This is a place to
write in and ask questions pertaining to your
own life and how you can work as an artist in
a culture that sometimes makes this very difficult.
Email questions to: mary@telfleur.com
Hi Mary,
I'm an 18 year old college student majoring in
painting. I love
what I'm doing and I'm very excited about my future
with it. Although I
know it may be harder to make a living at it,
compared to, say, business, I
feel positive about the future. My question is
this - how do you respond to
people (friends, relatives, new acquaintances)
who make negative comments
about being able to make it as an artist. Too
many people seem to want to
only point out how impossible it will be to make
money, how I'm not being
practical, how I'm wasting my time getting a degree
in this, etc. What can
I say that will explain to them why it's not crazy,
or at least will get
them to keep their mouths shut?
Libby
Hi Libby,
Congratulations to you for following your dream!
It usually happens - when you keep asking questions
- and you follow your dream, the money will come.
Let's start with the first part of your question:
Yes, maybe it will be harder to make a living
at art than at business - but maybe not. I've
heard of some business majors who end up working
in retail - and not that there's anything wrong
with that - but I bet that's not where they thought
they'd end up and it may not be the best place
to be if you're goal is to make money. And I know
some artists who are making over $100,000. a year,
living their dream, and making art.
Also, when you're a freelance artist you are
essentially running a business - your OWN business.
This is where I feel art schools fail to prepare
fine arts majors. If there is no 'Business of
art' class that you can take, I recommend taking
a general business class to help prepare you for
making a living doing your art. I also recommend
the books "How to Survive and Prosper as
an Artist, 5th ed. : Selling Yourself Without
Selling Your Soul" by Caroll Michels or "The
Business of Art" by Lee Caplin. Check them
out at your local bookstore and I'm sure you'll
find many others that are interesting or more
specific to what you want to do.
Now, to the other part of your question. We all
come across negative people and sometimes - although
I recommend avoiding them - you can't. Maybe they're
part of the family or someone you just met. It
can be a challenge to be proud of what you do
when faced with negativity, but you can do it.
I've found that quick, short answers are best
because you don't want to argue or engage in conversation
with these kind of people - you just want to shut
them up. Have a sense of humor and realize when
someone is negative - it usually has to do with
THEM and nothing to do with you. Try quoting something
positive you've heard someone say about your work
and your dreams. For example: "Well, it's
all in how you look at it. I've heard people say
I'm going to be rich and famous someday."
Or "Well, I feel the best way to succeed
is to do what you're good at." OR use your
own quote that you said to me: "I feel positive
about my future." Smile, then drop the subject
or walk away if you can.
Best of luck to you in your painting career and
keep asking questions.
Mary
I have a question -- do you know of any coops
or art organizations that offer health insurance
at reasonable rates? Just thinking about my coming
"retirement"......
-Pat
Hi Pat,
Good job on thinking about the future! Many people
in this country don't have health insurance and
it's especially important for artists and other
self-employed people to be educated about this.
You used the word "retire" in quotes
so I'm not sure if you're retiring from a company
that offers you health insurance now or if you're
just planning on becoming an artist full time
and don't get an official "retirement"
package.
First - if you're retiring from a company - ask
the person in charge of insurance if your company
offers the COBRA plan and if they do - they will
have information for you or go to: http://www.mostchoice.com/cobra-helath-insurance-health-insurance.cfm
COBRA offers you insurance continuation from the
job you're leaving.
If you are just starting over and need insurance
and you live in Illinois, Michigan or Wisconsin
you could contact the Chicago Artists’ Coalition
(CAC)(312) 670-2060 www.caconline.org CAC is a
nonprofit, multicultural service organization
founded in 1974 to serve artists, both fine and
commercial.
Lenore Janecek & Associates (LJA) provides
a spectrum of benefits for the Chicago Artists'
Coalition. LJA was founded in 1985 to offer cost-effective
health care and employee benefits for businesses
and individuals. Artists may choose from Blue
Cross, Fortis, Golden Rule, Unicare, Humana and
many others.
