Any professional/full-time artists here?

Aisling&M

I'm going to be quitting my full-time responsible job soon to pursue my art career. Luckilly I have a very supportive husband who hates to see the detrimental effect a 9-5 mundane job is having on me.

I'd love to hear any anecdotes or experiences other full-time/professional artists have had.

I've got myself and my work on a few sites, have a blog and am creating a website and building a body of work. Aside from that any other information would be great. ESPECIALLY regarding self-discipline! lol

Thanks

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Come one then, let's see some work/links!! Only fair!

As a completely unprofessional artist, I've no idea why I'm saying this, but I will:

Deadlines. Fix yourself some deadlines. You have to have three peices finished in a week/two weeks/month and work to that deadline as if there was a genuine client waiting at the end of it.

I assume you've experience in exhibiting or sales, or at least getting your work on walls.

Beyond that, I can't really help! Let me know how it goes, would be interested as I may go down the same road some day!

P.

Aisling&M

Yeah, I'm trying to get enough work together to exhibit in the RDS in November and will try the people's park on Stephens Green if I can.

Here's a webpage of some of my work...


http://www.irishartcompendium.com/art.php?vec_action=search&artist_id=0000310

it'll have to do until I get my website up and running.

I've also got my name on the list for Merrion Square but would love to know if there's any more venues/open exhibitions out there.

artieanna

If you are interested in exhibiting in open and solo exhibitions have a look at the visual artists news sheet available free in galleries around the country or online www.visualartists.ie/

This is a great publication that tells you whats happening in art in Ireland. It also has which galleries are calling for submissions, artist opportunities etc;


I have found that a blog is a useful aid in keeping track of work and also as a motivation to continue to make art on an ongoing basis. Update it weekly or fortnightly with your latest sketches, paintings etc.

Aisling&M

I'll definitely check out that site! THanks a mil.

As for a blog........yep, got one http://groovyspirit.blogspot.com
and I'll have to update it tomorrow with some pics from the weekend. Thank you for reminding me.

Mink

Hi, I did Stephen's Green last year - June & Sept. It was a bit of a slog but fun all the same, met a lot of people, got a lot of cards out and exposure. Coupling that with Merrion Sq & Art Ireland in the RDS is a good route to go. It's totally just living and learning as far as I can tell. I think the waiting list for Merrion Sq is less now. If you need address for applying for Stephen's Green, I will post it on here for you. Start saving for RDS now cos the stands are €3-4K!!!! Some people break even, some make a good chunk of dough and some don't make anything til their 2nd attempt at RDS. Having spoken to a gallery owner he says pricing correctly and good presentation can pull it off.

Aisling&M

Thanks!

I'm on the list for Merrion Square.....no. 187 or something like that last I checked and also did Stephen's green once but got the SOUTh side which had literally no-one walking by all the time.
But I've applied this year again and hope to do the RDS in November.
It's amazing how many things are out there but just don't get broadcasted.

Mink

Hiya. They've gotten rid of using South Side now as of September's exhibition last year. So now it's just the East and North. I think they only use South side now as overflow, like if too many people sign up. They brought an artist to their meeting where they decide who goes where so they could witness it is fair and places are shown at random.
Yes they are definitely not broadcasted, possibly cos they don't want too many people doing it. Stephens Green is a classic example cos the only way of contacting them is a PO Box # & you've to send a self addressed envelope and all that malarky

NewIrishArt

Good move,

You might extend your scope a little more by going onto the specialist website, http://www.NewIrishArt.com its been around for years, its free and there is an enormous selection of works there already.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Aisling&M

Hi New Irish Art, I actually have signed up for that but totally forgotten to email pics. Thank you for the reminder!