In the previous blog post, we introduced the concept of Seeking the Hidden Path for Art Business Success. This post is part of a series where we explore that topic more deeply. Click the link to get an overview of the concept.
Training
(Pre-path)
Training is important, if not critical. You can have great taste, but it’s only by improving your technique that you can effectively communicate your taste or your message. Note that I’m not talking about being confined to communicate in a specific way. I’m talking about the fundamentals of learning to draw and exploring how different media are used by artists who’ve gone before.
Training also means building up a visual vocabulary. Understanding art history and how people react to iconic images. If art is fundamentally about communication, then an artist cannot communicate in a vacuum. They need to understand the common language being used in the world around them.
Incidentally, this is why I think so many traditionally trained or older artists are failing at reaching younger collectors and fans. Divorcing themselves from the ubiquity of the Internet means that artists are cutting themselves off from the day to day life of the average person under 30.
Whether you go to an art school or you find local teachers and mentors, you need training.
Getting un-lost
After graduation, the artists who don’t get “discovered”- picked to be one of the art world’s elite darlings – get dumped into a world with very little guidance. There is no launch pad. With the exception of video game designers, animators, or perhaps graphic designers, there are no Silicon Valley startups or established tech companies looking to scoop them up and train them on the latest job skills.
You’re essentially left on your own – without being told that what you actually are at this point is the owner of a small business. Intrepid artists pick up some clues.
“Build up your portfolio.”
“Go to Paris and paint.”
“Get a survival job and keep grinding until something happens.”
Bleak indeed.
Most artists wander around for a few years, doing some combination of the above.
After a few years, many young artists give up. They go back to school to get another degree in something else. They settle for low-paying jobs as baristas or waiters. The paintings go in the garage. Dreams get buried.
The path gets forgotten. It was only seen briefly anyway, so it’s easy to forget about it.
The artists who don’t give up keep building their portfolios. They keep making art.
For long term success as an artist, you need to have ideas. You need to have the desire to communicate something that is more than “I made this.”
There is very little that is original in the world, let alone in art. Your technique might be slightly different from the next artist, but odds are that your two drawings of that water lily look a lot alike.
Until you put it through the filter of what you care about and have something to say.
That’s what Monet did with his early impressionist paintings. Before they were called impressionist, they were just his paintings. Monet stopped worrying about what it looked like and starting thinking about what he was feeling, channeling it, and allowing his artistic voice, his taste, to shine through.
Monet was criticized for it. He was maligned by critics after his first show. Louis Leroy said, “A preliminary drawing for a wallpaper pattern is more finished than this seascape.” Leroy coined the phrase Impressionism as an epithet.
But Monet kept going, because he was interested in what he was doing.
It may take a while to develop the ability to do this. It is true that some of those artists who are discovered have found their unique artistic voice early in life. They have learned to ignore the voices of the world and say what they want to say.
The artist who get out of this waiting place of post-school, post-training purgatory do something else important while they’re developing their vision and voice.
They show their work. Even if it’s just to family and friends at first, that can be enough to propel you forward.
The Family & Friends Stage
Many artists’ first sale is to a family member. Whether it’s $5 from your dad for your first finished painting in elementary school or $500 from a well-heeled uncle for a piece you made shortly after art school, every artist has to start somewhere.
The key is not to start pressuring your friends and family. The key is to start showing your work to people. Since most artists are most comfortable with their immediate social circles, that’s who buys first.
So you sell a piece to your uncle. Your uncle puts that piece on his wall somewhere and a friend of your uncle’s sees it and wants to buy one. Your uncle puts you in touch with the friend and you get your second sale. You’ve just made your first referral sale by showing your work (albeit in your uncle’s house).
Far too many artists sit in their apartments and let their work stack up for years. I’ve talked to middle-aged artists who hadn’t shown their work in 20 years. They might have 700 pieces sitting in their garage. The fear of being criticized held them back. Quite often these are artists who are technically very proficient – but they don’t know how good they are because they haven’t shown their work!
But the artist who takes the emotional risk of putting themselves out and showing their work to the world gets the benefit of finding the people who respond to their work, and helpful feedback from other artists who can help them make their work better.
In the next blog post, we’ll explore the dangers of waiting to be discovered.
What are your biggest challenges with training and having something to say?
Is it better to have one’s art posted on an individual website, where people must search to find you, or, is an artist more likely to be seen under the umbrella of a site geared towards artists, such as: Artspan?
I think it is best to have your own website, and then write a blog or be active on social media so you can accumulate followers and direct them to your website.
Hello can I get help how I post my art on Internet
I think it’s better to do both. It’s not really practical to start a website and expect people to just find you. There are lots of artists out there with websites and if you’re relatively unknown it can be hard to get traffic there. I think though if you’re generating noise for yourself on social media and in social circles it’s a great place to showcase your work. I think it helps to use other social media geared towards artists as a teaser for your own stuff but more for promo not as a main showcase so you can generate traffic back to your site.
My biggest challenge is how to stay authentic in my arts practice , and how to market my work, after a fairly dry couple of years. I do try to work consistently and am building a collection of work, but it still seems as if it’s too much on the surace
I know this ole to much. I call it the Bobby Fischer effect. To have someone with that kind of potential to do it on his or her own with no real help, but from their family. Any artisan can relate.
