Thursday, February 14, 2008

Balancing a Full time Job and trying to get my Full Time Art Career going...


Gosh, there is not a day that passes that I don't resent waking up, showering and hurrying off to a job that I feel is a waste of time... I could be PAINTING or DRAWING or SELLING my art...

However, I am not yet at the stage of my art career that I can afford to do that. Financially and otherwise.

I am basically blogging about the 'otherwise'...

Organization is not my strong point. For most artistic types, we enjoy a chaotic existence. Yes, some of the stereotypes are true! Lord knows, I can't organize my clothing; let alone a palette or my art studio!

I also need a business/marketing plan... Oh boy! Am I ever in for it!

I have so many goals I know I need to accomplish that will help get me closer to saying " Take this job and shove it... I ain't working here no more...".

I am thinking that by putting it out to you, my audience, I will hold myself more accountable. Here they are, and not necessarily in any priority:


  • Obtain Business and resale license

  • Write my business plan

  • Write down my daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals.

  • Write down marketing ideas and strategies

  • Enter more competitions ( though carefully, I don't have money to throw away )

  • Get my Art into corporate enviroments

  • Make donations of my art to charities / local government

  • Go to local farmer's markets

  • Explore getting into art galleries

  • Write and KEEP a schedule for commissions and portrait work

  • Learn to make and meet my deadlines and due dates

  • Financial planning

  • Paint a few walls in my home for art 'display' for photo purposes for marketing on Ebay

  • Obtain a better digital camera

  • Contact local galleries about having exhibitions and shows

  • Contact local small businesses about possibly having shows at their establishment.

  • Contact local horse show administrators to be a vendor or have an exhibition at their function and make a donation for a 'prize'.

  • Create and write content for my Artist Blog if not daily, at least weekly

  • Get Business Cards

  • Make brochures

  • Create Flyers

  • Organize my studio for maximum productivity

  • Keep an inventory of supplies, canvases, paint, brushes, packing materials, etc

  • Develope the discipline to work through creative block

Wow... I need a drink! Diet Soda ( only if sweetened with Splenda ) for me!


Well... now lets look at what I have done:



  • Built a wesbite ( http://www.branderart.com/ )

  • Built portfolios and profiles and several major online artsites

  • Network on Myspace.com

  • Create this Blog

  • I am getting better at painting daily, even when I am 'tired' and don't 'feel' like it

  • I am working at better service for my customers

  • I am working to improve shipping and handling and turn around time ( which can be difficult working M-F and living in a rural community where the Post Office is closed on weekeds! )

  • I am reading more and more about art, selling art and creating art

  • I have close to 400 pieces of Art logged onto http://www.ebsqart.com/, which in my opinion, is one of the greatest artist resources. Yeah, I am there, just do a search for 'Horse'.

  • I am painting things other than horses... That is a big deal in itself. I am sure that'll be a topic for my blog for the future.

So yeah, whew... what a journey!


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