Artist advice I wish I'd never taken

[@claudiajean8340]

1. Sign up for everything and everywhere online. (Way too time consuming and stressful. Choose or 3 places to maintain.) 2. Signing up for every platform where your work will be well received. (choose the right platform for you e.g. visual use Instagram or blogs.) 3. Spend lots of time trying to get into an art gallery. (There is no reason you can't sell your work online! You can't sell your artwork yourself if it's in a gallery and they take 50%) 4. Do as many art fairs as possible. (Not everybody can sell work in person. Prints sell in person better and originals sell better online [in her case] it can discourage you. It is a lot of work, it can be done. )

[@treasuretroves5497]

thank u!

[@bonnibelbuboltz9234]

Doing God's work right here.

[@00vTv00]

Wow! Claudia, you are very talented to have condensed this so well.

[@tieflingcorpse9817]

Your also more likely to sell to a person than you are to a pretentious gallery who only wants money

[@Freefolkcreate]

Thank you so much!

[@CK-op7ho]

I just shut down my etsy account, before this video was over. I thought I 'had' to be on it, and people ask if I'm on it, but I just can't charge $49 for a painting. For crafters and like that, fine, but for fine art where I've just spent weeks on a piece, no.

[@juelkapr]

Thank you, that is the same feeling I have. After hours and days creating a piece and selling it for pennies it not what I want to do.

[@CK-op7ho]

@@juelkapr I was told not to alter price, but to stick with what I do and what I charge (if the market bears it, and if I feel good about what I charged) and I will find my market. You will too!

[@Bachconcertos]

@@CourageousPainting Did you hire someone to create your own website or did you have to learn wordpress - what is the deal with that?

[@Bachconcertos]

@@CourageousPainting I was unable to access your website.

[@The-Secret-Dragon]

I'm a fine artist on etsy and have sold £200-500 paintings on there, but the vast majority of my sales are my smaller items like £3 stickers and £20 keyrings. The bigger stuff takes forever to shift. I can understand why it is not a good platform for most fine artists

[@tonimcnulty4971]

Thank you Julie, so helpful! Wonderful talk

[@AvieteR]

Dear Ellen, I'm only half way of your video and already feel urge to say THANK YOU for this, because I would have done all the same mistakes you're talking about.

[@taliesart1082]

Thank you Ellen for your advice. Advice to be taken or not taken. FOOD FOR THOUGHT

[@Hs5ab]

I did the art fair as well, found them exhausting as well. Glad you found your platform. So many don't. Yes I to had to get over the *gallery only* mind set. Yes I agree they keep your work hostage. I've kept in mind over the yrs that people who ask what gallery are you with, simply don't know what else to say and don't want to appear dumb. They also are not usually buyers of art either.

[@journeyofaconfusedartist]

I did this and so much experienced the same. I simplify now

[@Dw-px3bc]

As far as art fairs go, I agree with you I am not a people person. SO, I invite my younger sister. She has helped me close so many sales because of her out-going personality, and open up more myself.

[@wendydavenport9418]

I am not very good at selling

[@nemo9540]

I tried using my art to make money once and in the beginning it was great, I was getting a steady load of commissions and yes I was making a little money which was great when I needed to buy more supplies. The problem came when simply painting, drawing and creating that once made me happy committing myself to those commissions made me feel so miserable. I've since completely refused anymore commissions and only painting and draw for myself and I'm not getting hung up on selling my work and now I've found that joy in being creative again. ☺️

[@janiedeklerk3114]

Ellen you are a star!! Thank you for taking all the stresses off of my shoulders. I felt so overwhelmed. Now I can relax and do my art.❤

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

SO glad to read this - and you are welcome! :)

[@sweetlasvegassuccess]

You did a beautiful job of sharing your experience and being specific. Very helpful. Easy to listen to you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for the kind words; so glad it was helpful!

