Artists are a special breed. They march with a different drummer. Artists have been given a special gift, and that gift can be both very rewarding and very frustrating. The rewards are obvious. The frustration stems from how to make money from your creative endeavors. The purpose of this article is to provide you with some tools to resolve this issue.

It is important that artists understand that they are the most important part of the “Art Market”. Without the artist there is no art market… no art galleries, no art shows, no art books, no art magazines, no art workshops, no art supply houses, no art agents. In fact, there are no businesses of any kind related to the world of art if it is not for the artist.

Making money will never be your primary motivation, but it should come a close second if you want to live off your talents.

How should you represent your work to make a professional presentation of your artwork? As a professional artist, it is extremely important to do your best when submitting your art for review. The following six components are the foundation for making money from your artwork.

1.Visual Communication

So let’s start with how you communicate visually; and let’s also remember that as an artist you are in business, and every business should have a professional image. Here’s what you’ll need in the “Professional Stationery” category: your letterhead; your business card; and your mail envelope.

Your letterhead should be simple and creative. You must have your phone number, address, email address, and web address. Your business card should have all the information found on your letterhead. Finally, your mailing envelope should have your logo and return address.

2. Slides and professional photographs

You’ll also need some “professional quality slides and photos.” What does professional quality really mean? As an artist, you are creating a visual product, a product that needs to be seen before it can be sold. Slides and photos are your product inventory. If you’re able to take a high-quality photograph of your work, that’s fine; but unless your photography truly captures your work, hire a professional to do it for you. When photographing your art, it is important that you never do it framed. Framing is fine when your work is sold and hung, but those reviewing your work are distracted by the framing process.

When submitting your art for review or consideration, your slides must have at a minimum your name and phone number. However, if you really want to go professional, your slides should also have the title, medium, and size. The lab doing the developing can do it for you. If you are submitting photos instead of slides, please make sure all of the above appear on the back of each photo.

Every dollar you spend to make your art look professional is worth more than the cost. Photography is a business expense and tax deductible.

3. Presence on the Internet through your own website

What about a “professional website” you ask? Absolutely! Four or five years ago, most artists did not know any of the following terms: URL, dot.com, Internet, Hosting, On-line, Search Engines, etc. Only now are they beginning to see the value of an online presence as an incredible new exposure opportunity.

If you don’t have a website yet, you should remedy it as soon as possible. The fact is that the Internet offers contemporary artists a unique opportunity to exhibit and sell their art.

4. Professional brochure

A first class brochure can be the most effective way to visually present what you do and how well you do it. A professional brochure can create a better impression than a book complete with cheap reproductions. Your brochure should contain a representative sample of the scope of your work and should also include your biography.

A photograph should also appear on your bio page. Although this is not essential, an interesting image of the artist can influence the reader’s interest in the artist’s work. Make sure your brochure is produced using the four-color process and is printed on 80-100lb glossy paper.

5. Professional biography

Your biography is basically an artist statement. It is understood why you do what you do, who has influenced your work and everything that has been written about you. Your biography must incorporate a photograph of you.

6. Where to send your art

Finally, who should you send your art to for review? The most readily available sources are: galleries; juried events; contests; print editorials; agents and representatives; art fairs; and art festivals.

Take these simple steps one at a time to help you get on the path to earning money from your artistic talents. Remember to do your best and represent yourself and work like you are in business because in fact you are.