One big problem is ego, an individuals ego is a primary concern especially when an individual is choosing artwork of any kind. An adjudicator usually chooses people they know regardless of their talent, and usually stays within their own skill set. So if you have something different it will not mean much.
The other perception lies within the individual artisan. What the artisan can deal with in any given situation, like asking for something fair and getting something cheaper then they wanted. This to relies upon the ego of the artisan.
The ego of each individual plays a small part in ones prosperity.
This is a great follow up blog to the first. This shows that an artisans life isn’t as easy as it seems. It takes everything and can still not be enough, but most important that one needs at least friend or family support to be inspired in some way to continue in their dream.
Take care!
Hey Cory. Good article as usual. A couple of thoughts….
Today’s artists need to learn how to be better marketeers and learn how to network. In order to be successful, an artist needs to decide if their goal is to be successful and develop a revenue stream from their art, or self express and make personal statements with their art. In an ideal world BOTH would be the goal but it’s not always the case.
Artists need to get out there and see what is working in the galleries. Talk to gallery owners and find out what is selling, what mediums, etc. I’m a watercolor artist and also paint in acrylics and oils and have heard time and time again that water colors are simply not selling like they used to in the galleries. It’s feedback like this that helps. An artist needs to adapt if they want to generate demand. I follow Matt Leblanc (Matt Leblanc Art out of Canada) as he is one of the most innovative marketers in the fine art world. His work is mainstream and priced reasonably. He still is an ‘artist’ and can self express but has parlayed his marketing background and networking to generate interest and demand. He knows what sells and how to sell himself.
I’ve seen so many talented artists out there who simply don’t understand how to market and network. They could make simply changes to their work that would open the flood gates to demand and the revenue they need. And I’ve also seen very successful (and not so talented) artist become quite wealthy. What’s the difference? It’s not by chance. Art IS a business. Artists need to treat it that way. An artist doesn’t need to sell out but they need to learn what works out there, and follow that to success. I’d personally rather sell thousands of paintings and earn a great living than make artistic statements and self express with art thet never sells. Learning how to do both is key.
Adaptation is key. Learn what sells. It might only mean tweaking your style or subject matter – slightly.
Cheers
I love Matt! We’ve featured him a bunch of times here on TAA. Here’s an episode of our podcast where he talks about exactly what you’re mentioning. Matt is also coming down to talk at The Abundant Artist Conference next Summer.
“I’d personally rather sell thousands of paintings and earn a great living than make artistic statements and self express with art thet never sells.”
I’d rather do the latter. Van Gogh sold one painting in his life, but he cultivated and realized his vision on canvas. Bouguereau did very well for himself, and actually was very highly skilled, but in the end, his work doesn’t speak to people.
Compromising ones vision to make sales, such as by switching media or subject matter may lead to more sales, especially if one tries to imitate what sells, put ones own spin on it, brands it as a signature style, and markets it as a product for consumption.
But when I look at other people’s art, I only care about their vision, and am not the least interested in their sales. Art is communication and discovery first, and a business second.
I would settle for just being able to survive as an artist and do what I want (I could do it on $500 a month), rather than compromise with the marketplace and the lowest common denominator. However, if one is already doing things like, let’s say, pretty girls with big boobs, than, one isn’t really compromising oneself if one already occupies the place of conventional art.
Being business savvy is good, but if the work doesn’t transcend the conventional, doesn’t have a real spark of originality, than one might as well be a dentist.
It is the decision every artist must face whether their priority is to be a commercially successful artist or an uncompromising self expressing artist. Often the two are closer together than you might think, and are able to be combined. That’s what I love about the abundant artist – it helps show artist the path to balancing both. However, I do believe that every artist will land a little more on one side or the other depending on their own priorities and there’s nothing wrong with either approach.
What I took away from the original comment was that many artists who started for passion and have a strong message to communicate would be able to be commercially successful with a small amount of marketing savvy and adaptation. I see a lot of artists struggling to get attention for their work – perhaps because it is more dark or unpleasant, or a very unusual style. They feel like it is because there is not a large audience out there wanting that, but really it is because they have not yet connected to the right audience OR they have not found the right way to sell the art they make to the audience that wants it. For example, perhaps an artist’s work speaks most strongly to the working class, the under privileged and frustrated – maybe there are many people who really love that artist’s work, but their budgets are not large. If that artist is only painting huge scale $10,000 works then the audience who wants to buy their art won’t be able to. Maybe all it would take would be the artist also painting miniatures in their same style and same themes so that the audience who loves them could afford to support them.
Van Gogh made amazing art, but he lived a lonely and frustrated life. It is not lesser for a person to find fulfillment from commercially viable art. Nor is it “selling out” for a passionate artist to tweak their offerings based on audience feedback – that’s just professional growth.
Whatever reason an artists makes art, they are still an artist and it is still worthwhile. It is still better than “just being a dentist” because they are using their skills and following their enjoyment of a certain craft to add something desirable to the world.
