Turning Your Creativity and Artistry Into Business
We often talk about turning our artwork from a hobby, or therapeutic ritual into a business – a topic on many artists’ minds. “Sometimes you have a craft that you know, and a sense you should be sharing it with other people,” noted Linda Belickis, a New York artist who dabbles in many fields like calligraphy and jewelry, but is foremost into mosaics (and trained in classic Byzantine style). Linda recently took the leap, and began to sell some of her artwork. Below are some steps to get you started on your journey into the business side of art.
Start by Getting Business Help
Since creative minds are different (that whole right vs. left brain argument) you’ll need help with the practical business elements. Try an organization like the Service Corps For Retired Executives, or SCORE, which is comprised of retired business executives. They’ve been the entrepreneur’s best friend for 50 years, providing free advice on everything from marketing, and accounting to patents, licenses, and resale exemptions. You might also want to get a copy of The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real. This award-winning book for artists is available at www.amazon.com.
Learn to Network and Self Promote
Says Linda. She promotes her work by displaying custom pieces in local retail establishments, such as the brightly colored lollipop that hangs in the candy shop. Artists can also build a network of contacts on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com, which is good for those who do commission pieces, or want to license their artwork. Use other social media, like Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter to showcase your latest work or announce a sale.
The following are networking sites exclusive to artists: Artpromotivate.com, Artbreak.com, Artrise.com, and Artslant.com. They let you post a bio and portfolio, and some even enable direct to collector sales.
Sell Your Merchandise Online
Church sales and flea markets are a start, but you won’t always reach connoisseurs there. Linda is one of those crafters with a shop on www.etsy.com. A global community of purveyors of handmade goods, etsy has a motto that reads like this post: Turn Your Passion Into A Business. You can also try Square Market, www.squaremarket.com or e-bay, www.ebay.com
Explore Professional Groups, Contests and Gallery Submissions
Another tactic Linda tried, is selling a piece through a professional collective (in her case SAMA, the Society of American Mosaic Artists.) The submission, pricing, and selection were all accomplished via the Internet, and her piece now hangs in a California gallery. Check a site like www.theartlist.com to find out what galleries, museums, and organizations in your area are looking for.
Remember, once you decide to make it your business, it will become work. Treat it seriously, be patient for that first sale, and then keep striving.
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Visual: The Dove by Linda Belickis
(Her 2012 study of a larger mosaic work housed in Ravenna Italy)
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Jeri Dayle is a writer with credentials that span many genres including books, newspapers, magazines, advertising and marketing communications. She developed the children’s books Sock Crafts and Paper Bag Crafts for Random House, appeared for eight years in Queens Parent, and currently freelances for ad agencies and business clients. She is also an avid crafter (with a beaded jewelry business of course). Gratis Libre is one of several sites where she guest blogs.