Perceptions On Art As A Business

Perceptions on artwork as a business are as varied as artists and their artwork itself.

There seams to be a prevailing misconception among people, including artists, that art is and should be a hobby not a business. It’s also a common point of view that all artists are starving, and if they are not, then they shouldn’t be creating artwork for money. After all you can’t have your cake and eat it too! Can you? Perhaps that’s why so many artists are starving…

There is nothing wrong with art as a hobby. There are more people than ever leaving their jobs, retiring and pursing an inner passion in arts. Art is so many things to so many people, it’s a release, a therapy and a vent and platform for ideas and thoughts. It is a beautiful relationship and an experience to truly treasure.

However it seams that many hobby artists want to put their personal perception about art on to working artists. There is a strong under current that artists should not ask for any compensation except their own enjoyment, or that it should be a free gift to the world and this current is sadly drowning many would be successful business artists.

Is this true for any other skilled creator or craftsman?

The answer is no. You will not see an architect design a home only to build it and then give it away. imagine after completion of an amazing design project, hearing a professional architect refer to what he or she created as a “just a hobby”. Again no, that would be ridiculous. It is considered a normal profession that warrants a salary. An interior designer creates an amazing art form and has no qualms in collecting an hourly fee. In turn their customers have no problem paying for the skill that will greatly enrich their life. The point is all of these professions are an art form, no different than a painting, a photograph or a sculpture, etc.

So what’s the difference?

Honestly I believe there is none. It’s society and sadly artists themselves that continue to put a label on artists and try to put their craft in a different category. In reality artists are no different than any of these other creators, i.e. builders, interior designers and graphic designers who do not starve for their profession and honestly neither should artists. Consider the roots of art, there is a strong commercial history in it. Most artists had to take a variety of jobs within the arts field to pay the bills. If they didn’t, they would literally be “starving”.

One thing I do believe is hurting a lot of artists today are the number of them that are diving into the field relying only on “self-training”. Consider the education that an architect or interior designer receives. All though it may be possible to further your knowledge through your own research and studying, how many people are going to have a home built by a self-trained architect? Yes art is different than a home, in essence anyone can create it, but there is much more to success in art than just birthing it.

The importance of furthered knowledge in arts is invaluable but it’s also not enough to receive an education in arts alone. I have met many artists that have Bachelors and Masters degrees in Fine Art and are working in jobs that have nothing to do with their training. Most of them reply that a career in the arts is very difficult. Yes it is difficult, as ANY business is to run successfully. To run a successful business you need an education in business! I believe that is one vital key, there is lack of business education being imparted to artists today. There is certainly not enough importance being placed on learning the business side of art. Artists need to have confidence in their skill but even more importantly they need to develop a good, solid business sense.

Let’s face the truth instead of being Hypocritical.

What I truly find surprising is this attitude of what I like to call an “art puritan”, that likes to linger about in areas designed for artists to sell their work. Let me explain, I am a member of many online art communities, some which support the sales of art and some that haven’t made that leap yet. Selling artwork online is becoming a HUGE movement. Not only is it a comfortable alternative to gallery shopping for consumers but it’s also a way for otherwise unrecognized artists to gain exposure, confidence and yes, even make some money! Well, even on these sites designed to promote art sales, there are still artists that will comment on artwork and feel it should not be for sale and that we should all just be giving it away and yet their artwork is available for sale? How do you explain this?

What is really going on with this mindset?

Perhaps at the core of it there is a type of professional jealousy going on, it is rumored it happened with Salieri and Mozart. Another well known example is “sour grapes”. “It is easy to despise what you cannot get”. It’s seams like there is an attitude, If I can’t sell my work then it’s just a hobby, or it’s my therapy, and If I can’t sell my work then you shouldn’t either. I have actually had the opportunity to speak with many artists with this mindset and surprisingly I found that most of them actually did want to sell their work they just didn’t have any confidence in their art or have enough business savvy to do it. When they were unsuccessful in selling their own work they expressed they did have a desire to put down other artists who were selling and that they had a tendency to speak negatively about those that were successful.

Is there a deeper problem?

Perhaps the root of the problem is actually fear or insecurity? Fear that their own art will be rejected or that it will not sell. It’s Possible there is also a lack of self confidence in their art form? I think for some artists it is much easier to pretend not to be interested in sales or success rather than to face the truth. I think it’s time as artists to face our fears and be honest with ourselves so we can move forward and experience true success.

