October 29, 2024

Episode 19 - Colt Idol Interview

1 hour 32 minutes

Join the Business of art:

https://thebusinessof-art.teachable.com/p/the-business-of-art

Colt’s Links

https://www.coltidolart.com

https://www.instagram.com/cidolart/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063541628588

Summary

In this episode of the Business of Art podcast, Colt Idol shares his journey as a

professional artist, influenced by his father's legacy and his upbringing in Montana. He

discusses the pivotal moments that led him to pursue art full-time after a career in sports

was cut short by injuries. Colt recounts the challenges and triumphs of establishing his

own gallery, the Dick Idol Gallery, and the importance of building relationships with clients

and artists. He emphasizes the significance of access to a broader audience through

galleries and shares insights on balancing his time between creating art and managing the

gallery. In this conversation, Colt Idol shares insights into his artistic process, balancing

life as an artist with family responsibilities, and the financial challenges that come with

being a professional artist. He emphasizes the importance of feedback and critique in

developing one's artistic identity and discusses strategies for emerging artists to find their

voice and navigate the art market. The conversation also touches on the significance of

creating art that resonates with a broader audience while maintaining personal passion

and creativity. In this conversation, Colt Idol and Mark McKenna discuss the complexities

of print sales in the art world, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of offering prints, the

logistics of production, and the importance of branding and marketing. They share

personal experiences and insights on how to navigate the print market, the philosophy

behind print sales, and advice for emerging artists. The discussion emphasizes the

significance of taking one's art career seriously and the potential of the Western genre in

the current art market.

Takeaways

Colt Idol has been a professional artist for 13 years.

Growing up in an artistic family shaped Colt's career.

Injuries in sports led Colt to focus on art.

Colt opened the Dick Idol Gallery with his family.

Building relationships with clients is crucial in art sales.

Colt emphasizes the importance of access to a wider audience.

Managing a gallery requires balancing time effectively.

Colt prefers to focus on painting rather than sales.

The gallery model allows artists to reach more clients.

Colt's disciplined approach to time management aids his creativity. Colt aims for at

least 50 hours of painting a week.

His wife plays a crucial role in managing gallery tasks.

Artists often face financial roller coasters in their careers.

It's essential to prioritize family time over work deadlines.

Emerging artists should focus on developing their identity.

Critique from non-artists can be valuable for growth.

Artists should balance personal passion with market appeal.

Colt emphasizes the importance of experimentation in early work.

Feedback is crucial for understanding audience reception.

Prolific artists can still struggle with the creative process. Prints can either help or

hurt your work depending on usage.

Limited edition prints can enhance original sales and branding.

New artists should hold off on prints until their work gains traction.

Prints should ideally be priced at 10-15% of the original's value.

Print sales can be a small but valuable part of income.

Licensing prints can provide exposure with minimal effort.

The Western genre has a unique nostalgic appeal in the U.S.

Taking your art career seriously is crucial for success.

Your behavior and presentation impact your art sales.

Outsourcing print production can save time and increase efficiency.

...more

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By Mark McKenna

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