[@chantalrioux3292]

Thank you very much Ellen! It makes a lot of sense because social medias and promoting your work takes so much time and energy leaving less time to make art. Just having a web site and a couple of social medias is more than enough for me. Thanks for your videos!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment! 😊

[@pepa1420]

Thanks Ellen, great advice!!!👏👩‍🎨🙄🌻

[@RishiGangoly]

This is so nice of you to make this video. Very lovely. Thank you so much for taking out the time to give this information to the world. Love you for this. Awesome

[@stevecarmean2059]

Thanks for the helpful video, Ellen. I've only been painting for about two years and I'm happy to say that I was already avoiding these four things, just by instinct. As of today I am subscribing to your KZbin channel. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@juliemignard8448]

Thank you, you are so right. All those things that you get told to do, huh-uh. Listen to your own self, the most important thing you have to do is do your own art. One thing in my art life-- People kept asking me for my card. So, I made a graphic card, printed it out at home. It was good. No one who got it ever called me. So I made unique cards, each one a hand made work of art all on its own. It had two folds and stood on its own. Many people told me it was on their shelf and that they enjoyed it. But, I still never got any calls. I gave up and decided never to paint again. But that didn't work. I guess I am an addict. Now I sell out of my home and that works just fine. Word of mouth, friends of friends. It is slow, but I live simple and am old. And, when someone asks me for my card, I make them get out their smart phone and put my info into that.

[@makingitthrough190]

You have created such an interesting forum for discussion on this topic. I’ve just been caught up in reading all the comments. There is a wealth of wisdom here from artists from every kind of background and level of involvement. Thank you

[@KellieChasse]

Hi Ellen! Yes....Yes....Yes. It has taken me years to come to the same conclusion. I think as a creative person sometimes I found it hard to stay focused and jumping around from one thing to another to see what works was natural for me, but it takes great focus to do well. Great advice for any artist.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I am a self taught artist. About a year or so ago, I wrote a book about my art journey (about 50+ years actually)..In the book I made these observations in regards to putting your art in art galleries. > Every budding artist dreams of having their artwork hanging in an Art Gallery. It is usually a construed as sign of acceptance of being a competent artist. In some cases that may be correct, most galleries are very fussy about the quality of the art they hang. ...and rightly so, operating an Art Gallery is all about quality and credibility. Personally, I am in two minds about having my art in a gallery. Firstly, it will cost you money. Not a wall rental and picture hook fee... a commission fee. All galleries will take a percentage of an art sale price. Obviously, they can't do it for nothing. Every gallery is different, but most galleries take somewhere around a 50% commission from pieces you sell. Some take less. Above 50%. is rare, but it does happen. So, you price your painting at $500, put it in a gallery and it is sold...the gallery takes 50% of the price and all you get is $250 for your $500 painting. A painting you could have possibly sold privately and received the price you initially asked for it... $500. Remember, you possibly won't be the only artist on show in the gallery, so it becomes a game of luck to attract a buyer. I have found that most gallery operators do not go out of their way to "push" your art onto a prospective buyer. It just hangs on their wall and if it sells, it sells. Usually, if it doesn't sell in a month or so, you will be asked to take it home.< While this observation may not be the experience you might encounter, I'm sure it will be pretty close. Cheers

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

thank you for your contribution to the discussion - much appreciated.

[@marenagalvan4810]

I'm an artist went to art school graduated so close to a BFA but I dropped out as I was taken back by artists way much better than me. I was also young an foolish messed around didn't take it serious. Although a card company took interest in my paintings but my dorm mate shot that down real fast. Art is a very personal preference from your view and from potential buyers. I also worked as a custom picture framer and in a gallery. I wish I could go back and get my BFA degree but it's been to long. Hasn't technology killed the real traditional artists somewhat. IDK I would advise art students to study art as a second elective and get a degree in something that is going to pay the bills. Just a thinking online thought from a wannabe.

[@quiettornado1970]

@@pattywolford yeah, social scene at gallery is not for me since I has a processing disability.