If you don't live in one of those states LJA
has a book called: "Health Insurance —
A Guide for Artists, Consultants, Entrepreneurs,
and other Self-Employed". It is a good book
with additional resources and ideas regarding
health insurance. ACA Books, ISBN 1879903113,
$15.95. Available in many book stores.
If you'd rather search online - http://www.craftsreport.com/resourceguide.html
is an excellent resource to find other insurance
resources for artists.
Take care,
Mary
Dear Mary,
My husband and I are both working artists. We
have no children right now, but we’d like
to someday. He does freelance computer graphics
(besides his art photography) and I teach (besides
doing my oil painting). The problem is –
lately because of the economy, it looks like one
of us might have to get a ‘real’ job
outside of our artistic world. He thinks that
it should be me because his computer graphics
are bringing in a little more money than my teaching.
I’m feeling very upset – I don’t
want to cause problems, because we’re usually
very happy, but this is a big deal to me!
Upset in Indiana
Dear Upset,
The first thing I see here is that you’re
usually very happy. This indicates to me that
you’re able to talk to each other. If that’s
true – I think you need to sit down and
brainstorm ways that both of you can either keep
doing what you’re doing or each add another
side job to add more money to your household.
Perhaps he can get one more freelance job and
you can take up another teaching job at a local
craft store or community college. Together maybe
there will be enough money to make it work. And
while you’re talking, talk about how you
can perhaps save a little more money by buying
thermoses and bringing coffee to your jobs instead
of those expensive to-go coffees. It’s amazing
how much money people spend when they don’t
realize it! Also: I suggest that BEFORE you have
children – like now – you should talk
about how you’ll handle your finances then
and who will be taking care of the child. Make
sure you discuss health insurance. Does one of
your freelance jobs have that as an option? Can
you get it through a local artist’s group?
Keep brainstorming with each other and let me
know how it goes.
Hi Mary!
Do you have any advice on creating art while
taking care of young children?
How do you do it?
Thanks,
Shannon
When my own kids were small they were number
one - above my art, BUT I also realized that kids
do get more self sufficient and eventually move
away so I needed to have something for myself.
Not to mention if I didn't spend any time on my
art I wasn't able to give as much to the kids.
Not only was it a good example to them to see
their mom taking care of herself, but necessary
to my own well being.
If you do have help - a supportive partner who
also spends time with the kids then by all means
make an arrangement so that you can spend some
time each week devoted to your art with no distractions.
If you don't have help you're going to have be
creative in finding some. Is there another parent
- the mother of one of your children's friends
who you can swap time with? A family member who
can baby-sit once a week? I remember many years
ago I came to the realization that IF I was going
to paint, it was really up to ME and no one else
to make it happen. That thought transformed my
life because I could no longer use other people
not helping as an excuse.
The most fun and easiest thing to do is set up
your house so that you can work WHILE taking care
of the kids.
Having a place in your home where you can keep
your work set up helps a lot so that you don't
have to put away your supplies all the time -
I've worked on my kitchen table and then had to
clean it off for dinner way too many times. The
problem becomes that it's too hard to take it
out again to finish a project. I eventually made
my living room (I was fortunate enough to have
a living room AND a family room) into my studio
and my dining room into my office. A table set
up in a corner of the family room, or dining room
will help tremendously. It's much better to have
a space of your own - even if it's small. And
then have a space for your kids to do art projects
of their own with their own supplies. Most kids
love to be creative. You can set aside an hour
a day (and it could last longer if you're all
having fun and depending on your kids ages)to
everyone working on their own art project - including
you!
Although it might seem at first thought to have
a space far away from your main living area might
be best because it's the most quiet place - I've
found that having my work space near my family
was what worked best for me because I was more
likely to BE there. I wanted to know what my kids
were doing and be there if they needed me. That's
just my personal preference. I just got used to
working with a lot of noise around me. As a matter
of fact, as I sit here and type I've had to get
up and let my Shelties in the house twice because
they were barking at the neighbor dogs!
Another idea is that if the kids settle down
to watch a movie each day there could be some
quiet time for you - now, believe me, I'm not
suggesting using the TV as a babysitter, but if
you do allow some time for them to watch it -
this could be a nice window of opportunity. They
could look forward to seeing what you've created
after the movie is over.
