artist

5 Things You Can Do To Boost Your Art Sales

by Monika Blichar

Let’s face it-the world of painting and sitting back while an agent or gallery sells your art is over! With a large majority of galleries making the move to online sales and closing art houses, it is more important now than ever to become your own art agent and invest in your own sales and marketing strategies. Here are 5 things you can do to boost your art sales! If you enjoy or find these useful, please share and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

My exhibit at Art World Expo 2017 at Science World. I participate in about 15-20 exhibitions, markets, fairs, and trade shows annually.

1-Professional Branding

This means that you avoid slapping handwritten price tags on art that you want more than a few dollars for and you invest in proper branding! Logo, website, business cards, pamphlets, a portfolio and investing time into social media marketing with your branding. There is nothing worse than seeing gorgeous work without a price (or a handwritten scribble as a tag) out there! Serious collectors and buyers want to see you have taken the time to invest in proper branding and are representing yourself as a professional artist and business owner.

My new logo for 2018! I have decided to do an entire overhaul for my own brand.

2-Instagram

Instagram is one of the most powerful tools for artists today. When posting, remember to post photos related to your brand-works of art in progress, completed works for sale with prices, art exhibitions, art sales and any contests or awards that you may have won. Instgram is a wonderful place to create your visual portfolio where collectors and buyers can see your work without distractions. Be sure to remember to comment and connect with people on Instagram, the more you chat with people, the better your chances of building relationships and finding buyers.

Instagram also does great things like “Best Nine” where you can see which of your photos were the most popular in any given year.

3-Exhibit Your Work

If you haven’t done a show in a while-it’s time! (I recommend at least one show per quarter but of course, if you can manage more-then do it!) The more you are out with your work, the more your brand will be recognized, the more people you will meet and in turn, the more people will think of buying from your or asking for your assistance when they are looking for something. I also recommend opening your studio at peak times in the calendar year including Christmas as well as for holidays like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day Shopping events.

My paintings and mixed media work as part of a display for a Fashion Show by Blushing Boutique in 2011.

4-Collaborate with Others

For some artists, this seems counter-intuitive. Why would I want to partner with my competition? Well-you don’t partner with someone who makes exactly what you do-you partner with someone who is different! Collaborate with another artisan and promote a special offer online. Find a business to work with and create a special. The possibilities are endless!

A night to raise awareness for BC Salmon with artists and designers at Sheila Wong Fashion Studio in Vancouver, BC. This opportunity allowed me to work with Jay Peachy and acclaimed artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Collaborations like this have given me great networking opportunities but also life long friends in the arts industry.

5-Start Writing!

This is one of the biggest tools I have learned that helps business in a lot of ways! My recommendation is to first start a blog, offer resources, share ideas, vlogs, and interview artists or business people you admire. Second, create a newsletter and build your mailing list. Third, create a worksheet, EBook, or course about your industry or specific type of art you are making. Last, write for other publications. All of this will help boost your authority in your industry and connect directly to fans, buyers and clients.

“You’re Going to Make It-A Creativity Workbook to Help You Make Your Best Art!” was a creativity workbook that I created in 2016 to help my students. It has since sold almost 300 copies and has enabled me to generate passive and ongoing income from a piece of work that I created one time. Buy yours here: HERE

As with anything in business and life, your success depends on yourself. No one is going to do the work for you even if you pay someone! Today’s world is so limitless in possibilities for expansion, marketing, and overall success with the tools that we are given that it is so easy to get yourself out there! Never before have we had this option-what will you do with this possibility? I challenge you to take up your goals this year and kick it up a notch.

“Fortune comes to those who are prepared to work for it.”

