How To Start Your Artist Career - Tips For Artists
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
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The first time I "showed" my art was at an art festival. I couldn't afford a booth so I decided to walk around wearing my art. I used duct tape to create straps to go over my shoulders and connected the straps to two paintings. I wore one painting on the front of my body and one on the back of my body. I walked around like that, from booth to booth, just enjoying the festival and all of the artists work. I ended up selling both paintings to two other artists for $200 a piece. It was the first time I was ever able to pay my rent with my art ( rent was much cheaper, the year was 2002 ) It was fun, and a great way to meet people and start a conversation with other artists !
Did it get better after the first time?
I've let the fear win for too long, so I'm finally starting my art career at 57 while slowly transitioning out of a corporate job. Sold a few, and just finished my first commission (very small), and that gives me the creative fuel do even more. Your videos and podcasts are motivational and inspirational - I only wish I'd discovered them sooner! Rafi and Klee, you rock!
Artmysturi we are in same boat! Best wishes to you
Dont feel bad I m gonnabe 69 in february still working my claim to fame
I am 56 and I've let fear rule my life WAY too long, too. 2020 will be the year I FINALLY start to kick some ass . . . I HOPE!!
wow - thank you for sharing this .... I was just thinking that "at my age" isn't it really too late for me?? ..... thank you for supporting and inspiring me ;)
Hope it's going well for you.
When someone says they love your stuff, believe THEM because they are the ones that will hand you money.
If everybody that said they liked my work bought it, I'd be rich.
@@karinjeffrey7981 But if they don't like, they almost definitely won't buy it.
14:14 one piece of advice id personally give is to just start creating ASAP. If you wait until you’re “ready” to make something you’ll probably never make it. Either way, you’re always going to think your early work is bad cuz you haven’t built up a lot of skills yet. You have to create a lot of bad, ugly art first before you’re able to create the really cool stuff.
I'm disabled and fairly bedridden. My work space is my bed. I crochet purses and jewelry while laying on my back. I store materials in the closet and in a tall bureau next to my bed. I store finished purses in white stackable file boxes. I store finished jewelry on white stackable trays on top of the file boxes. It's condensed, but it works well.
I agree with Klee 100%. Big ol’ cup of coffee ☕️ is the place to start.
Or Tea if that's more your thing!!
'bout to make a cup now...
Blessings fellow Artists 🙂
Just be sure you keep a brush sticking out of your paint water so you drink caffeine and not acrylics. 😜
Totally just re-watched this to calm me down from anxiety about starting out as an artist. Thanks guys.
Why do we make ART to begin with? If I was making art just for money, I would have quit many years ago. I make art because I have to! It is who I am. I stopped following advice that doesn't resonate. I make what inspires me, I don't make stuff to sell, if they sells, that is great! it is a bonus. I do 'me' now, why copy what is already out there? there is only one you, no one sees through your eyes, but you. We don't need clones. I put my art out to inspire people to create their own. I don't do marketing, the people that resonate with my work, find me. There is a saying (not sure of the origin, maybe Toni Robbins?) 'YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GREAT TO START, BUT YOU HAVE TO START TO BE GREAT!' one of my favorite saying. When you create from an inspired place, things flow, and time flies. When you do it from a desperate place, or a 'must do it' place, the results aren't so great. (ask me how I know...:) ) I totally agree with you about not having to have a studio space outside of your home, there are people who create art in a bathroom apartment, or third world countries, they make it on the ground. If you have a room, make priorities to what is important to you. If art is what is important, you will find room for it. I wanted to apologize for the long post, but changed my mind... I have something to say, so here you go. As always, Great content. PEACE!
I know you said not to copy but another great piece of advice from successful artists is to STEAL but when you steal don’t claim it was your idea make sure to pay respect where it’s due.
@@Sumunuhriginal I am not sure I understand what you are saying...Please tell me more
Yes, so enjoyable and relaxing. In the moment, the texture or the colors.
