Artists not making money

anna31 · 09-27-2009, 08:00 AM

Me and my boyfriend are artists. We live off my bfs disability check ( for bipolar) and I have just had a baby boy so dont want to work for the moment.

He is a photographer and I am a painter. The problem is we spend all our time devoted to these things yet neither of us are successful. I have tried A LOT to sell my paintings online, he tries to get into galleries. The only thing we have managed is that he exhibits his work in a cafe in town, but no sales from that ever. I sold a couple of cheap paintings online before the summer, then everything died down and I cant sell further. I have asked galleries and I get rejections claiming they are booked solid for 2 years etc.

because we dont work we spend a LOT of time together. We wake up late, he'll go to his 'workspace' and ill visit him. well go for coffee. we eat together etc etc. lately we havent been getting on well and i think its because nothing is going on for us despite our efforts. we are not successfull and its depressing

any advice ?

Batya33 · 09-27-2009, 08:31 AM

I am a huge fan and often a patron of the arts (more theater than fine arts but both) and have helped certain artists from a business standpoint so I can relate to your situation. I think it's often unrealistic to expect to make a living by practicing your art unless you do that in the context of working for a company (like a graphic designer, a greeting cards company, or similar) or with respect to your bf, if he decides to photograph weddings or other events to make extra money. From my experience relatively few artists are able to live comfortably by pursuing their passion so either they live very frugally or they have another source of income.

Similarly, many mothers are not able to take care of their children full time because they need to bring in an income. (I am a full time mother to my baby boy for now; I spent many years saving for this opportunity and am fortunate to be married to someone who supports me in every way in doing this).

Would you be open to reevaluating your expectations and if you find that maybe they're not so realistic, talking with your bf about alternatives? Maybe he can get a 9 to 5 job and work on his art on weekends; maybe he can photograph weddings and maybe you can get at least a part time job and find inexpensive childcare?

As far as the galleries being booked solid well I'm not surprised at all -- in fact I'm surprised many of the galleries that are around are surviving through these economic times.

InBruges · 09-27-2009, 08:32 AM

I think you should make some efforts to get into the business side of art. Whether this be self-learning or going back to school, just get educated on how to run a business. Then you could start looking to organizations such as the SBA for a small business loan and you can open up your own art gallery. With that done, you'll be able to display your stuff as well as stuff from numerous other artists and make money on anything that sells.

lavenderdove · 09-27-2009, 08:53 AM

Many of the most successful artists in history have had to work other jobs while doing their art to support themselves and their families.

I dated a guy who was a successful artist, and he said that a huge part of being an artist these days involves business, including networking with galleries, other artists, patrons, etc. He also said there was a huge commercial side to selling art, that has nothing to do with being an artist or the art itself. He actually eventually got sick of having to smooze patrons for money, and got tired of having to change his art to satisfy people and make more money and having his art criticized etc. in the public arena, and went back to school and got a degree and taught as his profession, but did his art for the love of art still. He enjoyed it much more after he stopped trying to make his art the vehicle for earning enough money to live.

Have you been to college or art school? Perhaps you could look into what it takes to be a successful artist (by that i mean sell your art, not create good art). You also might consider finding a job related to art, so that you can earn money to support yourself and your child, but still do your art on the side and try to work into selling more.

You also have to recognize that some of the most successful artists of all time never made a dime on their art while they were living. The connection between art and making a living can be tenuous at best, so you need to find some way to support yourself and your child first, and grow the art on the side.

LightbulbSun · 09-27-2009, 09:10 AM

I think it's been said that you always need something to fall back on. If you don't make it as an artist, you should have something else to support you while you make your art. Not everyone makes it, unfortunately (I should know, I'm a musician.)

I think lavender said it best, I can't really add anything to that.

Lucy__lou · 09-27-2009, 09:49 AM

This thread made me think of Maslow's heirarchy of needs...

It goes:
1.physiological (i.e. food)
2.Safety
3.Love/belonging
4.Esteem
5.Self Actualisation (i.e. art)...

i.e. we need food first, then a bunch of other things, then art and music etc to feed our souls.

Just as art is lowest on the heirarchy of needs, art is lowest on the heirarchy of income generators. If we all wanted to devote ourselves to feeding people's souls with art, we'd risk death by starvation, or not having a roof over our heads.

What I'm trying to say is that Art is unlikely to ever pay, especially when the world is struggling to meet it's primary basic needs. By finding a new career that is further up the needs heirarchy, i.e. providing something which the world needs more urgently than art, you can both increase your income, as well as doing something equally or more meaningful than art.

