The Artists' Survival Manual: A Complete Guide to Marketing Your Work

The Artist's Survival Manual is just that. Any artist, beginning or long time professional can find something invaluable in this easy to follow clearly written manual. Subjects ranging from contracts to tax issues are approached in an informative straight forward manner not without some humorous observations to boot.Another aspect of this book is the way that Toby has thoughtfully acknowledged topics like creative blocks,and general morale for artists through the long haul. There are chapters with detailed information along with anecdotes from Toby's very experienced and succesful art business. A section with simple forms and contracts that can be used by the artist.A more than basic primer that covers the ins and outs of everything from galleries,group exibitions,and having an open studio,as well as basic sales ethics blending together making for a sharp informative read that leads to a better sense of what is going on in the art world,and how to approach it all with more confidence. I highly reccomend it.

This is a "must-have" book for every visual artist involved in marketing his or her own artwork. All the important issues involved in marketing one's own artwork are dealt with in this book by Ms. Klayman, who has long been a visual artist herself as well as an expert on laws, contracts and royalties for visual artists and currently an instructor in an arts administration program at Golden Gate University. As an artist in San Francisco, I have used this book to educate myself about the various issues involved in marketing my own work.Ms. Klayman guides us step-by-step through the often dreaded maze of dealing with copyright issues, pricing issues, commission issues, multiples as a way to enhance an artist's offerings and earnings, consignment arrangements, artist-gallery relationships, bookkeeping for tax purposes, avoiding problems with the IRS, to name a few. Potential pitfalls of all kinds are held up for our inspection and clear directions are given for their avoidance. A wealth of sample forms are included in the book (which can be used with written permission of the author)--Artist-Gallery Agreement, Resume, Consignment Receipt Form, Installment Sales Agreement, among others. Every artist needs to be ready with the tools presented in this book in order to be a successful business person-and these days every artist must be a successful business person as well as an artist in order to survive in the marketplace.Klayman's book also delves into the complex personal situations every artist faces upon commitment to being an artist in society. Since most artists need a second job in order to survive financially as an artist (and many studies support this fact), there are some very specific dilemmas almost every artist faces related to balancing time and energy--these are discussed. Also explored are slumps, the importance of keeping in touch with one's collectors, the sometimes difficult relationships with other artists, definition of success, believing in one's own work, insurance issues and even writing a will.Every artist entertaining the idea of selling work or in the midst of being represented by galleries and dealers or even just selling work in the studio NEEDS this book.