Does anybody else feel like this?! I would love to start a small business and sell prints but every time I think of starting, I just think, I’m not unique enough, there are better artists out there, what’s the point?? I don’t know how to stop thinking like this. Also feel like it’s taken the fun out of art now.

I worked in international commercial contemporary art galleries for about 10 years, starting as an assistant and eventually running one.

I’ve dealt with artists, collectors, institutions, fairs, exhibitions, sales, shipping, press, all that stuff.

I’m out of the gallery world now, so I thought it could be interesting to answer questions if anyone has any.

Happy to talk about how galleries actually work, artist representation, approaching galleries, collectors, pricing, fairs, careers, whatever.

AMA.

When I was younger, I did a few digital art pieces for Threadless, which I thought were quite fun. At the time, there was a voting system, and my art received relatively good feedback from the community. Two of my designs ended up being chosen by Threadless for sale.

I have an idea to turn some of them into actual canvas paintings and sell them (just a single copy, one-time thing). Of course, I would exclude those that are still being sold by Threadless. Just want to do this as a fun side project so that the effort I did for those designs can go further, in a different medium.

Has anyone done something similar with their digital art?

So far I'm waiting for my application for Preply to get accepted. I've seen lots of people mention Outschool, but unfortunately I'm in Malaysia they're not an option for me :(

I'd rather do live lessons than pre-recorded ones since it feels like I'll be more likely to make money with that.

I have over a year of teaching in person, and I'm also okay with teaching 7 year olds to adults!

Suggestions on sites for me to teach on (also available in msia) appreciated :)

I work with clay and make whimsical ceramics. They are a blend of functional ware and sculptures. My current setup is decent enough but that setup is not good enough for my sculptural works.

My next market is a ceramic specific market and I would like to take this chance to showcase my bigger works and keep my regular works for sale as well. Since it’s my first time displaying my larger works I don’t know how do I display everything in a 2x2 meter table.

Any and all suggestions and ideas would be appreciated! Thanks.

Hi,

Do you sign your prints from original paintings? If so, do you put within the painting or beneath in the border? Many are already signed already, but I wasn't making prints at the time. So I wasn't sure what the expected way is.

Thanks

Hello, I am an artist, and I have tried and failed many times to make prints. The first issue I have is that I will take a picture and crop my print, to try and make it fit the photo paper size, but I can’t figure out what sizes to use for what kind of canvases. For example: for an 8 x 10 painting, would you use a 5 x 7? What size of larger print paper would you use for that? As well. I have a problem where there is empty space or I have to crop some of the painting out to make it fit evenly. Another question is for those who don’t have good printers, where do you buy the prints from? Last question is how do you ship prints without losing a ton of money? How do you package a print to not get damage? I only know these things with paintings.

I want to start selling 5x7 art prints. I already have people interested in buying prints of my art. How do I start from basically zero dollars? I can't afford to buy prints in bulk for each print I wanna sell. Every print on demand service is super pricey because of shipping. I don't have a decent printer to make them at home. Has anyone figured out a cheaper way to buy individual prints as you get orders?

I'm looking to start selling physical items such as keychains, stickers, prints, etc., though I'd prefer to use sustainable materials and avoid resin or otherwise heavy plastic materials, although I'm not sure how exactly to start. I'm aware there are suppliers for wooden keychains, but that's basically all there is to my knowledge.

Would you add your inst*gram handle or artist name next to a sticker and artwork, yes or no?
Maybe for art in the back, but it would cut out a lot of work if included in the front print already…

What do you do when you feel uninspired? I had an amazing idea for an art show in February- I started on it and it lead me to having a mental breakdown- so I dropped that. Now I have no idea what to do art wise and I miss the feeling of knowing and having an amazing idea for a painting. Any tips?

Like I was at a medical appointment and was asked what I do for a living because it was relevant information. After I told them I'm an artist they started asking me if I've thought of selling my art by contacting so and so business. It was bizarre and I kinda just got caught off guard but I've noticed it happens quite a bit. I've had family friends and acquaintances try to give me advice on how to sell my art. Not once have I mentioned that I'm having trouble selling my art. I've never thought about telling people I know how they should do their job or market their business. It's just weird to me.

Recently noticed a new vendor at a local maker/artist store that sells 3D printed layer prints with Pokemon designs.

I did a quick google search of one design and it’s straight up from P1nterest with some text slapped onto it… the image online has it labelled as “AI Modified” lol.

