In the Slow Lane

My marketing machine has broken down. Well, not completely. More like it's running low on gas and I have to slow it down... keep it in the slow lane.


It's kind of sad, but this is the way it must be... for now.


2011 was a good year for me artistically. I earned enough to put me somewhere between the bottom 10%  of artists and the top 10%.  According to artist Jack White (not the singer), the bottom 10% make $1000 or less from their art. The top 10% make a great living from their art. I did OK, but if not for my wonderful day career, I'd be a starving artist. Then again, I might have more time to make art and properly market it with the extra 9 hours a day. Don't get me wrong; I love my job CNC Prototype machinist job!

2012 has brought several challenges, mostly financial ones, that have caused me to slow down the marketing machine:

After years of avoiding the Gates of Hell (the dentist's office), I'm finally faced with some expensive and time consuming dental work. Please take it from me: when the dentist tells you to get a check up and a cleaning every six months, they aren't just trying to get your money.


I'm also the president of The West End Community Arts Network (WeCan). That's a new group, and we're beginning to get more active. WeCan has a great board of directors, and we all take a lot of time to get things done. Recently I was on the Doug Garrison Show. My stage fright is getting well under control! Unfortunately, we're a small board, and we can only do so much. 


I'm also the Vice President of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra. That means I must learn how to be president. I must keep up with things in case the president can't. That means a lot of meetings, emails and thinking (or trying to think. I admit it: I don't know what I'm doing in this regard!). I went to the Marquette Arts and Culture Center annual awards ceremony last week to accept an award on behalf of the MSO, and of course I had to say a few words from the stage.


It isn't all doom an gloom!

I'm planning a long trip to New Mexico to see the family I have there. We're taking the long way through South Dakota and Colorado to see Mt Rushmore, the Badlands,  Rocky Mountain National Park, and whatever else crosses our path! That has occupied a lot of time and money. But it will be a blast! And I plan to take a lot of pictures for future paintings. 

Because of the time and cash dedicated to my health and vacation, I will not be at The Outback Art Fair this year. They say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." In marketing, absence makes the heart go wandering!


Not having the extra cash for postcards and ads has given me the freedom to simply paint. I've churned out quite a few great paintings this year. I've tried to tighten my style, explore other subjects, and improve myself. I've also pursued galleries and opportunities outside of my immediate area. These items are part of the plan I made for myself this year.


Also part of my plan: I've also done more low cost marketing. I've increased my Facebook activity. I've made a few videos and posted them on You Tube. Please subscribe to my AofJF Channel!  

Not part of my plan, but a great chance: I've created an Art of John French app (available on the Android market only for now) with Conduit Mobile. 


I've also decided to rededicate myself to this blog, and create another more collector-oriented blog. I'm just looking for the right platform and deciding on the right theme and direction.


So even though my marketing machine is in the slow lane, it's still going.