Artists Don't Have to Starve

Fused glass by Kathy Hudson

It happened again today.  A young boy of about 12 came into the gallery with his grandmother.  He loves art glass and enjoyed learning about the various glass artists whose work we carry.  He had a little experience with glass fusing, and hoped to do more.

But then grandma had to make sure she weighed in with it.  "You better enjoy that now, sweetie, because you'll never make a living with it."

Glass Flower Bouquet
by Jade Glass

Of course, I can't help myself.  I point out that 8 of our 10 glass artists make a real living selling their glass to galleries and shops all over the US. The other two choose not to let glass be their sole living because they want to spend more time with their young children.  But it's their choice.

Do you think she cared?  Nope.  She was convinced I was making it up, or at the least, exaggerating the truth.  But you know what?  I wasn't.

At the start of each of my business classes for artists, I make them write the following in their notebooks, and promise to post it prominently in their studio:

THE ONLY STARVING ARTIST IS 

THE ONE WHO DOESN'T FOLLOW BUSINESS PRACTICES.

I know quite a few artists who are not only making a living selling their art, they are making a good living.  My favorite example is my fellow artist and sometimes teaching partner Pam Corwin of Paper Scissors Rock in Olympia, WA.  She's been making a living selling her art, in several formats and incarnations, for over 25 years now.  She owns her own home.  She employs a couple other people.  She owns a car.  She travels several times a year.  She has retirement socked away.  And she is single.  And by that I mean that she does all this completely on her own, without including the income of a spouse with a "real" full-time job.

Magnetic bookmarks by Pam Corwin

In fact, I'm eagerly awaiting the results of a new survey by www.CODAcraft.org.  In 2000, they did the first ever national survey of the economic impact of craft artists in the US.  Back in 2000, they surveyed more than 7000 craftspeople and found that craft sales generated nearly $14 billion in revenue for the US economy.  Yes, that's Billion with a "B"!  I can't wait to see what the 2011 survey shows!

But what does that really mean?  To compare, all the fruits and vegetables sold in the US amount to $15 billion.  Fuel oil and coal is less, clocking in at $13.2 billion.  Consider how much fruit and veggies you buy each year.  That's a lot!

That's exciting news for the many long-term unemployed people who have gotten pretty good at creating something while waiting for a job opportunity to come along.  And we all know, they might be waiting quite a bit longer, too.  My classes have been filling up due to the interest people have in learning how to turn their hobby into their new job, and join the ranks of the self-employed.

A one-day marketing workshop for artists is scheduled for September 24 in Edmonds.  It will be co-taught by my pal, Pam Corwin, and me.  It will cover things like Visualizing Your Business Identity, Creating Business Cards and Other Materials that Work, Building an Effective Website, and Web Marketing Tools.  The class is very interactive and lots of fun.

If you, or someone you know, fits the description I just talked about, let them know about this class!  If they sign up before August 15, it's cheaper too.  They can find out more and even register online.

Or, if they need to get in on some basics first, schedule a one-on-one consultation with me to get the ball rolling.  An hour and a half will catapult you on your way!

You, too, can join the ranks of those who are making a living selling their art.  I hope to see you there!

Manya Vee
www.ManyaVeeSelects.com