While researching stuff for Creative Juice I was amazed at how many great resources and opportunities there are for Artists of all kinds. Opportunities are literally at our fingertips! Now a days you can get grants, submit your artwork for consideration show, and sell your work on-line (I bet you all knew that!). Check out the "opportunities" page on the blog, I update it often and if you have anything to add let me know and I'll post it.
My focus right now is to get out, meet artists and find opportunities to make art, show art, share art and make money through my artistic talents, and obviously to share what I learn with all of you.
I think in this economy we need to assess all of our skills and think about how those skills can translate into earning potential. I attended an event where Jackie Battenfield, author and successful artist, talked about artists needing to think in terms of having a "Hybrid Career", where we leverage all of our skills to earn a living. I couldn't agree more. If you are a designer and also paint and make jewelery, then you have three ways to earn money. I also find that most of the artists I know have left corporate careers to focus on their art. What skills did you pick up working for the "big business", project management, copy writing, print production skills? Again, all of these skills are marketable with earning potential.
Jackie's book "The Artists Guide: How to make a living doing what you love" is what inspired me to start "Creative Juice", and provides tips and inspiration for building your art career. Another FANTASTIC book I've recently read is Holly DeWolf's book "Breaking into Freelance illustration: the guide for artists, designer and illustrators". Holly has provided a comprehensive look at earning a living through your art and covers everything from pricing your work, to how to handle "blocks", bad clients and laziness (it's not just for illustrators). AMAZING book!
I attended the Glastonbury Art Guilds "Art On The Green" art show a few weeks back and it was awesome. The art was fantastic and VERY inspiring. Most of the artists were selling originals, but there were also a handful selling matted prints (5x7 and larger), cards and post cards. One artist painted little tiny paintings and then coated them in acrylic to create flat beads. BRILLIANT! My cousin paid $15 for a 5x7 print. NICE.
Another great event to check out is the upcoming "Open Studio" in Hartford. It's running November 13 & 14 and should provide all sorts of inspiration and networking opportunities with other artists. I like these types of events because they open my eyes to techniques and ways of approaching my art that I never dreamed of.
FEATURED ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Our featured artist this month is Dina Marie Pratt a Connecticut Artist who is an animal activist and volunteer for ‘Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary’. She specializes in pet portraits and gives 10% of the proceeds from her portraits to "Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary". Find more about Dina on the "Artist Spotlight" page.
Have a great October everyone and drop me a line with any news, info or interests you'd like to see covered in future issues.
Here's to keeping the Creative Juices flowing!!!
Aileen