Let’s all just support each other as artists no matter where we are at in the journey or why we are on that path. After all, there are plenty of people in the world nay saying artists already. Wouldn’t it be great if at least the other artists were on one and other’s side?
Thanks Shanna for sharing your thoughts. I do believe you need to be true to your vision and work your craft, but you also need to be smart and sharp about your art as Robert said, “Art is business.” Finding a theme and a particular style that is yours. That takes work, time and a commitment. There is a balance and I want to personally prosper and do well working my art as a business. I know people who sell their work, are true to their vision, and are successful at it. It is possible to do what you love and make money from it. I’ve learned as I put my work out there what people really like and what they lean towards. I have my own website, a shopify site on facebook and an etsy. This year I’m going to learn how to promote them more and use other websites that provide printing and other options for people to choose. I think that most of us do not want to be as Annie Lennox said in her song lyrics “..a legend in my living room.” Art is meant to be shared with people, not hidden, and with the help of people like Cory, we can get out of our living rooms, except of course to follow up on Game of Thrones! All the best in the new year! Len
I do think we need to learn the business, and not compromise the passion. In my opinion what is killing our society is passion-less art. So, if one’s passion is commercial that’s beautiful. Mine isn’t commercial per say and it’s beautiful. What’s ugly and sad is denying your passion and passing it off as art. What’s ugly is copying someone else as a gimmick, just for money. But there’s an audience for that. . .personally, I can’t give in to the idea of pleasing a buyer, that is not integrity for me, not creative to me. (I do find that creating with someone in mind if I’m making a gift does inspire, though, and bring out surprises). . .Imagine how amazing it would be if everyone created art through honesty and passion, we would be a better society. There would be so much more impact . . . I learned pretty young to listen sparingly to art teachers and I’m grateful to have my strange voice. And it’s shocking, after years of not showing, to find out that my strange voice is actually loved and responded to. If I had sold out to a comfort zone or some art school critique I never would have know my voice. Anyway I digress. . . So my point is I’m taking the gamble and creating from the passion, and hoping to make the marketing a creative journey as well.
Training and having something to say are challenging. With an education in interior design followed up by numerous art and painting classes, I wonder if I am still missing something. So I continue to take classes. Do I have something to say. I do I really do. But I have lots of different things to say. I’m not sticking to one thing and know this is a problem.
Sharon, I’d challenge you to 30 days of painting what you have to say. Would you do that?
Yes I would! Challenge accepted!
That was me. I got my BFA in sculpture/art history and then worked in restaurants and bars for years. Went back to school in my 30’s and got an MS in Art Education and taught for 19 years. Now at 55 I am finally trying to do something with my art. I have a tent at a local farmer’s market which seemed a little “hokey” to me, but I am painting and making crafts that are smaller and whimsical and having some success. I am doing art daily, getting my work seen, and selling stuff. Last week I sold nine small paintings!!! I felt insecure about my work, but see myself getting better everyday. My tent is really styled to complement my art and the effort is paying off!!
Excellent Debbie! Everyone discovers their path at different times. Well done.
The only thing that slows me down is “Fear”, I feel that I don’d have the resources to accomplish my tasks, like a Car & Money. Although I do have many Friends who will help me & believe in me, I guess I just need to move forward & trust the process.
Yes Thommy!
Really enjoyed this post! It helped me see that I am on the right path. Looking forward to the next installment!
Mine would be resources. I enter craft shows but I haven’t found that one person that falls in love with my work and I lose out more than I make at the craft show. Then I’m reluctant to do it again because after I while I start assuming I won’t make anything. Then when I do show my art, it’s considered “pricey” if I ask more then 20 for something, even if it took me close to ten hours.
Don’t do craft shows Krystiana. Watch our webinar on art shows with Owen Garratt.
This was so important for me to read today. As the years go by it seems my personal confidence in my work decreases…the longer I “hide out” the worse it gets. I am teaching art again, which has been a profoundly positive influence in getting the creativity and the actual need to create stirred up—
I have been waiting much too long and letting my own fears and safety box hold me back. I think the answer for me is to just go and create and create some more, after reading this post I think that has been my problem. I have the family and friends support so this now is about the need to tell a story with my work. Thank you very much for discussing what is such an important topic!
Excellent Rachel – like Sharon above, I’d challenge you to spend 30 days making art around a specific theme or idea and see where that gets you.
Hi Cory,
Thanks for this article, it shows me again that I would benefit from some art classes. I would love to learn some new techniques to improve my skills and over all knowledge. I’m lucky to have had a very supportive family and friends and a small art community in town. I have sold paintings to people who I don’t know from small displays in cafe/galleries and on facebook from posting my work. I realize now that I’m off to a good start. I feel that being in my 20’s and having a good understanding of social media will be of a real benefit to me.
I also find it difficult to talk to and ask for advice from more established artists, they come from really tight nit communities and aren’t very approachable. So I have other up and coming artists who are just starting out to talk to, which is great, but i feel like I am a bit stuck as an amateur / hobbyist, maybe some schooling would help?
I appreciate your advice and look forward to your next article!
After reading the above comments I’d like to add that I also do craft shows and make art to suit the needs of the people in my community (cheaper, smaller) and am wondering how to get out of that and be taken more seriously?
