When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.
Most of this information comes straight from the art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL ART GALLERIES
Visit art galleries near your home. Talk with the staff, and see if you're comfortable with them. Let them know that you're an artist, and that you're looking for representation. They may ask you to return with your portfolio or sample work.
Before committing to any gallery, learn more about their reputation. Most galleries are wonderful to work with, but a few aren't. Be especially cautious before signing an exclusive contract. It's fair to work with just one gallery in a particular area, but you should be free to work with distant galleries as well.
Galleries can provide regular income, but most artists don't earn a living from gallery sales alone. Nevertheless, gallery representation is a good addition to your resume.
With these long-term seeds planted, it's time to find some immediate income as a graphic artist.
While you're waiting for--or working on--bigger opportunities, you'll need income to pay your bills. If you market yourself aggressively, you can have a paycheck in less than a week.
PRINT SHOPS
The first place to visit is your local print shop. If there are several in your area, start with the more upscale printers, especially "mom and pop" print shops. Often, their customers bring sketches or poor quality originals for printing. The print shops hire artists to create--or at least clean up--the originals. If you can complete the necessary work overnight or faster, you may find steady work this way.
Many small print shops aren't current with technology. If you're comfortable with computer graphics, there may be steady income in this area.
For example, scanning a sketch and increasing its contrast can produce a print-ready graphic. If the shop is accustomed to redrawing the illustration from scratch, you'll save them time, money, and headaches if you offer them this digital alternative.
Some print shops have a bulletin board where local businesses can post their business cards. Make sure that your card stands out, and that it's clearly the card of a good artist. Leave a stack of your business cards with the shop, if they're willing to hand them out when a customer needs a special graphic or illustration.
INTERIOR DECORATORS AND DESIGNERS
After visiting every local print shop, it's time to explore alternatives. If you can make fine art (drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces) to order, print some full-color pages showing small samples of your work. Take them--and your business cards--to every interior decorator in your area.
Often, designers need a picture that features specific colors and perhaps a certain theme, in a precise size. If you develop a reputation for creating quality art quickly, this can be another steady source of income.
FREELANCING IN THE MEDIA
If you aren't already overwhelmed with work, your next stop is the local newspaper. Many newspapers have their own photographers and advertising artists, but some use freelancers instead. And, even if they have a competent graphics staff, they may need special work now and then.
For example, your black-and-white digital collages might be perfect as cover illustrations for newspaper supplements, especially at holidays such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and Christmas. Or, you could create line drawings from vintage photos for a regular column about local history.
Regional cable TV shows and local news shows often need graphics to represent specific subjects and themes. When they don't have a news photo to use as an illustration, they'll often rely on a generic graphic. Watch these local shows and see which of them could use better art. If you show up for an interview with readymade art in hand, you may make a sale on the spot.
ALTERNATIVE MARKETS
Look for unusual ways to sell your art. The local mattress shop may sell more beds if art on the walls creates a home-like ambience.
City buildings and public spaces need art. You might be surprised at the existing programs that encourage federal, state, and city offices to purchase and display art. In some cases, your town hall may not know about these programs. More often, these offices haven't purchased art because they didn't know how to find a good local artist.
Professional offices may be unhappy with the inexpensive prints they're displaying. Seeking better art is often a low priority for doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Whether you can create a large, clever cartoon to brighten a waiting room, or a full-sized mural for a hallway, there may be opportunities just a few feet from your front door.
ONE SALE LEADS TO THE NEXT
When you sell art that will be seen by the public, it's a good idea to write a press release about this. Your public library has books about writing press releases. Be sure to include a photo of yourself with the art, as well as easy ways for potential clients to contact you.
When the press release appears as an article in the newspaper, be sure that a copy of this is in your portfolio. Also, send copies to local art agents and interior decorators, to remind them that you're available for freelance work.
Looking for work as a graphic artist can seem overwhelming at first. Take it one step at a time. By planting seeds for long-term income and filling in with immediate, local work, you'll soon have a very successful career creating art that you love.
If you've picked some pointers about art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.
