• HOT TIP: Make sure to check out Joan Beiriger’s Blog, http://joanbeiriger.blogspot.com. This is an amazing, FREE online resource and she keeps it up-to-date. It is one of the most comprehensive sites on the internet for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to do with art licensing! JLG: Can you describe your first endeavor in art licensing? BTA: I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the largest global brands and every experience has been just wonderful. Most times the companies came to me, but I also have gone to companies and pitched my work to them. I worked with Enesco in the licensing world and they could not have been any nicer. I’m starting a new licensing agreement in Europe and look forward to the possibilities. I must say my favorite company to work with was Swatch; it also was my favorite because I got to paint live in front of 30,000 people in Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy with projections on the Piazza walls to the music of the Young Gods. In one word...epic. JLG: What are some pointers you would offer to artists looking to market their work? BTA: I would say don’t be afraid of failure and believe in yourself and your work. Not everyone is going to like it, not everyone is going to want to buy it, but there is always going to be someone else that does like it or wants to buy it. Be true to your art and yourself and remember it’s not just art, it’s a business...your life business. Don’t be afraid to show people who you are through your art and don’t be afraid to talk about it. It’s a constant trail of promoting and letting more and more people see what you’re about, and just have fun! Photos courtesy ©Billy The Artist
JLG: What are some of your favorite Billy The Artist products right now? BTA: I had a line of knitwear that I wear all the time. I still love wearing my Swatch watches and my Nescafe Dolce coffee machine makes a mean espresso. JLG: Your work, which you have described as ‘Urban Primitive Pop’, is accepted in both the fine art and commercial art worlds, which for many artists would be a dream come true. You have shown work in fancy galleries and you have BTA products all over the globe; what are some future artistic goals and/or projects that you have? BTA: I would love to design a line of snowboards and skateboards, have a clothing line, work with another shoe company, keep painting live around the world, have my own TV show, and keep making people happy with my art and my vibe. JLG: I read that your mantra was ‘create your own reality’ (which I love by the way!) What advice do you have for artists out there looking to pursue a career in fine/commercial art? BTA: My advice is live life to its fullest and treat every day like it’s your last. Stay positive, have fun, work hard, and keep trying to have the beautiful life you’ve always dreamed of. Sometimes it’s not that ARTHIVEMAGAZINE.COM
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