You two are some of the only artists I see on RUclips that I trust... mostly because theres always stuff everywhere in the background, and I see so many artists who have a pristine spotless art studio in every video... so hard 2 relate to them
I just love how she keeps refining everything he is saying
I am an artist, the thing about "just keep making artwork" is that you can easily get to a point very quickly where the work piles up and there is nowhere to store it which ends up in you not being able to create anymore. Obviously, we all wanna sell lots of work all the time to avoid this but it's a reality for so many. Space is hugh issue in the UK anyway, renting space is so expensive. 60sqft room could easily be £350+ Per month. Making art is expensive in so many way. Thanks for the effort in making your vids folks!
Not sure if I continued but I did start. Learned watching Bob Ross in the 80s, started selling on ebay around 2000-2003. Stopped making art, went to work for next 15 years and started painting again by painting for an online friend, then donated to a company auction for CMN where all sold and have been painting for fun for the last 2 years and sold to co-workers here and there and posting work on social media and Wordpress blog. Not selling so much but having fun! Also, made my spare bedroom into an art room when my grown children moved out.
If you work on a smaller scale and have limited space the top of the fridge is a legitimate art space. I have a big board that is on top of the fridge with my current works, brushes, pens and pencils, inks and watercolours I am currently using on it. I can easily pull the whole thing down and work on the kitchen table. Then when the kids wake up the whole thing goes straight back to the top of the fridge where it is safe again with minimal fuss. The rest of my supplies that aren't currently being used are in a box in a cupboard that I can access easily.
Also if you create something that you love and think it attractive then it stands to reason that other people will share your aesthetic because nobody is so weird or obscure that they are the only one to have that aesthetic. You just have to keep putting everything out there so they can find you.
N M
This was definitely needed!
I just finished up my first commission and it was huge. We had discussed how each series would hang, so I would paint accordingly. Then when I got pictures of them up, a lot of them were upside down or sideways!!!!!! I couldn’t understand the last minute design change. But art is subjective. I’ve really had to focus on telling myself that they no longer belong to me, and the buyer is free to do with the pieces whatever they choose.
Moral of the story; there’s a lot of bull-garb to learn to accept and deal with. Learn to be happy that your buyers are happy.
I'm glad you started adding "persist through the bullcrap" in your videos. I put myself in such a silly situation here so there's a LOT of bullcrap and disappointment every day, and I found myself repeating your mantra and drawing a little strength from it. It works!
Thank you for your encouraging words. I fold them like a fortune cookie message and put them straight in my heart 😉
11:14 idk about the goal of presentation to be “professional” but I would say having the presentation look nice and compliment your art is important, regardless of if it’s for sale or not
My painting got fourth place at the Nebraska State Fair this year! First time I ever entered anything.
Thanks again for all of the great advice. P.S. I have a call back for a final finalist interview for a year long art scholarship. I interview on Saturday, and will follow up.
BEST luck, Bill!
@@sherrylhenning5630 thanks
Bill Mondragon good luck!!!
@@Rafiandklee thanks
I feel like the art community is what every community needs. All artists I've come across are pushing other artists to just let it go and go all in. The best motivational speakers ever!!! You guys though, really drive it home.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I remember when I was living in a room with my newborn - single mom, broker than broke broke… but, I needed to paint for my mental health. That is when I began my watercolor journey. I painted with the pad on my lap and the water jar on the nightstand. When my daughter woke up, I’d slip the painting under the bed. When she was old enough to hold her own paint brush, she’d paint along with me. If there’s a will there’s a way. Fast forward to living in a home with a “junk room” - I squeezed my easel into a small corner and painted among the junk - I have tunnel vision and I swear I can block anything out. Dining rooms have been another area, but I wrecked our table… oh well. Now I have a 500 sq ft space I lease and hold paint and sip parties to pay the rent - the rest of the time, it’s all for my own art journey.
Rafi putting everything into that painting at about 1:30 in! Had me cracking up! 🤣
Spent the last two weeks binge watching this channels. Did my first flea market booth. I sold 3 prints for 20 bucks each. I didn’t even care that I didn’t break even with vender cost. But I learned sooo much! And seeing the smile on this 3 customers face made me so happy I also cried! Last time I felt that way was when my son & daughter were born!
