Patrice Federspiel, Watercolor Artist

A.C.T.: Patrice, what is your art marketing strategy?
Patrice: "My favorite marketing strategy is to paint in public. The act of painting is magical; it attracts the people like bees to flowers. Once there, I engage the 'voyeurs' in conversation. People like a good story. The more they feel a connection to me as an artist, the better the story they have to take home with them. Their memory is reinforced once they’ve purchased a piece of my art. I use my mailing list to strengthen that memory/connection via cards and postcards throughout the year.

"Each person I meet provides me with an opportunity to introduce my art and myself. Therefore each meeting is an opportunity to market and sell my art…but that didn’t come naturally to me. I had to learn that skill; I will likely spend the rest of my life perfecting it.

"I sell my original paintings through galleries, art exhibits, fundraising events, art festivals, and private sales. I sell prints and cards through specialty stores on the islands. I teach both private art lessons and group classes at various venues. Whenever I travel I set up workshops to teach in the area I’m visiting. I have prints and cards available for sale when I teach."

A.C.T.: What dividends has your professionalism paid?
Patrice: "My professionalism is evident in the manner in which I display my art, present myself, and speak about my art and myself. We form opinions within seconds of meeting one another, which is why first impressions are so important. I strive to create a good first contact with everyone, no matter if we’re meeting in person or through my art, my prints, my website, or my words. I want that good positive impression to last, which is why follow through is so important. Artist Career Training has taught me the importance of being true both to my words and to myself. I can’t follow through naturally with professionalism if it isn’t truly me through and through."

A.C.T.: What obstacles have you encountered and how have you handled them?
Patrice: "The first obstacle I needed to overcome as an artist was my thinking. Like many others, I didn’t grow up believing I could be a professional artist. Though it was something I wanted, I was encouraged to get a 'real' career and do my art on the side. That satisfied me for a while, but I longed to live my life as my true artist self.

"For years I paid my dues by getting up at 4:30 a.m. to paint or sculpt before heading off to work. I wondered aloud when and how I would be able to do my art full time. When I finally 'earned' the possibility of quitting my truly wonderful 'real' job and moving to Hawai‘i to paint, I jumped at the chance.

"Once here, I realized I knew no one and didn’t have the foggiest idea of how to be a professional artist. With a one-foot-in-front-of-the-other attitude, I took classes, joined arts organizations, met other artists, read art magazines, and discovered Artist Career Training’s resources."

A.C.T.: What advice do you have for other artists?
Patrice: "First, follow your dreams, especially if you don’t know where they will lead you. Second, find others of like mind and interest (the Artist Career Training community of artists is a GREAT place to do that!). Third: Learn as much as you can about your art form, the business of art (again, Artist Career Training has invaluable resources), your market, and the arts in your area. Fourth: always create…well we can’t help but do that; but create consciously and with intent. Your creations will nourish you and others in more ways than you will know. Fifth: be open. Opportunity knocks when you least expect it. You want to be prepared, so start to get ready NOW!"

A.C.T.: How have you benefited from your involvement in Artist Career Training?
Patrice: "I have learned the ability to talk about my art and myself; to approach galleries and sales venues with confidence; and to present my work in a professional manner that helps me make sales and further my career. I have 'met' scores of other artists from around the country who help me weekly by keeping me focused on my goals as a professional artist. I don’t know where I would be without Artist Career Training, but I doubt I’d be anywhere near as far along in my career as I am!"

Patrice A Federspiel
Painting the Essence of Living Aloha
www.artofaloha.com
PO Box 61707
Honolulu, HI 96839-1707
808-392-9104 (C)