Did you check out the webinar on art shows with Owen Garrett?
Finding more experienced artists to work with and learn from is definitely a challenge, especially if you’re outside of the major metro areas. We’ll address that directly in an upcoming blog post.
Talk about all those paintings and drawings in storage, drawers, and portfolios! I am years behind but could never stop working on my art, even in secret. Most of my friends nad colleagues never knew I paint(ed). My mind never stops getting more ideas and I have notes on 3×5 cards. I love that you recognize the paralyzation that comes after Art school. The pressure of significance versus youth and inexperience combined to squash the ambition, but the desire never left. I’m talking decades and now the pressure of age, the shortage of years and still having a flood of images is more than I can handle. Thank you for your insight and the brilliantly rich advice and articles you have on the website. Just thank you because you understand deeply. And because what you write resonates with me, I hardly know which way to turn.
Great article, Cory! The other thing I see with middle-aged artists (and young artists as well) is that they have that fear of being criticized but they overcome it to show their work some – but when they do get any criticism, they completely fall apart. I’m not sure if dealing with the emotional side of things is in your wheelhouse, but I see it as a huge problem for artists. They may go months or even years without showing again because that one word of criticism was their greatest fear coming true and it traumatized them. Same goes for getting rejected by media publications or other businesses the artist was hoping to work with.
oh, for sure. In art careers, the thin-skinned need not apply.
You only get that thick skin from showing your work. That’s what I recommend to people. If there is some reason that you’re hiding away, I’d suggest finding some trusted advisors to discuss it with.
This was a well-timed article for me! I am studying under two artist teacher/mentors who have helped me immensely, one in particular who has given me keys to creative doors within me I didn’t even know I had. I am showing now locally and was hoping I was not “promoting” myself to often showing my works both finished and in-progress on FB, but that has started generated some sales interest, too. I also joined a meet-up group of local Nashville artists, and through their critique was invited into a show. Exposure is key…..and I am a “returning” fine artist who dropped an art major in college and went into the sciences, but used my art as a technical illustrator.
A great article. I do believe a lot of us artist that fear is what holds us back. The younger ones fear of what if they hate me, or reject me comes across. Then us older, or ones with family to provide for. Fear crushes us. I have wife with anxiety, depression, etc. She really can’t take care of herself. So fear for me has wade me down. Making me think you have stop dreaming of being an artist, but I won’t let it. Artist have a purpose to take emotion, and make it into something amazing. Keep teaching us Cory. We need mentors like you in life.
Hi all, after reading this article I feel like a fish out of water to some degree, or at least I’m swimming in a different stream than some others in the group. I am still swimming upstream against a strong current though. I never had art classes. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was around 5 years old. I’ve been selling my art since my mid teens and had successful exhibitions since the early eighties, and all of this was done while working full time in at least two jobs/careers at a time as well as raising a family. It has never been easy.
It is now easier for me than ever, for at least two significant reasons, first is that I am now devoting my full attention and time to my art for the first time in 55 years. Secondly the world wide web and all of its new media tools makes it possible to show your work to anyone who is interested in art. Previously an artist would have to find a gallery that would accept your work, there would have to be someone who liked your style physically walk through that door, they would have to have money available, and they would have to commit that money to your painting and not one of the other 50 on the walls. It was a nightmare.
The importance of this course and Cory’s advice for me is to learn all the tricks and trade secrets in getting the work out there. To make that happen this old dinosaur is going to get some paid support to convert these lessons into reality. (I can no longer harass my wonderful talented kids to help me work it all out) This gives me more time to focus on my art instead of spending countless hours stumbling through technology that others deliver in minutes. I guess my message at this point is, the learning never ends regardless of where you are on the journey upstream. Best wishes to you all. Lew
the key sentence in this whole article is: “…Monet kept going, because he was interested in what he was doing….”
I have a gadzillion interests, but only one objective: to add joy. In my constant shifting around from medium to medium, figurative to abstract and back, I ask myself, am I adding joy? Because if I don’t feel joy as I’m creating, how can it radiate out from my work? It must.
That one question, no matter what I’m doing or creating, keeps me on track.
Thank you so much for your posts! They are informative and inspiring. I have been painting since I was in high school and have sold some of my pieces and have done a mural for a girl’s bedroom. In the last few years I have dropped out of painting and out of really anything artistic at all. I always wanted to make a living off of my art but always just assumed it would just be some extra cash here or there. But since I’ve stopped painting, I’m in a rut. I’m afraid to start up a painting because I’m afraid it’s not going to be what I want it to be. I can’t seem to find my style or niche (my subject matter and type of painting is ALL over the board) and I’m having a hard time finding the confidence to actually pick up the brush again…nevertheless market my work for sale. …do you have any suggestions on getting out of a rut or finding confidence in your work again? This is something I’ve wanted to do for so long now. And it’s really something I would love to move forward with. I had all but given up on any thoughts of making substantial money with art until I stumbled across a post of yours.
