My first blog!

"My art can sell itself," I told myself as I quietly watched people file in and out of my first ever show at Michigamme Moonshine Art Gallery. Some of them bought, most didn't. Still, I had enough sales to consider the show a success.
   Seven months later, I showed for the first time at The Outback Art Fair, Marquette, MI's annual outdoor arts and craft market. Again, people filed in and out of the tent. Again, some bought. Most --a huge MOST-- did not buy. Again, I considered the event a success. My art was out in the world. It had sold itself.
     The success I had in the beginning whetted my appetite! That was the first year that I had really pushed myself to become the successful artist I always wanted to be. I was ready to be a businessman. Some people say when you have a good idea, the universe and God conspire to help you. I guess that's what beginner's luck is. After these two events, sales dropped off. My art was no longer selling itself.  I started asking myself "why?" Was it the art? Not likely, since a lot of it had sold, and I get great comments about it. Was it the economy? Maybe, but I refused to hold on to that. Was it me? No...well...maybe...hmmmm... What can I do?
   The answer I was inevitably drawn to was MARKETING. I realized that even though everyone knows about McDonalds crappy burgers, and everyone knew where to get one, McDonalds still advertises! They still spend billions to remind everyone that McDonalds still exists. If McDonald's has to advertise to stay successful, then so must I.
   So it was time to change my way of thinking. My art does not sell itself. In fact, I've learned that very little art sells itself. I have to sell it. In doing so, I must sell myself.
   This blog will be my journal of the twists, turns, dead ends and flights on this journey from frustrated artist to struggling, semi-professional artist, which I hope is a stepping-stone to Successful Art Professional!