Art Marketing for Introverts
What if you saw your shyness and authenticity as awesome advantages?
By Thea Fiore-Bloom, Ph.D.
“[…] Nineteen writers out of twenty are introverts. We have been taught to be ashamed of not being ‘outgoing‘. But a writer’s job is ‘ingoing‘.” ―
Artists and writers excel at ingoing.
It’s kind of our geeky superpower.
However, the near-death of galleries and the traditional publishing industry have made it necessary for us to be outgoing.
We now need to figure out how to authentically market ourselves without spending our entire lives behind a computer screen.
Problem is, I’ve forgotten how to do that.
This summer artist Anvil Catlin Williamson, my friend, and Charmed Studio subscriber held up a lamp to light my way again.
Anvil stumbled on a surprising, non-internet, non-social media-based way to make connections and sell more of her beautiful art — despite struggling with a certain condition.
The Walmart Bench
Anvil — like most of us artists and writers — is an introvert.
“I love me some alone time,” Anvil told me.
“I can feel quite drained after spending time with people, even close friends.”
So like many of us artists, Anvil has wisely given herself permission not to attend everything and not to feel guilty about it.
“But by a cruel twist of irony,” Anvil said, “I’m also fascinated by human connection – emotional, physical, spiritual, etc.”
“I’m constantly trying to balance my desire for solitude with my desire to genuinely connect with people.”
“Usually,” said Anvil, “I land somewhere in-between and end up sitting on the people-watching bench at Walmart (you know the one.)”
Can you relate? I can. I think most creatives have their own version of the Walmart bench; a public place where we perch to see humanity go by.
Then Suddenly One Summer
But recently Anvil stumbled across a quote that deeply resonated with her. It went like this:
“Clarity comes from engagement, not thought.”
— Maria Forleo
The idea ignited a new conviction within Anvil to venture out ‘beyond the bench’ and head directly into the festival-crammed Alaskan summer of her city of Fairbanks.
She attended slews of festivals, openings of other local artists, and social get-togethers at a mad pace of three to six per week over the past two summers.
“By venturing out locally, being friendly, and remembering to carry my business cards with me for a change,” 3 wildly good things occurred for Anvil.
The same 3 wildly good kinds of things can unfold for all of us if we get brave and venture out from behind our computers and into the wilds of …. our own community.
Three Benefits for Introverts Who Market Their Art Locally
1. Introverted Artists Often Market Our Art Better in Person
We Introverts are More Confident on Our Home Turf. It’s Easier to Set Up Shows & Get To Meet and Sell To Cool New Collectors There
Oddly enough, the first slice of human-to-human, summer marketing magic happened for Anvil at a cannabis dispensary.
“I was talking with the dispensary owner about having an art show at their location, and another woman happened to have been within earshot,” said Anvil. ” This woman introduced herself and asked me some questions about my work.”
“Fortunately, I had business cards on me for a change and gave her one. I went on to have that show in the dispensary and not only did this woman attend, but she also bought two pieces and has followed me to every local show I’ve had since.”
Here’s another little miracle that can happen for us beyond the bench.
2. Introverted Artists Win When They Market Locally
You Get Big, Bright, Practice Shifting Ideas
When we go rogue and talk to people about our art in person they often share things with us they would hesitate to share online.
While Anvil was in “off-bench” mode she ran into Mike, a student who’d seen her work at her BFA show a while back.
Mike told Anvil he was a big fan of her work but lamented she didn’t make pieces he could afford or fit in his place. (At the time Anvil was only making large, intricate, ceramic animal sculpture.)
“I realized at that moment that my fans and my collectors were NOT the same people (shocker!)”
So Anvil seized the moment and asked Mike a few questions to help her narrow in on a price point and scale that could allow her fans to become her collectors.
Because of this honest, in-person encounter with Mike, Anvil decided to start firing more approachable priced “clay sketches” and maquettes which have sold well but more importantly, allowed more of her fans to become collectors.
3. Introverted Artists Excel and Win When We Build Authentic Community
Artists are often good neighbors who help others. Getting out into your community allows people you’ve helped, the pleasure of finally permitting them to return a favor.
She’d helped many of them.
This summer found Anvil bumping into old friends and new contacts whom she’s finally allowing to help her this time.