[@voyance4elle]

in europe galleries are not only a selling factor but more of an "building the artists name" undertaking. It's about being taken seriously in fine arts, becoming known as an influencual contemporary artist, getting a reputation... if it's a good gallery they will slowly build up your name with exhibitions and shows, selling it to "important" collectors and your prices will then climb and climb. here, there is no other way than through an art gallery. my partner and I are extreme opposites. he is a painter, very serious, makes huge incredible oil paintings and is striving to be successful in the harsh world of contemporary fine art. I however have different mediums and styles that oscilliate between art and illustration... (in europe not everything is called art) and i dont really give a **** how i will make money or where i will be recognized... i just want to ve able to create as freely and as much as possible while making a living off several incomes... ^.^ what a couple... his way seems more secure once you've made it, but my way is more flexible with all the obstacles that lay around... he is the serious artist, i am the happy artist ^.^ he is concerned with recognition and success and having an impact, i am concerned with freedom of expression and playfulness.

[@raymondflores5176]

50% fk dat

[@castanedagus]

Great and precise info! Clear to undrestand and very hear-felt about Art Fairs Glad I heard it here first now I know Thank You

[@hollywong4649]

I truly appreciate your candor and your willingness to talk about the much needed business side of art making. It creates a sense of community among other artists and we all really need that! Looking forward to future postings. My best to you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your lovely comment, Holly; greatly appreciated 😊

[@linear7d]

Great information! Thank you for taking the time to share it!

[@lynnallen4379]

I just found this video and have to say how much I appreciate your honest advice. It makes good sense in so many ways. Thank you.

[@paintyourselfcalm]

Thank you. This was so helpful. What really stood out was how artists can get spread so thin trying to keep up with all the social media platforms. I'm rethinking so many things at the moment about where I want to sow my energy. I've been feeling so guilty and realizing it's not justified!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are most welcome. Too often we put so much pressure on ourselves to do it all, when it's truly an impossible task. Do what you can, do it as well as you can and take pride in knowing that's enough ❤

[@trevork.mcneil585]

It seemed to me as though you were giving examples of what are basically common misconceptions or at least advice based on limited information, particularly when it comes to social media and finding the right platform for the specific medium you create in. That is simply good advice in general.

[@gardengal9478]

Ellen, you are an answer to prayer. I have a 5 year old art business that has been needing this “shot in the arm” that your videos have provided for me. Your style of communicating is wonderful! I do private paint parties but have recently started to try and sell my work. Facebook is my only social media contact point and I am not very sure about it. I have an instagram account but haven’t used it lately. I have to get a website together but that is a daunting task for me. Thank you for all your help! As I have time I watch your videos. They give me hope!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Susan, you are very kind - thank you! ☺️

[@esteplosionart7386]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Just fyi. I had another site but directed my domain to my fineartamerica account. I haven't been there long but it is making sense to me to have the store already built in and it's quite straight forward. If that helps give ideas

[@mazza4190]

Learn the skills and ignore everyone. Find joy or damnation.

[@grittykitty50]

Steven, I like that.

[@domif.b.7657]

Thank you for this video. I took part in a major art fair a few years ago. I'm not a people person and ended up with anxiety due to the crowds at that fair. A colleague of mine, though, had a visit from a gallery there and ended up skyrocketing with his paintings. So, we never really know which of the channels will be working until we tried them.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Thank you for your honest advice Ellen.

[@meheretoday6968]

Thank you... I am just starting out and am pleased to have someone confirm what I had thought... great talk, thanks

[@colorfoolart4049]

I am so glad I found this video, Ellen! I have been wondering why I have been so stressed trying to sell my art and it is most likely because I am trying to run MANY shops, maintain every social media outlet, etc! (Plus raise my 3yo boy!) Ahhh! Great advice: love your work.

[@frankyavery]

I never put my stuff on Pinterest. Especially unique concepts. I feel like that's just an invite for people to copy your stuff.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

It truly is THE place to go for ideas. I have heard of people saying it's a great place to sell but I have no idea what those numbers would look like. Pinterest brings me about 14,000 viewers per month but I have no idea how many of those people actually buy :/

[@howardhill3395]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Perhaps as part of your sale, it may be worth asking the customer where they 1st saw your work

[@kaliwilliams5480]

Food for thought!

[@ACB2K]

Yes it is..

[@mindakahn9964]

Natasha Thompson Absolutely.

