I have spent countless nights feverishly plotting and dreaming about my foray into the arts, of throwing caution to the wind and just jumping head first into the art world.
Aside from the need for a truly polished portfolio and some business cards (coming soon). I need exposure and some notable commission work. I have the odd commission project to keep me busy. Currently it's the painting of Conan O'Brian ,which is at a stand still (Conan is impossibly hard to capture). Next week I have a few days off so that should give me plenty of time and absolutely no excuse not to work on it. If work did not pose such an inconvenience to my art making,I could create to my hearts content and then sell my work on a road side. (Insert long sigh here) Alas, the only true way to expose one self to the art world is to get your art out into that world. Without a fine arts degree to legitimize your work,you are essentially that cute but seemingly sad little kid trying to sell lemonade.The truth of the matter is I don't mind being that artist and I am quite determined to prove myself worthy of a gallery.
So this is my 5 point plan to do just that :
1. PROOF. Portfolio, Business Cards and Artist Statement etc. = Legitimate Artist
2. POSTERS. I cannot afford a stunning advertising campaign, I am after all the starving artist.
Some simple posters offering custom artwork oh so strategically posted could up my incoming commission work.Fingers crossed.
3. POUND THE PAVEMENT .Find any and all coffee shops/small independent galleries/independent businesses and retailers willing to display my work,sell my work,or any combination of the two.
4. Find MORE INFO about The Market Collective that runs out of Kensington. How do I get a table there? Do you apply? or Pay? or call? I must find out more ASAP.
5. CREATE Step 1. Last but certainly not least , start creating mass quantities of my paintings, drawings and other handmade wares and stock pile until I run out of places to keep it all.
Step 2 . Investigate and inquire within about every Arts Festival/Music Festival/Community Event where artists and vendors of art can attend and set up shop. This last part is key. I have been turning this idea around in my head for years and it was a booth at the Edmonton Fringe Festival that has put it into motion again. I don't recall the artist's name, I should have taken her card. Her booth was a flutter with people admiring her work and purchasing it without hesitation.
Art is never and will never be about money for me.
It is a wild dream and a novelty to me when someone offers me money for a painting.
I AM that cute little kid selling lemonade on the sidewalk.
So this is my 5 point plan to do just that :
1. PROOF. Portfolio, Business Cards and Artist Statement etc. = Legitimate Artist
2. POSTERS. I cannot afford a stunning advertising campaign, I am after all the starving artist.
Some simple posters offering custom artwork oh so strategically posted could up my incoming commission work.Fingers crossed.
3. POUND THE PAVEMENT .Find any and all coffee shops/small independent galleries/independent businesses and retailers willing to display my work,sell my work,or any combination of the two.
4. Find MORE INFO about The Market Collective that runs out of Kensington. How do I get a table there? Do you apply? or Pay? or call? I must find out more ASAP.
5. CREATE Step 1. Last but certainly not least , start creating mass quantities of my paintings, drawings and other handmade wares and stock pile until I run out of places to keep it all.
Step 2 . Investigate and inquire within about every Arts Festival/Music Festival/Community Event where artists and vendors of art can attend and set up shop. This last part is key. I have been turning this idea around in my head for years and it was a booth at the Edmonton Fringe Festival that has put it into motion again. I don't recall the artist's name, I should have taken her card. Her booth was a flutter with people admiring her work and purchasing it without hesitation.
Art is never and will never be about money for me.
It is a wild dream and a novelty to me when someone offers me money for a painting.
I AM that cute little kid selling lemonade on the sidewalk.
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Great post Erin! I can't wait to see how your plan works out, your a great artist so I have no doubt you will be successful!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! :)
Cindy