The longer I stay focused on making a living on my art, the more radical I realize that idea is. I see a lot of beautiful art out there. Last night I saw a show at Nicole Fiacco Gallery in Hudson, NY. I admired Joyce Robins’s work in particular. Robins is a ceramic artist that makes a living as a landscape architect. The work reflects a love of landscape, however abstractly. She does not make a living on her work.
A lot of artists chose not to mix their work with commerce. Criticisms abounds about the careerist artist, about the sell out who makes money from their art, about the compromise of art for money. It is tricky business. Art must be taken seriously as commerce, as the stuff of life. It functions. It must become integrated into life.
My point in all this harkens back to the 60’s when pop art and conceptual art emerged. Those days formed essential schisms and breakthroughs from a more formalist past that kept art at bay. Society keeps art at bay because it threatens the status quo. That is the job of the artist. To broaden our thinking and threaten the status quo.
So, making a living as an artist is no easy task. To approach art as a means to make a living is to enter a dark and difficult road. The journey is nearly impossible. Selling out or sucking is the biggest danger. Failing is inevitable. These days failing is seen as a positive. The hardest thing to sustain as an artist is the belief in oneself. The lack of attention, the banging of the head against the proverbial wall.
BUT, making art everyday all day is essential for some. The more of us that attempt this, that are truly called to make art, must do so. The more that do, the more likely a seismic shift in the trajectory of thought will occur on the planet. We need all the creative geniuses around to wake up to their calling and get busy. I am not suggesting that anybody else do this for the artist. The artist needs to make art and sell it. Or develop healthy relationships with people that will help them sell the work. Making art is hard. It is labor. It takes time. It is necessary.
Sustainable art practices need to be nurtured. They need to be acknowledged. Art needs to be recognized and valued. We need art in this world and artists need to take themselves seriously enough to think they can make a living.
Let’s be the generation that changes the way the world sees art. Make art an essential part of everyone’s life.
Be generous.
Be courageous.
Make art and sell it.
Leave a reply
by Susie Monday on April 19, 2009
Nice read, clear, keep the message out there. I too am an artist who loves what I do and who wants and needs to make a living doing so!
by Mary Anne Davis on April 20, 2009
Glad you stopped by. Will dig into more practical matters here as I go.
by Kathy Schnapper on April 19, 2009
The idea of making art _without_ making money, is far newer and more radical than the goal of making money from one’s art work. Historically speaking, most artists were from the middle class and they earned their living doing their work.
Read compilations of artists’ letters–like those of Michelangelo or Rubens–and they are filled with day-to-day business and economic transactions. Or recall the observation of Samuel Johnson about his craft, “No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money.”
It is only in modern times, when we have a glut of people who call themselves artists–probably far more artists than the market could possibly sustain–that we evolved the curious notion that there is something tainted about attempting to support oneself through ones work.
by Mary Anne Davis on April 20, 2009
Fantastic, Kathy. Please check into this column on Mondays. Love your input.
by Aletta de Wal on April 20, 2009
Mary Anne and Kathy:
Thanks for adding your positive viewpoints to the myth that good artists are starving.
It is not a road for the faint of heart, but it is a road filled with learning and wonderful results, if you stick with it.
I love the synchronicity of being alerted to this post on Twitter, just after I interviewed one of my mentors on “Tapping Your Inner Strength.” The interview will be featured in May in ArtMatters! Tip-of-the-Week (www.ArtistCareerTraining.com).
I would love to add a link to your blogs, with permission of course.
Aletta de Wal
by Mary Anne Davis on April 20, 2009
Of course, add the link, and thank you for stopping by! Your blog and website look interesting and I will keep an eye on what you have to offer there.
by Daniel Edlen on April 20, 2009
That’s why I sell mine, to change the world. Well, to change people’s worlds, connecting them with that which makes them human. That’s why I work so hard to make people aware, finding the right audience. I serve the art. In creation, sometimes I feel like the art just uses me as medium, rather than the other way ’round.