I have to admit binge watching your channel helped me so much. I’m going to an actual pop up art show next week!
I had such amazing interactions as people stopped looked at my work and asked questions. Even though they buy, it was so rewarding. And this was in a non art market(I was the only art booth).
Great words of advice! Thank you for validating the way I create and sell. I stopped listening to the guru art-selling formulas when I noticed that the art that sells well by using their formulas is not the kind of art that I make. I'm not anti guru. I think some of their advice is ok and will sell paintings IF - big if - one paints a lot of the same thing and in a genre/niche that sells easily. At least that what I've seen around the internet. That's not me, so I sell my hodgepodge of paintings and assemblage at farmers markets, coffee shops, art fairs, juried exhibitions, and galleries, too.
PS: I love that Klee is now featured more prominently. It's nice to see a creative couple.
Klee could be a voice actor on children's shows. I'm sure youve heard it before but very unique voice.
In accord to this video, I'd add a couple things...
Starting out is relatively simple. "Put your hustle on and go do it." From slathering media and making stuff, to setting up wherever and everywhere you can. You're building a career where one didn't exist before you got there... That takes work, but the principle is still simple.
AND of course, "Simple" does NOT mean "Easy". Never EVER confuse those two terms. Rice is one of the simplest things in the world to cook, and yet, with regularly infuriating consistency, I find people who can't manage to do it...
If this business was easy, everyone would just do it and get rich. Remember that. ;o)
I let my 8 year old watch you guys, it has been so awesome for her confidence as an artist!
When did you have a turning point, and I mean when did you sell your first piece and when did you start “selling” consistently. Just wondering
I Love this channel ❤️ Artist Truth be told
My art "studio" is in my bedroom: a garage-style bench/shelf where I do the actual painting, two sets of large drawers for my paint + tools, three sets of small drawers for more tools and finished pieces, and six in-trays above the small drawers that I use as drying racks. I have an office-chair mat on the floor to catch paint spills. It works for me.
Klee's jingles are so much fun! I love them.
My advice would be to document everything from the beginning! Photos, dates, mediums, where the piece is, who bought it, did you destroy it, all that sorta shenanigans, stay organized, it makes everything easier!
Whenever I sell at markets, I try not to create a "professional" space, but instead focus on creating an inviting space - the kind of space that people want to stop in and see and maybe stay a while for a bit of conversation. I've found (where I live at least), that people really seem to like that kind of atmosphere and creating a space where people want to linger means I have more opportunities to talk to them about what I'm working on now, my homestead, the weather ... really whatever strikes our fancy at the time. That has gone a long way to creating a network of people who think of me first when buying for themselves or friends and family.
This is quite helpful. Thank you, Rafi and Klee. 🙂
I agree with making your own space at home. It may not be perfect, but it's free. Like you all said, just get on with it. I paint right next to my husband's drum set. While he's playing Metallica's Enter Sandman, I'm trying to calmly paint wildlife portraits!
Love listening to your point of view on this topic. When I went back to creating fine art, I had young kids and started worked at my kitchen table. Now, I recently created a larger workspace in my basement. I love working from home and having instant access to my work space without having to get in a car to travel there. For me, it just feels more productive that way.
This is what Tom Wolfe in his book "the painted word" labeled "The Boho Dance". Got a body of work, but the dance keeps me from launching. When I have put myself out there I got a good response. Great advice here, thanks. PeaceOrElse
I tell people my workspace is my apartment, I live alone in a small apartment. So every area is a work area for me. They think it's odd or messy, but hey it's my studio. 😁
I do clean up when i have company over so they can actually sit down.
Man I wish I had heard this before I did my first art festival. 🤦♀️great advice about the walls and ur booth. The look reflecting your personality instead of being like everyone else. To get into these shows they not only have to “deem u good enough” which can b a good thing, and u submit your art but they want booth shots also. And ur signage etc. I wanted to buy the “regular walls” everyone uses and they were expensive but I thought I could stand out with a cool aqua minty color...then I second guessed myself by doing black like everyone else. Oh well. I have learned a lot from that first show...🤷♀️and your advice is priceless. Thank u. Much gratitude for your sharing! U guys r awesome!
