Why do Artists Fear Technology? — The Abundant Artist

Don’t fear the technology.

Last night I was at Portland’s 1st Thursday. It’s fun for me to walk around, see the art, and meet the artists. I heard someone walk up to an artist and ask if there were any good galleries around. The artist I was talking to looked at me and rolled their eyes. I looked over at the couple standing there and said, “You’re standing in a three city block long gallery housing probably 150 artists who specialize in dozens of mediums. What are you looking for?”

They looked at me funny and walked away.

I’m always a little amazed at the artists who only sell at street fairs, or even who make street fairs their main priority. Perhaps it’s too easy. It’s easy to cart your work down the street, put it on display and hope someone who’s walking by buys it.

It’s certainly easier than learning how to set up a well thought out Web site. It’s easier than learning how to set that site up take payments, have effective SEO, and properly display your images. I met so many amazing artists last night, including CJ Randall, who I bought the print at the top of this post from. Unfortunately most of them had sites that were out of date, poorly constructed, or not set up to take payments.

It is not at all difficult to learn how to sell your work on the Internet. If it’s something that you are depending on for your living think about this. Last month:

well over 100,000 people went to the Internet and searched the term “art for sale.”
300,000+ typed in “handmade jewelry.”
60% of all purchases made in the USA start with a search engine.
3/4 of Americans use social technology (think Facebook, Twitter, etc)
People now spend more time online than they do on TV.

Technology is enabling people to connect with what they really want. The Internet has made it possible to find exactly who you are looking for.

The only challenge after that is connecting with people in a way that affects them, inspires them, makes them want to give their money in exchange for something.

Who in the world, if not artists, is better at connecting with people, moving them, and inspiring them?

So you tell me: what’s the deal with the fear of technology?

Tagged as: fear of technology, social media

David

When I was in new media school, there was students who picked up technology fast but had poor design sense. Others who struggled with technology but what they produced was beautiful. And then a small group who could do both.

Its basically the right brain-left brain thing. Artists tend to be creative intuitive thinkers whereas most computers are designed by linear thinkers. (Macs a little less so) The result is an initial barrier to thinking in computer-ese. A little steeper learning curve.

However, once the basics are mastered, artists can make leaps and bounds with their intuitive use of the devices potential. The computer becomes a magnificent tool that can break all kinds of boundaries.

What many artists need is just a little more time to gain confidence. And fewer geeks telling them they're being "slow". (laughs)
.-= David´s last blog ..Naming Big Numbers =-.

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theabundantartist

You're right David. There needs to be more computer training for creative people (that could be my next business). I think the right brain/left brain argument is a bit of a cop-out though. Everyone has things that they are more and less good at. I think taking the fear away opens up a lot of barriers. Thanks for commenting!

Sugarluxe Art

Great post! Although I began online before sites like Etsy, DeviantArt, Zazzle, etc...I felt that understanding how to market online would be critical to success.

Now, with sites mentioned above, where you don't even have to know how to program a site...or with wordpress templates and plugins, that require no coding skills...creating an online presence and marketing yourself as an artist online is easier than ever.

As someone who LOVES to learn, I'm thankful that I started tearing into html, css, flash, and php years ago. It gives a definite edge because now when hiring people, I understand exactly what it takes and it keeps me from wasting money and getting taken advantage of.

But, in terms of getting yourself out there...you don't have to know any of that stuff I spent years teaching myself. There are so many places to connect online and display your work, it would be insane to depend solely on traditional means in today's modern world.

High fives to you for starting this blog and helping artists everywhere learn that control = success if you want to make a living doing what you love.

Wow, Sugarluxe I just looked at your site. Love it! Looks delicious! I'm glad you love to learn. Thanks for stopping by.

Victoria

Pleased to meet you.

I am an Integrated Media Artist and I consider web design to be part of my core practice.

However, it has been challenging to set up all this and I often talk to successful artists who say, "Oh my management does all that for me."

I am live on the net.

Check me out.

livemorelightly.com [environmental project]
livemorelightly.com/Tech [Tech Help]

Thanks for sharing your challenges Victoria. It can certainly be a challenge to go from web design to web marketing. They are often two different mindsets. Keep plugging away, keep making small changes, and things will come along.

Hugh Guiney

People fear the unknown. For many, technology like this is still very new. And even when they are acquainted, it's always changing. A few years ago, e-mail was a vital form of online communication. But nowadays it's becoming less and less important. Not all artists are technologically inclined and so even if they want to have a more active online presence they're not always 100% sure about how to go about it.

Add to that the fact that there are a lot of artists out there for whom the creative process is their sole or primary strength or interest. I have come across individuals time and time again who love to make art for art's sake but don't really revel in the business aspect of it. They may want to make money off of their work but the presumption is that "if you make it, they will come", which will never happen unless "they" KNOW about "it", and how will they if you do not utilize every channel of communication you have at your disposal?@aMetallurgist
It makes me want to make a sci-fi movie so bad. And play a character like Batty. =-.

Lord Pancreas, you're absolutely right. Thanks for the comment!

Kait

So very true! O my! I've networked myself through twitter, deviant art, blogspot, etsy, flickr and facebook fan pages and it's doing wonders. I have also recieved comments that 'marketing' my work will 'cheapen it', which I respond to with great bemusement. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live in shacks in the middle of the woods and make art all day and still manage to sell it without anyone knowing where we live or seeing what we do? Our art would be so pure then...
.-= Kait´s last blog ..The Art of Happiness =-.

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