The Washington Post has a very interesting story today about an artist who is not your stereotypical “starving artist” who chooses to “create” and then expects society to “support” art (usually by raising taxes and redirecting what I have earned through my work to the “good of the whole” as determined by someone else.)

Meet Annette Polan–(not) a starving artist waiting for a bailout.

All entrpeureneurs should grab this issue (Sunday, July 5 of business section of the Post) to read it (I’d link to it but the Post makes you go through some registration scheme and, well, that’s too much of a hassle for me and for my readers.)

Anyway… Ms. Polan is making $200,000 a year painting portraits…and she only does 4 of ‘em a year!

Polan’s got it right…. she is quoted in the article as saying “It’s a profession and requires the same criteria for success as any profession does. As in anything, drive is at least as important as talent.”

Say that again?? All the money doesn’t go to the “best” (however “best” is judged in art?)

That’s right. Polan markets herself. Vigorously and rigorously. She’s learned to price herself–aggressively.

She says:

I’m expensive…when you buy a portrait from me, you get something that will stand alone as a work of art, but you also get a piece of my career, a piece or me and my reputation.

Without embarrassment or apology.

She “bucks the norm” by not selling through galleries–instead–dealing directly with customers..thus keeping 100% of the price.

That’s  not all…she is developing a new business called Capital Artports…she hold workshops aimed at bringing the creativity she learned in the art world to upper level business management. She gets $6,000 per session for that, too.

Our hats are off to Annette Polan–shame on you other artists (or any small business owner) who expect and demand the government support you with my tax dollars.

If Annette can do it–so can you.