[@petroshingalana8556]

Please do another show, this is a great help, thank you so much..very helpful 😊

[@howardhill3395]

Very helpful video. Must have a clear marketing focus for your unique creations which includes the appropriate price & distribution channel. Thanks Ellen.

[@hc509]

Excellent video. We learn more from mistakes than successes and you shared what worked and did not work for you! Very beneficial for Artists such as myself just starting out!

[@fantasyeve87]

Oh my gosh thank you for spreading these ideas because I was starting to think about all of these “shops” and sites and thinking, how on earth am I going to manage all of these? Happy to hear I’m not the only one thinking this!

[@nicolamclean7253]

This resonated with me so much - I'm guilty of trying to do all those four things - we must've gone to the same art advice school! I was overwhelmed (still am) with art admin - trying to constantly update shops, some with prints, some with original art, some with both, some with smaller less expensive original art - it's exhausting and leaves so little time to actually create new art! I gave up art fairs after attending two and hating every minute of sitting behind a stall with my work on it. As an introvert I jsut didn't know whether to try to engage folk as they browsed or let them look in peace so ended up just sitting with an inane slightly pained smile on my face until I could pack up and go home! I'm considering at the moment which online stores to keep and which to ditch and actually gave up using Pinterest quite a while ago when they changed their alogorithm to the point that I couldn't even find my own art in a subject specific search so doubted anyone else would! Thank you for this and I'm looking forward to checking out your other videos for more advice.

[@vogahl34]

Yes!! I really thought it was helpful. Thank you! Great that you can share your experience with such clarity and insight. All the best 🙏🏽

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@joniyoungart]

Love your honesty in this video!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment! :)

[@Hepticus]

This was a very concise and personal overview, I really appreciated hearing your story of listening to advice that may or may not have suited you. It came across as very unpretentious and insightful

[@IsabeauStudio]

THANK YOU for making this video. You literally mentioned everything I did as a fiber artist, because of the advice I got. I had to go back to my advertising career and decided to go to business school to get a better understanding of well... business! I'm now ready to try again but so nervous because of the negative experiences I had. Wow, thank you and well done on your lovely business! So inspired x

[@cathorn1871]

Hi, Ellen! This was very helpful! I am just starting out. I recently quit my full-time job in order to pursue art. It is daunting, but I'm going slow and trying to make smart decisions. Thank you so much for posting this. :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Best of luck to you and your new art career! ☺️

[@nixhawkins6271]

Thank you so much for this . It's a very helpful pointers.

[@СветланаКрылова-р5э]

Wow your advice about choosing the social media in accordance with specific of art - it is so amazing, so simple and brilliantly. Wow. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@gardenglory6624]

enjoyed thoroughly. NO you didn't tell us what to do, YOU SAVED US. LOTS of bad bad bad advice out there. Thank you.

[@thehappypotter9612]

Love that painting behind you!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you!

[@ACreativeSpace92]

I am actually planning to start going to art festivals, flea markets, etc. to try to make a living. I really appreciate all of you videos. I have a website gallery and Etsy/casnacart. Thanks for all your advice as a fellow artist. Keep up the great content!

[@AnotherKid23]

Thank you for your honesty. I always thought galleries were the be all end all too if an artist making it but it’s different in today’s world and I’m happy for that. You can reach the world without leaving your house.

[@dougg1075]

I’ve bought art at fairs but they were always around 100 dollar or so pieces and the ones that were expensive I got a card and thought about it. I can see your point about price points.

[@PattysGarden]

Ellen, you are amazing. Talented, generous, honest and such a sweetheart to boot! Thank you for sharing.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Patty, you are so good to me - thank you!!

[@sassy6292]

Thank you!! I know what I have to do now:)

[@michaelhemmingartist]

Great video. Totally agree with these points. I have had similar hopes that have led to disappointment. Good to hear another artists viewpoint and your video is very non biased, just sharing what you found to be the case.

