How many times have you heard people saying, “there is no money in art”? While there is some truth in it as many perceive art as just a hobby and not supposed to be a profession. Therefore, most consume art without thinking of how to compensate artists well. Even in most situations, people would ask for artwork for free. And they have the gall to say–there is no money in art. Like any other profession, artists devote time, energy, and skills to produce results. So how come some don’t put a premium on art? The answer is bleak, but one thing artists can do collectively is to assert their worth. Never sell yourself short because doing that will hurt the other artists and the industry as a whole. Maybe the next concern is how to price your artwork. There is no definite pricing. But what you can do is compute your expenses from materials to electric consumption to the number of hours it takes you to finish one artwork. While it is only natural to price it too low at first just to get the ball rolling, but when your portfolio gets thicker, and clients show a willingness to pay at a higher price, then it is time to take it up a notch. Starting a career or business in art is as risky as it gets. There is no easy path. You have to invest in your work big time, and you have to persevere and be patient. Only a few get to rake in money, honestly. But if you have the right mindset and strategy to make it work, then art can move from a pleasurable hobby to a profitable business.

Find your niche

Talent alone will not suffice in making it big. Remember, tons are better than you. But what will set you apart? Determine your market. It is not a sellout, per se. Yes, you get to do what you do best, but doing that alone will not put food on the table. Let’s keep it real. To sell, you have to know what sells, where, or whom to sell, and make it uniquely yours. There is already an established market for the kind of art that consumers buy. You have to penetrate that market. However, be ready to face huge competition. What you need to do is focus on the quality of your work and promote them well. You need to stand out. Then, if you have already established your name as an artist, you can now offer something unique that the market hasn’t seen yet. There, you can finally make a name for yourself, and your name alone will be the first selling point. People will be intrigued, and they will start buying from you if you can catch their attention. Although there is danger in sticking to a particular style, people will only associate your name and artwork with that specific genre. But where is the fulfillment in that in the long run? Develop your skills. As an artist, you should explore different art styles and stay updated with the latest trends. If you are a traditional artist, maybe it is time to explore the digital world. With this, not only are you expanding your market, but more importantly, you are becoming a well-rounded artist.

Finding your market

Stop thinking like a hobbyist and start acting like a business owner. Even if you lock yourself up for nights and days and create magnificent masterpieces, it will all be for naught if you cannot sell your artworks for a price. Set up an online portfolio where clients can easily access your artwork. This and word of mouth will follow through. Promotion plays an integral role in selling your artworks. So, make sure that the presentation of your portfolio is a good representation of you and your art. Build a website professionally and creatively designed. Create an account on Instagram and Facebook, where users are most active. A well-thought caption will bring more engagement. Establish a good relationship with your buyers and clients. More than your excellent masterpieces, people will talk about your personality. Also, grab the opportunity to widen your network by making friends with fellow artists in other fields. Because they know the struggle to stand firm in the business, they will be the first ones to pass on you possible business opportunities. And of course, clients will trust their recommendation, especially if they have a good working relationship with them. Moreover, you can also sell your artwork to stock websites and online galleries. Some of the websites you can utilize are Behance, Deviantart, Canva, Saatchi Art, Artfinder, Artplode, CODAworx, Shutterstock, Society6, and more. You can also start offering art classes. There is a boom in online art classes due to the ongoing world pandemic. Many are looking for ways to expand their skills or spend time doing something new to get the rut of staying at home away from their system. Not only is this a good source of income, but your students are also potential buyers and marketers of your work.

Garage set-up for your artistic endeavors

The first step to converting your garage into your art studio is to inspect the floor, walls, ceilings, outlets, and overall space configuration. If you are working primarily with paints, which are highly flammable and hazardous, make sure that the garage is fireproof. A layer of epoxy on top of the concrete floor will add to the safety measures. Another issue that needs to be addressed is the moisture build-up in the space, which will mess up the condition of your paintings. So, to ensure that the temperature is set to normal, the heating and air conditioning are well-arranged and maintained. Light plays a vital role in creating artworks. A good, big window is a good start to have natural lighting emanate in the room during the day. Install artificial lighting such as LEDs, overhead light fixtures, and lamps if you are working at night. The workspace needs a sturdy workbench such as the Fleximounts Durable Workbench With Built-in Drawer WB201. Its design is quite simple yet so functional. The workbench can hold up to 3,000 lbs of weight capacity. The built-in drawer feature adds to the functionality as it is very convenient to locate and store the tools you will be using more often. The surface is made from 100% rubberwood and is 1” extra thick so that it can withstand the test of time and heavy activities. Another plus factor is that it has adjustable leveling feet, which can protect the floor from scratches. It also makes it easy to adjust the height of the workbench legs to prevent rocking or tilting even when your ground is uneven. A sound investment for your studio is a proper storage system. The Fleximounts Lift 4’ x 4’ Overhead Garage Storage Rack GL44B provides convenience and security to your art materials and works. Having overhead storage frees up floor space that you can use to hover around and lay your current pieces waiting to be finished. Moreover, what sets this storage rack apart from others is a crank that you can use to pull the storage up and down, and you do not need to climb a ladder whenever you need something from any of your boxes.