Simple tips on how I generate art income when life is challenging

[@hazelbrownn]

I love your videos. You give sensible advice and lessons learnt from your own experience which is always worth a listen. x

[@FEARLESSME-JoPaddy-]

I have to have another job. It's sad but true. I graduated with a degree in art years ago and went to art school to know/ learn more. As to I already had a design flare! However, I guess im just one of those ppl that life takes over all the time. Raising kids on my own and grandkids too cuz of life's unexpected tragedies. Im turning 60 soon and just can't seem to go forward with my art. The You Tube so to speak is just saturated with what I do. I have ppl copy and steal yet I don't have time to do anything about it. Sad too, cuz I give out so much advice and I want everyone to b happy and create. But now they are making money and im not, i'm very computer illiterate and not much time for editing and most I see that do the art I do are housewives that have help. Anyway, enough of my rant lol. I did want to tell you that I think your wonderful and I love your art that you create. I actually bought a piece of your art last year. I bought your Lion post card size print. It's beautiful and I always like to buy a little piece from other artists that I admire. Have a great day Ellen*

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Ranting is allowed here! :) Thank you for your comment and for your support of my work with your purchase. Hugs to you!

[@mischa7150]

that is nice of you to support other artists. I wish you the best in what you want with your art.

[@judybreedlove5348]

Thank you, Ellen, for offering your sound advice and sharing when you do to keep the income coming in. I'm in a fortunate situation where I don't have to bring in an income. But, I can imagine it is a big challenge to juggle your talents. I do like getting paid for what I do, and lately, I've been very successful with animal portrait commissions. Your advice is something to think about....thank you. Glad you're well, by the way. I've been missing you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Judy Breedlove Thank you for such a kind comment! I’m so glad you are having success with animal portrait commissions! That can be a very lucrative career!

[@johncollado1151]

Hi Ellen... good advice, and I've heard many other artists with similar incomes mention the same thing. I personally am not out there enough yet to actually comment on this as I normally work on commissions, so if I don't work, I don't have income. But I'm working on ways to do what you do. My other two cents on having something put away for those rainy days is to have lots of life insurance, especially at my age. Good video again, thanks.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That is probably the best advice there is, John. Great point - thank you for sharing that :)

[@mischa7150]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio life insurance? How does it work?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

@@mischa7150 go to any insurance agency and ask for life insurance. You'll have to pay a premium (just like you do with car insurance) but you can assess how much you'd like to have and the agent will take care of it for you. When a person has life insurance, when he/she dies, that money will go to someone you designate.

[@kaystill3843]

Just had a snap idea.. Pre make some paintings for your vacation time off... Then post & sell them while on vacation.. Awesome!!!

[@lesta.artist]

I’m turning 60 in a few days and have decided it’s time to go full time after many years of wanting to but being told I need to have “a real job”. So I was in banking many years and miserable. After Lyme disease screwed up the problem-solving part of my brain, I started a small landscape gardening business that I’ve done for 25 years...I’m just getting too old for that kind of work now so it’s time! My new husband has just started a lawn care business and I’m trying to not get sucked into all the stuff he wants me to do for him and be determined I’m going to put in a minimum of 20 hours a week painting! I appreciate all of the info you share! I don’t see it as rambling...it’s your honest thoughts. If you left any of it out, it might lose some of the essence of the feelings behind it and we might miss the total meaning. Thank you for you insight!😁

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

What a great comment, thank you so much! Oh, I am excited for you to have this time for yourself. Good for you for carving out 20 hours a week to paint!

[@lesta.artist]

I’m challenging myself on that score...hoping to stick to it! LOL!

[@cheaquettaj]

Ellen, I appreciate all of the extra time you take out to give very needed information for new and current artists to improve how they do business in the art world. I am struggling to get started putting my work out there in the big world. Like you, I have recently been hit with financial hardship and hope to offset my income by selling my artwork. I have gotten so much encouragement from friends and family that my art will sell but am so afraid that I'll bomb. Can you give me some advice on where I can look for good honest opinions about my work and if it will actually sell?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I relate to everything you're sharing here, Cheaquetta. I don't know of a particular site online that offers critiques like you're mentioning (although I'm sure they probably exist). I have always felt that one of the most honest places one can gain that kind of knowledge is by being in an art or craft show. Doesn't have to be a big one; there are loads during the holidays. You could set up a booth and offer your work and listen for feedback. Shoppers are pretty honest about those things. Hugs and best of luck!

[@corm1000]

What I have done is, I made a KZbin video of myself talking about my art, and then I promoted the video as a KZbin Ad. I did this because I wanted to get feedback from people, to find out what they thought of my art. It turns out that a lot of people like it, just be sure to show the art that you've done in the video. Now I decided I'm going to sell art prints on Etsy. Before I did this I just didn't know.

[@cheaquettaj]

@@corm1000 That sounds like a great idea! I will create some pieces I like and make a KZbin commercial with my work and see what kind of response I get. Then I can use that feedback to either start selling prints on Etsy if the feedback is positive, or to improve on points given from the viewer observations/comments. I'll try this because it gives me a goal that I can work towards!! I would also love to send my stuff to you and get your honest opinion if that's okay?

