The Beginning

I have been a graphic designer for many years, and I have neglected Art for Art's sake. I had my creative outlet in my work. Well now with the advent of computers and software that is accessible to all, everyone thinks they are a graphic designer. Secretaries are doing web design, companies are hiring the next door neighbor kid to do their websites (not that they are good mind you but they have a site so they are happy) Okay done venting....I had just finished a tedious task at my job and I took a break - I started playing around with stock photos and cutting them and flipping them and I created a couple of kaleidoscope images. I entered them into a local art show and my friend, told me that she thought this was my niche. I really enjoyed making them, and I agreed. I thought it would be better if I took all of the photos myself, and created them. So I started taking photos and creating the images mostly for the fun of it at first. I was involved in the artist group in our church. As I show my images to people they get excited about them. I decided that the journey that I have begun should be documented in order for others to learn what to do and what not to do. I have been reading books on supporting yourself as an artist and they are in conflict at times. I am going to take what is written and decide if it works for me. So as I start this journey, documenting it along the way, I hope that it will help someone else who is looking to become an artist full time. And when my images are hanging in the New York Museum of Modern Art people can pull up this blog and see how my journey has arrived at that point. So without further ado, let's start at the beginning:

• Created the concept - something unique that no one else seems to be doing.

My designs were the result of playing around with a medium I knew well. The computer and Photoshop.

• Entered the images into a guaranteed show. Most shows are juried.

It was a chance to get my feet wet, learn about framing and displaying my art and writing a artist statement.

• Began reading about how to BE an artist

There are many good books out there. Two of my favorites are Taking the Leap - the insiders guide to exhibiting and selling your art by Cay Lang and How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist - Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels

It is better to be informed than to let people manipulate you and sell you short.

• Looked into taxes and income - not a favorite of mine and for most artists

I was offered a chance to be in an art show and thought it would be a good way to promote my art. It would have been a great way to get the word out about my artwork to the public, but by being in art fairs and shows I was then put into the market as a retailer. This would involved collecting taxes, getting a tax id number and filing those taxes monthly. I would want to hire an account if I did that. Being an artist to the bone, numbers and I don't jive well. Don't get me wrong, I could learn it, I could do it, but bills and money are my least favorite thing in the world to deal with and I would not be good at it. It is not my strength. I did learn however that if you sell through a gallery or a shop they are responsible for the taxes and you get a check which you claim as income at the end of the year which is the same as my freelance and contract work. A much better way for me to go. A piece of advice that my accountant gave me for my business is to have a separate checking account for the business and put all deposits in that account. Then pay yourself to your personal account. This is a great way to keep the books without having to do a lot of book work. All income is recorded and can easily be added up at the end of the year. Same with your expenses write them all out of that account and you have a record of your expenditures. I also keep a envelope in the desk beside me for any impulse purchase receipts that I make out of my personal account. It would be better if you didn't do it this way but I am impulsive and I recognize that and compensate for it this way.

• Showed my images to anyone who wanted to see them

You would not believe how many good leads I have gotten from showing my work to people who will listen. I don't brag that is not my nature, but I do show people who are interested the work that I do, I carry around a notebook size portfolio that I bought at the art supply store it is flat and has pockets in it which 8x10's fit into perfectly. It fits in between the seat and console of the car perfectly. I showed my images to a person who was manning the booth for the local artist guild and made a great acquaintance as well as receiving a lot of encouragment about joining the guild and what else I could do to promote and market my work.

• Began attending forums at the local art museum

The local art museum is a wealth of invaluable information on everything from applying for grants to shipping your artwork to shows. Investigate this in your area.

• Built a web site for displaying my artwork on

It is great to be able to send people to a website that has your work on it. I don't have to get pictures of my work since it is already on the computer. Make sure you have good images. I have done several portfolio sites for artists, don't use the snapshot you took of your artwork. Invest in professional photos or learn to do it well, yourself. No glare on the photos and make sure the lighting is good. This is a quick and easy way for people to reference your artwork, and hopefully they will promote you by sending associates and friends to your link.

• Looked into becoming a member of local artists groups

Our city has several artists groups you can become a member of. I have yet to join because the funds just aren't there, but it is high on my list to get memberships to the local artist groups. Great resource and I feel I could learn a lot from the members themselves.

• Followed leads of friends and put my images up in a local shop

A friend of mine told a shop owner about my work and she wanted to see it. So I took her several pieces and the shop owner has put them up on display. I am a little disappointed that none have sold yet, but hopefully people are seeing them.

• Entered my images into a national juried show

I entered my first juried show in San Diego two weeks ago. I am anxiously waiting to hear on March 5 if I made it in or not. The excitment is mounting! It is expensive to do this so if you have limited funds choose wisely. The best piece of advice I was given is enter in shows with works that are similar to yours if you want in. My work is so unique that it does not fit in many places. I take photos and manipulate them. Many shows are pure photography or paints, pastels, pencils - traditional art. When I found the magazine called Camera Arts and it had the calls for entries posted and all of them are for my genre of artwork, I was ecstatic! I feel like I have a good chance at this show - watch for updates.

• Followed lead of a friend and contacted a local corporate art dealer

I contacted a local art dealer, who sells art work to corporations, hospitals, lawyers, architects, and so on. She was very excited about my work and thought she could find buyers for it. Good move on my part and a great contact. I am a little disappointed about what she thought the market would bear as far as pricing goes, we may need to examine that closely. Especially when I tell her what the cost is and how much time I have in the pieces. More to come later.