When Artists Should Play it Safe

When you’re in the studio I encourage you to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone as far as you want to go. Take  creative risks that are challenging and expanding. However, when it comes to matters about your physical and emotional health, career security and financial protection, I urge you to be diligent and exercise precaution. In this article I share some of the many situations when artists should play it safe.

Protect Yourself with A Contract

It’s delightful when a gallery or agent expresses interest and wants to exhibit your art or represent you. They recognize and praise your talent and boast about what they can do for you. Your most cherished dreams come true. Before your emotions override your logic and you start to take a leap of faith, I suggest instead that you take a deep breath.

Discuss Before You Sign
First, discuss the details of the relationship then get your agreement in writing. A signed agreement is not only used with dealers and agents. You will also want to have one when doing commissioned work, working with corporate art consultants, curators, interior designers, architects and others who are engaged in representing and selling your art.

An Agreement Offers Comfort
Chances are, you’ll have a good working relationship with your dealer or agent, and once the agreement is written you may never have to refer to it. However, it will be comforting to know it exists, should any promises be forgotten or any questions, changes or disagreements arise.

For more information about what to include in your contract read “Your Relationships With Art Galleries and Agents and the Written Agreement.”

Avoid Falling for Art Scams

Scams specifically aimed at artists seem to be on the rise and are becoming more devious than ever. Nancy Reyner, artist and author states, “Innocent people fall victim to scams every day, and artists are particular vulnerable.  “Scams Aimed at Artists” is an article that provides actual samples of scams artists have received. It also contains many comments from artists who have received the pitch letters. These scams begin with the scammer sending an email to the artist expressing interest in buying their work and eventually tricks the artist into sending the work they purchase with a fraudulent check.

Nancy advises, “Stay alert when reading emails. Do not make hasty decisions. Check out everything you can on the internet about a person making a proposal to you. Read up on current schemes. Search online for ‘email scams aimed at artists’. If something feels odd about the request trust your intuition!”

Walk Away from Vanity Galleries
Another most common scam aimed at artists are “Vanity Galleries”: These galleries target artists with hard selling tactics that appear at first as offers to represent the artist, yet they require the artist to pay high fees to have their work exhibited. They are also known as “Pay to Play Galleries”. Read “Beware of Vanity Galleries”

Avoid Toxic Art Materials

You may not be aware that some of the products and materials you use may be harmful. A few related causes of toxicity are from the use of: plastic resins in cast resin sculpture; solvents like hexane, benzene, and toluene in graphic arts materials; metal fumes from welding; and heavy metals and carcinogens, which are inhaled during airbrushing of watercolors, acrylics, and oil paints; among many others.

Read Labels
All fine art materials are required by law to conform to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-4236 which is a labeling standard confirming if the product is at all hazardous. So, read the labels carefully before you buy the products.

Do Your Own Research
Take a step further and do your own independent research about the ingredients, as some may be claimed ‘legal’ but may still cause chronic health issues. And, always work in well-ventilated areas and don’t eat and drink around art supplies that emit fumes.

You’ll find a comprehensive article on the subject “Are Your Art Materials Making You Sick?”

Prevent Career Self-Sabotage

Many of the obstacles we face can be attributed to our own behavior. In my article “10 Ways to Avoid Art Career Self-Sabotage” the #1 rule is: Define success according to your own terms.

Your path to success begins with a clear and articulate understanding of what success means to you. It shouldn’t be dominated by what your parents, teachers, other artists, dealers, or other so called “experts” tell you to do, unless they resonate with your core beliefs and values.

Throughout your art career you’ll be faced with many other situations like these. I advise you to always use your intuition, check the facts, get detailed information, and proceed with caution.