artists from our community who are doing excellent work and managing a successful art career.

There's a lot you can learn from reading their stories. Sit back with a cuppa' and learn while you relax.

(Scroll down for the list of other artists who have been featured.)

Scott Erb, Photographer

Scott Erb loves creating art for his own pleasure. His love of beauty and light are evident in his figurative work. If he did not have to make a living from his art, that would be more than enough to keep him going. Being a true professional, Scott understands that a thriving art career depends on many people, but the results produced are all driven by his actions.

   

What prompted you to start your professional art career? When?
I have to say that I was one of the few people who always knew they wanted to be an artist. I can remember I was in the second grade and went to my first "Art" room. It had all the things you could want to work with. There was a painting of a lion on the wall and I was so fascinated by the fact that someone had the ability to create such a lifelike image. I know then that that was my goal. After that I wanted to be a photo realist. Oddly enough, I found photography to be the medium I've chosen to work in.

What is your artistic direction?
I have found that the human body has held such a fascination with me, that no matter how often I work with it, it always amazes me how different I can see it every time I approach this subject matter. I also love light. Light is everything to me and how I can have it relate to the subject to create mood or atmosphere.

What is your business model?
I am a sole proprietor. It's all on me all of the time. I have help, support, and a plan. But I have to make it happen. I teach at the local museum, I run a commercial photography business, I create and teach workshops several times a year, and I have my art making. All bring in money.

What is your “life’s work” as an artist?
To continually change, learn and apply new techniques and ideas to keep whatever project I'm working on new and exciting to me. I have to say that I’m a bit selfish with creating art work. I create artwork that makes me happy and feeling fulfilled. I find that by putting my work out there, many people have found the same fulfillment as I, and some collect it. I’m constantly challenging myself by questioning my own motives and concepts. I also push myself on my technique and viewpoints. It's good to ask questions.

What peak moments have you had?
I could mention my one man show last year or my very first online sale, both were wonderful, but nothing is comparing to my most recent project. I’ve just received a grant to work on a book project that is near and dear to my heart. The book's working title is "20 Artists of Worcester" and will showcase just that. My goal is to photograph twenty of the most talented, creative, and established artists of the Central New England area. Mostly in their work spaces and studios. My goal is to have the book complete and a show of the pieces finished by the end of the year 2008.

The truth is, there is such a wonderful community of artists in this area who I've come to know and love over the years I have lived here. It was these artists that inspired me to create this book. The goal is to shine alight on the Worcester area artists so that the international community can have a look into our humble city and see the amazing work that is coming out of it. This is my very personal way of promoting art and artists.

Turns out this has been a wonderful way to meet many other artists from the area that I didn't know. They have invited me into their studios and extended their hospitality and graciousness to me. Getting to see the differences between each artist's studio and how each artist approaches his or her craft, is such a great opportunity. Most people never get the "behind the scenes" viewpoint. The places are amazing! Here, I've been invited to capture this for all to see. Now anyone who sees the book will have this opportunity too. It's been an exciting time and I look forward to meeting many more artists as the project unfolds.

One more thing... I've found that meeting and networking with these artists, has given me such insight into what is going on in their lives. We discuss what issues they have to deal with in the art world. I also get to hear all the wonderful things they are working on and they share with me some of their accomplishments. When I see these people at openings or about the city, there are smiles and warm greetings. It's opened my eyes to a truly wonderful community of artists. I am loving this side effect!!

How do you define success? (and how do you celebrate it?)
Success to me is getting two feet on the ground every morning and getting out of bed! If I can manage that I am very happy. Having the ability to keep creating the things I enjoy- is being successful. If others like it and want to share in that with me, that is just a bonus. If I can manage to get enough work together and arrange a show, than that's a celebration. Look what I did! Let's celebrate.

What is your art marketing strategy? What makes your art marketing strategy/ you successful?
About a year and a half ago I joined an art marketing group. It's myself, two other dedicated artists, Scott Boilard and Scott Holloway, and Donna Dufault, the woman who runs the group. (We even billed ourselves as the Three Scott's and promoted a few shows together.) This group helps me set goals and holds me accountable to the other members. We celebrate minor and major successes with one another. We each had to come up with a resume, a bio, and artist statement, a 30 second introduction, a price list, contact database and an inventory list. I got organized! And that was huge. Now anytime I need one of these things, I have it done and get things sent out the door quickly. It helps me be successful. I can't recommend it enough.

