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How can I make a living as an artist?

How in the world do you make a living as an artist?

  • I've been doing art work for a while - and I've been trying to figure out how in the world do I make a living doing this? Everyone seems to like my art, but so far it hasn't gotten me any $$ yet..

  • Answer:

    I agree with the other posters (even the first one:) it sure isn't easy but it IS possible. I worked at a local gallery 2 days a week while in college. This got me into a field that taught me about connections, art buyers, what local people were looking for, etc. I hated the whole sales part of it, but I did learn a lot. This also got the owners of the gallery to know about me. They now carry some of my work & I sell quite a bit with them. Galleries take a LOT for percentage (usually 40-60%) but it is better then not selling anything. Also check your local craigslist listings for jobs in the art field, there are people who are looking for artists to do regular or commissioned work. If you do computer artwork, look at opening a CafePress premium shop, they are AWESOME! I've sold quite a bit through them. & Enter as many competitions & juried art shows (locally & internationally) that you can find, (look in news papers & search on-line for these.) It's hard & a lot of effort is needed, but hey... it's part of the job! Oh, & another thing, start your prices off low, you can always raise them as you become better known, but lowering your prices isn't a good sign to those buying it. You can do it! Don't give up!

art_floo... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Hi, most artists I know have a day job to pay the bills, teaching is a common one. I've just left art school and have to look for a real job now :( ALot of artists don't become monetarily successful until later in life so until then, its a 9 - 5 i think!

M M

try selling it on ebay and make a website and make several art accounts like deviant art, art grounds and well thats all i can say not knowing what type of art you do

julineluvsyou

An artist can not stop at the canvas. . . .you have to get yourself out there. Shows, galleries, and competitions are some of the best ways to start to build a client base. Doesn't hurt to get yourself online. Even a one page web page will do. Sounds like you haven't marketed yourself out there beyond the doors of your studio as much as you need to. Art patrons don't just drop in out of the sky . . . and art doesn't always sell itself so easily. Especially now, when gas and food take up so much of the average budget. . . . Good luck.

tlw-artist

it greatly depends on what type of work you do, but the best bets are trying to get into the animation or illustration industries. Graphic design I would consider as a last resort if your passionate about art. The animation industry was my chosen field, and you don't need to know how to animate to work in that field. There are lost of jobs in background, character, and prop design and background painting. There's also story-boarding which is relevant for both live-action and animated things. Though you do need a foundation in film knowledge, camera moves /angles /continuity. If you want to get into illustration, you should look for an agent, I'm not as familiar with that but that much I do know.

Rhuby

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