Learn how to be successful from someone who is.

For a while I thought I was the only one who was bothered by this subject but in truth I am not alone I am just one person willing to speak out about it.
There is a very talented artist I would like to mention, Janis Zroback, from Canada and she is someone to really look at. Take a look at her artwork and read through her writing posts, they hit the problem right on the head. She is wildly successful and a highly celebrated professional artist. She is self-taught and a shining example of what can be achieved in the arts if you apply yourself. One more thing to notice about her success is she has no reserve in selling or showing her paintings; she has confidence in her art. This is her business and she treats it that way, which is an important point to ponder.

Don’t buy into common misconceptions.

There are many misconceptions about artists, like I mentioned before, but you don’t have to buy into them! Not all artists are stereotypical or starving for a living. Not all artists are dark, eccentric, have mental conditions or have to create artwork purely as therapy or for a hobby. We have the power to change perceptions and we don’t have to perpetuate false stereotypes. Yes stereotypes are based on some reality but we can change reality!

There is nothing that can replace the joy of doing what you love for a living!

Then there are the brave, those artists who choose art as a full time profession. They choose to spend countless hours improving their skill but with a goal in mind. A goal that art is their chosen business and livelihood. I have noticed that they love creating artwork and they usually try to encourage other artists in the same way to be successful in the business of art. If we can support each other and help each other, artists as a whole will improve and false perceptions about artists can shed.

Pursuing your dream takes courage.

Art as a business is an incredible journey and one that I encourage others to take. It definitely takes courage to stay the course, but if you can, the reward is priceless! It may be hard work but the relationship I hold with art is still personal and a truly rewarding part of my life. It’s the only profession I would choose to trade my time away from my family to do. I fully enjoy the process of creating beauty for people. The moment I deliver a commissioned painting to a client is an incredibly emotional and rewarding experience for me. The fact that people have a desire to purchase my art still moves me deeply. That support fuels my fire to keep creating, it’s an amazing thing, which I never take for granite.

Making a profit is not for the faint of heart.

There is no shame in creating a business from art, it just takes some confidence, a healthy confidence. As Lori Wooddward Simonds said, “In order to attain quiet confidence, I must first understand how “confidence” differs from “arrogance” or “false humility”. Ultimately, the quality of my work is what will lead me to sales, but I must also avoid negative body language and phrases—so that I don’t unconsciously talk someone out of buying a painting they love.”. I also like what business man Milton Friedman has to say, “The Most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit.” I believe this applies to artists as well as other business professionals. If art is not a hobby than an artist should be making a profit from their creation. I believe there are more reasons to belong to an art community beside the community experience alone. There is so much more to it than just that, it helps create exposure, it can build key connections and start a solid following all which can help bring you into a professional arena in the arts field.

Let’s pass the torch.

There will be no change for future artists unless experienced artists pass their knowledge and business success onto future generations. It’s my desire that our art beginners receive the knowledge and opportunity to successfully step into the business of art, and are able to develop a healthy respect for it, so they can also experience the joy of working full time in the passion of their heart! My hope is that through knowledge we can come to a healthy perspective and not feel ashamed or pressured negatively about being successful in the field of art. I myself am currently mentoring more than one beginner in the arts in any way I can. I may not have all the answers but I can at least try to help someone take the first step.

Don’t let anyone talk you out of your passion! (My story)

For me personally art is a release and a vehicle to express my ideas but it is also my business. I paint what I love and also what is marketable but it wasn’t always that way. The truth is, when I was very young, I was told by a family member that art is only a hobby and if I ever wanted to be successful that I would need to stick to a career in science or medicine. For many years I went on believing this and I kept my true passion for art a secret. I actually started pursuing an education in, medical and molecular genetics. I probably would be working in that field today (and miserable) if not for one fateful moment in time. I had just finished high school, I was sixteen (I finished two years early) and I was driving in my car alone, when I heard the question in my head, why aren’t you pursuing art? I knew the answer, I just hadn’t admitted it yet; it came down to fear. I was afraid of failing and I was afraid of rejection. I had never stopped creating I just kept my art private and I hid it in the safe label as “a hobby”. If my art was a hobby then no one could judge it, or if they did, I wouldn’t feel that bad. At that very moment driving in my slightly beat up ‘86 toyota camery, I made a decision. I would rather face my fear and the unknown in pursuit of my dream, then never know what could have been.

