how do i make money from being an amateur contemporary painter?

Answer 1

Get a lot of work together and see if you can get a gallery to exhibit you;

Answer 2

Join an art society or collect some paintings and try to arrange a venue in a gallery or public place to exhibit your work. Sometimes restaurants will display work.
Remember that when costing the expenses for producing a painting you will also have to pay a commission to the gallery, that cost can vary quite a lot.
Then sit back and pray there are thousand of us artist out to make money.

Answer 3

In reference to an above answer, don't use any gallery that charges you a fee... any gallery that charges you is a vanity gallery and not worth your time. Also the recommendation about showing in art fairs is really more for traditional artists, not contemporary artists.

Making money with contemporary art is difficult. You best bet at getting the ball rolling is to try getting your work in local group shows. I'd suggest steering away from any show that has an entrance fee... those shows are generally fund raisers for the organization and generally don't really help your career.

One thing to make sure of is that you're in tune with issues relevent to contemporary art. Read Art Forum and Art In America. Keep an eye on art blogs (I read http://www.portlandart.net and http://www.edwardwinkleman.blogspot.com ). Read reviews about contemporary art (I highly recommend Jerry Saltz at http://www.villagevoice.com/art/).

Answer 4

Always carry around a sketch pad, but most importantly, learn to draw, and see colour and tone in all things! It must be encouraging for you (and for all of us) that a painter won the Turner prize this year.
Please! No more preserved sharks and sheep!

Answer 5

Go professional. Start marketing your work in galleries and retail shops. The more places you find to display your work better your chance of becoming a known artist. Good luck.

Answer 6

Based on the experience of a friend of mine, there are several things. Advertise, be a part of local arts and craft fairs, and be sure that you are a part of the local art community. Networking is the number one way to make a living, regardless of your vocation or avocation.

Answer 7

call around to local gallereys. you will have to pay a small fee to show your work, but you will gain noteriety. and who knows? maybe some rich tycoon will offer you your first million.

Answer 8

sell big paintings very cheap for a decade