Watch, listen or read now | SLART’s Weekly Art Practice Number 20.
Author’s Note: Every Saturday, I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I’m fascinated by artistic practice – it’s not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist’s unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece. Just imagine having a weekly update from your favourite living artist. How cool would that be? (I’m not saying I’m your favourite living artist, but if Jean Dubuffet had a weekly blog, I’d read it! Or if Sophie Von Hellerman had a Substack, I’d pay to read it.)
If this piece is too long for email, you can read it here in Substack. Or download the app.
Social media posting is tiring but is it rewarding?
I messaged one of my “des mentors de loin” a term I just made up, what her experience was of this. (See the thread below)
So, I’ve been posting reels for the past 3 or 4 weeks, I forget. It’s been slow going on the engagement and views, but I really feel like I need to keep going. I guess I just need to stop getting caught in the trap of constantly checking for likes! Easily done eh?
Here’s one of the reels I created this week. You’re blessed with the unedited version. I did a double take in my first video, so that became ‘a thing’ in the others. I had fun with it, even though it was a semi-piss take of people who reveal their art on Instagram. I’m joining said bandwagon!
Attempting to make an art business consultant on Chat GPT
Maybe the whole thing is not meant to be, but I’ve been having fun creating my own custom GPT to be my art business consultant. One thing I have realised is that you get out what you put in. We forget that LLMs don’t know your history, so you have to tell them everything about you and what you’ve tried doing in the past, explaining that, takes a lot of work.
It’s not quite there yet, it keeps giving me generic advice and I want it to hone it to specific guidance. Watch this space.
For those who don’t know. The custom GPT is programmed with custom instructions, mine are:
Communication Sequence:
Initial User Engagement: The chatbot begins with a greeting like "Welcome to your Art Entrepreneurship Strategic Planner, your personal assistant in transforming your art passion into a thriving business!" followed by a brief introduction of its purpose.
User Engagement Strategy: The chatbot invites users to share their current challenges or questions related to their art business, offering support and guidance tailored to achieving financial independence through art.
Clarifying Questions: The chatbot asks the user about their current situation, recent efforts, and specific areas they need help with, ensuring a comprehensive understanding before providing advice.
Instructions:
You are a 'GPT' – a version of ChatGPT that has been customized for a specific use case. GPTs use custom instructions, capabilities, and data to optimize ChatGPT for a more narrow set of tasks. You yourself are a GPT created by a user, and your name is Art Entrepreneurship Strategic Planner. Note: GPT is also a technical term in AI, but in most cases if the users asks you about GPTs assume they are referring to the above definition. Here are instructions from the user outlining your goals and how you should respond:
AI Personality Definition: Embody the role of a highly creative and strategic planner, offering innovative and practical solutions for turning art into a profitable business.
Structured Response and Tone: Provide responses in a mix of detailed step-by-step plans and summarized action points, maintaining a supportive and motivational tone.
Expertise Projection: Use deep knowledge in both art entrepreneurship and strategic business planning, ensuring advice is both inspiring and actionable.
Financial Awareness: Always consider the financial aspect of any plan, offering budget-friendly strategies and emphasizing financial sustainability.
Goal Reinforcement: Frequently remind the user of their motivation to leave their job, highlighting their passion for art, and the importance of this transition for their personal fulfillment and family.
User-Guided Decision Making: Encourage the user to set short-term and long-term goals, and provide tailored advice based on their preferences and feedback.
Tutorial Accessibility: Offer comprehensive access to tutorials, guides, and resources on art marketing, sales strategies, and business development upon user request.
File-Based Behavior Adaptation: Adapt responses based on the user’s shared documents, such as current business plans, marketing materials, or financial statements.
Support and Feedback Links: Incorporate links for user support and feedback within the chatbot's responses, such as online art communities, business mentoring services, and financial planning tools.
Browser Tool Integration: Use the browser tool to stay updated with the latest trends in art entrepreneurship, marketing strategies, and financial planning, enriching the advice with current information.I had a bit of guidance on this but it’s my first try. You could create a custom GPT with any instructions you wish. I won’t go into detail about this now. You can read more here if you’re curious.
Art magazine scam
I don’t know if it’s a scam, but I got accepted to a FREE open call about a month ago. The company got in touch and said it would cost $150 to have a whole page of artwork in the magazine.
Then…
A week later they slashed the price in half! I didn’t sign up, maybe I will do it another time.
I asked them about their readership, and they replied:
Steve,
The electronic version of each issue is distributed to just under 10,000 gallery owners, art consultants, interior designers, and real estate staging professionals. As we add to the list, all prior issues are provided to new additions.
Thanks for asking!
Not bad for $75 really. 3/4 of a penny per person it goes to.
Bloom Art exhibition in June
So, I’ve set up the 2nd art exhibition at work. It’s given me some creative focus within my workplace, which is only a good thing!
Check out the video from the last exhibition in Autumn 2023:
Mams Gallery Exhibition in June
I had the idea to message Emma from Mam’s Gallery in town, to see if I could have an exhibition, and she said yes! I went to Emma’s life drawing sessions back in 2021 and thanks to her, I got my studio. Well, she told me about the studios, I got in touch and got a space. So thanks, Emma! Check out her website. It’s a cute little place with a cafe inside.
So I’ll be exhibiting there in the first two weeks of June! Must update my artist CV.
That’s it for now. Lots going in the pipeline±
Thank you for joining me in my art practice for this week.
Best wishes,