Most of this information comes straight from the art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL ART GALLERIES
Visit art galleries near your home. Talk with the staff, and see if you're comfortable with them. Let them know that you're an artist, and that you're looking for representation. They may ask you to return with your portfolio or sample work.
Before committing to any gallery, learn more about their reputation. Most galleries are wonderful to work with, but a few aren't. Be especially cautious before signing an exclusive contract. It's fair to work with just one gallery in a particular area, but you should be free to work with distant galleries as well.
Galleries can provide regular income, but most artists don't earn a living from gallery sales alone. Nevertheless, gallery representation is a good addition to your resume.
With these long-term seeds planted, it's time to find some immediate income as a graphic artist.
While you're waiting for--or working on--bigger opportunities, you'll need income to pay your bills. If you market yourself aggressively, you can have a paycheck in less than a week.
PRINT SHOPS
The first place to visit is your local print shop. If there are several in your area, start with the more upscale printers, especially "mom and pop" print shops. Often, their customers bring sketches or poor quality originals for printing. The print shops hire artists to create--or at least clean up--the originals. If you can complete the necessary work overnight or faster, you may find steady work this way.
Many small print shops aren't current with technology. If you're comfortable with computer graphics, there may be steady income in this area.
For example, scanning a sketch and increasing its contrast can produce a print-ready graphic. If the shop is accustomed to redrawing the illustration from scratch, you'll save them time, money, and headaches if you offer them this digital alternative.
Some print shops have a bulletin board where local businesses can post their business cards. Make sure that your card stands out, and that it's clearly the card of a good artist. Leave a stack of your business cards with the shop, if they're willing to hand them out when a customer needs a special graphic or illustration.
INTERIOR DECORATORS AND DESIGNERS
After visiting every local print shop, it's time to explore alternatives. If you can make fine art (drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces) to order, print some full-color pages showing small samples of your work. Take them--and your business cards--to every interior decorator in your area.
Often, designers need a picture that features specific colors and perhaps a certain theme, in a precise size. If you develop a reputation for creating quality art quickly, this can be another steady source of income.
FREELANCING IN THE MEDIA
If you aren't already overwhelmed with work, your next stop is the local newspaper. Many newspapers have their own photographers and advertising artists, but some use freelancers instead. And, even if they have a competent graphics staff, they may need special work now and then.
For example, your black-and-white digital collages might be perfect as cover illustrations for newspaper supplements, especially at holidays such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and Christmas. Or, you could create line drawings from vintage photos for a regular column about local history.
Regional cable TV shows and local news shows often need graphics to represent specific subjects and themes. When they don't have a news photo to use as an illustration, they'll often rely on a generic graphic. Watch these local shows and see which of them could use better art. If you show up for an interview with readymade art in hand, you may make a sale on the spot.
ALTERNATIVE MARKETS
Look for unusual ways to sell your art. The local mattress shop may sell more beds if art on the walls creates a home-like ambience.
City buildings and public spaces need art. You might be surprised at the existing programs that encourage federal, state, and city offices to purchase and display art. In some cases, your town hall may not know about these programs. More often, these offices haven't purchased art because they didn't know how to find a good local artist.
Professional offices may be unhappy with the inexpensive prints they're displaying. Seeking better art is often a low priority for doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Whether you can create a large, clever cartoon to brighten a waiting room, or a full-sized mural for a hallway, there may be opportunities just a few feet from your front door.
ONE SALE LEADS TO THE NEXT
When you sell art that will be seen by the public, it's a good idea to write a press release about this. Your public library has books about writing press releases. Be sure to include a photo of yourself with the art, as well as easy ways for potential clients to contact you.
When the press release appears as an article in the newspaper, be sure that a copy of this is in your portfolio. Also, send copies to local art agents and interior decorators, to remind them that you're available for freelance work.
Looking for work as a graphic artist can seem overwhelming at first. Take it one step at a time. By planting seeds for long-term income and filling in with immediate, local work, you'll soon have a very successful career creating art that you love.
If you've picked some pointers about art, arts, artists, find work, graphic artists, self employee that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.
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