[@plfjh247]

Hi Ellen, thanks so much for your video! I have done an art fair at a local art center and I just barely broke even for my entry fee. It's a very fickle business! Art holiday fairs have their own special specs (I think) because people are looking for gifts. Yes, it was a LOT of work to only break even. I too am an introvert in general, which makes it harder to work in that kind of environment. But I am inspired by your online success! I will keep moving forward. Thanks again.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Cat Woman thank you so much for your comment here, and I am sorry to hear that you barely broke even; this type of thing happened to me as well, several times early on; we just can’t let it discourage us! Please do keep moving forward and if you hit a wall don’t take it as a sign that you should quit. Just think of it as a sign to find another way around it. 😊

[@largaparker6370]

I am a pewter artist in South Africa and the fairs...AH I ended up back at a 9-5 job hating every minute. So I totally agree, up at 4;00am slogging tables etc every weekend. I have recently started again but I hate social media. Your idea to pick one or two is the best thing. There is so many that I ended up with "technological freeze" - if there is such a term...Haha. To think that this video is still as relevant as when you did it is awesome! Thank you, it gave me some clarity in the madness.

[@barbaracantwell8831]

Thank you for the advice. I am just starting out and appreciate your candid comments.

[@dollimelaine]

thanks this was super helpful... just starting with online art sales and was wondering about more than one shop etc. for a few years i did art fairs selling hats i made...it is fun for a moment but then it is awful, like you say....it is hard for me to go to an art fair now cause i see the people sitting there and i feel it all over again. i also feel the same about art galleries as you said here. i do well on facebook as a portrait painter. i post a foto of my work and it always starts a dialogue and often inquiries that have led to commissions. i enjoy that alot.

[@kimberlypresley9842]

Thank you so much for your advice and wisdom! It has been really helpful in navigating the art world. I'm an oil pastel artist and I just recently decided to get serious about my art as a business. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos! :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Kimberly, thank you so much for taking the time to comment here; I'm happy to know you're finding these helpful! Above all, BEST of luck to you on your exciting new career! ☺️

[@kimberlypresley9842]

Thank you! I love your paintings btw! :)

[@HipThrowBarb]

Thankyou for sharing your experiences. I'm just starting out and this has saved me a lot of angst. I now have a clearer plan.

[@OldGreyMare547]

Ellen, thank you for confirming exactly what I've thinking about these points! I was becoming discouraged lately but your video has encouraged me to keep moving forward. Thank you!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Linda, thank you so much for your kind comment here. It's okay to get discouraged; it happens to all of us (I STILL get discouraged when opportunities don't go the way I'd hoped). Even the most successful artists always reach higher; it's the drive that keeps we creatives going and we're all in this together. :)

[@raccooninUK]

Dear Ellen, thank you for sharing such great advices based your personal experiences. I enjoy it very much and these are very useful thoughts.

[@dawnsafarik6872]

Thanks for this video! I found it helpful. Today I was so discouraged and felt like giving up on art myself. I had my first art show last month. I was so excited to finally be able to show my work. It didn’t turn out so well. The only people who attended the show are the people that I invited. I had comments about how there isn’t a market for portraits of women, which I do. I know that’s not true because several of the artists I admire do them! I’ve just felt like a miserable failure in trying to promote and sell my work. I’m just not sure how to find my market and the folks who can afford it. It can be so discouraging!! Why does it have to be so hard to be an artist and sell your work?!

[@firstlast2034]

Art is, in most cases a business. It takes guts, stamina, determination and if you do not have that then enjoy your work with art and get a paying job. That has been my experience.

[@Davett53]

I was a part time professional artist,.....I always had a part time job to support my art making. I had a lot of success, exhibiting my art, ...I have to admit, I never made a reliable dime selling my art. But I was in some amazing exhibitions, both single person shows and in group shows. I competed for many arts grants and was awarded them on 5 different years,.....those were money grants, with no restrictions on how I was to use the money. I purchased more tools, supplies and paid for professional photos to be taken of my art. This is "old school",..pre-digital media, silver image photography and slide production,....during the 1970s, 80s, & 90s.

[@gTANK7777]

I think the over arching point that you are bringing fourth here is that not all advice applies to everyone. It can be very situational. Some of the things you said in this video will work great for some people, and some things will not work well at all for others. Its all about understanding your own position and then applying certain things. Nice video, thank you.

