The journey of an artist can be a bumpy road. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you struggle to earn money many creatives often give up. There is a misconception that art does not pay. This article explores how artists can defy the sceptics and successfully monetise their art, employing effective strategies and embracing the digital revolution - so that you can make art that sells.
Contents
The Challenge for Art Students
Blueprint for Making Art That Sells
Broadening the Scope: Formula for All Creatives
Navigating Through the Age of AI
The Value of Human Connection in Art
Dreaming of an AI Assistant in Design
Engage with the Artistic Journey
🌟 The Challenge for Art Students
Art students often find themselves perceived as the underdogs in educational institutions, typically overshadowed by fields deemed more 'practical' or profitable. This cultural underestimation can be demotivating, making art students feel like "the lowest of the low." However, the core issue lies not within their talent or passion, but rather in the lack of integration between creating art and the business skills necessary to sell it effectively.
🌟 Blueprint for Making Art That Sells
The "Make Art That Sells" formula presents a structured approach to transforming art from a mere passion into a lucrative business. This method is not just theoretical but is a practical guide infused with real-world applications, ensuring artists can thrive financially from their craft.
Sales Vehicle
Choosing the right platform to sell your art is crucial. Artists can opt for gallery representation, commissions, art fairs, or online platforms. Each has its benefits, depending on the artist’s style and market presence.
Medium, Theme, and Product
Define the medium (oil, watercolour, etc.) and choose a theme that resonates with your artistic voice (like landscapes or abstract). Then decide on a product—whether prints, mugs, or digital pieces—that best suits your theme and medium.
Developing Your Style
Artists like Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell are stellar examples of how distinctive styles can captivate and resonate with an audience, proving that robust personal branding can elevate marketability.
Volume and Time Investment
The journey to making art that sells is neither swift nor simple. It demands persistence and productivity. Artists like Picasso, who created over 50,000 works, showcase the significant relationship between volume and artistic success.
Making Pivots/Adjustments
Flexibility to adapt and tweak your art or strategy is essential to stay relevant and successful in the ever-evolving art market.
🌟 Broadening the Scope: Formula for All Creatives
This formula does not just apply to traditional visual artists but can be adapted by creatives from various fields, such as writers and digital artists. For instance, a novelist can employ similar strategies by adjusting themes and exploring various publishing platforms to increase visibility and sales.
🌟 Navigating Through the Age of AI
As Artificial Intelligence begins to play a significant role in many creative sectors, it becomes imperative for artists to understand and adapt to AI’s capabilities and limitations. AI can generate creative ideas but often lacks the ability to execute detailed, production-ready projects that meet professional standards required in the art world. The human touch in art stands resilient against the uniformity often exhibited by AI-generated works.
🌟 The Value of Human Connection in Art
Art thrives on human connection. Stories from artists like Banksy or Vincent van Gogh engage people not just with their art but with the narratives woven into their creations. This emotional connection is something AI presently cannot replicate, highlighting the unique value human artists continue to bring to the table.
🌟 Dreaming of an AI Assistant in Design
Imagine a world where AI could handle all the mundane tasks associated with art production—organizing files, preparing them for print, and maybe even dealing with clients. Many creatives dream of such possibilities where their focus could solely be on creating.
🌟 Engage with the Artistic Journey
Carina Gardner offers a masterclass derived from her book, providing insights into making art financially rewarding. This free resource is accessible to all aspiring artists seeking to navigate the complexities of marketing their creativity effectively.
FAQs
Q: Can the 'Make Art That Sells' formula be applied to other creative fields? A: Absolutely! The principles of the formula are adaptable to various creative endeavours, whether it’s writing, digital design, or even performing arts.
Q: How important is the choice of sales vehicle in monetising art? A: Extremely important. The sales vehicle directly affects the visibility and accessibility of your art to potential buyers, directly influencing sales outcomes.
Q: What role does AI play in the future of art? A: AI can serve as a tool for generating ideas and simplifying production processes, but the unique human elements of creativity and emotional connection remain irreplaceable in art.
This exploration into making art profitable not only demystifies the process but also empowers artists to harness their creativity in financially sustainable ways. As we continue to navigate changes in technology and culture, the fusion of artistry and entrepreneurship will pave the way for a new era of successful, 'non-starving' artists.
Claim your FREE masterclass by entering the code MAKEART at the following website: https://www.designsuitecourses.com/makeartthatsells
Carina Gardner (Craft Designer)
Carina is a surface pattern and craft designer turned CEO, who teaches hobbyists to make money as designers. As a former university professor (Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota) and creative director of a scrapbooking company (Cartabella Paper Co.), her expertise led her to build a multimillion dollar brand in 2 years. She teaches quilters, makers, struggling designers, card makers, fine artists, mixed media artists, and Cricut/Silhouette crafters to create income with the hobbies they already invest time in. Carina is a fabric designer for Riley Blake Designer and a die cut designer for Silhouette and can speak as well on working with manufacturers and getting contracts. Her favorite topic, however, is on helping designers create steady income from selling their work digitally. Her program Design Suite grew to a multimillion dollar business in less than 3 years due to Carina emphasizing community building, listening to members needs, and building coursework/awards that members love. She loves creative entrepreneurship and helping designers make money.
Carina’s links:
Website: https://carinagardnershop.myshopify.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carinagardner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carinagardner/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carinagardner
Podcast: https://makeanddesign.com/
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Secret strategies to make art that sells - Carina Gardner (Craft Designer) - Creativity E133