Hi Cory,
Enjoyed the read on the “Hidden Path”
Yes indeed today is a new paradigm in selling art. Prior to my formal art education, I had 10 years of private painting lessons from 4 different artists starting at an early age. I received my university BFA in Graphic Design with a minor in painting. Then i did post grad work on my MFA in painting; after completing half the program I stopped due to demands of an ad agency where I was creative director. I have been fortunate to have always been employed as a graphic designer, art director, and/or cd. The past 17 years I have had my own graphic business and i paint as much as time permits. I was part of a 12 person co-op gallery many years ago until the poor economy forced us to close. I have been looking at many artist sites; Art Store Front, FASO, Art Pal,and more.
In your opinion, would it be best (I do websties) to have my own website linked to one of the sites like Art Store Front.com? I really enjoyed the interview you did with Ann Rea and have to say I agree with her views on galleries and how they cut into your work. However, I fear that may be a necessary evil. I suppose one issue I have is that I enjoy doing plein air work, contemporary modern paintings, as well as fantasy paintings. Another question…should I concentrate on one genre and pursue the one instead of the 3 or 4 avenues? I appreciate your imput.
Thanks, Rob
What if you think you’ve found your path but no body else gets your work? Do I change or carry on??
Cory, I have another question too, the art markets and here in the UK are a lot less opportunistic, enthusiastic ( we’re a cynical bunch!) and abundant (especially outside of London) -I’d love to hear any advice, experience or insight you can give to us Brits!
Hi Jan, I’m not sure that the UK market is any less abundant or more cynical than anywhere else. Everyone tends to think their case is different, but the art market tends to work the same in most Western economies. The UK & USA economies are very similar, although the EU does tend to shop online a bit less.
As for should you change your work, I’d want to know what you’ve done to reach right audience for your work. The problem usually isn’t with the work itself, it’s usually with zeroing in on the right audience.
I have a degree in Fine Art and Education and fell into the corporate world where I enjoyed success for many years. Since 2008, after that career ended, I have been proud to say I’m an artist for a living. Luckily, my many years in business taught me everything I know about marketing, communications, budgeting, time management, people skills, handling rejection and much more. Since I entered the art world later in my life, I discovered the best way to learn this business was to find out who was doing it successfully and discovering why. They became my mentors. All they asked was that I pass it on, which is what I’m now doing. For me, diversification is key–exhibiting, commissions, teaching, demonstrations, galleries. My marketing plan modifies each year. Loving life!
Hi Cory,
I am new to your site and I am pretty sure I will like it, I am a 60 year old man and I have loved art since I could first hold a pencil, I won an Art competition whilst at School here in the UK, but ever since every time I tried to get more training my work always got in the way.
I am one of 12 so back in my day we had no choice but to go out and get work to help the family, at 10 I had three part time jobs as well as School, I left at 14 and got work as a truck Mechanics apprentice.
I have been told since childhood that I am a natural, and should do it professionally but as I said work and my health always got in my way.
I am a chronic Asthmatic and have had three near death experiences, one in which I swear I left my body, I have chronic eczema, Heredity Depression, a Broken neck, arthritis of the spine and many other minor problems, most heredity and some by my heavy work as a mechanic, we had no health and safety back then.
Now I have now been disabled out of work after a major seizure , I live in a beautiful part of the country with three coastlines only 4 miles away in any direction.
I have a wonderful wife, and plenty of time on my hands, so I am back painting, mostly in watercolour and some acrylic, I have had a short 20 week course in watercolours but that is all, now I have sold a few pieces of my work on EBAY under my name of robertgasser55 but only really for a few pounds at a time . I have also given many away to friends ( some in the USA and Australia) through Facebook, I also bought some domain names through GoDaddy but found it to expensive to set them up.
I woulds love to sell a lot more but I don’t ever think I will make it as a career and I know your site is mainly geared ( or so it seems to me) to the younger peoples they are the ones who will want to make a career out of it, especially as there is very little other work about these days as well as more excellent training facilities for them all and I wish them all the luck in the World, I would love to be out there with them.
I never seek pity and expect nothing from anyone, so I hope to learn from your selves and the younger generation in ways to sell my paintings, thanks for a great site.
Hi Cory
I find this a very interesting piece but I am not a youngster who has just passed a degree course I am a 60 year old who has just been disabled out of work and who has drawn, doodled or painted all of my life, I come from a family of 12 so we didn’t get a chance to go to college I left school at 14 with nothing more than a second place in an art competition and every time I tried to take a course in art at night school my work hours would change usually just after I had handed over my £100 or so.
In the end after 5 careers and many different illness’s including 3 near death experiences, I am at home on a disability payment but on the up side I have now 24 hours a day to paint/draw, I have a studio, well a shed in the garden, lol, I have sold about 15 A4 pieces, mainly watercolours unframed on EBAY for just a few pounds a go and of course I have given family and friends freebees, so I wonder if this article or even site is for me as I don’t expect to start a new career in art at my age, a very interesting site for aspiring artists though so keep up the good work and I will keep watching to see if there is any hope for an old decrepit artist…lol:P
I think this post hit the nail on the head. One of the biggest omissions in art programs is the business side of things – what in the world to do after classes are done. One of the most helpful actions I’ve found is to find artists who are successful in the medium you work in, and who are exploring similar subjects, and thus may have similar audiences. Pick their brains as much as you can. Taking a workshop with them is a great way to get some inspiration and ask them about how they approach their career, marketing, etc. Most artists are willing to share if you’re willing to ask. You really have to be your own advocate; no one will make a career for you.