Peace.
I like the new blog layout!
by Mary Anne Davis on April 20, 2009
Thank you, Daniel. I love the way you have jumped in with both feet to social media and used it to promote your work as well as being in the conversation, broadening your lens. Kudos!
by jill kettles on April 20, 2009
Love it! thanks
by Amrita on April 20, 2009
This is something I think about often, in fact I just Tweeted something related to this idea. I often observe that things that are appealing to the massed (art, wine, even people!) are not necessarily things of the best quality, especially in a North American environment.
So how do you make good art and also make good money? Two ways – to discerning collectors only, which necessitates certain prices to support making the money across a smaller base, or higher volumes to the masses who may not appreciate the more edgy abstract areas of art making?
by Daniel Edlen on April 20, 2009
As I’m trying to reach fans of music and human creativity, I want to appeal and be accessible to the masses. My art is pretty easy to “get”, and I want it to draw people together to celebrate culture. I’ve said I’ll only raise prices on what I do now when I can’t keep up with the commissions. I do plan on offering special pieces that’ll be more because they’ll be truly one-of-a-kind pieces.
It’s just finding those “right people” (ala @havi) at the right moment to connect.
Peace.
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
There is a need and a market for higher priced master works and edgier art works for a sophisticated audience. Those people may be fewer but they are interested in quality not quantity. Quality of idea as well as craftsmanship. I find that an interesting market to investigate.
by Lisa Call on April 20, 2009
Great post -thanks.
Last year I made the decision to make a living from my art. I wrote a blog post about it ( http://blog.lisacall.com/2008/09/what-does-success-mean-to-me.html ) and believe that not only is it possible it’s very doable – just a lot of work. I am adding value to the world and it is more than reasonable to expect to be compensated for that.
As to sustainable practices – absolutely – one of those practices if valuing our art appropriately so we can make a living from it. I originally had my prices set very low – sold everything but it was not sustainable. So now I’ve raised them to a level that could support me while working at a sustainable pace. Wrote a blog post about that also: http://blog.lisacall.com/2009/01/pricing.html
Here’s to making a living from our art!
by the famous nemo on April 20, 2009
remember folks its alot harder to sell out then you think
by Lisa Call on April 20, 2009
Really? I’ve found it much easier. And fun – marketing is fun!
by Mary Anne Davis on April 20, 2009
I am rereading these and I see Nemo is saying it is a lot harder to sell OUT than you think. Good one! Thank you both for participating. Love seeing both your websites and your work.
by becky nielsen on April 20, 2009
Love this post! am reading a bio of arshile gorky and it breaks my heart to see that he was unable to make a living with his art – as it’s been for so many other artists. It’s encouraging to see those who are able to stay true to themselves, producing thought provoking and meaningful work, and still do ok financially.
And I know it’s really sappy, but I’ve always loved the children’s book, Frederic.
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
I have been thinking of your Arshile Gorky comment all week. Thank you for posting that. Somehow, I find that fact encouraging.
by Judi Tavill on April 21, 2009
love.
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
by jim on April 21, 2009
I think fear of not being able to make a living from art is what kept me from doing it much much sooner. I’ve always thought that in a way the manner that your parents made a living serves as the most powerful example of how you might do the same. Unfortunately if they made a living working in a factory or office for someone else it becomes much more difficult to be the one who breaks the chain. On the other hand if your parents started businesses, the children seem less apprehensive to do the same. Eventually and far too late, I just looked around and said… well, i see a lot of people making a living making ceramics and I certainly could do as good as that so what’s stopping me other than irrational fear. Fortunately, I didn’t look too closely at how they were making a living doing ceramics. But still however they managed, why them and not me? so here i am
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
Our kids are training for jobs that don’t exist, according to current thinking. How can we even imagine continuing in our parents footsteps? Good for you for endeavoring to follow your passion. It is a hard but rewarding road.
