Guest writer: Suzie Wilson
There are many ways to express yourself through visual art, from painting to photography, video production, and more. If you've discovered a passion for the visual arts, you're probably wondering how to share your work with the world. Rest assured. There are more ways than ever before to get your masterpieces seen. By promoting your work through diverse channels, you can expand your reach and build a loyal following of art fans. Here are some tactics for sharing your art that is worth exploring.
Set aside a creative space in your home
Start by making sure you have a quiet place to create your visual art in peace. If you have an extra room in your home, that's perfect. Otherwise, you can consider installing an addition or renovating an attic or basement. Make sure to keep track of these updates, as they can boost your home's appraisal value. You should provide documentation of such upgrades, like receipts and before-and-after photos, to your appraiser.
Treat your visual art like a business endeavor
Ideally, you probably want to make a living off of your art. If you want it to succeed as a business, you must treat it like one. Start by registering an official business entity, like a limited liability company, LLC, or S-corporation. This makes it easier to manage invoices and expenses and can streamline taxes. Every state has its own rules for business formation, so check your area's guidelines.
Approach galleries and enter competitions
If you can get your work seen in galleries or through competitions, you'll reach a much broader audience. Research galleries in your area and check out this list of competitions online. To look more professional, create an artist's CV when approaching galleries or submitting to contests. A PDF editor makes it easy to update your resume. Just upload the file, change as needed, and then download it to share it — click for more info.
Put together an attractive website
A website is a great way to showcase your work as a visual artist. For example, you can provide links to your site via social media or on your business cards. There's no need to pay big bucks for a costly graphic designer. With template sites like Squarespace and Wix, you can put together a DIY website that looks great. ColorLib provides a list of templates ideal for visual artists, including Billey, Divi, and Jevelin.
Network at visual arts events
Networking is a great way to boost your profile as an artist. Look up and attend art events in your area using tools like Eventbrite. Make sure to arrive with an elevator pitch that briefly explains who you are and what you do. You can also bring business cards with a link to your online portfolio. Networking events are also great for connecting with other artists, like Drica Lobo. Cross-promoting with other creators is another handy way to get seen.
Get active on social media
Social media is an immensely valuable promotional tool for all kinds of visual artists. Focus your energy on social platforms that are very visual, like Instagram and TikTok. Get inspired by these stories of how other artists leverage social media to their advantage. For example, focusing on engagement is just as important as content. Instead of just posting pretty pictures, take time to like and comment on others' work. This creates a connection.
Building a career as a visual artist isn't always easy. By investing the time and energy into promoting your work and building a following, you'll improve your odds of success. From creating an artist's CV to setting up a website, the above steps can help.
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