They all pitched in to help her complete her new studio on wheels.
A studio that will soon house a magical heart; a brand new kiln Anvil won via a grant.
But if all that wasn’t miraculous enough, the final boon Anvil was gifted with was the most unexpected of all.
And a boon many of us could use right about now.
Surprise Bonus for Introverts Who Market Locally
The icing on the cake result of Anvil’s ‘off the Walmart bench summer’ was something she humorously refers to as, “mild activism.”
“Alaska is under fire by its own governor who recently vetoed a significant portion of the budget including the elimination of our only State Arts Council,” said Anvil.
This veto rendered Alaska the only state in the U.S. without an arts council, btw.
“But,” Anvil said, “I’ve learned that few things build community like rallying together for a common goal (or against a common enemy.)”
Anvil and a group of other Alaskan artists got together to stage a statewide art intervention in which they draped public artworks in black shrouds.
Under pressure, Governor Dunleavy just restored the State Arts Council budget.
“Prior to all these summer experiments, I was just suffering in my community of one,” said Anvil.
I had no idea the support system that existed around me until I started showing up for things, personally, professionally, and politically.”
Why Introverted Artists Need Local Community
Yes, we need to market online. But we forget that socializing and marketing locally is equally beneficial for creatives, especially introverts, for three psychological reasons:
1st Reason
Bubbles Make All Artists Loco
We creatives have the propensity to get more and more self-critical as we toil away in our own weird bubbles.
We begin to forget our work is good and that being an artist or writer is cool.
Walking around and talking to actual humans about what we’re up to lately reminds us of who we are and the good that we do.
2nd Reason
Free Fresh Eye Implants for Introverts
When you venture out beyond the keyboard you are granted a new set of eyes.
As novelist Terry Pratchett said:
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. ” — Terry Pratchett
(See my What is Fieldwork? Why Artists Need To Do It post for more on this.)
3rd Reason
Introverts Get to See the Invisible Hands
As mythologist Joseph Campbell used to teach, when you are on the right path and trying to help others, an endless line of invisible hands, one after another, will reach out to pull you up over the next hurdle so you can achieve your dreams.
We spend our time running ourselves ragged in the virtual world of the internet looking for those hands. But Anvil reminded me some of the most magical hands are often closer to home than we think.
They’re often right next door, or at least down the street at the dispensary, or a Hardware store literally tapping us on the shoulder and saying hi.
So take a gentle peek around your neighborhood this week and stay open for mini-miracles.
The mini-miracle of understanding that being authentic and shy is an advantage, not a disadvantage.
And the mini-miracle of the understanding that you’re already surrounded by a warm band of future fans.
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What do you think? Are you an introvert?
Where’s your version of the Walmart bench?
Mine is my local Friday Farmer’s Market. It lets me get out, and briefly mingle. But if a wave of introversion comes over me I can always dart away from a conversation on the pretense of fetching lettuce or finding the perfect mushroom.
What is one good thing that happened to your art practice as a result of socializing in your community?
I’d love to know in the comments below. 🙂
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And speaking of political community this post is dedicated to Charmed Studio subscriber, actor, and So Cal activist Denise McCanles.
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You may also like these Charmed Studio posts and pages:
Zoom Calls For Introverts: The Artist’s Guide to Looking, Sounding, and Feeling Good on Zoom
SEO for Artists, The Right Way
The Jonah Complex: How Artists Can Overcome Fear of Greatness
How To Use Home-Made Videos to Market Your Art Like a Pro
Mostly Free Resources For Artists
Writing Coaching for Artists with Thea Fiore-Bloom
Writing Coaching
Hi Thea and everyone,
My Walmart bench is Whole Foods eating area on Greenwich Street (NYC). I haven’t found any friendly artistic bunch yet. Only my tango classes. There people are nice and accepting. There is a cozy feeling about the whole thing. Only we do not talk much there :(. Only snatches you can get before the class.
Marianna that is such a cool Walmart Bench! A glorious place to watch the world go by.
