Do NOT go to art fairs if you're a fine artist...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2023
- In this video, I talk about why it's NOT a good idea to go to fine art fairs if you're a fine artist. I share about the four different shows I participated in this past summer and how it left me in a bit of debt...
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I think it really depends on the subject matter that you are painting, and the type of audience that is coming to the art shows. I feel like your art is geared toward a younger audience than you would find at a typical art show. It is also more fantasy art than say landscapes - which usually sell very well at these types of venues. Your work is just more niche. It doesnt mean you are a bad artist, you just haven't found your audience yet!
I appreciate you saying that so much!! ❤️ It’s totally true! The people coming to art shows aren’t usually the typical people that would probably be in my niche audience. I do admit that my artwork is very niche and is probably one of the main reasons I don’t sell much at these fairs. Thank you for the encouragement! I’ll keep trying to find my audience ❤️
I’m an artist and finding your people is the biggest challenge. Not good for your confidence
As an artist myself, I can concur that the majority of people going to outdoor art fairs or street markets, people don’t plan on spending more than say, $100 tops including food, drinks and trinkets. Around Christmas is better, but even then … people are generally looking for smaller items and an all over experience. Unless I am selling kitschy craft items, I don’t tend to do well. Due to this, I have not done one of these pop ups in almost twenty years.
Judging from the pieces behind you in this video - you would be a big hit at conventions such as anime, cosplay, fantasy, etc. Since you already invested in the tent, merchandise, etc., it wouldn't hurt to try one of these types of events to see how it goes. It's been my experience with general art festivals and craft fairs that the only people who make a lot of money are the ones selling the booth spaces. It's a shot in the dark as to whether or not people who are interested in your work will actually show up at a general art fair. Good luck with your new art career. Keep trying. You'll find your niche.
That’s such a good point! I’d never thought about showing at a cosplay or fantasy type event. Thank you for that! I totally agree that it seems like the ones making all the money are the ones selling the booth space. 😅 Anyways, I’ll keep trying to find my niche and thank you for the encouragement!
That's true! I think you would sell great there! Finding your market is hard, but you will get there.
This was the most helpful video I’ve seen in years. THANK YOU. We need more realistic accounts of how things look for artists and make help not feel alone.
Thank you ❤
I'm part of an art society and we share space together in tents and get free spaces for participating in a fair. You should see if there's a community of artists around you that you can join. It's a lot of fun and very encouraging.
Yes, that's a great idea! Thank you!
Agreed, you gotta consider the subject of the fair. Probably better to apply for juried shows.
Yea, I think so! 💕
Hi Carly, I purchased BSchool with Marie Forleo and from that business school I have learnt that we need to know
who our ideal client is? Who is your ideal client? Where does your perfect client hang out? Where could you put your art where it would get the most engagement? It might also be beneficial to start an Etsy store which already has traffic looking for your style of art until your have established your name. I’m also artist, and I greatly appreciate your honesty. Namaste 🙏
Thank you for sharing your videos with us. Just an observation, there isn't much variety in your artwork. Did you add women to the painting to try and mix things up, what is the story behind having them there? Is the Milan Art Classes telling you that is what sells so that is what you ended up painting, or do you have a personal attachment to the things you are painting? The composition in the paintings is pretty good, but I have a difficult time connecting with the artwork on a personal level. Are you selling artwork to just make money or are you using it as a form of personal expression?
On the positive side you actually sold at least one thing at each fair! The problem having your art at those types of fair are they are not your audience. Your audience probably want to see your art under cover. You need to get into a gallery, fine art exhibition or attend an open house event, I think! Another massive problem is the lack of foot fall or maybe a lack of advertising on the organizers part. Good luck with your art journey. I would love to see more about your art processes/journey on TH-cam. 😊
Yes! That’s a good point! I did make at least one sale at every show. My goal is to get into more gallopers and fine art exhibitions next year. Thank you for your encouragement! I definitely plan to post more of my journey and process on TH-cam coming soon. 💕
You are planting seeds! It is said that to start making sustained income takes a year or even two if getting yourself out there. And you are doing every bit of it! Recharge, experiment and keep doing what you do! ❤️
Haha yes! It’s so true!! Thank you for your support and encouragement always!! 💕✨💕✨💕
Wow , you are so brave and honest . Thank you for sharing your story !
Thank you for connecting with my story!
This was super helpful! I’d love to see some content on your process with portrait type pieces! I love how you do monochromatic type pieces
Oooo yes! I’m glad you liked it! I’ll make some content about portraits sometime soon! I was thinking about painting 5 faces in one week or maybe I’ll make a tutorial about how to paint a monochromatic portrait. Thanks for the idea! 💕
Thanks for sharing your story! In my opinion your colour pallet is not for wide audience. Sycodelic colour pallet is limited test, as it doesn't go well with many interiors . People may like artworks, but thinking about matching home interior. It is very common. Subject matter is fine, just calm down the pallet and see what happened. That is my view
Thank you for watching! And yes, I totally agree. I've been hearing that from many people that my colors are too bright. I'm working on finding the balance between creating what I love and creating what other people would like in their homes. Wish me luck!
