Would anybody like to help with a dream?

Question

I’m within a few years of retiring, and I find that my retirement incomes will come up a little short of what I’m making now. My dream is to be able to sell some of my artwork to help make up that deficit. I’ve sold a couple of pieces in the past, so I believe that I can do the work. However, I suspect this is a highly competitive market. Because I’m so highly isolated living out here in west Texas and gas prices have gone beyond prohibitive to stupidly ridiculous, I can’t get my work in front of people who can properly evaluate (and hopefully) buy it. Time is another factor, what with working a full time job.

Any suggestions as to what I can do? I guess I need somebody to tell me to either give it up as I don’t have the talent, or keep it up; you’re doing great. If the latter is the case, how would I get my work in front of people who are in a position to buy?

If this doesn’t work, it’s either, “You want fries with that?” or “Welcome to WalMart.” :-)

Okay, okay, I won’t quit! :-) Actually I’ll spend some time looking for a free site just so I can post pictures of my work so far, basically for a short term. I’ve only got something like nine or ten pieces currently available. Have more after Christmas, but my “studio” is being used to display the tree. You guys can watch somebody try to get the upper hand on watercolors... Hopefully oils will come later.... the other half can’t stand the smell.

OK, if I don't get nailed for this, here goes for those who want to look. Mind you, this is after going through numerous computer manipulations. Hope this works:

http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii251/bdury/

Answer 1

Have you considered your own website with information on, and illustrations of your work?

Answer 2

Art festivals and one of my local farmer's markets are the two places I've bought artwork most often over the last 20 years. I don't buy often, but when I can afford it I prefer to buy from an artist rather than mass produced reproductions or beyond-my-reach gallery prices. I will buy reproductions from museum gift shops once in awhile; I consider it part donation and part getting something for myself.

You might want to check out rental costs for local festivals, markets, and possibly museums. Several restaurants in my area display artwork that is available for sale-it's a good deal for the restaurant, because they have free decor that rotates and the artist gets the proceeds. You may have to drive a bit periodically, and I doubt these things will make you super-rich, but I know people who supplement their income by selling this way.

A friend and former coworker of my husband's took pottery classes before he retired and started potting full time after his retirement. The first year or two were really tight money-wise. Now, he has a contract with a gallery in a tourist town and also a web site. He doesn't make quite as much as when he worked full time but he does ok.

Talent plays a large role in how well your work will sell; but a business plan and marketing are at least as important. You might want to look around for associations, art councils, and cooperatives in west Texas or nearby towns in your region. Those are the folks who can advise you.

Rather than rely on income from your own art, or burger joints/big box stores, you could also try working at places like this:

Art Center Waco
http://www.artcenterwaco.org/employment.htm

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

You ask a very good good question. And yes, the art world is
very competitive. Just ask my husband. He has been a very
accomplished artist all of his life. He has been self taught and
yet, he's taken the time to visit galleries wherever he's found
them and studies the styles of painting, the better ones have
used. He's learned that acryllic paint dries faster than oil, and
he's able to continue working, as compared to using a hair
dryer on his oils to make them dry sooner.
Given all he's learned, he's never wanted to hang his pictures in a gallery, for the owners want a percentage of the
sale figure. And most feel they deserve a hefty amount. He
lived in West Texas and we both re visited there on our
'honeymoon' many years ago. I have seen the old salloon
that Judge Roy Bean made famous and have seen the
desolation around there. There is no art market in West
Texas. You would have to take a collection of no less than
five paintings to a well respected gallery in a large city that
has a good clientele of repeat customers. And most likely
they would be interested in western landscapes or maybe
a picture of Roy Bean himself. Or the Gilded Lilly salloon.
Something to represent West Texas in some way. My
husband sells more 'prints' than paintings, due to the cost.
So that's another thing to look into. Finding a way to make
copies of your paintings to cover a wider and more affordable
market. Another venue, is to be part of an "art show" where
local artists set up their pictures on display in the center of
a mall or some other area open to the public. And have some
brochures made up about yourself and how you started
painting and where your paintings can be viewed for sale.
Here again, they'll expect a gallery name. The brochures
like busines cards, are handed out to interested viewers that
may be able to buy at another time. Christmas season is the
time when people shop for people who have everything, and
often will buy a painting on an impulse.
I know a couple who makes extra money every year, selling
prints of famous people for about ten dollars each. They sell
them right and left. But someone like my husband, selling his
own works, people rarely buy. And it's because of the cost.
He sells in the hundreds for an original. And his prints are
more like $25.00. And the famous artists usually sell theirs
for over $100.00 give or take.
I would try to learn and improve your painting skills and
sign only those you are proud enough to put your name on.
Keep working to improve what you paint, until you reach that
point in time. Learn from others who've mastered how to
add light, or flame, or sunshine. To where you could just
step into that canvas, and be a part of that scene. It may
take a lifetime to enrich your talent. But now's the time to
start learning more and more about what you are able to
do. Practice, does make perfect. And in the end, you'll
definately see that in your skills.

Answer 4

I think the others are right about setting up your own website to show case and sell your work. There should be some type of class or seminar at your local community college or maybe some of the senior sites that will give instruction on how to do this. Talk with other people and they may even be able to give you pointers on how to set it up.

Don't give up on your dream! If you are in question to how well your art will sell, check with the local senior center and ask if you could do a 'showing' for the public. Maybe you could donate a portion of what you make to them for letting you do this. Also try selling a few things on e-bay to see how much they will go for and what type of your art sells best. There's no gas to buy and no traveling, except to the post office to mail things, involved. Don't forget to figure in enough to cover your postage and handling. You can do this at times that are convenient to you and still work.

By the time you retire you will have everything set up for a successful business. Go for it! Best wishes to you and much success!

Answer 5

Yes your own website like a previous person said. With what is happening with the economy today it is scary to retire if your are not really well off. If you have invested in the market don't count on those monies. Everything is going crazy. Good luck to you with your art work. Don't retire if you have to start again at fast food establishment or Wally world. Keep the bennys you have.

Answer 6

Yes, you should have put up a site so that we can see what you do. Like the person above, maybe have a website. Can you contact people that sell artwork in the malls and other types of stores? I wish you the best and know that it will all work out for you.

Answer 7

well with your closing comment at least we know you have a sense of humor --- ok west texas i would not exactly say it is heck but like you said it is not the culture center of the world - the only thing i could think of is to take the a sampling of all your work and pack up and go to santa fa, nm it would be the closest city that would appreciated art and show your wares around and see what they think of your art work!!! good luck on you retirement - i baled out 11 years ago and i have not regretted one moment!!! edit now this is the type of question though would be the rule ove here seniors seeking advise from seniors!!!

Answer 8

There are lot's of books about this....it's referred to as "lucid" dreaming. I believe you can control what happens in your dreams whilst you are dreaming. If you are forgetting keep a book and pen next to your bed and deliberately try and remember what details you remember and write them down. Just doing this will reinforce your ability to once again remember what you were dreaming.

Answer 9

I have seen a lot of great art for sale on ebay. You can browse it and get an idea of how they do it and what to charge for shipping.

Answer 10

I would love to see examples of your art and hope you do not give up. Have you tried a website that could work well for you. Please keep trying. Fast food sux and walmart dont look much better.