And if you find that comment offensive, ignore it, but here's another thing.... if you're stressed and undernourished from poverty, you're not going to be able to contribute as much artistically as you would if you were looking after your more basic needs. There's beauty and poetry in many a simple job. If you are an artist, maybe you can bring something of yourself into one of these other professions. Think of what the world needs most, and see if you can provide it.

Even if you have excellent entrepreneurial abilities, to turn your art into a business, having a bit of cash to keep you afloat until the business idea/s have proven themselves is wise.

Tarkan · 09-27-2009, 09:53 AM

To be a succesfull artist you need three things:

- Connections
- A rubbish background story / explanation of your art
- Something chocking

If you have the right connections with the right people you'll be able to a get a spot in certain galleries or someone who will take care of the commercial adds.

My art teacher once said: It's the story you give to your work that sells. You can sell something completely rubbish if you can add any value with a touching story or background. Artfans and critics will always try to "understand" an artist's work. The reason why he created something and what the meaning of his creation was. Sometimes you can't put it in words and there is no meaning at all ... just the love for art.

I once was in the Pompidou museum in Paris and it was funny to see all the people go "ooooooh" and "aaaaah" at some completely white painting. I was thinking to myself: The artist who made this must be a genious ! He just fooled all those people and used them to get rich.

Being an artist can be a very lucrative job if you can fool people. Just make them believe into something. That's why I love Andy Warhol so much. Just take a look at this video lol:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Ms Darcy · 09-27-2009, 10:16 AM

Perhaps you can take in a friend's child during the day to take care of. I know people who do that and it's a nice supplement to their income. That of course depends on the needs and temperment of your own child.

I would also suggest that you work on the weekends or at night for additional income.

Lastly, I would hold off on having more kids (you probably have already considered this, I'm just covering the bases) for a few years.

Kumatora · 09-27-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InBruges

I think you should make some efforts to get into the business side of art. Whether this be self-learning or going back to school, just get educated on how to run a business. Then you could start looking to organizations such as the SBA for a small business loan and you can open up your own art gallery. With that done, you'll be able to display your stuff as well as stuff from numerous other artists and make money on anything that sells.

I have to agree with this. You have to either find something practical (like going back to school for a degree in a highly needed field) or work other jobs on the side to support yourself. Business is a good way to get your artwork marketed and appeal to other businesses.

OP, I feel for you. One of my best friends is an artist with 3 art degrees and STILL could not support herself. She ended up becoming an assistant manager at a BAGLE store, even with 3 college degrees that ended up being worthless. Her financial situation was so horrible that her and her husband had faced foreclosure and move in with parents.

09-27-2009, 08:00 AM	#1
anna31 Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12	Artists not making money Me and my boyfriend are artists. We live off my bfs disability check ( for bipolar) and I have just had a baby boy so dont want to work for the moment. He is a photographer and I am a painter. The problem is we spend all our time devoted to these things yet neither of us are successful. I have tried A LOT to sell my paintings online, he tries to get into galleries. The only thing we have managed is that he exhibits his work in a cafe in town, but no sales from that ever. I sold a couple of cheap paintings online before the summer, then everything died down and I cant sell further. I have asked galleries and I get rejections claiming they are booked solid for 2 years etc. because we dont work we spend a LOT of time together. We wake up late, he'll go to his 'workspace' and ill visit him. well go for coffee. we eat together etc etc. lately we havent been getting on well and i think its because nothing is going on for us despite our efforts. we are not successfull and its depressing any advice ?

09-27-2009, 08:32 AM	#3
InBruges Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 514	I think you should make some efforts to get into the business side of art. Whether this be self-learning or going back to school, just get educated on how to run a business. Then you could start looking to organizations such as the SBA for a small business loan and you can open up your own art gallery. With that done, you'll be able to display your stuff as well as stuff from numerous other artists and make money on anything that sells. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAq0AbxhawI

09-27-2009, 09:10 AM	#5
LightbulbSun Offline Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Gender: Male Age: 27 Posts: 1,053	I think it's been said that you always need something to fall back on. If you don't make it as an artist, you should have something else to support you while you make your art. Not everyone makes it, unfortunately (I should know, I'm a musician.) I think lavender said it best, I can't really add anything to that. __________________ "Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror." - Unknown "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore

