The Starving Artist – What are your beliefs?

So last year I read this book on the myth of the starving artist, by Jeff Goins, along with a whole other slew of books about how to sell art online, how to sell to interior designers, etc, etc, etc.  So obviously I was a little obsessed with this topic. Last year, I also signed up for a motivational course called the 100 day challenge and my goal was how could I sell some artwork? This was my frustration, my conundrum, my quest for answers last year.

I thought I had done everything right. I went to art school, got into galleries and got awards at big art shows. For me I was still dissatisfied looking at the bank account every month. I was struggling to build savings, pay for health care and pay down student loan debt, let alone afford a nice studio. Now I would justify it to myself saying well you just have to be patient you’re only X amount of years into this or I would say to myself well you shouldn’t have gone into art if you wanted to make money – you chose something you love, so you can’t have it all.  Wow!  I started peeling back the layers to these really weird beliefs. I don’t know where they came from. I know many of them have been repeated to me over and over again.  Yet I was not satisfied and these thoughts left me feeling helpless and even angry. Which left me questioning where did these thoughts come from?

 

Ever since art school I have had many people who would get upset that I would try to sell my artwork, they would knock that I was sales-y and make comments that eluded to the fact that I wasn’t a true artist because I was interested in selling my work.  As if selling my art myself somehow made me an impure artist.  Other incidents include times when I’ve shared my work in art groups online and put the price or my website link saying available and I would get disparaging remarks about how I’m sales-y again. Really? Just for including a link to my website or putting a price on it? Obviously, you’re going to offend someone no matter what you do, but the bigger point I’m trying to make is that this underlying sentiment about art and artists is still out there and it still swallows up I don’t know how many artists every year. I discovered that even I was afraid, the one accused of being so sales-y, of even sending an email to my mailing list about available work for sale. Afraid of their judgment, afraid they would unsubscribe. So I wound up feeling like this helpless little animal shivering in the corner just hoping one day.... maybe one day soon someone will call, email, somehow magically find me and say I want to buy a painting. 

 

I’m writing this to say if you want to make a living as an artist you need to be open to other possibilities. Our world is changing and while I know the traditional gallery route can work for many it is not the only option now and it won’t work entirely for most. I'm super grateful for all the galleries that represent me and for the sales they make, but unfortunately the sales are still sparse for me in them. At one point I had work in 8 different galleries across the country and I still was barely making a living. Many of those have closed their doors since.  Perhaps you don’t need that much, but mine is the only income I have. No one else is supporting me or helping me out and I decided to fight these pre-conceived notions of the humble starving artist because I was sick of feeling helpless. I was tired of feeling self-doubt because my work wasn’t selling.

 

My search last year let me to many books I’ve mentioned, most of which were quite good but still didn’t give me applicable tools or the ways they were recommending just weren’t my path (like licensing my work). The search led me to purchasing various art coaches downloadable books, the 100 day challenge and phone calls with non-art related business coaches.

*note about the 100 day challenge that I wrote about last year in the spring. It yielded incredible results for me and was an excellent motivational course.  This course was only $180 and I still feel it was worth every penny. However, being a general motivational course it was not geared specifically towards building an art business. So after it was over, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have a business plan for the future so I was back to where I was before except having found a few ideas that I could use again in the future.

 

I moved to Colorado searching for a stronger art community than I was in both for personal growth and business needs. I was still on this quest for how to not be a starving artist anymore, and how I could create a business plan that was sustainable which still felt totally sacrilegious as an artist (even after uncovering why the myth of the starving artist exists and reading about how wealthy Michelangelo actually was). One day in my quest for answers I stumbled on a woman named Alexis Fedor, who was being interviewed by Owen Garrett.  Alexis was starting a new course called the Profit Canvas and after listening to this and many of Alexis’s podcasts my intuition said that I needed to do this. I was skeptical and nervous about the cost of the program, but I felt I really need to give this a shot. She had a 30 day money back guarantee so that made up my mind.