Monika Blichar, B.A. & B.C.C.T. University of Victoria

CEO & Founder-MAB Ventures Inc. An Arts & Entertainment Agency

MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery

Art World Expo-Vancouver, Edmonton & Toronto

www.monikablichar.com www.mabartstudio.com www.theartworldexpo.com

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MAB Ventures Inc.-An Arts & Entertainment Agency, 1335 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver BC

The Art of Art Investments

It’s the hype that can be troublesome while dealing with pieces of art. Treat each art piece as an asset and nothing more. It’s an investment, and a subjective opinion shouldn’t be coming into play just like it wouldn’t with any other form of investment.

Art appreciation is something that can lead one down the wrong path and make it hard to produce the returns hoped for financially. Investors can start to assume they’re dealing with a great piece but it will not lead to quality gains. This is why it is essential to focus on what works rather than what may work. A lot of this occurs when an investor begins to bet on a future artist that may become popular or well-received down the road. This is never the right way to go and is inherently risky.

If you invest in art you need to remember it is similar to investing in venture capitalism. The idea is to look at the core details and how the art is produced. You don’t want to think about going with too many start-ups as the market may leave them in tatters.

Subjectivity is going to matter when it comes to collections because there is a personalized interpretation involved with artwork. This can make it seem like art cannot be deemed as an asset nor can it be viewed as something to add to one’s portfolio of investments.

However, there is a way to determine the market value of an art piece. The best way to get started is by speaking to a proven art advisor with years of expertise in dictating sales figures based on previous entries. It could be something sold at an auction or at an art gallery. These related sales can offer insight.

Another avenue is to start dissecting what the artist may have sold in the past. This information is ideal for setting a price point and knowing what one is working with. For example, an artist renowned for his/her work will receive awards or fellowships, and this can be a sign of good things to come. It can even be the academic position they may have held in the field of art because that indicates the potential value of the asset itself.

Resale value is the wrong way to look at an art piece. This only applies to the biggest of names in the world of art. You have to focus on this as a long-term asset and one that is going to act as a collectible (according to the IRS), and you will be taxed nearly 28% on all gains. This is a part of the expense you are going to pay on a sale, which means you are not going to net as much as you think you will.

This is why you have to think about the returns coming in and how they will play out in the long-term. You want to think about the non-financial advantages before anything else. The financial gain is nice, but that is a real bonus. If you keep it as an investment, you need to go to a proper art advisor to get a gist of what you’re working with.

If you are getting a collection, you need to think of it as a set of pieces rather than a complete sum of artwork. It is all about looking at the quality of the collection based on each piece and then assessing its value in general.

The artwork is often seen being listed in estates after valuation begins post-death. This is why a proper estate plan is an excellent strategic move. This is something you have to factor in as you are dealing with it as an asset. Will it be sold? Will it be transferred to your children/grandchildren?

This is a significant investment, but you have to think about it with a good understanding of your cash flows, additional assets, and other collections in hand. This is how you will be able to get more out of this asset.

You should always look to benefit from the art market but do it the right way, so you get more out of it.

Artist Feature Galina Lukshina

Статья на Русском

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By Iryna Petrenko

Artists are people who live in their own world of fantasy, dreams, emotions and feelings. Each one of them chooses a way to express their ideas of the universe and show their inner world.

Graphic artists choose sharp lines, creative thinking and unstable space. They are able to reveal the infinity and variety of such laconic graphic work. Traditional painting requires the artist to obey the established canons, but it is the graphics that open up the whole breadth of possibilities, freeing the imagination of the artist, limited only by the white sheet of paper.

Galina Lukshina is a visionary artist. She is an amazing woman who creates truly beautiful, mystical and unique pieces, expressing her own perception of the world, revealing feelings and emotions, flaunting human weaknesses and joy. Because of her talent, skill, desire to create and irrepressible imagination, these incredibly beautiful, bright and at times bizarre drawings make it impossible to remain indifferent.

The secrets of the artist are very simple: the creation of an image, regardless of the subject, must pass through the prism of their own sensations and emotions. By investing part of her own soul in each painting, Galina fills it with positive energy and feelings that she wishes to convey to the viewer. What makes her work entirely different from other artists, is the sincerity with which she animated her subjects. The author chooses unusual angles and creates dynamic images. Sharp hatching makes the picture come to life, the characters soar, taking the viewer into their realm.

