For artists just looking at the idea of licensing their art, the things they need to learn, know and do can quickly feel overwhelming. Licensing your art is different from selling in galleries, doing commission work or many other ways of earning an income from your art. The way you think about art and create the art is different. While a gallery artist creates beautiful works of art that can stand alone in someone’s home, the licensed artist must think in collections and create groups of art that can go on a variety of products.
Aside from the change in art creation process, many find it more confusing to figure out who to talk to at manufacturing companies. While a gallery has a street address and most likely a listing in the phone book or online, it can be harder to figure out who to talk to at a company who licenses art – if you even know about them in the first place.
“How do I know if my art is licensable?” “How do I start?” “What’s the most important thing to do first?” are common questions from artists just exploring the idea of licensing. They want to snap their fingers and just know what to do and that they will be successful. Unfortunately, very little works that way and art licensing isn’t one.
So what do I recommend? Do one thing every day. If you do one thing every business day for a month, by the end of the month you will be 20-25 steps ahead of where you were at the beginning of the month.
Here are fifteen things to get you started:
- Read blog posts.
- Watch videos.
- Read about artists who are successful in the industry.
- Read eBooks.
- Listen to audios.
- Talk to others who are learning about licensing.
- Create art with licensing in mind.
- Create four coordinating pieces of art.
- Learn to create repeat borders.
- Learn to create repeat patterns.
- Join a group of artists who are also interested in art licensing.
- Go shopping and see what kind of art you see on products.
- Research companies that license art.
- Contact a manufacturer and submit your artwork for review.
- Be open to feedback.
Just because you do something one day doesn’t mean it is done forever. Many things will be done on a continual basis. But to fight feeling overwhelmed and giving up before you even get started, just commit to doing ONE thing every day and you will be amazed at the progress you will make.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Great article Tara. I am just getting started with the idea of licensing my art and the call with Mary and your articles are helpful and hopeful. Thank you. Susan Straub-Martin
Great to hear! Thanks!
Hello!Talk about serendipity. Saw a Tweet and followed it here! Wow Rec’d my first licensing agreement in the mail today, which is a great opportunity with no financial risks on my part. I love the idea of having my work out there and am planning on contributing a portion of my royalties to a charitable organization. However I harbor a slight concern that this US based company is a start up and has some competition with legs. And I also wonder how licensing might affect the future value and collectability of my paintings. We are only talking about three paintings. The contract is renewable after a year and royalties are paid out quarterly. Am I just being fearful? I’ve been searching for a way my work can mean something.
Ann – everyone has to answer those concerns personally but if I might point out – Paul Brent & Thomas Kinkade are great examples of artists who have combined “collectors” and licensing very successfully. It can be done but is very good to consider your strategy starting out.
You might want to consider the Branding Teleseminar that Paul Brent did last month – great strategies to build your art brand. http://www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/branding.html
Tara
Thanks for this..it was most informative!
Hi Tara,
Thank you, I have been reading and following you for a few months now. I am having trouble finding an art agent, I have contacted several from surtex and others but have not been successful. Do you have any suggestions on how to get some agents interest to respond?
Sincerely,
Angela
Angela – I’m not sure what to say other than “personable persistence” and look at how you are trying to get their attention. Are you calling, emailing samples, directing to a website? Getting an agent is a sales job in and of itself – but YOU are the product.
Best of luck!
Tara