 

Now, when I decide to do something it is a firm decision. When I signed up for Alexis’s course I decided I would do everything she recommended, I would be totally open to try it all and I would give as much time to it as it called for even if that meant I wasn’t painting very much. For me there’s nothing more disempowering than having made lots of beautiful paintings and they wind up collecting dust in your studio. I also know you can't expect all of your work to sell, but the ratio of sold to sold was unsatisfying for me. I also knew my work was good, and I’m constantly striving to get better so I knew I wasn’t selling because of low quality work…or because my prices were too high.

Alexis’s course hit everything for me: questioning those beliefs and forming new ones, finding out what I personally need and where I naturally flow in my work, finding more value in my work, discovering what my collectors needed and wanted from me, creating a revenue plan that was in alignment with what I’m already creating and adding in so many new options that are filling in the gaps…because I’m not just selling 5k paintings constantly, learning how to do marketing better and research and improving my social media marketing and email marketing. I’m reaching more people with my work and now in a variety of ways, not just through selling paintings.

I’m writing this in hopes that it may help another artist out there.  I’m sure I still have much to learn, but for the first time in 6 years of my art career I feel like I’m the captain of my art business ship and I have systems in place now for continued success which makes me feel secure.

I cannot express enough gratitude to Alexis for this course!

If you are at all interested, Alexis is offering a free taste-tester course starting April 14^th called the Creator’s Profit Plan and you can get in now for instant access here: https://bit.ly/2GJ9OvE

You won't regret it.

 

 

Sincerely,

Kelli Folsom


Oh, here's some of my newest paintings....and you guessed it....They are all for sale!!! Just go to my website www.kellifolsom.com to find out more.  I also invite you to become part of my artistic community here: http://eepurl.com/dpg-_9

 

VITAL Art Sessions

Announcing New Online Monthly Video Subscription!  Deadline for first quarter is January 5th. Please go here for more information: https://kellifolsom.com/page/13774/vital-art-sessions-monthly-video-subscription 

I look forward to working with you this year and I'll see you in the course!

What I'm Grateful For

So lately I've been on the go like crazy from Italy, to moving to Denver then teaching a workshop in Virginia then a trip to Santa Fe....needless to say I've been pushing myself a lot and when I do that sometimes I don't take the down time to stay charged up and fresh.  I realized this morning that if I didn't take that time I was bound to snap! I like to go through my journals and do some gratitude journaling to reset my mind.  I really like The Five Minute Journal: https://thehustle.co/the-five-minute-journal-will-make-you-happier. So check that out if you are interested. It's short and sweet. Write down three things that you are grateful for and three things that would make today great.

Here's my three things I'm grateful for today:

PROGRESS - Hope that I can evolve, change and grow into the human being I would like to become more like.

REJECTION-  When looking at rejection in a different way I see that when I or my work is rejected it is a reminder for me to be my biggest champion; not to wait for someone else to value you me or my work; to give myself and others that much needed compliment and encouragement.

COMPASSION -  I am so thankful that people are compassionate and patient towards me.  When others recognize I am imperfect, human and show me kindness opens me up to do the same for myself and others.

Oh yeah....and all of these wonderful beautiful places and people I have met this month!

Off we go to Colorado!!

 

Beautiful Sunrises in Virginia!

All of the wonderful students at Virginia Beach School of Art. www.http://www.vbsag.com/

Really they were a delightful group and very brave since many of them had never painted a still life from life. They had really great attitudes and made some beautiful paintings in this three day workshop.

 

Once I returned from Virginia, we took a trip to Santa Fe to check out all of the beautiful works in the galleries there. It truly is a magical place. I still can't get over those gorgeous clouds and mountains!

We were only there for 3 days, but packed a lot in including seeing the Fechin house and studio, Total Arts Gallery, most of the Santa Fe galleries....did some mighty fine eating and even an afternoon of painting. 

 A couple of Fechin's paintings that I really loved out of the collection.

 
 
 

Fechin's tiny little door into his adobe studio and his view into the garden from inside. Needless to say I was envious of his studio!