The main theme of Galina Lukshina’s works is the inner dialogue of Man with God. These conversations encompass the whole universe in her paintings, where you are greeted with silent sadness, hopes for the future, parental joy, and childish naivety. All this is closely intertwined with surrealism, mysticism, and sometimes esotericism. Somehow, surprisingly, this emotional whirlwind is brought into balance and harmony by the artist.

There is a deep connection with folklore in Galina’s art. Belief in one’s own creation is present in many ancient rituals. Ukrainian folk embroidery is one of them. Our ancestors believed that you can embroider your destiny. In the modern world, we call it visualization. Galina found her way to create the future. She embroiders it in her paintings, and it projects into her life. When she was a child, Galina painted her daughter, and this drawing became a reality. Her daughter Alisa is not only the artist’s favorite creation, but also an endless source of inspiration for her work.

“I drew her when I was a child and was working on finishing this drawing for a long time. And now we often draw together, and together we see much better vision ahead. Alisa now lives in another country, married, but space does not separate us at all. On the contrary, the world in our minds is compressed to convenient values and this does not affect the quality of our communication. Here is Alisa, this is my most Important, the Best and most Significant Creation. I understand the world more clearly and distinctly through her now. I had a quantum leap because of her birth. Transition to a new level of consciousness. “(From an interview with the artist)

Alisa Lukshina is also an artist, and an actress. Actively filming, she also helps with sales of her mother’s paintings and organizing exhibitions.

Galina Lukshina has repeatedly participated in international art competitions in Spain, France, Germany, China, Australia, the USA and Mexico, and in 2004 her personal exhibition in Russia was held. Her works are in private collections in Ukraine, Europe and the USA. Among other things, the artist and her team are now working on preparing for another personal exhibition in Moscow.

There is a wonderful person and a musician, who needs to be mentioned. Alexandr Balunov, the founder of a famous music group Korol & Shoot (The king and the jester). He loves Lukshina’s art and has commissioned a few paintings. He decorated his new house with the art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFtfxzYOJWU.

Today, Galina’s works can be seen and even purchased on the pages of the Internet store https://www.etsy.com/shop/LukshinaArt where the detailed photo gallery of the finished works is presented, and there is an opportunity to make an order for original artwork, as a custom order printed T-Shirt.

Unique presentation, bright and memorable images, kindness and true human warmth are all present in the artwork of Galina, who invites everybody to travel through her magical worlds.

Ryan McGee-Weird Art & Lowbrow Charm

by Monika Blichar

I have long admired artists who push boundaries and when selecting artists to participate in our events, I always strive to reach artists who are different, fresh and new in their work. When I came across Ryan McGee’s work, I noticed something ‘je ne sais’ quoi about it. It’s dark but delightful. It’s strange and sublime. He examines life through a distorted lens. I loved it the moment I saw it and knew that we had to feature him in our Toronto event on November 17. I caught up with Ryan to ask him about his art. Enjoy!

1-When did you start making art?

I can’t pin point exactly when I started making art, for me it was something that just had to happen, I always had a need to express myself visually. When I was younger this took the form of drawing on walls and filling up sketchbooks with crude doodles. It wasn’t until my time in College that I started to really to think critically about what my art was, and what I wanted to put out into the world.

2-What inspires you to create?

I have always had a very strong interest in the weird, and this fuels me in everything I create. I pull from everything that strikes a cord with me on a personal level, and things that capture the underground culture I love. I often find myself collecting outdated horror and sci-fi comics, saving images of early surfer, and hot rod culture, and tuning in to a new band that connect with me. All of these elements get archived in somewhat of a nexus of inspiration for me to draw from.

3-How do you think art can change society?

