7 answers
Mahala
Student
Salida, Colorado
1
Question
7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Many areas have community art centers, bazaars, and farmers markets, where local venders can sell their art. This might be an option.
Plus, there are also online websites where artists can sell their creations.
Plus, there are also online websites where artists can sell their creations.
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Mahala
I just answered a similar question on Career Village, and I have copied it below. The person asked how to get their art recognized and how to sell it.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good question, one that most every artist faces: How can I get other people to view, appreciate, and buy my art? There is no easy answer, nor is there any ONE way to get recognized, but here are some ideas for you to think about.
Your art has to be of good quality and saleable: original ideas that show a high level of artist skill, and that are well presented, and of interest to the public. Look through your artwork and pick the pieces that you think are your best artworks, and that you feel really show who you are as an artist. Put them in a portfolio to keep them safe and available, and take photos of them. I suggest showing them to your art teachers to get their opinion. Listen to their suggestions. Take the ones in your portfolio that you like best and mat them, so that you can easily show them to other people. Digital photos will also work, but sometimes seeing the actual artwork is better. You can purchase cardboard portfolios and mats at your local art supply store. If you are invited to exhibit your artwork anywhere, then you'll need to purchase some kind of frames, again, you can get good value at your local art supply store or from online sellers.
You will want to exhibit your artwork, even if it not for sale. The best place for a student to start in their school. Talk to your art teacher about student exhibitions and how your artwork could be included. Also ask them about art contests, this is a great way to get your artwork noticed. Other venues could be businesses in your community that might be willing to exhibit (and possibly) sell your artwork, such as coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops and commercial and non-profit art galleries. You could see if your local library features artwork by local artists. If you do want to exhibit your artwork in a businesses, be aware that you will have to mat and frame it, or find someway to present it.
You can also share your artwork online, on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. I prefer Instagram because it is so visual, and be sure to learn how to use the hashtags to get further exposure. There are also other websites for online art portfolios that you could set up.
To sell your artwork, as mentioned above, local business might be willing to show and sell your artwork; they usually take a commission on the sales, anywhere from 20% to 60% of the price. You can also sell your artwork online on platforms like Etsy, and many more. You could also set up your own website to sell your artwork, but it probably won't get the same traffic as a site like Etsy would. There are lots of online galleries and platforms for selling and displaying art, but I found that Etsy is very user friendly and has tutorials that show you how to set up an Etsy Shop and features other small business tips and information. Craft fairs and art fairs in your community are also opportunities where you can sell your artwork. Usually, the applications for art and craft fairs are months in advance (especially for the December Holiday fairs), but go and Google art fairs or craft fairs with your zip code to see what pops up.
However, please be aware that if you choose to sell your artwork on your own, whether in person or online, you will become, in effect, a small business owner. That means, in the US, you will have to collect, report, and pay the sales tax on what you sell. Check with your local city, county, and state government for the procedures on how to do this; go to their websites and plug in "small business tax reporting" or something like that. The online marketplaces should also have some guidance on collecting and reporting sales taxes. Also, if you earn enough, you will have to file and pay state and federal income taxes. Selling art on your own is a little complicated, but this is what anyone engaged in a small business must do. If you sell your artwork through a gallery or a gift shop, you will not have to deal with the sales tax, since the gallery or shop will usually collect and report, and pay the sales tax, but you will still need to file a state and federal income tax statement on your own. So, before you sign up for any gallery, shop, or online selling platform see what you need to do. Again, this is for US residents; other countries will have different requirements.
Best wishes! For artists, sharing your artwork with others can be very exciting. Earning money from your atwork can also be very satisfying, but as you can see, selling your art does require some groundwork. Keep in mind that few artists become famous or rich right away from their artwork, so be patient and keep working on your artwork and on finding places to show it.
I just answered a similar question on Career Village, and I have copied it below. The person asked how to get their art recognized and how to sell it.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good question, one that most every artist faces: How can I get other people to view, appreciate, and buy my art? There is no easy answer, nor is there any ONE way to get recognized, but here are some ideas for you to think about.