Discovered the metal fence at flea market is perfect for the s hooks to hang stuff off rather than the heavy grid wall. So now I just look for whatever I can hang stuff off of within the space and use easels too :)
I’m awful at diy, the walls you built are awesome ! 13:48
What I'm doing in the meantime is volunteering for a local art museum.
And I give little prints of my art as a gift, so that already is getting me known.
I'm glad you guys are all together and are doing well you know of me and you see my ad and you guys are great
I'm glad I got this a last months video again. I really needed it. It's almost as good as your Etsy rant videos (totally justified rants! Well done!)
I would Love to burn this one in my brain. So very good, and great points!!!👍😀
Hi! I just watched your video and I gotta say you both had the most great conversation I could ever heard. I know from the start, I also want to have my art career when I got older and I had more experience. But when I think about it, I'm blessed to be 18 and now reflected about your advices. I think I've been playing it safe in my life, not knowing I'm burying myself deeper than I thought. So, I decided to show up. It's hard to show up when I myself was putting me back. Your words was something I could ever want to hear in my life kaya I'm very thankful to have chosen your video first. Hope you continue encouraging artists to show up more. Thank u so much
Ok, I have to write a comment... THANKS A LOT!!! You catched me so much in this: no, I can’t put myself out there, I am still learning and this and that...And just today morning, my first Video was your Rant about putting yourself out there... THANK YOU SO MUCH for the « arschtritt » we say in germany!!
Klee nailed it with you start with a cup of coffee...….uh-yup! That's the very first step! (chuckle, chuckle.... lifting coffee in salute to Klee)
The challenge to this topic for me is the “type” of artwork you’re creating. I create fairly large sculptures. (Well sailboats) I can’t carry these around. Most advice on RUclips talks exclusively about paintings. Which makes me feel isolated as an artist looking to sell their work.
Well thanks to you guys, I just might be starting my art career before I graduate college. I don’t receive financial aid and my regular 9-5 won’t cover it so I think selling my work is probably going to help.
The advice I keep getting given is "Just do it" and i'm like "WTF does that mean!?"
So yeah, a big cup of coffee sounds like a bloody amazing place to start :D
thanks! I really needed that today!
I agree with your points in this video. I would like to add, go get your business set up. The small business administration has a lot of resources. Building a business plan for an artist can seem a useless process, but it helps answer a lot if questions. You will identify and understand markets, understand your overhead, develop a direction to begin your journey. Having a plan I have found concretes the business in the mind of a young artist. This gives confidence. Then the artist can continue to develop their plan.
Hello Rafi. Im Hector from Puerto Rico living in Killeen Tx. Just subscribed to ur channel and i really like it. I was born as a artist but took for being lazy over 13 years brake. I started again few weeks ago. Thank u so much for ur great info and advices. Following u
Just finished another Raffi and Klee video. thank you again I love this stuff and my binge has going on for three days now oh no !!
thanks guys
An art space?
My art space is an easel and a bag full of paint tubes. Those two things do a lot of wandering but it's all I need. So don't be discouraged starting out if you don't have a studio or crafting room!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yay! Thanks for the encouraging advice!!!
My current art space is a corner of my bedroom and my dining room table when it’s free. 🤷🏻♀️ I’m saving money and it’s the best I can do. I’m content.
My new favorite peoples!!!! Subscribed!!!
A work space requires areas to store materials, works in progress as well as completed projects for online orders. To save space, bring excess completed projects to local stores, restaurants, etc.
