What does it take to build an arts practise?

I once joked that writing a manuscript was about 10 percent of my job as a writer, 60% seeing the book through production and 30% Marketing. If being a write meant all I had to do was to write stories I might or stuck with it. Yet things are not so different as a visual artist, only I enjoy the process a lot more and the results can be more immediate, depending on what I'm working on.

So your artwork is complete . . . What's the next step?  We I talk to artists across the country the number 1 thing they want to know is how to sell their artwork.  If any of my readers have an answer to my question can they let me know.

I like to say all art is good art . . . and all art is saleable. Its the selling that is the hard part.  For me the magic formula is finding the right person, at the right time, with the write space available on their wall. I've given up on trying to figure out what people will and won't buy.  'Beauty is the eye of the beholder.' when it comes to art.

So after you find yourself with some art to sell - there's a few steps you need to think about:

Presentation

• How to present your work.  This of course depends on the type of artwork you created and where you want to sell it. But that is only one part of the job. The other is how to present yourself to a gallery, online or an art and craft market.
• As difficult as it is for some artists with disability, it is no longer, possible to present yourself as a professional artist if you haven't got an online presence.  Here I say anything is almost better than nothing.  It is easy to set up a blogsite, like mind, twitter account, facebook or intergram account to be your online face. Even if you do not have access to the internet a friend or support worker can put up a one page presence with your contact details and I am happy for you to use ArtISability as the contact if you need it.
• Every artist should have an artist statement.  Here's one I used once, I am artists, I create, life is great! I do not recommend you use it. 
• I have being writing a lot lately on the importance of Telling You Story. Whether your entering a competition, writing a proposal for an art gallery, applying for arts funding or art residency or setting up a small business enterprise you need to have a story to tell.

Which would you be more likely to buy?

FOR SALE

Telephone 0456 777 777

or

"Mysterious" - line 'n' wash by Deb Chilton. Deb Chilton is a visual artist, author and poet, residing in Southeast Queensland Australia and an Emerging  Queensland Artist. She is annually invited to exhibit work through the Brisbane Rotary Club and enjoys vibrant colours.

Of course its taken me a few years to make a sale at this level. I have been enter this particular competition for 3 years.  Every artist has to make their first sale or win the first competition. At first all I had on my Artist Bio was - currently studying at Brisbane Institute of Art.  Now a few years later there's a few more things to say.

Building and Presenting a Portfolio

In this digital age increasing people ask for an web address to view my work.  There are many online platforms you can use to present you art.  Including a blog like mind.  Take the best possible photo of your work.  Pay someone if you need to.

When you present you work online do it with pride - crop you images before uploading. Of course you now have the option of selling you work and/or images of your work online.

Building your audience

Your audience is people who will either buy your artwork or help market you work.  Before selling your work, people need to know who you are? What type of art you create? How you create it? Most importantly where to find you and your art.

So its time to start telling your story and engaging in chatting to people about your art and your art development. With all this high tech stuff - word of mouth and a fan base built on relationships is still the most powerful tool. 

Everyone is competiting for our time and money, you have to find away to stand out and say. Here's my artwork and here's why you should buy it!

Hot Tips

• Enter competitions most also allow you to sell your work. At the very least you can say you've exhibited.
• Exposure giving as many people as possible maximum ways to view you art, Your local library might show a few or your pieces. You want to get people recognizing and talking about your artwork.
• Tell you story, tell it offer and tell in on different formats.
• Visit other art exhibitions and get to know the market place.
• Develop a support group or network group with other artists.
• Look at the prices other people are putting on their work.
• Get yourself a business card.
• Join a visual arts network.

Develop a business plan

• Where will I connect with my audience?
• What is the best way to connect to my audience?
• Set up a online page?
• Let people know where and how to find you?
• Outline your story
• Prepare your portfolio
• How will you fund your start up costs.
• Where and how will you produce more artwork.

I am still very much writing my own story and learning how to tell it well.  But I hope this gives you a few tips to get started.