Steps to Becoming a Full-Time Professional Artist

Becoming a full-time professional artist is a dream many hold, but the path can seem really daunting. The world of art is as challenging as it is rewarding, requiring not just talent, but also persistence, strategy, and a keen understanding of the business side of art. Here's a list of ideas based on my own experience that might help you transition from a passionate amateur to a full-time professional artist.

1. Hone Your Craft

First and foremost, dedicate time to mastering your art. Whether it's painting, sculpture, digital art, or any other medium, consistent practice is crucial. Attend workshops, enroll in art classes, and seek feedback from mentors and peers. The more you refine your skills, the more distinctive and professional your work will become. Just because you can complete a painting, does not mean anyone would part with money to buy it. Ask for input and listen to critique. Growing your art skills is what this step is all about. Keep practicing and learning and never, ever stop.

2. Build a Strong Portfolio

Your portfolio is your artistic resume. It should showcase your best work, demonstrating your style, range, and progression as an artist. Include a variety of pieces that highlight different techniques and subjects. A well-organized, high-quality portfolio can make a significant impact on potential clients and galleries.

3. Create an Online Presence

In today's digital age, having an online presence is essential. Create a professional website to display your portfolio, provide information about yourself, and make it easy for people to contact you. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to share your work, engage with followers, and reach a wider audience. Regularly updating your online profiles can help keep you in the public eye.

4. Network and Connect

Building a network within the art community is invaluable. Attend art fairs, exhibitions, and gallery openings to meet other artists, curators, and potential buyers. Join local art groups or associations to stay informed about opportunities and events. Networking can lead to collaborations, exhibitions, and sales opportunities that you might not find on your own.

5. Understand the Business of Art

Art is not just about creativity; it's also about business. Learn how to price your work, manage your finances, and handle contracts. Understand the logistics of shipping and handling art pieces. Consider taking courses in art business or seeking advice from more experienced artists. A solid grasp of the business side can make a huge difference in your success as a professional artist.

“The journey to becoming a full-time professional artist is ongoing.”

6. Seek Representation

Gallery representation can provide significant exposure and sales opportunities. Research galleries that align with your style and reach out to them with your portfolio and then ask about the steps involved for representation. Don’t just show up or send them photos in an email. Show some respect and go the route they’ve already set up as far as approaching them to represent you. And…be prepared for rejection, as it's part of the process. Rejection is okay. It just means you’re looking at the wrong gallery. Persistence is key. Having a gallery represent your work can lend credibility and open doors to new audiences.

7. Diversify Your Income Streams

While selling original pieces is the goal, it's wise to have multiple income streams. Consider offering prints, merchandise, or commissioned work. Teaching art classes or workshops can also be a viable source of income. Diversifying your income can provide financial stability as you establish yourself in the art world.

8. Stay Inspired and Keep Creating

The journey to becoming a full-time professional artist is ongoing. Stay inspired by exploring new techniques, subjects, and mediums. Regularly challenge yourself with new projects and continue to grow as an artist. Passion and dedication are the driving forces behind a successful art career.

Becoming a full-time professional artist is a journey that requires dedication, strategic planning, and a love for your craft. By honing your skills, building a strong portfolio, creating an online presence, networking, understanding the business, seeking representation, diversifying your income, and staying inspired, you can turn your passion into a sustainable career. Remember, every artist's path is unique, so stay true to your vision and enjoy the creative journey!

Question 10: "Do you have your work in galleries?"

If you or someone you know is an aspiring full time artist, one really important question that needs an answer is this: Do you have your work in galleries? And then the follow up question, “How do you find the right galleries?”

When I was still a novice at marketing my own artwork, I had absolutely no idea there is actually etiquette involved with getting my work into an art gallery and in the beginning, I unknowingly broke all the rules. I first thought of cool cities with a decent art scene, and then got onto Google and basically emailed every art gallery on the list. My email included photos and my resume.

After well over a hundred emails (all unanswered by the way), I learned that I needed some help and eventually received the advice I needed. Here is that advice:

1) Think of the cities most visited by tourists or art seekers.

2) Google the art galleries on your list and look at every gallery website with this in mind: “Would my work fit well in this gallery? If say, you do minimalist abstract work and the gallery is in Cody, Wyoming and carries all cowboy portraits, uh…pass that one up”. This is really important. You’ll make yourself look like a fool if you don’t do your research. Contact only galleries in which you work would look “at home” in.

