What are any recommendations for young artists trying to make a profit?
Hi everyone! I am a 19 yr old female college student. I want to be able to profit off my art but don’t know where or how to start. I feel quite unfulfilled with my life and the fields I’m going towards in college. I have recently undergone a lot of personal growth and am a bit stuck because I realized I do not want to do any of the things I am starting to study. I am a multi faceted realism painter& drawer, i crochet, sew, make jewelry through wire wrapping and other methods, i write & illustrate poetry, and am deeply involved with nature. I know a lot about energy and quantum energy healing techniques. I’m in the works of becoming a healer for people because I want to share what helps me. I love helping people and I’m great with kids but I want to pursue something that also involves art and is outside of public education. I have been looking to get into seasonal jobs but would need a campground or housing provided. I am planning on getting on the road as well to travel full time because I am very into art and music fairs. I am a Renaissance Faire avid go-er and hopefully will get a job tracking. I know how little it pays, and I know how unpredictable it is. I have experience in the outdoors with camping and experienced homelessness multiple times throughout childhood and am not worried about that at all. I don’t want a lot of money in life and I am purely looking for inner peace. I have no idea how to kickstart a profit my art because I’ve been trying for years, lol. Any advice or recommendations are deeply appreciated! I am on the autism spectrum & have ADHD. I am very high functioning but i really struggle in succeeding in areas I’m not passionate about. I’m super broke and grew up with no wealth in my family and am deeply struggling with balancing finances. Positivity only welcomed here!! Thank you 🌿
5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Exploring Opportunities for Young Artists to Make a Profit
As a young artist with a diverse range of creative skills, there are several avenues you can explore to turn your passion into a profitable venture. Here are some recommendations to help you navigate the art world and potentially generate income from your artistic talents.
1. Online Platforms and E-commerce Consider leveraging online platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, or Amazon Handmade to showcase and sell your artwork, crafts, and handmade items. These platforms provide a global reach and allow you to connect with potential customers who appreciate unique, handcrafted pieces. Creating an online store can also serve as a central hub for displaying your paintings, drawings, jewelry, and other creations.
2. Art Fairs and Markets Participating in local art fairs, craft markets, and exhibitions can provide valuable exposure for your work. These events offer direct interaction with art enthusiasts and potential buyers. Research nearby art fairs and markets where you can set up a booth to display and sell your art and handmade goods.
3. Commissioned Work Explore the possibility of accepting commissioned projects. This could involve creating custom artwork or personalized crafts based on clients’ preferences. Building a portfolio of commissioned pieces can not only generate income but also expand your network and reputation as an artist.
4. Teaching and Workshops Given your interest in helping people and being great with kids, consider offering art workshops or classes. You can share your knowledge of painting, drawing, jewelry making, or other creative skills with others while earning income from teaching sessions. Look for local community centers, art studios, or even online platforms where you can offer your expertise.
5. Freelance Illustration and Writing Your skills in illustrating poetry present an opportunity for freelance illustration work. Explore opportunities to collaborate with writers, publishers, or online platforms that require illustrations for poems or other written content. Additionally, consider submitting your poetry and illustrations to literary magazines or websites that accept creative submissions.
6. Art Licensing Investigate the possibility of licensing your artwork for use on various products such as stationery, home decor items, or apparel. Licensing agreements can provide ongoing royalties based on the sales of products featuring your designs.
7. Social Media Marketing Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your artwork and crafts. Building a strong online presence through visually appealing posts can attract potential customers and art enthusiasts. Engage with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process and storytelling about the inspiration behind each piece.
8. Networking and Collaborations Networking within the art community can open doors to collaborative projects or joint ventures with other artists or organizations. Attend art-related events, join artist groups or forums, and seek out opportunities to collaborate on creative endeavors that align with your interests.
9. Art Residencies and Grants Research art residencies and grant opportunities that support emerging artists. These programs often provide funding, studio space, and mentorship to artists looking to develop their practice while engaging with a supportive artistic community.
10. Continuous Learning and Adaptation Stay open to learning new techniques, exploring different mediums, and adapting to market trends. The art world is dynamic, so continuous growth as an artist can lead to new opportunities for profit.
In pursuing these avenues for profit as a young artist, it’s important to maintain authenticity in your creative expression while also considering the marketability of your work. Balancing passion with practicality can help you carve out a sustainable path in the arts while generating income from your talents.
The Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
The Creative Independent: This source provided insights into various ways young artists can monetize their creative skills through practical advice and real-life examples.
Artsy: The platform offered valuable information on navigating the art market as an emerging artist, including tips on selling artwork online and participating in art fairs.