Have you considered that maybe it’s your style that is not selling? I’m not saying completely change your style, but maybe paint other things like landscapes, botanical painting, etc. and see if that helps you sell more paintings
I’ve always made money at art shows. So much fun too.
They are a lot of fun! I do love getting to meet other artists there, too!
The weatherrrr has been a main deterrent for me. Texas ...heat and humidity...I feel like that would be too much for the oil paintings.
It’s so true!
So trueeee!!
Hi.. the same has happened to me and my artist friends i this type of markets. I paint fantasy art and I have done these in Sweden and in Spain. Nobody sells fine art in those (l have only sold some small originals for 20$ to cover for expenses and I feel bad for selling them so cheap) Comic conventions tend to work better for fantasy art . Wish you the best of luck 🤞
Yes, exactly! You get it! I want to try to get into some comic con type events and see how it goes. I’m sorry you’ve had similar luck at these markets. Wishing you luck too! 💕
Hi Carly! I have been watching your journey with MP since the beginning. I really appreciate all your effort to update your channel regularly. This September I also enrolled in the program and eventhough I think it's well structured and there is definitely worth a lot I am disappointed with some things..
1. Too many time lapses.. I want to watch in real time the techniques and the way Ellie lays down her brushstrokes.
2. Exercises assumes that you can draw quite advanced. I have been drawing and painting for the last 3 years and while I manage the Exercises well this is definitely not a course for absolute beginners.
3. I am on week 3 but for still life exercises, it is assumed that you know how to paint flowers, glass, tins etc... no guidance at all...
Is it me or you got the same feeling as well. Maybe I had higher expectations I suppose... but nevertheless I am hoping that I will eventually figure everything out...
I would really appreciate your thoughts on my concerns if of course you can spare some time in your very hectic schedule ❤
Hey Maria, thanks for following along with my journey! ❤️
I agree with your concerns about the program not really being great for beginners. I think I mention that in one of my videos… but the lessons felt a bit too advanced for someone who’d never picked up a brush or pencil. I have been taking art classes since grade school, so I felt comfortable diving in at the level they started at.
To be honest, the time-lapses didn’t bother me too much. I can’t imagine watching them paint or draw in real time. That’d take up too much time and I think they do a good job of breaking down each step.
As far as them teaching you exactly how to paint each different object, I feel like they instead give you the steps to figure out how to paint each thing. Like the foundation of how to paint values and structure instead of step by step on painting different things, if that makes sense.
Overall, I think this is a great program for artists who want to develop their skill and start taking painting more seriously. The program helped establish me as an artist and gave me the discipline to paint regularly and built my skills to a level I couldn’t have gotten to on my own.
Hope that helps! And good luck with your journey! 💕
@CarlyJeanArt thank you so much for your detailed reply! Yes you are right about real time lessons.... I understand but just a little more would help very much people with no previous art education. Averall I am learning a lot, its a great program I just get a bit frustrated at the level of exercises at such an early stage...😁
Your art is stunning so your opinion is of great value and I am sure despite the difficulties you are facing at the moment you will do great... ❤️
Hi Maria, I recently took a free streaming "class" from them where they discussed: Every artist loves the idea of launching their career, but shifting your mindset to be a disciplined professional artist - is another thing altogether!
From the looks of it they are making a killing on class sales. They are selling people the idea of becoming an artist in a year. That is not realistic. I'm 49 years old and have been doing art since I was 5. I love taking art classes from professional artists teaching their style and then giving a review. The reality is, you can live a lifetime and never sell a painting no matter how good you are. They sell work because they know how to manipulate the market. Everyone thinks that being an artist is an easy way to make money, it isn't. They never once talked about the business end of things and if they aren't showing you techniques on drawing, it is because internet is limited. In person is where beginning artist thrive.
I took TenHun's class on Monthly and it was AMAZING. Totally worth taking many different classes to see how other artists do things. He walks you step by step on his process until you have a finished painting. If you are a beginner it is important to have feedback and really have an artist there so you can ask questions on a personal level. Selling artwork is one thing, expressing your imagination and emotions is entirely different. Milan is in it to sell. They got your money.
@@CarlyJeanArt Hi Carly! Sorry if it sounds like i'm hounding but as an artist I am trying to help. Watching how other artists paint is extremely important. You see how they place paint onto canvas to create their individual style. They should be teaching you how to draw basic shapes as a foundation to drawing. Some artists spend years on just perfecting drawing before moving into painting where as others can paint but they can't draw a damn thing. Knowing how shapes are formed in real space helps you imagine and visualise that object so you can paint it's shape.