Hi Cory,
My biggest issue is getting a website together. I tried Moonfruit and Wixie for 30 Days but, I do not know how to build websites. Its very detailed and time consuming. Also, some of the prices for these sites are outragepus!Do you have any suggestions?
Ashley
Hi Ashley,
I recommend Squarespace. I recently switched to them about 9 months ago and really love it. It’s Super easy to use and the layouts you can base your site off of are beautiful. I spent a couple of days going back and forth on the designs! $30 a month or you can do yearly renewals. Hope this helps out!
Taylor
Great post and so true. I wanted to show at some galleries and expos where I was accepted but they asked me for at least 16 paintings to complete the collection, Im have only 5 but keep painting ????
Hi, Cory
I am new to your website, and I really enjoy to read it .But thing is I don’t really know to speak my paint, I not a seller and I don’t know how to define my painting style,all I know is I love to paint. I sold my paint at local store, and I only took half of it, it just enough to pay for my tools, so I only called my painting is a habit,true is I never have the courage to live with it, I am lucky have my parents support.They all helped me went to art school. I was told you can never live life with painting,you can have a second job as protecting your life going and I followed.Can you help me to get to the right path that I can live with painting, thank you!
Im not scared (of the big bad wolf-critics).
Let me at’em.
It’s costs of exhibiting that scares me!
I totally identify with this one. I knew that I wanted to be an artist so I got my BFA. While we learned how to put together portfolios and resumes, I felt very unprepared for the next step. I floundered around a bit, then decided to get an Associate’s in graphic design. Mostly for my own use in marketing myself but also as a safety net. Well, that’s not working out so great either so I decided to really just go back to what I love.
Hi Sara
I am in a similar boat…don’t have a BFA but have been an artist all my life, some cycles of producing and showing counterbalanced by just incorporating art into daily life and non-art professions. I have a chance to return to school and am thinking about an Associates or 1 year certificate in graphic design as a solid tool to keep me up on new methods, technology, etc. I’m 57 so I feel super lucky to have this chance, but damn I keep wondering if it worth it to return to school. In the end I have to support myself, and I thought this would add to my skill set. What have you been doing since this post with your graphic design work? Any updates?
The biggest challenge is that I do not Want to talk about my art. I do art without thinking, method, purpose. I work intuitively. I understand what you point out about communicating and how that has to work to sell an art, but my response is that goes against what my work and expression is all about. It’s about NOT having meaning…..so maybe talk about not having meaning…..or having multiple meanings.I think I just gave myself my own answer. You can see a brief thing here:
https://karendee57.wordpress.com/2015/06/10/heres-what-i-think-about-some-art/
Cory, I had my work in five shows this fall, one of which was my MFA thesis show; nothing sold, but the response was really positive. I really like the work I am doing, and the ones in the pipeline. I just set up a website, and set up a page in Artsicle, and doing so is teaching me what I want other people to know about my work, so it will evolve and become a form of art. Now, the thing to do is to shove aside the living-alone-in-an-old-house stuff and make more art.
You are so right – the pieces I have sold in the past were the ones about which I waxed poetic. I need to get out more, and talk about my art! My pieces are awkward to show, not easy to hang, and are sometimes fragile – so my next step is to take really good photographs of them and sell the prints. I think it will work well, especially if I actually let people know I am doing it. I live in an area where landscapes and still-life are big. What is art? It’s whatever people buy on that day.
Hi Cory, What I am dealing with now, is overwhelm. I left a post on the last Path article. I have also been looking at some of the links that you include, and much of what I feel plagued by is the beliefs thoughts feelings I have around money and value.
I am willing to deconstruct old beliefs that are based in fear and limitation, and at once I am feeling daunted by the amount of work that this will require.
Money will not solve my problems, this I know, but it would certainly be helpful.
I know too much not to complain. I am not a victim.
I also know my work is valuable, and I am dedicated to making more and more.
That I know my work is valuable, may be at the logical level, because I have observed myself, just through my language, devalue myself on all levels.
I do sell my work, just not regularly enough right now.
Fear is poisonous and yet it has been the driving force for so much of my experience. I am working through many layers of my mind, and I am not afraid of working,
I simply ask for help in the overwhelm situation. Where is the best place to start, when money seems to be a huge factor.
I will end this post, because I want to remain as open as possible and avoid going down an negative rabbit hole.
I look forward to your thoughts and again appreciate your offerings.
Hi Arline, this blog post probably outlines the fastest way to get easy sales: Quick Wins.
You might also want to check out our blog post on mindset.
One of the hardest parts about being trained for me is figuring out how to go about it. I am unable to afford classes, as I am still in the process of finishing a Business degree, but instead am opting into utilizing the plethora of information on the internet. Youtube and google have been very helpful in the very beginning stages, but I feel as if I have no structure of learning. Also, the amount of information can be quite overwhelming, and I feel as if I am starting over each time.