Thank you, you two! Thank you for all your inspiring and great tips, you rock! Terrifying indeed even for me at age 74 starting over again, with MS and blind in one eye! I had an art business for a few years until my late husband passed away and he handled most of the business end and was a professional sales man and got my work into local stores as prints, postcards and blank greeting cards! I used Vistaprint for that! But, while I could get those same prints of illustrations I did , I've decided to try a different more timely creative approach with my fine art paintings which can still be made into prints etc. So we'll see how that flies in due time! Not rushing it, because when you have to fight an unseen auto-immune disease everyday, it's important to take it slow and easy, meditate, do yoga etc. I was also a fitness trainer in the 1990s and worked out with light weights and a barbell so I try and keep my strength up with that! I worked in NYC as a fashion illustrator in the late 1960s and 70s before getting married and raising three kids but that was a long time ago but still have great memories working in that field. I saw a recent video on RUclips where an artist in Paris said his whole apartment was his studio, so that's what I'm doing as well! Best of luck to all, keep a goin', what the late great American actress Katharine Hepburn use to say and she lived until she was 96 and acted into her 80s! "Never give up"...Sir Winston Churchill as well! ♥♥
I use gotprint.com Thank you!
Really digging your channel! Thanks for this awesome video
Thanks for watching!
Great advice. I once heard this summed up in a nice way (can't remember where I heard this): "Make stuff, and tell everybody". If you set that on repeat, you'll be on your way in no time!
I really love the painting of the guy with the blue and red background behind him, the shadows really help sell the mood and intrigue of the piece. Noticed some of the small character pieces look great especially if you add some shadows to them.
I seriously rely on you guys to post these videos lol I watch you guys while in my studio or in my “ CREATION STATION” as I like to call it for my 8 year old son , he knows to respect his dads creation station. Which btw is just a dinning room that we don’t need or use as said purpose so like you said in this video, you don’t need a space outside of your home and I totally agree. Please keep up the videos I love you both and your art is amazing and so inspirational and speaks volumes to those whom have a hard time out of the darkness. Also I love Klee’s witty humor and short interruptive spurts of humorous puns or knowledgeable analogies. Love you guys ;)
Awesome. Knowing what to do, and being brave enough to do it, are two separate things.
Thanks y’all. Great advice. I appreciate the casual yet driven approach.
When I first set up a place for an easel storage was a problem. I got an inexpensive dresser from the thrift store, It worked really well and the top was a nice feature.
I use rolling little towers now, also nice to have a top to put things on.
You are awesome and fabulous!! Very grateful for you
I am from India ,and 52 years old. My style of painting which I can manage to do is bit illustration type.So my point is it considered as an art or illustration
I love watching the both of you .... Rafi and Klee - you are both so down to earth and unpretentious - Klee your natural beauty (inside & out) is inspiring .... thanks for all the love and support you are giving to us out here
thanks for sharing your insights
Regarding space to work, I find a loft bed indispensable. If you can't afford to buy one, then build one--it's not all that complicated. Give yourself shelving up topside. You can store art supplies down there, and make the rest of your room your studio, or if you do small stuff put your desk and chair and shelves down under. The topside area then becomes your bedroom (you can even curtain it off or drape it in mosquito netting to further define the space) so that you can get the good night's sleep of having a space for sleeping separate from your work.
great share as always!
I definitely agree with having a body of work before you jump into it, especially if you want to "get serious" - have a website, be recognized and remembered for your style etc.
However, I don't see any reason why that body of work needs to be more than 6-10 pieces initially, and hopefully that doesn't take 2 yrs to create.
I think it's more important to kill the idea, that ppl have to be in their "final end game evolution form", before they start showing/selling their work... First of all, no artist ever stops evolving (hopefully). Secondly, a lot of clients/potential clients/fans/friends will love to be with you, on the sideline of that journey. =)
I loved watching Rafi make the Jewelry forms.
Hi! I have been binge watching your videos. I think you and your wife are amazing!!! Hope you can do a video of how you transfer your finished painted canvas to frame...
I just found your channel so I'm in the process of binging all of your videos. You have such great advice and a positive attitude. What a great channel! I am so happy that I found you.
This was great- thanks- love your channel 🤓👍👍
Ooo! I love this! Just do your best, whatever that means to you. 💕
I commented too soon, keep going through the bull crap. Holy smokes, yes. THAT is solid advice! I have to tell you, mine wasn’t as bad, but that haunting crap is for real. Can’t hurt you if you’re not afraid of it. I got annoyed and said I don’t have time for this BS anymore (kid toys popping up and going off by themselves - dying with fresh batteries were the recent favorite) the washing machine dial clicked over 5 more times, stopped and I went the ^%#< to sleep. Slept great that night, too. My room was in the basement. Something about the dark that can really test nerves. 💕
Yes!!!! And ALWAYS start with the coffee!!😉😁
I know the exact video this is a response to and I 100% agree it was some of the crappiest (and weird) art career advice I've ever heard from someone I've never heard of!