09-27-2009, 09:49 AM	#6
Lucy__lou Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Gender: Female Age: 30 Posts: 724	This thread made me think of Maslow's heirarchy of needs... It goes: 1.physiological (i.e. food) 2.Safety 3.Love/belonging 4.Esteem 5.Self Actualisation (i.e. art)... i.e. we need food first, then a bunch of other things, then art and music etc to feed our souls. Just as art is lowest on the heirarchy of needs, art is lowest on the heirarchy of income generators. If we all wanted to devote ourselves to feeding people's souls with art, we'd risk death by starvation, or not having a roof over our heads. What I'm trying to say is that Art is unlikely to ever pay, especially when the world is struggling to meet it's primary basic needs. By finding a new career that is further up the needs heirarchy, i.e. providing something which the world needs more urgently than art, you can both increase your income, as well as doing something equally or more meaningful than art. And if you find that comment offensive, ignore it, but here's another thing.... if you're stressed and undernourished from poverty, you're not going to be able to contribute as much artistically as you would if you were looking after your more basic needs. There's beauty and poetry in many a simple job. If you are an artist, maybe you can bring something of yourself into one of these other professions. Think of what the world needs most, and see if you can provide it. Even if you have excellent entrepreneurial abilities, to turn your art into a business, having a bit of cash to keep you afloat until the business idea/s have proven themselves is wise. Last edited by Lucy__lou; 09-27-2009 at 09:54 AM.

09-27-2009, 08:31 AM	#2
Batya33 Online Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 19,071	I am a huge fan and often a patron of the arts (more theater than fine arts but both) and have helped certain artists from a business standpoint so I can relate to your situation. I think it's often unrealistic to expect to make a living by practicing your art unless you do that in the context of working for a company (like a graphic designer, a greeting cards company, or similar) or with respect to your bf, if he decides to photograph weddings or other events to make extra money. From my experience relatively few artists are able to live comfortably by pursuing their passion so either they live very frugally or they have another source of income. Similarly, many mothers are not able to take care of their children full time because they need to bring in an income. (I am a full time mother to my baby boy for now; I spent many years saving for this opportunity and am fortunate to be married to someone who supports me in every way in doing this). Would you be open to reevaluating your expectations and if you find that maybe they're not so realistic, talking with your bf about alternatives? Maybe he can get a 9 to 5 job and work on his art on weekends; maybe he can photograph weddings and maybe you can get at least a part time job and find inexpensive childcare? As far as the galleries being booked solid well I'm not surprised at all -- in fact I'm surprised many of the galleries that are around are surviving through these economic times.

09-27-2009, 08:53 AM	#4
lavenderdove Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,513	Many of the most successful artists in history have had to work other jobs while doing their art to support themselves and their families. I dated a guy who was a successful artist, and he said that a huge part of being an artist these days involves business, including networking with galleries, other artists, patrons, etc. He also said there was a huge commercial side to selling art, that has nothing to do with being an artist or the art itself. He actually eventually got sick of having to smooze patrons for money, and got tired of having to change his art to satisfy people and make more money and having his art criticized etc. in the public arena, and went back to school and got a degree and taught as his profession, but did his art for the love of art still. He enjoyed it much more after he stopped trying to make his art the vehicle for earning enough money to live. Have you been to college or art school? Perhaps you could look into what it takes to be a successful artist (by that i mean sell your art, not create good art). You also might consider finding a job related to art, so that you can earn money to support yourself and your child, but still do your art on the side and try to work into selling more. You also have to recognize that some of the most successful artists of all time never made a dime on their art while they were living. The connection between art and making a living can be tenuous at best, so you need to find some way to support yourself and your child first, and grow the art on the side.

09-27-2009, 09:53 AM	#7
Tarkan Offline Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Somewhere in Europe Gender: Male Age: 24 Posts: 406	To be a succesfull artist you need three things: - Connections - A rubbish background story / explanation of your art - Something chocking If you have the right connections with the right people you'll be able to a get a spot in certain galleries or someone who will take care of the commercial adds. My art teacher once said: It's the story you give to your work that sells. You can sell something completely rubbish if you can add any value with a touching story or background. Artfans and critics will always try to "understand" an artist's work. The reason why he created something and what the meaning of his creation was. Sometimes you can't put it in words and there is no meaning at all ... just the love for art. I once was in the Pompidou museum in Paris and it was funny to see all the people go "ooooooh" and "aaaaah" at some completely white painting. I was thinking to myself: The artist who made this must be a genious ! He just fooled all those people and used them to get rich. Being an artist can be a very lucrative job if you can fool people. Just make them believe into something. That's why I love Andy Warhol so much. Just take a look at this video lol: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

09-27-2009, 10:16 AM	#8
Ms Darcy Online Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United States Gender: Female Age: 28 Posts: 2,074	Perhaps you can take in a friend's child during the day to take care of. I know people who do that and it's a nice supplement to their income. That of course depends on the needs and temperment of your own child. I would also suggest that you work on the weekends or at night for additional income. Lastly, I would hold off on having more kids (you probably have already considered this, I'm just covering the bases) for a few years.