Very cool, Matt! School Bus Dogs and Orange Black Monster Tree are my favorites. I would look into booth space at local festivals and art shows. I think you have an eye for this digital art!
Thank you Holly! I appreciate the nice comments. I'll look into those two options. I'll need to find some money for prints before I can show any work locally.
Art is a funny thing. I do some every day and share it with my sister. We started in the first COVID lockdown when the National Gallery of Australia published a month of art prompts for kids, so my sister and I thought, well if kids can do it, so can we. And we’ve been doing it ever since - more than three years now. I’ve always been a drawer so it was easy for me, but you can really see the improvements in my art and my sister’s since we started.
I’d never think of selling it though. Having said that, I have sold two pieces. We have a local art society too, and as Rebecca noted, they are a terrific way to find out what’s involved in framing and hanging and stuff like that. They hold classes and in a portrait class, the fellow that was sitting liked my painting so much that he bought it! The other one I sold was a portrait of a dog, done in coloured pencils, on commission because someone loved another picture I’d done of a dog I know.
So word of mouth is always useful. And local art societies. And Etsy... Best of luck anyway. And thanks for the link to this older post.
That is a lot of art to do, every day like that. It's good that you have your sister to share it with.
I know most people do art with no intention of selling it. It's always good though to have the option. I'm trying to sell my artwork to make extra money. It's fantastic that you received two buyers for your pieces. Quite unexpected I'm sure.
I emailed a local artist in my community who invited me to a get together that he was starting. He told me it would be a good thing for me to mingle with other artists and get my name out there. t just haven't been able to go yet because of work commitments.
I've read about Etsy and using integrations like Printful. I have to figure out logistically how to make it work for me.
Thanks for sharing your story! I found your post from another Substack, Three Things Weekly. I also do digital art. My stuff often starts with things that I hand draw with watercolor brush pens, but I then put them into the computer and change the hell out of them. I also use a lot of digital collage. My art mostly goes into comics (primarily poetry comics) but I'm getting ready to sell some prints of some of my panel art.
I love the kinetic energy of your School Bus Dogs!
I looked at your art and comics. It's pretty cool.
On your prints, are you using someone local or are you using a place that specializes in prints online? The reason I'm asking is because I've been trying to find a good place to create prints for me, other than Saatchi because I haven't had much luck with selling anything on there. It's true I haven't marketed on social media. I've just been trying via substack and word-of-mouth.
I just opened a Shopify store where I'm experimenting with selling posters and t-shirts of my art. I'm using Printful to fulfill the shirt and poster orders. You can see it at weirdopoetry.shop
I just barely opened it, so there not many products and the UX is not quite how I want it, but one thing at a time.
I've reviewed a bunch of providers including Printful. I read some bad reviews on them, so I don't think I'll go with them. I'm still researching my best options.
Matt, I love a story about a journey well travelled, and this post is certainly one of those. Great stuff!
As for your art, it has such energy! I love how you've tried different things and settled on digital art - your art materials haven't been wasted, because they were a means to an end - they were part of the essential process you've been through.
As for suggestions on how and where to sell - great that you've joined Saatchi Art's online portal. I used to sell my work on eBay and then on Etsy and my own website, and built a small following of returning customers for my handmade lampwork glass beads. I'd send you a link to my website but to my regret I deleted it in a fit of pique when Covid caused me to close my business! Oh well.
I've got two suggestions: join a local art community which runs regular events - I used to participate in open studio events locally - either opening for weekends at my own workshop, or at venues where a collection of other local artists would also be showing/selling/demonstrating. Everyone loves to see art in action - why not participate in a local art show and take along your work in progress? And network like crazy! I was RUBBISH at that part - I am the world's most anti-social person - but I tried!
Here on Substack I follow Sophie Lucido Johnson - her newsletter is 'You are doing a good enough job' - and many of her posts begin with a shot of a piece of her limited-edition artwork and a link to where to buy it. Have a look at this post for an example (it's a fabulous read in its own right, while you're there): https://goodenoughjob.substack.com/p/brain-surgery
When I was doing my research I considered Etsy. I think there were people who had problems with the additional fees. I'll have to take another look. eBay is out of the question right now because I would have to get prints made ahead of time, and I just don't have the money for that now.
I'll look into the local art community. I know where I live now they have an art association. Also, where I used to live, about 20 minutes south (and I'm always going down there), they have a huge art community. I was thinking about emailing the local leader of that group, to see if he could help me out. He's a world-renowned artist.
Networking is definitely a good thing. I will try it. It seems like when I try to network with people on my other subject (writing) that I can never get any response, not counting everyone on Substack. I'm talking about businesses that could use me for writing purposes.
As for your website, there is a way to look at it. In fact, I'm looking at it right now. Not all of the images are there but I can see it. If you want to know how to access it, I'll email you the info.
Such a pleasure, Matt! Glad to hear you've got a thriving art community where you live - it sounds as if there are some opportunities to get your work out there. Go for it!
At about the time I was winding up my business there was a lot of chat out there about the Etsy price hikes. I liked the platform because I didn't necessarily have to drive all my potential customers to my storefront (as I did with my website) - there would always be people browsing Etsy's online shelves 24/7. A bit like Substack - which I view as an open-all-hours online library with people from all over the world using the opportunity to pick up things to read at all hours of the day and night.
And LOL - I'm impressed - are you a spy?! (I'm not all that computer savvy, I must admit....)
LOL! I have a knack for finding information. If I look hard enough, I can find info about people that they probably thought no one would ever find. When I get a chance, I'll send you an email with how I located it. :)
Very cool, Matt! School Bus Dogs and Orange Black Monster Tree are my favorites. I would look into booth space at local festivals and art shows. I think you have an eye for this digital art!
