Next podcast: January 31, 5 pm ET
The premise: As a "new" artist attempting to earn a living at the nation's art fairs I often think about the business side of things. People are surprised that I even attempt the notion of doing it full time... without a pension!
We speak with art fair artists who actually pay the bills and make a living, BUT they do so without a pension or some other significant source of income. In other words, these are people who figured out how to be profitable at art fairs! Are there people like that? This is a very practical nuts and bolts discussion of entrepreneurship. Creating art and earning a living with it are two separate endeavors.
Our guests will be long timers and new people just starting to hit the road.
If you would like to be on the panel please let me know. If you have questions you'd like discussed add them in the comments below.
Comments
One more thing I wanted to add from the podcast is another revenue stream that might be of interest. Art licensing. For those artists that can see their work on commercial products (fabric, wrapping paper, luggage, etc.) there is a trade show in NYC every May called Surtex. It's a trade show for artists to meet buyers from major brands, stores, different industries. It is expensive ($2700+ for single booth) and you will not see an immediate return on your investment. But you make corporate connections who may use your work on future product. The process can take up to a couple of years before you receive your first check. Typical licensing fee is 7-12% (maybe less). While requiring a hefty up front investment, this may be a good solution to continually create revenue (in lieu of a pension).
Just for you, Bobby. Jill McGannon will be joining us! Who knew a painter could earn a living at the fairs?
It is in the Eastern time zone -- and we have two painters!! I know there are a lot of jewelers out there, but all of us buy jewelry, so they have a large market. Painting, on the other hand, a much bigger challenge, imho.
Looking forward to this one Connie :)
Sounds interesting. 5:30 p.m. In which time zone?
Thanks Donna and Cecelia! As you know, you have to keep trying new shows, new work, and figuring out what sells! Just when I think I have it figured out, I'll have a really bad show, and have to reconsider everything. My best show so far was a year ago November, and that same show this year was not good. I only made about one-fifth of what I made a year ago! But, it was a few days after the election, so I guess half the population was depressed. I'll probably go back to that show even though it wasn't good this year. Art fairs are strangely addictive, like gambling!
Jill, I just looked at your website and your work is really beautiful. Good luck!
I'm a painter making a living. I've been making a living as an artist since I got my MFA in 1988, but I used to paint murals and show in galleries. I've been full time on art fairs for 6 years. I only do about 6 shows per year, but I paint full time and try to bring mostly new work to each show. I'm a landscape painter and I try to bring the local landscape to my shows, so I usually paint somewhere first and then show there. www.jillmcgannon.com is my website. I know people who are making a living, but it's definitely hit and miss! I was lucky this winter to get 3 big commissions, so I'm happy to have some income during the winter, because I've mostly been doing spring and fall shows here in Atlanta and on the coast. I may try to do some FL shows next winter, and have been doing a few FL paintings to try to move in that direction.