I would say that being PRESENT for your kids
while you are sharing your day is the best thing
you can do. Pay a lot of attention to them while
you play, take them out, make meals - just every
day stuff, and listen to them. They will be a
lot more likely to understand YOUR needs if you
give them some undisrupted time with them. And
they won't be trying to get your attention every
minute of the day if they feel they've already
HAD your attention.
I've raised two daughters and many dogs while
also working as an artist so I hope this has helped.
Let me know how things are.
Mary,
How to get over artist's block?
Carol
Dear Carol,
First of all, realize that this happens to everyone
from time to time and it will go away. When you
take that pressure off of yourself it helps the
creativity come. If you've always done watecolors
- try acrylics, oil pastels - try pen and ink,
etc. Do a search on the web for new painters.
Or go to a gallery or art show you've never been
to. Seeing some new art might jump start your
mind into saying - 'I'd like to try THAT'. Check
out some books on creative thinking. Two of my
favorites are both by Julia Cameron: 'The Artist's
Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity' and
'Walking in this World: The Practical Art of Creativity'.
There are many ideas in these books for letting
your creativity come out. Take a small trip somewhere
- even if it's just a town away for an hour or
two and bring along a sketch book or camera. If
none of this helps enough you may have to use
old fashioned discipline and sit down and just
draw SOMETHING to get you going again - even if
it's your TV set or lamp. Remember that it's only
temporary and it might be your subconcious taking
a needed break - you might be onto a big breakthrough
and are about to change directions with your art.
Mary,
I have built up quite an inventory of acrylics
done on my favorite subject: cats. I was thinking
about entering a summer art show for the first
time. What should I do as a first timer, and what
are the pitfalls? Is it lucrative?
Signed,
Kitty Galore
Dear Kitty,
Congratulations on building up your inventory!
This is always the first step. Next, you need
to investigate which art shows to enter and what
they require. www.artfairsource.com is a good
place to start. There is a small fee for an online
membership or you can buy the book for under $10.00.
You must think about the reality of being at the
show. Is it outdoors? Do you have a tent for shade
or in case it rains? Some things that beginners
don’t think of is to have plenty of promotional
material available about yourself: business cards,
flyers for upcoming shows or other art events
you’re doing, etc. And make sure to have
a book where people can sign up for your mailing
list. Even if they don’t buy anything that
day – you know they like your work –
so there may be a commission or other sale in
your future. Always follow up with people because
sometimes even those with the best intentions
get busy. It’s up to you to promote yourself.
Don’t forget to tell your veterinary’s
office about the show and any other cat lovers
you know. Is it lucrative? It can be. But don’t
be discouraged if you don’t make much money
at your first show. It takes time to build up
customers and a reputation. It’s good to
have pieces in a variety of sizes and prices.
As far as the pitfalls – there is always
risk involved in selling art. But there’s
no way to find out if you can sell it without
trying. The biggest risk is that you spend time
and money on a show and don’t sell anything.
Don’t give up if you love what you’re
doing. Just like anything else in life, as you
plant your seeds (doing shows, meeting potential
customers, sending out mailings, etc.) you will
eventually see them starting to sprout!
Hi Mary,
I've been taking art classes for over a year
and recently been very happy with some of my watercolors
- especially my loose paintings of high-heeled
shoes. I made some of them into 'greeting cards'
by printing them on my computer and showed them
to my friends. They loved them and suggested I
should try to sell them, but I have no idea how
to begin. Do you have any suggestions?
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
Congratulations on sticking with art classes
and finding something you love to do.
Before you get started and approach anyone with
your cards - make sure that they have a cohesive
look to them. If you have say, five or ten different
designs to show - do they all look like the same
artist did them? Shop / gallery owners will take
you more seriously if they see your designs all
have a cohesive look. If you show up with many
different styles and media it may not look professional.
Choose a number of designs that look like they
go together before you print any of them. Then
you will have a certain 'look' that people will
begin to recognize. You'll need to do the same
with your prices. Make sure your prices are in
line with the shops prices. More about prices
later.
There are many different ways to sell your cards.
