I started this art blog with one purpose in mind: to help other artists make it on their own, without having to wait to "be discovered" or some such thing.
I've struggled with everything, including putting on art shows, getting a website, getting business cards, getting my name out there, getting prints made of my art, etc. I've asked other artists for help, but rarely gotten any good suggestions. I don't know if they just had more start up money than I did, or if they had someone else helping them along the way.
I cannot call myself a successful artist yet, so maybe people don't consider the information I'm passing along useful, since I haven't made it yet. But I will tell you this: I have been getting more and more orders for my art every month, without having to work as hard for it as I originally did. So I must be doing something right. I just wish I could accomplish what I want faster.
So far not many people are reading my blog, which I attribute to either me not promoting it well enough, or the information in it not being interesting enough. I would love some feedback on this, if you would please. I am also always available to answer any questions, if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
I Am Officially a Business Owner
This may not seem like an intersting blog post, but I had to write it anyway because I'm SOOOO excited about it. I am now officially a business owner. This week I have gotten my EIN, my business license, my seller's permit, and a business checking account for myself as an artist.
One might wonder why you would need those things, but what it means is I can now go to street fairs, art walks, farmer's markets, etc. and sell my art. This is BIG. This opens so many doors for me!
I am working on getting into a few local farmer's markets. So far I have emailed the directors of three farmer's markets to see what I need to do to become a vendor. So far no response. I will probably end up just going directly to the farmer's market, finding the director and filling out a vendor application.
I will keep you guys updated on how it goes as I get physically out into the world with my art!
One might wonder why you would need those things, but what it means is I can now go to street fairs, art walks, farmer's markets, etc. and sell my art. This is BIG. This opens so many doors for me!
I am working on getting into a few local farmer's markets. So far I have emailed the directors of three farmer's markets to see what I need to do to become a vendor. So far no response. I will probably end up just going directly to the farmer's market, finding the director and filling out a vendor application.
I will keep you guys updated on how it goes as I get physically out into the world with my art!
LA and SD Art Shows
I haven't written on here in over 2 months! I have been super busy but that's no excuse.
So...Art show in LA on Oct 9th: There were a TON of people there, but mostly to see the band. To be honest the show kind of got out of my control and became a concert with art on the walls. From this I learned some good lessons: 1. Secure the location and the artists, then decide if you want a live band and 2. You really have to have music and a crowd that goes along with art.
Above is my art display in LA, below is Jamie Fisher's amazing photography (FishyFoto.com):
And this is Brian Anger's amazing photography (facebook.com/badigitalarts):
Though it was a lot of work and was relatively expensive, I did sell several paintings and I came out a bit ahead. Either way, it was fun, a learning experience, and some good promotion.
Art show in San Diego, November 13th: This art show was a LOT of fun, there was a good amount of people, wine, a very relaxed setting, with a chill, acoustic band at the end. Overall the show was great. Unfortunately....I didn't sell any paintings. BUT, I did get some good promotion out of it and I learned several things that I can correct for the next one, including how to present my art better and how to be more interactive as an artist. I also learned that the next time I have an art show, I need to specifically delegate people to help me set up and break down, or I go crazy.
Above is some of my art and below is some of True's art:
Overall, the shows were great promotion and great learning experiences.
So...Art show in LA on Oct 9th: There were a TON of people there, but mostly to see the band. To be honest the show kind of got out of my control and became a concert with art on the walls. From this I learned some good lessons: 1. Secure the location and the artists, then decide if you want a live band and 2. You really have to have music and a crowd that goes along with art.
Though it was a lot of work and was relatively expensive, I did sell several paintings and I came out a bit ahead. Either way, it was fun, a learning experience, and some good promotion.
Art show in San Diego, November 13th: This art show was a LOT of fun, there was a good amount of people, wine, a very relaxed setting, with a chill, acoustic band at the end. Overall the show was great. Unfortunately....I didn't sell any paintings. BUT, I did get some good promotion out of it and I learned several things that I can correct for the next one, including how to present my art better and how to be more interactive as an artist. I also learned that the next time I have an art show, I need to specifically delegate people to help me set up and break down, or I go crazy.
Overall, the shows were great promotion and great learning experiences.
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