Man finding this website was a god-send, there’s so much useful information in such a short article! As far as the business side of art is concerned, I really need to make physical products. I have a lot of people wanting to buy prints, but I haven’t found a printing service that allows resale and is affordable.
I think training is the one stage on the hidden path that extends the whole path. This can be in the form of clarifying a statement, meeting the unique needs of a client, or incorporating new information to allow ones art to expand into different styles. Math, optics, and figure drawings make up my training regimen. Since the first two are constantly evolving I would be doing myself a disservice if I ended the training period.
Hi Cory,
Great tips. I have trouble trying to figure out the order of my steps to building my art business. I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. I sell on a variety of sites, I have bought a domain name. I am busy building up my portfolio on Fine Art America, although I’m not sure that that site is where my audience will go, but I can use it for fulfillment. Any opinions on that? I am thinking I should do your “selling on Facebook” course next. I have watched your free videos first. I have confidence in my art as I have compared it to others and feel it is good. But I have a hard time establishing one style. I have original art pieces and pieces that are digital art/graphic design from found imagery. I will list my profile page where I am starting some galleries on a variety of niches. More to come.
Expanding/extending training is always valuable (in all fields, for that matter) – taking classes as part of a group can also connect you to more people in your “tribe” when you find a compatible group – which leads to more info about more people showing their art and/or discussing difficulties about art marketing in your area. You learn more and more about artmaking process & technique even while you try different groups in search of one you really love. And you can learn about your voice – what others see in your art in addition to what you intend to put there! – by working in a group, as well. Get as far out of isolation as finances and time allow – and try to bend time & money to allow it; the rewards are huge, even if not in the form of immediate sales. Your artistic soul will thank you!
Hello All…The statement from the article “Monet stopped worrying about what it looked like and starting thinking about what he was feeling, channeling it, and allowing his artistic voice, his taste, to shine through.” spoke to me most strongly.
I ask myself what is my artistic voice saying? Can I truly speak in different languages?
I’ve a MFA and am a retired art teacher so I’ve been blessed to be exposed to many forms of media and have gained a proficiency/comfort in many. I also have been criticized for having so many forms of artwork. “How can someone find your clay work if they are searching through your photos?” This took me back for a few years, until I came to the realization that I love working in all these forms and they all have challenges to overcome….like I do.
Does one criticize a musician that can pick up any instrument and play?
There is a similarity that I find across my work that binds it together. I have far to go to sell and make an income I can live off but it has begun. I’ve opened the door a crack and see a bit of light.
Base line…enjoy! Every moment.
Corey, Great article. Many great responses and helpful tips. Thanks to all. Issues for me is that I live in a rural area, so isolation for me is a real and physical factor. I will work to improve that. I am taking your mastermind course learning to tell my story better. I am also working on a more consistent body of work. Which I really like and enjoy, although I haven’t had time to publish on my website yet. I really appreciate all that you do to help other artists along.
Back to the dialog posted. I am really busy (I work a full time job, run the family farm, and take care of my father) and since my art is important, I get up @ 3.30 – 4.00 am just so I am able to work. It isn’t that I don’t want to further myself along, I do, I just find it is difficult to find opportunities close to home to gather with other artists for honest critiques, show, and sell my work. It is also very difficult to find teachers in my line of Repousse` work close by. Keep up the great work all. Thanks.
In brief, my word there is a book here to read and I have only just started, this is like letting the cat out of the bag with a wealth experience to shed. I should know how, as marketing was also my subject until Fred discovered the Computer and I did not keep up with what is now another life. That’s part of my problem, but I will get there and I am sure I will also offer some advice to those like me. Thanks Gorey
Thanks! That is my case…my paintings are requested from friends and friends of friends…i am glad that i have a succesful carrer as engineer because is difficult to get clients as a painter (undiscovered)…or galeries that want to show your work…but i am not giving up! I keep reading you so keep on helping us! Thanks!!!!
Dear Cory,
I enjoyed your “Hidden Path” blog post very much. I agree with Eric Wayne that it’s more important to follow your passion and do what really moves you. I think that in any field you will have the Howard Roarks who would never dream of compromising; the Peter Keatings who do nothing but compromise; and the people who combine the two. It’s temperament, right? Again, great blog post.
Thank you!!! For the advice…i wont move to Paris and paint there…but i am not going to give up in practicing, finding my way, polishing my message and showing my work! ? and donating a % of every painting sold.
Hello!
I always find your articles very helpful! I am a self taught artist (aside from high school art class), I’ve been selling my art locally and networking in my community for the past few years. I am now looking to get more professional and start my own website. One thing I’ve noticed with a lot of artists who have a big following on social media is that many of them are also self taught. They are very good at networking online and make a lot of sales despite the fact that they haven’t had any training. I think it’s because they have a big connection with their audience and presence online. I feel like having an emotional connection with people along with that presence and ability to network plays an even bigger role in your success than how much technical knowledge or training you have.
