Last week I discussed several rules for your art career--relating them to rules for hiking. If you missed that issue, you can find it here.

Today I'd like to continue the analogy. "Leave No Trace" is a motto for every person who enters the backcountry. Whatever you bring in, whatever mess you make, clean it up so that no one knows you were there. It's responsible stewardship of our public lands. Another way to say it would be "pack in, pack out."

But . . . today . . . I'm going to encourage you to do just the opposite. When you're trying to make a name for yourself, you must leave a trace. You can't run a business or build a career by remaining anonymous or shying away from the spotlight. You have to put yourself out there, take chances, and leave your mark.

If this isn't easy for you, you're not alone. Very few people look forward to sticking their necks out. And when you're trying to sell your artwork, the ramifications can be personal. The ones who are successful will "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway." (Susan Jeffers' book, 1987.) They might not be comfortable, but they know the actions they take will lead to accomplishing their goals.

Most artists say, "That's just not me. I like to be alone. I like to stay in my studio." Fine. You can do that, but guess what? You'll be leaving no trace. No one will know you were here if you don't tell them.

I know a little about this. I, myself, am an introvert by nature. Every day I force myself to meet new people and, more importantly, make sure they remember me. I get through it because I have wonderful feedback from happy clients like many of you. That's one of the most important reasons I was able to keep going in the first year. Trust me, putting yourself on the line gets easier with time. I do what I do because I believe in it. And, in order to be true to my personal mission, I have to leave my mark.

Whether you decide to leave your mark in the teaching, licensing, fine craft, or museum worlds, just do it. The road might be rocky at times, but the rewards will far outweigh the regrets you'll have if you don't go for it.

KNOW THIS----------~> People won't know you're here unless you tell them.

THINK ABOUT THIS---~> If you like to be a loner and stay in your studio, that's fine. You might create some great art, but who will know about it?

DO THIS------------~> Leave your mark. You can start by making sure your name appears prominently on all your marketing materials. Unless you're a production artist operating under a DBA, your name should be clearly visible in all of these places:

--On every page of your Web site. (Even better, have your name be your URL.)
--On your letterhead.
--On your business card.
--With every email you send (full name, please!).
--On your telephone answering machine.

Art history is a history of individual names, not of company names. Curators, critics, writers, and collectors want to know your name. Make it easy for them.

Portfolio reviews and website critiques are also available.

EBSQ is pleased to publish Alyson's work as a regular feature to the EBSQ Zine.