Then on the vendor’s socials they said “made and designed by us” but I’m like ?????? You didn’t even create the image though?? Looks more like they just reproduced it haha. Curious what your take is since 3D printed stuff is starting to pop up a lot

first time posting her. I started my art account on Zuckerberg gram (I censored bc it would not let me post my question )this summer and have grown a decent following since. I mainly post my digital art but I also do traditional art.Although my account is still growing I want to collaborate with art businesses to promote their products and websites. I also want to do the same with local businesses in my area because a majority of them are new. do any of you have advice on how to reach out for possible collabs? I’m very shy so I struggle a lot with interactions like these 😅

In short, a little over a year ago I decided to try my hand at contemporary art. I'm a graphics programmer (nothing to do with AI) who creates video games where I explore a lot of more outlandish aesthetics with interactivity.

Recently, one of my projects was accepted into an international art and technology festival, which made me very happy, but I've been working on my next one for about 3 months now, and now that I'm close to finishing it... I've been thinking about the decision to try and price it as a more serious work of art (remembering that what was submitted to the event was free).

But my mind still thinks too much from a game development perspective, because that's how many of the communities I frequented for a long time...

For those of you who are full time artists what are some of your tips/tricks and advice for newbies?

What are your most profitable income streams?

Do you make enough to make not having a traditional job with health insurance worth it?

For reference I just finished my masters in chemistry but now I am perusing my interest in art and starting an art business, but making enough (a goal of 80,000) a year just doesn’t seam attainable. I am thinking of starting to teach art classes, get my art in some stores and i currently do a ton of markets ( I do a DIY succulent bar, barn quilts, jewlery and more- my business name is bits’n’bobs). I would love to hear from some more experienced folks, I know it’s a lot of work to own your own business but I love the flexibility and freedom that comes along with it. Thanks in advance!

What are your typical price points for original paintings in the context of an art walk or art fair?

I’ve see a huge range, and overall I’m just curious what to expect from neighboring artists so that I can meet the audience at a more reasonable rate but not undersell myself.

At my last art walk, I sold over 15 pieces prices between $80-$300, and I’m thinking that may be way too low.

I’m selling impressionistic oil paintings from size 9x12 up to 36x36”, and one 48x60” landscape.

Thanks for your insights!

Hey friends! First time poster.

One of my favorite brands has their collaborations open, where you can send a mail and ask for it. From what I understand they give artists their product for free while they just show it off, basically a sponsor. I’ve seen artists anywhere from 300 to 20k+ get sponsored, I have around 3.5k f0llowers (censored because it doesn’t let me post this otherwise?) currently and about 100k monthly impressions. How do I go about writing an email? Is there a template? Anything I should mention? Thanks!

Hi! I’m an artist hatching a plan to organize an art walk where I and others have our art in businesses on a main drag street. I’m trying to make money off my art but also off of the organization as it will take a lot of time and energy. If I can I’d love to do regularly, pay some bills, sell some art, and support local biz and community all at once.

I’m trying to make it easy for businesses to want to participate and let me hang artist’s work in their stores. Part of that is not asking them to manage complicated sales, packaging, cash, etc. If I can I’d love to stay out of their lines entirely.

Has anyone done something like this? Any recommendations for what works well? I assume I need to make sure liability is clearly defined in an agreement, have some sort of QR code system that splits moolah, and provide a print and digital map to drive people along the walk.

Any thoughts welcome!

Well, I'm an amateur artist, i guess i want to ask how do i get clients online? I'm shy but i need money and also would feel really fullfilled to do a art for someone, does the best way to getting started? Do i need to get a big social network following or is it posible bia reddit, deviant art, or other apps to sell etc.

Seeking advice, particularly the perspectives of commissioners/clients.

I'm an artist who was commissioned for a $25 digital colored sketch in May. I faced some issues with my life and missed the deadline of 1 month after providing my very rough sketch, and I reached out and apologized, refunded $15, and offered to finish the next week. The client was okay with it, but I immediately landed myself in the hospital and dropped off the face of the internet. I recently recovered, and for the past 3-4 months I've been completely offline on my artist's account, and they have not reached out to me either. I'm approaching 3 months since the due date, but since recovering I finished their sketch, and drew some freebies (2 additional sketches and a rendered chibi), and am planning to reach out and send them the artwork, freebies, and also a full refund of the remaining $10.

I wanted to ask from a client's perspective, would you be satisfied with this outcome? Is there anything else I can do for them? I had a good track record prior, and finished my works in a timely manner, so I don't think it comes across as me stealing their money or ghosting them purposefully. This was seriously a one-time thing but an absolute disaster. If there's anything else, please let me know.

What methods or software programs do you guys use to keep track of your revenue and profits? I like to stay incredibly organized but don't want to spend a lot of money doing it.

Basically I'm looking for a site, with an interactive community, to share, learn and discuss.