Tags
abstract art, art, art marketing, Artist, artist's resources, economy, hard work, selling art, selling art online, successful art business, successful artists, working
When I started this art business, it couldn’t have been at a more oportune time. The housing market was on fire and people were buying and selling like crazy. All of that moving and redecorating kept me super busy. I worked 16 hour days sometimes just to keep up! My income was only limited by my ability to work and the time needed. Back then I was only selling originals which meant a lot of physical labor for me. I definitely paid a price for that, but the profit I was making was out of this World.
Then it all came crashing down. The bubble burst!
Like many artists I found myself lost and barely able to stay afloat for many years. I had thousands of dollars worth of supplies sitting in my studio, but no one was buying much. I kept creating, but watched so many paintings languish in storage. I had sales. I worked harder. I spent more hours marketing. I decided to start offering prints. Then I marketed those like crazy. 16 hour days came again, but for less per hour than servers make without tips. But I kept the faith. I held on.
So many of my artist friends let go and went back to regular jobs. I considered it many times myself. Some got angry and bitter, and I lost a few along the way over petty jealousy (even a small sale could cause snarky remarks). Others held on tight and stayed the course right along beside me. We celebrated even the small triumphs together.
I am so happy that we are FINALLY seeing the turn around. My income is right where I want it to be and I no longer have to kill myself for it! My prints are selling at an amazing rate and commissions come a few times a week. I take 2, 3 and sometimes 4 days off each week.
It’s really perfect. Finally. Yes, it could all crash again, but for now I will just keep a big smile on my face and keep on creating!
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http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-sharon-cummings.html?tab=artworkgalleries