Your art has to be of good quality and saleable: original ideas that show a high level of artist skill, and that are well presented, and of interest to the public. Look through your artwork and pick the pieces that you think are your best artworks, and that you feel really show who you are as an artist. Put them in a portfolio to keep them safe and available, and take photos of them. I suggest showing them to your art teachers to get their opinion. Listen to their suggestions. Take the ones in your portfolio that you like best and mat them, so that you can easily show them to other people. Digital photos will also work, but sometimes seeing the actual artwork is better. You can purchase cardboard portfolios and mats at your local art supply store. If you are invited to exhibit your artwork anywhere, then you'll need to purchase some kind of frames, again, you can get good value at your local art supply store or from online sellers.
You will want to exhibit your artwork, even if it not for sale. The best place for a student to start in their school. Talk to your art teacher about student exhibitions and how your artwork could be included. Also ask them about art contests, this is a great way to get your artwork noticed. Other venues could be businesses in your community that might be willing to exhibit (and possibly) sell your artwork, such as coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops and commercial and non-profit art galleries. You could see if your local library features artwork by local artists. If you do want to exhibit your artwork in a businesses, be aware that you will have to mat and frame it, or find someway to present it.
You can also share your artwork online, on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. I prefer Instagram because it is so visual, and be sure to learn how to use the hashtags to get further exposure. There are also other websites for online art portfolios that you could set up.
To sell your artwork, as mentioned above, local business might be willing to show and sell your artwork; they usually take a commission on the sales, anywhere from 20% to 60% of the price. You can also sell your artwork online on platforms like Etsy, and many more. You could also set up your own website to sell your artwork, but it probably won't get the same traffic as a site like Etsy would. There are lots of online galleries and platforms for selling and displaying art, but I found that Etsy is very user friendly and has tutorials that show you how to set up an Etsy Shop and features other small business tips and information. Craft fairs and art fairs in your community are also opportunities where you can sell your artwork. Usually, the applications for art and craft fairs are months in advance (especially for the December Holiday fairs), but go and Google art fairs or craft fairs with your zip code to see what pops up.
However, please be aware that if you choose to sell your artwork on your own, whether in person or online, you will become, in effect, a small business owner. That means, in the US, you will have to collect, report, and pay the sales tax on what you sell. Check with your local city, county, and state government for the procedures on how to do this; go to their websites and plug in "small business tax reporting" or something like that. The online marketplaces should also have some guidance on collecting and reporting sales taxes. Also, if you earn enough, you will have to file and pay state and federal income taxes. Selling art on your own is a little complicated, but this is what anyone engaged in a small business must do. If you sell your artwork through a gallery or a gift shop, you will not have to deal with the sales tax, since the gallery or shop will usually collect and report, and pay the sales tax, but you will still need to file a state and federal income tax statement on your own. So, before you sign up for any gallery, shop, or online selling platform see what you need to do. Again, this is for US residents; other countries will have different requirements.
Best wishes! For artists, sharing your artwork with others can be very exciting. Earning money from your atwork can also be very satisfying, but as you can see, selling your art does require some groundwork. Keep in mind that few artists become famous or rich right away from their artwork, so be patient and keep working on your artwork and on finding places to show it.
Matt Jafari
Ux/Ui Designer
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Strat to show your talent and art on social media like Tiktok and Instagram.
Same time you can start a tiktok shop and don't forget a store on Etsy.com
Same time you can start a tiktok shop and don't forget a store on Etsy.com
Michael Esposito
Director, Financial Reporting
22
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Lots of great direction provided here.
I just wanted to also stress how important it is to keep up the attempts. There are so many stories we've heard of how people make it big in the strangest locations, or an unexpected age.
There are so many different origin stories out there!
I just wanted to also stress how important it is to keep up the attempts. There are so many stories we've heard of how people make it big in the strangest locations, or an unexpected age.
There are so many different origin stories out there!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mahala !
How wonderful to sell your creations ! You have two options - on line or in person.
Here are some websites on which you may sell your art : Etsy, Amazon, Fine Art America, Saatchi Art, UGallery, Shopify, Turning Art, Pixpa, Society6, and Zazzle. It would be advantageous for you to go to each of these websites and read their instructions and requirements. You can also set up your own personal website to offer your work for sale.