Thank you Holly! I appreciate the nice comments. I'll look into those two options. I'll need to find some money for prints before I can show any work locally.
Art is a funny thing. I do some every day and share it with my sister. We started in the first COVID lockdown when the National Gallery of Australia published a month of art prompts for kids, so my sister and I thought, well if kids can do it, so can we. And we’ve been doing it ever since - more than three years now. I’ve always been a drawer so it was easy for me, but you can really see the improvements in my art and my sister’s since we started.
I’d never think of selling it though. Having said that, I have sold two pieces. We have a local art society too, and as Rebecca noted, they are a terrific way to find out what’s involved in framing and hanging and stuff like that. They hold classes and in a portrait class, the fellow that was sitting liked my painting so much that he bought it! The other one I sold was a portrait of a dog, done in coloured pencils, on commission because someone loved another picture I’d done of a dog I know.
So word of mouth is always useful. And local art societies. And Etsy... Best of luck anyway. And thanks for the link to this older post.
That is a lot of art to do, every day like that. It's good that you have your sister to share it with.
I know most people do art with no intention of selling it. It's always good though to have the option. I'm trying to sell my artwork to make extra money. It's fantastic that you received two buyers for your pieces. Quite unexpected I'm sure.
I emailed a local artist in my community who invited me to a get together that he was starting. He told me it would be a good thing for me to mingle with other artists and get my name out there. t just haven't been able to go yet because of work commitments.
I've read about Etsy and using integrations like Printful. I have to figure out logistically how to make it work for me.
Thanks for sharing your story! I found your post from another Substack, Three Things Weekly. I also do digital art. My stuff often starts with things that I hand draw with watercolor brush pens, but I then put them into the computer and change the hell out of them. I also use a lot of digital collage. My art mostly goes into comics (primarily poetry comics) but I'm getting ready to sell some prints of some of my panel art.
I love the kinetic energy of your School Bus Dogs!
Thanks Jason for the nice comments.
I looked at your art and comics. It's pretty cool.
On your prints, are you using someone local or are you using a place that specializes in prints online? The reason I'm asking is because I've been trying to find a good place to create prints for me, other than Saatchi because I haven't had much luck with selling anything on there. It's true I haven't marketed on social media. I've just been trying via substack and word-of-mouth.
I just opened a Shopify store where I'm experimenting with selling posters and t-shirts of my art. I'm using Printful to fulfill the shirt and poster orders. You can see it at weirdopoetry.shop
I just barely opened it, so there not many products and the UX is not quite how I want it, but one thing at a time.
I've reviewed a bunch of providers including Printful. I read some bad reviews on them, so I don't think I'll go with them. I'm still researching my best options.
Matt, I love a story about a journey well travelled, and this post is certainly one of those. Great stuff!
As for your art, it has such energy! I love how you've tried different things and settled on digital art - your art materials haven't been wasted, because they were a means to an end - they were part of the essential process you've been through.
As for suggestions on how and where to sell - great that you've joined Saatchi Art's online portal. I used to sell my work on eBay and then on Etsy and my own website, and built a small following of returning customers for my handmade lampwork glass beads. I'd send you a link to my website but to my regret I deleted it in a fit of pique when Covid caused me to close my business! Oh well.
I've got two suggestions: join a local art community which runs regular events - I used to participate in open studio events locally - either opening for weekends at my own workshop, or at venues where a collection of other local artists would also be showing/selling/demonstrating. Everyone loves to see art in action - why not participate in a local art show and take along your work in progress? And network like crazy! I was RUBBISH at that part - I am the world's most anti-social person - but I tried!
Here on Substack I follow Sophie Lucido Johnson - her newsletter is 'You are doing a good enough job' - and many of her posts begin with a shot of a piece of her limited-edition artwork and a link to where to buy it. Have a look at this post for an example (it's a fabulous read in its own right, while you're there): https://goodenoughjob.substack.com/p/brain-surgery
Thanks for the nice comments. I appreciate it.
When I was doing my research I considered Etsy. I think there were people who had problems with the additional fees. I'll have to take another look. eBay is out of the question right now because I would have to get prints made ahead of time, and I just don't have the money for that now.
I'll look into the local art community. I know where I live now they have an art association. Also, where I used to live, about 20 minutes south (and I'm always going down there), they have a huge art community. I was thinking about emailing the local leader of that group, to see if he could help me out. He's a world-renowned artist.
Networking is definitely a good thing. I will try it. It seems like when I try to network with people on my other subject (writing) that I can never get any response, not counting everyone on Substack. I'm talking about businesses that could use me for writing purposes.
As for your website, there is a way to look at it. In fact, I'm looking at it right now. Not all of the images are there but I can see it. If you want to know how to access it, I'll email you the info.
I'll check out the link.
Such a pleasure, Matt! Glad to hear you've got a thriving art community where you live - it sounds as if there are some opportunities to get your work out there. Go for it!
At about the time I was winding up my business there was a lot of chat out there about the Etsy price hikes. I liked the platform because I didn't necessarily have to drive all my potential customers to my storefront (as I did with my website) - there would always be people browsing Etsy's online shelves 24/7. A bit like Substack - which I view as an open-all-hours online library with people from all over the world using the opportunity to pick up things to read at all hours of the day and night.
And LOL - I'm impressed - are you a spy?! (I'm not all that computer savvy, I must admit....)
LOL! I have a knack for finding information. If I look hard enough, I can find info about people that they probably thought no one would ever find. When I get a chance, I'll send you an email with how I located it. :)
Now I’m wondering whether I buried those bodies deep enough…! 🫣
LOL!