One of my friends is an amazing photographer of birds and insects. She has been asking me to do a Monarch Butterfly for a while. This is only 8 x 8 inches and was fun to do. I am working on a second one, so this one is not alone.
I have artist friends that only paint landscapes, and some only paint seascapes. I am always looking for something to paint and love suggestions from friends. I think I have a rather bright / free style of painting. I can usually tell my mood, by the colors I select for my paintings. I do love the look of dark and moody paintings, but it is just not my personality.
It would be wonderful to find exactly what my style is, and stick to one look. There are so many different ways and things to paint, how do you settle on just one look? Maybe I would be more successful selling my work, if I stuck to one style. Oh well, not today!
Trying to find the time to spend quality time in my studio has always been a slight challenge for me. I wonder if other artists have the same dilemma? Five years ago, I moved to a new city, in a new state, leaving behind my art followers. I did not think of the ramifications of the move at the time. I showed my work in an Interior Design Studio in the city, and sold a couple large abstracts each month from that location. I had a large studio, so plenty of space to work on large canvases. I have a smaller space now and am enjoying making smaller art. The one below is just 8″ x 10″. With the smaller venue I can finish a piece in a couple of days, and I don’t seem to use as much paint. Finding the days is the problem. Cooking dinner, doing laundry and keeping up the house seem to get in the way. I often wonder if other artists experience the same challenge?
When I get back from the gym in the morning, I think I am going directly to my studio. Then I stop and have to consider what I can pull together for dinner. I would eat the same thing several nights in a row, especially if I really liked it. Unfortunately that does not go over well in my household. I ordered “Hello Fresh” for a while. They seemed to have too much repetition in the recipes, and they used a lot of ground meat.
When I try to have a schedule of which days I’m in the studio, something often comes up. When I was younger, I was more of a morning person, so would get up early to paint. When I was single, I would paint late into the night. Middle of the day seems the only time that works for me.
Finding places to sell art is more challenging where I live, as the clients that used to buy my work live a couple of states away. I post on Facebook and Instagram, but that does not seem to sell art. I did a few Art Fairs. For the amount of money spent on equipment and the time it takes to set up and take down, I was not making enough money to make it worthwhile. It was fun talking to people, but where I live people would rather spend $25 on a crafty item, than on fine art.
I have done a few commissions, and often donate my art which I have always done. It’s fun, but not particularly satisfying. The Rooster was painted as a Christmas gift for my best friend. It is only 8″ x 10″. I next painted the children of my Personal Trainer for another Christmas gift, and then a portrait of my best friend’s son, Ethan for another Christmas gift. They are all 8″ x 10″
A family member lost their beloved dog, Ziggy, right before Christmas, so they asked if I would do a portrait. It is only 12″ x 16″, but I understand it was much loved and appreciated. That is always a good feeling!
I put this together from several photos they gave me. I called it “Looking Back at Life”. Ziggy, as a puppy is looking at Ziggy with Yellowstone in the background.
I would love to know where you share your artwork and what are your best selling techniques.