Yay!! I love the talking ones. You have the most wonderful, soothing, storytelling voice. ☺☺☺ Anvil,s work is ABSOLUTELY stunning!! So incredible. I agree that I need inside and outside time. If I sit too long with my art i can lose my way or get overly frustrated. I take lots of breaks. Sit on my porch and watch people, go to the coffee shop or go to the art store are probably my top three. I love how you sorted this out. You are the best Thea! ☺☺💖
I agree, I love, love, love Anvil’s work too. And thanks so much for letting me know that this is an issue that impacts you as well and so glad you listened to the audio! I want to do a recording for each post but need to get off my butt and buy a proper microphone. Maybe I will now thanks to you.
Thanks for writing the blog post about us introverts and marketing our art. I will have to remember to take a couple of business cards along the next time when I get off that proverbial people watching bench.
I know right? I just forgot to take mine with me today! Thanks so much for letting me know you can relate Kevin.
This blog was so great. Really great ideas for artists. Actually getting out and talking to people is good for most creative people no matter what you do. Ideas always come when you get out in the world. I forwarded this to two artist friends, one in particular. He does beautiful work but they’re very expensive and I always tell him that if he makes smaller versions he would probably sell his work. Thank you again for a great blog and I love the visuals.
Thanks so much Denise. Yes when we get out we broaden our surface area and ideas have more places to land. 🙂 What kind of art does your friend make?
He paints oil colors. Beautiful work.
That Marie Forleo quote has saved my butt many times. ( I am an alum of her B-School too) I still struggle with introversion BIG TIME but it’s getting to the point where the lack of engagement is more painful than the thought of doing it. Thanks for the reminder that getting out there live and in person is the best way to move forward – in any endeavor.
Thanks for commenting Melissa, glad it rang true for you. Yes there is this tipping point isnt there when the lack of engagement has gone from soothing to ….detrimental. I call that tipping point, my Ted Kazinski moment; where if I don’t get out and talk to humans I worry I may start contemplating building explosive devices in a small shed. Re Marie Forleo I have several subscribers who mentioned being thankful for Forleo’s B-School. Must be quite good.
Thank you Thea! You make me sound fantastic. 😉
P.S. You should have a podcast, even if you are just reading your posts, you have a lovely voice!
Ahhhhh, thanks!!! Will you be a guest on my podcast? And it wasn’t hard to make you sound fantastic,cuz you are fantastic.
Um, sure, I’d be a guest on your … **Gulp** … perdkerst.
I love that quote from Ursula Le Guin. Having arrived at a certain age, I have learned the critical importance of “ingoing” for we “outgoing” ones. I am both a fan and a collector of Anvil’s art, and I have learned much from her. I have had the privilege of front-row presence at the emergence of her intuitive eye and artistic voice from its very beginning; I am Anvil’s mother. (Yep, her real live in-the-flesh mom.) And she is extraordinary, for which I claim no credit. I’ve always been an observer of people, but I’ve gotten much better at it as I’ve grown older. I carry my Walmart bench with me, settling in for a quiet “watch” wherever I find a ready seat. But I think it may be a practice I’ve learned in part from Anvil. My need for both engagement and for solitude has intensified in recent years, and when they are in proper balance (or should I say tension?) both my thinking and my writing are simply better. And I agree with Anvil’s assessment, Thea– you have a lovely voice. Thanks for speaking. And thanks for this conversation with my Anvil. It does a mother proud.
I am touched by your comment, to the degree that and am at a loss for words — which is highlhy unusual for me. 🙂 Thank you Dorothy.
I can so relate to this interview as an introvert who works in a home studio. Yesterday, I actually went into my “local” art supply instead of ordering online. It’s a 50 mile round trip that I don’t usually want to make but I got to meet a young art student who was working there and it turned out it was well worth the drive. We had a lovely chat about art and our influences, she was a Frida Kahlo fan, as I am, I introduced her to Remedios Varos. She showed me some of her recent art on her phone and I shared mine. I came away with a lead on a local art show asking for submissions and a great feeling of having shared, one on one, with a wonderful and interesting human being.
Oh and I love this artist, A.C. Williams, work. I’ll head over to her website next. Thank you.
Yes! Your “local” art supply store interaction is exactly the kind of experience that I have when I leave my house and interact with people. I don’t know why I’d rather stay in my studio and obsess over something I’m stuck on but I have to remind myself that f I leave for a bit, I often return home with more confidence and an idea of how to move forward (this is where engagement=clarity for me.) Thanks for your kind words, your artwork is beautiful!