One way, for example is to find a privately owned
shop that sells cards in a similar look to yours
- not too similar because you wouldn't want to
compete with another artist, (not to mention,
they probably wouldn't want your cards if they
look too much like someone else's) but similar
enough so that it looks like you belong in that
shop. Shop around until you find a few of them.
Each time you go out to a different town, keep
your cards in mind... and not a bad idea to have
some ready in the car at all times - just in case
the owner or buyer happen to not be busy. But
don't just look for card shops. Look in boutiques,
gift shops, frame shops, a kids boutique possibly
- depending on your cards - and in the case of
your shoe-cards - perhaps the right shoe store
would carry them. Keep your mind open to possibilities.
Another thing to keep in mind is that buyers usually
buy two major times in a year. One is Jan - Feb
for spring and June - July for the holidays. There
are always exceptions, but I would keep this in
mind when approaching them.
Now, before you go out and approach the store
owners or buyers make sure your cards are ready.
How are they packaged? Do you have them in plastic
bags and are you selling them individually? Do
you sell them in boxes of a certain quantity?
If you sell them in a box - does the cover of
the box or back of the box have a small picture
of the cards that are inside so that people know
what they're buying? Can the customer open the
box and look inside to see what they're getting
or is it sealed in plastic? Michaels Craft Stores,
Hobby Lobby, and other craft stores sell plastic
bags and small boxes in limited sizes that you
may want to buy before you order a big quantity.
A good place to buy plastic bags in quantity online
is: http://www.plasticbags.com/ A good place to
buy boxes is: www.papermart.com
Also, BEFORE you package them - do you have your
name or logo somewhere printed on the card itself?
Perhaps if you have a website - put that on the
card so that people can contact you. If you don't
have a website, an email address would work. If
you aren't sure how to begin this process - go
out to where they sell cards - a big store like
Borders has many - so other smaller stores. See
how other people are doing it and then decide
what works best for you.
You will need to think about what it costs to
make them and what you need to charge. Most stores
and galleries do a 50 - 50% split (some do a 40
- 60% or even 30 - 70% split, but it's rare).
They might take them on consignment - meaning
they have them in their store and when they sell
they send you a check every month or so. Or some
of them buy them outright. When you have a meeting
with an owner / buyer - be prepared to have a
price and ask if they buy them outright or use
consignment. Figure out what YOU need and then
add 50% to that. That's what the customer will
pay. For example, if you need to make $1.00 a
card - that means the shop will have to get $2.00
per card for everyone to profit. If you sell them
outright the owner will buy them for $1.00 each
and make money when they sell - where you make
the money right away. Artists usually favor this
method although consignment has it's nice points
too. You get to leave your cards at the shop and
just wait for the checks to come.
Now, if you feel you really don't want to be
a salesperson doing cold calls (meaning approaching
stores when they aren't asking you to) - as many
artists have to be for themselves, but you'd like
a more subtle approach there are some other ideas.
You can go to: http://www.greetingcard.org/ (GCA)
is the trade organization representing greeting
card and stationery publishers, and allied members
of the industry. GCA’s principal objectives
are to promote the tradition of sending greeting
cards, to represent the industry before government
and regulatory agencies, to serve as an information
service center for its members, and to monitor
trends and developments that may impact the industry.
They have a page that is specifically for artists
wanting to submit their ideas: http://www.greetingcard.org/pdf/GCA_Artist_Guidelines.pdf
I'm sure if you do a search online you will find
many other ideas.
One idea many artists are doing nowadays is not
only entering art shows, but going to Farmers
Markets to sell their work because they usually
have reasonable entry fees. Many farmers markets
let you set up a booth (some provide canopies
in case it rains - but make sure to ask) or table
and sell your art. Greeting cards are perfect
for that because they're not very expensive and
a good impulse buy if someone sees something that
attracts them. Go to some of them before you do
it to see how people display their work, what
types of things are selling and talk to the artists
to see how they're selling.
Best of luck to you, Joyce. I know after reading
this you might think that it's a lot to think
about - and it is! But do it step by step, and
make sure you keep enjoying what you do.
Mary
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