Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Art Submission Tips

One of the things most asked by Artists is how to submit to a publisher or company and not be immediately rejected. A couple of common tips will certainly help:

  1. Do your research. Are you approaching the right publisher - what are they looking for - is your work right for them. Check their website, ask for guidelines and look at other art they are offering. If your type of work is not there that could be a sign they don't publish work like yours - but dig deeper and you might find that your work is what they are missing. Either way - research is indispensible.
  2. Don't send everything you have. Narrow down your submission to one or two themes or styles and provide at least 6 images on each theme or style along the lines that your research has pointed you in. If you are very prolific or divergent in styles - send a couple of single examples of other styles as an addendum. Don't try to present everything at once.
  3. Follow submission guidelines. If the publisher provides them - follow the guidelines. If they ask for a CD of digital images - don't send a packet of photocopies. Each publisher will want to save time in selection and if they can see every submission in the same format that will help. Also pay attention to whom to send the submission to, deadlines, times of year and any other pertinent bits of information.
  4. Send a "brief" biography and business card with your website address. Again, the temptation is to list all your accomplishments, shows, galleries and the titles of all of your paintings. Keep the initial info brief. Think of it in the same way you would introduce yourself to someone you have just met and then invite them to get more information by way of your website.

Remember the best submission is the one that actually gets viewed. Good Luck.

6 comments:

michael orwick said...

Thank you for the good sound advise, What do you feel is the best approach for contacting galleries, or is it the same?

I would love to get my work in to one or two more galleries, and as always that initial contact is hard.

All the best,

Michael Orwick
Orwick Arts

art related musings and tips and techniques.
http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/
my new store, items added all the time. http://stores.ebay.com/Michael-Orwick-Arts
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My art hints at a story and then invites you to finish the narrative. My style has been called Inspired Expressionism, which combines impressionistic brush strokes and a touch of realism to create the atmosphere and lighting woven into my work.

The easiest way to see my work is at www.michaelorwick.com and from there a list of galleries showing my art is available.

Myron D. Arndt said...

Michael, The basic principles are certainly the same. It is funny, but the galleries in order to promote you - want to know that you are able to promote yourself. The more buzz you create about your work - the more interested they become. It is always about getting the most interest in the work they have in the gallery and an artist that comes in with a "built in" following will always have a better reception than someone unknown to the gallery. So after you have made that initial contact - then you have the right to "keep them posted" on what you are up to.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your great advice...
I have not had much luck with publishers myself; it seems I always get "your work is not what we are looking for right now".

How does one proceed if your work seems to be different from all of the others out there?
Someone suggested I try children's book publishers, and try to become an illustrator. Any thoughts?

I would appreciate any advice/direction you could give me. Thanks!

you can view my work at www.modernimpressionist.blogspot.com

Myron D. Arndt said...

Hi Kimberly, One of the things I might suggest from looking at your blog - although only briefly, is that publishers often want to be able to sell a "theme" and talented artists whose work encompasses many themes, or styles or even subjects may seem to vast for their focus. One suggestion is to only submit work along one solid theme that hangs together - ie: still life impressionist florals - or impressionist landscapes of the desert - etc. I am sure you know what I mean.
Having said that though, publishers are no longer the only way to go. Just getting known through many of the ways you are already doing, blogs, shows, links, commissions etc may lead to opportunities that fit your work. Oe thing you should not do is go down a path that does not feel like "you". From what I have known of artists - your work is part of who you are and in being true to that you will want to choose opportunities that you can wholeheartedly join and be involved with.

Best regards
Myron Arndt

Linda Blondheim said...

I have nominated you for an award on my blog.
Linda Blondheim
http://lindablondheimartnotes.blogspot.com

Myron D. Arndt said...

Thank you Linda - That would be an honor! All the best,
Myron Arndt