Thank you so much.
I write these posts to remind myself of important stuff I forget, and comments like yours help me hone in on what exactly it was I was trying to get at in the first place. LOl, shoot.Yes! Buy local too, I forgot that part. So instead of Amazon.com I will be off to Blick to get that non-toxic epoxy I need today.
Oh so cool you love Remedios Varo…me too! I was planning to do a post on her. Not enough people have heard of her or Leanora Carrington or Katie Horna, who were all buddies who lived near each other in Mexico after escaping the Nazi threat. What is your favorite work of hers lately and why? I would love to know! Thanks so much for reading and for writing this wonderful comment and sharing your mini-adventure Janee.
I love so many of Remedios works, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Here’s a couple or three-To Be Reborn 1960, Exploration of the Sources of the Orinoco River, 1959 and Creation of the Birds, 1957. I have a really good, probably definitive book about her, Remedios Varo, Unexpected Journeys by Janet A. Kaplan.
Just looked those paintings up and all three make me crazy happy/inspired. I love the Kaplan book too! Thank you for reminding me of her and the book. Just took it off my bookshelf, it is dusty!! I love Varo’s “Unsubmissive Plant” 1961. /Users/theabloom/Desktop/unsubmissive plant.jpg
Realized her paintings celebrate the pursuit of knowledge, the wonder of research, and also seem to speak of retrieving one’s soul– for me. What do they celebrate for you?
Yes they do celebrate the pursuit of knowledge especially the arcane and esoteric. I see dreams when I look at her work, I feel she captures the way they look. I also love the way she combines the precision of her draftwomanship with the subconscious and random techniques of surrealism like decalcomania and sifflage.
I had to google those techniques and watch some videos and I am glad I did. Man did those surrealists know how to have fun.
So good to hear your voice! What a great article! It is always so hard to get out from under my blanket, but once I do, I am usually glad that I did. Most of the time. Thanks as usual for the encouragement.
LMAO about your blanket line. Can I steal it?
Thanks dear Kat for listening to the audio and taking the time to comment. Making the audio for a post is not easy for an introvert, but I talk myself into it by telling myself…’it could be worse Thea, it coulf be video.” Anyway so happy you could relate. Anvil is a great woman and I was honored she consented to let me share a few of her stories. Let me know how your painting project is progressing ok?
Ha! My blanket is your blanket…. 🙂 Hope to talk with you soon!
Driving my DumboExpress USPS service on Sundays gives me a whole different look into the life of those around me as well as the amazing landscape here. Areas that I would never explore without it.
That is wonderful, I am trying so hard not to shout out, I TOLD YOU SO! argggh I did it anyway, couldnt help myself. I thought something creatively good would come of your Sunday deliveries. But I didnt think of it as a perfect antidote to our tendencies to introvert ourselves. Now I see the Dumbo Express in a new light. 🙂 Enjoy the ride. Seeing and Talking to new trees may be just as important as encountering new people!
And making me thankful for all that I have and realizing that I’ve got it pretty darn good!
I’ve had a home-based studio for several years and I enjoy working there. But I felt a bit isolated, which may be a reason I enrolled in painting classes. I enjoy the company of other artists. Then, about six months ago I joined an artists cooperative, which gives me access to other artists and also to the public. That has worked out well so far.
I enjoyed this post because it confirms the value of following those little nudges that are often felt and often ignored. We get inspiration for a reason, but then let the past dictate the future and little ever changes. Life feels less fulfilled that it could be. Getting off the bench and then putting one foot in front of the other to move forward, even at a leisurely pace, can lead to lots of pleasant surprises.
I felt inspired to do some plein air painting at a beach this week and got my first ever commission. A man who is moving away stopped and asked if I would paint at another location nearby. I looked at the place and agreed to accept the work. That wouldn’t have happened if I had ignored the nudge to go to the beach and paint.
