Hello all! I am so excited that I found this group of fellow artists that are communicating and helping one another. I am from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan and I actually have not participated in an art show, yet. I know this group is for people who are already art fair artists, but I am looking to learn the ins and outs before I "take the plunge" as I read on an earlier post.
I have been an artist my whole life in one way or another. My main mediums have been painting and through high school I was very much into photography (when I had a nice camera and dark room at my service).
Recently I have gotten back into my art as an acrylic painter. I paint portraits of pets on canvas and have been selling through Etsy/eBay/artbreak/word of mouth. I haven't gotten the response I was hoping for, so I was thinking maybe the personalization of a custom portrait is too much for someone to think of. What I mean is maybe I need to start painting more art, and if someone likes what they see they buy... It is a hurdle I am looking to overcome.
I also have a unique aspect to my business and that is I sell (again custom) pet portraits on cell phone cases. This has been my passion lately, because I like the idea of someone using my design as their phone case.. and I provide the opportunity for anyone who purchases a phone case (or canvas portrait) that 30% of profits will be donated to any charitable organization they would like! I currently have 2 local animal organizations that are promoting my cases through social media, as a fundraising initiative for them!
I just love doing art and I love the idea of giving back to organizations in need. I simply need larger venues, where people can hold and see the quality of the phone cases, etc.
Well, that's me!
Hope to everyone is having a nice summer!
Replies
Hello Sarah and welcome. This group isn't just for seasoned artists. It is also for newbies and we have lots of them here. At least they are newbies for a while.
You will find lots of useful information geared to the newbie. Here is a forum full of questions that newbies have asked:
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/categories/questions-answers-f...
Look around in there and see if there are some topics that you want to check out. If you don't find what you are looking for don't be afraid to ask.
Good luck as you begin your journey.
Wow, thank you Connie and Christina for your warm welcome!
Connie- I totally agree, it gets tiring, but I do love to do it. Even my fiance gets a little annoyed when I'm always on social media/painting with my headphones in while he sits in the room! lol. It is definitely something that is going to take some time to create that "presence" I am looking for, but I really like doing it! I actually just wish I got more orders, not for money, just because I love creating the art. :) Thanks again for your advice.
Christina- Hello fellow Michigander! Seems like we have a lot in common. Thank you so much for the idea of the art fair in Detroit, I will look into it! I think December allows plenty of time to get myself together. Hehe, Best of luck to you and your journey!
Hi Sarah, and welcome to AFI! I, too, live in the suburban Detroit area and am a fledgling art show participant. I mostly sell my work ( knitted/felted women's hats and handbags ) at galleries and gift shops but am anxious to test the art fair waters as well. There's a show in December at the Masonic Temple in Detroit that I'm trying to get into, perhaps you should take a look at it too...it's called Detroit Urban Craft Fair and it's December 6th and 7th. Check out their website, I believe they're still taking applications. I agree with Connie, you have to be a good salesperson and self-promoter in this business if you are to succeed...good luck and thanks for joining our community.
But you did! You sounded like a salesperson, but as we all know, most art doesn't sell itself and marketing it and yourself is part of the equation. Good job.
It can all get a little tiring sometimes, creating the work, creating a presence on social media, looking for places to sell your work, setting up etsy, promoting always promoting -- but as I always say to the younger people in my family (18-44), what's the alternative? Don't do it? Wait for things to come your way? Don't do the work? What does that get you? (Plus, they've learned not to talk like that in front of me.)
Glad you found us and we look forward, Sarah, to your participation here. This is a big decision. Create work with an eye to that pet market and commissions or create and paint what stirs your soul? Are they the same -- then figuring out how to make that work. Good luck to you and hang around and participate.
Really hoped this didn't sound like a sales pitch... LOL Truly wasn't my intention. I have a degree in advertising/marketing... So I apologize if I came off like a salesperson.