I’m trying to regain a belief that I can resume doing some artwork but what weighs me down is the lack of interest and orders I get for my work. And I know the adage of “making money shouldn’t be why you make art” buuuut they’re dependent on one another in order for this goal to continue.
So, I guess the question I have for myself is, “What steps can I make in this moment?”
I'm a photographer and I’ve had my art on this site for all most 15 years.
I do edit photos for my own pleasure and to keep learning but all too often, as I’m working, I start to feel frustration, disappointment, etc
I'm a photographer and I’ve had my art on this site for all most 15 years but I’m lucky if I get one sale a year and even then my share has never been more than $20-$30.
I do edit photos for my own pleasure and to keep learning but all too often, as I’m working, I start to feel frustration, disappointment, etc
The joy of having my moods swing up and down thanks to being bi-polar.
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha
Wow! Omg. Those are really really good! What camera are you using for those? The framing and detail are both excellent
Thank you ☺️
Pentax K1000 SLR, Canon EOS A2E SLR, Canon Rebel DSLR , Olympus Stylus point-and-shoot (film), a Canon G12 point-and-shoot, (digital), and my current iPhone, the 14Pro Max. I still have all of these.
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha I'm loosing my mind at the brick and wheat one. That's a near impossible shot! Why are you only selling these for 14$ they could go for hundreds at a gallery easy.
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha
Abo Mission Church, New Mexico
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha the lighting is perfect but doesn't wash anything out, the grass is highly detailed without being overwhelming or blurry and the brick building is a perfect ballance to the grass on the feild, in the distance, so the viewer can fully be emersed in the experience of being there. It's beautiful.
You have a good eye. Thank you. ❤️
I took that with the Canon Rebel DSLR sometime in the late 2000s.
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha thank you! Gotta do something with the failed art school education. Didn't have enough money to keep going but damn did I love it. And I just love creativity in general. Major was going to be museum curation, but obviously that didn't happen.
(I love that camera 📸) and I don't know what you did, but it's a great shot. Some people just have an eye for it.
That shot I edited it a lot. It was one of the first landscape photos I chose to put up for sale which I had decided to alter, granted the primary edits were to the tint, tone, and shade. I think I may have done some increased texturizing and/or sharpness.
I have a degree in photography and journalism. I had always dreamed of going back to get my MFA in the history of photography but that's far out of my economic options. Museum curating would be cool.
@see_the_sus I would have loved to had continued my education but art school is freaking expensive and I decided that it wasn't the best thing for me, n had a family instead, no regrets. I would have had to have buried myself in debt forever to chase that dream, so I found a different way. I still love it.
It’s a catch-22. I can’t afford the materials to print & frame my photos.
I’ve been in a few gallery shows, sold 2 pieces over twenty years ago in Denver, had a couple shows here in Albuquerque but sold nothing.
I used to sell at art fairs and farmer’s markets but I never even made enough to cover the seller’s fee. Plus the set up and take down is grueling when you have minimal or no help.
Now I sell only online. But, I suck at marketing. 😞
@see_the_sus I get that. Booths n gallery's are brutal and the darn fees n cuts go up every year too. That's not a reason to give up, well, maybe on the art touring, but now days you can print on almost any material straight from the internet.
Even print on canvas and metal depending on what you want. And as far as marketing goes, you could start by showing off your photography here, and see which type catches the most interest, can I repost your shop link?
I hear what you’re saying & I have printed on a wide variety of mediums but I’m no longer employed and currently filing for disability. I’m on Medicaid and food stamps. Plus, I have no ability to print on anything larger than 8.5” x 11”.
I have shared my work here and get a lot of support and have had a few orders. It’s that the frequency of sales is so far between and the profit too thin.
@see_the_sus I don't mean to pry, or harass about a sore subject. I just hate to see good artists give up on their work. Especially when the technology these days makes it so much easier then before. Wallmart photo center and other online based printers can do some amazing things on the cheep. Anywho I hope you keep posting your work here. It really is very good. :)
@see_the_sus @Oma_Trisha I know it's hard to make art for yourself (sorce=am artist) but making creative things for stupid non money reasons is really great for keeping art blocks at bay, and your skills up. You can always sell it later if you get tired of it. What's your medium?