Getting Started in the Art World
- wanderingwonderbread
- Jan 8, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2020
It has been a struggle to get my work seen by the public. I started by putting all my work on the FineArtAmerica site. This was a good first step. I learned a lot from other artists on there. I progressed in to social media platforms by sharing my work on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and a Facebook group I created for my work. Using the hashtags and tagging people on these platforms has helped me share my work with more and more people. It’s not only about getting your work seen, it is also about learning the market. What are people looking at? Which of my work seems to get more traffic?
While still working on my online presence, I have started trying to get myself into arts/craft shows too. This has been rather difficult. My area is a pretty tough market. Shows can only accept so many applicants and since I am new, I am low on the list. I did not let this deter me from trying though. I was able to get into three local shows and split a booth with family in Florida for a holiday show down there.
My first little set up at a local art show. Only one 6ft table was allowed for this little show, so I set up what I could.
The start up costs of doing shows is also something to overcome. Until now, all my stuff had been digital and if anything sold, the FineArtAmerica site took care of printing and shipping the products (which is why I only made a few dollars per sale). To have a booth at a show means I have to have physical products to show and sell. Along with the products you need things like a tent, tables, table cloths, ways to display your products, and a means for taking payments. Some of those are one time costs (tents, tables, etc..). Others can be recurring costs. I decided to stick with matted 8x10s and 11x14s. My recurring costs are the matting supplies and any of the photographs I want to sell. Then there are the frames to consider if I wanted to frame some. You also have to pay for your spot in the show, I have seen anywhere from $20 to $150 for a spot. All these costs adds up very fast.
This was my set up for my first tent booth. Was able to fit two 6ft tables and still have my large canvas on display. (Pictures taken before it began to pour all day)
I have also learned a great deal from my four shows.
A good tent is important, especially in bad weather. My second show basically had a monsoon the entire day. I had a river running through my tent but the roof and walls held up. Very minimal drips. My products stayed safe and dry.
How you display your products will have an affect on your sales. If they can’t easily browse your work they will most likely wander away. This is still something I am trying to figure out. I need to work on a way to hang my stuff in the tent.
Taking credit cards is essential. People don’t carry around a lot of cash now days. They want the ease of a quick purchase.
Make sure if you can’t get electricity to your booth you have ample ways to charge your phone and card readers. Get external batteries, I usually stock up on them on Black Friday and Cyber Monday or other sales days. You can never have enough.
Bring a long outside extension cord and surge protector. You never know if you’ll end up near an electricity source you didn’t know about. This could help you keep your things charged and even add lightning to your setup if you wanted.
Take constructive criticism. Other show members, artists, and clients will say what is on their minds. They are not trying to be mean. Learn from what they say. Maybe you need to consider a new set up? Price adjustments? More of a product? Etc…
The day might not go according to plan. Bad weather- did you set up hold? No people traffic- was this to the show itself or just your booth? No sales- why? Layout not according to plan- what could you have done better? Were any of these things you could have controlled? If yes, what will your plan be in the future? Use everything as a learning experience.
A table set up I had at another small art show. The one table limits at shows are difficult but do-able if you get crafty enough.
I have sold a few things at each show. The market is tough for me because I have to rely on the people who like my work actually having the wall space to want to purchase things. I get a lot of great feedback but I only sell a few things each show. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have sold anything. I just need to work on having more versatile products. On my FineArtAmerica site I do pretty well with selling mugs and occasional tote bags. I just don’t know how to create those products myself and still be profitable after sales. I don’t necessarily want to bulk buy because that usually means one photograph on multiple mugs and/or totes. I would rather have a variety of styles to sell. This is something I am still pondering on. If anyone has any knowledge on this front I would be grateful.
This show I had the use of an 8ft table and had room to have my large canvas up behind it.
I learned recently that my efforts of trying to get my work noticed has paid off some. A local restaurant, Trophy Tap +Table, wants to sponsor me for March’s First Friday. This is an event held on the first Friday of each month. Local businesses and galleries sponsor a local artist for the month. On First Friday the participating businesses will have little events featuring their sponsored artists. Most participating businesses will offer beverages and have specials (specialty menu items or discounts on items) for the night to entice the public to walk from location to location viewing the artwork and giving business to the local downtown businesses. This is a wonderful way for the public to both support their local businesses and artists.
I am so grateful for Trophy to give me a chance in March. I am frantically trying to decide what pieces I want to display on their walls for a month. Do I do a cohesive gallery or do I bring a mix to show my range? I am leaning more towards a range of work so people can see a variety of what I do and maybe even see something they think would look good on their walls. It’s a very tough call. Will gladly take other people’s opinions on this.
Getting started in the art world has been incredibly challenging and though I still have a very long way to go and a lot to learn, I am very excited and proud of what I have accomplished so far.
If you would like to follow me on any of my social media platforms:
Instagram: @SelenaLorrainePhotography
Facebook: @SelenaLorrainePhotography
FineArtAmerica: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/selena-lorraine
My Artwork Pinterest: https://pin.it/jfvpso34ejreub
My Blog Pinterest: https://pin.it/ljr23l6keues3k
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