If you have a serious ambition to be a full time artist, whether it's as a painter, sculptor, woodworker or some other type of craftsman, you must approach it like any other business. A Van Gogh painting is highly sought after, and will bring millions, today, but during his life he only managed to sell one work. If you are going to pay rent and eat, you will have to do better. To succeed in the entrepreneurial arts world, you need to make a name for yourself.
Whether you are a full time artist, or are still working at your day job, you must set a schedule and take the time to create almost every day. There is a reason most employers don't let their employees come into the office whenever the mood strikes them. You might not always feel like sketching or painting, but you have to approach the creative process like it's your job.
Setting up a master price list is very important. Even people who love the work you produce want to know how much you charge. Having a master list should give them all the information, including shipping and taxes, they need to make an informed buying decision. You need to make it available on your website, pass protected, for your most serious clients.
When it comes to pricing, you have to be realistic. You don't want to price yourself right out of the market, but you also don't want to be so insecure that you think you have to give your work away before anyone will be interested. It's just a matter of going online to do the research and find out what similar artists are charging.
Sales are business transactions. A contract must accompany every sale you make. You will find sample artwork sales contracts online you can download and use, but it is best to spend a little money and have a lawyer familiar with contracts write one specific to you. It must contain language regarding reproduction and exhibition 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.
Don't forget to pay your taxes. If you neglect filing income taxes and keep all your money in your pocket, the Internal Revenue Service will notice at some point. You should hire a certified public accountant to fill out quarterly returns if you can't do the job yourself. Detailed record keeping is critical.
If art is your passion, you can make a living doing it. You must be realistic and practical to make it work however. You don't want to want to be dead, like Van Gogh, before the world realizes what an artistic genius you were.
Whether you are a full time artist, or are still working at your day job, you must set a schedule and take the time to create almost every day. There is a reason most employers don't let their employees come into the office whenever the mood strikes them. You might not always feel like sketching or painting, but you have to approach the creative process like it's your job.
Setting up a master price list is very important. Even people who love the work you produce want to know how much you charge. Having a master list should give them all the information, including shipping and taxes, they need to make an informed buying decision. You need to make it available on your website, pass protected, for your most serious clients.
When it comes to pricing, you have to be realistic. You don't want to price yourself right out of the market, but you also don't want to be so insecure that you think you have to give your work away before anyone will be interested. It's just a matter of going online to do the research and find out what similar artists are charging.
Sales are business transactions. A contract must accompany every sale you make. You will find sample artwork sales contracts online you can download and use, but it is best to spend a little money and have a lawyer familiar with contracts write one specific to you. It must contain language regarding reproduction and exhibition 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.
Don't forget to pay your taxes. If you neglect filing income taxes and keep all your money in your pocket, the Internal Revenue Service will notice at some point. You should hire a certified public accountant to fill out quarterly returns if you can't do the job yourself. Detailed record keeping is critical.
If art is your passion, you can make a living doing it. You must be realistic and practical to make it work however. You don't want to want to be dead, like Van Gogh, before the world realizes what an artistic genius you were.
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