It was scary, I had to overcome fear in showing my artwork, talking to people about my art and even learn how to sell. I furthered my art education behind the scenes while I held jobs like, call center rep., various intense sales positions, interior design, accounting, customer service, management and operations. As unconventional as it sounds, there is a lot that I learned from working in these various positions which greatly contributed to my success in the field of art. One of the most valuable things I learned was basic business knowledge. I learned how to sell anything, I overcame any fear in talking to people, I developed design skills and financial business skills. My art has certainly grown over the past twelve years and so have I. I have been creating, selling and showing my artwork since 1996, in 2005 I quit my last non-art related job and made the leap of faith to rely on my painting as my sole source of income. In 2007 my artwork was officially published and in 2008 I took the step of registering my business (Carrie Glenn Studios). My artwork now sells internationally and is my only source of income for my life and towards my family. I am in the full time business of art and I love every minute of it!

Yes it’s a risky choice to decide to go into the arts full time, but if your passion is strong and you are willing to learn, it’s a risk well worth taking.

“Failure lies not in falling down. Failure lies in not getting up.” (traditional Chinese proverb)

Are you a beginner in art? Do you want to break out of the hobby artist box?

Here are a few steps you can take that may just start your engines or at least get you thinking…

1.Make a decision that your “art is your business”.

Once you have decided this is it, I want to create for a living, I’m tired of my art being a hobby and I want more from life than this, then you are going to need a unwavering bulldog like commitment to back it up and a passion that will not die out when faced with “no’s”, criticism, rejection or frustration. It’s time to get some thick skin and move forward with force. Also remember to “Follow your heart”. That is some of the best advice I have ever received. Don’t let others art work move or intimidate you. Focus on what you do best and continue working on improving your skills. Remember in life there will always be people more skilled than you and less skilled than you. (and yes, there are skill levels, everything may be art but there is a difference between art and fine art.)
You will also have to treat your art like a business. Don’t feel shy about selling your art or making a profit! Remember you are creating a product. Keep in mind that everything you create may not sell, you will need to get a pulse for trends and the desires of your audience. You will need to decide on fair and reasonable prices for your level of art. Find an artist or artwork similar to yours that is selling and copy their pricing until you get a feeling for it. You will also need to be comfortable with the concept that you may need to produce your artwork under a deadline, you will need proper contracts, book keeping and tax records. Just remember anything you would need for any other business you will need to put into practice for your art business.

2. Make the decision to further your art education.

Take some classes, get a professional education to gain more skills or find art mentors, artist friends and artist communities (hey just like RedBubble ;) and get involved! Talk to artists you aspire to be like, listen to sound advice, try new things and experiment. If you decide to learn yourself then make sure you PUSH YOURSELF. Push yourself to try things that seam difficult or that attract you and don’t give up. There are lots of ways to further your art education, just set your mind to expand your knowledge. Try try again…and then again…and maybe again. LOL. Practice may not make perfect, but it certainly will improve your skill levels. Experiment with new ideas and build on the foundation our artistic forefathers created but don’t be afraid to create something new.

3. Create an art portfolio

If you are not getting a professional art education, then you will need to create an art portfolio. If you know any artists that have had higher education ask to look at their portfolios. Go to some galleries and look through the showing artists portfolios. Get familiar with what a good portfolio should look like. It should show your very best work, your strengths or your range of skills in art styles and mediums. Online sites are great for helping you realize what pieces speak to the public the most. You can take the data of your most viewed works and most popular with people and consider putting them into your portfolio book for showings. Be prepared to show your portfolio anytime; anywhere. I personally have a small portfolio book I carry in my purse; I can pull it out anywhere to show my work. Take your book to galleries or to social gatherings and don’t forget to network. Talk to people about your art, talk to everyone you can about your art.

There is a lot more to learn about creating a successful business in art. Here are a few educational links and resources that may help.
Good luck and just remember, have faith in yourself and your art. You can do this!

Written By,

Carrie Glenn

www.carrieglennstudios.com

Art As Business Or Hobby – Your Choice

Should You Quit Your Job And Go To Art School

Confidence In Your Work

How To Create An Artist Portfolio

Habits For Success Illustrated

The Price I Wont Pay

Registering Your Business Name

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art, artists, artwork, business, carrie, glenn, hobby, misconceptions, perceptions, stereotypes, studios and varied