I believe that art is extensive, and reaches just about everyone through various outlets. In my case I always wanted to create art but I never truly felt comfortable in the fine art culture, so I sought out sub art groups to get into. I think that’s the truly amazing thing about art is that there really is something out there for everyone to connect with. There will always be a steady flow of talented people who want to create, and express themselves. As long as art continues to have various outlets for these people to grow creatively then there will always be potential to change society by pushing new ideas, and concepts through their works.

4-Do you try to convey messages through your illustrations?

There is a certain charm I believe in lowbrow art, and this is something a try and capture in my pieces. I like to play with the imagination of the viewer through my strange, and sometimes-goofy pieces, I think this connects with the onlooker reminding them that art can fun. If my work has any type of message I would say it’s for people to take a step back, and not take themselves so seriously.

5-Where do you see yourself in your art business in the next five years?

I would love to have really established myself at least within the Toronto art community in the coming years. My dream would be to sustain myself entirely on my art, and that is something that I am really working on accomplishing. I think it is important especially for artists to set goals set for themselves and their art, and to always be striving to grow creatively, and professionally.

6-What kinds of works will you have for sale at Art World Toronto? Will you be offering attendees any show specials?

I will have a variety of pieces available for sale at Art World Toronto from patches to stickers to prints. In terms of special offers I really value meeting, and networking with new people at these events. Chances are if you come and say hi you’ll end up with a discount on some pieces, or maybe some stickers for free.

To order tickets to the Toronto Art World Expo, please visit This Link

Surf Art? Yes Please!

By Monika Blichar

I always love meeting new artists and sharing them in our network. This time, I catch up with Lindsay who has a daring sense of adventure in her art and life!

Lindsay graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Television Film and New Media then proceeded to get her MAED at University of Phoenix. Lindsay is from the Hollywood area where she worked at DreamWorks as well as other film companies and eventually took on her own clients. Some clients include Marriott, US Hanger Company, Hilton, San Diego Rescue Mission, Pussers and many more!

“My work is shows the compliments of coastal living and the carefree lifestyle of surfing. I like to do work with passion that shows the beauty of the sport of surfing becoming one with nature. I like to show how creative nature’s beauty can be. I live outside of the DC area and was born and raised in southern California which I am constantly coming back to. I create ocean art, accessories and jewelry. www.BlueFusionSurfArt.com Paradise Found is a favorite spot in Kauai.”

Outdoor Canvas Art

Outdoor Canvas Art is an easy way to add colour!
For a quick and easy way to spruce up your yard or garden, consider adding canvas art to your outdoor space. The opportunities are nearly limitless, and you’ll be able to take advantage of a huge wealth of designs available. And, with printed artwork, you’ll find you can add a personal touch. Give visitors an impression of your own style, and compliment the design and aesthetic of your home with a tasteful assortment of hung and mounted pictures.

Learn more HERE

Interview with Annsabelle Recitas Ramas

by Monika Blichar

This week, I catch up with Annsabelle Recitas Ramas. I always love to meet new artists and Annsabelle intrigues me not only because she is an interesting painter, but also because she brings to her work a passion and cultural background in which you can get lost. Her work is a sort of hidden gem in a vast sea and when you take time to look and appreciate it, the sea; with all its waves and motion, becomes still.

1-What inspires you in your art?

I call my collection of work inspiration for all.
Creativity comes from deep in our soul.
We all want to find purpose in life. Sometimes heavy thoughts are colours in my dreams. My greatest art is inspired at the latest hours of the day when my mind’s eye turns my hand into strokes of chaos. Yesterday’s paint strokes are sometimes dark, but I see bright colors through the shadows of my pain.

2-How did you start making art?
I began painting at a young age, but I stopped. I have always loved art. Art is my life. Recently, during a difficult period of my life, I started painting again. I used painting as an outlet for my emotions. I come alive through the spirits in my paintings. I’m loving painting and feeling alive again.

