To all the artists on here

alsxx

alsxx

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7 January 2006
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I know there are quite a few artists on here, and I am wondering how you all go about getting commissions/getting yourselves known?

I guess I too am an artist of sorts, in that I can draw/paint well, however despite lots of people saying my work is really good and I should sell it, I never really managed to get anyone actually interested in having a portrait done, even for free! I know people are probably reading this thinking people were probably just being polite saying my work is good, but it is good, I know that - the pic in my avatar is one of mine.

I've actually given up now despite how much I enjoy drawing and painting, due to lack of time and not really seeing the point in spending the time pursuing it when I don't actually get anywhere other than filling the house with more drawings and paintings!

So how do you artists go about promoting yourselves, apart from on here? If I do ever decide to pick it up again, it would be good to know! I did have a website, but I gave that up too - didn't see the point in spending money maintaining it when it did nothing for me!
 
I don't really 'advertise' as such - I'm too busy with school at the minute BUT I have had plenty of interest off people at the yard (who are offering money too!) so I think say noticeboards at local yards/shows, tack shops etc? I would eventually be interested in selling more of my art but as it's just a hobby I'm not too fussed, but maybe give it a try?
 
I tried ads in tack shops a couple of years ago, I've never really mentioned it to anyone I 'know' (let alone shown them) as I would feel like I was pushing myself on them if you get what I mean!

Its only really a hobby for me too as I work full time and looking after 3 horses don't get much spare time tbh, but so many people say I should sell my work, particulary my OH, I just feel like I should be but can't manage it and wonder what I was doing wrong (as I haven't done anything art related in the last year as just got down about it)?
 
can you show us some of your stuff? I lost my mare at the weekend and always wanted her portrait done, now seems like a perfect time.
just show and tell as many people as possible is where i would start.
 
I thought I put some on a thread last year, but there only seems to be a 2009 thread now in sb....I only have these on photobucket, images of others are on a disk somewhere....

25578_312181.jpg


PICT0532.jpg


racer.jpg
 
I find I get most commissions from people who have seen my work in real life. If you tell people you're an artist they'll be vaguely interested but it's not until they see your work in the flesh that they'll know how good you are. So maybe take some of your work down your yard to show people? I sometimes advertise in tack shops, post offices etc and get a few commissions this way but mainly I get them through word of mouth through people I know, friends of friends etc.
 
I guess when I get more time and try to get back into it I should start showing my stuff off and see if that works...I think would just feel a bit awkward thats all but I guess you don't get anywhere if you don't put yourself about!
 
Well my husband started out with just word of mouth and people he knew. He didn't start to promote himself properly until over a year and quite a few paid commissions.

His first one was for a friend with a horse, (that was his first ever drawing of a horse) then someone who had seen that, he then did a few for liveries at the yard and the YO, and so on. Eventually he started going to shows and selling his work that way.

My advice would be:
1. Price your work properly, I see loads of artists selling their work at a massive loss, there is no point and in future you will kick yourself. Calculate the cost of your materials, and time yourself so you get a decent idea of how long a portrait takes and include an hourly rate for your time. Add on any costs relating to transport and promotion if you incur anything else. If you can't sell your work for a decent rate there is no point wasting your time doing it for anything other than your own pleasure and your own walls.
2. Don't spend money on promotion/marketing/show plots etc until you are able to make it pay, otherwise you end up draining your personal finances and making no money. Record everything you spend on your art business so you don't fall into the trap of spending your personal money.
3. It is a tough business to make any money from it takes dedication and hard work and masses of talent, and even then you may never turn an actual profit.
4. Join the SEA as a friend and see whether you can get your work accepted for their annual exhibition next year, use this as a good independent evaluation of your work. If they don't accept it, perhaps you don't have what it takes to make it in the industry.

Sorry if that lot seems harsh but I see a lot of artists trying to make a living some more successfully than others. There is a living to be made if you have absolutely the right product and the right audience but it is tough and many don't get to the stage where they can make a living at it until they have been doing it as a business for over 10 years. Selling your work at a loss isn't fair to yourself or to other artists trying to make a living.

If you are serious find out as much as you can about the industry, get to lots of art fairs, go round the craft stalls at horse shows and see what the competition are up to!
 
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