Portrait of a Successful Artist and Businessman

6/12/2010

Paying your dues is not something foreign to most artists, especially those who dedicate their lives to the profession and strive to maintain a focus on that artistic drive that we all feel inside. And nothing less could be said for Daniel Henigman, a life long artist who moved to Los Angles, immersed himself in the local art scene and established himself both as an artist and a successful, sustainable businessman.

Henigman has a lot of good, sound advice for artists trying to establish themselves and develop a fruitful business. “You have to make it affordable,” he says. “Get more into art reproductions. You’ll make more money in the long run.” As for who is likely to pay more he goes on to point out that companies and businesses frequently pay better than individuals.

As part of his strategy for selling, Henigman tries to keep his prices under a certain level. “Keep it under $20,000,” he says, “to keep it attainable for most people.” Keep in mind that Henigman’s bread and butter are the stylized murals he is continuously commissioned to paint. He’s covered quite a range of subjects over the years and is obviously successful as evidenced by his ability to secure mural and other commissions regularly.

Henigman related a story to me of an acquaintance who once sold a piece for $40,000. “But he’s living in his car,” Henigman says. In contrast Henigman himself strives to maintain an ongoing stream of commissions to keep his business moving and his art business thriving.

Outlets for new commissions are hard for every artist to come by. While Henigman has built a large and reliable network of clients in the local Los Angeles art market he also points out the relatively new but no less important market that cannot be ignored. “80% of work comes from online,” he says. Two of the online resources he uses are www.ifreelance.com and www.findamuralist.com.

Henigman has obviously established himself in the local Los Angeles market for fine art and murals but he does have longer term plans. And even some clever new business models. “I had an idea to do a franchise of galleries based on local art and have them around the country,” he says. “Just for original local art.”

Henigman also related some observations about working with existing galleries and his thoughts on an ideal gallery curator. “If you like it, show it,” he says. “You find an artist you like, agree on a percentage, and you buy it.” Straight forward thoughts on what seems like a straight forward business.

These thoughts also reflect on his ideas about his own work. “You’ll be successful if you’re doing what you like,” he says. Maybe that’s why Henigman has been in business for so many years. But Henigman also points out that an artist has to learn to drop his/her ego. “If someone wants you to paint their doghouse or baby room,” he says, “do it.” This is part of paying your dues.

No one can argue that Henigman has paid his dues and then some. This fall he has been invited to participate in a new Fox reality TV show called “Work of Genius.” Among other contestants he has a chance at the $100,000 grand prize. And of course major bragging rights.

Even without the fame Henigman has more than proved himself in the local Los Angeles art market. A thriving business and a long line of high quality, stylized and well executed commissions will keep Henigman at the center of the art world for a long time to come. You couldn’t paint a more apt portrait of a successful businessman… and a true artist.

You can view Daniel Henigman’s profile at localartla.com/users/artgenius or at his website at www.henigmanart.com/.