A question for fellow artists out there

Well, Etsy is a half decent online platform that is quite frequented in America for selling art. As for commissions when dealing with strangers always take some sort of payment when you agree to make something for them (10 percent of the total cost for example). As for exhibitions and shows, since your in a fine arts program try to find out where the best ones are in terms of quality (you don't want to sell your stuff in a show full of crappy art) and fees for booths, size of booth etc. Another good idea is to try and get your art hanging in public places so that people see your stuff (like restaurants government buildings hotels etc) its great advertising. I assume you know most of this stuff, but the last thing i will say is that i find word of mouth and making connections still a very good way of getting sales and stuff.

best of luck!

 

Hi cocorosie,

I looked at your portfolio. WOW. Super stuff! Your voice is loud and clear in your work and that's AWESOME! Your art is definitely something to keep developing, keep showing, and CHERISH!

As for making money, I know several very talented artists, but none, unfortunately, who make money on exhibitions. Don't hate me but... I think you'll have the best success making money if you focus for a time on the "boring" stuff, like portraits and photography services. I know someone who funded a year abroad (during art school) with a combination of sketch portraits and her income as a waitress. The portraits were fantastic, and of course doing that stuff works the drawing muscles in your brain. So it all ties together.

My supervisor makes a hefty side income on wedding photography, and she's not an artist exactly, but it's creative/aesthetic work and some of the skills overlap. If you can underbid a more experienced photographers on vanity portraits, you can rack up the dough and experience pretty quick. Some of the shots may even contribute to your portfolio. You could look for inspiring stuff on the way.

I have another coworker, a real artist, whose medium is acrylic paint. She does her original art in her off time, and she also has her own side business doing interior painting, custom murals for walls. She does wonderful work. She got into it through her husband's connections as a handyman/construction worker. So, meet people and talk, talk, talk about what you can do for them. Sell your services. Remember that people will only pay for stuff that THEY want. Sell to those who are buying, but pass over those who are not and give them your card. Getting your stuff out there is barely half the battle.

I know a woman who has completed her BFA. She does incredible costume work, can design and sew hot clothes from scratch, starting with only dreams and her knowledge of design. I'm talking, idea -> sketchpad -> selecting materials -> sewing -> tailoring to fit -> adjustments and repair. She did the work for several university and community plays. Tons and tons of skill and creativity. Her portfolio is/was exemplary. I would ask her to help me with some projects if I could afford it, but she's pretty busy... waiting tables and working on a second degree in accounting. But she's MUCH happier now that she's no longer working 90+ hours a week for insane people and not making rent. Yeah, it's a rough world. You gotta do what keeps you alive and together.

As has been mentioned, Etsy is a great website to use. Honestly though, looking around there and doing some quick math on hours spent vs asking price of items, although it is a fantastic platform, the money thing is still going to be a tough slog. What's nice is you can also browse what other people are selling, and get ideas for incorporating your artistic talent (your expression) into some kind of profitable craft. I know people who sell custom jewelry (through word of mouth, not Etsy). You can look around at the sort of items that there's a market for.

I know it's every artist's dream to make a living while also doing what they love and getting their own unique message out, but Oh! isn't it a crap shoot. When you're making money, make money. When you're making art, make art. Use one to fund the other perhaps, but it doesn't have to be done directly. Everyone I know who makes money on art (or arty craft) is also working a regular job! When you're trudging away at something dull, you can envision it as making progress toward your goal. Pennies in the bank, spots on a canvas, piles of practice sketchpads, it's all progress. The local artist's coop in my town has some amazing stuff. I want to go in there and drop my whole paycheck sometimes. But I also sometimes look at the stuff and think, wow, that probably took 30+ hours to produce, and the asking price is a mere $90. Quite a bargain for the buyer, but, well, you can do the math. If you want to create a masterpiece without concern for whether Joe Public likes it, you can fund your avocation using sold art pieces or in any other way. It's your life, your time. You get to decide what strategy to use to accomplish your goals.