3-What have been some of your favourite pieces so far?
My favourite pieces are The Hidden Pain, The Waterfalls, Calgary Life, Storm in the Afternoon, Chaos 1, and Out of my Mind

4-You make a lot of abstract work. What do you feel makes a good abstract painting?

I create art with my heart and soul. I feel that, to make a good abstract paintings, people should be able to relate and react to it. The piece should speak to people and move them, emotionally. It should give them strength, allow them to explore their imagination, and create harmony and rhythm in their homes. I strive to create modern and exciting abstract art that inspires people.

5-Where do you want to see your business in five years?
I will be promoting my art and expanding in the Vancouver area. I dream of doing some international shows in New York City, Los Angeles, Arizona, Dubai, and my native Philippines.

6-Will you have any special offers for AWE 2017 guests?

Yes, we will have limited edition paintings, posters, and postcards on special prices for guests. We will also have a raffle prize draw for one of my limited edition prints, and one of my favourite paintings, “The Hidden Pain,” (pictured in this article) will be available in the AWE 2017 Silent Auction. Visit and chat with me at my display area!

Biography – Annsabelle

Annsabelle “Ann-ann” Ramas (b. Annsabelle Recitas Ramas on March 7, 1980) Is a Filipino-Canadian Abstract Artist. Her provocative, imaginative works recently landed her a feature in the prestigious lifestyle magazine, Jet Set.

Annsabelle’s art is rooted in her love of the splendours and senses of her land, the Philippines, and her struggles with – and courage to forge ahead from – personal experiences of heartache and pain. Her free strokes feature rich, colourful depth and unmistakable gravitas. Annsabelle is most in her element – brush in hand – painting her intricate feelings on a blank canvas.

Her collection of work is called Inspiration For All. Believing that creativity comes from places deep in our soul, she hopes her art will help others find purpose and meaning in their life.

If the mundane doesn’t make sense to you, perhaps Annsabelle’s divine strokes of thoughts and dreams may speak to your soul.

Annsabelle’s greatest art is inspired at the latest hours of the day when her mind’s eye turns her hand into strokes of chaos. Yesterday’s paint strokes of dark days past are making way for bright future horizons.

To see more from Annsabelle, please visit her website http://annsabelle.com/

Interview with Body Painter Devon Burbank

by Monika Blichar

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1-When did you know you wanted to be a make up artist?

I think I realized that I wanted to be a makeup artist when I recognized that there are more options than painting on a flat canvas. I really enjoy the 3D aspect of the art form and also that it’s more socially acceptable to talk to living models rather than an intimate object.

2-Why do you love working with make up?

I like having the freedom of being creative while also simultaneously following the natural bone structure for each person’s unique characteristics. It’s much more challenging being able to walk in to something with so much artistic inventiveness, but also having to follow the rules of realism at the same time. It’s a perfect mixture of art and balance!

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3-You won at the IMATS in 2016. What was your inspiration for your character submission at that competition?

I’ve always been inspired by the Star Wars franchise and the creatures that lived in it, and though it was such a crazy random happenstance that it was chosen as the theme for that years IMATS competition, Star Wars was, ironically enough, my inspiration. That being said, when we were told to create a unique character complete with costume and a story, I immediately started to plan one around the desert planet of Jakku. I was inspired by the story line of Ray and her struggle of living alone on such a deserted bleak desert planet and wanted the thriftiness and cunning of her character to come across through my own.

4-You do make up and prosthetics. What has been your favorite character design so far?

It’s incredibly difficult choosing my favorite design, I put hours of planning and preparation in to each creature and they all hold a special place in my heart. Though I think it’s safe to say that the most entertaining character designs so far were when I turned my two best friends in to Mike and Sully from my favorite childhood film, Monsters Inc. It was a strangely satisfying feeling getting to see the animated characters that I held so close to my heart for all those years be given life and personality from the two people that now share that same spot.

5-Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Do you have any goals for your business?