 

Monte graciously took this photo of me with one of my paintings completed on a beautiful evening before dinner. I actually haven't painted in several weeks (other than demonstrations) since the move and all the travel so it was a pleasure regardless of how rusty I was.

Plein Air Sketch - 8"x10" - oil on panel

"Santa Fe Sky"

$200 available

 

 

 

My Experience with the 100 Day Challenge

In April, I decided to sign up for this program called the 100 day challenge.  At the time I was exhausted and getting burned out, I was frustrated with lack of results....and yes I do tend to be impatient...and yes I am a bit of an overachiever.  I always have this desire to grow, to change, to get better results and to become a better version of myself. Part of my exhaustion was due to overworking, teaching too much and doing some teaching that was really not a good fit for me at a local University for two semesters.  So as I was doing my usual digging on the internet for new ideas for marketing my art and getting more sales I wound up stumbling on someone's blog....don't remember whose know (you know how that goes) and she gave a long list of resources some of which I had read and just weren't for me and at the end she mentioned this program called the 100 Day Challenge.  I went and checked this out and listened to some interviews by the creator on YouTube. Again, I felt this instinct saying you gotta try this.  The Challenge started before tax time and before my 2nd semester was over! Not the right time I thought - excuses, excuses. Looked it up and a third objection - it cost $200....a 4th objection - this is just Tony Robbins motivational stuff.... Fear, Panic, what will people think of me bullshit. So, I signed up. I thought, What's the worst that can happen? I lose $200. What's the best that can happen? I learn some powerful lessons that actually change the course of things. BINGO. SIGN ME UP.

I signed up and kept it secret for quite a while afraid of judgements against it.  Anyways, I can happily report that it was an incredible experience - not easy, but incredible. Therefore, I STRONGLY recommend the program to anyone who wants to see some changes in their life, in any area. This is not just for artists or entrepreneurs, it's for everyone. It's not just to make money or lose weight, it can be for developing mindfulness or spending more time with your family. Doesn't matter. The program is general and designed to walk you through any goal and keep you motivated while working on it. You are the one that makes it happen though, by taking action and following through.

Disclosure: If you have weird beliefs about making money or are too much of an idealist to think that you should be a starving artist.....READ NO FURTHER. 

My goal happened to be a painting sales goal. They encouraged you to set a big goal, to be clear on what you wanted. I already knew what my ultimate goal was for a yearly salary...but it always seems so far off in the future and I always felt like, "Hey what control do I have over whether or not people want to buy my paintings?". I thought gosh I have my work in galleries across the country and I'm doing everything I know how to do otherwise to make an income. Other thoughts included, "Geez, I hate marketing stuff. I don't want to be a sleezeball salesman. It should be about the art. People will judge me for being superficial and caring about money....yaddy yaddy yaddy."  Truth was I knew there had to be some other ideas, other options and I already knew I was putting off a lot of things that would improve my circumstances. Although I was at a point of burn-out, I felt there was no better time than this when I'm sick of what I'm currently doing and need to re-focus.

So I set a big goal. It was 1/4 of what my eventual hopeful income will be...which just happened to be more painting sales income than I made all of last year! I thought wow, this will be damn near impossible. But I started the program with such excitement anyway, not with doubts, determined to give it everything I had. The daily videos the challenge sent kept me focused on how to reach them and on days that I was sinking back into comfort zone or wanting to give up the program kept the flame lit until I could see some more results. By 1/2 way through the 100 days I had made more than 60% of my goal! I was so elated....then the next 2 weeks I saw very little results ....and started to think this was all I was going to be able to do. I started to get tired of trying. So there were a few days that I put out very little effort and felt bummed. I realized I didn't want to end like that, I would rather not reach the goal doing everything I could than to not reach it and wonder what if I had really given it my best shot.  By the end, I am happy to report that I reached 95% of my goal!!!!!!!  The goal was not simply about the money, it was about doing what I needed to do....not blaming others and feeling powerless for what income wasn't coming in.  I took back responsibility and in turn felt more powerful and in control (not in control of the outcome mind you, but of my own actions and mind).