Hi Sharon, thanks for taking the time to share this with me and the Charmed Studio community. Lovely story. I think the idea of commission work that captures, celebrates or even memorializes areas of nature that touch people is valuable work. I have an artist/subscriber friend who has begun to offer this service on a separate sales page. She is putting the page up because she has gotten several custom commission requests from family members of people who had passed on who wanted a painting of their father, friend, sister, etc. in a specific natural location that person loved while they were alive. Makes me think about the sacredness of place. And the role of specific trees or areas of beach in people’s hearts.
I’ve refused commission work in the past because people have wanted me to paint from photographs, which almost never works out if it’s someone else’s photo. Thank you for mentioning your artist friend and the service they’re providing. I may try something similar if I can visit the location and paint what I see. The sense of a “place” can stay with us for a lifetime.
I forgot to mention I am happy that your decision to rent studio space in a collective environment is working out well. I remember you preparing to take that leap when we spoke earlier in the year. I see that decision in a new light after writing this article.
Another good post, of course! After we talked that day about the reasons I wanted to join the gallery and I said sales, I realized it was also more than that. Relying on a couple of galleries for sales is not enough to live on financially and it’s also not enough to live on artistically or emotionally. Joining the gallery means I have to work with other artists to plan events, market our work, and attend those events in addition to working at the gallery. It gets me off the Walmart bench. As usual, you’re able to verbalize what’s in my head but I’m unable to spit out.
You may not have said that you were happy about your new joint gallery venture because of community but I could hear the joy in your voice. That kind of joy comes from connection. Sales can make us joyful, for a hot minute. But community, being reflected and companioned produces a longer burning joy don’t you think? At least 2 minutes longer, lol.right? Before we find the next thing to focus on that freaks us out. Anyway bottom line is happy for you.I always learn something new when we talk. And thanks for your kind words about the post. Makes my day.
Being introverted for many including myself comes from feeling culturaly differant in the way you act. Things that people stare at and coment on in a negative way. For example my cloths are some what idividual and not something i want to change. Im often deap in thought even in social situations and somtime i start talking to myself or singing or composing tunes. If i walk past a grassy bank or leafy hedge i cant help but run my fingers over it. Common in children but im a big grown up 41 year old so people think its odd. Locally i have found other mostly creative people who see these as posative atributes. Art events are scary for me. In part its a class thing too. Im aware im always the least posh person in the room and struggle to speak freely in stituations that make me feel on a differant wavelenge. I do go into town and have a coffee just to watch the people go by but sometimes they are almost a blur. I have met a few fellow artist this way but not so much the people who are in gallerys. My bubble needs a little more extending than my home town to feel at home in myself again and i find festivals and woodland gatherings most helpful. The culture is differant and i feel nomal , whole and as i should be. It is important to find places where you feel at home and exepted to rember who you are and that you like that about you. It makes it easyer to hold you head up in situations where you feel more alien.
Thank you Ilsa for taking the time to read the post and leave your thoughts. I have to say I smiled in appreciation and recognition for your sentence ‘when I walk past a grassy bank or leafy hedge I cant help but run my fingers over it.” I do that too. I love your writing, lyrical and visually evocative. I also smiled at the last sentence of your comment when you talked of situations “where you feel more alien.” I dont know if you noticed but I put that little alien emoji in the subject line of the email for this post because I often feel like I have come from another planet as well, But then when I read comments from fellow artists and writers like you who feel the same…I breathe deeper, feel I do have community, I relax more and look up from my computer in search of a grassy bank or leafy hedge. (PS was just listening to audio version of Wind in The Willows last night before bed, so soothing and full of grassy banks and leafy hedges. Next time you feel some dissed by some posh person for your nature-loving ways– maybe read the first chapter of that book again and notice the bit where mole discovers the wonder of a river for the first time—mind expanding—you are not alone. Some people just can’t see what you see.
Oh Ilsa, thanks for sharing, I see you!
The other day as I was leaving the grocery store I saw a beautiful red leaf caught in a swirling air current. I stopped to watch it…. and then proceeded to rescue it from the concrete wall it kept crashing into as I said something like “come here little one.” (I am certain that a nearby woman with small children started walking faster to pass me.)
Every time I do something odd in public and catch a sideways glance from a stranger, I try to calm the embarrassment by affirming to myself that the world needs people who are different! Thank you for being yourself, Ilsa.
No, Ilsa, there is no help for running fingers over a hedge or touching a blooming tree. 🙂