I know the video too 😂😂
What is the video?
Instagram is great, art collaborations and shoutouts and all that fun stuff with a bunch of like minded instagram artists can be really fun and beneficial.
Rafi & Klee, these videos are great! 🎨 Thanks for the motivation and sharing. So happy I found these gems... somehow 🎉
Great channel, I have just started painting and I love it. It's so relaxing. This channel is amazing too and great people
I actually had paintings in my first solo show depicting different facets in how I used paint and medium. A highly respected and local artist came by and offered the following-“congratulations on the show/your work lacks maturity/but you have a few nice pieces.” Within the last few years I had a piece in an open artist call and he approached me and said my work was beautiful. So, just get yourself out there, play with different styles and eventually, you will begin to create a name for yourself and have people approach you asking if you’d like to show at their place of business. And you will develop the confidence to approach other venues on your own. Sorry about the rambling Raffi 😁
I'm too old to wait. lol. Thanks for all the advice Rafi and Klee!
Just finishing on some "bullcrap"... but still hanging on. Great video.
This summer my brand will hit it's 5th season... And my target is local..
Everything you two said is the absolute truth...
This INSPIRED me..🤗 yay!
Hugs from Manhattan Kansas
Where can I buy some patience I've got none oh and if it cost too much I'll never be an artist lol..... My problem is I'm scare to start I used to be good in my early age now at 64 I need a boost. I've bought all bunch of art supplies a computer etc etc my place it's very small so Im procrastinating alot. I just subscribed and like your channel thank you do much
And never sell yourself short you're always better than you would ever imagine you are the Creator they have no imagination so you're in the top of the line your points up keep it going
This is one of the best advice videos I've seen and I've watched a lot. Thank you!!! I truly appreciate your opinion and the information you share. ❤️
Is it just me or is this vid a bit blurry?
Love all the advice guys. Great stuff as always. :)
Of the best advice ive heard
Make it look good. keep making more.
Love all your advice. You both rock! I have been binge watching your videos because I am a new sub. I am hooked.
You are absolutely correct.
If you're trying to get started and people tell you it's impossible and you can't do it, don't listen to them because they're telling their story, not yours.
Awesome video, Rafi and Klee (...Klafi??) I'd go with 'be genuine' over 'appear professional' any day. Those are the people whose art I remember from shows and such - the ones who were present and open and just seemed to be themselves. The relationship may have started b/c their art appealed to me and called me over, but what makes me buy and/or remember their art for later is feeling a connection with the artist. This is true of all the people I do loyal business with, not just artists.
I think as artists we just have to keep in mind that our genuine self isn't going to connect with everyone. But if we try to make ourselves and our art into something that will appeal to more people, then we risk not forming a genuine bond with anyone and therefore we won't build a loyal following. Then I worry for myself that I'd be forever chasing 'art popularity' and lose myself, my natural aesthetic, and my personal message in the process. (Spoken by someone who has yet to show anyone any art yet, lol!)
i really loved this video. made me feel better about all the question i ask myself everyday. and this was inspiring.
I love you guys! I haven't painted in years since I got sucked into a graphic design career which has been great... but I'm going back to what I actually love and all your videos are really great for many reasons!! 💜💜
Thanks!❤️
I accidentally found my niche as I was building my art business. I do wood burning 🔥 pyrography and just showed time lapse videos etc and a certain product kept getting ordered over and over again.
I put myself out there all over social media. I don’t have a lot of followers but I am on Pinterest, Instagram, FB, RUclips and TikTok.
My market is a variety of ages and a variety of backgrounds. I customize to their requests with my flare of style. I have made generic pieces but then some creative people want something different and I collaborate with them and come out with pretty fun cool pieces.
I am still small potatoes as an art business but hope I can grow more someday.