Here are the most practical applications I learned my the challenge:

1. Get clear on my goals. Understand WHY I want to achieve them. What will that success look and feel like?
2. Brainstorm ways that I can reach these goals. Just take a piece of paper and start righting down ANY idea that comes to mind...don't judge it or say that's a stupid idea.
3. Set daily, weekly, even hourly ways to reach your goal and keep track of which goals you met.  The biggest thing that helped me once I had a list of brainstorm ideas and actions was to plan out my day in 30 MINUTE SEGMENTS. Yep, 30 minutes. This was a life changer for me.
4. PRIORITIZE. Sometimes I have so many little things I have to do that I'll do those all day and have no energy for the very important stuff. What is going to move you closest to your goal the fastest? Take action on these first!  You can't get around some daily to do's. Do them last, do them first...I don't care...just do them fast and only the ones that HAVE to be done. Are there things you can hire out? Automate? Just not do?
5. FOCUS AND FOLLOW THROUGH. Things I had been putting off because I just dreaded doing it!! a.k.a computer crap....or spending money on advertising,etc. OUCH. Now, I realize just how little time they actually took once I took action and how painless it was. BIG RESULTS on both of these. Also, there is no bigger self esteem booster (in my opinion) than doing things that you have been procrastinating for 2 years. Yep, that's right. You heard me. 2 years. Sigh.
6. RECOGNIZE YOUR HUMAN-NESS.  You're gonna have days that you want to give up and quit. It's okay. Go back to your WHY's on your goals. Think about how you're gonna feel having reached them.....and take a day off!  The program actually reminds you constantly on how important self-care is , that you are well rested, well fed, spending time in nature and with loved ones. You actually perform better and new ideas come to you when you do this. But when you rest- rest - don't be anxious that you don't have your nose to the grindstone. Be in the moment.
7. DO SCARY AND NEW THINGS.  Execute the ideas that scare you the most and the ideas that you've never tried. Be open to new ways of reaching your goal.  We tend follow what's been modelled for us....I mean you only know what you know how to do, right? Wrong. Open up to other ways...look for other options.  One thing that happened to me was I started getting requests for commissions just out of nowhere. I've rarely done commissions before, but I was open and said YES. The commissions brought in 30% of my sales goal.

I don't get anything from the 100 Day Challenge for sharing this information with you, but I am so happy with my experience I want to share it in case anyone else needs it right now. I believe  the next section starts in September. Check it out here: www.100daychallenge.com

Here are some other resources worth checking out:

Maria Brophy: Art, Money and Success Book
http://mariabrophy.com/book

Book by Jeff Goins: Real Artists Don't Starve
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3NGAQ8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

If you need a website, highly recommend www.faso.com Fine Art Studio Online.

My newest works here and I hope that you enjoy them:

You're So Creative.

 

 

Has anyone ever said to you, "You're so creative."? If you're like me sometimes you feel a little doubt when you hear that. A little insecurity perhaps. If you're like me you are in awe of other artists creativity but perhaps think you are lacking in some way. Logic says if you create, you are creative. So what is the literal definition of create? The dictionary defines create as to bring something into existence. Hey, I do that all the time, every day. So I must be creative! That makes me feel pretty good and gives me the energy to want to create more. This is just a reminder for myself and anyone else that needs to hear this. Pay attention to these little doubts, to the over glorification of anothers creativity, to your beliefs. If you are making something you are CREATIVE PERIOD.

I wish you all much success, joy and love in your creative process.

Above are some of my new paintings I have done over the last 2 weeks. I hope that they brighten your day and inspire you either to enjoy the beauty around you or to create your own. All are available for purchase.

Also, I am still cleaning out my studio and have marked down some older gallery works to $475! You can check those out on the sidebar link to my Daily Paintworks Gallery.

 

Thank you guys so much for your continued support. Every time you pin, share or comment helps me out. It's not just sales that helps an artist these days. I encourage you to visit my new website and share away and don't forget to sign up for my newsletter that goes out every two weeks!