” post-training purgatory” – there is now better way to describe what happened after graduation. Everything that were said in this article touch my souls’s strains and I nodded to every sentence. Thank you for this project, it gets up my spirit. I am looking forward next articles, I would love to read everything)
I’ve done all that. Sold pictures to friends or given them to family members for 50th birthdays etc. I also do exhibitions with my art society and I am all over the internet, like twitter, facebook etc. Also, I do have 2 websites by now and 2 blogs. I absolutely do like writing my blogs whether anyone likes them or not. Sometimes I include other artists in my posts. I tell them about it, mostly. A few of them check it out then. I like doing all this but some sales would be great, too.
I totally struggle with finding something worth saying. I just create, lots and lots and lots of art. But when I look at my art I see fluff. I have been challenging myself to spend more time on artwork that is based on a stronger emotion though. And every time I do, I’m amazed at what comes out. But how do you tap into your emotional state without driving yourself insane?
Hello Cory, I am 61 years old, I’ve been making quilts for 40 years. I’m good at drawing and maybe 5 years ago I started oil painting and watercolor painting. I’ve been giving a lot of it away to friends and family as gifts. I found this website just at the right time as I am interested in selling my work as a business. I’ve taken a class here or there. I’m not sure what my “voice” is…..I do have favorite subject matter: sailboats, landscapes… I did like your podcast about which website platform to use. The Abundant Artist is great because you have all the information I need for the business side of things. I do think there is a fine line between making art that is your “passion” and making things that will sell. One of the reasons I haven’t tried to actively sell is because I feel I don’t have enough inventory, that if I start a website, it might sell fast and then I’ll have no work to show for months. ( I know, I probably shouldn’t give it all away, right?) I have seen people (in my medium) do fantastic work, have a great career; then I’ve seen people make things that are not even as good as mine, and still make money, I want to fit in there somewhere, you know?(I had a website on Etsy, I didn’t sell anything, you couldn’t even find my site because there were so many people on there, I didn’t like it.) I would love to take more art classes, but I can’t right now as I am unemployed. But I will keep reading information on TAA. Thanks.
Hi Cory, I am very thankful for being invited to your interesting program.
I am a painter who left painting behind because I had to raise my children alone and I looked for a secure monthly payment as a teacher. At first, I continued on painting but year after year everything got more complex and had no one to guide me. So I gave up.
Now I lost one of my two jobs and I am trying to keep into my budget so I can save some time to restart my passion. This is what I was borned for. When I paint I feel free. Nothing else can get to bother me, I get a sense of being capable to manage life around. In peace. But honestly, I need to get money from my art. When I was very young I used to paint only for pleasure, I had some exhibitions, and it didn’t matter too much If I could sell or not. But now it is different. I need to live a better life along my children, give them what they need.
Reading your article has opened my mind. Very good materials.
Sometimes when I get home I am tired and have to organize home and make dinner but I will make my best to have a time everyday for painting.
The posts are very interesting. Advices are welcome!! Thanks for all your help!!.
okay. long story longer.
overly sensitive kid told by parents that art is not a real career.
but i love art. i love writing.
i spend how many years kicking around? sometimes going to school. mostly working a wide variety of jobs. get married a time or two. have way too many kids (too many for a room of my own, that is)
i start doing comics–rediscovering a love for them–when i am in my late 20s & peter off in my early 30s as i again look for that “real job.”
i go back to school when i turn 40.
first i study creative writing, but then i switch to art because i find it more satisfying.
an instructor gets me back into doing comics via encouraging me to do what i want to do.
comics–a not real art in a not real career.
i have been doing my comics as much as i can (4 kids!!) and when i can and they feed my soul. i have done a couple of zine fests with my comic. i have sold to other artists & friends (postcards & zines.) but to say i lack confidence is an understatement. i have matured into an overly sensitive adult. which is a struggle.
i love what i do.
but why should she?
why should he?
i post my comics in a blog. a kind of blog of my journey as an artist. i have my stuff on way too many sites & forget to update them (4 kids!!)
i love what i do.
if i could make money doing it, i would pee my pants.
but, ya know, being told all your life by parents, boyfriends, husbands, male artists (graphic novelists): it’s a nice hobby, but what are you going to do for money?
it’s a hard voice to make shut up.
https://apocalypticmama.com/
My biggest challenge is figuring out where to begin in process as a art business owner. I have no problem showing my work but structuring my plans is my challenge
I just need to paint and to find a good site for representation.
Hi Cory,
First of all, thank you for this website and the book “How to Sell your Art Online”. I just bought it, so I cannot have an educated conversation about it yet, but thank you…I know it will help!
I have not had any training in art culture, history etc. I have taken a few decorative painting classes etc., but that’s it as far as “formal” education.
So along with my own web searches and studying other artists works and techniques (those who share), I learn by doing. I get messy and have lots of “never to be seen again” art. But, I keep doing it anyway.
And yes, my first sale was to a friend who saw something I posted on Face Book. After a couple of years, I stumbled onto Pixels and took the big step into online sales. So far, I have not sold anything via Pixels etc. but I have been getting more and more views, so I am hopeful.
So thank you again; you have encouraged me to keep plugging along and to extend my sales skills beyond Face Book posts and signing up for Pixels / Fine Art America. I am ready to start selling on my own….soon haha
I will keep you posted 🙂
Tam