Visual Art Marketing Tool, the Vlog

Unless you are a first time blog reader, or a new reader of this blog, you know the idea of blogging as an effective marketing tool for artists has been pounded, expounded and nearly ground to death. That's not to say give up on the idea, au contraire, if you haven't yet started blogging get with it post haste.

For those of you who want something more, who can visualize that YouTube is a force to be reckoned with and harnessed, there is video blogging, or vlogging, as it is known. I like the idea myself quite a bit, but haven't conjured how to make it work for this blog. Perhaps that day will come later this year.

Here are a couple of contemporary artists who are effectively vlogging. One is Natasha Wescoat. She is a natural in that there is not much she hasn't done or touched in the electronic media world to help further her career. If you have followed her career and realize she has achieved her success by dint of talent and perseverance on a budget and with other constraints that would have stymied most, it's that much more impressive. An early pioneer in selling art in volume on eBay, she's gone on to continue to develop an avid fan base via the Internet and the tools that come with it, including using vlogging. She has a wide range of video offerings. Here is a sample from her Natasha Wescoat's ArtCandy Web site:

Another artist effectively vlogging is Valentina on her Val's Art Diary site. She sells prints on eBay and DeviantArt as well as her prints. She also has a weekly drawing for a free prize using a clever dart throw selection. Watch the whole video to see how she does it. She uses the videos to give her viewers insight into her as a person and her thoughts about the paintings she creates. Viewer comments for her and Natasha substantiate it's working for both of them. Here is one of Val's weekly vlogs:

These are just two artists exploring how using vlogs can make their art much more accessible and real to their collectors. It's a brave new world out there. Whatever you do, don't forget Val's weekly admonition to eat your cookie. Explore her site and she'll generously show you in another video the tricks she used to make her trademark silhouette "Eat Your Cookie" video.

With the advent of blog and now vlogs, collectors can get to know the artists whose work they admire. Instead of reading the bio sheet and a couple of press clippings, they can get to see the artist, watch work created in time lapse videos and hear in the artist's own words what the the motivation is and what the meaning is behind their imagery. More and more people are spending time on sites like YouTube in lieu of watching reality TV shows. With the interminable Writers Guild strike, who knows how many more devotees the likes of Natasha and Val will be developed.

Comments

[Sue Smith]

Barney, this is what I absolutely love about your blog! I have learned so much since finding you. I bought your book as an early birthday present to myself, and I've just received it. Now, not only do I want to dive into the contents, but I want to totally explore this youtube thing, too. There has to be a way to use this new vlogging even if you are an Ancient Artist and not young and totally adorable. Maybe if I use puppets or standins? I'll be waiting to read about your ideas on this subject...not that you're needing to worry about using the stand in thing!

[Barney Davey]

Thanks Sue for the kind comments...and for purchasing my book. I trust it will provide you with some nuggets not found in the blog. I agree while these young artists connect in ways with looks and personality and the vibrance of youth, artists who fall outside of being adorable are just as apt to find inventive ways to use vlogging to imbue their own work and passion to connect with their collectors in their own unique way. You already are carving a niche with your blog, I'm sure you'll find a way to translate this medium to your advantage as weill.

[debbie]

Barney- Have you come across a simple, step by step list of how to actually create an artists' vlog? I'm talking from the ground up- the best digital camera to buy (features-zoom-etc), the best computer and software for editing and ease of uploading, lighting, etc. I've been searching the internet for a comprehensive source but have not found it. I'm going invest in doing this, but I don't want to purchase something today and learn three months from now what I needed a different camera/software/light set, etc. Any suggestions?
PS- I enjoyed your Art Print Market discussion with Allison. Well done! -Debbie

[JacksonPollock]

HOLLYWOOD abstract PAINTING DUO ON THE UPRISE THROUGH YOUTUBE A power painting duo that lives in Hollywood by the names of TIM PHOENIX and SANDY MARTIN, who paint under the synonym ONE BLACK ROSE are gathering quite the BUZZ in Hollywood and across the world about their abstract paintings. Their YOUTUBE videos have gathered them quite some accumulative fame lately. They are selling paintings more than they can keep up with now. Tim Phoenix says: "We started this show just a few months ago and now we can't even keep up with our commissioned works, let alone our weekly show which is on our youtube channel every monday night at 9:30pm eastern time and 6:30pm pacific coast time. Life is good right now because it is full of so much color. Our paintings are a different dimension for us that most people couldnt understand". You can see their art works on their website: www.OneBlackRose.us then go to their YOUTUBE SHOW