You Can't Go Wrong

In my experience every time I have invested in myself it has never gone wrong. I have never regretted it or felt like it wasn't worth the time or the money.  Some of us are more inclined to invest time and some might find it easier to invest money. Maybe you love going to workshops or conventions, but you have trouble putting in the time painting or creating privately. Maybe you have no problem putting in tons of time creating, but you struggle letting go of money to get more education. Maybe you are introverted and it's just plain uncomfortable attending a show, workshop or promoting yourself. Let's face it sometimes you just don't want to make a change that you know you need to make. 

I think you have to do all of these things in order to be at your best and to get the rewards you deserve for your hard work:

1. Daily solitary creating time.
2. Increasing your skills by investing in education.
3. Share your work with others (promotion-icky-lol).

You have to be self-aware. Recognize where your strengths are in these categories and where you are the weakest.  Maybe you're the Instagram king but don't invest in taking classes or workshops. Maybe you paint all day every day, but don't have a gallery or can't afford art ads in the magazines. Whatever your situation you have to figure out what it is you want out of art and take chances by doing the stuff that you are uncomfortable with that will help you reach your goals. So figure out which one really is weak for you and start putting time and/or money towards it. In my experience, the reward from that will feel so great and it will return profits and growth.

Personally, I have struggled with letting go of money to invest in promotion, workshops and attending events. There is alot you can do for free with social media now a days, but at some point you'll find you just have to push a little harder especially if no one else is doing it for you.  I have a lot of fear for being broke especially when I already spent $100,000 on art school. I also struggle with doing tasks that I just don't find interesting or they take a lot of time to change- like anything administrative or computer related. So those are my weak spots. My strengths are making the work, investing in education and free self promotion online.

One thing recently that I changed was getting a new website, which I put off doing for a year! Finally, 1 month ago I decided that was unacceptable and I would make a move.  After making a list of what I needed and what I didn't want I decided to sign on with Fine Art Studio Online.  And I gotta say that I am so in love with their service and product that I am highly recommending it. I wished I had done it a year ago.  It has been incredibly easy to use, update and they transferred my original domain name and website very quickly and easily.  I also can't say enough about their tech support! Computer stuff really annoys me sometimes, so I love that if I can't figure something out or find something that they are there to help...and help HAPPILY they do. None of them are jerks about it and they respond super fast.

So if you are in the market for a new site please check them out:

 www.http://faso.com/artist-websites/

 

So please check out my latest and greatest on my  new website at: www.kellifolsom.com

 

While your there please sign up for my newsletter and blog there!

Q & A Monday: How to Become a Professional Artist

I have been getting several emails from people asking me various forms of this question: How do you become a professional artist (aka make a living as an artist)?


I don't have all the answers on this question, I have been a "professional" artist for only 5 years now. All I can do is share how I did it.  Compared to some people my journey has been more difficult (those who had spousal or independent financial support) and for some more easy (those who have no resources to pursue it full time). Everyone's situation is different obviously.

This first thing I would say is you have to consider, why do you want to become an artist? Is your desire strong enough? What obstacles stand in your way? How quickly do you want to achieve this? What resources do you have? What are you willing to sacrifice and how much suffering can you endure?

Here is my story:

#1 - Strong Enough Desire

When I was 27 I made the decision that I would go to art school.  I won't go into all of the details, but basically 10 years after high school I was sick of feeling meaningless, working jobs that I hated and  in an unsatisfying marriage. At the crossroads my Mother posed a question to me that changed my life. She asked, "Kelli, if you could do anything, all things being possible, what would you do?".  The answer had been inside of me for so long, but I had no clue that it was a real possibility. I responded in tears, somewhat dumbfounded by my own words, "I would be an artist."   This felt like the only real TRUTH for me.  I had contemplated other careers, other paths, but the falsity of them kept me from pursuing them. Just to name a few that I considered in my search for becoming a mature intelligent adult (lol) : social worker, architect, interior designer, fashion designer, graphic designer, cosmetic business (yuck). Jobs I actually had over those 10 years: cleaning hotel rooms, gas station attendant, telemarketer, sales, JC Penney, waiting tables at Denny's....you get the picture.

