|
"Toys and Bird" by Lauren Cole Abrams
You're an artist... your innate, creative desire gives way to outpourings of expression... but then what? What do you do with what you've nurtured so carefully and brought into the world? How do you share with others your unique point of view?
In a perfect world, art lovers would come rapping at your door, ready to buy whatever you produce, but we all know that rarely happens. Renowned gallery dealers would fight each other to represent you...you could just sit back and paint(or sculpt or draw or whatever your muse directs). The art would go out and miraculously, the money would pour in. (Well, 50% of the selling price would, as the gallery takes the other half).Rock stars would call you, begging you to do their latest CD cover art...and on and on.
Not so in the real world though, where very often art is a passion that you support with another job. That usually doesn't leave much time or energy for creative activity, It may pay the bills but can sap the spirit.
Are there ways to circumvent the gallery system, find those art lovers and maybe even sell art full time for a living? YES! If you have the right kind of information and a can-do attitude, selling art is just like any other business. You have a product(your art), it has a market (art collectors) and there are various avenues you can take to bring one to the other.
Juried art shows are exciting, profitable and don't require a major expenditure to get in on. There are many people who make a fine living with this gypsy kind of lifestyle. People flock to these shows to meet the artists and collect their work. Although there is a fee to apply, your sales are usually 100% yours. There are hundreds of these shows, both indoor and outdoor all across the country.
You can also advertise and sell your art through magazines, do direct mailing of promotional brochures, approach art directors of advertising agencies who buy illustrations, attend trade shows with art that is specifically aimed at a niche market-- literally hundreds of ways to sell art.
There is one method of marketing to the the public that you can do from the comfort of your computer chair. Selling art online has come a long way in a few years. There are rich, exciting communities of artists who have come together to share ideas and information with each other...virtual art colonies where you can find support, mentoring and valuable information about this brave new world of self representaion.(insert ebsq blurb here). Artist's websites with shopping carts are springing up all the time. There are thousands of art auctions, direct sales and commissions happening every day.
Not a perfect world, but getting closer all the time.
Lauren Cole Abrams
Look for other articles on self-representation and marketing throughout the month of October in our blog!
|
