If art is your passion, and you intend to make a living sculpting, painting, or designing, you need to consider it a business enterprise. Vincent Van Gogh's work is highly prized today, but he only managed to sell one painting in his lifetime. You will have to sell much more if you are going to eat and pay rent. You can't succeed in business if the public doesn't know anything about you. Succeeding in the entrepreneurial arts world includes calling attention to yourself.
Even if you are still holding down your day job and easing your way into the art world part time, you must make a schedule and stick to it. You wouldn't expect an employer to let you come in whenever it suits your mood. By the same token, you can't wait until you are in the mood to create to get work done. Creating has to become your job as well as your passion.
It's a good idea to create a master price list. People may love your work, but they will still want to know how much it costs. Until you are on the same plain as Picasso, you will need to have a comprehensive listing of the works that are available to the public. You can put this on your website and keep it password protected. Taxes and shipping costs should be included.
You have to realistic and fair about your pricing. When you charge too much, you will discourage potential purchasers. When you charge too little, people won't value what you do. In order to find a value that is fair and reasonable, you might do some online research to see what others, whose work is comparable to your own, are charging.
If you are going to approach your artistic career in a business like manner, a contract needs to accompany every work you sell. You might find basic contract examples online, but contacting a professional for advice, although it will cost a little money, is a good idea. You want to protect yourself and your exhibition and reproduction rights.
You must market and advertise your business. If you want to sell work, people have to know about it. You should create an interactive website that reflects who you are as an artist. You could get some local publicity by hanging your work on the walls of local restaurants and hotels. Art in the park shows, local galleries, and art centers are good places to start showing your best work.
Remember to pay all your state and federal taxes. It's a good idea to have an accountant to help you file quarterly reports, whether or not you have made any money. You must keep in mind that there is no one withholding your earnings for you. Keeping meticulous records is essential.
If art is what you are passionate about, you can earn a living doing it. You have to be practical and realistic about it however. If you aren't, you might end up like the living Van Gogh with only one sold painting to your name.
Even if you are still holding down your day job and easing your way into the art world part time, you must make a schedule and stick to it. You wouldn't expect an employer to let you come in whenever it suits your mood. By the same token, you can't wait until you are in the mood to create to get work done. Creating has to become your job as well as your passion.
It's a good idea to create a master price list. People may love your work, but they will still want to know how much it costs. Until you are on the same plain as Picasso, you will need to have a comprehensive listing of the works that are available to the public. You can put this on your website and keep it password protected. Taxes and shipping costs should be included.
You have to realistic and fair about your pricing. When you charge too much, you will discourage potential purchasers. When you charge too little, people won't value what you do. In order to find a value that is fair and reasonable, you might do some online research to see what others, whose work is comparable to your own, are charging.
If you are going to approach your artistic career in a business like manner, a contract needs to accompany every work you sell. You might find basic contract examples online, but contacting a professional for advice, although it will cost a little money, is a good idea. You want to protect yourself and your exhibition and reproduction rights.
You must market and advertise your business. If you want to sell work, people have to know about it. You should create an interactive website that reflects who you are as an artist. You could get some local publicity by hanging your work on the walls of local restaurants and hotels. Art in the park shows, local galleries, and art centers are good places to start showing your best work.
Remember to pay all your state and federal taxes. It's a good idea to have an accountant to help you file quarterly reports, whether or not you have made any money. You must keep in mind that there is no one withholding your earnings for you. Keeping meticulous records is essential.
If art is what you are passionate about, you can earn a living doing it. You have to be practical and realistic about it however. If you aren't, you might end up like the living Van Gogh with only one sold painting to your name.
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