[@KSF2010]

I liked your idea about doing in advance some extra paintings when you are inspired along with your normal work so when you are on those times that you can't work, for whatever reason, you keep having some sort of income. I liked this video and other ones you've posted. I hope i can produce art work and sell it so i'm gathering as much information i can to do things well.

[@johnsexton4250]

Great info. I have watched a few if your vids and I enjoy them and appreviate the info and your passio to succeed as an artist. I was unfortunately born with about a pinky toe's worth of artistic ability, but I have always enjoyed art and doodling. I came across an article that enlightened me that hardly no one is born a great artist (hence why not many 2 years old's finger painting masterpieces in art galleries I guess.) Plus I was born color blind. Anyway, I have decided that I am going to draw and watch instructional videos for technique, tips, and tricks until I force myself to become an artist. Amazingly, around 2 months in I am actually creating some actual artful drawings, painting is a tough one due to not seeing colors. Anyway, I say all this because it is videos like yours that help encourage and guide people like me, to maybe actually becoming a passable artist. So thank you. 😊

[@sl2608]

When you sell to local stores, for example a gift shop, do they buy your products outright at a wholesale price? Or do they give you nothing upfront and then take a percentage of the sale when someone buys them? This is all very confusing to me. I need to come up with some other sources of income, but don't know where or how. I'm not even sure if I want to do Etsy! I hear good and bad about it. Thanks for this very thought provoking video!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That would be up to the individual stores to decide. I've had my work in places where I'm payed for my art at wholesale cost, then they can price and sell those items for whatever they'd like. Other places prefer to take a commission of the sale, which usually means you'd have to price your items higher than you normally would since those percentages can sometimes be 40-50%. Hope this helps! :)

[@sl2608]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Thanks, Ellen. That's very helpful and pretty much what i thought it would be like. Not as much profit in wholesale it seems.

[@soniafinch7922]

I was in this situation recently. Luckily I had kept 2 paintings back whilst I focused on getting in new Graphic Design business.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

That's great!

[@surgineramy]

I just love your vids! I'm a newhile adtist and have found your channel so incredibly informative and inspiring ✨💖🎨

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad Amy, thank you for your comment! :)

[@jessicacano859]

So much great advice. Thank you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you, Jessica!

[@kaystill3843]

I have an "Emergency Fund" set aside ( about 3 months of just bills). I also have a Wal-Mart gift card with $$ for household goods might need during low times. I like the idea about planing ahead and setting aside 2-3 paintings. We get some days with high winds in the desert.. And risk some paintings getting kissed with sand.. Ugh. Paint on the good days & save some for later is a good plan.

[@Fleurdoodles]

Hello Ellen, such a great video and amazing tips! Thank you for sharing your experience! ❤

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hugs and many thanks for your love and support, Maike! xoxo

[@olgadeart]

Thank you for these tips, it was very helpful. I'm in this moment right now, thinking how to get different incomes from my art as soon as possible, because i recently moved out from city and lost my teaching job. Just listening to you gives me hope :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Olga De Art thank you for your kind comment and I hope things fall into place for you very quickly and without too much stress! I have been where you are and sympathize with how scary it can be. Best of luck to you!

[@olgadeart]

Thank you!

[@rebelandsiren]

I know I am a little late to the table here lol but really good video! ♥️

[@emmolloy9951]

Thank you for sharing your tips! I have some questions about selling in boutiques - does one need to sign a contract with the business? Do you price for wholesale in that case? Do you charge taxes when you're selling like this? Thanks! -Erin

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

EM Molloy All great questions! Contracts are determined on a shop per shop basis. Some of the boutiques I have been in will do a simple verbal agreement if it’s something I’m comfortable with while others will go to great lengths to protect themselves and you as the artist. Prices are also at the shops discretion. If a shop wants to purchase your work then basically you are just making a sale and don’t have to do anything further because they will charge what they want after that. But if you are selling on consignment, shops can take anywhere from 30 to 50% so you need to make sure that you are setting your prices accordingly. Taxes are usually collected and paid by the shop owner. I hope this helps!

[@Bachconcertos]

Income: Teaching, print shops in and out of state, youtube ads, etsy

[@SilviaOdler]

Ellen..been lately watching your videos. I don't know if you were saying about how many paintings I should have to offer if I start Etsy. It's my dream. I've got few paintings and drawings.. But obviously I would create more to add and upload.. Hope you will see this message. Thanks for your advices

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

The more artwork you have the better! I started out with around 20 paintings when I opened up my shop and continued to add them as I finished them. Listing regularly will increase your chances of being found in search also 😊

[@SilviaOdler]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio thank you for your reply 😘

[@45yourtime]

First 💞

[@amary_kalil_art8196]

i dono ! it doesnt work with me :(

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm sorry these things aren't working for you ☹️

[@marsharn53]

Love the self help information you offer. I am RN Gone Rogue and turning to art for health reasons. Plus it’s a love I didn’t know I had! Thanks for any ramblings you may have! Keep it up Ellen!

[@katherinemarsh7429]

I'm very healthy

[@katherinemarsh7429]

Just do it - Don't "work on it" or say you are "working on it" Not upfront -