Where to turn first? [Art/money related]
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Hello again! Instead of making a new thread, I have opted to just add onto this one. The topic is relatively the same. "Where should I go?"
I need income. I am applying to every job that is applicable for me in my area. I am still working at my part-time job, though the work environment there is becoming shaky/toxic lately. Talk of everyone getting their hours cut, etc.
Thus, my main question; where should I turn to plea for commissions? I'm talking about $20-50 commissions. Doing the best I can, and mailing the piece to the owner when done. So no, not prints of digital work, but traditional, physical works of art. I have thought about asking the community here, but I am not sure which forum to turn to. Or if there would even be any interest. Ebay, Etsy, and etc would be of no help to me at this time. Sure, I have completed work that needs to be sold, but not from those sites. Just doesn't seem the right place for it. Not to mention all the fees that come with sites like that.
Speaking of which, I do have a small website in progress. It's missing three or four pages I want to feature, but some of the basic stuff is up. And it is viewable. If anyone's interested in seeing it to help guide me, just ask for the address.
If your curious about what I've said in the past, look below for the old post:
Original Post Message
Whelp, my mind is pretty bogged down right now, and I would like some help sorting things out. If you don't mind, and have some time...please, sit and have a read/chat.
First of all, I'll tell you a little about myself. I graduated with a BFA degree about two years ago and I am still struggling to get my footing off into something aligning with my degree. Working a piddly, part-time job while also trying to put together a website for commission/sale info. I am also working on getting into a local art gallery.
This is all well and good. In time, I should be able to start bringing in something. But...today my car broke down and has thrown a dire need for money in my face. I need my car to get to my job. The car can't be fixed without $900. I have student loans, credit card debt, and other bills to pay on my meager $500 p/month check. My husband helps out with bills, to be sure. But he also has student loans and has stacked up his debt while trying to keep us afloat. I need to bring in a better income. Preferably by starting with getting my art moving out. I just...I don't know where to start.
I've debated on starting an art shop here with Subeta forums, but I have little to no examples that I think would be relevant towards the consumer base here. Would doing some random freebies for people be a good first step? The need for money is pressing harder every day. I almost feel like I'd be wasting my time doing freebies when our bank could be going into negatives before too long. It brings me into a panic, and I know I am not thinking straight.
Should I simply gun to get my website/gallery up? Then go from there? I don't mind working for pay, so I don't want to slap up a random post begging for money and commissions. I am not active enough in the DA community to even begin to announce commission info there. Esty and Ebay would only be more money to spend. Augh, I feel like a broken record. If anyone has any advice, it would be appreciated.
At least a point in the better direction would be helpful. Thank you for your time. And forgive me if my addled brain is less than intelligent at the moment.
I need to start by saying I'm not an expert on art. What type of art do you do? If your art is of a high standard and of an appropriate medium, maybe you could arrange to sell it through a local art shop? My family has an art shop where we sell some art on behalf of artists while taking a cut, so maybe there is something similar where you live. If you are in a rush for cash keep in mind the market, for example my families shop mainly stocks original local landscapes, I would recommend seeing what is popular and painting something to do with that.
I think you should try all of the above, however I think people who buy art online tend to pay a lot less than the time you spend on the art is worth. I think things like subeta are better for hobby art or a bit of money on the side. If you need the money urgently subeta is probably a good start, if you have good examples (maybe do some art of your own pets to us as examples, and your HA or something like that), I think you should just start a board.
Definitely put up a site asap. Even if it just has a few examples and contact info, it is a start and you can continuously work on it.
I am in a similar situation, although not to the extent of $900. I have to pay $45 to fix my Xbox (my mom paid the whole $90 owed and said I only had to pay back half thank God) which is a huge amount for me. I work one day a week, two if I'm lucky. I actually just got an interview today for the 15th though, for a job that would be amazing, working at the front desk at a vet's office. I have a BA in art, but I'm not really doing anything related at the moment. My job right now is as a photo tech, so I use photoshop which is what my graphic design training was in, but it's not the same thing. I'm also trying to sell my art on here, but it's not going so well. I'm much, much more talented in ink drawings, not so much with the digital stuff because I don't have a tablet to do better lines at the moment. That's really my only issue. And like you, because I don't bring in a higher income, I can't afford to buy myself what I need. And because I can't buy what I need, I can't make more money. It's a vicious circle. I don't really know what to say as far as advice goes...just know that you're definitely not the only one in this situation. I was going to try to get my drawings into a local gallery, but they charge a monthly fee for artists to keep their work there and it's more than I can afford at the moment. Again, the damn money thing.
Thank you for your words. And things took a step for the worse. That 900 dropped to 500, but then became a $10k loan debt on top of the $500 spent to try to save my car. Husband's truck is dead too. And he has a job that requires him to be in a vehicle all day. :< Needless to say, I've spent the last couple of days freaking out.
I started a board to do a few sample freebies. To also get some practice in. But, with the latest turn of events, I've not had the time to sketch for the people on the waiting list just yet. :< I'm sure they'll be understanding since the drawings are free in the first place. If they were paying, I'd be putting them at a higher priority, of course.
I've also done some more work on my website. Sadly, something's wrong with my 'net connection. Everything I try to tweak is timing out. I hope this works itself out soon. I'll be trying to get at least one piece into the local gallery on Monday or Tuesday too. If you're interested, I'll keep you posted on how things are working out for me.
I'm still super stressed. And asides from doing what little I can at a time...the only thing that can be done is to talk about it. ;-; I feel pretty mad at the world and my luck at the moment. Or maybe devastated is a better term.
I'd definitely like to know what happens with your local gallery. I'm wondering if what mine charges is normal or if it's high because it's basically the only one in the area. And if you're looking for more subjects for examples, any of my pets would be happy to help. :) I totally understand how you feel being mad at the world. I have days where I just feel like everyone and everything is against me and I just want to crawl back in bed and hide.