Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway

"Starting Your Career as an Artist: A Guide for Painters, Sculptors, Photographers, and Other Visual Artists" is a brand new book by Angie Wojak and Stacy Miller.

I was lucky enough to score a review copy this summer and spent quite a few afternoons by the lake in serious reading mode.

This book is no lightweight. Just reviewing the table of contents had me wondering about new strategies to deal with exhibiting, funding, mentoring, etc.

The authors look at the whole picture and examine the viewpoints of all the stakeholders in the art scene, not just the artist.  It's filled with interviews with gallery owners, art directors, educators, emerging and established artists, and funders (to name a few).

They also break down all the major areas with practical advice i.e.  Eight Steps for Simple Record Keeping and Tax Filing,  Common Artist's Statement Mistakes to Avoid, Dangerous Materials and Equipment in the Studio, Lifelong Learning for Artists, and on and on!

Before long my copy was filled with notes to myself, underlined areas, and a plan was emerging in my mind on putting my "artist" house in order.

256 pages and unlike most art books I read and review, no pictures.  Just lots of hard won advice, strategy, and relevant content for both the emerging artist and the "established" veteran, cause let's face it "It's not easy out there!".

If you are interested in winning your own copy please leave me a comment or send me an email (thatartistwoman@shaw.ca) before midnight on Friday.  I will hold a random draw on Saturday.

Good Luck everyone!

27 comments:

  1. Gail, I just found your blog and I will be adding it to my Google Reader. THANK YOU for posting about this book, if I don't win it, I'll be buying it soon.....on my want list for sure.

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  2. Good morning Gail,

    Thank you for writing this post. It sure sounds like an interesting book. I'll put it on my wishlist.

    Have a lovely day.

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  3. It's still 2 years before I graduate but i can see that this will be invaluable; and I do like to be prepared.

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  4. Ooh the book looks wonderful! Would love to win!

    Maggy

    (info (at) redtedart (dot) com)

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  5. I would love to win this! As a stay at home mom, my evening of relaxation is painting with chalk pastels. The finished works are collecting and I don't know how to sell them?

    sharonsaad@gmail.com

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  6. Whoa! It's 3:29 am so no wonder I'm the first comment. :). I'm ant artist who can't sleep and time on my hands to read a new book. Thanks for sharing Gail.
    Tam

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  7. I'd love to win one! :) I hope to make it as a photographer someday, so this will be so handy :)

    Thanks Gail for the giveaway! :)

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  8. I definitely need all the help I can get. Thanks for this opportunity!

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  9. Love your blog and all that you "give Away". Maybe a brand new book with new advice would help me, this tired old artist who has been working away at a career with little success for many years. maybe there is new advice from gallery owners and collectors that will explain to me why the world has changed so much in the past 10 years, economically. The constant excuse now for art sales going into non existence is "oh, it is the economy"

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  10. I am currently in art school, and I wish that my professors would talk to us about paying taxes, showing in galleries, and renting studio space. These seem like the most important lessons to an artist! I would love to read this book and share it with my classmates!

    em dot finan at gmail dot com

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  11. This book sounds like it holds a wealth of information. Love your blog!

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  12. This book sounds amazing!
    Thanks!
    claire.negus@gmail.com
    Claire

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  13. Ooh! sounds like a really great book. I'd love a chance to win!

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  14. That sounds like a fabulous book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    (sorry if this double posts)

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  15. This is perfect timing for me....I just signed up for a online class in marketing artwork, and have really decide to get serious about the business side of art. I will definitely buy the book if I don't win it! Thank you for the opportunity.

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  16. I would love a chance to win this! It sounds like it would be really useful!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  17. I've read 3 or 4 reviews of this book and would really love to read it. It's definitely high on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
    someluckydog at gmail dot com

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  18. Would LOVE a copy!!! I am struggling with so many of those topics right now....sounds like a great book!!
    Harmony

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  19. Sounds like a useful book, would love to win a copy
    Cara

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  20. I have been browsing your class ideas. How I wish you had been my art teacher! or my daughter's! I lead art classes with nursing home patients. Your ideas inspire me.

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  21. Oh Gasil, i would love to win this lovely book. If it spoke to you as it did, i know it would be useful to artists in all media - including craft.

    Please include my name in the drawing!

    And thank you so, so much!

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  22. This book sounds so interesting. I own an Art Studio and teach children and adults but I am still trying to grow as an artist myself. Would love to win this!

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  23. I would love to win and I am a follower. THanks, mamatkins@hotmail.com

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  24. What a generous soul have you, and a lovely site. I am normally a lurker, but I could not pass up this generous offer.

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  25. Sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to win a copy and I follow every word you say!!!

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  26. My daughter is an artist and is now in college. This would be a fantastic book for her to have!

    Maryann D.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  27. i'm an art major, this looks like it'd come in handy! :)

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