[@KRAD]

Thank you very much for the honesty. It is helpful.

[@Purpleiris444]

totally agree with you. I found that being on too many social media takes up too much time and creative energy. Finally I narrow down to just FB and Instagram. All the others are automatically sync with my weblog.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Marlene Lee oh my gosh, it’s exhausting, isn’t it? There’s so much pressure to be everywhere and it’s just not possible. I became much happier when I let go of the channels that didn’t really matter. 😊. Thank you for your comment!

[@joesurfer9754]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio I'm not going to leave this post up for long so I hope you read it. I'v sold thousands of paintings the last 4 or 5 years ( I am a watercolor street artist). I have to paint 7 days a week. (Mostly watercolor seascapes, landscapes, surfing) Never been online with my paintings accept facebook. I have not been in any a show sinse high school in the 1970's. I NEVER give my phone number out. I paint and sell on the street. The reason Id' bet that you didn't sell in person is because of price and competition at shows. Make some big paintings to attract people but make a lot of smaller one's 12 x 18, 9 x 12 etc. to sell for bargain prices. Let the customer frame it themselves and tell them where best price's in town are for framing. VERY IMPORTANT:Always have your easel set up and be painting when out selling. Learn what your customers want and paint that, not what you want to paint. You will not only sell a lot but you will have to paint a lot more because of it. You will get so many commissions (paint those at home in A/C) over time that you will have to turn some down. You HAVE to have a type "A" personality and know how to do sales and talk. Study a group of black artists called the Highwaymen and there sales techniques. They literally sold 100's of thousands of paintings. Also, i'v learned, if you want to make big bucks, you need to be able to draw and paint a portrait on moments notice and/or as commissions. It does not matter if you are a landscape artist or something, people are going to want portraits. Don't be afraid of "not having a permit" if you find the balls to sell on the street. You have to be bold. I'v had a lot of people try to get me to tell them how i do it. Including one very pretty women who i gave my number to and then called me several times and once told me she was naked in a bathtub with candles and wanted me to teach her how to sell on the street... lol. Did'nt work. It's very hard sweaty work but you will make money. Customers will be literally going around town looking for you you will get so many. The commissions are where you quadruple your price's and ask for bare minimum half the money up front. Trust me, they will go to the bank and get it. If they want a portrait (they will) take a bunch of your own photos on the spot and never show the photos. Just the painting when fully finished. I have a bunch of people that have completely decorated their beach house's with my work. Your painting theme HAS to be directly related to where you are selling and to your target customer. ie: If you target tourists in New York City, you need to paint paintings of New York city. One last thing: Tourist's FROM New York will buy more paintings than anyone on the planet. I'm in florida.

[@nelsonunit7000]

What is the best site for actually selling your original work though? Is ebay not a good thing, as most people go on there to find a cheap bargain.

[@kaiyodei]

social media can show you trends to take advantage of. untill the market is to saturated with, let's say unicorn-butterfly-mermaid-sloths

[@prettykitty75]

@@joesurfer9754 That's freakin awesome!

[@ceciliabelmontcordero4637]

Thanks for sharing your Experience, I am from Mexico, your advices will help me a lot.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are welcome! :)

[@r.g.36]

I can't thank you enough, I've been thinking about starting online shop, of my own artworks, and have always felt lost and kind of confused about, what to do, what not to do, where to start, and you seemed like you gave all the answers to my questions, even the once I didn't think of. I really appreciate your desire to help and maybe guide a little bit, people who just getting into art "business", always had mixed filling about that word.😅🙈 Anyway, thank you very much for your insightful and helpful yet encouraging tips, advices and thoughts on this topic. I just stumbled upon your videos, this is probably 2nd or 3rd I'm watching, I didn't search for this but really glad I saw this. Please keep up this good work , you are really helpful. 🙏✊🙋‍♀️

[@jessicacano859]

Going to do my first art fair in a couple months. Thanks for the advice.

