make a living as an artist

that’s because i had a magazine illustration to do at the last minute. and, it was a paid job.

i still need to find a part-time job.

oh well.

in the meantime, i am doing some pieces for a group show that will be exhibited near the end of the summer.

there’s also a last minute opportunity to exhibit some stuff for a local arts committee next month. each artist can have up to four pieces but since the deadline for the finished works is two weeks, i am hoping to get atleast two done.

i also did some illustrations for a national non-profit magazine that will be out in a week or so. i felt OK doing it because no one who works on the magazine is getting paid and it’s pretty well-designed and produced.

and, i just got an internship in a design firm. i researched the company thoroughly and found out what’s being said about the firm. i think the most important thing i found was an old comment in a forum from a previous intern explaining that there are things to disagree with while there (like, not getting money for the work, having everyone else change your work) but it paid off in the end because she was hooked up with contacts for future jobs.

$ made so far? none. but i’m gaining a lot of experience and i’m doing it on my terms.

I have been an artist all of my life, but now I would like it to be a career choice. I would love to actually make enough money from my artwork to be financially independent.

i’ve been accepted to participate! i have to do one small painting for the theme. i’ll be very surprised but very happy if it sells for the high price they’re going to ask for it.

it’s not gonna give me anything to live on but it’s a start! the gallery is in a prime spot in NYC. if you asked me a few years ago, i never thought i’d be showing work in a gallery. it still feels kind of weird, just because i’ve always considered myself more of a commercial illustrator.

still, what to do about money NOW? i have bills!

i decided to change it before i make more entries. here are previous ones.

earlier today:

not seeing any results. yet.

just emailed the tiny art group show. waiting for a reply.

haven’t heard a reply from the group show in may so i’m just going to say it’s a bust.

i’ve been looking for freelance work but that’s been depressing. no one seems to want to pay for illustration or graphic design. they’re people that don’t know how to use Photoshop, InDesign, or web design so they’re looking for an “intern” to do it for them. an intern isn’t going to learn anything from them so then it’s not an internship! it’s professional work for no pay, in exchange for a portfolio piece or the promise of future paid work. bullshit.

there seems to be no shortage of opportunities to do free work. i’ve given in somewhat. i’m going to do some small works for some group exhibitions/fundraisers. i won’t make any money. actually, i’ll be spending money on supplies, but atleast they’re for non-profit projects that i can say i’ve been involved with. it’s about exposure. and the projects seem cool and interesting anyhow. hopefully the work i do for them can become portfolio pieces, and maybe i can even make prints from them.

that’s all going to happen during the summer.

still, what to do about money NOW?

march 7th:

and i haven’t sold a single thing. the main reason is probably because i haven’t really had anything to sell.

i tried to set up my printer but had problems getting it to accept the fine art paper. i’m going to have to try to figure out a way, though, because the paper was expensive! i haven’t really been in a rush though because i don’t really have art to make prints of.

i have been working on art. it’s just been coming along very slowly. i’ve been thinking that maybe i should finish smaller works while i’m working on the bigger paintings.

i’m trying to have patience with it all. i hope it pays off. i will most likely have a piece in a tiny art group show in august (5 months from now!). there is also an opportunity to have multiple pieces in a show in may (2 months from now). i just feel i need to create a few more pieces before being considered for it. or maybe it’ll be best to show them what i have now and tell them i’ll create more for the show. who knows!

december 30th:

what i’ve done so far:

a whole lot of research
signed up for accounts on etsy, artfire, and 1000markets.
stocked up on shipping supplies (cello sleeves and stiff envelopes in various sizes)
bought a fine art printer, as well as fine art paper to make prints
stocked up on art supplies so i have no excuse not to paint/create
joined twitter, for socializing and connecting with other artists to gain information and inspiration

there’s still a lot i need to do but for now, i’m going to start with cleaning my home and organizing my work space.

I think I need to work on my ability to be confident about my creations. A great many people like the things that I create. Even though I believe them when they tell me how good it is I always go back to the self-defeating thought of “Yeah it is good but no one would pay money for it.” I must get past this or I will never be able to make a living doing what I love.

I will do what I love for a living.

This week I have started an art blog and an Etsy store. At some point, the art will have to leave the nest.

planning my wedding has kinda knocked me off of my art-as-a-living horse here, but i’m getting on, i’m getting back on. She can be a bitch to ride.

If I’m ever even going to move a little bit towards this goal, I need to finish setting up my kiln so I can fire the ceramic pieces I’ve already completed. This involves finding at outlet for the vent and replacing the lid on the kiln (I’ve been nervous about this because I’m afraid of messing up the new lid).

I have a blog about art at http://muddart.blogspot.com.

I also consider my writing an art, so making a living as a writer would also help me in fulfilling this goal.