So, I would say that my desire was strong enough that I was willing to sacrifice what I had to in order to achieve it.  This is really important because it can be a tough road especially if you are "flying without a net".  Here's the thing, the desire precedes the confidence.

#2 - Find Out What Kind of Art You Want to Create & Put Your Plan Into Action

So here's how I did it. I still rambled around the country travelling for my then husband's work for another year. I started taking art classes wherever I could on his dime. I knew nothing about being an artist and I quickly realized how bad I was compared to others, but it made me feel better doing it. I loved learning about it and I had hope I could get better.  I finally got enough drawings together to submit to an art school. I had discovered by that point that I wanted to do representational art and that I loved studying figure drawing and anything done from life. For years I had copied photographs and when I started drawing and painting from life I realized this was much more interesting to me. So I picked a school as best as I could based on that.

#3 - Obstacles, Resources, Timeline

I started art school in the Fall of 2007 and all this time I thought at least I had my ex-husbands stable income as a safety net. However, it only took 2 months for me to realize I had to end that relationship if I was ever going to have the life I really wanted. So now, I was broke and attending a $20,000+ a year art school. Everyone was worried for me (rightfully so).  I knew it was right and somehow I'd figure it out.  The other thing I realized is that if I was going to get any better I would have to study full-time for 4 years without working a job. Luckily, I had about $10,000 (not much) in the bank from my split with my ex from a house we had flipped.  I would have to make this stretch as far as possible.  I rented a room for $250 a month from a single mother in town. I sold my car and my parents bought me a used Honda which I would drive back from OK to CT the following summer and they sent me the $250 every month to pay my rent. (Thanks Mom & Dad!)  I had no other bills or utilities besides food, art supplies and museum visits.  I was able to get some funding from the state for school as well as an increased scholarship, but I still ended up having to take out student loans close to $100,000  in order to finish. (Trust me, not the best decision!).  I didn't really know what was possible, all I knew was that I was willing to give it my ALL or I would regret it. On the one hand nothing felt more right and on the other hand I felt like my life was completely out of control.I was faced with all of my psychological baggage from childhood, ending the marriage and every insecurity I had was magnified it seemed 10 x's because of fear. I went to see the school therapist once a week (which was free thanks to my recommendation to the school that they hire one)  to find my way and eventually realized how capable and strong I was.

I lived with that budget for 5 years. It was not pleasant. Technically, I was considered at poverty level income wise. I did not have my own bathroom for 4 years. I didn't have my own studio. I did not have health insurance (until the affordable care act). In the meantime, I had found two loves. One in painting and one in my now boyfriend who I met at art school. He always pushed me and believed in me, although he was in the same boat as me and could not support me financially. He constantly encouraged me to NEVER GET A FULL TIME JOB! He had experienced for years how hard it was to have a full time job and try to get good at making art.

By year 3 in art school, I felt that my work was good enough to show in the Christmas student art show sale. This was tough, because my work would get rejected a lot from the juried student shows and I was getting a lot of kickback for being too traditional and antiquated. The Christmas show was not juried. It was student run and I volunteered to hang and man the show as much as I could. I framed up as many paintings as I could and priced them cheap! My 8"x10"s were $150 back then. My optimism outweighed my fear of rejection.   So, those were my first sales. I think I made about $1,000 and I was giddy! Meanwhile students were murmuring that I was a sell out, just painting pretty landscapes and still lifes that people wanted to buy.   Well, I had no desire to paint masturbating robots, so I knew I was painting what I wanted to paint not what other people wanted me to paint.

Resources:

In my 4th year, I began entering lots of local art association shows. Being in Connecticut there was a plethora of art groups and art shows up and down the coast. So, I would say you have to consider what kind of selling opportunities are available to you. If they are not available locally, you may have to rely on selling online to get you started.  You can use Etsy, Ebay, Instagram, Facebook or Daily Paintworks.  I'm sure there are people out there who will tell you don't do that.  It will hurt your long term career.  You have to decide what is best for you.  I think its kind of funny when people act like these choices are so set in stone and they will permanently damage your "career". You can always change course.

