Getting Art Online

As I work toward building a strong and cohesive body of work, I’m realizing that organization is just as important as creativity. Keeping track of paintings, descriptions, sales, and exhibitions can quickly become overwhelming, so I’ve been exploring Art Cloud and Artwork Archive—two platforms designed to help artists manage their inventories.

Both tools offer features that allow artists to store images, track details, and maintain records of where their pieces are. But which one is the best fit for me? I’m diving in to see how each one functions and how they might support my workflow as I expand my portfolio.

Why Use an Art Inventory System?

For artists producing consistent work, having an inventory system is essential. It allows for:

• Efficient Organization – Keeping records of artwork titles, dimensions, materials, and descriptions in one place.
• Tracking Sales and Collectors – Knowing where each piece goes and who owns it.
• Managing Exhibitions and Consignments – Keeping a history of which galleries and collectors have displayed or purchased my work.
• Simplifying Documentation – Making it easier to create price lists, invoices, and certificates of authenticity.

Art Cloud: First Impressions

Art Cloud is a sleek, modern platform that integrates inventory management with an artist’s website and sales tools. It seems geared toward artists who want a professional, e-commerce-friendly system.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based inventory accessible from anywhere
• Website integration for easy online sales
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tools to track collectors and galleries
• A clean, visually appealing interface

So far, I find Art Cloud to be more business-oriented, with a strong focus on selling work and engaging with collectors. It feels like an all-in-one platform, which might be useful as I grow my presence in galleries and online marketplaces.

Artwork Archive: First Impressions

Artwork Archive is a comprehensive and artist-friendly tool that focuses more on inventory tracking and professional documentation. It’s widely used by independent artists, collectors, and galleries.

Key Features:

• Detailed artwork records, including provenance tracking
• Sales and expense tracking
• Exhibition and loan management
• Reports and insights for financial planning
• Cloud storage with multi-device access

Compared to Art Cloud, Artwork Archive feels more like an artist’s personal database, with a strong emphasis on keeping detailed records rather than integrating with a storefront. If my primary goal is organization and documentation, this may be a better fit.

Which One Works Best for Me?

I’m still in the process of testing both platforms, but I already see some differences in how they fit into my workflow:

• If I focus on sales and direct engagement with collectors, Art Cloud might be the better option.
• If I want to maintain detailed records and focus on tracking my work over time, Artwork Archive seems like the stronger tool.

For now, I’m uploading a selection of my paintings to both systems, testing their usability, and seeing which one aligns better with my needs. As I continue growing my inventory and preparing for future exhibitions, having the right system in place will be crucial.

Your Thoughts?

If you’re an artist using Art Cloud or Artwork Archive, I’d love to hear your experience. Which tool works best for you? Let’s compare notes!