In 5 years I’d like to be able to look back on all that I’ve done and be proud of what I’ve accomplished in that short amount of time. I would love to be able to work as a full time freelance makeup artist that specifies in creature design and prosthetics, but at the same time I don’t think that I could ever limit myself to just one form of makeup artistry since it’s such an amazing art form. So I guess the goal for my freelance makeup artistry business is to have as many opportunities as possible so I can enjoy the unexpected journey of where it takes me.

6-What are you looking forward to the most about competing in Art World Expo this year?

I’m looking forward the 6 hour time-span that we have for painting, usually I’m used to working with smaller durations of 1-3 hours so having that extra time will be wonderful for detail work. I’m also looking forward to seeing what the other artists bring to the table for the ‘7 Wonders of the World’ theme, each person has such a unique art style which will cause some truly incredible ideas and designs.

To learn more about Devon Burbank, have a look at her FACEBOOK PAGE or WEBSITE

Vendor Tips: Sell Your Art

by Monika Blichar, Art World Expo Owner and Producer

Selling art can be tricky. I mean, lets be honest about buying art. It isn’t a necessity like food or shelter nor can it improve your employment skills via education or training. Investing in art doesn’t bring you a fancy certificate for a future job position, nor does it help you do your job better because its settings has better apps than your last device. It can’t help you put gas in your car or buy new running shoes for your kids, nor can it help you get dog food for your puppy. So, what is the motivation for people to buy art and how can you sell your art regularly despite these drawbacks?

Have a look at these vendor tips; be sure to send me your ideas and I might just post them in my next blog with credits to you-website and photos included of your art too!

1-Market to a Specific Audience

Whether you make wood sculptures or plaster casts is irrelevant. Who you are marketing to is what is important. Afterall, if you are targeting college or university students just because you’re currently in college or university, it may work for bumper sticker art, cards or prints, but once you decide you don’t want to sell 500 items at $5, your chances of selling a piece at even $100 to a student is slim. Before you continue your marketing today, think about who your audience is and then find ways to reach that audience.

2-Social Media

I harp on artists all the time about using social media to promote their art. What other free tools are there? Social media is definitely the number one tool to reach the maximum number of people for no monetary investment. Artists in our events will promote their work and use our #artworldexpo hashtag; you’re more than welcome to use it too and we’ll share and retweet your art. That’s the beauty of it really-you can reach so many people and if you use good hashtags, others will share your work too. Be sure to comment, like, and share other people’s posts, images and content in order to spread the love! In terms of social media, whatever you put in, you’ll get back.

3-Follow Up

Many artists sign up for markets, events, and trade shows; preparing everything correctly including draw boxes for contests, email marketing newsletter campaigns, and then; fail to follow up for numerous reasons. Whether you didn’t do as well as you thought at your event sales wise or you just didn’t get the number of people through your booth as you though, the biggest waste of time after an event is that you didn’t follow up with people you met or who entered your draw box. That is where the REAL fortune is. Adding people to your mailing list, inviting them to your Facebook Page, or keeping them in the loop for your next event is the KEY to creating relationships that will help you grow your business and sell more art.

I always love to try new things when selling art. I diversify my work and my workload; making adjustments all the time. What worked two months or two years ago, might not work today. The important thing is that you always experiment with your sales strategies and sales goals with the knowledge that there is something for everyone and someone out there is looking for exactly what you have.

If you liked these tips, be sure to SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER to get more tips like these plus special offers, industry news and notifications about our latest events and projects on a regular basis. Be sure to share these tips and send us your ideas for your chance to be featured in our next post! Email us at artists@theartworldexpo.com

Monika Blichar is an Entrepreneur and Artist. She is owner of MAB Art Studio & Boutique Gallery in North Vancouver and producer of Art World Expo and Painting Dreams International Art Tours. She is always pushing boundaries as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Her love of the arts has been a part of her life since childhood.