My question is, did they teach you the business end of art? How to market yourself. How to create contacts with galleries, connecting with other artists, gaining a collectors list? All these things are important. You also have to ask yourself, Am I creating artwork to make money or am I using it as a form of expression to connect with people? If you are creating artwork just to make money, without knowing how to manipulate people's emotions you aren't going to get far. People know when an artist isn't being truthful and no one wants to hang a lie on their wall. Milan knows how to sell emotion. I saw it on the streaming video. They shared their heartfelt experiences to get people to sign up and it worked.
@TheDerangedBlood thank you so much for your input. Yes I think that it isn't realistic indeed becoming a thriving artist in a year... So many amazing artists out there not making sales at all or very few of them.. I mainly liked their techniques and wanted to improve my skills to a more abstract and creative way along with obtaining a more classical foundation. I like the fact that I have a structured program to follow and I do get valuable information from the lessons. So I am not regretting registering for the program but they indeed exaggerate their value and potential of it.. Oh well...I will just try and get as much value out of it while meanwhile I will be enjoying the process of making art... 😍
I didn’t find 2023 to be a very good year for art markets compared to past years. I had several where I just broke even. I’ve been successful pounding the pavement in the towns I’ve traveled to, though. I find out where the galleries, gift shops furniture and decor stores, etc. are and pay them a visit. I’ve gotten several new vendors that way.
Ooooo I cannot wait to watch this later! Carly always telling it how it is with an uplifting energy 😄💪🏻❤
Haha I love that description of my videos! Let me know what you think! 💕✨
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When we use our art skills to make money...
we become "producers of art"
and the fun and magic of "Creating art" becomes "a job"
boring, repetitive unloved art. just my opinion.
Peace 😎
I can see your point! ✌🏻
I think the best one yet is an art/craft Christmas show. I also do one show per month. I have had a lot of shows when postcards/small prints payed off the fees. Small stuff under $10-20 is what ends up paying my bills. When I sell a couple of originals it’s like an extra Christmas in the year 😂 I’m still learning how fair mentality works 😅
That totally makes sense! People want those cheaper items at fairs because it’s easier to buy something at that price point when you’re just browsing a fair. I’m debating creating smaller things for the next fair I’ll be in.
@@CarlyJeanArt please do think about it! It’s also proven by behavioural economics, that it’s easier to buy a small inexpensive thing before you trust and buy a big expensive one from someone you don’t know. Building trust and all that fun.
I take it as marketing too, it’s almost like selling your fliers, not handing them in the street. People value something they paid for vs free things✌️😁
Also, think of it not so much as going into debt as in investing. You've invested in your future.
Yes, that’s a great way to put it as well! ✨
how do you do to get emails? I have been out to shows like you but I haven´t gotten one email yet :S
How I get emails is by offering a giveaway at the event. I have people walking by enter the giveaway by filling out a form with their email and address. That's how I get the majority of my emails from events! I hope that helps!
@@CarlyJeanArt That is a great idea! I need to make some prints and cards asap. Thank you 🙏❤️
@@terezeandren1699 No problem! I generally offer an 8x10 print for the giveaway. 😄
Btw your art is not really meant for a “younger audience” that makes it sounds like it’s childish work. It’s badass fantasy work to me! Keep it up! ❤️ A side note; least you sold something for a good price at a show. I have been to a few and sold nothing each time.
Haha thank you!! It is badass fantasy work! Not really meant for the muggles who walk through art fairs lol. And good point, at least I did sell at least one thing at each show. I’m sorry that you’ve had a few where you sold nothing. It sounds really discouraging. 😔
Are you located in Colorado?✨
I am! 😊
@@CarlyJeanArt Hiii fellow Coloradoan!!✨
@@VeeArtise Hiiiii!!! 💕💕💕
That's quite disheartening, especially since you are such a talented artist (based on your art in the background). I hope things get better for you!
Thank you so much!! I appreciate that!! 💕💕💕
Look for indoor art sales, there are too many disaster possibilities outdoors.
I sell my watercolor paintings and Greeting Cards printed with my art at indoor sales only. You will learn through experiences what works for you.
Best wishes for a successful future as a artist!
@Debra L Pate Art
That sounds good! Thanks for the advice and encouragement! 💕
Okay...I think art/craft shows are great. But you need to know your audience. Your work would be a hit at comic cons and schools. I think high school holiday shows where you get a younger crowd and people are Christmas shopping would be a better fit for you.
Shows are great for networking, getting feedback on your work, and collecting contact info.
And some shows are better than others. It's better to do a couple of quality shows that are well advertised than to do a bunch of questionable shows. I've done shows for years. I always visit as a consumer the 1st time. If the foot traffic is good, there's good advertising for it, it's well established, and I see people actually buying things, then I'll look into vendor information.
Don't give up. Just be more selective and try to drive your social media following to your show. Post about it on Facebook and Instagram. Help get the word out. ❤
It’s true! Finding my audience is crucial, and I think I would have better luck at comic cons and whatnot.
Thank you for the encouragement! I’ll definitely keep trying! 😄