“…Would my work fit into this gallery?”

I regularly get people emailing me asking if they can get into my gallery. Had they actually done their homework, they’d see that I do not have a “gallery” at all per se. I have an open art studio (a place where artwork is produced and sold by the artist). Had the inquirer taken just a moment to look at my website, they’d realize this. When an artist doesn’t do proper research, it just makes them look ridiculous. Trust me…this is probably why I received no responses from all the art galleries I emailed back in the day.

3) Ideally, next, you need to take a road trip and actually VISIT the art galleries in one of the towns you’ve selected. Just pick one town/city and work on that one first. You’re not going to be able to fill twenty art galleries with your work, so don’t bother covering the entire country. Look at one city at a time. When you’re visiting, greet the curator/gallery owner and just browse through, taking your time looking at the artwork. At this point, imagine you’re a perspective art buyer, so pay close attention to the vibe you pick up entering and wondering around. Were you completely ignored when you entered? Not good. Are you followed around and hounded? Not good. I wouldn’t bother pursuing the gallery if they don’t treat visitors with respect. But then if all goes well, ask the person at the desk if you could make an appointment to talk to the manager and get info on their policy regarding the addition of new artists. Asking for an appointment immediately communicates that you respect their time. Respect is good. Then when you meet with the owner/manager, ask them what the process is and how you might be considered as one of the artists they represent. Do NOT walk in with your paintings under your arms. Do NOT scroll through the photos on your phone to wow them. Trust me. They have a policy in place. Find out what that policy is and follow it. Again, that shows respect AND it actually gets your work considered.

I had a gallery owner friend in Asheville years ago, and she said she recieved emails from artists wanting gallery representation every day, literally over a hundred emails a week. She said she just deletes them all. That is because there was an intake policy in place (actually stated on her gallery website) and that the policy was not followed. Do you homework.

Follow this advice, and that will at least help. And it will definitely mean you won’t have to email hundreds of art galleries like I did initially. Be smart.

New Art Gallery on the West Coast

Downtown Pleasanton, California

What a weird, unpredictable couple of weeks! I usually do not like unpredictable at all. I like planing my life as best I can. I know that’s impossible sometimes, but still…I try. But I’m so thankful that “unpredictable” isn’t always a scary thing! Let me back up and explain.

A couple weeks ago, the phone rang and I almost didn’t answer it. I totally assumed it was a robocall. Instead, it was a real live, breathing human! It turns out this guy is an artist who'd visited my studio, and in the course of our conversation, he said I should get into a gallery on the west coast; that he sells very well in a few galleries there. I explained that it’s a very difficult thing to find a gallery that fits you well when you live across the country. For example, a local gallery owner friend of mine once told me that she usually gets over a hundred artist requests for gallery representation in her email every week. She just deletes them without even reading them.

So, it turns out this complete stranger said he’d try to hook me up with a gallery he’s rep’d by in Pleasanton, California (in the Bay Area). I mean, who does that? A week later, I got a phone call from the gallery owner who had spent time looking over my website and studying my technique and…he was really interested. After he had a discussion with the gallery manager about what he thought, they sent me a contract for representation. And…I signed it. This is exciting to me for several reasons:

1) I’d love to expand my reach to the west coast.

2) I’d love a tax deductible reason to visit the west coast.

3) I was asked if I could come up with several “vineyard” themed pieces. This TOTALLY excites me. I love the way the rows of grape vines add a geometrical element to a natural landscape. A vineyard is beautiful and peaceful. This theme totally fits what I love to be painting. I can even sell the pieces in my Asheville studio (we have vineyards here too — heck, they’re kind of ubiquitous, you know?)

“…I’d love a tax deductible reason to visit the west coast.”

4) What the gallery has asked for is one large original piece and several prints. So, because of this, I’m going to venture into the world of metal prints. These are a relatively new technique of dye sublimation on a metal surface, creating awesome colors and really emphasizing contrast. I like that, because my paintings are painted on a metal surface. The reason I’ve done very, very few prints before is that compared to an original, the print on paper or canvas is just flat, dead looking. These metal prints glow. I’m excited to try them out and see how it goes. This could open up a lower price point possibility for someone that wants one of my paintings but can’t swing the price of an original.

So, I guess the moral of this story is: When the phone rings, (unless it says “United States” or “Unknown Caller”, answer the phone! You never know who’s on the other end.