What obstacles have you encountered in your art business and how have you handled them?
I got in my own way. I needed to get organized and didn't know how to do it. I had a very bad attitude and needed to change. So I told other artists I knew what I wanted, needed and I found out others were feeling that same way. So we joined together and figured out we needed help. And we got it. It’s all about your outlook on things. You can make things happen for yourself if you work for it. Set goals and figure out how to make these things happen.

I hit a few setbacks too. I got gallery representation. I sold some work and got paid. I gave them more work and guess what. I did not get paid. I even had the paper work and the signatures, but when I confronted the gallery owner, I was told they just did not have the money to pay me. I took the rest of my work and left. I had a lawyer write a letter. It got me no where. That was a hard one to recover from. But not all galleries are like this. You just need to find ones that you can trust that have good reputations. I have not lost hope about this.
 
What opportunities has a professional approach to your career brought you that you might otherwise not have had?
I believe that being professional and having yourself organized speaks volumes to a potential gallery or art dealer. Sometimes it's not enough just being an amazing artist. They want to know that you are committed to your craft and art career for the long haul. They aren't interested in artists who are doing this for fun or on a whim. They want to know that if they are going to show your work or represent you that you are going to be constantly creating new work and stand behind the work you've created in the past. They also need to know that you'll definitely show at the opening if you’ve said you would make it.

All this being said, I believe that when I approach galleries and art dealers, the can see right away that I'm a dedicated professional when it comes to my art and know that I'm someone they can represent. I've done the work and have the right forms, resume, bios, pricing...etc. What ever they need. There is less hand holding and more time to sell and create.

Who are your role models and mentors?
I have to say my role models and mentors are the same people. Mostly it’s the other artists of my community that all have very unique and relatable experiences that have helped me learn what to do and what not to do. Everyone is so open and forthcoming with helping each other. It's very reassuring. If you want me to name names- I'd say Henry Horenstein (http://www.horenstein.com) and Eddie Soloway (http://www.eddiesoloway.com/). Both amazing photographers, they produce new work consistently, and the work is extraordinary. They are creative forces, producing books and shows, as well as traveling the country promoting themselves and teaching. And they have home lives- families, and social lives. But they always make time to stop and have a meal with me. I don’t know how they balance it all. They are what I aspire to.

What advice would you pass on to other artists at all levels?
Get organized and have goals. Without goals, what are you working for?
I find having weekly, monthly, 6 month and yearly goals helps me get my work done when I need to and keeps me on track. If something doesn't fit into my goals, then I know that I should put it aside for another time or create anew goal to fit it in. Goals can change, but it's important to create them and do the necessary behavior to achieve them. Understanding that there will be setback and addressing the setbacks when they happen. Then move on. Move forward and create new work.

How has involvement in the A.C.T. program and community of professional artists furthered your career?
I can't say enough about building your community. Have a support system, a place you can go for inspiration, answers, and encouragement. The A.C.T. web site is just that place. I don't always know what I am doing or how to do something the right way - so it's important- its a resource I am very grateful to have at my finger tips. For example, I would not have ever thought to build my contact database the way they recommend, but its been a very valuable resource for me. I also read about Lee Silber on the A.C.T. website and bought his book. It's packed with things I needed to hear. The amount of valuable information on the web site is astonishing. You may not be able to get through it all. But is there when you need it.
 

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In the End: Exposure = Success

Won’t you join us in the A.C.T. community?

Aletta de Wal, M. Ed, Director & Artist Advisor,
Direct line: (650) 917-1225 Pacific time
www.ArtistCareerTraining.com
aletta@artistcareertraining.com

ACT Artists Who Have Been Featured

B.J. Katz: Meldown Glass Studio
Barbara Jump: Painter, Southwest Art
Brent Haddock: Intaglio Prints
Bruce K. Haley Jr.: Photographer
Bruce Marion: Painter & Illustrator
Cristina Acosta: Illustrator, Author, Color Consultant
David C. Powers: Painter
Deborah Webster: Layerist
Donald Neff: Painter
Donna Aldridge: Painter, Author
Gail Ingis Claus: Painter, Designer
Kathyanne White: Fiber Art
L.A. Hecht: Painter, Monotypes
Lee McVey: Pastel Landscapes
Lesta Frank: Watercolorist
Mairyann Wrentmore: Mixed Media
Patrice Federspiel: Water Color Artist
Robert Spannring: Illustrator & Painter
Scott Erb, Photographer
Valerie Edwards: Painter