The second option would be in person. Visit local galleries and eateries to see if they will give you a showing. See if any appropriate cafes, restaurants have art work being shpwn and ask how to go about having that opportunity. I don't know if just having a general tag sale would be good, but if it was me, I would try it. I would try everything.
Never give up and also spread the word to family and friends that you are now selling art. Word of mouth always helps.
Best wishes on this exciting venture !
How wonderful to sell your creations ! You have two options - on line or in person.
Here are some websites on which you may sell your art : Etsy, Amazon, Fine Art America, Saatchi Art, UGallery, Shopify, Turning Art, Pixpa, Society6, and Zazzle. It would be advantageous for you to go to each of these websites and read their instructions and requirements. You can also set up your own personal website to offer your work for sale.
The second option would be in person. Visit local galleries and eateries to see if they will give you a showing. See if any appropriate cafes, restaurants have art work being shpwn and ask how to go about having that opportunity. I don't know if just having a general tag sale would be good, but if it was me, I would try it. I would try everything.
Never give up and also spread the word to family and friends that you are now selling art. Word of mouth always helps.
Best wishes on this exciting venture !
María José Orengo Ortiz
Disney PhotoPass / Graphic Designer & Photographer
5
Answers
Celebration, FL
Updated
María José’s Answer
Hi Paul!
It all depends on what kind of art you make. Usually there are farmer markets, festivals, and community events that you can sign up to as a vendor. You could also look into selling your art in Etsy and Redbubble. I would look into their sellers website Q&A if you have any specific questions.
It all depends on what kind of art you make. Usually there are farmer markets, festivals, and community events that you can sign up to as a vendor. You could also look into selling your art in Etsy and Redbubble. I would look into their sellers website Q&A if you have any specific questions.
Alex Turney
Ecommerce / Product Management
27
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hi Mahala - amazing, selling your prints and paintings can be super rewarding. I'm a photographer and I've found that there are many marketplaces that allow you to sell your art digitally or in-person. Sometimes going to digital marketplaces can be a bit overwhelming and difficult to standout amongst a lot of other artists. The people I've known to be most successful at this focus on a niche (examples: all basketball images, all black and white architectural photographs, political cartoon designs) and posted on various social medias to gather a following that they could then direct to some online marketplace. Typically this includes sharing their art and their process as they create art on digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Dribbble, Behance, Twitter, etc to help people come along their journey as an artist.
This community building process can also be done in-person. Often times, it's actually easier to standout in a physical market or gallery since there isn't as much competition as there is online. Often times these in-person connections also help bring more loyal customers and art viewers that sometimes will even help connect you with other people in the industry.
As for the actual selling of your prints I would look at Etsy, creating a Shopify store (it's easy now), Zazzle, and Facebook Marketplace. There are a lot more that are available from a simple google.
The last bit of advice I'd give is to focus on getting 100 TRUE FANS. In the age of the internet making your first 100 fans that truly love your work is so much more valuable then 10,000 people that follow you but maybe are not true fans. This is because 100 true fans will share your work with like-minded people, they will be the most valuable from a monetary perspective, and they will help you find your niche and continue to build it out. One helpful article is written here https://li-jin.co/2020/02/19/100-true-fans/.
I hope this helps! You got this!
This community building process can also be done in-person. Often times, it's actually easier to standout in a physical market or gallery since there isn't as much competition as there is online. Often times these in-person connections also help bring more loyal customers and art viewers that sometimes will even help connect you with other people in the industry.
As for the actual selling of your prints I would look at Etsy, creating a Shopify store (it's easy now), Zazzle, and Facebook Marketplace. There are a lot more that are available from a simple google.
The last bit of advice I'd give is to focus on getting 100 TRUE FANS. In the age of the internet making your first 100 fans that truly love your work is so much more valuable then 10,000 people that follow you but maybe are not true fans. This is because 100 true fans will share your work with like-minded people, they will be the most valuable from a monetary perspective, and they will help you find your niche and continue to build it out. One helpful article is written here https://li-jin.co/2020/02/19/100-true-fans/.
I hope this helps! You got this!
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