Craft Industry Alliance: This source contributed insights into leveraging e-commerce platforms for selling handmade items and connecting with potential customers interested in unique crafts.
These sources were selected for their expertise in supporting emerging artists and providing actionable strategies for monetizing artistic talents.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Ken’s Answer
Michelle’s Answer
Wow, your creativity, altruism and how wonderfully you express yourself are sure to get you far in life ! You are indeed multifaceted and it seems as though your heart is in all of it, especially art.
If you want to sell your art, you can put it on line, but most likely that will involve being able to accept credit cards or Pay Pal type payment and have a bank account. There are fairs, flea markets you can join in your local area, too. The vibe I am getting is that you could do portraits (if you can) for people at fairs. If you keep your price low, you probably would have a line of customers way past the next booth. Look into consignment shops, too. You would get a percentage of the sale once an item of yours is sold. See if you can participate in the Renn Faire, too. So you can sell both on line and in person, you just need the resources of where to contact the people and pace yourself with introducing yourself to the people that can assist you with your art sales. If you ever have a tag sale at your home, include some of your art to sell, too. You just never know. I have left links for fairs and consignment shops below.
My advice is to stay with college until you get your degree, start promoting your art now because it is a process. Part of it is to interact with other artists and the artist community which may bring forth opportunities for you. It's okay to start small. Things happen at different times for artists and you are off to a good start. If there is a Career Center for student services at your college, visit them and see what services they offer. It is my advice that you keep your positive outlook and honest approach to whatever you do. You can do several things to follow through on all of your interests but one at a time.
At different times in your life, your interests will be at the forefront and you will find yourself perhaps doing a few things simultaneously or one at a time. If you want to explore alternative healing schools as you've mentioned, there are some and you can do a search on line for them. I also wanted to mention that I would advise that you regularly visit the art galleries and become familiar with how to get a showing for your art. There are sometimes other places that have a space for artist's work that are hung in unexpected places. For instance, I know someone who had her photography hung in the lobby of the local Library. Her work was also for sale there. You can explore unconventional places like that to see if they display art from local artists. There is also a nearby restaurant I know that has a show on their walls for local artists who want to sell their work. It's worth finding out what buildings in your area do this.
I hope that this could be inspiring and a help for you and I wish you all the best going forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Focho’s Answer
1. Online platforms: Consider creating an online portfolio of your artwork on websites like Instagram, Amazon, Tiktok, or E commerce , where you can showcase and sell your pieces. These platforms can help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential buyers.
2. Local art shows and markets: Look into participating in local art shows, craft fairs, and markets in your area. This can be a great way to showcase your work in person, network with other artists, and connect with potential buyers.
3. Commissioned work: Offer commissioned art pieces, such as custom portraits or illustrations, to friends, family, and social media followers. This can be a personalized and lucrative way to use your artistic skills.
4. Online courses and tutorials: Consider creating and selling online courses or tutorials based on your artistic skills, such as painting, drawing, crochet, or sewing. Sharing your knowledge and techniques can be a valuable source of income.
5. Networking and collaborations: Connect with other artists, designers, and makers in your community or online. Collaborating on projects, workshops, or events can help you expand your reach and gain exposure for your work.
Remember, building a successful career as an artist takes time and effort, so be patient and stay dedicated to your craft. Good luck with your artistic pursuits! If you need any more specific advice or guidance, feel free to ask.
seyed hamid’s Answer
Select a Target Group: Choose a small target group, such as students from a class in a school who are at least 3 years younger than you.
Choose a Theme: Based on the emotional and communal context of that small community (the classroom), select a theme. For example, consider whether the kids in that class are interested in comic magazines or influenced by a particular movie or animation. You could even introduce a new topic. I recommend exploring the themes of candlelight and incense burning.
Materials and Creativity: To generate ideas, use materials that are lightweight and suitable for candle and incense (flame-related) functions. For instance, colorful air-dry clays available in the market can be used. These clays dry quickly over time and are resistant to water and fire.
Limited Production: Produce items in proportion to 1/5 of your target community size. So, if you have 20 students in your target group, create only four pieces.
Create Calming Art: Alongside your main creations, make something special that soothes your soul. Avoid rushing to sell this unique piece.
Timing and Pricing: When it’s appropriate, offer your creations to your target community. Price them according to the financial capacity of your potential buyers. I recommend first identifying the selling price and then selecting materials and an initial model based on that price.
Financial Prudence: Saving is a sign of intellectual maturity and sets a standard for an artist’s life.
Photograph Your Work: Capture good photographs of all your creations. Present and share them effectively on social media.
Success, Honesty, and Persistence: Remember that success, honesty, and resilience are interconnected, and you possess all three.