Start Selling Your Art
5 Tips for Artists Just Starting Out
(What it takes to sell your art at art shows)


So, you've been painting for a while and your friends are telling you how good your paintings are. Or maybe, you've been making jewelry and people have stopped you on the street to ask where you bought your necklace. Or maybe, you've got a closet full of artwork that you're getting tired of looking at.

Whatever the reason, you've decided to venture out into the world and start selling your art.

Selling your paintings, sculpture, jewelry, or any other type of art can be scary. You never know if people are going to love it or hate it. And, there is so much to learn about doing art shows, selling, displaying your work, taking payments, talking to customers, marketing, and lots more.

Thinking back to when I was first starting out, there were so many things I would have liked to have known. So, to help you along on your chosen path, here are five tips if you are just starting out selling your art:

1. Know why you want to sell your work. There are many reasons to want to release your creations out to the public. The reason could be that you have so many paintings overflowing your house that you just have to get rid of some. It could be that you want the income. Or, it could be that you want to share your beautiful creations with the world. Whatever the reason, if you know it ahead of time then you will be able to focus your energies so you will get the best results.

2. Visit at least two or three art shows. There's no better eye opener than a reconnaissance mission. Actually looking at a show in person is a lot different from reading a prospectus. Look at how the show looks overall. Are there paintings similar in quality and price to what you paint? Is there a variety of media or does the show just focus on one type of art? Does it look easy to setup and teardown? Do the artists look like they are selling?

3. Talk to other artists. I have never met a nicer, more generous group of people than artists. Most are more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Ask about their experience with the show. Find out what they like and dislike about it. Ask about their favorite shows and why the shows are favorites. Ask if they think this would be a good venue for selling your art.

4. Invest in your display equipment a little at a time. A booth can be a huge investment. A very basic canopy can be a couple hundred dollar outlay. Then there are display tables, racks, print bins, grids, a chair, packaging materials, and whatever else you might need to make your booth work for you. And this is just the equipment; this doesn't even include the fees for your space at these art shows. See if you can borrow items from friends before you spend your cash. Check Craigslist, eBay, or thrift stores for used items. See if you already have some furniture pieces that might work. For example, a small end table turned upside down can work as a print bin.

5. Make sure your vehicle is large enough to carry all your booth display stuff and paintings or artwork. I have seen artists leave display pieces at art shows because they wouldn't fit back into the car. Load your vehicle a day or two before the show so you can have time to deal with any surprises. If you are going to be doing the show without any help, make sure you can easily lift everything in and out of your car.

Now for one last bonus tip: Never have any expectations about a show. You never know what a day is going to bring. So, just be sure to enjoy yourself!


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