You’ve probably read tons of articles about how blogs can help you gain exposure for your business.  For artists, blogs are a great way to let potential customers and collectors get to know you.  Most people feel more enticed to buy work when they feel they know something about the maker.

There are so many things you can cover in your blog, but for me, nothing is more exciting that posting in-progress shots of my work.  Crafters have a leg up on fine artists in that their work takes less time to make.  I’m not saying they can whip out things in minutes, but compared to the 30-60 hours that can go into a painting or illustration, they can work at lightning speed.  That’s why in-progress shots can boost your sales and keep readers’ attention up. One of my favorite blogs is by Chelsea Rose (http://lucidrose.blogspot.com/ ).  She constantly lets her followers see her paintings each weekend as she adds a new layer.

On ce you leave a university setting, there aren’t as many opportunities to get feedback on your work.  However, a blog can allow you to talk with people who enjoy your work and who may be artists themselves.  There have been many times where I’ve posted an in-progress shot and asked for opinions on where to take my piece next.  People love giving their advice and chiming in on the discussion.  For example, I posted this picture and asked whether I should make a green blanket or green dresses on the girls.

The answers came pouring in and in the end, I went with both.

There’s also something magical about watching a work of art come to fruition.  This is especially true for people who don’t draw or paint themselves.  People like my mother, who can make the best to-do lists in the work but whose artistic talent ends at drawing boxes around the important things like ‘Buy toilet paper’.  Even for other artists, there’s just this little spark of creativity that can ignite in us as we watch someone else work.

So as you start up your blog and wonder how to fill in the week with posts, remember to let others see what you’ve been up to.  Ask for your readers’ opinions and help.  Maybe you’ve hit a bit of a snag finding the perfect color, or don’t know how much acrylic medium to mix to make something transparent.  Help can be found right from your followers!  And really, is there a better feeling than knowing you’ve helped one of your favorite artists?