So my 4th & 5th year in Connecticut, I sold and showed paintings in local art shows keeping my prices cheap and still living cheap. I painted every day, I dedicated myself to getting better.

One formula I think you must have to succeed in this is :  

Persistence + Patience + Faith + Daily Action + Role Models 

After I graduated in 2011, I contemplated getting a part time job at a local art museum. They called me to say that I had the job in which my gut response was, "I'm sorry. I have changed my mind."  The thought of doing that didn't even seem right to me. Luckily, I started getting some teaching positions at these art associations. Some would approach me after seeing my work in the shows and a lot of them I would approach.  In doing this I was just modelling other artists I had met along the way as a way of making ends meet.  Until last year (my 8th year painting),  teaching was about 50% of my income at least.

After 5 years in Connecticut, I was homesick and I was still unable to afford an apartment to rent there. I didn't want to live out of someone else's bedroom anymore so I decided to move back to Oklahoma.  This posed a new set of problems and I would have to rebuild what I started in Connecticut. Oklahoma did not have near the art resources of New England.  So, I started applying for both national and regional shows like Oil Painters of America and American Women Artists.  I also started submitting my work to galleries nationwide and getting into a few (if you want some help on submitting to galleries go to www.openstudioonline.com and I show you how to do it). I had to double my prices since the galleries took 50% commission.  At least, I could afford to rent a 1 bedroom apartment of my own in Oklahoma and it felt good to be back home again.

The financial stress of starting over in Oklahoma was overwhelming for a few months. I had pre-arranged 1 art demo two days after I arrived and 2 art classes to start as soon as I got here, one of which did not take because of low enrollment.  I sought out every art organization in the area and went to meet them to try to arrange classes. I did free demos, I did demos for groups of 4 people. You must be willing to start small without letting it demoralize you.  It wasn't long and I had several repeat students taking lessons and some have been students and patrons ever since.  These people have helped make it possible for me to continue. I went into the local gallery, The Howell Gallery, that I wanted to be in and asked them to represent my work. I had sent them 2 gallery submissions which were never responded to, but when I approached them in person they said yes.  They are still one of my strongest sellers and just all around good people to work with. 

Be sure to not take silence as rejection, keep trying and follow up. 

Since then I have been in and out of galleries over the last 5 years.  I have been accepted and rejected in numerous shows. I have had lots of paintings sell and many that have gone in the trash or given as gifts to family members. I still pay $750 a month for my education. I still drive a used car with no payments. I still don't have a "studio". I work out of a spare bedroom in my home that I share with my boyfriend.  I still have doubts. I still have to hustle.  I still fall prey to comparison and self pity.  I still paint full time.  I still love teaching. I am still trying to get better.  I still see no other option for me besides painting.  I'm still not to six figures or featured as the star of the show in magazines or galleries, but every year my sales and teaching income have increased by 10-20%.   Most importantly, I believe in the non-monetary rewards of doing this work every day. Starting out in a recession in 2008, I count myself very fortunate to be able to make a living as an artist. Competition is stiff.  It seems like more and more I hear people want to become artists. Every day I discover a new artist. I can feel like a needle in a haystack. I keep painting knowing that there may even be a day when I cannot do this, so I love every minute I get and I accept what good fortune comes my way. 

 

New Available Paintings:

 

 

Copper and Pear

8"x10"

oil on panel

$800

 

Yellow Rose Rhapsody

24"x12"

oil on linen

$2600

 

After the Dance

24"x24"

oil on linen

$4000

 

P.S.  I strongly recommend knowing your personality type as well as you can. It can help you to see what obstacles you will be good at handling and what self-sabotage may come your way. We are all different. Becoming a professional artist has it's own challenges that you may decide you don't want to deal with. If it sucks the joy out of painting for you, I would suggest that you keep doing it as a hobby and find other ways of making a living.