by Lyn Bates on April 23, 2009
Great post. I love selling my pieces – for me its the attention they draw to the unique area under threat in which I live and work. The payoff is the knowledge I can impart about the fragility of the environment which inspires and nourishes my soul, and I live in hope that my passion for country is passed through the pieces as they find their new homes. Mary Ann your site has so much traffic and there seems to be many like minded artists, I, like Russell Crowe on David Letterman, urge support for Terri Irwin’s US online protest against Alcan in their bid to mine Steve Irwin’s Wilderness Area which includes parts of the Wenlock River just north of Weipa where I live. Its worth checking out this wonderful wilderness through the link on my blog.
Your new site is so inviting – now wonder we all love checking it out!
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
I agree making our things and selling them is a far better way to live than inhaling and throwing away the vast mass produced goods our “consumer” market foists upon us. Quality of life is a multi-faceted gem.
by Chris Tenenholtz on April 27, 2009
I have been making a survivable living from my art for nearly 15 years now, and I have just turned the corner on amping it up to make a profitable living. Meaning being able to have a retirement fund, health insurance, and a college fund for my son. For the first time I am planning ways to hire help with mass producing some of my items beyond that which I do everything from start to finish–this is something I have resisted all along, and now I realize if I don’t do it I will never reach my goals!! (how simple–but yet I’ve resisted it!)
As an artist I think I have been stubborn about a lot of things: the way I choose to work, market myself, and look at making money. Well, things are changing, finally.
Thanks for your post Mary Anne–I hope this proves to be a valuable forum for idea exchange on the subject.
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
Congratulations on your success! I would caution you on outsourcing production in the mass production arena. I firmly believe our current economic crisis is a result of overproduction of mass produced and marketed goods that have undermined our quality of life, both environmentally and qualitatively. It poses a huge conundrum as to how to increase profitability in the face of meeting demand, but organizing production on site and hiring an appropriate manager might be ways of keeping production in house. My 2 cents. Thanks for sharing your success with us!
by mary starosta on May 2, 2009
I am in the first stages of selling my pottery. Last year (Oct-dec) I focused on folks I knew,etc. This year I have begun the outside tent sales and a small coffee shop. I guess I am testing the waters to see what of mine sells and how I would go about it. It still is a second income for me as I would be too scared to dive into it without a stable income. PS I love your studio!
by Mary Anne Davis on May 2, 2009
Sounds like a solid game plan. Good luck and keep up posted! Have you tried Etsy?
by Chris Tenenholtz on May 4, 2009
I hear ya, Mary Anne–I’m referring to a line of original and unique porcelain and silver jewelry that I would employ local women (or men!) to assemble at home with my components….I totally agree with you on the point of outsourcing to another factory–although I have been tossing the idea around for some of my already popular items….it IS a conundrum! I look forward to being able to work in my home studio and continue my lifestyle, but with some products that I don’t have to do each and every part of….luckily I live in a small tourist town with many folks who need side work and many shops that need locally made items…trying to piece it all together to keep my creative integrity and increase my income. I feel like I can provide work and marketable product and keep my head above the waves! I’m in discussion with a few shops that have been selling my work for years, and I am one of the only local artists left in these shops–in a town that used to be known for local artisans! Right now I am working with these shop owners to come up with designs that are original and priced right for their market. A different way to approach art–by analyzing the market first–but I feel that will bring me what I need financially and I will continue to throw pottery but without the pressure that I’ve had in the past, whereby I would exhaust myself producing and still keep banging my head on the $$ ceiling….
by Mary Anne Davis on May 6, 2009
Hi Chris- That sounds like a reasonable plan. Outsourcing regionally is a way to build a business and grow with conscience. If you have items selling faster than you can produce them, then go for it! I would even advocate using a regional factory if that is around or help develop one. My objection to outsourcing is more about outsourcing to remote producers. Tough to keep an eye on all kinds of standards when things are done afar. Your business model sounds like it has real potential. Look forward to hearing how it goes.