Reality Doesn’t have to be a Throat Punch: Commercial Aspects of Being an Artist

by Holly Games

I've always been artistic, ever since I was a little kid. I used to paint and come up with all sorts of art. I painted rocks and sold them on the side of the road as well as always coloring and dabbling in various mediums. Art is still my go-to when I'm bored or stressed.

I began my career as an artist at eighteen, back in 1998, with a stall in a local flea market. I painted small signs, and they started selling. I thought back then that it was cool that someone wanted to buy something that I made. As my business grew, I stayed with it out of necessity, to make money and for the joy of creating. 

I now own Sea Glass Beach Cottage in Gulf Breeze, Florida, with my partner and lifelong best friend, Michelle. The shop was formerly owned by someone else, and I was just an artist that consigned there. The owner basically gave the shop to us due to unforeseen circumstances. It was a period of transition as my husband was finishing up chemotherapy treatments for leukemia, and the timing and conditions for owning a shop of our own fell into place perfectly. My partner, Michelle, saw the potential quicker than I did and talked me into it.

We continued the practice of consigning local artists. After all these years of looking for, supporting, and encouraging the artists in our area, there are many things I wish someone had told me, or that I could put out there to help those wanting to get started with a career in the arts- practical, real steps without throat punching their dreams.  

Here are the top three tips I wish aspiring artists knew about the commercial aspects of creating art for a living.

1. As an artist, you aren't going to get rich off of one piece. As you get your staple bread and butter pieces (the things you'll be known for) and you get the production of those few pieces down- then you can then go out and experiment with that one piece you've been dying to try and explore something new to find the next thing you'll produce in mass. 

For me, that is my beach signs. I'm known for painting our two local historical beach signs as ornaments, wall art, and fun, whimsical pieces for the outdoors. After figuring out my style and how to reproduce it a million times, I can explore further for fun- like last year when I tackled our local landmark, the Pensacola Graffiti Bridge, in resin.

2. You have to love your art. Sometimes there's some monotony, and it takes work to create that piece over and over, and over again. For my shop to consign you, I need to know you have more pieces in you so that I can restock when it becomes a local hit.

3. Know your art and know your market. Where are you trying to sell? What are they looking for? What can your community afford/is willing to pay for?

Here in Gulf Breeze, we live on the beach, so we can bet on the fact that beachy art sells quickly to both locals and tourists. Other types of art can be marketed, but not nearly as well as sunsets, fish, sand, waves, and starfish. So when we're buying from an artist, we tend to look for what we can quickly move.

The top two tips I wish consumers understood about buying from local artists.

1. I wish consumers knew how much work, time, blood, sweat, and tears go into a piece of art. If customers recognized the artistry, I would hope they wouldn't try to negotiate for lower prices.

2. Because they found it cheaper from a big box store mass-produced vs. an original local artist, you're getting an original piece of art. It's going to be more expensive and have imperfections, but it's going to be unique.

Don't let the business side of art deter you from creating. Go out and do it anyway!

Best wishes and God Bless,

Holly

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