Sell Out : The Definitive Guide to Selling Your Art Online Without Losing Your Mind
/Book Review of Sell Out by Rachel Wilkins
As a professional Art Appraiser, consultant, and fine artist myself, I have read many books on the art business. This one stands out from the others as being written with practical and no-nonsense advice for professional artists. Rachel Wilkins has been in the trenches as an artist, curator, marketing expert, and artist business consultant helping other artists. I will be recommending this book to every artist who wants to be a professional artist and take control of their career.
The key takeaway from this book, in my opinion, is that artists have more opportunities than ever before to make the art career that they choose. With this opportunity comes the need to step up professionally and treat this as a business and stop waiting for the big breakthrough or for someone else to promote their work.
"Through discipline comes freedom"
I appreciated the story-driven chapters written from the author's own experience while encouraging artists to think like professional artists and control their careers. 2020 saw so many changes in the art world while also showing artists the tremendous opportunities to promote, sell and exhibit their work in non-traditional ways. Every business must keep up and evolve with the times, and the art business is ready for these types of changes and opportunities for individual artists.
I have worked professionally in the art business since 1994, and I can say firsthand that the art business has been one of the slowest industries to change with the times. Still, we are seeing those changes now explode, and it is up to artists to study and take notes and work together to make sure they have the opportunities to show and sell their work at fair prices.
When I was in college and studying art, it was taboo to talk about making a living from your art or discussing prices and asking for what you were worth as an artist. There were no classes, seminars, or guest lectures on how to start your "Business" as an artist. Art was for art's sake, and discussing money, prices, or the business of art was taboo. Thankfully, that has changed and continues to change, and artists have more control over their art business's destiny than in any other time in history.
The good news is that this is all doable, and Rachel Wilkins gives some clear and practical tips for artists.
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