Over the last few months, I started painting again. A lot.
Even though I once considered myself a painter (way back in high school), it had been more than a decade since I had last taken brush to canvas.
As such, I’m feeling like a beginner. Not necessarily in the sense of my painting skills. (I have noooo idea how I would classify those.) But as someone who is in the beginning stages of a creative business.
When I started painting again, it was simply something for me. A hobby that, thanks to the way I structured my business, I could devote a fair amount of time to. But then a few things started to happen. First, the paintings started to accumulate. Second, friends, family, and a few others started asking me the question that drives many people from hobby to creative business, “Are you going to sell those?” And third, I started to harbor secret fantasies about my second career as a painter. (While still running my jewelry biz, of course.)
Suddenly, I’m faced with the questions and fears I know some of you carry around with you.
How long should I wait before I start selling my art?
Is my work even good enough to sell?
If I do decide to sell, how do I price in a way that reflects the fact that I still feel like a beginner, without undermining those trying to make a living with their paintings? (Ok, that pricing question might be something only I obsess about. But it’s a question I hope you’ll ask yourself in the future.)
And then, there’s the questions that come up because I’m already running a creative business.
How much time can and should I devote to this new creative activity?
Is it ok to devote so much time to painting when I should be working on my “real” business?
And if I do decide to sell my paintings, how do I merge my new work with my existing brand?
Most of us who make things started doing so because we love it. But at some point (especially thanks to the rise of easy e-commerce solutions) that love leads to an inevitable question – “Are you going to sell that?”
But how do you know if it’s the right time to start selling your art or craft?
Since I know many people struggle with this question, and since I’m feeling that tension myself, I came up with a few simple guidelines.
I’ll be following these as I navigate the murky waters of moving my paintings from something for me to something more, and I hope you’ll find the useful as well. Watch the video below to see my five guidelines for starting to sell your art:
The Five Guidelines
1. Don’t rush. (Give yourself time to develop you skill and voice.)
2. Share before you sell.
3. Love your work first.
4. Price with respect. (Regardless of your goals.)
5. Adopt a free or full price strategy.
I’m glad that you started painting again and that you had no agenda for it. I have been fantasizing about setting up my knitting machine and feel almost guilty about it. It’s as though I’m not allowed a hobby because my current business grew out of one and this one wouldn’t be in line with it. I stop myself short, wondering if I’ll be opening pandora’s box, asking myself too many questions about why and then what. It’s important for us to “cross-train” creatively, don’t you think? Even if it doesn’t literally become part of my business, it can help feed me creatively. Now to carve out the time!
Betz – I totally agree that creative cross-training is essential. I also think it’s so important not to question too much in the beginning – if you’re in the mood to set up the knitting machine, go for it. When I started painting again, I really couldn’t justify spending time on it until I accepted that the act of painting really lowered my stress level, and now I’ve given myself permission to go for it.
Hi Megan,
I wanted to let you know that you’re inspiring and I really enjoy your blog. I too am a fine artist but rarely find the time t do it due to time and fear of creating something no one wants to purchase. I haven’t created any drawings in the past few years myself but I find your five guidelines to be a motivation to get started again.
Thanks,
Ms. Helen
Thanks Helen!
Hi Megan, thank you for sharing this information ….
I am a fine artist and have spent many years exhibiting my work with gallery’s so have needed to price my work higher to cover commissions etc.
Now, I have my own website I’m never quite sure how to price my work online and tend to price my work way lower than in galleries but, after listening to your guidlines you have inspired me to take a good look at my pricing again.
Thank you!
Megan,
Congrats on your new venture! I love these simple but powerful tools for evaluating when and how much to sell for. I find that it’s super helpful to venture into new creative areas regularly and it seems to fuel my passion for my “main” venture. I remember years ago going to a gallery show opening and being struck by the stories of the artists in the show. As I remember it, every one of the artists had explored 2+ mediums before their current work. I found it fascinating that they had allowed themselves that freedom. I would think it difficult (especially if it’s your profession) to go there. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the topic (doubts and all) and offering your tips. Great guidelines!
Thanks Megan for the great advice. I’m a big supporter of pricing with respect and get frustrated that a lot of artists don’t even seem to cover costs. Those unrealistic prices hurt others around them. I also love the free or full price strategy. Thanks for taking the time to teach.
these guidelines are amazing – not just for the beginner artist but also those ‘established’ but ‘questioning’ their place. I was just watching your video about trade shows and ICFF from some time ago, and how artists in the 5-10 year period of their business are sort of left to their own devices sometimes (maybe not now, since that post is a few years old) and while I was watching and reading all of the posts I can possibly digest about selling wholesale and doing trade shows I was feeling . . .well, kind of down about myself and unprepared in general (it’s less than a week away), but then, I read this most recent post, and I was energized again. I do know what I’m doing. I’m proud of my work. i Love my work. I price my work with respect. I can do this, and you’ve helped me feel that way. thank you.
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