I have really struggles to find art time over the winter, I have great thoughts of doing things but the small things get in the way. It is just over a year since I started selling work. Here are some things I have learned:
- Good quality prints are worth paying when creating prints to sell – I use Ginger The Art of Print in Warwick who provide a classic, great service and the quality of scanning and printing is exceptional. https://www.gingertheartofprint.co.uk
- When selling work, small things add up; tubes to post, postage, film sleeves for prints, printing of paperwork – you must add all items up and be genuine to yourself when figuring out outgoings.
- Tubes worked best for me in terms of postage. I think everyone develops their own way of rolling prints and packing them up – YOUTUBE is full of advice.
- Frames make a huge difference – I always use Picture Frame Express, Coventry. They have just made me some tray frames for Ferodo and the Coventry Elephant. https://www.pictureframesexpress.co.uk
- Don’t get despondent when potential customers discuss buying prints and then disappear. Sometimes they come back. Just the fact they they were interested is enough.
- I had underestimated how positively comments made by others impacted. When viewers share their thoughts, feelings, memories about the place I have painted I feel a great sense of warmth, excitement and inspiration.
- Does this earn enough to give up full time work? Not at the moment, my day job as a SENCO in a secondary school is demanding and exhausting and I cannot yet put more than spare time into this. But I won’t be doing that forever (it is unsustainable long term). So, I am planning this really, for a second career – in the future, where I can set myself up properly and dedicate my time and energy fully. How I long for those days.
So in 2023 I am aiming to complete some sketchbook work – I keep seeing books shared on Tiktok, completed with bold gouache, slightly naive studies (which I love) and am inspired to have a go myself. I also want to trial some biro and collage works, possibly some watercolour. I would love to loosen my style back up a bit without losing the attention to detail – this continues to be a battle. I’m having an inspired weekend so we shall see what happens.
sumourbanpainting.uk 