[@stevejorde]

Ellen this is EXCELLENT advice! I have found out the best way to get exposure is to get out and paint! Standing on the side of a road or street doing plein-air work has gotten me more inquiries beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you SOOOO much for your instructional videos, they are very helpful!

[@phyllisjarrett5780]

Hi Ellen, Fantastic advice! I'm presently retired and have always wanted to just do art. 28 years of a job I truly loved has now come to an end. My first love was art. Sitting upstairs in an old farmhouse drawing with only a pencil for hours. I'm thankful for my grade eight art teacher and you for giving me that lift of energy to believe, start and move ahead😉 Thanks you are awesome and so honest!💌 Sending love from Canada! I also have an Etsy shop😉 Good vibes always..take care.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Phyllis, you are so dear to leave me a comment here, thank you! And how wonderful that you are following your bliss! You can never go wrong with art and it sounds like you have a true passion for it. Congrats on your Etsy shop and BEST of luck to you! 😊

[@kathyr.1721]

Really appreciate what you are sharing. Thanks, Ellen!!

[@antiquus33]

I've been teaching art for 25 years and I'm soon to retire. I'm looking at "kicking off" a pseudo professional art pursuit through online sales of my work. I stumbled across your video re copyright infringement and ended up watching about eight more of your excellent efforts afterwards. It's a daunting proposition to embark upon especially at the age I'm at now. I took the comfortable road with my fine art degree and became a teacher. I'm hoping to do what I've always wanted to do and create art and make a decent living at it post retirement. I have more to watch...thank-you! (BTW...love the extreme colour choices for your animals and birds!)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your kind words, and best of luck to you on your new venture!

[@rainbowstarks]

Thank you! I was dying at the thought of having to be on many platforms. I think I will stick to my favourite 2 websites and 2 social medias. :)

[@KarmasAbutch]

Your point about spreading yourself thin online is spot on! My question is what happens when the thriving social media outlets you’d narrowed it down to... reaches over saturation, or an overall decline in it’s “personality”... and people begin to leave in droves. Currently happening with FB, Instagram and already did with DeviantArt?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

When many people began leaving FB I became quite worried as I was selling most all my originals there. I am still doing well there despite that because that is where my customers/followers are. I always make sure that people know how to reach me outside of FB also, and have Etsy/website links handy when needed. Granted, I've had my business page for 7 years now too, and with an established community. I am hoping someone else will assist with this question because it's a good one and deserves an answer for those starting out...

[@lizveta6643]

I found that helpful. Thanks. I kept hoping you'd show a few pieces of your art though.

[@serenitylost1]

Interesting perspective. I have sold in all those venues, gallery, online, my own web site, art fair, art clubs. I agree with you on the gallery and there is even more drama behind the scenes in many galleries. Art Fairs are sooo much work, very time consuming, it is costly. The places I sold the most art are in a specialty grocery store front, my paintings were hanging on the front wall right by the cash registers! The other place I sold several large paintings was at our county fair. I got ribbons for my paintings and they all sold. I am older now and looking forward to selling online. When I had my own website I sold one painting on there. I no longer have that website but am pondering the notion of creating one again.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

thank you for contributing to this conversation!

[@GnarledDavid]

Completely agree with all your points... a lot of the things you were told to do-- I did as well, but the game was different 10+ years ago, and the suggested methods may have made more sense... I started out pre internet and actually began my fine art career looking through the yellow pages....it's so different now. Great video-- now subscribed.

[@jepe15]

this video is really helps me mapping what I'm gonna do as an artist. thinking that being an artist always been captured as a poor job is not right anymore. I can make a lot of money by doing my passion. thanks again!

[@heatherwood2449]

I looked at your work now, I love it!!! wonderful use of color and white space. I love the balance and subject matter!!!

[@Glasspiperunner]

It made sense. I appreciate your advice and effort!

