When I started selling my art, I had an array of work with a variety of art genres. I painted what I wanted; there was no plan in place. But one particular genre stands out from others, and it’s the one I have continued to build till today. I was living in the Caymans at that time, and my first few art showings sold well. But when it was time for me to look for gallery representation. The gallerist looked at my work, the easy-to-sell topics such as coconut trees and locally inspired art were good but nothing stood out until he came across my story-telling figurative series. I walked out of the meeting with a solo show contract featuring my figurative series with an 8-week deadline! I was ambitious and determined to make it work. I wanted to be a full-time artist so badly I could taste it.
The truth is, I didn’t only want a creative business, I wanted to get out of my uninspiring soul-crushing job! I was dying inside, and I desperately needed to save myself! I went home and came up with eight 36"x48" art collection. The solo show was a hit, and the collection sold out. That show was a success because my collection was well planned out. Artists, if you want to be taken seriously as an artist, I want you to think about that one type of art you paint that is different from anyone else. Something uniquely yours with a distinctive style, and a well-thought-out messaging that drives your passion. You got to create and sell consistently. And your collection needs to be extensive and cohesive. Most artists have a mélange of artwork sitting in their studio. They dabble from one subject to the next. The collection lacks focus, and the style is not unique or consistent. Occasionally they will sell a few, but selling one to three paintings yearly does not qualify as a sustainable business. Here's the thing if you know how to curate a sellable collection you can sell over 85-100% of your art selection year after year? It sounds amazing, right? What if I tell you it is possible because I did that yearly. It is not because my art is so phenomenal; it’s only because I know how to curate my collection, so it sells. Imagine if you know the formula to curating the perfect collection year after year. Wouldn’t you think your dream of becoming a full-time artist is possible then? Listen, artists, the wonderful thing about an art business is its low start cost and huge profit. Just think, how much do your paint brushes, paint, and canvas cost you? And how much are you selling for that finished product? If you price it right, your original painting should be making you a good profit. So if you were to repeat the same formula on 30 -60 paintings a year, wouldn’t you make money from the business? Of course, you would. In theory, it sounds easy enough, but you got to know what makes you unique as an artist. What is it that you do that makes you different? A well-curated cohesive art collection is your #1 priority in building your dream art business. Having a solid selection of work, you can apply for galleries, do a solo show, do art shows and sell online. The better you get at creating your collection yearly, the better your success will be. But it also starts with your mindset. You have to be willing to make changes. You have to examine your experience and write down what didn't work. Most of all, you have to realize no dreams come without sacrifices. I know “sacrifices” is not sexy because instant gratification is much easier. It doesn’t mean we will cower up and be paralyzed by the hard work; it just means we have to work smarter to stand out. And the way to do this is by knowing your art, passion, and mission intimately, so when it’s time to create your art collection, you have loads of content to work with and for many years to come. Always look at the long term and see how you can sustain an art business for ten years and beyond. And I want to know if you want it bad enough? How badly do you want it, and what are you willing to do for it? If you want success in your new business, my friend, you need to hustle. Having passion is great, but you have the right mindset to support you. I have created an insightful workbook to help you decide if having a creative business is your cup of tea. If it is not, you can move on; if it is, then it’s time to make some adjustments. With Creative Joy, Ting
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Ting YuenI am an artist and art marketing strategist that is passionate about creating meaningful art and courses that inspire your life, business and home. Archives
September 2024
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