[@elkiness]

Hi! Yes, as an older (72) artist, I've been through many of the same experiences....and more! I agree with you absolutely. I've been on many galleries--some good experiences, but too many bad ones--even one gallery disappearing with 5 paintings! What I found most difficult is that I needed an income and happen to love teaching art. Teaching is draining. I kept up with the artwork all along--with many shows, even in a few museums. But balancing all this with bringing up a family was great strain. Something's gotta go. I guess it was my health. I have no advice, except--don't try to do it all. Leave room for yourself. Think carefully about what's most important.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Elinore! :)

[@Darrylizer1]

Thanks Ellen, you've confirmed some suspicions I've had and given me some solid advise.

[@peyotefinder69]

As a failing artist (LoL) I really appreciate your advice. I think that’s where I’m currently stuck on, taking shorty photos of my artwork and posting it on the wrong platforms (platforms that don’t suite it well). I think you’ve given me something to think about, to research and really see what works best for me as an artist. Really appreciate your advice and coming across this video was really encouraging.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm sorry this response is so late, but I wanted to thank you for your comment, and hope things have gotten a bit better for you!

[@chrishayman1747]

Thanks so much. Great tips for a beginner

[@bunnybabybevytv6434]

Ty for the pearls of wisdom

[@dr.c.c.1671]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video! Great advice.😘💐🙏

[@richardbornemann806]

The other thing about being on all of these platforms, whether etsy or social media, is that each has it's own SEO algorithm. And figuring out even one algorithm, even a little, is very very difficult. If not just about impossible. At least, I've never been able to do it. Good advice for keeping your sanity. Thanks!

[@lauraoldermanart6784]

Such great advice borne of experience. Thank you very much for sharing this. I'm just starting out and recently participated in a small fair. I sold several pieces of original art, but my price point (read "beginner low") is what I think helped move the pieces. I agree: Art fairs are exhausting! And, they can be expensive by the time you purchase the canopy, racks, tables, chairs, pay the participation fee, etc. They don't teach this stuff in art school, do they!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are SO right! Whenever I'm visiting a fair part of me wishes I were in it, but those are only on the lovely sunny, low humidity days. The weather plays such a huge role in everything from attitude of sellers and shoppers. Those days when it's muggy and rainy I'm beyond grateful that I only do a select few these days!

[@somethingbeautiful2212]

I have met some very grumpy artists in person. Being a friendly, curious and interested audience/ perspective buyer, it is often a surprise to get the short answer and brush off from a artist/seller.

[@joesurfer9754]

Look at the paintings they are showing. Wait a year and go back to the same show and you will see they are still trying to sell the same paintings.

[@lisanorris7436]

Thanks, l'm at the beginning baby steps and feeling a little overwhelmed already so I really appreciate this.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

It can get overwhelming for sure. Deep breaths 😊

[@keyonuh912]

This video was very helpful! And at least you tried those things and had the experiences that you had because now you understand how to go about your work even more. 🙂

[@tinydegraaf]

Tank you Ellen, I experienced all you mentioned in the same way.

[@sherryleggett1612]

I’m so glad I watched this. I am an introvert so art fairs would scare me but I thought it was something I should do. I was wondering how I was going to deal with all the online platforms when I barely even know how to deal with Facebook. I do love to teach though so I think developing some online classes could work for me. Thanks for helping me to focus.

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

GOOD TALK AND ADVICE!!!

[@ilaisalatu5804]

Thankyou for sharing.....i completely agree with you co'z i also stumble on the same stones....and now am trying to move forward again....

[@srednaart]

Thanks for sharing your experience Ellen! This was a breath of fresh air, things were getting overwhelming and I needed a breather. No point in making art if we are not enjoying it!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Absolutely right! So glad you found it helpful! ☺️

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

Great topic! Thank you for posting!

[@momdj1812]

thank you so much for giving me hope! That was excellent and something I needed to hear.

[@gloriabrothers5508]

Thank-you, you presented many good points for promoting our art. Much appreciated.

[@olgadeart]

Thank you, it's really helping, because I am making the same mistake-trying to be everywhere online, and it doesn't work

[@raymondflores5176]

at the end of the day the main ones like ffa and saatchi take time but theres always ebay amazon sux......ive wathed 100s of vids and know artist ebay or ffa gotta hit festivals and events 1st fridays and what no but even those blow now u get the starvin artist.....just look hot and men will buy ur art sadly or be good at art